The Reversed Lens » Charity photography

Become America’s Cutest Family • Portland Oregon Lifestyle Portraits

Emma Easley Darden — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:34:55 +0000

We all think our families are adorable… beautiful… gorgeous even. But have you ever been walking through a grocery store and had someone stop you and say, “Wow, your baby is so cute!” It’s an amazing thing to have someone tell you just how beautiful you are.

Now, imagine the chance to be known as “the cutest family in Portland, Oregon”? Or even better, “the cutest family in North America”?

RLPStudios is participating with photographers throughout the country in the 2nd annual International Charity Model Search to find the cutest family– and we would love to have it be YOURS. From now through the end of March, we’ll be featuring special Mini Spot™ sessions, which will include an hour of location or studio time with one of our photographers, a $25 credit for an art print from your session, and of course, entrance into the contest. Once your photo has been posted you’ll want to tell everyone you know to vote for your family. And each vote is just $1, with all proceeds benefitting Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, a charity close to our hearts.

Contact the studio today to book your spot… and tell your friends and family to get ready to vote!

A whole lotta joy to be given • Portland Oregon Children Photographers

Emma Easley Darden — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:23:10 +0000

Many of you know how involved we are in the community, and one of our favorite charities hands-down is the Children’s Cancer Association. It’s an amazing organization begun in memory of Alex, a little girl who lost her battle to cancer after a brave and inspirational two-year battle. Eleven years later, CCA provides what they call “JoyRX” to literally thousands of children every year in the form of music programs, a caring cabin, and other amazing resources to help them feel like children in the midst of illness.

Each year, our studio chooses a charity to gift through our Family Portrait Month. We are thrilled this year to donate $100 from each lifestyle session (that’s 50% of our session fee!) to the Children’s Cancer Association through December 15th. There’s no gimmick or catch: just book a session and donate to an amazing, worthy cause. It’s a way to give AND get this holiday season. How perfect is that?

(In addition to the Children’s Cancer Association, we’re also supporting three local schools with our session fees: Oregon Episcopal School, Catlin Gable, and Purple Moon Child Development Center. All three of these schools are committed to early learning and community inclusion. Just let us know that you’re interested in supporting education when you book your session and we’ll be happy to direct your donation in the appropriate direction!)

CCA Celebration of Courage • Portland Oregon Photobooth

Emma Easley Darden — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:10:54 +0000

We had the awesome opportunity to bring the Mini Studio™ down to the Children’s Cancer Association Celebration of Courage event last Sunday. CCA is an amazing organization, born from the legacy of a little girl who lost her own battle with cancer but fought bravely to the end. Her family started CCA because, as they so eloquently state on their website, “When seriously ill kids and their families need more than medicine, CCA is there with compassion and innovation creating moments of respite and hope, in the hospital and at home. Managed by a professional staff and powered by volunteers, CCA brings soothing music in a time of crisis, friendship in a time of loneliness, resources in a time of turmoil and vital support in the midst of life-threatening illness. We call it Joy Rx.”

Joy Rx was in full force on Sunday at the Celebration of Courage. Pirate singers joined the party and provided music throughout the event. Face painters, balloon masters, and “tatoo” artists decorated the guests, and craft stations were set up to make all manner of pirate paraphenalia. And when they were full decked out, they joined us in the Mini Studio™ to record the moment. We had an amazing time bringing a little bit of fun into the lives of some people who truly deserve it. (For those who attended, the full gallery can be found at www.rlportraits.com/photocart. Just click on the gallery, scroll through to find your images, and then use the free download option.)

Celebrating Adoption • Portland Oregon Family Photographers

Emma Easley Darden — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:21:46 +0000

I was so thrilled to be able to photograph Heather and Tom and their adorable children a few weeks ago! Their session was our first Celebrating Adoption session; we’re in the process of joining this wonderful national organization, which gifts families who bring a little one into their homes and hearts a complimentary portrait session. Adoption is a cause very near and dear to my heart and the idea of being able to celebrate with these families is something that gives me an amazing amount of joy. And they were such a perfect family to be able to begin with. Their adoration of Lucy is without question, and seeing their family play and cuddle and just be themselves brought me close to tears a few times. I’m so glad that we were able to give them this gift, and I can’t wait to watch them grow together!

The Ballroom Bash • Portland Oregon Event Photographers

Emma Easley Darden — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:53:11 +0000

We’re psyched about this event– some of our favorite vendors will be participating (including our favorite cupcakerie, Cupcake Jones) and we’ll have The Mini Studio™ photobooth there in full party force for some crazy mementos of the night. Don of Yelp! puts on some of the most amazing parties we know so this is not to be missed. The one catch (and this is SUPER IMPORTANT) is that you have to be a member of Yelp! So mozie in a rather quick way over, create a profile, and then get yourself on the guest list. And while you’re at it, give some of your favorite businesses (including, of course, yours truly) some Yelp review love. It’s one of the best ways we know of to get the real skinny out about our favorite places to frequent. In fact, I have a review to write about a few places right now…

(A note from our sponsors: This is a private event open to Yelp.com members and their guests. RSVP and ID required for entry. To attend, RSVP to portland@yelp.com and include your name, a link to your Yelp profile, and the name of one guest.)

Calling all military brides! • Portland Oregon Wedding Photography

Emma Easley Darden — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:48:19 +0000

We are thrilled to be a part of one of the best celebrations of the Fourth of July that I have ever heard of– the Brides Across America military bride dress giveaway at Charlotte’s Weddings and More! Brides Across America is an AMAZING organization. As they state on their website, “Bringing bridal and military together is a marriage made in heaven! Bridal salons are uniting across America to donate and giving away wedding gowns to qualified military brides. The wedding industry is making a difference and giving brides to be the opportunity to find the wedding gown of their dreams as well as alleviate some of the financial stess of purchasing a wedding gown.” Both Will and I come from families with military backgrounds, and we love being able to use our talents to benefit others and give back, so joining on to the event was a natural for us. (We also give wedding special packages and discounts to military families, fyi!)

And what an event it will be! From 11am to 8pm on Tuesday, to-be brides who are on active duty in the military or have a fiancé on active duty in either Iraq or Afghanistan can come to Charlotte’s and find the dress of their dreams. (All military brides will need to show ID, copy of deployment papers, orders or other qualifying proof.) The list of designers that are participating is truly amazing; I can’t wait to see all of the dresses! Eric from Hybrid Moon Video Productions will be on hand to capture the brides’ stories and we will, of course, be capturing all of the amazing moments.

If you know a bride who just might need a little help making her dreams come true, please pass along the information. And of course, stay tuned for some photos next week!

Celebrating Baby Boot Camp • Portland Oregon Family Photographers

Emma Easley Darden — Thu, 14 May 2009 06:04:35 +0000

Last Friday I had the privilege of photographing Baby Boot Camp’s Mom’s Day Celebration at Washington Park. I can’t tell you exactly how many moms convened at the soccer field, but it was an impressive site to see so many women dedicated to creating a full and healthy life for themselves and their families. We celebrated one incredibly special woman, Mel, who was a dedicated BBC’er who lost her battle with ovarian cancer this past winter. They toasted her life and her spirit, and then ran their hearts out to celebrate all of their lives and loves, and also to benefit the Children’s Cancer Association (CCA), which meant so much to Mel. It was a beautiful thing to behold. (Oh, and of course I got to take pictures of lots of adorable kids. That always makes for a good morning.)

Mel’s little boy, Ben, for whom so much of this morning was all about.

And Erin, who inspires and motivates all of these women every day.