A few months ago I read about the Help Portrait initiative and it immediately touched me. Help portrait is an international community of photographers that give up one day to give back to the community. It’s a day where you give rather than take, you give time and skills for someone else less fortunate, whether it’s the homeless, a single mom, a sick child or just a family that can’t afford a photo shoot. The idea is to do the shoot and give up your “rights” as a photographer for a day.

So Saturday Monica Dart, Jules Morgan and I visited the Red Cross Children’s hospital in Cape Town. Heide from Reach for a dream orginized that we could do some portraits for the sick kids in the oncology ward. I knew when I arrived at the hospital that this was going to be emotional and that I should prepare myself, but never could I have imagined the feeling of seeing so many sick kids under the age of 7. But when I saw their smiles, it reminded me of the huge gift we have: LIFE and that we only have one life to live. It humbled me to be among these kids and it surely encouraged me to give more, it opened my eyes and it made me realized how precious it is to be healthy.

After doing the shoot I also realized how privileged I am to live in South Africa. A place with SO much need! It is impossible just to close your eyes and say “I didn’t know”. I encourage you to have  a look at the video’s and stories that are on the help portrait website.

In case you are wondering, here are some statistics tracking to-date about the international initiative on Saturday:
17,200+ pictures taken
1400+ photographers
2720+ volunteers

If you would like to become a member and receive info about future events, sign up and look up your country’s group. Become a member in your area and you’ll be connected to other people that also want to make a difference.

*Unfortunately I can not display any of the portraits taken of the kids.