King University photography students use their talents to benefit families for the holidays.
King University's Digital Media Art and Design students host their seventh annual Help-Portrait event Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Bristol Public Library, Bristol, Virginia.
The event is open to the public. Sign-up sheets are located at the YWCA in Bristol, Tennessee, and the Bristol Public Library. "The Help Portrait event brings King students together with members of the community to provide a family portrait to those who may not otherwise be able to have one made," said Lee Jones, assistant professor of photography and digital media at King University. "Students in DMAD's Art and Design Club are the ones who make this event happen. This year, the club president, junior DMAD major Christina Thomas has taken the reins of the event. We are anticipating another wonderful turnout Nov. 4."
Thomas shared her enthusiasm at not only participating again but also leading this year's event. "There is so much you can gain from this experience such as shooting the photographs to communicating and working one-on-one with clients. Everyone is so excited for this event – both the students and the families that turn out. It is a fun day for all." Lee added, "Students get to see how they can use their talents in ways to benefit the community in which they live. Here at King, we stress how to show Christ to the community and the world; this is one of the ways we do that in the DMAD program. This event is one of my favorite things that we do because it is where the rubber meets the road as far as how to give back to the community with a skill that might not seem obvious on how one can give back." The Help Portrait project is funded through donations. "Donations allow us to provide photos for those who may not have the ability to have a family portrait made," said Jones. "Each of the families will leave with a framed print and a package including images that can be printed later, a gift card to print images and other donated items."
The Help Portrait event takes place Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Bristol Public Library on the upper level. Contact Lee Jones at hljones@king.edu or Joe Strickland at jgstrickland@king.edu for more information.
