FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Lori Mahon
press@help-portrait.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS UNITE FOR 2ND ANNUAL HELP-PORTRAIT: 04 DEC 2010

PARTNERSHIP WITH RITZ & WOLF CAMERA & IMAGE

NASHVILLE, TN — November 5, 2010 — In 2009, Help-Portrait began as an idea that transformed into a movement in just three months.  The idea behind Help-Portrait is simple: 1. Find someone in need 2. Take their portrait 3. Print their portrait and 4. Deliver their portrait. Help-Portrait 2010 will take place worldwide one month from yesterday on Saturday the 4th of December.

Help-Portrait, a non-profit organization, was formed in 2009 by celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart as he contemplated using his skills and expertise to give back to those who may not have the opportunity for a professional photo.  The idea is that a photographer has the unique ability to help someone smile, laugh and return their dignity.  It is a movement, a shift in photography.  The rapid growth of this organization is a perfect example of Social Media use for good as the community shares ideas and stories through the channels of Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and blogging.

Last December more than 41,000 portraits were given by 3400 photographers and over 5000 volunteers were involved.  Help-Portrait became a global movement in 543 locations in 42 countries.

“Help Portrait in 2009, and its global effect, far exceeded my expectations. For that matter, it exceeded my dreams,” shares Help-Portrait founder Jeremy Cowart. “Seeing so many photographers come together and give their time and skill has changed me. I can’t help but wonder about the massive impact that is possible on 4 December 2010.”

Help-Portrait is pleased to announce Ritz & Wolf Camera & Image as the exclusive image provider for 2010.  Through this partnership, Ritz & Wolf along with its online retail imaging site, RitzPix.com, is offering participating photographers with buy-one-get-one photos, free membership to Ritz’s Frequent FOTO Image Rewards Club for 2011, as well as on-site printers in select markets.

The Help-Portrait team recently launched a newly designed website created by Flosites.  Included in the redesign is a relaunched Community page to create an interactive and comprehensive home base for team leaders to organize their events, locations and volunteers.

For more information and to get involved in giving back and changing lives, visit http://www.help-portrait.com.

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About Ritz & Wolf Camera & Image
Ritz & Wolf Camera & Image is America’s premier retail destination for cameras and imaging. With a legacy of nearly 100 years, Ritz & Wolf Camera & Image is a leader in the exciting and evolving world of image technology.   Always a leader in price and quality, Ritz & Wolf is ranked by Consumer Reports as a top five electronics store, and is the highest ranking destination for camera and imaging products based on service, product quality and buying ease.  Ritz & Wolf Camera & Image is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and operates more than 300 stores in 36 states from coast to coast. RitzPix.com is the company’s online site for all imaging needs, and offers a range of products in one hour that is unrivaled anywhere in the world.  Ritz & Wolf has dedicated its legacy to empowering consumers to share, display and save all of life’s treasured memories.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact & Inquires: Lori Mahon
press@help-portrait.com / 615-579-1266

NASHVILLE, TN –December 18, 2009 — Last Saturday, December 12th, the world stood still as photographers worldwide united in a photography movement called Help-Portrait, which gave more than 40,000 individuals portraits to treasure for a lifetime. On Saturday, more than 8300 photographers and volunteers participated in 715 locations in 42 countries.

Help-Portrait was founded by celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart with his vision of the photography community and individuals giving back this holiday season. This event reached a magnitude that nobody saw coming.

“On December 12th, cultural borders were crossed on one side of the camera and competitive borders on the other,” reflects Cowart. “I honestly don’t know which side of the camera was blessed more. For many of our subjects across the world, Help-Portrait provided them with their first-ever family photo. However, we’re consistently hearing from many photographers worldwide that this is the greatest thing they’ve ever done with their cameras.”

Information about Help-Portrait has spread across the globe through the Social Media phenomena– Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Blogging. Cowart used his 10,000+ Twitter followers to help share information and vision about Help-Portrait, thus snowballing into this cultural event that gave back so much more than just a portrait to those in need.

In addition this movement has nabbed the attention of local, national and international media throughout the weekend and this week. Help-Portrait stories have been featured on CNN, CNN.com, CNN International, CBS Evening News, HLN Headline News, The ONE Campaign, AOL Philanthropy Project, Sears/GNN.com, BritneySpears.com blog, New York Daily News, CTV News (Canadian), Egyptian Satellite Channel and more. Those photographed all had a story – all unique and heartbreaking in its own way.

“Poverty steals a lot of things, like your home, car and food, but it also steals something on the inside. Help-Portrait feeds that something on the inside,” states Help-Portrait Event Coordinator Annie Downs.

Moved and inspired by the response from those who participated this weekend, the Help-Portrait team is thrilled to announce the 2010 date of December 4th. It is setting the precedent of future Help-Portrait events annually on the first Saturday of December.

Inspiring quotes from those impacted by Help-Portrait:

“The portrait,” he said, “Represented where I’m going, not where I’ve been.” – Phillip Jackovich, Help-Portrait subject, OC Register story

“One of the ladies at Help-Portrait today cried the entire time I took her photo. I said ‘Are those happy tears?’ She said, ‘Yes, very happy!’” – Millie Holloman – Help-Portrait Photographer, Wilmington, NY

“Giving a photo to a stranger gives you a unique opportunity to speak a kind word of encouragement, value, beauty and truth that isn’t quite as tangible without that photo to give your words context. It’s hard to argue with art when you give it positive meaning. It was profound how encouragement, value, self-esteem and worth were given through actions, words and the foundation? A photograph.” – Joel Mills -Help-Portrait volunteer, photo editor Charlottesville, VA

“Today was the one of the best days I have had as a photographer and as a human being.” Kwame Reed – Photographer, Brentwood, California

For more information on Help-Portrait: Visit the official website (www.help-portrait.com), follow the H-P team on Twitter @help_portrait (Hashtag #helpportrait), be a friend on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/helpportrait) and watch the official YouTube videos (http://www.youtube.com/user/helpportrait). Videos from around the world can be found on the YouTube tagged page here: (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Help-Portrait&search=tag). Photos from the events posted can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/help-portrait/.

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About Help-Portrait:
The goal of Help-Portrait was simple: 1. Find someone in need 2. Take their portrait 3. Print their portrait and 4. Deliver their portrait. This movement began just over four months ago with the YouTube video launch from Cowart. Help-Portrait was formed by celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart as he contemplated using his skills and expertise to give back to those who may not have the opportunity for a professional photo. The idea is that a photographer has the opportunity to help someone smile, laugh and to remember – it is a movement, a shift in photography.

About Jeremy Cowart:
Cowart began full-time photography in 2005 and has traveled to 6 continents with his talent. He’s photographed Imogen Heap, Sting, Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, Carrie Underwood and more. He’s also worked with entertainment clients ABC, E!, Fox, A&E, FX, The Style Network, CMT and more. You can view his photos and learn more at: http://www.jeremycowart.com/ or read his blog: http://blog.jeremycowart.com/ and follow him on Twitter @jeremycowart .