Media advisory - 7th annual Help-Portrait-Vancouver DTES November 28th at the Union Gospel Mission Vancouver

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Help Portrait Vancouver

Nov 09, 2015, 09:00 ET

VANCOUVER, Nov. 9, 2015 /CNW/ -

2015 Event
Date: Saturday, November 28, 2015
Time: 9am to 4pm
Where: Union Gospel Mission, 601 East Hastings Street

Our Goal
1. Find someone in need | 2. Take their portrait | 3. Print their portrait | 4. Deliver it.

Help-Portrait is a movement of photographers, makeup artists and volunteers who are using their time, equipment, and expertise to give - not take - photos of those who are less fortunate during the holiday season.

2009 was the inaugural year for Help-Portrait, and to date, over 300,000 portraits have been delivered worldwide, made possible by over 60,000 volunteers in over 2000 locations. Locally, over the past six years, Help-Portrait Vancouver alone has delivered more than 4000 unique portraits.

Help-Portrait Vancouver
Help-Portrait Vancouver is the Vancouver representation of the worldwide initiative started by Help-Portrait Inc in 2009.

As a group of dedicated local photographers, we partner with Beau Photo, Bread Garden Catering, Union Gospel Mission, and BC Children's Hospital, to bring warm and welcoming Help-Portrait events to the Vancouver area each year. Our team consists of over 120 photographers, makeup artists, hair stylist, musicians and volunteers, and our focus is to share a portrait, laughter and a smile with every person that walks through our doors.

Help-Portrait Vancouver is 100% funded by the generous donations of the photographers, volunteers and sponsors who want to give back to the communities they work in. 

Help-Portrait Vancouver isn't simply about delivering pictures, however. It's about genuinely connecting with each and every one of our guests. Help-Portrait Vancouver photographers have the privilege of discovering memories - recanting the old and creating the new - with their guests, in an environment filled with smiles, laughter, and even the occasional tear. Volunteer photographers don't profit, in any way, from any of the images that are taken, as the files are deleted almost immediately after the prints are delivered. Our single-minded focus is to create a truly cherished memory for our guests, with a photo to take away and share with friends and family at the end of the experience.

To that end, on November 28th, 2015, beginning at 9am, Help-Portrait Vancouver is proud to be holding its sixth annual event at the Union Gospel Mission building at 601 E Hastings St., Vancouver.

Upon entering the building, guests will encounter live music, complimentary hot chocolate, and one of our designated greeters. After giving their names, guests will be guided to the hair and makeup station, where over a dozen professional hair and makeup artists will be volunteering throughout the day. Once hair and makeup is complete, they'll be led to one of 5 photography studios and introduced to one of our 50+ volunteer photographers, who will connect with them and guide them through the photo-taking process. As many of our guests have never had their photo taken professionally, if at all, we have additional photographers on hand acting as assistants, helping our guests get comfortable in front of the camera and entertaining any children that may be present.

After the photographer is finished, the guests will be led to the edit & print station, where they can choose which 2 4x6 photos they wish to have printed. From here they're led back to the waiting area, and after a short time their prints are delivered. If they're so inclined, guests can then take advantage of our free holiday card and postage station if they wish to share their photos with family and friends from afar.

We strive to create a genuinely warm and welcoming atmosphere that ensures the experience is a memorable one, and we hope that from the moment they walk in through our doors until the time they leave, Help-Portrait Vancouver guests enjoy being there every bit as much as we enjoy having them.

In addition to our public event on November 29th at UGM, Help-Portrait Vancouver is once again partnered with the BC Children's Hospital for a closed event. On November 10th, 2015, a small group of photographers and makeup artists will be set up a private studio in the BC Children's Hospital and welcoming some of the terminally ill patients (and their families) for portraits. Building on the success of last few years, we're looking to welcome even more families as we offer a chance to preserve memories of loved ones - and create some new ones - in portrait form.

Help-Portrait. Giving photos of people in need.

Online

SOURCE Help Portrait Vancouver

Bernard Ng, Director, Help-Portrait-Vancouver, [email protected]

Organization Profile

Help Portrait Vancouver