Last weekend myself and a team of photographers worked together to give back to the community a little bit. We spent all morning setting up backdrops to take free family portraits for families in need. Here’s a time lapse video that was but together by Charlie Roberts, enjoy!
Okay so I decided not to wait for December 12th to get started with “Help Portrait”. I drove to Fayetteville to meet my new friend Geoff Duncan, he’s an awesome photographer in the Fayetteville area. He asked me if I would like to help out with some “Help Portraits” up there. I was more than happy to help out, plus I scheduled an engagement session for a couple that lives there, so they didn’t have to meet me half way. Geoff and I met up at the Elizabeth Richardson Center. This center does a lot more than I could explain in a blog, but basically it’s a center dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. We spent all day shooting portraits for each person in the center. It was so great getting to see how happy everyone was getting their portraits taken. Right now I am gearing up to shoot another set of “Help Portraits” with a team of photographers this weekend, so stay tuned for more photos. Enjoy!
Help Portrait Fayetteville
Help Portrait 2009
Help Portraits on white
Help Portrait Arkansas
Help Portrait NWA
Here’s a little behind the scenes.
Help Portrait Eli Murray
Help Portrait Geoff Duncan
Today was Veteran’s Day, a day set aside for us to remember and honor our veterans. A lot has changed in 233 years of our great nations life, but one thing is still the same. We still have many, many, freedoms that we should be thankful for. I had an opportunity to spend the day with the VFW Post 9095 here in Little Rock. I spent most of my time talking with Sergeant Major Clifford Burks of the U.S. Marine Corp. He spent 32 years serving our great nation and fought in three of America’s bloodiest wars. The Sgt. Major’s uniform was completely covered in metals and patches, two purple hearts and the highest ranking one can receive in the Marines. I was most impressed though, with the Sgt. Major’s memory. I can’t remember most of my early highschool, but Burks was recalling dates and names from his past like it was the alphabet. We sat and talked inside the post as we looked at the wall of photos in front of us. Hundreds of heros decorated from past duties. Burks has 2 daughters and 2 sons. Both sons served in the Military. Before dinner Burks prayed for the food and also lifted his grandson who is currently stationed in Iraq. I felt very welcomed from everyone at the post. Despite the memories of past wars and fallen brothers, the atmosphere was practically upbeat. I was also reminded that Veteran’s Day is only one day of the year and I should stop by more often.
Even though my grandfather, brother, and uncle all served in a branch of the military, I know that I’m guilty of taking for granted how great our country is due t0 the men and women that fight for our freedoms. Today was a wonderful reminder of that. I know that giving away a few portraits to the veterans and their families I met today was a tiny gift in comparison to what they have done for us, but I hope that these photos can bring a few smiles in the least. Here are just a few of my favorites. Enjoy, and the next veteran that you come in contact with, tell them thanks.
Eli
VFW Post 9095
Clifford Burkes
Sgt. Major Clifford Burkes U.S. Marine Corp
John D. Fee 173rd Airborn
Sgt. Bill Harris U.S. Marine Corp
Odell Strickland
Vietnam Vet
If anyone is interested in donating to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9095, you can contact Jim Smith at vfwpost9095@att.net
I am going to be taking part in Help-Portrait on December 12th. I encourage all other photographer to check it out too and help spread the word. I can’t wait. This will be a wonderful way for us as photographers to give back. Thanks to ML Baxley for first sharing this link with me.
