Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kristin Garrett on September 30, 2009 at 5:41pm

I live about 20 miles South East of DC in Marlyand.

Permalink Reply by Joe Portnoy on October 5, 2009 at 8:05pm

i am located just east of union station

Permalink Reply by Jag M on October 6, 2009 at 11:05pm

I live in Arlington

Permalink Reply by Luke Fontana on October 13, 2009 at 2:04am

I'm in Fairfax.
I'm thinking of getting in touch with Penn Camera (Fair Lakes) about offering free or discounted 8x10 prints.

Permalink Reply by Amanda Goolsby on November 9, 2009 at 7:05pm

based in Ashburn, VA - but happy to shoot anywhere in NoVA or DC.

Permalink Reply by Graeme Shaw on November 11, 2009 at 9:10am

I am in Ashburn, VA but can travel pretty much anywhere.

Permalink Reply by Donna McCormick on November 22, 2009 at 12:56pm

Bowie, MD but willing to travel ... preferably not into VA as I'm not familiar with area, but DC & MD just fine.

Permalink Reply by Brandy Kellom on November 22, 2009 at 5:48pm

I'm in Alexandria

Permalink Reply by Brian Tropiano on November 27, 2009 at 3:05pm

Hello all!

I am a photographer, live in Mt Pleasant (NW DC) and would like to suggest a place to set up shop.

Over the last year or so, a group of friends and myself have served coffee and donuts to men at a local homeless shelter here in my neighborhood. On a few occasions, our local church (Church of the Advent) has thrown big cookouts, and most recently, a Thanksgiving feast at the actual shelter.

It's AMAZING to see how these relationships have evolved into true friendships. From the first time I heard about Help-Portrait, I knew the men (about 90 in all) at La Casa Bilingual Homeless Shelter would LOVE IT! Since there is a large, open, covered space at the shelter, and we have already established a relationship with the staff at the shelter, this is an excellent venue, AND it's on location!

By the responses to this thread, it looks like we've got a wide range of talent and equipment. We just need to organize. So, here's a hypothetical outline of our needs:

December 12th: 5:00p to 7:00p (the shelter opens at 4:00p)

Set-up:
5 stations, 2 photographers at each station (1 shooting, 1 assisting)
5 backdrops, each with stands etc. (1 backdrop for each station, preferably solid colors)
10-15 strobes with stands (2-3 strobes at each station)
10-15 umbrella/softboxes with stands (2-3 at each station)
{5 laptops to process photos at each station}*
{5 printers to print at each station}*

* It would be much easier and cheaper (and better quality, frankly) to print these afterward. We can divvy through the shoot and place a large order with ProDPI, then give the photos the following Tuesday when we serve coffee and donuts. What do you guys think?

Preparation and schedule:
We will need to do a dry run earlier on that day, perhaps around noon on the 12th. After everything is set up, we'll go grab lunch or a beer or something at one of the trendy restaurants in Columbia Heights/U st area, come back around 4:00 and start shooting around 5:00p.

On top of that, I think it's important that the photographers and volunteers get together BEFORE December 12th. Just so we can get meet, shake hands, get an official tally of participants, evaluate our current resources and needs, and hear the creative input from everyone. I can even set up an opportunity to visit the shelter, if that's where we decide to do it. Do I hear a vote for December 5th?

Okay, wow, I may have just gone overboard with that "hypothetical". I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts, specifically in regards to my suggestions on location and setup. Please e-mail to contact me directly briantropiano@gmail.com

Have wonderful Thanksgiving Friday. I am thankful this is happening, aren't you?

Permalink Reply by michael galkovsky on November 30, 2009 at 5:16pm

Brian,
This sounds like a good plan. My wife and I are photogs and can bring cameras, lights, laptops. Have you made a concrete plan with the shelter? Do you think all 90 men will want photos?

Permalink Reply by Brian Tropiano on November 30, 2009 at 7:52pm

I don't think all 90 will want photos, but if half of them do, we'll be able to spend a good time with everyone.

Permalink Reply by michael galkovsky on December 1, 2009 at 3:54pm

Brian, how many photogs do you have lined up?

Brian Tropiano said:

I don't think all 90 will want photos, but if half of them do, we'll be able to spend a good time with everyone.