Help-Portrait 2011 is less than a month away!! Saturday, December 10 is almost here, and I can’t even begin to say how excited I am about this. If you were a part of H-P last year, you know what I’m talking about. We were able to give away around 130 portraits to families & individuals in Anderson, SC. That’s right – GIVE AWAY. FOR FREE. However, more than that, we were able to give hope and joy to those who need it most through using the gifts we’ve been given. And those gifts are not only as photographers. Some of those gifts included serving through hair/makeup, greeting people at the door, providing lunch, and the list goes on. If you’re not familiar with Help-Portrait, watch the video below. Our local (Greenville/Anderson, SC) version of this year’s event will be on Saturday, December 10 at The LOT Project in downtown Anderson. It’s going to be an amazing day, and I’d love to have you there with us! You do NOT have to be a photographer to volunteer! Below the video is an updated copy of my blog post from last year explaining H-P so please read through and see if it’s something you’d be interested in. If so, all you have to do is leave a comment below, drop me a line through the Contact page, tweet me, or email me,  and I’ll get you connected with all the details for the day…

“Are you a professional photographer or hair/makeup artist? Are you a hobbyist photographer or someone who simply loves playing with other people’s hair and makeup? Most importantly – are you someone who’d be willing to give up a Saturday to love on someone and offer them hope during the Christmas season? Saturday – December 10, 2011 – Help-Portrait: Anderson, SC will be in full swing and I’d love for YOU to be part of it!

Last year (2010), we were able to give approximately 130 portraits to individuals and families. But more than that, people received smiles, laughter, and hope. We believe that we’re going to see even more people come out this year (150-200) to have their portrait given to them! Also, if you know someone who you think would love to have a portrait of themselves or their family who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford one, please tell them about Help-Portrait and that we’d be honored if they’d come see us on Dec. 4. If they have computer access or transportation to get themselves to The LOT Project building, that’s great; just forward them this blog link or give them the details. If not, I’d love to see YOU show up at Help-Portrait WITH THEM. Maybe you could serve someone you know by just providing them with the transportation necessary and spending the day with them.”

Here are the details for this year’s event in Anderson, SC:

Date:  Saturday, December 10, 2011

Location:  The LOT Project - Anderson, SC

Time:  11:00am – 5:00pm (setup will begin at approximately 9:30am)

Hopefully by now you’re saying to yourself something along the lines of, “Where do I sign up?!” If so, we’d really like to have you. There will be several roles in which you can help. Obviously, photographers are needed. However, we’ll also need greeters/welcome staff, hair/makeup artists (do not have to be professional!), refreshment servers, image editors, printing station staff, and just general volunteers willing to serve in whatever capacity we need. Do you think you could fill one of those roles?? If so, or if you have any questions, just leave a comment at the bottom of this post or contact me through the “Contact” tab at the top and I’ll be in touch with you ASAP. I can honestly say that Help-Portrait the last two years has been one of the highlights of my photography career. I am so excited to be part of this again this year and I really hope you’ll join us!