Today in Charlotte, NC photographers, makeup artists, and other volunteers gathered together at the Salvation Army Center of Hope to give back to the community doing what we do best...TAKING PICTURES!!!

All made possible through the organization of Help-Portrait.

Founded by Celebrity Photographer Jeremy Cowart, Help-Portrait is a community of photographers coming together across the world to use their photography skills to give back to their local community.

In December, photographers around the world will be grabbing their cameras, finding people in need and taking their picture. When the prints are ready, the photographs get delivered.

Help-Portrait is all about giving free portraits, not taking them. Blessing those who are not necessarily able to have professional portraits done for themselves or their families.

This was my first year participating in Help-Portrait. I found out about it through the Charlotte Photography Group at www.meetup.com (which is an excellent resource for finding events based on your interests). It really made my heart glad to see people so excited about having their pictures taken.

I assisted a photographer by the name of Matt Pock, a photographer for the local Charlotte magazine "Shutter 16". Between his excellent ability to work the lens and my professional portrait posing (say that three times fast), we were really able to produce some portrait magic.

Finally...an event that combines my passion for art and my love of people. See you next year Help-Portrait!