A Day of Service - The Photographers' Bounty

I've just spent a day with an amazing bunch of photographers and volunteers for the Help Portrait phenomena--phenomena, because of what we all did in service to those in need. At Schenectady's Christ Church there were six photographers of various capabilities. Normally, you would expect the testosterone level to be over the top, with each wanting to show off their abilities and hardware, but, instead, a group of comrades sharing accessories and war stories.

Starting many weeks ago, a core group met weekly at a diner in Albany, New York to discuss the organization and, as none of us had ever done anything like this previously, there was no way to know if the detailed plans we made would serve the needs of each of us and the community.

The Help Portrait day, starting with setting up at 8:00 and first subjects at 10:00, turned out to be special. All of our planning made the day run as if we had done it many times previously. At the very beginning, with barely enough coffee in our systems, we made magic. Photographers lent other photographers whatever was needed, be it accessories or encouragement and help setting up.

What was really special were the people coming through the front door to get photographed. Most were families, some large, and one, that I shot, included a Rottweiler—friendly, but intimidating at first. Buster, however, turned out to be a pussycat!

Those families I shot, to a one, thanked me and some hugged. One grandmother told me it had been over eight years since they had a family portrait and, since that time, another grandchild added to their number. In some instances I was asked to document three generations and in others, couples showed off their first child.

This is different than being hired to shoot assignments. Although none of us received any remuneration, it didn't matter. We brought all the artistry and technical skill we had to make each family's session special. It was their day. When time permitted, I took individual pictures of the children, knowing they were going to be included on the CD given to each family.

Why give away our talent and skill with no expectations of future business? All we had to do was look at the faces in front of us. Not one family could have afforded family portraits done with the skill of the six professional photographers using thousands of dollars of equipment. And that was what is really important here. We gave so others could have. We put away all ego and strategy and gave something which couldn't be bought. We gave ourselves to these people for one day. For this day, the families walking through the door of the church were honored guests.

Single mothers struggling to get by day after day... Fathers, looking tough but, when holding their children, put away all pretense and showed a sweet side few ever see. Mothers watching their kids reacting from the photographer's direction and smiling seeing this new relationship, between strangers, and families, dressed and ready for their time, waiting patiently.

This event had a life of its own and because of good planning and a little luck came off without a hitch. Restaurants and bakeries provided plenty of food and one of our volunteers make four pounds of ziti and pizza for the crew. I want to also thank Sigma Corporation of America, who loaned me a fantastic lens for the Help Portrait event. The 24-70mm f/2.8, I used, was absolutely perfect for the occasion.

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