Free photo shoots for wildfire victims
OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok (KFOR) — It's been a little over a month since devastating wildfires destroyed homes across the state. As families work to rebuild, one photographer is giving back and launching "Project Rebuilding Memories".
"I can't imagine losing everything in a fire. So I want one thing to put a smile on their face," said Sunny Rae Muse, a photographer.
Sunny Rae Muse has a heart for helping others.
"When the fires happened, you know, it devastated me," said Muse.
The March wildfires destroyed homes across the state and left families with little to nothing.
Muse wanted to help, but didn't know how, until she put her passion for photography into play.
"I said, wait, their pictures are gone," said Muse.
That's when she started "Project Rebuilding Memories." She's offering free photo sessions to those impacted by the fires.
"I just want them to have something to start when they do get their homes rebuilt," said Muse.
Stevie Gipson and Colby Hufft, who are engaged, lost their home in the fires.
"By the time the call had been made, there was over 20 homes that had been taken by the fire and we could just see it coming and there was just nothing we could do," said Stevie Gipson, who lost her home.
Their families worked to save what they could as they tried to fight the fires themselves before it was too late.
Their families worked to save what they could.
As they tried to fight the fires themselves before it was too late.
"We ran around the backside on the the left side of the house and tried to get back there too, but it was too hot. I couldn't get to it," said Colby Hufft, who lost his home.
There home is gone.
"He had pictures of his mom. He lost his mom in 2015, and I lost my sister in 2016. So all of our memories of our loved ones are gone now," said Gipson.
Their family memories are now only left in their hearts and a few digital copies.
"My phone burnt up in the fire, so all the memories that I had on my phone with my sister, like our text messages and all that stuff," said Gipson.
Gipson, Hufft, and their 6-month-old baby had the chance to rebuild a memory with a photo shoot last week.
"It was such a blessing just to have something like that. It's really nice to make some new ones," said Gipson.
Gipson said it's a huge step in the right direction.
"Without the churches and the community, we wouldn't be where we're at today. We would probably still be looking at a burnt house, so having something to kind of reset and start over with is amazing and is such a blessing to us," said Gipson.
Muse said her photo shoots are free. In addition to the digital copies she's giving families, she also plans to gift each family one canvas print.
If you or someone you know is a fire victim and interested, you can email Sunny Rae Muse at sunnysshots@gmail.com or go to her Facebook page.