Smiles are Free

Last December 2009, I found out about a project called Help Portrait. It was founded by celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart, and is about a community of photographers, coming together across the world, to use their photography skills and equipment to give back to their local community, for one day, December 12th.

Help Portrait

The basic premise is:
1) Find someone in need
2) Take their portrait
3) Print their portrait
4) Deliver it to them

This project had moved and inspired me to participate, but due to some severe sciatic pain, I was unable to attend in December.

I posted this info on Flickr with a group of photographers that I am active with in New York City. They to were inspired and some of them were able to attend in December.

As it turned out, the emotions and the success of this day of giving back made such an indelible impression, that two of our Flickr members, Mike Abshier and Kaity Volpe decided to start our own "Smiles Are Free" group.

I suppose we are a copy of the original idea, but we wanted the spirit of giving back to continue and grow.

Our group is now an official non-profit foundation, and we completed our second shoot!

We have a similar mission as "help portrait", except we wish to continue the giving back part, by finding ways to help some of the neediest, get out of a bad situation and get a new start.

As a participant, it was one of the most fulfilling experiences. Working with my friends, and the families we photographed was better than I ever could have imagined.

Flickr - Smiles Are free

What is a new movement in photography without some cool swag!

Cafe Press

Order yours today, and we hope to see you as a volunteer at one of our next sessions.'

One final thought
I know there is a lot of sensitivity about doing photography on-the-cheap, or in our case, for free. I am in agreement that we should all work hard not to diminish or cheapen the value of professional services. However, this is an exception.

What we are doing is charitable and brings enormous happiness to many people who never could have afforded a professional portrait before.

What we get back is not measurable. The joy and love we bring to others, we get right back.

And, we get to practice and improve our craft. It's very hard work, long hours of shooting, post processing, and spending our own money for material and supplies, but it's worth every penny!

So to all the $500 wedding photographers, do what you need to do. In time, you will, and should be able to charge a higher rate, but know your clients' needs and serve them the best way you can.

Ivan