The Hero Kid has its origins in the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
On that terrible day, my daughter was only eight years old. At one point, as we watched in stunned silence the events unfolding on the TV, and the heroic actions of first responders, she turned to me and said, “Daddy, do you have to be an adult to be a hero?”
The question made me stop and think. Do you? Do you have to be grown up to do something heroic? My answer was the genesis for The Hero Kid. “No,” I said. “Anyone can be a hero, even a kid. Even just the simple act of going for help in an emergency can save a life. That’s how you become a hero kid.”
That day, I registered the domain name, “The Hero Kid.” My thought being, I’d write a children’s book with that title someday. Which I may still do.
But the concept has evolved over the years as I continued to witness our first responders putting themselves in harm’s way every day, and sometimes (as was the case on 9/11) tragically paying the ultimate price for their dedication.
My business is photography. So I’m giving back, using my experience and skills to create powerful, superhero-like images of these brave men and women. It’s my way of honoring them, creating a permanent photographic legacy for these individuals and their loved ones, a lasting tribute to the vital work they do.
A few years ago, I had the privilege of photographing the Miller Brothers, Robbie and Ryan, from West Chester, Pennsylvania. In the process, I got to know them well. Sadly, a while afterwards, they both lost their lives in accidents just 14 months apart. After Ryan’s passing, their father reached out, thanking me for the photos of them and the loving memories those photos represent. That’s when it hit me. The very real impact these portraits can have.
Now or in the future, tragically lost, or still on the job, The Hero Kid celebrates the heroism of First Responders who put their lives on the line day in and day out. I’m proud and humbled to be doing my part in honoring these true heroes who walk among us.