Are you doing anything with your photography to give back during the holidays? I am.

I am curious to see how others out there use their photography to give back to those who are in need, especially during the holidays. I have a couple of ideas bouncing around in my head but settled on military families.

Full info and the first photo session on my blog.

In summary: If you have a loved one who is overseas and in harms way I am spending sometime with the families and friends of that solider. I shoot the whole time, but not a typical portrait session, I want to capture more of what the solider is missing and give them a piece of their home.

Throughout the yearI donate my services to the Make A Wish foundation. I think what you are doing is great. The families and soliders need our support.

For the past three years, I take photos at the local Disabled American Veterans car show. This year I did one last Saturday, and one today. Between both shows, over $4100 was raised.

Awesome idea. Alot of great stuff. I'm sure someone in this forum is crazy enough to post a link, or some un-needed comment about "free" work. In this case, I think it is deserved.

Despite the fact that I do a bunch of sessions for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep throughout the year, I do give back. In fact, I shot the youth football conference Super Bowl yesterday and am giving 15% of proceeds to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Heart Institute. After all, they did save my son's life at birth. I give percentages to several organizations throughout the year, too. I am putting together something for next year's Veteran's Day, too.

OP: This is a great thing you're doing. I'm sure the families, and especially those deployed, love what you do.

asysin2leads wrote in post #11291897
Despite the fact that I do a bunch of sessions for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep throughout the year, I do give back. In fact, I shot the youth football conference Super Bowl yesterday and am giving 15% of proceeds to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Heart Institute. After all, they did save my son's life at birth. I give percentages to several organizations throughout the year, too. I am putting together something for next year's Veteran's Day, too.

Years ago I worked in EMS and still remember the details of some calls. On my fist day, I was told "Don't take anything personally, It will wreck you"
I don't think I could ever do what you do for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. It's a wonderful thing you're able to do.
I'll continue to donate my services to Make A Wish

Mike R wrote in post #11291976
Years ago I worked in EMS and still remember the details of some calls. On my fist day, I was told "Don't take anything personally, It will wreck you"
I don't think I could ever do what you do for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. It's a wonderful thing you're able to do.
I'll continue to donate my services to Make A Wish

I can usually get through the sessions just fine. I'm usually ok with editing the photos. However, I always get emotional when I put together the slideshow. I have been in EMS nearly 20 years and can only remember 2 calls that I still go over in my mind, both of them dealing with kids.

90% of what I shoot is free. Low income families who have High School Seniors; young couples who can barely afford a wedding let alone a photographer, new baby shots for young couples and I also do volunteer for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. So I guess Icould say I do the giving thing all year long I have a lot of blessings in my life so I am very thankful to be able to pass it along.

Each year since 1975, right before Thanksgiving, I have been involved with an organizations yearly fund raiser. The organization is WHYHunger (formerly World Hunger Year (WHY)) and they run a major radio event in NYC called Hungerthon. This year a number of my photos will be auctioned, alone or in packages with other items, on Charity Folks. The auction page which is being populated in the coming days is located here. http://www.charityfolk​s.com …verticalngo.asp​?slrid=307 Some of the details are still being ironed out (damn musicians!!! LOL) but this year it looks like upwards of 10 or more photos will be available to raise funds for this cause.

WHYHunger is a hunger and poverty relief charity that was founded by musician Harry Chapin and has been instrumental in helping thousands of people get good healthy food in their stomach. www.whyhunger.org

asysin2leads wrote in post #11291897
Despite the fact that I do a bunch of sessions for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep throughout the year, I do give back.

I do those as well, glad to hear of fellow POTN's participating. Not easy but there is a real gift that goes to the families.

kona77 wrote in post #11294143
I do those as well, glad to hear of fellow POTN's participating. Not easy but there is a real gift that goes to the families.

It is a great organization, indeed. I am the area coordinator now, too. Let me tell you, that's tough. Even with the hospitals that we already have a presence at, they look cross-eyed at us, despite the fact that they will provide photos if asked. Trying to get in with a new hospital is darn near impossible.

www.help-portrait.org

asysin2leads wrote in post #11294575
It is a great organization, indeed. I am the area coordinator now, too. Let me tell you, that's tough. Even with the hospitals that we already have a presence at, they look cross-eyed at us, despite the fact that they will provide photos if asked. Trying to get in with a new hospital is darn near impossible.

It is a shame they take that attitude. I know these parents are so grateful for the photos we provide. I can't stand it when someone loses a child and they need something that will show their child forever and a hospital employee will run interference.

kona77 wrote in post #11295951
It is a shame they take that attitude. I know these parents are so grateful for the photos we provide. I can't stand it when someone loses a child and they need something that will show their child forever and a hospital employee will run interference.

I've never run into any problem with the nursing staff or ancillary staff. It's mostly management that I get the looks from.

josh5k wrote in post #11295837
www.help-portrait.org

This is what I do.