This December, North Georgia Technical College Photography students are again offering free family portraits to those in our community who can’t afford them.
Capturing moments…changing lives
This is the fifth year NGTC has participated in the global Help-Portrait movement. “When we started we really didn’t now what we were getting into,” says volunteer coordinator Sharon Alicea, “but now it’s part of our lives.”
In an online article posted to the college’s website, Photography instructor Jeff Gulle tells a moving story from the first Help-Portrait event held at NGTC. “When the day started, I thought of a number of ways to gauge the success for our department,” he said. “Well, our goals were accomplished with our first client. She had not had her photo taken in over ten years because of domestic violence and never thought that she could ever look beautiful because he always hit her in the face. We took her photo with tears in our eyes and when she saw her portrait, she had tears as well.”
It’s stories like that fuel the passion behind this annual event.
Help-Portrait was conceived by celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart who wanted to inspire professionals around the world to use their time, gear, and expertise to give back to those in need. He describes it as “giving” pictures, not “taking” them.
Since the movement began, over 100,000 portraits have been made world-wide.
No appointment necessary
The process is simple, no appointment is necessary. Organizes say all you have to do is show up! Portraits will be made at the Visual Tech Building on the Clarkesville NGTC campus between 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on December 5th. Those who participate will receive a free 8×10 print and images on a CD.
Volunteers needed
Volunteers are needed to help set up in advance and to serve as greeters and runners during Help-Portrait day. You may volunteer by showing up at the Visual Tech Building on December 3rd at 3 p.m. or on December 5th between the hours of 8:15 a.m.-4 p.m.
For more information contact Colby Moore at [email protected] or Sharon Alicea at [email protected] / 706-809-9877.
