I am very pleased and excited to be apart of the Help Portrait organization. My fellow photographer friend, Barbara Yasuhara is a Lifestyle & Wedding photographer based in San Francisco (whoop whoop!) AND is the leader of the Help Portrait for the Berkeley Division!
I have had such a great year, I want to give back to the community. So, what is Help Portrait? Here is an interview I did with Barbara.
Photo Credit Wayne Yasuhara
Q. What is Help Portrait?
A. Help Portrait is a non-profit organization founded by Celebrity Photographer, Jeremy Cowart. It is a Global movement of photographers using their talent, and their gear to give back to their communities.
We are not taking pictures, we are GIVING pictures, and because this is done during the holiday season, we have the opportunity to give a family something that they may not have been able to afford or have access to, a family portrait. The photos are not for the photographer’s portfolios or for sale, as a matter of fact, money is not involved, again, it is a GIFT.
OUR PROGRESS TO-DATE
201,367 portraits given
16,488 photographers
23,984 volunteers
1,720 locations
60 countries
Q. How did you get involved in Help Portrait- Berkeley Division?
A. I will never forget when I got a call from Joey Chandler who is the Project Leader for the San Francisco area Help Portrait. He had implemented an Oakland Division, and I was on board for that location. He then received an inquiry from a Berkeley-based agency, The Berkeley Food & Housing Project, and Joey simply asked if I wanted to lead that location. How could I resist? I didn’t and last year was my first year as Site Manager for the agency. And now, a year later, I am eager and thrilled to be involved, to meet so many wonderful participants as well as meeting the many photographers and volunteers that all come together for a common purpose, community.
Q. What have you gained from leading help portrait?
A. There is nothing better than to receive a “hug” from a complete stranger who said to me “I like you!” I can’t explain it but it’s much better than a paycheck, the moment stays with you forever when you know that you made a difference in the life of just one if not many. And trust me, the many smiles, tears, and thank you’s shared at the event is to say the least, better than “Queen for a Day!”
Q. What does it take to get a help portrait event going?
A. Knowing your community, addressing the need, and serving the purpose. In this case The Berkeley Food & Housing Project has an ongoing mission to ease and end the crisis of homelessness providing emergency food and shelter, transitional housing, permanent housing and placement of support services to individuals and families. They have been around since 1970 serving many programs that serve men, women, children, and a broad spectrum of specialized needs.
Q. How can everyday people help?
A. The event takes place Saturday December 8, 2012 9am-6pm, and if one is available, with a willingness to serve, that is how they can help! You can call me at 510.965.1564, or you can sign yourself up where you see a “need” , or where you feel you would be an asset.
Another way to help us besides volunteering your time is making a donation at http://hpberkeley.com we need funds for the ink and printer paper for the portraits and if we have anything left over we would like to purchase 5×7 photo frames of photo folios for the participants to place their portraits in. Again it’s a gift and we’d like them to enjoy the complete experience.
This is the link to our Sign Up Sheet, we would LOVE to have you!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AvJ_mZ5_PynedHF2YzJwUDU0WkZyQnBUb3NpNjYtMkE&pli=1#gid=2
I’d like to take this time and thank Dario Leventini of F3 Studios whose not only helping to promote this cause, but is also a volunteer himself for this years project, he makes me proud of our community of photographers. See you on December 8th!
find Barbara on the web. w| www.ystudiophotography.com
Facebook|http://www.facebook.com/ystudiophotography
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I am also very excited to be apart of Help Portrait Berkeley!
Thank you for reading, we hope to see you there!
Dario
facebook| www.facebook.com/f3studiophoto
]]>You can view the full wedding (digital) here.
Shot with Nikon N6006. Fuji Professional 400H
John and Tina, Thank you for allowing me to help document your special day. I wish you two all the best!
Film Shot!
Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Oak Farms Vineyards
Food: Papapavlo’s in Lincoln Center
Florist: Blossoms By Lisa
Cake Artist: Friend of the Bride: Courtney Faria
DJ/Music: Elite Entertainment
Make-up Artist: Kimmy Mazzaferri
Dermal Clinic
kaleegrl30@yahoo.com
Hair Artist: Rachelle Kroll
Stained
209-327-5249
Wedding Dress: Gonzales Bridal
Bridesmaids dresses: House of Fashion in Sacramento
Men’s Suits: Macys
Rentals: Classic Rentals, Modesto
String quartet: (students from UOP)
Ice Cream Bar: Velvet Creamery
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