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Archive for the ‘homeless’ Category

On December 12, 2009, several volunteer photographers, make up artists and assistants spent the entire day photographing homeless Orlando citizens at Help Portrait Orlando at the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. We were lucky enough to get to follow one family through the process of getting photographed, and then get toured around to the outfit selection room, exterior and interiors studios and the viewing room.










The viewing and editing room


A couple views their photos


There ended up being more volunteers than subjects at times. A great problem to have.




One of two interior studios

I don't know how long they've been doing it, but Fat American every so often uses homeless people to model their t-shirts in photos by Wheat Wurtzburger.

"It may be an unorthodox way of flaunting our t-shirts, but we feel it is appropriate when we consider our feelings about the failure of the United States social system. Throughout the photo shoot we didn't meet a single person whom the US government hadn't failed. Of the 11 homeless men and women we photographed 5 are mentally ill, two are Vietnam war veterans, two are physically disabled, one is down on his luck(unemployed), and one has aids, he apologized for the spots and sores he displayed while putting on the shirt we gave him. The only system caring for this group of people is the prison system."

Photos used without permission. Credit: Wheat Wurtzburger

The Orlando folks participating in Help Portrait already have over 40 signed-up participants. They'll be taking pictures, doing hair & make-up and hosting for this wonderful project at Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida on December 12, 2009. The hours are 9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm or all day. If you want to sign up as a volunteer photographer, hair stylist, make up artist, or host, do it now.

Here are the volunteer positions they're looking for: Photographer (indoor portraits w/strobes or flash), Photographer (outdoor portraits w/ natural light, small flash or reflectors), Photo Assistant (helping adjust lighting, posing, etc.), Post Processor (uploading & editing images), Make Up Artist, Hairstylist, Coordinator (help with all of the details during the event), Host/Hostess (just talking & listening w/ the families).

"The brainchild of celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart, Help-Portrait is a movement of photographers, coming together to use their photography skills to give back to the community. On December 12th, photographers around the world will be grabbing their cameras, finding people in need, and taking their picture. When the prints are ready, the photographs get delivered.

This is about GIVING the pictures. These portraits are not for your portfolio, website, or for sale. Money isn't involved here. This holiday season, you have the chance to give a family something they may have never had before- a portrait together."