Quick Survey: How are you involved in your community?
Last week on facebook, Sunny Sommers posted, “Thursday we volunteered at Camp Dreamcatcher. A camp for epileptic kids funded greatly by donations to the Cincinnati Epilepsy Foundation.” She continued with a pretty good description of spending the day being involved in an event she seriously believes in.
Even though more and more photographers are giving back to their communities and charities they believe in, there’s still so many more who are simply not involved. There are also so many different ways to be involved. Often, people just don’t know where or how to get started.
I’ve written numerous times about the importance of giving back to the community, but this time I need some help from all of you. I’d like to get some great ideas out there for photographers struggling with what to do and also help you spread the word on projects you’re involved with.
Here’s the question of the week…How are you involved in your community?
This post has 9 comments
July 20th, 2009
I’m retired at 78. For the past ten years or so I’ve been a Photography Merit Badge Counselor for the Boy Scouts. Once a year the Longhorn Council holds a Merit Badge College at a nearby community college 1000 more or less scouts sign up for all varieties of Merit Badge subjects. We usually have between 50 and 100 for photography students, the first session we give basic instructions for the Photography Merit Badge. We return two weeks later for the final exam, probably a third of the boys have completed the work. 65 years ago my Scoutmaster started me in photography and it lead to my majoring in photography in college and a rewarding career. This, in a small way, is a payback.
July 20th, 2009
Our studio is involved with the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary clubs, city and a variety of charities. We openly volunteer our services for fundraisers and events by comping time, prints & digital services as requested. Occassionaly we offer small banner services when available.
July 21st, 2009
Shane, thanks for your comments – The Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Exchange Club, Kiwanis – all terrific places for people to get involved and they all need the help.
Skip
July 20th, 2009
I provide photography services to my mega-church & amp; a local children’s food bank. I love it!
July 21st, 2009
Thanks for the comment – your key words here were “I love it”…I don’t think enough people realize how good it feels to give a little back, especially when it’s photography, which is so much in your blood anyway. What could feel greater than being able to take full advantage of your vocation and utilize it to help your community and friends?
Skip
July 20th, 2009
Hi Skip great topic. 10 years ago I started a program in the Seattle area where some photographers would go on “photo walks” with inner city kids. We’d provide cameras (and then film/processing) and supervise. We’d print the photos while the kids ate lunch (most of the reason we did the program was that these kids didn’t get school lunches on weekends so they typically didn’t eat – we catered them a lunch so they could at least have one meal) then after lunch we’d have a little photo contest. Each child got a prize – it was always a $50 gift certificate good for food only at a local supermarket that partnered with us. The program went on for quite a while and I think gave everyone some benefit. Sure made me feel better if nothing else. And I met some great kids – one of which – 10 years later – works for me part time as a retoucher. He said those photo walks got him interested in photography. Who would have thought it ???
July 21st, 2009
Thanks Scott…I’m amazed at how many photographers still have a hard time getting involved in projects like this. So much of the time it’s not because they don’t want to, just that they don’t know who to talk to or how to get started.
Skip
July 21st, 2009
I have been volunteering my services to a local non-profit organization called “Food For Others”, for just over one year, now. It’s a wonderful organization which provides food for the less fortunate in our community. I enjoy helping in the continual growth of the organization, with my photography, albeit in a small way.
July 21st, 2009
Thanks so much for the comments…there’s no such thing as helping any non-profit organization “in a small way”. What you’re doing is wonderful and puts you ahead of so many other photographers. Please keep me posted on any interesting ideas you have that relate to this extra dimension as a photographer.
Skip
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