Philosophy about Charity Work

I believe it's crucial for everyone to
make a difference in our world.

Everyone knows charity work is important for a business - to get out in your community and to make a difference. Plus - it's a great way to meet some amazing people in your community that are like minded!

However, many people get lost in the media negativity blitz. Thinking they have to do everything, they are paralyzed into doing nothing.

I think anything we do - simply by being, makes a difference to everyone we meet. Who you are impacts the world in many ways every day.

I also believe strongly in the following quote by Ghandi:

We must be the change we want to see.

However I also know I can't do everything.

So I pick my causes, and I only do what I can, without leaving my family in the background.
Every year I pick a few projects that are of value and where the people don't have the money to pay for a shoot to do at no charge.

This post is for all the work I've done for free for a good cause or have started work on to help others...


and hopefully, in the comments section, we'll have links to other great things people are doing around the world!

This photo set was done for a "goodie" basket set where all proceeds went to the "Make a Wish Foundation" - a great cause!

You can find out more about them by going to:


http://www.makeawish.ca/



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"The Butterfly Project" was a special event started to help women from "Dress For Success" get more than just their new suits.

We offered a one weekend make-over from advice on dealing with people and confidence raising skills on the Saturday to a complete make-over and free portrait on the Sunday. This was open to the general public, who paid, in part for their portion of the event, and in portion for the women of "Dress for Success" to come to the event at no cost.

Shown on Global TV on the Sunday night of the event, this charity event was a complete success and well worth the time taken for all the women who contributed their time to help these women feel beautiful!

Here's a before and after photo from one of the attendees:

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Another good cause is www.nobullyforme.org

Stephen Hill and myself run the site, the group support meetings and offer workshops and educational seminars. We do the work voluntarily, after our regular jobs and life, and hope to make a difference in educating people about bullying and violence in the workplace.

I also have developed and facilitate artistic & therapeutic "playshops" to help targets deal with anxiety, trauma, Post Traumatic Stress due to workplace violence, etc.

Feel free to contact me at nobullyforme@gmail.com for more info on these courses.

And Remember - you are making a difference simply by being - even if it is to be a "bad example!" :)

So what are you going to do today to make someone smile... to make a difference in the world around you???

I'd love to hear what you are doing! Please add your links to the comments section - anything you do for family, friends, the environment or the rest of the world....

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Romancia

This is a sample of the Artwork I can now do on photos.

It's a charcoal and pastel sketch of one of their wedding portraits...

Artwork takes time, but it's well worth the effort!

BW Bride

BW Bride.

I wanted this recent bridal photo to look like a graphic magazine shot, rather than a normal shot.

I like the way it turned out...

What about you?

Back of Dress Detail

Capturing the Details are so important - especially on a wedding day!




This is the day the bride has dreamed of since childhood.
She has pored over hundreds of magazines, talked to friends and family and planned how to make this day "just right."
Every detail reflects her personality and joy in planning her wedding...

New Wedding Photos

The most important part of any bridal shoot is getting the bride at her best. That usually means also getting a good photo of her before the crowds, heat, and other stresses of the day can take away the joyful look of anticipation as we see here, with one of my latest beautiful brides, Teri.

Teri looked stunning, and she was absolutely radient. I wanted to make sure we captured her at this moment, before the look was gone...