Help-Portrait events are run solely by a dedicated team of wonderful volunteers that donate their time and talents for this great cause. When we thought about featuring a volunteers experience with Help-Portrait, Chris Maait immediately came to mind. He's been with us from the start and was willing to give insight on what it looks like to be a part of Help-Portrait.
1. How did you get involved with Help-Portrait? Is there a particular volunteer role you had during the event?
I was lucky enough to meet Mr David Haysom in 2009, at a lunch with mutual friends. He asked me if I was interested in participating and later sent me the link to the USA test event. After that, I knew I had to be a part of this event. Help-Portrait appealed to all of my artistic and human spirit. I volunteered as a photographer. (I've been a photographer for 18 years and had never been involved in such a spectacular, ideal, event). I have used every nuance of photographic skill and experience and all my learning about people to participate in this event, it's exhausting and greatly satisfying.
2. A portrait can mean so much to someone who wouldn't typically have the ability to get one taken. How does it feel to be a part of that experience? Have you seen first hand the joy and value it can bring?
Selfless joy. The simple act of giving another person a photograph of themselves has been pure delight. Enriching, satisfying and bounty for the soul (I believe photographs have a power most do not understand). The ideal of giving all the photos and us not keeping them is a little cherry on top of the dessert that is Help- Portrait.
Over the past 2 years the child-like delight seen on peoples faces as they view their photographs, and these people deserve to be happy, is wonderful.
We have seen shy, broken, disheartened, angry, tormented, sick people look at their photo and smile, truly smile from within, amazed that they have been photographed at their best, thankful for this small gift.
3. Looking back on past events, what would you say is the most rewarding moment of the day?
Simply: Handing over this small photograph to someone / families who really do not normally feel special and they respond with a tearful "Thank You".
4. If someone was thinking about volunteering for next years event, what would you want them to know?
Help-Portrait is a pure joy and amazing event to be a part of. That the sharing of our skills and time, selflessly, with people far less fortunate than us; benefits all involved. It really is love.