Help Portrait carries on in memory of Ed Eng

What was once a high school cafeteria was quickly transformed into a makeshift photo studio, including multiple photo booths, hair and makeup stations and dozens of professionals donating an unbelievable amount of time and skill to provide about 65 families with free portraits they’d otherwise not be able to afford this holiday season.

“I started in September going to about 15 different aide agencies around North Bay and getting them to nominate families who cannot afford to have a portrait taken,” John Wallace, a volunteer at the event said. “It’s a full service from the time they arrive, to the time they leave.”

When families arrived at Ecole Secondaire Catholique Algonquin on Sunday, they were brought to the team of hair and makeup artists to prepare them for their shoot in one of the many stations. Afterwards, the best of the photos were edited, printed, and framed all in quick succession, providing lovely family portraits in time for the holidays.

“The families are ecstatic they leave with the biggest smiles on their faces,” Wallace said. “And it’s probably the most rewarding initiative I’ve been involved with.”

Wallace said it all started eight years ago when the late Ed Eng, was approached by a Toronto group to start Help Portrait down south but wondered why we couldn’t have the experience in North Bay.

“Ed had the vision to try and create a New York studio experience for the families,” he said. “From start to finish it was his vision to have the portraits done first class. We came in here on Friday night and cleared all the chairs back, covered all the windows, and these are all the sorts of things Ed envisioned to make it a great experience.”

Eng’s wife Helen and son Dion were there to help out with the portraits and were presented with a plaque in honour of all the work Eng had done in the community.

“Ed was always a giving individual and he was the driving force behind this experience for the families that come in here,” Wallace said.

But with Ed Eng no longer at the helm, Wallace said it would be a challenge for the group of volunteers to organize following years—this one likely to be its last.

“Ed played a major role in this,” he said. “He left big shoes to be filled.”