Project Help-Portrait

I have been absent from the blog lately…sometimes feels like I’ve been sucked into a black hole here at my computer working my fanny off every night.  While I have some beautiful images to share with everyone, right now my mind and my heart aren’t focused on posting about that.

I was born and raised in this community, and while it has grown by leaps and bounds in my last 26 years, the people have also changed.  It’s no longer the community we use to know.  I no longer know or recognize every person I walk past in the grocery store.  I no longer know everyone that lives on my block.  But with the growth we’ve had here, like in most “Boom Town’s”, also come some huge financial & emotional struggles once the oil rigs move elsewhere.  I was having a pity-party for myself last night while I was talking with my Mom on the phone.  She told me, “Lacy, write down on a piece of paper 5 things that you are grateful for”.  As I was sitting there with my neon orange post-it and sharpie marker…and started smiling.  As I was flooded with thoughts, I was instantly struck with exactly how blessed I am.  Narrow my list of blessings to 5?  Are you kidding me?  I’ve been more than blessed!  Thank you to my Mom for showing me the light, and help me realize what I need to do. 

Today, after also being inspired by photographer Jeremy Cowart, I have joined forces with his project Help-Portrait to hopefully ease the hardships of someone else.  I have also put a shout-out to a few other local photographer’s to help me on this project locally.  If you are a: photographer, hair dresser, makeup artist, or someone that just wants to give back, please contact me to see how you can help!

For anyone else…I’m now putting a shout-out to you.  I want you to spread the word!  I want you to rack your brain and submit names/phone numbers/personal stories to me via email (lacy@momentsbylacy.com) with the subject  line ”PROJECT HELP PORTRAIT” about people (other than yourself)  in our community that are in need.  People that are having a rough spot.  People that don’t have the opportunity to be photographed by a professional, or have their family photographed.  They will recieve a few shots of themselves or their families, along with some free prints.  We will try to get ALL submissions in to be photographed….so I will need a LOT of help here!  The official date for Jeremy’s Help-Portrait is December 4, 2010.  Now…we’ll probably be ankle deep in snow by that time, so we will probably kick off our local Help-Portrait this fall, so GET YOUR SUBMISSIONS IN ASAP!  Don’t put it off.

I’m so excited to kick off this project locally!  Thank you in advance for any and all submissions/volunteers that will take part in this epic community event.  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!