Last weekend my little church in Bowling Green, KY did a big thing: Help Portrait.
Help Portrait is an international organization with the fantastic vision of making people feel beautiful with the click of a camera. One day a year photographers from all over the world to take free portraits for anyone and everyone, focusing on families and individuals who may not normally be able to take get their picture taken. Families meet people who want to hear their stories and make them feel beautiful. At our event we had free food provided by some BG favorites, a makeup table where little girls enjoyed some blush and lip gloss or moms were pampered; a kids play area; 2 photographer booths and printing on site. All FREE.
But let’s not be fooled by the flashing lights, this day is not about pictures – it is about restoring joy to humanity, a humanity that often feels dirty, ashamed or forgotten. We feel forgotten because things in this world tell us we are inadequate and they can pile on day after day, so we stray from the mirror or from the camera because our image is a reminder of a shortcoming. Or maybe, family photos has never been an option because of the never ending medical bills. Feeling forgotten doesn’t just apply to a portrait recipient. On the contrary, what about the photographer that feels that their work is just one thumb scroll away from being completely insignificant? That their work is only one drop into a void of images that never impacts people? At Help Portrait, their work is for the Kingdom and not for Likes or dollar signs.
Help Portrait explores the power of an God’s image in each of us. The little girl with the eyes that glow, the women with the beautiful wrinkles made by a life of smiling, the boy with the beautiful curls, the baby just beginning to use his little hands to explore – each feature should remind us of the role God’s hand plays in every facet of life. On this day, we remember the joy of being made in His image and sharing that image with others.
Please enjoy the video I put together for the day!
