The Kindness Camera.

 I believe kindness is an essential part of everyday life.  Kindness is a big deal in our home, too.  I do my best to lead by example and I think I've done a pretty good job of raising two kind and compassionate boys.  My 10 yr. old has wanted to do more so we've been doing random acts of kindness as well as letting others know that their kindness is appreciated.  It's been fun but more importantly my son is gaining something that will follow him throughout his life. 

I've said before that I believe we all bring our own medicine to this world and I believe that my medicine is my photography so when I received a phone call from a friend asking me if I would be willing to take some random photographs of the kids during a church sports camp, I accepted without hesitation.  She let me know that they didn't really have the budget to pay me but that I could charge those that wanted photos.  I told her I didn't want any payment and I would not be charging anyone but that this was my gift to them. 

How many times have we heard that giving is better than receiving?  It's true, you know.  Those three days at that camp with those kids showed me that, in more ways than one.  Had I not agreed to spend time at this camp with those kids I would have never met the gorgeous girl in the above photo.  Ann is four years old and is currently undergoing treatment for a brain tumor.  What a joy and honor it was to be in her company.  To see her smile was priceless.  Meeting Ann led me to Donna who was also at the camp.  She founded From Maddi's Closet, a nonprofit public charity for the benefit of children with cancer at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles after losing her 4 yr. old daughter to cancer in 2004.  Many times I have expressed my desire to become involved with a children's charity.  My desire is now a reality.

Mama, my son said, your camera should be called the Kindness Camera.  If taking pictures of my son doing acts of kindness or doing something kind for others with my camera makes it a Kindness Camera, then so be it.  It's gifts are endless.

How about you? Have you used your camera for kindness or photographed any acts of kindness? If so, we'd love to see them.  If not, that's okay.  Just remember to share a little kindness today.  You'll be glad you did.

Comments

[Marcie]

Oh..I know exactly what you mean. I've done a lot of photography for an organization that provides birthday parties for homeless children and their families. Altho privacy rights prohibit me from showing many of them..I did have permission to show this:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1242

[Kat]

Thank you for your wonderful and inspiring post! Your kindness led you to be in the right place at the right time to find something special.

[Omie]

Hey everybody check out my photo blog: http://photexpia.blogspot.com/

[Kathryn]

What a beautiful post . . . it's funny that when we give we get so much back in return.

[DawnS]

Recently I started selling notecards and framed art prints at 2 local stores. I made a promise to myself that I would donate a portion of any money that I made to a local cancer center...and I've kept that promise.

Kindness really does matter: http://everyday-glimpses.blogspot.com/2010/07/abcs-of-lifek-is-for-kindness.html

[joey]

I'm part of a small photography group and our church and we were asked to photograph people in an act of service. I'm struggling to find the right situation to shoot. It will be a lot easier if I give up my desire for the perfect creative shot and focus on the love.

Here is a shot of some very unexpected kindness displayed by my oldest son.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19379573@N06/4879132370/

[Jen]

Such a beautiful article! It's so touching. Thanks.

[Jennifer]

Last Friday I met a Flickr friend who lives in the same county. His hometown, Van Lear, is where Loretta Lynn grew up, and there was a town celebration going on. He invited us over and offered his driveway to park in (he lived mere feet from the heart of the festivities), which truly helped since we were traveling with a toddler in tow.

This is his driveway, where his kindness began: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cardboardsea/4871663929/

[Sarah]

Wow...I love this one..I really do. As a teacher and a Mom of five..children are at the heart of my days..acts of kindness are so simple for kiddos. Here is a shot that I love..even though it is her Dad..I love the gentleness in his hands. I loved the contrast between his tatoos and biker looks and her little girl pinks. His hands as they held her so gently...kindness in action.
http://cottagegardenstudiophotos.blogspot.com/2010/08/august-break-day-10.html

[Patti G]

I find all kinds of way to use my camera for RAK's too. This past spring I was asked to a Mother's Tea @ church to take portraits of moms & daughters of all generations. I did it because it's fun & a way to give back from the talent that God has blessed me with.
I also do senior portraits for kids at our local high school who can't afford the "big" photographer tickets and most recently I applied to & was just last week accepted to be a photographer for the "Inspiration Through Art" (Littlest Heroes) organization.
It's an awesome feeling to help others out just because.......

[~ kristina ~]

I love to use my camera to take shots of my nephews and godchildren for their parents to enjoy, and I've started volunteering to shoot special events for friends at church, usually involving babies. I still feel self-conscious shooting in public, but the results are often worth it - I love helping people capture their special moments.

[Jamie Lapeyrolerie]

Thanks for the post! I agree completely. You receive so much more when you give. No lie!

Here's something a friend and I partnered with:
http://lifephotographylove.blogspot.com/2010/03/haiti-fundraiser-set-1.html
http://lifephotographylove.blogspot.com/2010/03/haiti-fundraiser-part-deux.html

[giftsofthejourney (Elizabeth Harper)]

I'm talking about kindness today and sharing some images for a recent kind act I saw as it unfolded.


http://giftsofthejourney.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/no-word-from-evansville-but-gifts-of-another-kind-instead/

[Heather]

Great post! This is a shot I've been sharing a lot because the person in it basically lives to spread kindness, and finds his own happiness in making others happy. He's really an inspirational character. His story is in the description of the photo.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lo-l-a/4869791810/

[cigi]

Beautiful post. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

[sarah]

What a beautiful article and idea. I have a belief my camera should try to capture the sacred in life, the inner light and truth of everything it sees (not that I am talented enough to achieve it, but at least I am trying!) Kindness to me is sacred.

[Trude]

You so inspired me, I finally got in touch with the shelter that I adopted my dog from about taking portraits of their pets currently up for adoption. Here's hoping! I've wanted to give back in some way for a long time too, even more so in the last year, since I've started getting more confident about my work. Thank you for sharing!!

[sarah]

er, that came out funny! I don't mean it's sacred when people are kind to me! Better sentence construction: Kindness is sacred to me. ;-)

[giggletwig (corey)]

Lovely post and inspiration. Thank you!

[Isle Dance]

So. Beautiful.