Giving Back...with time, photos, and smiles

Last Friday, I had the absolute honour of working with the Self Help Alliance as part of Help Portraits annual campaign.  With three volunteers, Ian Spence, Stephanie Truong and Erin Schut from the Laurier Newspaper, The Cord (see their take on the story here), Nick Lachance and I arranged to set up shop at their Kitchener location.

The Self Help Alliance runs peer-support groups for individuals experiencing a mental health and/or addiction issue and runs one of the most innovative suicide intervention programs in the country.  Society’s perception of Mental health is one of the last remaining bastions of secrecy.  Studies suggest 1 in 5 Canadians will suffer from mental illness at some point in their lives. I have more than one friend who has experienced mental health issues to varying degrees. Maintaining the code of silence only further alienates those who identify.  The end result of ignoring the issue is simply not acceptable in a society that has come to terms with sex, drugs, drinking, cancer, etc… The data speaks for itself, in Canada, 12 individuals die by suicide every day.  In the Waterloo region, one of the most prosperous areas in the country, there were 52 reported suicides last year.

Given the unique and pro-active nature of the Self-HelpAlliance, they were the perfect group for what Help Portrait offers.  Help Portrait “is a global movement of photographers using their time, their gear and expertise to give back to those in need.”  Over the 6 hours we set the studio up, we had 15 different participants.  I am only showing a few who are willing to share their story.  From graduate students to comedians and Trekkies to families the day was filled with smiles.

Early next week I will deliver the CDs and the printed portraits and I’m excited.  In an age where most of our photos end up on computer hard drives, there is something so special about a printed photograph. The existence of Help Portrait provided that little nudge we all sometimes need to take a step back, appreciate how lucky we are, and evaluate how we can give back.

As a student at Laurier, I think I can speak for all the volunteers when I say, I don’t have the means to make significant financial contributions to the charities or NGOs I support but my time and skillset is certainly something I can offer. In a world that all too often inundates us with reasons to frown, the excitement that day generated and the earnest appreciation that came through on the faces of both the volunteers from The Cord and those in front of the lens reaffirmed my faith in Humanity. 

Viktoria with Moves and a Martini Glass

I've decided to let you all in on one of my personal projects.  I'm not really sure where the inspiration came from and I'm surprised this idea even popped into my head but it did:  "The Personality of the Little Black Dress."  It seems all the women I know have a little black dress.  Sometimes it's a fall back option when nothing else works, other times it's their go to number when the night is important.

My concept involves that favourite black dress, a martini glass (a martini is also always available if the setting is right), and a hobby/profession all rolled into one or a series of shots...  

I've worked on this concept on and off for four years but the others didn't seem to come together as I had hoped (that's the one thing with personal projects is too often they find a place on the back burner unless you make a concerted effort to stay true to the concept).  Today was the first time "The Personality of the Little Black Dress" came together as I envisioned it on that hazy Saturday afternoon in 2006.                                                                                

One of the first people I approached with the concept was Viktoria.  Viktoria is a phenomenal dancer and that skill has taken her around the world.  She certainly knows how to move to the music.  Almost three years ago we started scheming on how to bring it all together.  Europe, cruise ships, and last minute hiccups (mostly on my end) foiled our previous attempts but earlier today we finally managed to get together for a shoot.

We didn't stop there though and with her friend Sarah providing a myriad of one-liners we spent a couple of hours laughing and shooting away.

It's amazing how quickly people get to know one another and modesty goes out the window when the strobes are firing and the personalities match.  Before long, it was like hanging out with old friends.

With Viktoria's open mind we were able to try a few concepts with water that really turned out well too and meant that the floor got a bit of a cleaning too

Great fun today...Hope we find another time to work together...