Help-Portrait Vancouver got a head-start this year, hosting their event at Union Gospel Mission on November 26. Here, Event Director Bernard Ng introduces us to the faces and the stories of the day:
“Stanley, also known as ‘Papa,’ is a repeat guest to Help-Portrait. Originally from Texas, he has lived in Vancouver for many many years. He is 55 years sober. Stanley is a very talented carver. The eagle head you see in this photo was carved by him and the eye of the eagle is a jewel given to him by a good friend. Stanley is going to send these photos to his kids that are back in Texas.
“First timers to Help-Portrait, they’re thrilled to be able to have these family photos as holiday memories. They had so much fun with Neil, one of our volunteers, they wanted him in one of their photos.
“This is a character – he had our photographer laughing during his session. This is Roland’s first time to Help-Portrait and he says this photo is a gift to himself for the holidays.
“When little Keith came to us last year he was our youngest portrait to date at just 11 days old. This year we were so happy to see Keith and mom, Maxine, again. Maxine says she wants to keep coming back to see the changes as he grows. That’s what’s so wonderful about portraits. Babies grow so fast and documenting their growth is so precious. A treasure forever.”
For more photos of the day, visit Help-Portrait Vancouver’s website.