Richard Beaven, based in The Hudson Valley of New York, works on long term photographic projects as well as commissions from publications and organizations such as Do Lectures USA, American Angus Association and Cum Laude Group. His work has recently been featured in San Francisco Magazine, Cowboys & Indians Magazine and The Wall Street Journal.
Set up in 2009 by celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart, this past Saturday Help-Portrait came to dozens of towns and cities across the USA and more than 35 other countries.
Help-Portrait is a movement of photographers coming together across the world to use their photography skills to give back to their local community. This year it happened on a massive scale. In total, the count so far is set to exceed last year with around 73,000 portraits made, printed, framed and given to people who normally do not get the chance to have their portrait taken. For some, if not many, it is a genuinely unique experience.
Elias by Richard Beaven
This idea, of course, is a good one at any time: A few weeks back Jeremy and a team of local photographers were over in New York with a pop-up Help-Portrait helping the victims of super-storm Sandy replace countless treasured family photographs lost to the water.
A year ago at this time I sat reading stories about Help-Portrait and decided then to create one in my local community of Hudson, New York. Along with five other local photographers (Marc Scrivo, Alen Fetahi, Jesse Turnquist, Rebecca Turnquist, and Michael Molinski), a tireless group of stylists, volunteers and the support of a local organization helping adults with developmental disabilities, we got it done. We made 83 portraits including over 100 people.
Tina by Alen Fetahi
Allyson by Marc Scrivo
Miriam & Xari by Jesse & Rebecca Turnquist
The feeling of putting a framed portrait into the hands of someone who really appreciates it and seeing their reaction is priceless. Help-Portrait is a simple gift with a special impact.
Next year December 2013 – get involved, give the gift of a portrait. You won’t regret it.
See a short video by Marc Scrivo below or click here.
