A Christmas photo shoot for people in need
At Christmas time, families are often scrambling to book expensive photography sessions and capture a year’s worth of memories.
Meanwhile, those facing difficult times may have lost all of their family photos, or didn’t have any to begin with.
This is why members of the Sydney Help-Portrait project are giving the gift of photography these holidays.
On December 13, they will set up studios at the Australian Technology Park to take photos of people in need, including the homeless and victims of domestic violence.
Help-Portrait is a worldwide photography project founded in Nashville, Tennessee by celebrity entertainment photographer Jeremy Cowart.
Amateur photographer David Haysom is the coordinator of the Sydney event. He says what may seem like a simple gesture for a photographer can make a big difference to those in need.
“We really do forget that when we look at a family photo, for example, that it is a gift. It’s something that so many people don’t have the opportunity to have,” says Haysom.
So far, Help-Portrait has over 6,000 members and events are being organised at about 600 locations worldwide. Most of these will take place in America on December 12.
The participating photographers will not be using the portraits to boost their portfolios or update their blogs. The photos are purely for the guests of the event to cherish and share with others.
“It’s not about taking the photo, it’s about giving the gift,” says Haysom. “We’ll be respecting these people, looking after them, making them feel special, and making them feel beautiful.”
Guests at the Sydney event will have the opportunity to have their hair and make-up done, and will receive their photo in a presentation folder that they can choose to keep or give as a gift.
Mission Australia, Saint Vincent de Paul, the Sydney Children’s Hospital and The Salvation Army have partnered with the event and invited over 150 people receiving their services to attend.
The event will also have the support of fifty volunteers on the day and the resources of fifteen different companies. For example, Fuji Film is taking care of the photo printing and Coles has provided food for everyone there on the day.
Preparations for the event have been so successful that Haysom plans to conduct a Help-Portrait session at the same time next year.
Those interested in volunteering next year can contact David Haysom.
For daily updates on the Sydney Help-Portrait, become a fan of their Facebook page.
Ryneisha Bollard is a student at the University of South Australia, and an intern with the Walkley Foundation.
