A&E Help-Portrait - photo not treated
Gord Kerr is a professional photographer and volunteer with Help-Portrait where those in need are invited to have their picture taken Saturday at Knox United Church.
Volunteer photographers, hair stylists and makeup artists will gather Saturday during the Help-Portrait event at Knox United Church, 1448 Fifth Avenue, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in order to provide those in need with a keepsake photograph of themselves and loved ones.
Organizer Gord Kerr heard about the global event last year on a tweet and did some research about Help-Portrait. When he found a video documenting the first event held in the states, which was organized by a celebrity photographer, he was inspired to follow suit.
"Last year was the first year they did it and they had something like 200 or 300 groups around the world connected through social networking like Facebook," said Kerr. "They had it organized so everyone would do the same thing on the same day."
Kerr, who is a member of the Professional Photographers Association of British Columbia, recruited other photographers, while his wife, Carlene, a director with Mary Kay cosmetics, has connections around town with hair stylists and makeup artists.
Kerr said many other volunteers who had connections with service agencies in town could get the word out to those in need about the opportunity to have their photo taken.
Last year there wasn't a lot of time to get the word out.
"We had about 30 families and individuals," said Kerr, who is hoping for more at this year's event. "It was a really neat event and we got to meet some really neat folks that would never have had a chance to do something like that, you know?"
Kerr said he heard many comments like, 'I haven't had my picture taken since fourth Grade', or 'I've never had my portrait taken'.
"It was a really moving thing to have happen," said Kerr. "This year we've started getting the word out early and we've handed out flyers to many social agencies, including Salvation Army, Carrier Sekani, AiMHi, and some families who are assisted through the school system and churches. We're expecting many more people this year."
Help-Portrait has about 1,700 photographers participating in more than 260 locations in more than 40 countries.
"I thought that this is something that would be easy to do and get people together for a day," said Kerr.
The photos will be printed on site so people can take them with them. All the photographers, hair stylists and makeup artists will in no way profit from the day. There will be no before and after shots taken, no photos kept for portfolios.
"It's only about taking their picture and giving it to them," said Kerr about this not-for-profit event.
