Giving Back Through Photography

photograph of poor family
You can use photography to help others and draw attention to the plight of the less fortunate

There are many opportunities for photographers to get involved helping others. It’s a great way to gain experience, add to your portfolio, and give back at the same time.

You’ll find there are a lot of ways to lend your artistic expertise to charities and aid your fellow man.  And a few of them will fund worthy projects with grants and awards.

Here are just a few ways you can help.

Help-Portrait

Started by celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart, Help-Portrait is a community of photographers using their photography skills to help people in their local area by making professional portraits available those who wouldn’t normally couldn’t afford such services.

Help-Portraits can be a tool to help job hunters, the homeless, or drawing attention to the plight of the needy. It’s your chance to do something you love for the benefit of others less fortunate.

Collective Lens

Collective Lens is a 501(c)3 organization that promotes social change through visual awareness. They let the photographer pick the cause and anyone can upload photos.

At Collective Lens you’ll find photo essays on poverty, disease, famine and other weighty issues.

Photo Philanthropy

Photo Philanthropy takes a slightly different tact by lining up photographers with worthy causes and non-profit entities working for social change.

This organizations sponsors the PhotoPhilanthropy Activist Award every year that provides a platform for photo essays, and also awards cash prizes to non-profits and photographers throughout the year.

Blue Earth

Promotes conservation photography to deliver striking images of endangered animals and environments.

Blue Earth accepts proposals and funds the projects most in line with their mission statement. With the deadline for submission coming up in January, 2012, this would a good time think about a proposal if you have an idea.