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Help-Portrait is an initiative happening in many cities worldwide. On December
12, Steph Forster, founder of a non-profit arts organization called the
Nehemiah Foundation, brought Help-Portrait to Vancouver’s Downtown East Side (DTES). The idea was to shoot Christmas photos of
individuals and families who could not otherwise afford them. Following is an
account of the highlights by volunteer photographer Ian Sheh.
THE inaugural Help-Portrait in Vancouver, held at the Salvation Army Grace
Mission on East Hastings, was an overwhelming success.
Makeup artists and hair stylists were buzzing about making women and girls look
beautiful. Mark Hildebrand and Kathi Reid filled the room with music.
Photographers were making people smile and giggle with excitement. And when the
printers started rolling off prints, people’s reactions were priceless.
With help from the Nehemiah Foundation, we were able to welcome over 400 people
through our doors free of charge, and take approximately 175 portraits of
families and individuals. The folks at Epson and Canon made onsite printing
possible, allowing us to give portraits to our subjects as they left.
Local Vancouver camera store Beau Photo provided background paper, as well as
photo Christmas cards for our guests to send to family and loved ones.
And as a final touch, the Salvation Army provided postage for the cards.
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A group of 28 photographers, five makeup artists, hair stylists and 15
volunteers made the day run smoothly. Everyone gave as much as they could, and
then a little bit more.
Help-Portrait 2009 was a fantastic day!
We are already planning for next year, and hope to make it bigger and better – to bring smiles to more faces in the DTES.
help-portrait.com
January 2010
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