Graeme’s Gala
Some events we photograph. Some events we get to be part of.
This year marked our third year bringing the Fox & Darling editorial booth to Graeme's Gala, and it still feels like a privilege every time we walk in the door. It's not just another booking on the calendar. It's a night that means something.
Meet Graeme
Graeme McDaniel was born on December 18, 2012, with complex congenital heart defects. His family describes him as the happiest little kid, with an infectious smile, giant brown eyes and a love for tractors, swinging and anything his big brother had. He lived a happy, full two and a half years before he passed on May 3, 2015.
His parents started fundraising for congenital heart defect (CHD) research the moment he was born. Years later, they started The Graeme McDaniel Foundation in his name, with one mission: fund CHD research and support heart families.
That research is real, and it's close to home. The foundation has funded projects at Texas Children's Hospital, UTHealth Houston, Boston Children's, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Duke and more, from a fetal heart stent designed for the tiniest patients to a heart valve that can grow with a child. You can read every funded research project here.
How I Met Graeme
This one is personal.
I met Graeme through photography, and I had the honor of taking his photos. I still think about that session and the little boy in front of my camera. Those are the moments that remind me why I picked up a camera in the first place.
So being part of Graeme's Gala was never a question. Every year we get to show up, we get to celebrate him again.
The Night
The 4th Annual Graeme's Gala was held at the beautiful Beckendorff Farms, and it was a night full of heart in every sense.
Two recently funded researchers from our local hospitals, Dr. Tadros and Dr. Serpooshan, spoke about the work the foundation makes possible. A heart family shared their warrior's story. We laughed, we cried, and together the room raised over $475,000 for congenital heart research.
The Editorial Booth
Our editorial booth gives every guest a polished, magazine-style portrait in the middle of the celebration. It's not a novelty photo. It's a portrait guests are proud to keep.
At a gala like this one, that matters. These are the families, friends, doctors and volunteers who show up year after year for Graeme. We LOVE giving them a beautiful image of themselves from a night that means so much.
Why It Matters
Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect, and every dollar raised at Graeme's Gala goes toward research that helps the next heart warrior and their family. It's not just a gala. It's Graeme's legacy, growing every year.
To the McDaniel family: thank you for letting us be part of this night, again. What a privilege it is.
Want to support heart families? Donate to The Graeme McDaniel Foundation or follow along on Instagram.