About "PfC"
News
About Photographers for Charity
The Charity
What is "Photographers for Charity" (PfC)?
This is the "dream-come-true" of James Hancox. Just one guy, in a tiny country floating around in the Pacific, who's passionate about photography.
I wanted to give others as much joy, as my passion gives me. But, I didn't want this to stop at my own doorstep, when there is potential for so much more. To get others excited about this, & reach out passed my time/space limitations, PfC was born!
This is what we're really about: Being the catalyst that motivates photographers, from all over the world, to help as many as we can through our passion for images.
What are we offering, & how will we do it?
We're offering free photographic services, via a network of professional & semi-professional photographers, to Charities & Non-profit organisations.
We will also advise on how best to use the images for maximum benefit, and actively promote events via Social Media channels (Including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and this website). "Exposure" is not just a mildly funny pun to us, it's the reason we exist!
Why do we need this?
By way of example: In New Zealand we have the highest count of charitable & not-for-profit organisations, per capita, than almost anywhere else in the world! We "kiwis" are astonishingly generous people.
With this comes a problem... getting noticed. Getting seen, & finding people to contribute, can be an expensive exercise. Many, who are achieving amazing things, go unnoticed whilst they put everything they get in to those they support.
This situation is not unique to New Zealand, so what's a boy to do? Why, do my small part so getting noticed is more affordable of course!
There's a couple of deeper concepts behind this...
First, “Everyone Wins”. We want people to feel good about their charitable efforts. We don't feel pride should be a “sin”, and we guarantee the people you've helped are thankful you're smiling afterward. After all, if you get the “warm fuzzies” from what you're doing, aren't you more likely to keep doing it? We think so, so everyone wins.
In concert with that: “Every little bit counts”. The “Many hands, light work” phrase is a cliché for a reason. You'll see this concept represented in our logo, & it works. We want, globally, to see an end to “giving till it hurts” by only a small number of amazing, generous people. For one thing, it hurts! For another, we could achieve so much more if a greater number offered even a 10th as much, more consistently. Trust us when we say, every little bit counts.
An Interview with James Hancox
An "interview with James Hancox, Founder of Photographers for Charity" as published by Socialize Your Cause
How did the whole idea come about?
The initial seed was planted whilst I was performing some I.T. work for "Look Good Feel Better" here in Auckland, New Zealand. (Their purpose is to give beauty makeovers to women battling cancer. Something to lift their spirits, and give them a few moments off from the fight. The psychological boost was immeasurable).
I was deeply affected by the work they were doing. A real out-of-the-box idea, that was so simple and so human. I remember thinking "I wonder if they're getting some professional shots of these courageous women after their make-overs. Something for them, and for the family as well". At the time though, I was neither a professional photographer, nor had the guts to step up and give it a go. Mostly, I wasn't sure my idea did enough to help.
Fast forward to 8yrs later... On my birthday in June of 2009, I saw someone discussing charity on Twitter. I jumped into the conversation, and shared my idea (and a few additions I'd had since the initial thought). The response was incredible! Within 30mins, I had 15 professionals, from designers to photographers, offering to help me get my ideas off the ground.
I haven't looked back since. 10mths later, and a lot of learning, Photographers for Charity now has a solid story and purpose.
Why is this cause close to your heart? Why should others support it?
Many of the charities I initially worked with supported causes very “close to home”. With family and friends having faced (or currently facing) battles with cancer or eating disorders, this was very personal for me.
But, we're not here to support just one cause, and there's a couple of deeper ideals behind this that I think speak to all: "Everyone wins" and "Every little bit counts".
I want people to feel good about helping, and know that they don't have to give till it hurts for it to matter.
Charitable work can often have deep guilt and negative feeling attached. We're often drawn to it by tales of sorrow and death in advertising. I 'd rather that people to see the smiles and laughter that came from doing something for a cause, not just the tears over the reason they needed it. What better way to show it than through photos and video of an event, and to offer proof that "Everyone wins".
Why should others support us? That's a tough question to answer, given our purpose is to support others (Much like Socialize Your Cause, who's helping us here!)
I will say though: If all you can do is help spread our posts, about other charities, online... then you've not only supported us, but potentially millions of others. I hope that too will give you a good feeling that you've done what you can.
Do you have any other events or fundraisers that you would like others to know about?
As we're positioned to promote the events and fundraisers of other charities (to collaborate with any that's working to make life a little easier for others), we do not accept cash donations. It's a free service offered openly, so we wont be holding events ourselves.
However, there's hundreds and thousands of others we'd love to talk about! We've been doing that so far via our Facebook Fanpage and Twitter account, with more to come.
If you could give one photography tip to organizations using pictures to tell their stories, what would it be?
Foremost: Get involved in what you're shooting.
Don't stand back with your zoom lens and take great photos from a distance. Get in involved and talk to the people your capturing. You'll gain perspective that helps you take more engaging shots and, best of all, you'll have a great time!
Also, most of us have access to the internet, or classrooms, where we can learn all of the technical details of taking a nice photo. I absolutely encourage those starting out to take advantage of them, especially the “CreativeLIVE” initiative (http://creativeLIVE.com). It's free, online, and headed by some of the most amazingly talented creatives of our time. My personal hero, Chase Jarvis, announced it on YouTube recently (http://bit.ly/9jjlKP).
What advice would you give to others that might like to take on such an amazing endeavor?
I highly recommend doing something that echoes your passions.
You'll be more motivated to achieve, and you'll get something out of it too. Another advantage being that you already know how to do it, which makes the learning curve a little less steep.
For me, it was photography for example... it doesn't feel like work when you're doing something you love.
Also, speak to others who may already be supporting that cause from another angle. No one expects you to know everything about it if you're just getting started, but there's no point doing something that's already being done, or is not needed. Spend your energy where it's most needed.
What do you have planned for the future of Photographers for Charity?
I'm ambitiously planning for this to be a global initiative. Not just the photography vehicle, but the deeper concepts behind PfC as well.
We're not the only initiative of this type either. Others such as the “Free Hugs” campaign have been paving the road toward a more uplifting form of charity. So this is us photographers adding some trees to that highway (and recording it so those without “cars” can still be involved).
I'd love to see local representations of PfC popping up around the world. Sharing the load means we can get a lot more achieved, and also means locals are supporting locals in what they know is needed most in their area.
An "interview with James Hancox, Founder of Photographers for Charity" as published by Socialize Your Cause
Here are some other ways for you to get in touch...
| Flickr | |||
|
|
|
|
|
Before you get click-happy though...
James can't be awake 24hrs a day, so... We need volunteers, in every country, to act as contacts for their local communities.
- Answer questions on our Facebook Page & Twitter accounts
- Respond to email requests for advice, or info packs
- Be a voice on the inside that helps us shape the future of PfC
- Just be generally helpful, and in a way that only a local voice can
If you feel you can make yourself available, please get in touch with This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .