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Her name was Mercy. Fitting, because that's precisely what she was to us - a godsend, a blessing.
- Friday, December 11 - 3:00-3:35 in Lake Wales, FL- Friday, December 11 - 3:40-4:15 in Lake Wales, FL- Friday, December 11 - 4:20-4:55 in Lake Wales, FL- Friday, December 11 - 5:00-5:35 in Lake Wales, FL- Saturday, January 16 - 3:00-3:35 in Winter Park, FL - Saturday, January 16 - 3:40-4:15 in Winter Park, FL- Saturday, January 16 - 4:20-4:55 in Winter Park, FL- Saturday, January 16 - 5:00-5:35 in Winter Park, FL- Thursday, January 21 - 4:20-4:55 in Lake Wales, FL- Thursday, January 21 - 5:00-5:35 in Lake Wales, FL- Saturday, January 30 - 3:00-3:35 in Ft. Myers, FL- Saturday, January 30 - 4:20-4:55 in Ft. Myers, FL
When we were introduced to her, she was 7 years old with a shy smile and a sweet spirit. When she expressed her dreams, she was poised and confident - ready to take on the world and any challenges that she faced along the way. She was mature beyond her years - undeserving of the circumstances that surrounded her, but unwilling to allow anything to bring her down. She was a trooper; an eternal optimist.
Mercy lived in the country of Ghana, so we never actually met her face-to-face. But that didn't matter. We knew her. We kept in touch through letters and photos, learning more and more about her, her family, and her life that was taking place in a town thousands of miles away from us.
We were given the opportunity to send a financial donation every month to help support Mercy in the various areas of her life - areas that we often take for granted; health and hygiene, education, nutrition. Our monthly contribution seemed so small when placed on a large scale, but we felt humbled to even be able to be a small part of Mercy's life.
Throughout that experience, I was prepared for the sense of happiness we felt by being able to help someone in need. What I was not prepared for was how much Mercy impacted us. Her letters and her story inspired me. Here was a girl, less than half my age, proving that she knew more about how to handle life and all of it's unexpected twists with much more grace than I did. Here was a girl, who in spite of situations, managed to keep a genuinely positive attitude on a day-to-day basis. Here was a girl, who knew how to truly enjoy being alive. She didn't waste her days with frustration and stress and worry and grief. Instead, she faced each morning with a smile and a hopeful perspective.
This broke me.
Why can't I live this way? Why do I constantly let insignificant irritations and disappointments alter my mood? After being introduced to Mercy, I felt ridiculous. Ridiculous, and transformed.
Giving back to the world around me has always felt necessary, but now it has become crucial; it has become natural. Mercy has made me view life this way; I'm no different than any other person in the world - no more deserving than someone else. I just happen to have been dealt a different hand. And basking in the victory of pocket Queens hardly seems like a fair or satisfying move in the card game of life.
I'm not a saint, and I don't feel like I deserve a gold star for my outlook. I have had and continue to have tons of selfish moments as well as ones that are filled with pessimism and defeat. But I am trying. I see the beauty in generosity, and I want to have a soul that is full of compassion. I want my heart to break for injustice, tragedy, and hardship. And then I want my reaction to be passion - raw, overwhelming passion for helping those in need.
Mother Teresa "got" this idea of compassion in action. And she lived it. She said, "If you want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it."
So here we are - putting oil in our lamp.
Love Through the Lens is a mission to give back. We want to utilize our abilities and our equipment for a purpose far greater than ourselves. This year, we will be supporting Invisible Children - a cause initiated by a group of young people, motivated to make a difference in the war-ridden country of Uganda. Please watch the following video (from Invisible Children's website) to gain a better understanding of this great movement (*depending on your connection speed, you may need to pause the video to give it time to load):
This movement ignites an eagerness in us to take action. Brooke Fraser says it best in the lyrics of her song, "Albertine": "...now that I have seen, I am responsible..." We have a responsibility to support those who cannot support themselves, and to help deliver justice for those who have been treated unjustly.
Here's our plan (in brief):
We want to offer photography sessions for $100 each. The sessions will be 35 minutes long (one to five participants per session). The participants will receive coverage time, a disc with 25 full quality, edited images from their session (with shared copyright privileges) and a free 5x7 print of their choice. The sessions will take place in various locations all over the state of Florida, on 4 different dates in December and January (four 35 minute slots for each date). There will be 16 sessions total. 100% of the money raised through these sessions will go toward the Invisible Children movement.
Here are the dates and whereabouts (*dates that are crossed off have been booked):
- Thursday, January 21 - 3:00-3:35 in Lake Wales, FL
- Thursday, January 21 - 3:40-4:15 in Lake Wales, FL
- Saturday, January 30 - 3:40-4:15 in Ft. Myers, FL
- Saturday, January 30 - 5:00-5:35 in Ft Myers, FL
Here's how you book a session:
E-mail us; in the subject line, type "Love Through the Lens." In your e-mail, please provide the date/time you'd like to book us for, the number of people in your group, and any other questions/thoughts you may have (*sidenote: I will be updating this post often by marking off session slots that have been booked). We will e-mail back with details about specific locations and directions.
If you like the idea of this cause, but you don't need or want new photos, you can still participate! We are offering special gift certificates for this mission (Christmas is right around the corner...;))! Simply e-mail us, and we would be happy to send you the printable certificate that you may fill out for someone that you love. :) (below is a smaller version of what the certificate will look like):
Just want to donate? Click here to be directed to Invisible Children's website.
**UPDATE (on 11/22/09)**
We have received questions about the type of session you can book. The answer is - any! Spotlight, Trash the Dress, Just Because - they are all applicable for this offer.
Also, we have been e-mailed by a couple of photographers asking if they can utilize this idea. Absolutely. We would love for more of our peers to take part in this opportunity, so please e-mail us if you are interested.
Ben and I are thrilled and humbled to be able to utilize our business for such a worthy movement. We hope that you guys are equally excited! Thank you for partnering with us in this action of compassion - we love each and every one of you! :)
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Comments
What an awesome idea Amy Lee and Ben! Love it. :)
(11.19.09)So now it's not only your photography that I find inspirational. I take my proverbial hat off to you both for initiating this project which is sure to be an overwhelming success. I only wish that I was within reaching distance to be part of it... Come over with Shirley and do a wee photo shoot in Cambridge! Yes, you can even bring the dog! :) Brilliant! x
(11.20.09)I am very proud of you both! I wish that my family were going to be around for those dates i would certainly do it! You are AMAZING!
(11.20.09)Way to go Amy & Ben! Wonderful way to use your God given gift as a gift to those in need :) Best of luck on the project I hope EVERY session is booked and more!
(11.20.09)Love your site. Love this idea! I am so glad that your photography business is doing so well and it is so inspiring to see using it for the good of others! Sometime when I'm in FL, I would like to have you do some family pictures for us! You guys keep up the good work! :-)
(11.30.09)