Jam packed with photographers and gear getting ready to start Help-Portrait 2011 in St. Petersburg, FloridaToday was the third annual Help-Portrait global movement for providing free printed portraits as a way of giving back to those in need. It was my first time to participate. I did not know what to expect exactly as I was having a hard time imagining what it would look like with so many mini-studio setups in one place. I was surprised to walk into the room and see the above scene . . . so much gear!
What Help-Portrait is all about - Nikon D300 Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm @ f/5.6 ISO 200 1/60th Strobist: SB-800 @ 1/4 power & SB-600 @ 1/8 power behind shoot through umbrellasThis was the first family I had the opportunity to photograph this morning. I always like to, when possible, have the family members be in contact with each other somehow, which is why I asked the boy on the right to put his hand on his little brother's shoulder.
Having fun having their portrait made at Help-Portrait 2011 St. Petersburg FloridaThe atmosphere in the room was great and there were big smiles all around. It is really fun to make photographs in such an environment. It was also a chance for me to see other photographer's portrait setups and learn a few things myself.
Help-Portrait photographer volunteers wearing t-shirts with the Help-Portrait logoWhen there was some time between photographing families we made portraits of ourselves with the other volunteers we met this day. If you have a lighting setup and people standing around, photographs will get made!
One of the photographers from Help-Portrait with her own custom made Help-Portrait t-shirt!I really enjoyed being involved with Help-Portrait and hope to be able to do so again next year. For more information about Help-Portrait please visit their official website.