Photographers For » What are you FOR?

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  • We are For.

    We are a community For portrait and wedding photographers who want to be involved in charity driven photography.

    Our goal is to connect you with photo centered organizations that need your help, whatever your passion might be. We also seek to inspire you by featuring photographers who are doing amazing work in their community. Finally, we want to help your business succeed. We believe charitable photography is not only good for your soul but good for your business.

    Thank you for joining us! If you'd like more background on how we came to be, please click the About link above. We would love your feedback and input. We are always interested in featuring your charitable work or advice. Contact us by filling out the form above!

The Giving Lens

May . 9 . 2012 Posted in: Children | Other | Weddings

The Backstory:

We are The Giving Lens. We’ve got a vision to bring together three things we really love: photography, travel, and giving back. What that means is we connect with a Non Profit Organization in a developing country, bring together a team of volunteers, and go lend a hand. Then, when not volunteering, we host a number of workshops throughout the trip; real, serious, cutting edge photography workshops designed to send our teammates home better photographers than when they started. The majority of the profits from the team’s fees are then donated to the organization – meaning they get a team of willing hands, and financial support to boot. Sometimes the volunteer work has to do with photography, and sometimes it doesn’t’ – but all the time, the organizations are amazing, the work is needed, and no one comes home the same.

The Giving Lens was started by Professional Photographer Colby Brown. Colby took off for Asia about ten years ago, and never stopped traveling. During his travels all over the globe, he witnessed many things that made him realize change requires action. Over the next eight years, he tried to figure out a way to use his photography to help bring change about. He formed Lespwa Haiti – to connect photographers with non-profits in Haiti that needed photos – and then landed on the idea of The Giving Lens.

We really believe people are good. We believe people want to help. Artists, all of us, including photographers, seem to see the world differently. And many of us feel so blessed and incredibly fortunate, and desire to share our amazing luck of pursuing the art that we love – for us, photography. The Giving Lens is just the place to bring it all together.

Want to Get Involved?

A photographer looking to get involved can do lots! For one, they can share our name on their social networks, to help get our name out. They can also sign up for our newsletter and participate in contests and fundraisers throughout the year – the money raised goes to the Non Profits or to sponsor photographers who cannot afford to join a team, for example. Lastly, they can, of course, sign up for a team! We have five trips for 2012, and another ten or twelve in the works for 2013.

If a photographer joins a team, they can anticipate newsletters loaded with information, google + chats with the whole team, lots of pre-trip preparation, transportation, hotels, and meals all covered once we hit the ground. From there they can expect to have the adventure of a lifetime while doing real, honest good work for a non-profit. We will learn all about the cause, the problems, the work that’s being done, the help that’s needed, and why it’s important.  Finally, they can expect to expand their photographic horizons with our amazing workshops, which are flexible to suit all skill levels, and come home with incredible images for their portfolio – not to mention better techniques, skills, and knowledge of photography!

Be open to adventure. Be open to seeing new cultures, new places, and meeting new people. Learn about our causes, our partners, and the enormous needs that most people have around the world. Appreciate all that you have, and know that if you want to, you can make a difference. Every moment counts. Every small action counts. Every photo counts.

Find The Giving Lens online: Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Shoots for A Cure

May . 7 . 2012 Posted in: Children | Weddings

The Backstory:

We are Shoots for a Cure; a network of photographers (from amateur/hobbyists to professional) world-wide, offering complimentary photography sessions for patients battling cancer or those who are within 12 months of remission.

Shoots for a Cure, formerly known as Think Pink Photography, is a charitable organization that serves two main purposes – celebrating life and supporting the cause. Now that TPP has changed, we support all types of cancers!
 Kim Townsend has taken over this organization and made it her own. TPP was originally founded in October 2007 by Tennille King to support individuals and their families who had been touched by breast cancer.

Celebrating Life
 – Through our professional photographer network, we are helping cancer patients to celebrate life with charitable ph
otography sessions. Sessions are available to document the fight before or during treatment or to celebrate the victory when treatment is completed. Please see the “Celebrating” page under the “Info” section of this site for more details and information.

Supporting the Cause
 – A portion of all funds generated through donations and various fundraising efforts are paid directly to The American Cancer Society, the Susan G Komen Foundation, in our name, or used 100% for marketing and awareness of our program; we are not for profit.

 

Want to get involved?

Celebrating Life – Shoots for a Cure Session

Through our Photographer Network, we are helping cancer survivors and their supporters to celebrate life with charitable photography sessions. Any individual that has been diagnosed with cancer or completed treatment within the past 12 months qualifies for a Shoots for a Cure Session. Sessions are available to document the fight before or during treatment or to celebrate the victory when treatment is completed.

Clients will receive a complimentary session, set of small prints, and a discount off additional print orders. The small print size is at the discretion of each photographer, starting at 3.5×5 through 5×7. The number of prints provided is also at the discretion of each photographer, with a minimum of 10 prints included. You may provide a finished print or add a border or logo if you prefer. The minimum recommended discount is 10% off additional print orders. You may choose to offer more of a discount or other benefits.

Supporting the Cause
 A portion of all funds generated through donations and various fundraising efforts are paid directly to The American Cancer Society, the Susan G Komen Foundation, in our name, or used 100% for marketing and awareness of our program; we are not for profit.

Partner with a Photographer
 Shoots for a Cure fka Think Pink Photography will also act as a referral network for clients that are interested in booking regular portrait sessions. Clients hire you under your normal policies and pricing. We simply ask that you, as the photographer, make a donation (to a cancer charity of your choice) in Shoots for a Cure’s name if the client mentions they found you from the Shoots for a Cure Network. Your donation to The American Cancer Society or Susan G Komen Foundation is tax deductible. Please note “Shoots for a Cure” when you donate.

Join Shoots for a Cure! By joining the Shoots for a Cure Photographer Network, we ask that you participate in both the Shoots for a Cure Session and the Partner with a Photographer programs. You will receive a confirmation email with Network information, given access to private Network pages on the website, and you will be added to the mailing list to keep you updated on information and contests!

After reading and agreeing to this information, you can apply here!

We need you!
 As Shoots for a Cure  grows, so will the opportunities for you to become involved and support this important cause. I encourage you to subscribe to our blog and tell your friends and family about Shoots for a Cure. Professional Photographers – join our network and support Shoots for a Cure! Awareness is everything and we can’t be successful without you.

Find Shoots for a Cure online: Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Kay Eskridge Outlines Paws for a Cause Program

Mar . 28 . 2012 Posted in: Business Advice

Our Paws for a Cause charitable pet program has been fun and rewarding both monetarily and as a community outreach. We’ve partnered with PACC911 (Phoenix Animal Care Coalition) who unites the local pet rescue community as well as FACCS (Friends of Animal Care and Control).

We set aside a Saturday and schedule sessions every 10-15 minutes. The owners get the session and one 5×7 print for FREE in exchange for donating either a 10lb unopened bag of dog or cat food, blankets, towels, carpet squares, toys, etc. (you’ll find they all bring in way more than the minimum). We post the images for their selection on our website (this allows them to see all of the other types of photography we offer) and provide a variety of special print packages, albums and Wall portrait options, Pet Stationery (yes – it sells!!), jewelry, etc. We’ve found many will purchase beyond their freebie as pet owners are nuts for their ‘babies’.

At the end of the day we contact the PACC911 and or FACCS groups to come and distribute the donations to the shelters that need it the most.

We’ve found many upsides to this campaign . . . a chance to be exposed to new clients, an opportunity to help the little furry friends that can’t help themselves, a great supportive relationship with the charities and wonderful media exposure for our efforts. We almost always sell out and usually end up with a waiting list.

Here are  a few ‘tips’ that might also help insure success:

-Post event on website, email newsletter, blog, twitter, facebook and linkedin (we booked the first half of the day right after we posted it on Facebook as it went VIRAL immediately!!)
-Urge the charity you’ve partnered with to help you get the word out in their newsletters, email blasts, etc – it only benefits them MORE if they help start a buzz in their pet community
-When calling to confirm sessions find out if their pet ‘plays well with others’ and if not have them keep Fido in their car until prior session leaves – and remind them how important it is for them to come ON TIME for their scheduled session (this is HUGE to keep you on schedule for the day)
-Keep bowls of water, paper towels, poop bags, noise makers, toys and treats handy at all times (remind owners to bring their own treats as well since the pet is used to that and will respond better)
-Contact local media way in advance so they can plan to feature you before the event as well as during it. Don’t wait until the last minute as they slot their features way in advance. The FACCS group got us on one of our local news channels as a feature.
-Offer one or two background options ONLY and have them both ‘shoot ready’ – our first event we offered too many and it took too long to change in between (the second time we offered only TWO and they were both ready for shooting so there was no last minute background changes in between – it kept us on schedule all day)

 

Find Kay:
Twitter
Facebook
Website

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Britt Anderson

Mar . 26 . 2012 Posted in: Inspiring Photographers

Hi! My name is Britt Anderson, and I am a portrait photographer, focused on children, families, couples and high school seniors. I started my business in the Chicago, IL area, but moved to Savannah, GA for my husband’s job. Now, we are back in the Chicago area, but I am blessed to be able to do my portrait work both in Illinois, and the Coastal Georgia area several times a year.

When I first opened my business in 2008, I was quickly connected to Inspiration Through Art (at the time it was called The Littlest Heroes Project). I knew this organization would be a perfect fit because of my love of children. For 12 years, I was an early childhood education teacher, teaching Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades. My emphasis was in special education. I knew with my skills as a photographer, and my ability to work with children and be patient with them, would allow me to do great work for Inspiration Through Art. I have been lucky to photograph several families over the years, and even better, because of Facebook, have been able to keep tabs on many of them and see how well they are doing today.

In the last year, I have also started working with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, photographing their annual head shaving events. Another great cause dedicated to children, they raise money for childhood cancers. Also last year, I photographed my first Susan G Komen, Race for the Cure fundraiser. With close friends affected by breast cancer, I knew I wanted to do something with the Susan G. Komen foundation.

I know my clients have really rallied around me and supported my efforts to give back to the community. They are consistently sharing my work and are always on the look out for new heroes I can photograph! To say it has benefited my business, I am not sure? But I would like to think that potential clients and current clients see me as someone who does want to do good work for others, and is willing to support someone who gives of herself. But honestly, seeing the faces of the Heroes I have photographed, and hearing the heartfelt thanks from those families is all I need to keep going!

It is easy to want to get involved with so many organizations, but you have to decide early on where you want to put your energies for charity work. You can’t work with everyone, because you will not only get burnt out, but those who you are doing work for will not be able to get 100% from you, and they deserve that. Once you decide in what area you want to make a difference, devise a plan to make it happen. If working with Inspiration Through Art is where you would like to make a difference, you can go to their website (www.inspirationthroughart.org) and click on join.

 

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March 27, 2012 - 12:14 pm

Melissa Schuett - So beautiful Britt!
You are amazing – super-woman!! :)

Preemie Prints

Mar . 23 . 2012 Posted in: Children

The Backstory:

Preemie Prints is a non profit organization sharing hope with families who have a premature or sick baby in a NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) through information, support, complimentary photography, gift bags, and prayer.

I’m Amber, Founder of Preemie Prints, and a mom to identical twin girls. They were preemies, born at 32 weeks gestation. We were in a NICU for 4 very long weeks. My time spent in our NICU and those first weeks back at home with preemies, was one of the most trying, yet shaping times in my life.

There were a handful of things that got me through it. A firm reliance on my faith in God’s plan, my support network filled with family, friends, doctors, nurses, and many other people who had been through the same experiences, my babies, and pictures.

Everyday after I would leave my babies’ isolette and head home, I would stop by the store to develop all of the pictures I took that day in the NICU. Even once they were both home with us, my husband and I would flip through the book I made of their NICU stay and homecoming often. It was therapeutic and it helped me, it helped my family, and it still does.

Some may feel that the NICU isn’t a place you necessarily want to document with great photos, but I disagree. Although it may be an extremely difficult time, I’ve talked to many moms who wish they had them now. At the time many feel photography was not something of importance, since your baby is fighting for their life. It is understandable but later regrettable, which is why I want to encourage others to take pictures during their journey and why our organization offers the gift of photography to families.

Since my girls were born, my love for photography has grown. I love taking pictures and have a camera that helps me to create beautiful images. I couldn’t help thinking how much I would like to share this gift with others whomay not have this passion or the financial ability to pay for what photography services usually cost, but are very deserving especially during this difficult time in their life.

Want to get involved?

All photographers wanting to get involved should email sherri@preemieprints.org. We will then send them the photography volunteer forms. Some of our sessions take place in the NICU, so we want to make sure all of our photographers are aware of what they can and cannot do while in the hospital, ie no flash photography. Once a photographer partners with us, we will contact them know once we receive a request in their area to see if they are interested. Once we get an OK from the photographer, we connect the photographer directly with the awaiting family. The photographer and family then make arrangements that work best for both of their schedules. After the photo shoot, we ask photographers to send Preemie Prints 3-5 sample pictures for us to forward on to the family, and we ask that, no later than 6 weeks after the photo session, the photographer provide Preemie Prints and the family with a disk of around 25 pictures, along with a print release allowing the family to print the photos they choose. We archive the disks for 3 years.

We need photographers who are willing to donate their time and the photos they take to families in their area who have endured, or are still enduring the stresses from having a baby in the NICU.

Be prepared for some difficult situations, especially if you are photographing in the NICU. It can be difficult to see a little baby in the hospital fighting for life, to see the parents’ stress and their fears. These photos sessions bring so much hope for families. We continuously get emails from our volunteers stating what a pleasure it was to know they brought about that joy and hope through their pictures to these families. Many times with the NICU graduate shoot you will learn the families’ story, but have the opportunity to see them at home…where they belong and that is very inspiring.

Find Preemie Prints on Twitter | Facebook | Online

 

 

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