Dear Help-Portrait Community, When my friends and I gathered for that first Help-Portrait event in an old warehouse in Nashville, I had a sense that we had stumbled onto something special. I saw photographers who compete for business in the same town come together for a common good. I saw volunteers grabbing hands with people [...]
We recently heard from Katherine Cotton, Event Director for Help-Portrait The Passage in London, UK. The Passage provides assistance to the homeless by offering them support and opportunities. Katherine was eager to share their joy-filled event to encourage others to get involved with Help-Portrait around the world: "We had a great day for Help-Portrait last December. We went [...]
Help-Portrait Bali Event Director Mario Juanito wrote about his team's experience meeting and photographing children at the Maria Goretti Orphanage Palarsari: "We joined forces with some of our colleagues in the wedding industry to share happiness and joy to the Maria Goretti Orphanage Palasari in Negara, Bali. "For those who are familiar with Bali, Negara [...]
"Many people were amazed that it was free, with no strings attached," writes local Help-Portrait Event Director Nigel Wiggins, including one special moment: "A 12-year-old girl saved for two years to buy a puppy and wanted a photo with her new dog." Nigel notes that at their event Centro Lounge in Eastbourne, UK, the "line between [...]
"This the first time Help-Portrait was held in the Province of North Sumatra," writes Maruli Juara Aritonang, the Event Director for Help-Portrait Pematangsiantar, Indonesia. Maruli first heard about Help-Portrait through Fauzi Hermawan, a local cinematographer. "I told him, 'We should do this in this city. No matter how many personnel get involved, we must execute this.'" [...]
From People's Place in Georgetown, Delaware, local Help-Portrait Event Director Michelle Shockley shares photos and memories of the day: "This a 15-year-old boy has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. He does not walk and is wheelchair-bound. He was adopted when he was two and is surrounded by the most loving family. This is their second Help-Portrait Event. His sisters pick him [...]
The Bridge Street United Church in Belleville, Ontario welcomed over 100 people, said local Help-Portrait Event Director Denise Nicholls. Here she shares some of her favorite pictures: One beautiful family poses together for a portrait. The mother of these sisters volunteered to do makeup for the day. "We had a wonderful time [...]
"This was our very first help-portrait in Syracuse, KS," writes local Help-Portrait Event Director Michele Boy. "After we were done most every volunteer is signed up to do it again! "This family had their makeup and hair styled. When they saw their photo they were beaming and came back later with thank you cards for every volunteer! "This little girl was mesmerized [...]
From the La Fraglia Special Needs Center in Vicenza, Italy, Help-Portrait Event Director Steve Malone shares some memories from the day. "Giving back is an amazing thing," says Malone, "especially when its to a community not your own. Being stationed in Italy with the U.S. Army has been quite an experience, but Help-Portrait La Fraglia is [...]
Help-Portrait Vancouver got a head-start this year, hosting their event at Union Gospel Mission on November 26. Here, Event Director Bernard Ng introduces us to the faces and the stories of the day: "Stanley, also known as 'Papa,' is a repeat guest to Help-Portrait. Originally from Texas, he has lived in Vancouver for many many years. [...]
