Pittsburgh Photographers Giving Back

Pittsburgh Photographers have an opportunity to give a little bit back to their community by doing pro-bono projects for charities. It doesn’t have to be all about the money.  We Pittsburgh photographers have a valuable talent that can be put to good use for promoting the needs of well-meaning organizations.  I try to do my part, but that’s not what this post is about.  It’s about promoting the idea of giving a little something back.  If you’re a Pittsburgh photographer, I challenge you to do your part.  Give a little something back and help make this city, country, and world, a better place.

Pittsburgh Photographers have a valuable talent that they can share with well-meaning pro-bono clients such as this images shot for The Club House, a cancer support organization located in Pittsburgh’s Strip District.  This charity is located just a couple doors down from my studio, so finding them wasn’t a problem…

If you are a Pittsburgh Photographer and you’d like to give a little something back, here’s how I suggest you go about it…

1. Choose a subject matter that matters to you.  I like kids, so that what I go after.  It’s just like finding regular clients, but easier… Pick a cause that you wouldn’t mind sacrificing some time and maybe some money, to help.  I say money, because it might happen that you commit to do a free-be project for the charity and then you get offered a commercial photography assignment that you have to turn down.  It happens…  Like I said, I like kids, always have, and they usually like me, so that’s one of the things I look for when offering my services.  Sure, If I get a call from a cause that I think is a good one, and they need my help, I’ll usually agree.   My favorite things to photograph is children, so that’s what I target.

2. Simply make a call or or send an email to the target charity and tell them that you’d like to help out.  Send a few images to let them know you’re legit.  If you don’t here back from them, keep trying.  They may not have an immediate need and when they do, they might forget that you had made the offer.  It’s just like marketing your business to regular clients…   Be persistent.

3. Another thing you can do is contact a few clients letting them know that you are in the market to do some pro bono work and for them to spread the word.  That sometime works…

4. Or… You could write a post about how Pittsburgh Photographers should help needy charities by donating their time, that’s what I’m doing… :o)  You never know who reads these blog posts.

This project was for “Flashes of Hope”, another child-related cancer charity. Photos are take at Children’s hospital and then given as gifts to the families. Pittsburgh photographer Marc Soracco turned me on to these people, and they may need some more help!  Thanks Mac!

In conclusion, if you found this blog post and you have a good cause that you need photography help with, please give me a call and I’ll see what I can do.  And if you’re one of the many Pittsburgh photographers that want to become involved in your community’s needs, please do as I suggest and get involved.  It’s fun!

I also do some work for Light of Life Rescue Mission on the North Side if Pittsburgh. Here’s a photo of two GREAT individuals, Rob and Cori, chefs at the mission. Light of Life is just one a hundred good causes that could use the services of a good commercial photographer. Be that person!

One more thing… When you give away your work, you usually get a bit more say in what you do…  You sometimes get to do it your way.  That’s something a commercial photographer can’t always get to say… :o)

And, I apologize to the people that I contacted about the pro bono work that they do.  I ended up not using the info right now, but I may in the near future.

And again… If you have any other ideas on this subject, please leave word in the comments section below.

Thanks enough “ands” already :o)