One of my favorite things to do as a professional photographer is use my skills too give back. For me that means a lot of pro-bono events or shoots to help a good cause. I have worked for children hospitals, fundraising tours, and recently helped out at a youth ministry spooky season event.

Sometimes these events become stressful with lack of coverage and sheer scope of what needs photographed and other times I find them fun and laid back. For me I like to make sure they get good photographs but I am realistic enough to know that they may not get the same things a paying event would.

And that is because as a paid professional I am putting in a lot of behind the scenes time, I will show up in advance scope the scene, provide lights, hire additional photographers, and have consultations on needs and expectations. Volunteer wise, I try to be on it, but it is an extra for me. I may be brought in my a third party and get information from them, I may only see location and lighting the day of the shoot, and I may have no idea who anyone is and schedule of events.

Professional me doesn’t want anything to go to chance. Volunteer me thrives on the challenge of doing nearly everything on the fly and hoping for the best. Neither me’s will accept handing out subpar images and will work my butt off to make sure that everyone feels like they got their needs meant.

Check out images from my last volunteer session with Crossroads Farm at the Mines in Cadiz, OH.