A few months ago I saw this video from Help-Portrait on another photographer’s blog. After watching the video, I was so inspired, and couldn’t wait to host a Help Portrait event in Honduras. So a few weeks before Christmas, I went to one of the orphanages just outside of Tegucigalpa, filled with some of the most beautiful and amazing children you will ever meet, and took portraits of each of them. Many of these children never have had, nor will they ever have, a portrait of themselves. They were so excited, and so appreciative. When they saw the portraits for the first time, they were so amazed. They kept saying, que bonita…que guapo! Here were these kids, who either didn’t have parents, or whose parents had sent them to live at the finca, who literally have nothing. No toys, no books, no family photos albums, or parents to tell them about what they were like when they were younger. And I was able to give them this amazing gift, better than any toy or material object. I was giving them a memory, possibly the only photo they will have from their childhood. I hope these kids keep these photos with them. I hope they add them to their one and only duffel bag of belongings in this world, and always remember. If you are a photographer, I totally recommend getting involved next year. It is such an amazing feeling to be able to use your talents to really brighten the lives of people all over the world. Here are just a few of the beautiful children I had the honor of photographing. Thank you to Help-Portrait, for giving me this opportunity, and thank you to all the children at the Finca, you inspire me more than any of you will ever know!
.jpg "HP blogss")
.jpg)
kati - love the new look, with just the grey (even though i loved the blue before, too, didn’t you have blue?) so simple and pretty!
kaley - Thanks Kati! Yes, it was blue, but I am really feeling the monochromatic greys lately.
Colleen - Wow, I didn’t expect to scroll down and see so many older children! Usually when you think “orphanage,” it’s babies and toddlers and maybe up to 8 year olds. I’m so glad you were able to give them such a special and personal gift. Thanks for your good example!
Malm - This project is amazing!
Those kids look so happy.
Love the looks of your new site, too!
kaley - Thanks, everyone. It was really such an honor and a privilege to photograph them. I, too, was expecting younger kids. But what sweethearts they all are!
Kim Bradley - I love it! It was fun watching you do this.