Make-A-Wish: A Decade of Storytelling and Impact
Over nearly ten years, I partnered with Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area to capture the magic of wishes, events, and fundraising campaigns. This work became a cornerstone of my career, blending my passion for storytelling with the opportunity to bring joy to children and their families.
Event Highlights
Make-A-Wish hosted countless impactful events that I was privileged to cover, including major fundraisers like Wishes in Wine Country, Walk for Wishes, and Brave the Bay. These events brought together donors, volunteers, and wish families to celebrate the transformative power of a wish. At Wine & Wishes, I captured intimate moments of connection during exclusive wine tastings and auctions. At Brave the Bay, I documented participants plunging into icy waters to raise funds, showcasing their courage and dedication.
Another standout was Wish Day at the Oakland Coliseum, where Make-A-Wish partnered with the Oakland A’s to grant dreams on a grand scale (detailed below). Across all these events, my role was to capture the emotion, energy, and impact through photography and videography, producing media that inspired donors and told the story of Make-A-Wish’s mission.
Oakland A's Wish Day: A Grand Slam Experience
Among all the events I’ve covered, Oakland A’s Wish Day stands out as one of the most unforgettable. This incredible day brought wish kids and their families onto the field at the Oakland Coliseum for experiences they’ll cherish forever. The kids met players, got autographs, and stood proudly on the field for the national anthem. One lucky child threw the first pitch, and others joined the mascots for a race around the diamond during the seventh-inning stretch. The joy and excitement on their faces were unmatched, and I was there to capture every moment.
From the players’ camaraderie to the families’ emotional reactions, the media produced from this day included stunning photos, heartfelt videos, and content that truly conveyed the magic of the experience.
Wishes Granted: Capturing Dreams Come True
Over the years, I documented countless individual wishes being granted, each with its own unique story. I captured Ruby’s wish to work at the Michelin-starred restaurant Chez Panisse, where she spent the day cooking alongside world-class chefs. I was there for Miguel’s wish for a custom bike, capturing his joy as he took his first ride.
There was the boy who received a tailored suit at Brooks Brothers for his trip to the U.S. Open, and Aryana’s wish for a kitten, where I photographed her holding her new furry friend for the first time. Other memorable wishes included meeting penguins at the zoo, unveiling a puppy as a surprise, and heartfelt wish reveals at iconic locations like the Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco. Each wish was a reminder of the joy and hope Make-A-Wish brings to children and their families.
Storyteller Award: Recognizing Dedication
My work with Make-A-Wish culminated in receiving their prestigious Storyteller Award, recognizing nearly a decade of dedication to capturing the essence of their mission. I contributed to nearly every aspect of their media—training videos, behind-the-scenes donor meetings, virtual events during the pandemic, and more. This award remains one of the proudest achievements of my career, symbolizing the impact of storytelling in creating connections and driving positive change.
Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area gave me the opportunity to use my craft to make a difference. From large-scale events to intimate wish moments, every project was a reminder of the power of media to amplify a mission and create lasting memories. It’s a partnership that has deeply influenced my approach to storytelling and strengthened my belief in the transformative power of a good story.