PDX Help Portrait from Heather Knight on Vimeo.
If you’ve been following along on twitter or fb lately, you are probably already tired of hearing us rambling on about this, but now we have a slide show to prove it! Help Portrait is the brain-child of Jeremy Cowart and it has spread across the world in a matter of months.
The thought is that professional photographers in their areas get together, work with charities, and do a free portrait day. Heather Knight was the sleep-deprived mastermind of this Portland group, and we are still on a high from being part of the event. In the unassuming warehouse that’s home to Sandbox Studios, 38 photographers came together to help 46 families, but that’s nothing compared to the thousands that were helped on (and around) December 12th.
This wasn’t a gang of art school kids doing an assignment, these were seasoned professionals coming from portrait, commercial, video, musician, landscape, wedding, etc. fields. It was so energizing to walk into being a part of something so ego-free and collaborative. Macs set up everywhere, people on the floor talking about flashes, kids on the floor eating a donut. Being a photographer is really a lot more “alone” time than one might think in this “digital wonderland of merriment” (said in a voice similar to Ron Burgandy’s.) It was amazing to be part of an instant photo family, that invited us in and allowed us to document a bit of their day. It was quite addictive and we hope to seek out and be involved in more things like this. Can’t wait until next year; I’m sure the energy and enthusiasm will only amplify.
Also makes me think what other industries could do, or maybe already are, something similar. We’ve all had our “bubbles burst” by this economy, and it feels so nice to give as the simplest gestures can go a long way. Thanks to all who participated; it made for the best warm-fuzzy, holiday feeling on a gray Saturday.
Please note that not all of the images in the slide show are ours; they were a joint effort from several different talented photographers.
