SPANISH FORT, Ala. — When many people start a new business they are focused on making a profit right from the beginning. But Daphne Jerkins, who just started a photography business, decided to enter into a partnership with Think Pink Photography and donate her time and talent.

Think Pink Photography is a nonprofit organization with a network of photographers who take complimentary photos of women who have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I would be happier to give something to somebody that they can cherish, rather than make a dollar,” she said.

Since October is national Breast Cancer Awareness month, she hopes women with breast cancer will take advantage of the offer.

Think Pink Photography photo sessions focuses on the celebration of life, and also promotes breast cancer awareness. The photos of women with breast cancer document the fight before and after treatment, or celebrate the victory when treatment is finished.

The participants must have been diagnosed or completed treatment within the last 12 months. The women receive 20 small free prints and a discount for additional print orders. Any monies raised go to The Beverly Family Foundation, created by Danielle Beverly, a three-time cancer survivor, and her husband, Eric, to promote education and awareness of breast cancer. The foundation provides financial support for chemotherapy treatment and mammography needs of women. Social and psychological support programs are also available.

In addition, the foundation stresses the importance of early detection of breast cancer.

Jerkins found about about the program from a Web site with a membership base of professional photographers which gives critiques and recommendations for improving photographs. On a message board on the Web site, she found a posting from Think Pink Photography”that invited photographers to join the program.

Her two children opened the door to photography for her, she said. Her first photographs were of her children, when she captured their smiles, laughter and even their pouts, she said.

Since she is still working on her portfolio and doesn’t have a studio, yet she describes her new business as “a work in progress.” She is trying to build her clientele list and is just starting out, she said.

“I’d rather give back right now,” Jerkins said.

Recently, Jerkins and her family moved from Orange Beach to Spanish Fort because she said the Spanish Fort area was family-oriented, offered many conveniences and had a great school system for her kids.

She said she “hopes there aren’t a lot of people affected by cancer in this area, but knows there probably are, “ she said.

The majority of photographers for the Think Pink Photography program are from the United States, but volunteers from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands have also signed on.