Giving Back

This post is overdue, but I didn't want 2009 to end without a mention of a fantastic moment in my growth and development as a photographer.

Dec.12, 2009 was designated as Help Portrait Day where photographers around the world donate their time and equipment to  help those less fortunate. I volunteered my Saturday as an assistant at a local community centre that was hosting a toy drive. I was assigned to 2 fantastic Toronto-area photographers for the day.  Our goal, to photograph any individual families, or people that attended the drive and provide them a free 8x10 of the day.

It was a fantastic event for a few reasons:

1) Selfishly, I love to watch other photographers work. I like to see what their thought process is, and how they approach subjects. Luckily, they kept me very involved in helping them through the day, so I didn't feel like a lonely assistant, I truly felt part of the process.  It also helped me validate my own methods when I am shooting, add some neat tricks to my arsenal and reassure myself that I can be successful at this as a career.

2) We met some fantastic families. New immigrants, single mothers, an awesome grandfather. Even though we only had 15 minutes with each subject, it was heartwarming to hear their stories and see them interact in front of the camera (both good and bad).

3) It's good to give back. Even though it felt like something small for me to give (my time), it was huge for these families. To be able to get a gorgeous keepsake of their day, at Christmas, with the people they love was heart-warming.   It reminded me that I need to continue to give back - whether it be to do this again next year, or just to simply share what I am learning to other aspiring photographers.

I think as 2009 closes and we start 2010, I need to remind myself of this feeling of giving and continue to push to learn, share and grow. It's a good way to start a new year.

Update: youtube video of our day - fantastic! Click HERE.