“The Soul Catchers” Local Photographers Group to Give the Gift of Family with Free Holiday Portraits for the Underprivileged on Dec. 10
Donated Family Photo Sittings Designed to Help Raise Community Awareness Made Possible Through Partnership with Help-Portrait and the Salvation Army of Fort Lauderdale
Help-Portrait is a worldwide movement founded in 2009 by celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart. Photographers all over the world donate their time to provide free portraits for those in need. In the past, more than 100,000 portraits have been given out to the homeless, low-income, and struggling families, who would otherwise not be able to afford a professional portrait with their loved ones. Help-Portrait was created by its founder with the idea that a photographer has the unique ability to help someone smile, laugh and feel empowered again. The process is simple: Find a person in need, take their portrait, print it for them, deliver it to them and watch the transformation. This happens one Saturday a year in December.
The Soul Catchers is an informal group of photographers, hair stylists, and makeup artists who have dedicated their time and resources to bring an uplifting spirit to those who need it the most through the gift of photos. Help-Portrait is a worldwide movement founded in 2009 by celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart. Photographers all over the world donate their time to provide free portraits for those in need. In the past, more than 100,000 portraits have been given out to the homeless, low-income, and struggling families, who would otherwise not be able to afford a professional portrait with their loved ones. Help-Portrait was created by its founder with the idea that a photographer has the unique ability to help someone smile, laugh and feel empowered again. The process is simple: Find a person in need, take their portrait, print it for them, deliver it to them and watch the transformation. This happens one Saturday a year in December.
The Soul Catchers is an informal group of photographers, hair stylists, and makeup artists who have dedicated their time and resources to bring an uplifting spirit to those who need it the most through the gift of photos. The initiative was started by Huba Rostonics, a local photographer (where is he based, now), instructor and blogger. Before he moved from Madison, WI in 2011, he participated in the 2010 Help-Portrait event.
According to Rostonics, this labor of love is designed to unite the community through a creative medium while embracing the generous spirit of the season.
“I can’t think of a better way to use our photographic talents to create lasting memory and work of art that will make a difference in people’s lives,” said Rostonics. “Many people don’t realize how much a permanent memory is worth for someone who has lost it all. Our partnership with The Salvation Army of Fort Lauderdale is a gift in itself. We are incredibly thankful to them for the opportunity to offer these free portraits to all the families and individuals supported by the organization.”
As part of its ongoing effort to promote awareness, Help-Portrait is also asking photographers, to share their images and their stories with their local communities. Family photos taken by “The Soul Catchers” will be on display at the Salvation Army of Fort Lauderdale to help create a warm and caring atmosphere. Those photographed will have the opportunity to draw and write on their photos to tell their stories. This provides an avenue for their voice to be heard.
The Help Portrait organization is presently accepting donations on behalf of “The Soul Catchers.” For more information about the event, how to volunteer and how to give a tax-deductible donation, please visit http://www.TheSoulCatchers.org.
An explanation of Help-Portrait by Jeremy Cowart as originally shown at ScottKelby.com. For more info, please visit http://www.help-portrait.com/