"Help Portrait"

[JohnT]

Cool idea. Sorry if it's been posted somewhere else already.

http://www.scottkelby.com/blog/2009/archives/6301

[Cajungaltx]

That's rather cool.

Like - 'really' cool.

[S-Man]

Who needs photos of themselves, really.

While a good idea in theory, I think giving something more usable to "those in need" would be of more benefit.

Photos are a luxury item, IMO. Not a necessity.

Don't get me wrong though, I'm not knockin' the guy for trying.

[toverman]

The idea of service appeals to me. But what's a homeless person really going to do with a portrait of themselves?

Maybe I'll modify the idea by donating 100 percent of my session fees for sessions on X day to a cause that actually does something.

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by S-Man

Who needs photos of themselves, really.

While a good idea in theory, I think giving something more usable to "those in need" would be of more benefit.

Photos are a luxury item, IMO. Not a necessity.

Don't get me wrong though, I'm not knockin' the guy for trying.

Sam - once upon a time - I sold plasma 3x a week to help pay bills. I have very few portraits of myself with my oldest daughter, because quite honestly, it's a luxury item - and I couldn't afford it.

"Those in need" are more than just the folks on the corner begging... sometimes 'those in need' is the family of 5 where mom stays at home because child care costs too much, dad works 2 jobs, and they are doing 'okay' but are really one bad situation away from a bottomless cycle. Family portraits for that family... would be priceless.

How about a single mom?

I think - for something you are willing to pay such a high price to learn how to do.... and for most of us, are willing to charge for that knowledge - to say that photos are something less than valuable to some people - is to ignore the fact that when a house is burning... it's usually the one thing that people try to carry out with them.... or run in to get.... because it's irreplaceable.

Cajungaltx added 3 Minutes and 48 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by toverman

The idea of service appeals to me. But what's a homeless person really going to do with a portrait of themselves?

Maybe I'll modify the idea by donating 100 percent of my session fees for sessions on X day to a cause that actually does something.

There's a couple out my way - I seem to remember reading on their site - that offers to do sessions for families 'in need' - and if I recall - they haven't had a single person ask for that service.

Photographers - professional ones - are considered a luxury, and sometimes, the best clients you get, are the ones that you do because you want to. It's my absolute favorite part of BEING a photographer.

[S-Man]

I like Todd's idea, while although it may not be new, it certainly seems more substantial.

And it is true, photos are irreplaceable. But I believe it's the little moments that are caught with the P&S and Polaroid that have alot more meaning than a posed formal portrait.

Perhaps the guy in the video has good intentions.
Perhaps he intends to promote his name and thus increase his business by making this "movement".

Maybe the single mom without enough money to purchase a one-time portrait of her little ones would more greatly appreciate a P&S to capture the important moments of the children growing day by day.
I say to make a REAL movement, we need to put one P&S in every household regardless of income. Now that's a movement I could get on-board with.

[JohnT]

Thanks, Donna. I'm glad someone sees some value in the idea.

[sldi]

That "posed formal portrait" might just wind up on a homeless persons resume and be enough of an edge to land a job.

Some child adoption services have received support from photographers and had "posed formal portraits" done of there children and got adopted.

A "posed formal portrait" of someone showing them as a beautiful person could be enough to keep someone off a bridge.

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by JohnT

Thanks, Donna. I'm glad someone sees some value in the idea.

I'm a horrible softy when it comes to photography - I think that - just like other professions - you make a living by what we get, you make a life by what we give ....

Which is why I volunteer with NILMDTS and Operation Love: Reunited. Some folks just don't have the financial capabilities of hiring me... and some don't even know there are photographers who would 'do that'.

[toverman]

I see value in it. Photographs are power. But I think the guy in the video is overstating the value of a portrait for the majority of people in the world. I'm sure it would feel good to participate in such an endeavor because it doesn't really address the meat of most people's problems: food, clothing, shelter and security don't spring forth from photo paper.

More power to those who donate their time, services and printing to the cause. I am a huge supporter of giving back.

[S-Man]

Well put Todd. That's exactly what I was getting at.
What's a hungry child in Africa going to do with a photo of himself?

I'm not sure if I read that right-

I'm sure it would feel good to participate in such an endeavor because it doesn't really address the meat of most people's problems: food, clothing, shelter and security don't spring forth from photo paper.

It would feel good because it doesn't address their concerns? How so?

[knowimagination]

One of the things I like about it is that there are a lot of ministries and things out there to help people get food and shelter and stuff, and stuff like this isn't really done.

Yes there are things that some people may need more than portraits, but sometimes it is nice to be given something that is a want instead of always just needs. That sounds kind of crazy probably, but I know that sometimes when we are just scraping buy and I haven't satisfied a want in a long time even something small can be a great encouragement to me. I see this kind of like that.

Edit: I also understand that just because there are things that are focused toward feeding and giving them shelter it doesn't mean that there are no longer people in need

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by FalconN

One of the things I like about it is that there are a lot of ministries and things out there to help people get food and shelter and stuff, and stuff like this isn't really done.

Yes there are things that some people may need more than portraits, but sometimes it is nice to be given something that is a want instead of always just needs. That sounds kind of crazy probably, but I know that sometimes when we are just scraping buy and I haven't satisfied a want in a long time even something small can be a great encouragement to me. I see this kind of like that.

Kyle - I think you nailed it.

If you want to feed the hungry - go do it. Want to let them move in - or donate to them - go do it.

This is a different concept - and I think it's neat in that it lets photographers 'give' of their photography skill.

I look at it - like buying the car behind me's coffee when I hit the drive through at Starbucks.

It's picking up the tab for the older gentleman at the restaurant who is reading his newspaper, and eating alone...

It's letting the guy with 3 things that just got in line behind you... go in front of you.

It's doing something 'nice' - for no other reason than just to DO it. The car behind me could have a millionaire in it... or a single mom.... the old guy could be eating out while the family is visiting... or he could be going home to an empty house... and the guy with three things... maybe he'll remember and be nice to someone else....

I think people get so caught up in 'me'.... or they make token 'oh - i hate seeing the poor/hungry/destitute' and they feel bad... but the rubber never meets the road with them. EVERYONE feels bad about the poor/hungry/destitute - welcome to the planet - you have a heart.

Give someone $20. What'd it cost you? $20?

Setup your EFT for your $100/month to starving kids...

I'm not knocking that sort of thing - I EFT to KSBJ every month regular as clockwork... lol... but there is something quite different when you are photographing people to give them a treasured memory... to see them as unique....and beautiful. To help them hold on to something that will fade in time...

Spend an hour with someone... and it'll change you. Hopefully for the better...

[S-Man]

I can see that, from what Kyle is saying.
Doing something like that can really boost a person's spirits when times are tough. Maybe they'll get that feeling each time they pass the photo on their wall. Who knows.

For the record: While I did raise some objections to the purpose and motive behind this project, I don't want JohnT to take it personally. Or you either Donna. I think you're both great people and I don't want to cause any disgruntled feelings between me and other members here.

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by S-Man

I can see that, from what Kyle is saying.
Doing something like that can really boost a person's spirits when times are tough. Maybe they'll get that feeling each time they pass the photo on their wall. Who knows.

For the record: While I did raise some objections to the purpose and motive behind this project, I don't want JohnT to take it personally. Or you either Donna. I think you're both great people and I don't want to cause any disgruntled feelings between me and other members here.

HA! I'm seething in total fury out here in Katy at your complete inability to show kindness to your fellow man!!!!!



No worries on this end - I hardly ever get upset about anything. ;-)