UPDATE 8.24

Some recent information from World Relief, who is working in the Turkana area of Nothern Kenya (which is receiving lttle to no attention during this crisis.)

*Your $200 donation can feed approximately 10 people in this region for ONE MONTH.
*A one time delivery of a meal for a child is only .24 cents…

As a photographer, how can you help?  This is how I’m doing it, you may find a way that works better for you.

*How many sessions would you like to donate and at what price?  Use Facebook, Twitter, even a PSA from your local radio or TV station to get participants to contact you for more information.  (be sure to let them know when the sessions are all booked)
*Have the participants donate the amount you’ve established to the World Relief Website.
*In the “Comments” section of the donation form, have the participant type “Photography Donation.”
*Once the participant has emailed you confirmation of their donation, you can book their session.

For those wishing to donate, please don’t hesitate to do so here.

You can follow World Relief’s media team and our good friend Marianne Bach’s images on the WR blog…

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I received a phone call from a dear friend yesterday who works closely with World Relief, an amazing organization we’ve worked with in countries such as Sudan, Burundi and the DRC (Congo.)

My friend was calling to ask if I was able to leave this Sunday to document the crisis taking place  in the horn of Africa right now, more specifically, the work that World Relief is doing on the ground to aid in the disaster.

World Relief is well known in the NGO circle as a leader in disaster response and their presence in this particular area of Africa has been felt for years–so much so that a few of the larger, more well known NGO’s we’re all aware of are giving funds to World Relief to aid in their work.

Unfortunately, due to prior commitments, I had to tell my friend  I was unable to go on the trip.  I felt a bit useless at the time, then realized (thanks to a post from a fellow photographer on Facebook) there was something I could still do to help…

Enter social media: “The next person who donates $200 to World Relief’s disaster response work in Africa gets a photo session with me.”  BAM, two immediate bites.  I accepted the second friends offer as well and once I receive their donation receipts will be scheduling two shoots.

$400.00 raised in a few moments.  While it will take more than a few moments to book, shoot, edit and deliver their images, I’m more than okay with that.  Using our gifts to change the world is time well spent.

More inquiries followed.  I’m thinking of trying to organize something on a larger scale now… What if photographers from across the US, perhaps the World,  donated 1, 2, or 3 sittings through September?  What if World Relief had the funds to do what it’s called to do?

Two quick thoughts:

“Do they really need the money, will it get to where it needs to go?” I’ve been on the ground with this organization in some of the most dangerous, desperate areas of the world.  I’ve talked with the men and women who risk their lives for their fellow countrymen–they’re willing to do the hard work but many times are unable to accomplish all that they can because of lack of funding.  We do our part, they’ll do theirs, trust me.

“Our economy sucks right now and you expect me to donate three sessions this month??” Yes, things are rough right now for a lot of people.  However, let’s put this in perspective:  You still have water to drink, food to eat and whether you’re renting, buying, or caught up in a short sale, you have a roof over your head.  You haven’t walked 50 miles after just delivering a baby to find food (true story) and if you really needed medical attention, all you have to do is call–and someone answers.

People are calling, can we answer?  You and your clients can donate here at the World Relief Website…

Rock on, and remember, we’re all on the front lines…

We love taking our brides out a few days before the wedding, assuming they are willing to take a small risk with their dress…

Not only is this fun for the bride, in that they get to wear their gown twice (for the same wedding of course), but it builds what we like to call a “shooting relationship” with them.

The more time I can spend with them before the wedding, the more comfortable they’ll be on their wedding day.  It’s all about trust and coffee…

Below, a few of our favorite things…

Weddings, for the most part, are filled with love and passion.  After the vows are said, on occasion I’m left wondering, “uh oh,” and on other occasions I’m left with a renewed sense of what it is to be in love, to be married and to begin to share life together.

Our time with Dean and Cassie was one of those times where I left completely filled, rather than drained.  I can’t pretend I know how to see into one’s heart, but if the eyes are a window to the soul (and perhaps the heart and soul are connected) then I’m left with no doubt that Dean and Cassie were meant for each other.

To know that your gifts and personality align so perfectly with your spouse is a gift in and of itself.  Speaking of alignment, I’ve never seen a bride align a piece of cake into her groom’s face with such ferocity… I had a feeling it was coming.

On a side note, in looking through the images from the day, I’m very proud of my second shooter and friend Tiffany Lausen who saw and captured this wedding in a beautiful way…

God bless the Goossen family as they begin this new season of life…  Here are a few of our favorite things…