Help Portrait Fort Lauderdale 2012 is a Success
A group of professional photographers gets together every year to give portraits to those in need. Through this gift they bring a message of inclusion, and give out confidence and hope for a better life.
Fort Lauderdale, FL, November 10, 2012 --(PR.com)-- When Huba Rostonics decided to bring Help-Portrait to Fort Lauderdale after moving back from Wisconsin, he never thought that it would turn into something this size. For the second year in a row, The Soul Catchers, the informal group of 20 photographers founded by Rostonics has partnered with The Salvation Army of Fort Lauderdale, and it is already becoming a tradition.
Every year, The Salvation Army opens their doors to all of the families that they support and The Soul Catchers take over, making beautifully crafted professional portraits. Some families are going through a rough time and may have lost their house, some are in transition, others are part of the larger community that The Salvation Army supports.
Rostonics' initial call in 2011 was first answered by Dawn Dunsmore and Kelly Galiszewski, followed shortly by photographer Presscott McDonald, this year they have brought together almost 30 photographers, have a group of makeup artists and stylists, and have expanded with partnerships with Dale Laboratories, Southtrend, and the Florida Guild of Professional Photographers.
The event this year attracted close to 70 family groups and a total of more than 150 individuals. Lilly Gallardo, from The Salvation Army commented: "The Soul Catchers have made of Saturday Nov. 3 a memorable day for so many individuals and families. Listening to the stories, seeing the faces and the joy of having something tangible in their hands is what keeps us motivated to do what we do. I hope we can do it again next year!"
What Gallardo refers to, is to the touching stories that are heard throughout the event every year, many of them answering the question "How much is a picture worth?" Take for example the story of Robert, he has not seen anybody from his family in a long time. He is definitely not in his prime, and he does not want to be a burden for them. He is still working on it. In the meanwhile, he talks regularly with them. They sent him pictures, and he proudly shows them. He also talks about how he draws energy, hope and faith from these images, when asked about how would he feel if he would not have them anymore, he says: "I would be devastated." This is what a picture is worth, and this year, Robert will have pictures to send back to them, which thanks to The Soul Catchers will capture the best in him.
The Soul Catchers are already planning next year's event and considering extending their reach into the Miami-Dade area and incorporate other organizations besides The Salvation Army. "We will make it as big as they let us, but we are going to need the help of the community, we are always looking to recruit more talent to participate in the event, and there are also costs involved when printing pictures and getting supplies, but we just love to do this!, the interaction between all the photographers in the event is always fun, and knowing that we are giving a piece of what we do best makes it all a very satisfying experience" -closed Rostonics.
About The Soul Catchers:
The Soul Catchers are an informal group of photographers, hair stylists, and makeup artists who have decided to donate their time and resources to bring an uplifting spirit to those who need it the most through the gift of photos. The initiative was started by Huba Rostonics; photographer, photography instructor and blogger. Before he moved from Madison, WI in 2011, he participated in the 2010 Help-Portrait event, and organized the 2011 event with a core group of volunteers (Dawn Dunsmore, Kelly Galiszewski, Presscott McDonald, Enrique Martín and Michelle Cameau). For more information on The Soul Catchers and Huba Rostonics, visit http://www.TheSoulCatchers.org and http://www.rostonics.com
About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the array of social services ranging from food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless, and opportunities for underprivileged children. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.
About Dale Laboratories:
Dale Laboratories is Broward County's #1 photographic laboratory. The laboratory makes prints from both digital and film sources. They serve professional photographers from around the world and local pros and advanced amateurs from South Florida. (954) 925-0103.
About Help-Portrait:
Celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart formed Help-Portrait, a non-profit organization, in 2009 as he contemplated using his skills and expertise to give back to those who do not have the opportunity for a professional photo. The rapid growth of this organization is a perfect example of the use of social media as the community shares ideas and stories through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and blogging. As of November 2011, Help-Portrait has partnered with The Salvation Army all over the world.
Every year, The Salvation Army opens their doors to all of the families that they support and The Soul Catchers take over, making beautifully crafted professional portraits. Some families are going through a rough time and may have lost their house, some are in transition, others are part of the larger community that The Salvation Army supports.
Rostonics' initial call in 2011 was first answered by Dawn Dunsmore and Kelly Galiszewski, followed shortly by photographer Presscott McDonald, this year they have brought together almost 30 photographers, have a group of makeup artists and stylists, and have expanded with partnerships with Dale Laboratories, Southtrend, and the Florida Guild of Professional Photographers.
The event this year attracted close to 70 family groups and a total of more than 150 individuals. Lilly Gallardo, from The Salvation Army commented: "The Soul Catchers have made of Saturday Nov. 3 a memorable day for so many individuals and families. Listening to the stories, seeing the faces and the joy of having something tangible in their hands is what keeps us motivated to do what we do. I hope we can do it again next year!"
What Gallardo refers to, is to the touching stories that are heard throughout the event every year, many of them answering the question "How much is a picture worth?" Take for example the story of Robert, he has not seen anybody from his family in a long time. He is definitely not in his prime, and he does not want to be a burden for them. He is still working on it. In the meanwhile, he talks regularly with them. They sent him pictures, and he proudly shows them. He also talks about how he draws energy, hope and faith from these images, when asked about how would he feel if he would not have them anymore, he says: "I would be devastated." This is what a picture is worth, and this year, Robert will have pictures to send back to them, which thanks to The Soul Catchers will capture the best in him.
The Soul Catchers are already planning next year's event and considering extending their reach into the Miami-Dade area and incorporate other organizations besides The Salvation Army. "We will make it as big as they let us, but we are going to need the help of the community, we are always looking to recruit more talent to participate in the event, and there are also costs involved when printing pictures and getting supplies, but we just love to do this!, the interaction between all the photographers in the event is always fun, and knowing that we are giving a piece of what we do best makes it all a very satisfying experience" -closed Rostonics.
About The Soul Catchers:
The Soul Catchers are an informal group of photographers, hair stylists, and makeup artists who have decided to donate their time and resources to bring an uplifting spirit to those who need it the most through the gift of photos. The initiative was started by Huba Rostonics; photographer, photography instructor and blogger. Before he moved from Madison, WI in 2011, he participated in the 2010 Help-Portrait event, and organized the 2011 event with a core group of volunteers (Dawn Dunsmore, Kelly Galiszewski, Presscott McDonald, Enrique Martín and Michelle Cameau). For more information on The Soul Catchers and Huba Rostonics, visit http://www.TheSoulCatchers.org and http://www.rostonics.com
About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the array of social services ranging from food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless, and opportunities for underprivileged children. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.
About Dale Laboratories:
Dale Laboratories is Broward County's #1 photographic laboratory. The laboratory makes prints from both digital and film sources. They serve professional photographers from around the world and local pros and advanced amateurs from South Florida. (954) 925-0103.
About Help-Portrait:
Celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart formed Help-Portrait, a non-profit organization, in 2009 as he contemplated using his skills and expertise to give back to those who do not have the opportunity for a professional photo. The rapid growth of this organization is a perfect example of the use of social media as the community shares ideas and stories through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and blogging. As of November 2011, Help-Portrait has partnered with The Salvation Army all over the world.
Contact
The Soul Catchers
Huba Rostonics
(954) 727 3350
www.TheSoulCatchers.org
Huba Rostonics
(954) 727 3350
www.TheSoulCatchers.org
Contact
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