A Magazine from Akron Children's
While he captures a lot of exciting moments, it’s the quiet, emotional ones that mean the most to him. He’s seen a heart beating inside a chest, and he’s witnessed both life and loss. Some of his most meaningful work is taking bereavement photos for families who never got to take a family portrait because of their child’s illness. Sometimes he’s there just before a child dies, and sometimes after. This kind of work takes deep trust — something Ted earns by building real, lasting connections with families.
Akron Children’s was Ted’s first job after college. It’s shaped his life in many ways. He met his wife here, and his kids grew up surrounded by the people and moments that make the hospital feel like home.
In this photo essay, Ted shares Akron Children’s from his viewpoint — through everyday moments, big and small, that tell the story of Akron Children’s and the people who make it special
Some photos require patience and precision; others simply require being present. When Dereon North was just 2½ years old, she awoke from a nap unable to move. Overnight, a rare inflammatory condition called transverse myelitis left her paralyzed and wheelchair dependent. Ted has photographed Dereon numerous times throughout the years. In these images, he captures the infectious smile and resilient spirit of a young girl who refuses to let her circumstances confine her.
Whether he’s observing complex surgeries, flying high in the Air Bear® transport helicopter or photographing campus construction projects while perched atop a crane, Ted does what it takes to get the shot. It’s work that’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s exactly what makes Ted’s images so powerful. His courage behind the lens helps capture the moments that leave lasting impressions.
Taking bereavement photos of Sofia Dente was very personal for Ted because Sofia’s mom, Lori, is a good friend and social worker at the hospital. When Sofia was born with severe brain damage in 2011, Lori entrusted Ted to take photos that offered her a lasting way to remember her daughter. Sofia died after a 20-day stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Sometimes, it’s about being in the right place at the right time — like this candid image taken during a patient’s postsurgical exam. Moments like these tend to happen in the blink of an eye, and it’s easy for photographers to miss them. But on this day, Ted was ready. It reminds us that some of the most meaningful images aren’t posed — they’re felt.
For 33 years, Fire Truck Day at Portage Lakes State Park has brought together burn survivors, their families and first responders for a day of connection and fun. Ted has photographed 32 of them. He manages to catch the pure joy of children, many of them former burn patients, playing in the spray of fire hoses and clouds of foam. It’s a clear example of what Ted does best — capturing real emotion in spontaneous, joy-filled moments.
From inspiring stories, to medical miracles, the More childhood, pleaseTM magazine will make you appreciate those precious 6,574 days of childhood.
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