The Art Academy of Cincinnati hosted a full day of service to community members through the mission of Help-Portrait, a collective that brings photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists, and volunteers together to serve people in need. On December 2, the AAC served over 100 Cincinnati residents via donation of luxuriating, life-affirming personal services, resulting in professional portraiture and photographs given to people who cannot afford such amenities.
The AAC Help-Portrait Site Coordinator, Andrea Bacca contacted leaders of the Help-Portrait movement to enlist the expertise, time, and resources of AAC students, faculty, and staff to mobilize the movement’s core mission: “to empower photographers, hairstylists and makeup artists to use their skills, tools and expertise to give back to their local community.” In 2008, Help-Portrait began as an idea that transformed into a movement in just three months. The idea behind Help-Portrait is simple: 1. Find someone in need; 2. Take their portrait; 3. Print their portrait; and 4. Deliver their portrait. The AAC is pleased to join community sites around the world in this mission.
Local Partnering Non-Profit Organizations:
Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition; Our Daily Bread; Over-the-Rhine Kitchen; Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce; Over-the-Rhine Community Housing; Over-the-Rhine Recreation Center; Peaslee Neighborhood Center; Seven Hills Community Center; St. Francis Seraph Ministries; Talbert House; Tender Mercies; Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry; and YWCA.
About Help-Portrait:Celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart formed Help-Portrait, a non-profit organization, in 2008 as he contemplated using his skills and expertise to give back to those who may not have the opportunity for a professional photo. The idea is that a photographer has the unique ability to help someone smile, laugh, and return their dignity. It is a movement, a shift in photography. From Bangalore, India to Ghana, Africa to Ubuntu, South Africa to Chukotka, Russia, the language of Help-Portrait crosses cultural and socio-economic barriers. Visit www.help-portrait.com.
