14-Year-Old Bald Head Island Vacationer Gives Back to the Community
At first glance, Alex Phillips is just like any other typical ninth grade girl in Virginia. She enjoys hanging out with her friends, playing softball, and going surfing - especially on Bald Head Island, where she has been visiting with her family for the past five years.
However, Alex is anything but ordinary. After losing her beloved aunt to breast cancer in the summer of last year, Alex decided to do something to make a difference that would honor her aunt’s memory, and make her proud.
For the past year and a half, with the help of her Mom, Alex has been selling her framed photographs of Bald Head Island at the Island’s annual
Pink Weekend, where all proceeds go towards funding for breast cancer research.
Here, Alex speaks modestly about how she began her inspirational hobby and what she loves most about her family vacations on Bald Head Island.
How long have you and your family been coming to Bald Head Island? What is your favorite part about the Island?
AP: We’ve been coming for about 5 years, mostly in the summer but sometimes in the winter. My favorite part of being on Bald Head Island is the fact that there are no cars. It gives the Island a unique signature that you don’t find anywhere else.
What is your favorite memory on Bald Head Island?
AP: I have a lot of favorite memories on Bald Head Island but one stands out in particular. I brought two friends down for my birthday and we had a great time. We took lots of pictures and went into the (freezing) tidal pools, against my Mom’s warning!
How long have you been a budding photographer?
AP: I’ve always played around with our family’s big camera (a Canon) but when I was six years old, I got a little, green camera and that’s when I started taking my own pictures.
What gave you the idea to donate your photographs to the Bald Head Island Pink Weekend last year? Tell us your story!
AP: My aunt lost her battle to cancer in June 2014 and I was very close with her. When she passed away, my Mom and I wanted to do something that would make her proud. My Mom suggested that she message Bald Head Island Pink Weekend Event Coordinator, Barbara Adams, and ask if we could donate to the cause. We made 8 x 10 and 5 x 7 framed photographs of pictures I had taken on Bald Head Island and sold them at a little card table booth in front of Maritime Market. And we sold out in one day!
And you came back this year? I heard you sold even more!
AP: Yes! This year we brought three times as many framed pictures and stayed for four days! People gave me suggestions last year of things they would like to see. They liked the beach photos - sunsets, shells and stuff - but also wanted to see pictures of the things that Bald Head has that other beaches don’t. Like Old Baldy Lighthouse, Mojo’s, golf carts, the boardwalks, etc... so I started taking more pictures like that. This year we brought a combination of 8x10 and 5x7 frames, and notecards as well. All of the proceeds are donated to Bald Head Island’s Pink Weekend to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research.
What do your friends think about you doing this? Are they inspired?
AP: I don’t really talk about it that much but they think it’s cool. It’s a fun thing for me to do. This year, three friends who also visit Bald Head with their families were there. Two friends ran in the Susan G Komen 5K race, and one friend sat with me and helped me sell the photographs for two full days.
Photo by Alex Phillips
When asked what her future plans for photography are, ninth-grader Alex isn’t sure. For now, she’ll keep taking pictures of the Island throughout the year and, with great enthusiasm, will sell them again next year at Bald Head Island’s Pink Weekend in September.
We can’t wait to see you there, Alex!
For more information how you can get involved to support a cause you love, please contact the Bald Head Island events team here.
Published on Thursday, December 10, 2015