BLOGS

Picture this: 14 local photographers donate time, equipment and expertise to make classy portraits of folks in need — individuals, families and groups of friends — who may never have the chance to pose for a professional photo.

That happened Dec. 10 in Wenatchee as part of an effort called Help Portrait, an international movement of pro picture-takers to give back to the less fortunate. Local photographers — along with 21 volunteer stylists, make-up experts and helpers — posed and snapped nearly 80 portraits, including 30 groups of families and friends, at the local YWCA.

“And that didn’t even include babies and dogs,” said organizer Chris Ohta. “We had lots of babies and dogs.”

Help Portrait has been held around the world for the last three years, said Ohta, but this was the first year for the event in Wenatchee.

“Some people have so much hardship in their lives,” he said. “This was a way to help take their minds off the difficult stuff and offer them something fun but also of value.”

The all-day event brought together photo pros from Wenatchee, Cashmere, Leavenworth and Ephrata, along with a few pros from the Puget Sound area. Hair stylists and makeup artists made sure everyone looked their best for each photo shoot.

Those photographed also received prints of their portraits, too.

“We had one older couple who was terrific,” said Ohta. “When our lead hair stylist, Lucy Rosario, handed the older woman a mirror to check out her hair, (the woman) was startled and burst into tears. She’d never had her hair done, not in her entire life.”

Ohta said that’s part of the reason photographers donated time and effort to Help Portrait. “Sometimes in our busy work lives, we forget about what’s really important,” he said. “This gave us an opportunity to touch lives and make a real connection — to maybe, just for a short time, take people’s minds off their struggles.”

Another good thing, said Ohta, is that Help Portrait will be held again next year in Wenatchee. It might also be held a couple of additional times through the year. “We can see events and holidays where this could happen again — we just need to look at who can participate and when.”

In photo: Some of the pros participating Saturday in Help Portrait included, left to right, Ambre Little, Tobin Dailey, Vanessa Martinez, Oveth Martinez, Lynette Smith, Chris Ohta, Heidi Ohta, Heidi Swoboda, Molly Nickles and Ben Nickles.

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