| A word of caution: Some of these ideas involve taking | | | | very much appreciated by the entire church |
| images of groups of people. Public events generally | | | | community. |
| permit photography by anyone of anyone, but if | | | | 6. Retirement Homes. There are many older folks in |
| someone really does not want themselves or their | | | | retirement homes. Some of them have been soldiers, |
| loved ones to be photographed, you should exercise | | | | heroes and leaders. All of them would very much |
| good judgment and diplomacy and stop photographing | | | | appreciate a discussion and a photo. Consider offering |
| and/or delete the taken images. For private situations | | | | to make a book of biographies, photograph visiting |
| such as nursing homes and shelters, you absolutely | | | | families, and capturing special occasions such as |
| must get consent of the leadership team and the | | | | holidays or milestone birthdays. |
| subjects. Use these interactions to build your people | | | | 7. Homeless Shelters and Soup Kitchens. Everyone |
| skills. | | | | deserves dignity, respect and the opportunity to |
| 1. High School Sports. There are so many sports | | | | preserve their memories, regardless of where they |
| events that go unreported. If you can get permission to | | | | are. Talk to the leaders and see if there's a way for |
| shoot at the sidelines, and you have the right gear, you | | | | you to volunteer to produce portraits for families who |
| can get shots that will be memorable and exciting. | | | | are spending holidays in a shelter. See if you can |
| These can be offered on a low-cost or sharing | | | | capture candid images for them to use in their public |
| website to parents and the school or yearbook staff, | | | | relations. And roll up your sleeves and wash some |
| and you can potentially work with the local papers as | | | | dishes once in a while. It will certainly make you a |
| well. | | | | better person inside. |
| 2. Student Recognition Events. My kids are in National | | | | 8. Teach a class at a school or boys/girls club. Most |
| Honor Society and Scholar Athlete, as well as District | | | | young people have an unquenchable thirst to learn and |
| Band and other events. It's no big deal to ask for | | | | experience life. Showing kids the basic ideas of |
| permission from the administration or advisor and take | | | | photography is a great way to interact with kids, and |
| a photo of every student. Parents love getting a | | | | teaching the subject will reawaken those brain cells |
| well-taken print, and advisors and yearbook teams | | | | and get you thinking about photography in new ways. |
| love a CD. Whether you have kids in these activities or | | | | Often you can get your lab to give you a special deal |
| not, it's good community exposure and seeing these | | | | on prints for things like this. Consider letting the kids |
| kids excel reinforces your respect in the younger | | | | submit their best shots and have them professionally |
| generation. | | | | printed. It will be like Christmas for these kids and their |
| 3. School Plays. Capturing a few practice shots and | | | | families to have their work shown in such a great way. |
| dress rehearsal is a great time to build a portfolio for | | | | 9. Chambers of Commerce. Joining the local chambers |
| the drama club or department. If you get in early | | | | will put you in contact with many business owners. |
| enough, you can work up some really nice posters. | | | | Offering your services to the chamber will be a great |
| Many print labs will print a bunch of 11x17 posters for a | | | | way for you to contribute to the organization...and |
| reasonable price. Hint - get your business name on | | | | some of those other business owners may need |
| there as a sponsor. | | | | some commercial work done. |
| 4. Humane Society. Who doesn't love puppies? Often, | | | | 10. Charity Fund Raisers. Whenever a local group tells |
| these agencies need public relations. Whether it's for a | | | | me they are having a fund raiser, I donate a package |
| website, newspaper ad, brochures or display boards, | | | | which includes a session and several prints. The cash |
| any image you take that gets people to support these | | | | goes to the charity, the winner gets a great deal on |
| agencies will be a great service to the agency, and | | | | the session, and I almost always get additional orders |
| any brand recognition or use rights you can get will be | | | | from the winners. Remember that you cannot deduct |
| good for your portfolio and reputation. | | | | the value of the package, but you can deduct mileage |
| 5. Church Activities. Many churches have baptisms, | | | | and the cost of the prints. |
| first communion, dinners, clergy recognition and other | | | | If you like these ideas, be sure to check my website |
| activities that involve the church family. Volunteering to | | | | Blog for 10 more ideas! |
| be an available resource for these activities will be | | | | |