New Help-Portrait Vancouver Site

We are launching a new Help-Portrait Vancouver website that will have all of this year's event information, photos, videos and much more. If you came directly to this Blogspot blog, please visit http://www.help-portrait-vancouver.com to visit the new site.

What an amazing day!

On December 4th, 2010, along with 60 other countries, we held the 2nd annual Help-Portrait event. And what a day it was. Saturday just started off brilliant; clear skies, crisp air, and the sun rising over the mountains. It was the perfect backdrop as the tents for our block party started to come together. As photographers, makeup artists, musicians and volunteers started to arrive you could feel the air start to buzz with excitement.

Music started to fill the room while photographers did final tests on lights and printers. And then everything just started. All of the makeup and hair stations were full, lights were popping and our first prints of the day started to emerge. From then on, the day was steady. All of our guests were amazing! Patient as they waited to get their portrait taken, and overwhelmingly warm and expressive when their picture was handed to them. It was fantastic to see people coming in dressed up, little princesses and Sunday best, so much character was in the room.

We welcomed a lot of families this year, many more than last year. 239 portrait session were taken, which is up from last year's 175. We estimate that we welcomed between 550 and 600 people through our doors. A success by any measure. Thank-you so much to all of our sponsors, donators and supporters. Without you we could not have put so many smiles on so many faces.

This video captures the day perfectly; the energy, the joy, the music and all of the smiles.

Help-Portrait Vancouver 2010 (Thank You) from Steve Tan on Vimeo.

Morning Crew


Afternoon Crew


A lot more behind-the-scenes pictures to come soon.

Help-Portrait Is - Video

The first of many video of this year's event. Much more to come soon!

Help-Portrait Vancouver 2010 from Steve Tan on Vimeo.

Help-Portrait 2010 is TOMORROW!!!

We are SO excited for Help-Portrait tomorrow! This year's event is going to be lots of fun. We are holding a Family Block Party on Heatley street in front of UGM's Maurice McElrea Place, 361 Healtey Avenue. There will be live music all day, face painting, a magician and hot chocolate for everyone.

This year 35 photographers from around the lower mainland will be working hard to shoot and print portraits for all of our guest. We have 16+ makeup artists and hair stylists ready to make everyone look and feel beautiful. And a host of volunteers to help the day run smooth.

Stay tuned here for all pictures and videos of the day.

BC Children's Hospital

On Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010, we had the privilege of holding an event at BC Children's Hospital for terminally ill patients and their families. It was an amazing experience! Our first little boy wanted to come meet us all as we were having a meeting with Diane Hart, Director of Child Life Deptarment. Kade walked in proud, donning a shirt and tie, a vest, and dress pants, telling all of us in the room that his favourite person was Mr. Bean and he dressed up like him. He took all of our breath away as he very visibly was going through treatments in the hospital; though his huge smile didn't show it. Kade set the tone for the rest of the day.

We welcomed 25 patients and their families through our doors. All of the moms and girls had their makeup and hair done. The staff at the hospital lit up with joy every time they saw a patient or family member all dolled up. It was a day full of smiles, playing peek-a-boo, laying on the ground to photograph a baby giggling, painting skull tattoos, making up moms who hadn't thought about makeup in years, and having patients feel special.

Check out Steve Tan's video of the day










Makeup Artists & Hair Stylist
(Blanche McDonald Centre)
Ofelia
Katie
Krystal
Nindy
Robyn

Photographers
Arne Gulstene
Bernard Ng
Ian Sheh
Leigh Culpin
Michael Moore
Tony Mah

Videographer & Editor
Steve Tan

Made possible by our partners:
Nehemiah Arts Foundation - http://www.nehemiahvancity.com
Blanche McDonald Centre - http://www.blanchemcdonald.com
Dr. Simon Sheh & Assoc. - http://www.drsimonsheh.com
Beau Photo - http://www.beauphoto.com

Help Us Give Portraits

WE NEED YOUR HELP to make Help-Portrait Vancouver 2010 a success this year. Our event has grown and we hope to welcome between 600 to 800 people through our doors. We need your help to give portraits to so many people.

We are in need of funds to cover the growing cost of printing supplies (ink and paper) and subsidize the insurance cost of holding an event this large. Our goal is to provide two 4x6 prints to each of our guests. Along with the prints, we have Christmas cards and postage so that our guests can share one of their pictures with family or friends.

If we get an overwhelming response and receive more than we need, the extra money raised will be donated to the Union Gospel Mission. Union Gospel Mission has allowed us to host our event at their facilities and we would love to give back to them and support the work they are doing in Vancouver Downtown Eastside.

We have setup a donation site at http://helpportraitvancouver.chipin.com. You can also click the donation box below that will take directly to PayPal where you can donate via PayPal or major credit card.

Thank-you in advance for your support and generous donation. You are helping us give more than portraits.

Note:
All donations are collected through PayPal. You are able to donate via PayPal Account, as well as major credit cards. The PayPal account receiving the money is lead photographer Ian Sheh. To contact Ian Sheh directly please email info@iansheh.com.

Food + Toy Drive

We are holding a food and toy drive for Help-Portrait Vancouver this year. Become a community drop-site and rally people around you to give. You can download the food and toy media kit here. If you have any questions please email Stephanie Forster.