A family picture creates a memory to be cherished for a lifetime.
Last Sunday, the Porcupine Photo Club helped approximately 35 less fortunate families from the Timmins area create this memory at the 4th Annual Portraits for Families event.
Completely volunteer driven, Portraits for Families draws on the generosity and expertise of the photographers, editors, assistants, hair stylists and makeup artists who come together with their own equipment and supplies to provide portrait services to families who could not otherwise afford them.
“With average retail photographers charging hundreds of dollars for similar services and high end studios charging thousands, the families participating in these events would otherwise never be able to afford a high quality family portrait,” said Lisa Jamieson, Co-Chair of the event.
“The Porcupine Photo Club hosts Portraits for Families completely free of charge,” she said. “This is our way of giving back to the community.”
Along with the portrait services being provided during the event, Becky Farrell of Beauty by Becky and Krista Bozzer, who has been volunteering her services for all four Portrait for Families events, were on hand to help make sure that each participant could look and feel their best before stepping in front of the camera.
Sue Soucy, a member of the Porcupine Photo Club and owner of Sue’s Barber Shop, also volunteered her services to make sure everyone’s hair was just right before they got their portrait done.
In addition to the four annual events held in Timmins, the Porcupine Photo Club has held Portraits for Families events in Attawapiskat and Fort Albany as well. Both trips were sponsored by DeBeers.
The Porcupine Photo Club is only able to make these events the success they are with the help of their generous sponsors and would like to thank the sponsors of this year’s event.
Melissa Kelly Dance Academy made her studio space available for the weekend and financial contributions or significant discounts were provided by Joanne’s Art Centre, Expertech Auto, Acklands Grainger and Paragon North Security.
The Porcupine Photo Club sees the Portraits for Families event becoming more wide spread and bigger every year they host it, but in order to grow and to continue providing these services to the more outlying communities, the Porcupine Photo Club is continually seeking additional sponsorships.
Anyone who is able and interesting in sponsoring Portraits for Families can reach the Porcupine Photo Club through their website at www.porcupinephotoclub.org.
(Photo: Volunteers Sue Soucy of Sue’s Barber Shop and Becky Farrell of Beauty by Becky make sure that everyone looks their best before stepping in front of the camera.)
