project childhood

a hug a day...

this just in...

In the short time that this project has been up and running, I have been amazed at the repsonses I have been receiving from both photographers and those willing to donate their time or services to the project prize package.

I am happy to announce that TypePad will be throwing into the prize package a blog that is good for an extended period -- indefinitely! How awesome is that? INDEFINTITELY! Please take the time to check out TypePad and all that they have to offer. Thank you, Jane.

 

creative inspiration comes in a beautiful package...

I'm never at a loss of words when it comes to talking about this next photographer who has agreed to help out with Project Childhood: my beautiful wife, Gina Lee. She agreed to offer a free session along with a handful of negatives and a bunch of wallets to the winner of THE LAST DAYS OF HIGH SCHOOL contest (I have already viewed a few of the video entries, and I can't wait to post them).

Like so many others in this caring and always-giving photographer community, Gina is to be commended for her volunteer efforts with the Garden of Angels and Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep--two wonderful non-profit organizations with a great mission.

And while this is a bit biased, I still feel compelled to say that as a wife, Gina is my biggest supporter and creative inspiration; as a mother, she lovingly sacrifices everything for our children--no matter the cost; and as a photographer, she not only has the deepest respect for the artform, but she goes out of her way to ensure that her clients are always happy. I get lost in her every day, and that's why I am her biggest fan.

If you would like to recommend a photographer that has that special "something," please drop me a line at chris@onwardfilms.com.

interested in donating?

While the main goal of PROJECT CHILDHOOD is to celebrate the art and beauty of childhood, as well as provide much-needed donations for children's charities across the globe, there is also the contest element.

As of now, there is already a very nice prize package, but I am one to think big. Therefore, it is my belief that the more we can sweeten the prize package, the more chance we have of garnering more entries from photographers around the globe. Ultimately, this would support the overall goal.

More photos = more chances to celebrate the beauty of childhood
More entries = more money for children's charities

If you are interested in donating something to the prize package, please contact me at chris@onwardfilms.com. By doing so, you will have your name (or company name) listed in a special section of the site and on this blog, and you will be highlighted in a special features segment following the event.

One element of the contest also includes a HIGH SCHOOL SECTION entitled THE LAST DAYS OF HIGH SCHOOL (which will serve as a sidebar to the main contest). If you would like to donate something to this particular contest, again, please contact me at chris@onwardfilms.com

say hello to lora carr

As the contest begins to surface on the web, I find myself typing among photographic giants who are not only amazing behind the lens, but off set, are committed to such wonderful work for children as well. Please take the time to visit Lora Carr Photography.

For those of you who might be looking for a particular children's charity to support, consider Camp Sunshine which supports children with life threatening illnesses and their families. Lora is in the process of setting up an event of large proportions in August to help support the camp, and it may of interest to many of you.

Lora, your words and your pictures move me. Thank you for the inspiration and for your work behind the lens, but even more, thank you for taking the time to care about our most precious assets this world has to offer: our children.

safe surrender and beyond

June 15, 1997

CALIMESA – Nearly 100 people gathered Saturday afternoon to say goodbye to three babies they never knew, babies nobody knew.

Those were the words of a lead I wrote nearly ten years ago when I was a reporter working for a local newspaper. The story was about the Garden of Angels.

One of the great joys I have had recently was coming in contact again with Debi Faris, who is Founder and Director of Garden of Angels, Inc., and Safe Surrender for Newborns.

Today, I feel compelled to share with you an email I received from Debi. It reads like this:

"I'm asking for your help in getting the word out about California's 'Safe Surrender' week (the first week of April). Whatever we can do to educate people about this life-saving law which allows a desperate parent to 'safely surrender' their newborn baby to a hospital or fire station employee, instead of taking them to a trash can or dumpster, is what we are all about. Statewide in California alone, there have been 211 babies safely surrendered since 2001. Please be a 'voice' with us!"

Ten years ago, Debi taught me that it is possible for one person to change the world, and she is part of the reason why I do what I do, so I hope that by sharing this with you, you, too, will recognize the power of your actions, and believe that if one person can change the world, then imagine what an entire community of dedicated photographers can accomplish?

Project 5/11 Prizes

The grand prize winner will receive the following:

1. Your choice of a BluDomain site.
2. One personalized logo from Piece of Cake Designs.
3. One TypePad blog that is good for an extended period -- indefinitely!
4. One Regan Album plus the ultra cool CD Case -- compliments of J. Lie Albums.
5. Two frames--any size, any color-- from Wild Sorbet Frame Company.
6. One set of Jessica Hughes Action Collection.
7. A 2008 and 2009 desk calendar template set and a set of 10 of the most popular cards from AC Ellis Education
8. One Texture Set 1 and Cross Processed Action Set from PhotoSmith Photographer Resources
9. Your choice of camera strap or wristlet from My Funky Camera.
10. One Senior Solutions Comprehensive Guide & Templates Set from Senior Solutions.
11. One Strategy Avenue Path to a Business Plan DVD from Laura Novak.
12. One each of the following DVDs from Me Rah Koh:  Refuse to Say Cheese, Beyond the Green Box, and your choice of a 101 Kit.
13. Cinematic Studios, the leading provider of video production services for the pro photographic community, is donating free custom DVD authoring and design. This includes a customized DVD case, disc face, and two menus. Can be used on a video you already have, or applied to any video service you get from Cinematic Studios. A $400 value. Click here to learn more about their services for photographers.
14. 50 iTunes bucks compliments of Nancy Elizabeth Photography.
15. Grand Prize winner will have his or her winning shot/promo highlighted on Cut Frame TV in a short video. (compliments of Dane Sanders).
16. Half off the price of one of Skye Hardwick's famous creative workshops for photographers (a $350 deal). This also includes all that you get free with the workshop as well.
17. 10 glass picture frame ornaments from Beadoozle Lampwork, Glass Art, and Jewelery.
18. One custom splash page design from Melissa Zihlman Photography.  Will include two concepts, and up to three revisions, as well as installation and minor search engine optimization (SEO) work.
19. An original photograph of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the winner donated by Foto Di Vita. It will be an 11x14 matted and signed print that will serve as a beautiful reminder that this holy man stands for peace and love, the essence of childhood.

Second and third runners up will each receive:

1. One beautiful Lainey album from J. Lee Albums
2. One frame each up to 20x24 with their choice of color and trim style from Wild Sorbet Frame Company.
3. One set of Jessica Hughes Action Collection.
4. A 2008 and 2009 desk calendar template set and a set of 10 of the most popular cards from AC Ellis Education
5. One Texture Set 1 from PhotoSmith Photographer Resources
6. Your choice of camera strap or wristlet from My Funky Camera.
7. One Senior Solutions Comprehensive Guide & Templates Set from Senior Solutions.
8. One each of the following DVDs from Me Rah Koh:  Refuse to Say Cheese, Beyond the Green Box, and your choice of a 101 Kit.
9. 25 iTunes bucks compliments of Nancy Elizabeth Photography.
10. One glass white flower necklace from Beadoozle Lampwork, Glass Art, and Jewelery (second place only)
11. One turquiose lampwork bead wrapped with silver necklace from Beadoozle Lampwork, Glass Art, and Jewelery (third place only)

Fourth, fifth and sixth runners up will each receive:

1. One set of Jessica Hughes Action Collection.
2. A 2008 and 2009 desk calendar template set and a set of 10 of the most popular cards from AC Ellis Education
3. One Texture Set 1 from PhotoSmith Photographer Resources
4. A surprise one-time discount on your next purchase from My Funky Camera.
5. 50% Discount on the purchase of the Senior Solutions Guide & Template Set from Senior Solutions.
6. 10 iTunes bucks compliments of Nancy Elizabeth Photography.

JUDGES: The judges will consist of 25 high school video production and photography students. Winners will be announced on Sunday, May 11, 2008 (Mother's Day).

Please check back as the prize package is growing everyday!

project childhood contest rules

Working on the honor system, professional photographers from across the globe will be asked to complete the following:

1. Offer a free session to a child who normally wouldn't be able to afford one, and then provide the parents with a free portrait from the session.

2. The photo must capture the essence of childhood.

3. Donate your session fee to a children's charity of your choice.

4. Submit the photo (width/height must be 740 x 475 px.) to PROJECT CHILDHOOD along with a link to your charity.

5. The contest is limited to three entries per photographer, but each submission must be of a different child, and must be submitted under the following assumption: You have donated your session fee for each child to a children's charity of your choice.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION is Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 11:59 PM PST.

In addition to having your photo displayed, once you submit your entry, all photographers will be linked from a special links section, along with a link to their charity.

Please ensure you include your name or business (whichever you prefer), along with a link to your site and your children’s charity.

REMINDER: Also remember to check with your accountant, as your donation to the non-profit charitable organization is tax-deductible.

 

TIPS ON HOW TO FIND A SUBJECT:

Check with the following:

- local church, synagogue, place of worship - they always know who is in need.
- the principal of your local school
- charity, service organizations in the community

more than a piece of cake

Another supporter that was quick to jump on board was Tina Wood from Piece of Cake Designs and Time Frame Studio. The beautiful logo/banner at the top of this blog is one of her own designs and she was kind enough to donate it to Project Childhood.

And there's more: On top of donating the logo for the project, Tina offerred three more logos for the prize package in April. When I first contacted her, she didn't hesitate in joining Project Childhood. In fact, she had the design created in less than 24 hours. Simply amazing. All throughout the developmental process of Project Childhood, Tina has been so gracious with
her time and suggestions, and it is because of her and the time she is willing to offer, that Project Childhood will go on to be a success. If you get a chance, send Tina a kind note and a viral smile!

One of the first sponsors to jump on board was Samantha Lerner from Xen Studio and BluDomain. It might be necessary to give a little backstory to understand just how wonderful Samantha was in making Project Childhood a reality.

A few weeks back I had travelled to Santa Barbara to present a project that I was working on to the California District Attorney's Association. The project was entitled Project 4/23 and the basic premise behind it was to have all 58 California County District Attorneys call a press conference on April 23rd in order to reiterate that child abuse in all its forms would not be tolerated. On this day, they would also take the time to pool all the local children's organizations in an attempt to inform the local community.

Long story short: In Santa Barbara everybody loved the idea and some DA's even agreed to jump on board. The following week, after further consideration they felt that it wasn't a cause they could take on. The only supporter was San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos. He continues to be a supporter to this day.

Was I upset? Definately, because we often immerse ourselves so deeply into our projects and passions, that it sometimes becomes difficult to not take it personally. In my mind, I felt, why is it such a difficult task to take fifteen minutes out of your day to CELEBRATE childhood? Fifteen minutes? No extra cost. Just fifteen minutes.

The same day that I was informed of this turn of events, I was in close contact with Samantha, who at that time was working with me on the original project. I contacted her to let her know that I was most likely going to have to cancel the project and that I would no longer need the web site that BluDomain was going to donate to me for the project.

Ten hours later, with the help of Samantha, PROJECT CHILDHOOD was born, and so it is only fitting that I offer my deepest gratitude to Samantha and BluDomain for taking the time to support this endeavor, even as it was a work in progress.