JCC’s Weeks Gallery will host Help-Portrait Chautauqua from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on March 23.
Organized by local photographer and educator Mark Kirsch, Help-Portrait Chautauqua provides free professional quality studio portraits to people who either cannot afford or have never considered having a family or individual portrait made. According to Kirsch, “Having a portrait made is a chance to capture a moment, a memory…and a whole lot more.”
Kirsch also noted, “We first offer hair and makeup assistance if desired, then escort participants to one of our fully outfitted studio photographers. Printing assistants help select and edit images. We print 5x7 and or 8x10 inch photographs which are framed by our finishing staff. The entire process takes about an hour, maybe a bit longer if it’s really busy. But in the meantime there will be music and conversation and fun to enjoy.”
Individuals who want to have their photos taken should head to the Weeks Gallery lobby area, located on the second floor of Sheldon Center. No pre-registration is required.
All Help-Portrait Chautauqua staff are volunteers. Photographs are never sold or used on commercial websites or monetized in any way.
Help-Portrait was founded by celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart in 2008. Its mission is to empower photographers, hairstylists and makeup artists to use their skills, tools, and expertise to give back to their local communities.