I don’t write too many personal blog posts and while this one isn’t all personal (it’s about photos too) I wanted to share some recent happenings in my life. Ever since I had the opportunity to go and take photos in Belize and Roatan for the South American Missions Society I have had a stirring in my heart to do something like that again. Unfortunately as much as I love traveling, I always seem to get sick/lots of bug bites whenever I go traveling for more than 1 week or so at a time. When I was in Belize and Roatan I almost got malaria which was quite scary (my anti-malaria pills saved me, do not go there without them!). But, the experience was amazing! Getting to meet so many sweet school children in Belize (who loooove photos), photographing an emotional youth event, helping build (but mostly photographing haha) a shed for an Anglican church in Roatan were some of the highlights. Of course I have to share some photos, these are just a few from my time in Belize:
Roatan, Honduras:
Anyway, fast forward to this year, my family was in Kona, Hawaii end of December to beginning of January and one day we are walking around the town and my mom is just drawn into this beautiful church – there was no stopping her. We walk in expecting no one to be there and to admire the inside of the church, but a friendly man greeted us at the door and said he was “so glad we came!” We were stuck at this point and weren’t sure what we were in for, but God has his ways! We soon found out that a photographer for YWAM named Susi Childers was speaking about her experiences photographing all around the world and talked specifically about a few people (children in militant camps, prostitute in India, a young girl who survived infanticide and when near death was adopted by missionaries). I was inspired by her and talked to her afterward and she encouraged me to do more volunteer work in my off-season like I was doing with SAMS. I wholeheartedly agreed.
Susi and I on the right (terrible iphone photo, apologies). My parents below, they are cute:
As some of you may know I attend Village Church and I was asked to voluntarily photograph the Sacred Echoes Women’s Conference, it was a wonderful event and I was glad to be a part of it. Here are a couple photos from the weekend (the rest of the photos will be coming soon ladies!). Margaret Feinberg was the speaker.
Another photographer was there as well; the lovely Jamie Delaine! I was reeeally excited about meeting her especially because back in 2009-2010 when I was trying to decide whether photography would be a good career choice for me I followed her blog and was inspired by her, she helped me make that decision. A day or two after meeting Jamie I was looking at her photos on Instagram (we all do this, don’t deny it) and I noticed that in her profile it says she is the founder of “The School Sessions.” Naturally I was intrigued and looked it up. I was delighted with what I found! Jamie and her husband have been planning a one-day event across the globe on Sunday, April 12, 2015 to raise $200,000 to build a school in Haiti! Jaimie’s husband has been to Haiti multiple times with Hope Force and saw the need for a better school there. To learn more click here.
Well, I messaged Jaimie as soon as I finished watching THIS video, told her my story above and that I was in! You should watch the video too.
I thought in my mind, I am going to book as many sessions on April 12, 2015 as I can!! But, following the lead of the amazing Jeanie Ow I am going to be doing it for more than just 1 day! Here are the details:
From April 5th, 2015 to April 12th, 2015, 100% of all portrait session fees will be donated to The School Sessions!!!
– Your session must happen between April 5th and April 12th, 2015.
– Each portrait session will be 1 hour long at 1 location of your choice.
– Portraits for the school sessions are $250 (plus applicable taxes).
– 10 digital files are included, the rest are available for purchase.
– 10% of all proceeds from album, print and product sales from each school session will be donated towards building the school in Haiti.
I am really excited about this opportunity to give back and I hope you are too! If you don’t want photos, you can also donate to help build the school in Haiti HERE.
Love, Marie
Sylvia - This is a wonderful and inspiring thing you’re doing, and a really fantastic idea at that. Best of luck and I look forward to an update as usual.