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!

About a week ago, a fellow member from the Charlotte Photography Group reached out and asked if any one could assist in photographing an annual motorcycle ride on Dec 1st. The event was held by the Concerned Biker's Association and the Marine Corps Reserve in support of Toys for Tots. So of course the Marine in me had to represent after all the years of being volun-told to participate. Don't get me wrong though, I love mandatory fun time just as much as the next guy but, it only seemed right that I help out this time on my own terms.

Young Lance Corporal Evans picking up donations at a bank.

"The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future."

There was a huge amount of support from bikers all across the state it seemed. Each biker brought one unopened toy in order to participate in the ride. At the end of the day it took a 7-ton troop transport vehicle and a u-hual to carry all of the toys away!

Thank you Charlotte for the awesome turnout!!!!

I decided to go with a slightly desaturated HDR style in post production to capture my vision of the strength and grunge style in the biker community.

Enjoy :-)