This group of caring, talented, giving individuals was focused on providing professional portraits to members of the community who had been nominated by someone close to them.
“These were people who might never know the joy of preserving the moment with a professional portrait”, said John Wallace, one of the event founders. “Putting smiles on faces, that’s what it was all about.”
Help-Portrait the Photo Group North Bay wasn’t only about the picture. It was about celebrating the individual and capturing people at their best.
“We provided professional hair and makeup services, transportation, snacks, and beverages and of course, all the photographers donated their time, equipment and services,” said Wallace. “It wasn’t just a photo-shoot, it was an event, with no cost to any of the individuals having their portrait taken.”
In 2010, the North Bay Photo Group, under the leadership of Ed Eng, launched the first Help Portrait initiative in North Bay. The 2017 Help Portrait event was dedicated to Ed Eng and it was decided by organizers it would be the final Help Portrait event locally.
See: Help Portrait carries on in memory of Ed Eng
Over the years, Help-Portrait the Photo Group North Bay has dedicated the day to the following individuals who have made significant contributions locally to the photographic community or the Help Portrait initiative; Jack Shepherd,
“As we close this most rewarding initiative, we say thank you to everyone involved, organizers, sponsors, volunteers, donors and members of the community who offered support in so many ways. It is all of you who provided the magic, all of you who were responsible for bringing so many smiles to over 400 families over the past eight years”, said Wallace.
Help-Portrait the Photo Group North Bay continues to give back to the community with a generous donation to the North Bay Food Bank.
“Winding down Help Portrait operations means closing out the bank account,” said Wallace. “Some of our support was financial over the years and we are happy to pass along a donation of $1,094 to the North Bay Food Bank. Every member of our group agreed the food bank donation was a great way to honour everyone who helped make Help Portrait such a success.”
