Welcome to Giving Back Through The Lens

 

Giving Back Through The Lens (GBTTL) is dedicated to helping renew the self-esteem and dignity of those living at or below the poverty level. We do this by providing no-cost portrait sessions through community events throughout the year. 

Some events are full-day sessions where members of the community may come have their portrait taken at no-cost during the event. We also participate in several events at which members of the community may enter a drawing to win a no-cost portrait session with a local photographer. (Please see individual event descriptions for more details.)

Why Portraits?

There are an increasing number of individuals living at or below the poverty level in each of our communities.

There are often community resources available to provide assistance with food, shelter and clothing to those in need in the community. At GBTTL we know that people can sometimes suffer a blow to their self-worth and dignity as well during the day-to-day financial struggles they constantly face. Families are forced to exhaust their financial resources in order to meet their basic needs and must forgo anything that is not one of life’s necessities. 

The joy, closeness, bonding, memories and shared history that portraits provide is something that no family should have to do without. The emotional, spiritual and human connections fostered through sharing photography are priceless. GBTTL gives families a chance to acknowledge these connections by taking professional quality portraits of their children, families, high school seniors or aging parents and grandparents at no cost.

How It Works

GBTTL has developed ways to provide no-cost portrait sessions via various community events throughout the year. Participating photographers agree to either participate in one of our full-day events or donate portrait session certificates to be given away at our community drawing events. Any community member who signs up and attends a full-day event will have their portrait taken that day. Alternatively, they may attend a public event and enter the drawing held there for a no-cost portrait certificate. Regardless of the type of event, each portrait session includes:

  • One 30 minute portrait session
  • One high-quality 8”x10” print
  • A CD/DVD containing the final images from the portrait session.

The individuals may then make additional prints at home or through any low-cost online or local lab. 

Each participating photographer either volunteers at one of our full-day portrait events to take portraits, or they may contribute as many portrait sessions to an upcoming GBTTL drawing event as they feel moved to donate. These options ensure that interested Photographers may participate even if they are not able to be present during one of our full-day events.

GBTTL is a new adventure and we look forward to helping photographers find fresh and exciting ways to help the community through their passion for photography. We envision adding other types of events in the future such as a portrait day in the park, etc.

 

If you are a PHOTOGRAPHER interested in using your talent to give back to the community, please check out the "How GBTTL Works For Photographers" page. There you will find details on how simple it is to participate, how to sign up, etc.

 

If you are an INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY who desires to have a no-cost portrait created, please check out our INFORMATION FOR INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES page which explains how to participate in one of our events.

 

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Giving Back Through The Lens, and we look forward to working together to make our communities a better place.

Nathan Choate
GBTTL Organizer