A Portrait of Philanthropy | University of Miami Medicine
As a commercial portrait and lifestyle photographer, I often find myself drawn to stories that go beyond the surface—stories that highlight humanity, resilience, and generosity. My work with the University of Miami’s Medicine magazine offers the perfect opportunity to tell these kinds of stories through photography. I had the privilege of photographing two very different yet equally inspiring subjects whose contributions are making a significant impact.
The first shoot featured Aja Pollack, whose story is one of recovery and gratitude. As a heartfelt gesture of thanks for the care she received, Aja’s parents made a philanthropic donation to fund concussion research in her name. Their generosity is a testament to how deeply personal experiences can inspire meaningful change.
Aja was incredibly gracious and open, making conveying her story through images easy. The resulting portraits highlight her resilience while paying homage to the gratitude that motivated her family’s contribution.
Portrait of Aja Pollack relaxing with her two pups.
Portrait of Aja Pollack
The second shoot took me to a different realm of generosity—corporate philanthropy. I photographed Vania Laguerre and Christine Scott, local market executives at Bank of America, who played a key role in a donation that helped fund the pediatric mobile clinic. This clinic provides vital healthcare services to underserved communities, ensuring that children in need have access to medical care.
Vania and Christine were a joy to work with, exuding professionalism and genuine pride in the work Bank of America is supporting. The resulting images balance corporate polish with heartfelt humanity, telling the story of their dedication to community health.
Capturing moments of generosity and impact allows me to contribute in my own small way, to amplify these important narratives.
Portrait of Vania Laguerre and Christine Scott, local market executives for Bank of America, who where instrumental in allocating a monetary gift from B of A to help support the pediatric mobile unit.
Portrait of Vania Laguerre, Dr. Lisa Gwynn, and Christine Scott after a tour of the pediatric mobile unit in Miami