help-portrait {.com}

This picture pretty much sums it up:

On the same day, a bunch of photographers (and people like me who like to… um… hang out) get together in cities all over the world. They find people who are down and out, bring them in and take their picture. Then the pictures get delivered.

Which all might sound like not a huge deal. You might be a person that takes like fifteen pictures of themselves at any given red light. Think about the last time you saw late-night photoshoots between besties sleeping on neighboring park benches, or how many single moms who have had the time, money or energy to get portraits taken of her and her kids. How many aging adults haven’t had someone tell them to smile at a camera in a long time?

Help-portrait doesn’t want to just take their picture – the idea is to GIVE pictures.

december 7th is the date for this years Help-Portrait. Check them out. Think about getting involved.

I have only been able to volunteer at one event. I convinced The Salvation Army to hook them up with some snacks, and then I basically just hung out with everyone. My favorite part was that a lot of the photographers in my area brought point-and-shoots and put them on lanyards so the kids could take part in the picture taking as well.

My fingers are crossed that I’ll be able to help out again this year, because it is such a brilliant opportunity to see people creatively use their gifts to bless others.

** Also, make sure you enter my giveaway for Pura Vida Bracelets, ending in 4 days! **