Photographers Provide Free Portraits to the Poor through Help Portrait

Last Saturday, a group of pro photographers around the world turned the spotlight on people who had never had a professional photograph taken before, for free.

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on December 16 2009

Image: iStockphoto

Jeremy Cowart, a professional photographer, usually turns his camera on the likes of stars like Britney Spears—but last Saturday, he and a group of pro photographers around the world turned the spotlight on people who probably can’t afford a family portrait at Wal-Mart, let alone a session with a star like him.

Even though they couldn’t pay him for his time, that wasn’t the point: for Cowart and his fellow photographers, the event, called Help Portrait, was about giving something back to those who had very little.

Cowart began spreading the word about his plan months ago, and the concept quickly built up steam. On December 12th, more than 6,000 volunteers—camera crew, makeup artists, lighting specialists, and others—from almost 60 different countries pitched in to help create free portraits for people to share with their loved ones for the holidays.

Many of the people photographed were homeless, or single mothers who were barely scraping by. One of the women who posed for a photo had a son who was stationed in Iraq. She was thrilled that she would be able to send him a professional portrait of herself for Christmas.

One woman, a single mother living a homeless shelter in Nashville, wrote Jeremy and his fellow volunteers a letter after receiving her portrait. “The last time I had my picture taken was when I was 10 years old,” she wrote. “It means so much to me that you all would take time out of your busy schedules to come bring some happiness and joy to us girls who’ve felt less than pretty for a very long time. Thank you.”

Another family, the Nelsons, received a beautiful family portrait, which they never would have able to afford. The photograph had special meaning to them: their youngest son had cancer.

“We’re just thankful for each picture. You never know when it’s gonna be the last,” they told CNN.

And while Cowart and his fellow photographers didn’t receive any financial compensation for their work, they feel rewarded for the opportunity to help the less fortunate discover the best in themselves.

“We just want to show people that they are beautiful, that they are valued,” he said.

See photos from Help Portrait and learn more at Cowart’s website.

Filed under: Arts and Culture, General Interest, Non-Profits,

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