Friday, September 07, 2012

Free Family Portraits - MirrorUpChicago


Photography in today's world is all about technology. Be it sensor size, cheaper cameras, low cost post production or home studios, technology has changed how people look at the craft of photography.

If there is one way to summarize technology, it is the fact that it lowers entry barriers, makes the playing field level and gives everyone an equal chance to succeed. Times are hard now and I know many who would rather put food on the table than get a professional family portrait done.

Me and Cathy (who does most of my post production work), have decided to donate 25 hours for families who cannot afford to get a professional portrait done. We are calling it the MirrorUpChicago Initiative - a play on Mirror Lock Up (MUp) camera mode which is vibration/"hassle" free and a regular mirror that shows everyone a free photo.

The rules are simple, to begin, we will select 5 families from the Chicago area charities (please send us a couple lines on why you should be on this list - tweet/DM/email anything works), and we will have you over at my basement studio, spend 1-2 hrs per family and shoot 3 portraits. I will even give you printed copies for the photos.

All we ask in return is to pay this gesture forward by doing something for your charity of choice or community. This is honor based, and we won't police this.

Here is a link to some of my photos in case you are wondering if this is worth your time.

If this small endeavor is successful, we intend to join forces with other photographers and expand the

Standard Disclaimer (we have a longer version, ask and we shall provide):

(1) Selection will be based on our judgement, a reference letter from local church, charity will be awesome - idea is to really help people who need this.
(2) You will need to sign a model release form to allow us to photograph you and family.
(3) No compensation will be provided and none will be expected for the photo shoots.

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