Another thing adding to my mid-January depression is the horrific earthquake in Haiti. I could not even begin to comprehend the loss and destruction, the fear and devastation those people are facing right now. And to happen to such a poor unstable nation such as Haiti...
It's maddening, because you're looking at the footage on CNN and you see these people in such pain (oh my god, did you see the footage of that 11-year old girl trapped in the building? My heart was breaking the entire time) and you feel so helpless and frustrated and you want to grab a couple gallons of water and hop on a plane and go there and DO SOMETHING besides just lolling about the house bemoaning how down you feel because you're an ungrateful wench who has a roof over her head, a steady job, food in her fridge, to say nothing of her wonderful friends and boyfriend and oh yeah, her health and able body, so she should shut the hell up already and stop looking at what she doesn't have and instead be thankful for what she's got because meanwhile, while you're being all selfish and self-centered, people are dying in agony in Haiti.
At least, that's the way I feel.
I had similar feelings after Hurricane Katrina and ended up having a full blown melt down about the entire thing, because while FEMA was doing fuck all and dead bodies were lying in the streets, I was living the cushy life. And my guilt and inability to directly help literally caused me to lose my shit for about two days.
So you donate to the Red Cross, you pray, you give blood, etc. You do what you can. Because not all of us can work for Doctors without Borders and as much as I would like to help, I don't have a medical degree or know how to operate a backhoe. And I would probably be more of a hindrance than a help, I would be in the way, I need training, etc. And money is just as valuable as my time. And I have a full-time job that I need to stay at so I can pay my bills and whatnot.
But you know what I do have? A camera. And some basic photography talents. And two hands.
And so, I've volunteered for Shoot for Haiti.
Here's the deal: A bunch of professional photographers in Philadelphia are gathering for a benefit on January 31. If you need your headshots done or want a family portrait taken or if you have promotional photos you need for your business: This is the day to get them done. Because on January 31, the photographers participating in Shoot for Haiti will be charging just $50 for their services. And that $50 goes right to the American Red Cross Haiti disaster relief.
Now I've signed on to help out this day, but I will probably not be working as a photographer at the event. Because I'm not technically a professional. I will be doing administration work, set up, tear down, and generally assisting wherever they want me.
BUT, in the spirit of giving and volunteerism, all my services for the month of January (..and probably February too) cost just $50 and will go to Shoot for Haiti/American Red Cross. This includes the work I did this past weekend, although my subjects don't know it yet. So if you want photos done by me, sign up now. ALSO, if you want to buy prints from me, the cost will be $25 and all proceeds will also benefit Shoot for Haiti/American Red Cross. So if in the past I've taken an awesome photo of you, sign up to buy it now!
I should note that the benefit on January 31 is just the first benefit to be organized by Shoot for Haiti and more will probably follow. I will keep you posted.
In the meantime, links:
Shoot for Haiti
American Red Cross
Doctors Without Borders
My Flickr (choose the photo, email me the link, I'll see you get it)
It's maddening, because you're looking at the footage on CNN and you see these people in such pain (oh my god, did you see the footage of that 11-year old girl trapped in the building? My heart was breaking the entire time) and you feel so helpless and frustrated and you want to grab a couple gallons of water and hop on a plane and go there and DO SOMETHING besides just lolling about the house bemoaning how down you feel because you're an ungrateful wench who has a roof over her head, a steady job, food in her fridge, to say nothing of her wonderful friends and boyfriend and oh yeah, her health and able body, so she should shut the hell up already and stop looking at what she doesn't have and instead be thankful for what she's got because meanwhile, while you're being all selfish and self-centered, people are dying in agony in Haiti.
At least, that's the way I feel.
I had similar feelings after Hurricane Katrina and ended up having a full blown melt down about the entire thing, because while FEMA was doing fuck all and dead bodies were lying in the streets, I was living the cushy life. And my guilt and inability to directly help literally caused me to lose my shit for about two days.
So you donate to the Red Cross, you pray, you give blood, etc. You do what you can. Because not all of us can work for Doctors without Borders and as much as I would like to help, I don't have a medical degree or know how to operate a backhoe. And I would probably be more of a hindrance than a help, I would be in the way, I need training, etc. And money is just as valuable as my time. And I have a full-time job that I need to stay at so I can pay my bills and whatnot.
But you know what I do have? A camera. And some basic photography talents. And two hands.
And so, I've volunteered for Shoot for Haiti.
Here's the deal: A bunch of professional photographers in Philadelphia are gathering for a benefit on January 31. If you need your headshots done or want a family portrait taken or if you have promotional photos you need for your business: This is the day to get them done. Because on January 31, the photographers participating in Shoot for Haiti will be charging just $50 for their services. And that $50 goes right to the American Red Cross Haiti disaster relief.
Now I've signed on to help out this day, but I will probably not be working as a photographer at the event. Because I'm not technically a professional. I will be doing administration work, set up, tear down, and generally assisting wherever they want me.
BUT, in the spirit of giving and volunteerism, all my services for the month of January (..and probably February too) cost just $50 and will go to Shoot for Haiti/American Red Cross. This includes the work I did this past weekend, although my subjects don't know it yet. So if you want photos done by me, sign up now. ALSO, if you want to buy prints from me, the cost will be $25 and all proceeds will also benefit Shoot for Haiti/American Red Cross. So if in the past I've taken an awesome photo of you, sign up to buy it now!
I should note that the benefit on January 31 is just the first benefit to be organized by Shoot for Haiti and more will probably follow. I will keep you posted.
In the meantime, links:
Shoot for Haiti
American Red Cross
Doctors Without Borders
My Flickr (choose the photo, email me the link, I'll see you get it)
Labels: Good luck with your hell demons, Promotin'
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