Stories are pouring in and we can’t wait to share them. We will be posting as they become available.
New Orleans, LA
“Katrina took everything from me. But now you are here to help me get something back, and I thank you for that.”
Soweto, Gauteng, South Africa
Two hundred children ran for me, greeted me with such joyous smiles, wanted to touch my hair, wanted me to carry them, they wanted to carry my bag and tripod and just be helpful and felt like I was some kind of royalty. It was such a joyous event for me and I didn’t want the day to end. I hope they too enjoyed it and enjoy their portraits.
Miami, FL
“I never knew that a stranger could be so caring as to take the time to give me my first-ever, picture with my kids and ask nothing in return.”
Las Vegas, NV
One homeless teen commented “You are all such beautiful people…we should be taking photos of you. You have no idea how grateful we are that you are making us feel so special today. Thank you!”
Cedar City, UT
Photographed a lady that was almost 103 years old.
Radford, VA
I photographed a 23 year old girl that had lost her job,car, and her confidence in her self along the way. She told me that it had been so long since she felt important to anyone she had just given up on life. The fact that I took the time to photograph her was the best thing that had happened in her life in a year. She is giving the portrait to her father to try and rebuild a relationship with him over Christmas.
Bangalore, India
A blind child asking how his photograph looked…
Minneapolis, MN
A survivor of 4 brain aneurysms caused by an ex-boyfriend blessed us by allowing us to give her some amazing photos with AND without her wig. She was beautiful both ways and told me that she had never felt so beautiful in her entire life.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
My very first photoshoot ever was with a little boy and his parents, and the son was sick with leukemia, but he took beautiful photographs and was extremely sweet and adorable.
Greenville, NC
We had a lady that had been estranged from her brother since they were babies. Each of them were adopted by different people and only lived one county apart. Just recently they reunited but live 4 hours from each other. Her brother told her all he wanted was a recent picture. As she cried she told us we made his wish possible.
London, UK
Photographing Isolated people from very devastated and poorest areas in South India with an team of 5 teenagers working as assistants/volunteers during a whole month. Incredible feeling for the whole group -the experience of their lives – and for the whole dalit (poorest-untouchable indian caste) people!
Calgary, Alberta
One gentleman (homeless) said, “You made me feel like I was special, like a ROCK STAR.”
Another said, “Whenever I am down on myself, I am going to pull out this picture and remind myself how lucky I am. You captured me in a way that I don’t ever see myself.”
Milton, Ontario
Our HP event was at a respite/hospice house for children with debilitating disease. Most of these children are non-ambulatory and non-verbal. Almost all of these families had never had a family portrait done because of time constraints at portrait studios and the health requirements of their children. Again and again families shared their joy and appreciation that they were being provided with the opportunity to have portraits done that otherwise would have been impossible.
Washington, PA
“You made my Christmas wish come true!”
Toronto, Ontario
“Thank you for taking time away from your kids to photograph my kids.”
Woodstock, GA
We photographed families and patients of kids who had illnesses ranging from cancer to cystic fibrosis, to therapy patients suffering from severe head trauma…the list goes on. I was amazed at the joy that came when that camera was put on these kids. They’re going through so much, but they were able to let it all go for those brief moments in front of the camera.
Salisbury, MD
I took away from this event the absolute need to give back. I already volunteer regularly, but now I want to do it MORE.
St. Petersburg, FL
Watching the women transform, both physically and emotionally. Initially, several of the women expressed being self-conscious or lacking self-confidence. However, once they met with the photographers and spent a bit of time in front of the camera, most seemed to come out of their shells and blossom.
Atlanta, GA
At our site, we worked with families with newborns. It was so wonderful that many of these newborns were having their first photos taken. Along with prints, we will be providing each family with their digital prints so they can share the photos with their family across the U.S.
Green Bay, WI
I was so moved by the opportunity to coax smiles and laughs out of families at the domestic abuse shelter. I know making their portraits isn’t going to change the circumstances, but for 10 or 15 minutes these kids and moms could forget about their cares.
Bangalore, India
A group of over 50 photographers from the Bangalore – Help Portrait Group assembled together at the Samarthanam School for the disabled, visually impaired and underprivileged. Their smiles, their excitement at being part of something they believed was important, their shyness and raw energy. But, most of all their sense of fairness, friendship with and inclusion of those less privileged than even themselves was beautiful.
Dayton, OH
One family was celebrating their first holiday together after the husband/father had been deployed for 3 years.
Camden, NJ
“Nothing is ever free anymore. I am grateful for this. Thank you so much.”
Belleville, Canada
They couldn’t believe we would stand in the cold ALL day just to see people smile!
Mableton, GA
“I’ve been so excited for today! I’m currently going through a divorce, and this is the first picture with just me and my girls. I feel like this picture represents my new life.” – from a mother at a women’s shelter, after leaving an abusive husband with her two girls under age 4.
Georgetown, DE
The very first sitting of the day, was a single, pregnant mother, with her 8th grade son. It was their first professional portrait together. While we were taking the photos, her baby started kicking and it became very emotional for her. She began to cry, and this whole process became more meaningful for all of us. She also began to cry when we showed her the framed, finished photo. Her baby will be named Nevaeh, HEAVEN backwards.
Franklin, TN
I took pictures of a family that lost almost everything in the Nashville Flood. A few days after that, they found out that their son Jack, who already has autism, has cancer, and not the family is trying to put everything back together, but it feels like the weight of the world is coming down on them. Today was a nice break from all of that and they left with a prints and on framed picture and everything on a disk and it really made their day!
Coimbra, Portugal
A blind, elderly man told us that although he couldn’t see, he would trust that we would make a good picture of him. He let us comb his hair, arrange his clothing and then photograph him. He won’t be able to see the picture, but he can be sure he will look as good as ever.
Logan, UT
We were working at the County Jail – those guys don’t have a lot of opportunity for holiday shopping. The very first inmate we photographed thanked us profusely and kept telling us that he was going to give this picture to his kids.
Alexandria, VA
A family came in with a 7 people. They have never had a family photo done before. Before the pictures were taken and she found out that she’d get to take them home today, she started crying.
Cape Girardeau, MO
Family of 5 who lost their house and all their belongings – including wedding photos, family photos – in a house fire. Today, we gave them back a family portrait, something to remind them of that they are still a family. When the dad started crying, the whole place did.
Huntington, IN
One lady told me this was the first photo she’s had taken since she “got clean” four years ago. She said this was the first time she felt good enough about herself. In a sense, it was a way of burying the old her and celebrating the new.
Montgomery, AL
The other location was at a Home for children whose mothers are in prison. Some of these children’s moms are still in prison while some have gotten out and never come back for their children. The mothers who are in prison will get pictures of their children for Christmas. I would love to see their faces when they open them. The children who no longer know where their moms are will now how GREAT pictures of themselves to display in their rooms and around the house.
Apollo Beach, FL
Our event involved taking group portraits of teams from the Sun City Center Emergency Squad (in Sun CIty Florida). This 100% volunteer organization. They respond to calls for emergency medical assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The mean age of their volunteers is 70! In addition to the team portraits they wanted to get one big group shot – this was 237 people. In order to get the shot the Captain arranged for the local fire department, whom they work closely with to send over their ladder truck which gave me the birds eye view I needed to get the shot.
Budapest, Hungary
A mother said to Us that I had planned to be here in 2009, but we overslept with my kids. One of My friends was there with her kids in 2009 event, she showed me their portraits and I cried. That is why I came here today, to have a special day like they had in last year.
Phoenix, AZ
The homeless family that could not speak a word of English and one or two of our photographers jumped right in and helped translate for them. The family came dressed in the most spectacular, beautiful Mexican style dresses and suits. They were literally beaming and the kids could not stop grinning.
Ghana
Although I couldn’t understand their language… the smile, laugh and sheer joy on their face as they held their own portrait spoke much louder than words ever could.
Ontario, Canada
We had a very generous gentlemen come as Santa Claus. He also donated gifts for all of the children. One mother shared that “this was the best Christmas ever” because her son finally had the chance to see Santa.
Clements, MD
We went to the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in Charlotte Hall, MD. There was a resident who was 102 years old. He drove up and down the hallway most of the day refusing to come in. All of the girls were trying to woo him in. He said if we took his picture his ex-wives may be able to find him. :-) Another said he couldn’t have his picture taken because he was part of the witness protection program. Before the day was over, we had pictures of both of them. :-)
Jackson, MS
“I really look like that? I am beautiful.”
Kalispell, MT
“Thanks for giving me my only Christmas present.”
York, PA
As a news photographer, I had photographed several of the fires that left some of these families homeless. It was wonderful to see the children happy and smiling, though some had permanent scars from the fires. It was very heart warming to see how appreciative the parents were to have their families photographed for the holidays.
Berlin, Germany
“I always thought, I am not photogenic – This is why I refused having my picture taken all my life. Today that changed.”
Frankfurt, Germany
“I always felt like a superstar inside. Today is the day I can live it out.”
Ontario, Canada
I have one image ingrained into my head… a shot Mike had taken of a young man with musical aspirations, holding his 8×10 print in his hands, pacing the room for a good 15-20 minutes, with a smile that went from ear to ear. His mom could not get over how how happy and healthy he looked… just incredible.
In one case, the husband was suffering from cancer, and was scheduled for surgery. His wife was thrilled with the picture that they had taken and was going to send copies to their children. It was wonderful to see the smile on her face as she received her photo.
Cary, NC
One mom said she was talking with her mom about how she has NO family pictures of all of her kids and this came along. She did not want to get in the picture since her husband wasn’t there, but after some convincing, I think she was thrilled to see how nice it was and she even commented that she can give one of these pictures to her mom for Christmas!
Roanoke, VA
We did our event at a local shelter and two ladies said that this photo was the first image of them since they had been sober. It was a beautiful thing.
Albuquerque, NM
A 14-year-old girl who didn’t know how long she was going to be at the shelter because her family was “messed up.” She had obviously been there for some time already and there was no end in sight. But in the next breath said, “You just have to keep smiling. I do.” and we sure captured her smiling.
The Woodlands, TX
“Thank you so much for making something I can give to my mom; I’ve never given her a present for Christmas and she will cry.”
St. Louis, MO
A woman from a domestic violence shelter came and only wanted pictures of her kids. As the photographer talke to her she learned that due to what had happened to this woman, she didn’t look in mirrors let alone get photographed. The photographer talked her into getting her picture taken. After she saw the photo, in tears she said, “This is the most beautiful I have ever felt.”
Montgomery, AL
I was telling someone to have a Merry Christmas and her response was “You just made sure of that. This was the best gift I could have ever gotten.
Madisonville, KY
One lady came in for a family photo with her children and grandchildren and informed me that she hadn’t seen these family members in 10 years until today – they got together just for this event.
Growing, growing, growing...........! Fun, fun, fun................!
Brian Carey | 08/01/2012 1:02 am
We're glad & grateful to have been part of this!
Help-Portrait Manila | 08/01/2012 2:17 am
First time out this year was a bit of a learning experience but all went well. Can't wait to start organizing for next years!
Linda Faifer-Flynn | 08/01/2012 2:57 am
Such an awesome experience! It's amazing to know that we can reach so many people! Looking forward to H-P 2012!
Maria Clark | 08/01/2012 3:25 am
AWESOME! I'm so glad I got involved. It was very rewarding to see everyone's faces lit up when seeing their pictures for the first time! So humbling.
Jaime | 08/01/2012 3:40 am
I never could get our stats in but did 56 family portraits in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
help portrait Addis | 08/01/2012 4:31 am
And the world just gets better and better each and every day! Thank you Help Portrait!! Blessings
maxine snow | 08/01/2012 4:48 am
Our group here in Philadelphia, PA USA photograph over a 100 families and I came away with the warmest feeling of love and happiness.
Theresa Rivers | 08/01/2012 6:41 am
Greetings from Peru!! The community was very excited and we all had a splendid day!
Rocio Valdivia | 08/01/2012 1:49 pm
Awesome!!!! I'm truly happy to be a part of this amazing community!! Let's keep these numbers growing!! I can't wait for the next event in Rio Negro, Brazil.
Karen Kondlatsch | 08/01/2012 2:48 pm
My 1st year and boy could not say enough about how rewarding it was. The tears the smiles and all the HUGS of kindness we received. Great going team Tampa
Janice Steinberger | 08/01/2012 3:02 pm
Awesomeness! My first and definitely not my last year! Glad to have been part of this.
Hannes | 09/01/2012 12:44 pm
Big-up to our global H-P family on a great result! Now c'mon, let's double this tally in 2012!
Stankey-Carl du-Pont | 10/01/2012 6:02 pm
I love that my contributions with Help Portrait don't go to some vague administrative costs and instead go directly to the people I intended to serve. I started in 2009 and will continue.
Sharon | 14/01/2012 2:25 pm