Personal Project

Happy New Year! I'm sure everyone kept busy over the holidays and I hope 2012 is starting off great for you all! Today I just wanted to share a recent project I did, which would not have been possible without Jenn Johnston. 

Now, as some of you might remember, I do not have my own photography business, nor do I plan on opening my own. I absolutely love photography and am enjoying learning so much, though, that I do have hopes to work with a photographer someday. That being said, this particular project was a little different for me, but I ended up learning quite a bit and had fun doing so.

Since money was a little tight this holiday season, we couldn't do our normal donations to local charities, but we still wanted to do something. I decided to contact our local women & children's home to see if I could donate my time to take photos of the children/families, if they so wished. They replied back very excited and asked if I could also take some for families at their apartments, too. I was thrilled, but extremely nervous. I've never photographed a complete stranger (aside from the models at the workshop, but that's a bit different). 

My husband's work actually donated the money to help with prints, so that was wonderful. Also, I soon realized that the time they choose would be just before dusk, and I didn't have an external flash. THANK GOODNESS FOR JENN! She was a complete life saver and offered to loan me her flash. She also told me to consider the shipping as a donation! What a heart of gold! Thank you, Jenn!!

Thanks to everyone who helped out, several families/individuals received prints just in time for Christmas. Here are just a few: 

(The above picture is the very first picture this mom has ever had with her son. 

I know the photo isn't perfect, but I know she will be happy having it)

Somewhat on a related note, I saw a few people post this link on facebook, A letter on my door step, and I thought I would share. If you haven't already read it, I highly suggest you do, especially if you already have, or are planning to have a photography business.