Paying It forward

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Another doodlekisses member recently shared a link to a paying it forward idea that really touched my heart.  The thought was really designed as a challenge for professional photographers to find a person/family who couldn't afford a quality picture and photograph, print. and frame it for someone who would otherwise not have one.   I teach in a school where the majority of students are from low income families so I usually try to give them useful beanies or gloves for gifts.  I know that many teachers have used pictures for the children to make an ornament or  family gift, but for some reason I never did.  This challenge for professionals made me realize that while my photography skills are far from professional, my students' families might treasure a large framed picture as a memory of their child as an elementary student because they cannot afford to purchase the professional school pictures.  I photographed my students and their siblings in front of a decorated area at our school, printed and framed them to take home next week.  Like I said, I don't have professional skills at all, but I  found it such fun to bring Christmas gear, take lots of pictures, let the students choose their favorites.  We all laughed at the 'bloopers' - closed eyes, blurry movement, shadows etc.  And they were awed by the simple 'fixes' the computer can do - cropping, retouching, adding more color.  Here are two of my students' end result:

Please share here the things you are or might do to pay it forward this holiday season.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Just wonderful.  I really enjoyed this discussion.  I envisioned your students and you making these wonderful gifts.  I still treasure many of the things my sons made so many years ago.   Thank A Teacher for all that they do for our children!  You all make a world of difference in the lives of families!

[Paul & Michele]

What a great idea.  The photo's look very nice and I'm sure their parents are going to love them.  This was a very nice thing for you to do.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I bet their families are absolutely going to love this! How awesome.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Your photography skills are just fine!  These pictures are so beautiful.  Go Nancyclaus!

[Anna and Achilles]

What a beautiful idea, their families will treasure them i 'm sure

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you all. Of course I love praise, but I really am thrilled that the idea was posted here and triggered my brain to do this. My students were so excited to see the pictures first in my camera, then on my computer, and finally choose the one they wanted. Kids are so techie nowadays, but none of them (think of the lower socioeconomic area I am working in) had ever been involved in photography.

[Kyoko]

These kids are so precious.... We take simple things are granted... like portait pictures for the holiday, visiting Santa and purchasing photoes, etc.... You created not only the beautiful portrate for them but a precious memories of the Holiday....

These kids will grow up, knowing the simple act of kindness made a big difference in their life and they, too will pass on the simple act of kindness....

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our future leaders!!

[Rose]

Nancy, this is such a wonderful, thoughtful idea. These photos are beautiful!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Nancy - these are awesome photos.  What a thoughtful idea.  May your Christmas be as wonderful as you are.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

An added value in this for me is that I am finally understanding resizing pictures to a certain size for framing.

[Rachael]

What a nice idea!  It's so easy to get caught up in our own lives and forget about those who have a lot less than us!  I am going through all of my things and making a pile to donate to those who have less than me this holiday season!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

That is a very kind thing to do.  My DIL just had a baby so she donated all of her maternity clothing to a shelter for pregnant homeless women.  It is something  both you and she would have done anyway, but the holiday season seems to give us the impetus to do in now rather than later.