When local resident Rachel Krumme noticed an increase in demand for the Squamish Food Bank, she wanted to help.
She decided to organise ‘front porch sessions’, a popular photographic trend during the COVID-19 pandemic, where people get a family photo taken on the front porch of their home and the photographer donating the money to a charity.
Krumme’s call to local photographers on social media was answered by three local photographers, and they have since raised $6,000 for the Squamish Food Bank.
Angela Bliss of Angela Bliss Photography, Paula Munro Owen of Paula Owen Photography and Vairdy Frail of Vairdy Photography all stepped up to help with the fundraiser.
“These amazing ladies donated their time and beautiful photography talents to help photograph over 60 families in town raising roughly $6,000 for the Food Bank,” Krumme says.
The 60 families who signed up were asked to donate $75 or more if they were able to. They received two photos and each session lasted for about ten minutes.
Krumme and her family got a picture taken on their front porch.
“I can personally say they really put their hearts into this fundraiser, and I can’t thank them enough for being so generous with their time,” she says.
For Angela Bliss, the front porch sessions allowed her to be creative and connect with the Squamish community. By donating her time and talent, Bliss wanted to help other families who may be in need of help from the local food bank. “The past few months have been challenging in so many ways for all of us, but I am so thankful that for my family food insecurity has not been something we have had to think about,” she says.
Paula Munro Owen says she is really grateful to have helped on this project.
“Giving back to my community during this extremely hard time for so many is an honour, It is a true pleasure to be able to use my skills to enable families to continue to thrive by accessing facilities they need during this time,” Owen says.
Vairdy Frail has been in the photography business for 15 years and says giving back has always been a part of her plans. “Knowing I can help in this way truly lights me up and keeps me motivated to create. I am forever grateful for my photography journey and for the amazing clients and colleagues I have met along the way,” she says.
Krumme hopes to organize another round of front porch photos.
She is asking other local photographers to get in touch with her if interested.
She can be contacted at rayandrachelkrumme@hotmail.com
