For the first time in her life, Charlyne Prince was wearing makeup on her face and her 11-year-old granddaughter, Tanisha George, was not impressed.
"She wanted me to wash it off, she's not used to it," said a smiling Prince. "I've had her since she was three months old and this is the first time we're getting our picture done together."
They came to St. Michael's Anglican Church on Saturday to have their portrait taken free of charge by a group of professional photographers who volunteered for International Help-Portrait Day, a global event to improve the lives of people in need.
"My daughter phoned Wal-Mart and they said it would cost more than $200 to get this done," said Prince. "This program is awesome. I didn''t know anything about the hair and makeup, that was a surprise for me."
A 50-year-old man came to the church having never had his picture taken with his 42-year-old sister. By the end of the day, their portrait together was ready to be picked up, having been processed and printed by W D West Studios.
Six hairstylists from Loxx Academy were on hand to style and blow-dry hair, and make-up artists from Shopper's Drug Mart and Blessing Studio offered their help, applying make-up and nail polish.
"Most of the people have never had their portraits done and some have never had their hair or makeup done," said event organizer and photographer Philomena Hughes. "We have single mothers and blended families. The big thing is we're giving a portrait, not taking, and they are giving back as much to us when you read the stuff people wrote."
A sheet of paper covered a table at the front of the room and everybody who was photographed was encouraged to write down their thoughts as they left the church.
Darlene Campbell wrote: "What an awesome feeling to be pampered. I feel and look so different. Thanks so much. Merry Christmas."
"It made me feel young again, thanks to you all," said one man.
A young boy named Matt printed, "Help feels good."
Hughes promised an 87-year-old man she would personally deliver his printed portrait and would also email an electronic copy of the photo to him so he could use it for an online dating service. He couldn't make it back to pick it up himself because he's only allowed to drive during daylight hours.
"He's looking for a new wife," Hughes said.
"One women who had seven kids, dragged three of them out here at 9 a.m. She couldn't have all her kids here, but the three boys who did come didn't complain when she had her hair and makeup done. They all waited patiently because they knew it was important to their mom."
Wayne Carlton of Vanderhoof was among a handful of professional photographers who volunteered his services in a makeshift studio at the church. He first got involved in the Help-Portrait project last year.
"It makes people happy," said Carlton. "You get smiles from people who probably haven't had a good smile in a long time."
