Photolanthropy

Photographer: Karen Carey (www.KarenCareyPhotography.com)

Charity: Young Survivors Coalition (www.youngsurvival.org) and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure (www.komenphiladelphia.org)

How did you get involved?
I partnered with Faith and Hope Boutique (www.faithandhopeboutique.com), a specialty store with a mission to enhance the lives of women affected by breast cancer, to create a compelling portrait collection as a personal project. My goal was to celebrate the beauty, grace and courage of women in the fight against breast cancer and to compile the portraits for a book project. As the project developed, we realized we could have greater impact on a broader audience if we were able to bring the work into the spotlight. We reached out to galleries and started hosting showings and studio portrait events to raise money for the chosen charities. The project is ongoing. We continue to create portraits and raise funds throughout the year, culminating with a book that will be sold to raise even more money for breast cancer research.

How can other photographers get involved?
Develop personal projects that have meaning to you and work from the heart. When you choose to shoot projects that you are passionate about it, good things always spring forth.

What has this project given back to you?
I have been blessed with the opportunity to use my gifts and talent to raise awareness about breast cancer and its effects on women of all ages. I have been inspired by all of the women who have participated and have learned from them to live my own life with courage and grace, surmounting all obstacles and refusing to give up hope in the face of fear.