Over the past few years I’ve really been searching for ways that I can use my talents as a artist to give back to my community. I want to make a difference, I want to do good, I want to make an impact on the lives around me.  Sometimes I come up with these crazy, elaborate ideas that get me so excited that I can’t sleep at night.  Unfortunately, reality always seems to creep in, I get busy and the plans never come to fruition.  So, until I find the time and manpower to make all these dreams a reality, I’ve been looking out for opportunities that may already exist. Last summer I heard about a program that brings photographers and foster children together to help find them permanent homes. The program is called Heart Gallery of America and it is a photographic and audio exhibit showcasing the sweet faces and personalities of children in need of a loving family.  Photographers come and take portraits of the local foster children and prints are made and exhibited in the community.  At last year’s event I had the privilege of meeting 11 year old Vincent. We went off and had a little photo session together and he told me about what subjects he likes in school and that he loves football. By the end of the shoot he was coming up with his own poses, picking out the spot for his next photos, and bringing me around to meet all of his friends and having me show them his pictures.  It was a blast.  A few weeks ago I got to meet three more awesome kids, take their portraits, and hear their stories.  If you are a photographer, I highly recommend you finding out about the Heart Gallery in your area. If there isn’t one already, look into starting your own branch.

Again this year, I am sad that I am not allowed to share the photos I took of the kids I worked with. Privacy reasons won’t let me.  Just know that they are precious. 🙂

Also, be sure to check out Love in Stereo. Another awesome group of people creating a movement of artists, fans and friends uniting together to make a global impact.

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For a few years now I’ve been wanting to get into lomography and have had my eye on the Diana F+ camera.  Finally, as a birthday present from my parents, I now have it! Got it just in time to take along on my travel/work adventure to Texas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi so I was able to use it for some pictures at a wedding and maternity shoot!  Hoping to get the film developed next week. Can’t wait to see how they turn out! I also recently inherited (temporarily) a couple of cool old cameras from my uncle’s in-laws.  He wants me to play with them a little and see if they still work.  I’ve got to fix the mirror in one of them and then we’ll see how they do.  There was even still an old unfinished roll of Kodak Verichrome film left in the little Spartus camera! Now I’ve got to try to find a photo lab that still develops that stuff. Any suggestions? This one still had the flash and extra bulbs!

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  • kristi - July 21, 2010 - 11:44 am

    Yay for film! Can’t wait to see the amazing images you’ll produce with these.ReplyCancel

A couple of months ago I had the opportunity to travel down to the San Blas Islands off the coast of Panama to help run a medical mission campaign for the indigenous Kuna Indians.  The Kuna live almost completely independent of the Panamanian government and still hold tightly to their ancient traditions and lifestyles.  They live in small huts constructed of bamboo and palm tree leaves and sleep in hammocks rather than beds. To say the least, it was an awesome experience and I hope to go back!

My friend, Amanda, and I were the designated “team photographers!”

Amanda at work.  The picture on the right is what she was photographing at that very minute! To see a collection of photos she took, go check out her blog.

We traveled to a different island every day where we set up a small medical clinic and pharmacy in one of the huts.

In the afternoon, the children were invited to come join us for VBS. Here are some sweet little Kuna children singing a new song they learned.

This little guy was precious.  He kept scooping up mouthfuls of water and spitting it out like a fountain.  Amanda got a great shot of that!

Our bathroom facilities

This little girl is holding a baby parrot. When I first saw it I thought it was a plastic toy, and when I noticed it start moving and blinking I thought it was a baby ostrich…at which point I became very confused. All I know is that parrots apparently get much prettier with old age. 🙂

Some little fellas sportin’ the new underwear we gave them.

Everyone seemed to have pet parrots.  Pretty cool!

Mothers taking a peek at their children sitting in class…

Another baby parrot

A baptism…

Their canoes are hollowed out by hand from a single tree trunk and are relied on as their main source of transportation.

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  • Howell Hunter - April 30, 2010 - 3:14 am

    These are great! Glad to finally see them.ReplyCancel

  • Alissa - April 30, 2010 - 3:19 am

    Those photos are amazing Kim! You have such a talent of capturing the beauty of it and making me want to go back . . . then I remember the rough part of it. haha!

    NO. It was an awesome experience and I would go back every opportunity I get!ReplyCancel

  • than - May 3, 2010 - 4:43 am

    These pictures look like you ripped them from National Geographic!ReplyCancel

  • Amanda Scott - May 5, 2010 - 1:47 pm

    I would like to purchase a couple of these beautiful photos please. (:ReplyCancel

  • Karen Mullins - May 6, 2010 - 2:28 am

    Absolutely breathtaking, Kim. You captured their lifestyle beautifully! I want to go back now!ReplyCancel

If you read my previous post, then you know that I visited a community called Blackmon Road with a friend a few weeks ago to document the conditions there and create an awareness video.  I can’t take credit for any of the project except the still shots. My friend, Brian, did the film clips and composed the video and did an awesome job! I finally got to see the finished product last night and I was really impressed. Now I want to share it with all of you. Like I mentioned before, if you would like to find out how you can help, please visit A Place For Hope.

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When people think of extreme poverty, with communities lacking running water, sturdy homes, and basic necessities, most would immediately picture somewhere like Haiti, not a community that basically sits at their backdoor step.  Sitting hardly 15 minutes down the road from my house, the “Blackmon Road” community lives in third-world conditions. After growing up in this area my entire life, I was shocked at how ignorant I was that this place even existed.

I first heard about Blackmon Road a little over a year ago when a youth event was planned through my church to throw a Christmas party for the children there. I, along with many others, tagged along to help out and we all had a great time.  Since then, our church has organized various other events for the community, sparking relationships with some of the people there.  Last week I tagged along with a friend of mine who is working on an “informal” documentary about the community and wanted me to take some still shots.  For the documentary, we focused on one 9 year old girl, following  her along her daily routine from the time the bus drops her off at the community center in the afternoon, until she heads down the dirt road that leads to her home…a house she shares with 15 other people.  I really wanted to post some pictures of our little friend but am having to refrain because of model release issues, so I’ve just decided to post some shots of the community itself.

If you would like to learn more about Blackmon Road or find out how you can help, please visit A Place for Hope.

Below is the house of the girl we featured for the documentary. Like I previously mentioned, she lives here with about 15 other people.  The porta-jon out front is their bathroom.

The front door…

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  • Angie Johnson - October 16, 2013 - 2:38 pm

    I would love to show this documentary to my class. I am planning on doing a service learning project involving this community. Is it possible for us to see it? Thanks.ReplyCancel

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