By Jeff Tang
Nashville, Tenn.- A worldwide movement to help the less fortunate officially kicked off Saturday, and its roots are right here in Nashville.
Its called the "Help Portrait," an event created with the idea of giving the less fortunate a picture- and a moment they'll never forget.
A few months ago, Jeremy Cowart, a local professional photographer, came up with an idea- what if he spent a day shooting free portraits for the less fortunate in Middle Tennessee?
The idea took off in a way no one expected it to. On Saturday, seven thousand photographers in 55 different countries took part in the first ever "help portrait" event.
"Its humbling," admits Cowart, who held his own Help Portrait day at Rocketown.
"A lot of people who deal with poverty lose hope and a sense of worth. We want to take some time and reinstate that hope," said events coordinator Annie Downs.
It turns out, something as simple as a photograph can do just that
Just ask Sarah Stollenwerk, who believed her entire life she was never good enough.
This was the day she found out she was wrong.
"Its really important. I never felt like I looked really good, and to be able to say I did was cool- to admit I do look good," said Stollenwerk, who was abused as a child and struggles with an eating disorder.
And so through these Help Portraits... we've learned that those who have been forgotten, those who are in need, and those works in progress are all beautiful.
"They're beautiful and that is priceless. Its free because you can't put a price on it," said Downs.
Help Portrait projects were held throughout Middle Tennessee, from Gallatin to Franklin and several other communities.
