Portraits boost Drop-In clients’ confidence
For those who fall on hard times, the Calgary Drop-In Centre is there to help get them back on their feet.
The first weekend of every December, however, the centre goes a step above and beyond, bringing in a team of photographers, editors, makeup artists and hair stylists to offer free portraits to those in the homeless shelter.
One of the many who got their portraits taken, Kelly, said with an ear-to-ear smile the day helped give her the self-confidence to turn her life around.
“It was an amazing experience today,” said Kelly, one of many who got their portraits shot at the downtown facility Saturday.
“This time of year, people want to see photos and how you’re doing, how well you’re doing. Being at the shelter here has been kind of rough, and this has been a wonderful experience.
“It made me feel good, the photos were wonderful — it’s going to make my family very happy to see that this place is helping me. It gives me the self-confidence to get out there and do the things I need to do for myself.”
Chantelle Ethier, organizer for the Calgary event — put on through Help-Portrait and now in its 12th year — said the day is about helping the less fortunate give themselves a new outlook on what the future holds.
“(It’s about helping) the less fortunate really feel good about themselves,” Ethier said.
“Coming into the Christmas spirit, sometimes, they feel forgotten and a little lost, and spending a day with us getting their makeup done, hair cut and styled (makes a difference).
“Some of these ladies haven’t had their hair cut or styled in years or even decades. When they leave, it’s like (they’re) a whole new person.”
Now in his fourth year volunteering for the event photographing clients or editing their photos, Jeremy Walls called the day an eyeopener.
“In a word, it’s humbling,” he said, after pausing to think.
“It’s such a special day. I live and breathe cameras every day all year round, but this is absolutely my favourite day of the year.
“You can see you’re making a difference in somebody’s life.” Free hairstyling, makeup, photos designed to give less fortunate an uplifting experience