Help Portrait Project

[Jim Bryant]

A friend emailed this announcement on taking portraits for the needy during the holiday period. It's much like the program that was offered to military families. I signed up, basically because I have so much to be thankful for and want to help put those in need for the holidays. Help-Portrait

[private]

I am actually doing this but not as organized. I am taking a picture of a family in need on the 13th of December. There are 5 kids and the mom, her oldest 15 years old is preggers, dad in jail...this will be their first portrait - ever.

[candidrachel]

What a wonderful idea! I already do voluntary work supporting and homevisiting disadvantaged/struggling families but have always been shy about getting my camera out in those situations. Watching the ad has made me re-think and it would be wonderful to give something back that they can look back on in years to come.

Thanks for sharing the link.

[hibou]

There is also givingisawesome.com.

[natek313]

I signed up at Help Portrait as well. Although, it looks like I may be a little too late for the meet-up in my area. But, I hope not.

[natek313]

I helped out with one of the events in my area today. There were a few volunteers that couldn't make it, but we still had a good group. We had a total of three photographers - one doing family shots, and two (one of which was me) shooting just the children/siblings/babies. We also had two people that brought their Macs to do on-location post-processing. Most, if not all, the families got to see their photos tweaked then and there and got to choose which ones they wanted. We had other volunteers doing behind-the-scenes photos/videos and others doing more administrative tasks.

It was such a great experience. Not only did it help give me some experience and the chance to grow a little bit as a photographer, but it was a really rewarding opportunity that I am glad I went through with. (I was really nervous the night before because I never "formally" shot children before.) You could just tell that the families really appreciated what we were doing. I even heard one mother comment that she didn't have portraits of her sons, and she seemed just delighted to have an opportunity to get them done. Everyone, especially the families, were so happy, and it was such a joy working with them.

I really hope I was able to give them something they can cherish for a long time. I'd really encourage everyone to participate in this event next year if there is one.

Just thought I would share my experience.

[Alexandra]

Im doing something similar on Thursday. Family portraits for the residents of a women refuge in Sydney. I look forward to it.

Its really nice at this time of the year to remember those in need but also to give something back to the community. I remember all the times when i was down and strangers helped me and i know that my journey would have been so much harder without that kindness and i feel the need to give something back...

I did quite a lot of work for a domestic violence network at reduced fees but this will be the first one that i do it just for charity, even if the way i look at it is not really charity as It will be very rewarding for me to offer something, even if only a smile, to some women that lost absolutely everything. I hope that next year to be able to do it in all the refuges in Sydney metro...

[mad editor]

Another guy and I in town wanted to participate but we couldn't get anyone else who was willing to take part. However, we seem to have stirred up some interest in doing something after the new year. It would have been especially nice to participate in Help-Portrait yesterday, but I guess as long as we give back to society, it doesn't really matter which day it's on! Next year, we'll try and organize much earlier.

[mikedugganphotography]

I signed up to take part in the Help Portrait event in Baltimore. We had a great turn out of both volunteers (Photographers, assistants, video etc) as well as people looking to be photographed. I only wish we could have continued longer than we did. It seemed like we just started when it was time to start packing up.

This is a great event and I look forward to participating again.

[milosh]

That is such a great idea for a project and a good thing to do!