Professional holiday photos for families in need

  
Staff Report
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Photographers worldwide will donate their time, skills and equipment on Saturday, Dec.12, to give back to their community through the debut Help-Portrait event.

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 unique ability to help someone smile, laugh and return their dignity- it is a movement, a shift in photography. This movement began only two months ago with the launch of the YouTube video from Cowart. Since then, Help-Portrait has spread across the world as photographers have jumped on board to give back.

“Dec. 12th is about helping people who never imagined having their portrait made,” shares Cowart on his idea. “Kids who don’t have their own families, those in need at children’s hospitals here and abroad, single moms, the elderly, the homeless or even your own neighbor. This is about giving pictures, not taking them. It’s about building relationships in your own community and giving hope.”

There will be two local Help-Portrait events – in Waynesboro and in Harrisonburg.

“Help-Portrait is a collection of photographers around the world using their time, equipment, and expertise to give back to those who are less fortunate. What does that look like? It looks like photographers taking pictures. And then giving those pictures back to the families,” said Waynesboro Help-Portrait organizer Kevin Blackburn of Blackburn Photography.

For more information on the Waynesboro Help-Portrait effort, click here – http://bit.ly/1TCkiI.

The Harrisonburg event is being organized by photographer Sarah Murphy. More information on that event is available at 540.271.6555 or by e-mail at [email protected].