This week I had the opportunity to drive to Corpus Christi to help Driscoll Children’s Hospital document the opening of its new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Driscoll had already brought me into the project to photograph the new NICU. I documented the rooms, equipment, staff and many of the details inside the new space.
Those photographs became part of the ribbon-cutting presentation. They helped show guests what Driscoll had built and how the new NICU would serve children and families across South Texas.
More Than a Ribbon Cutting
A ribbon cutting may only last a few minutes. The work behind it can take years.
That is why I try to photograph more than the people standing onstage with scissors. I want to show the full story.
For this event, that included photos of the new facility, the medical team, the speakers and the people who came to celebrate. It also meant photographing the quieter moments before and after the ceremony. (The stuff most people don’t see but team members will remember).
Those photographs give Driscoll a record of the day. They can also use them for presentations, news coverage, recruiting, social media and future projects.
Seeing My Work on the Big Screen
One of my favorite moments happened when I walked into the room and saw my photographs on the huge screen scrolling on by – and it does give me pause and makes me wonder what happened to those kids – I always pray that everything worked out for them and I usually feel it did as I believe Driscoll is a place for healing and peace.
Thankfully, the images looked great.
More importantly, they helped the speakers share the vision behind the new NICU. The guests could see the rooms, equipment and people connected to the project while hearing why the new space matters.
That is when photography becomes more than decoration. It helps people understand the story.
The People Behind the NICU
The new area itself is impressive, but the people stood out to me even more.
Every time I work with the doctors, nurses and support staff at Driscoll, they are ready to help. They have demanding jobs, but they still make time for the photography.
They also understand why documenting their work matters.
You can tell they care about the children and families they serve. That commitment shows in the way they speak about their work. It also shows in the way they treat one another.
For them, this is not simply another building or another department. It is a place where some of the most vulnerable children in South Texas will receive care.
Telling the Full Story
Projects like this remind me why professional event coverage matters.
A few ribbon-cutting photographs may show that an event happened. A complete set of images shows what the event meant.
It shows the investment behind the project. It introduces the people who made it possible. It gives the organization photographs it can continue using long after everyone leaves.
I am proud that Driscoll trusted me to help document this part of its story. I am also grateful that my work played a role in the presentation that day.
Congratulations to the doctors, nurses, staff and everyone else involved in opening the new NICU.
Thank you for the work you continue to do for the children and families of South Texas.
