Professional Photographs

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to participate in Help-portrait.  Several local photographers volunteered their time to take family portraits.  Many of these people had never had a portrait taken.  One of the fun things was that I was able to hang out at Blood and Fire, a community center here in Muncie.  Although I had heard about their work for a long time, I was able to see it in action last summer.  I worked with a group of youth to do neighborhood projects in conjunction with the staff at Blood and Fire. 

Saturday was such a fun day.   The photographers set up lights and backgrounds and did such a great job.  Since I am not a photographer, my job was to greet people and make the feel welcome.  I would offer make-up (which thankfully I was not doing) to the women.  Many of them really enjoyed having Lee do their make-up.  Then I would take them in to see the photographers.  After their pictures were taken, each family got to choose one picture that they wanted a free copy of. 

This is when the fun began.  After their pictures were taken, we had snacks and drinks for everyone.  I got to sit at tables and chat with people.  Each conversation that I had was unique. One of the funniest was a discussion we had on snakes.  One man decided that it would be really cool if we would have a snake there that they could get their picture taken with.  His wife didn’t think this was a great idea.  I think I had used all of my words for the day by the time we had finished three photographs.  It was a reminder to me of how important a listening ear is.

Along with some of the funny talks we talked about hard things as well.  We talked about the challenges that their children and grandchildren were facing.  One couple had fifteen grandchildren.  We also talked about the challenges of keeping their living spaces warm in the middle of winter. 

I had a great time.  I was reminded once again of how much God has blessed me.  I have a wonderful family, a warm place to live, and food to eat.  What a wonderful opportunity to help give back to the great people that I was able to meet on Saturday and to also be blessed by them.