PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER TO CREATE
FREE PORTRAITS FOR MARGINALIZED FAMILIES
January 29,
2018
ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Professionally taken portraits
are cherished by all family members. However, not all families can afford to
have one taken, especially by a professional photographer with more than
30-years-worth of experience.
Richard
Villacres, of jackdaw.love, has decided he wants to help change that fact.
For the
last 16 years, Villacres has been Central Washington University’s official
campus photographer, as well as shooting commercially for over 30 years.
He will
soon embark on his new calling: to create free, family portraits for those
living in marginalized communities throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
“I’ve
been thinking about doing something like this all my life—finding a way to use
my passions in a way that would bless others and be a truly meaningful use of
my gifts and energy,” said Villacres. “My focus will be on serving families,
many of which have never had portraits of any kind. This is especially true for
families that are homeless, escaping abusive situations, dealing with
socioeconomic oppression, or are struggling with poverty or addiction. There is
zero cost to the families for which I create portraits.”
His
preparations have been underway for several years. They included the
purchase and full restoration of a vintage 1954 Dodge M152 radio truck that had
originally served with the Canadian Armed Forces. Having resurrected the truck
from the dead and converting it’s radio room section to a living space, it will
be his only home when he begins his new endeavor full time in August.
“The truck
is now my home,” he acknowledged. “I’m content with the minimalist lifestyle I
need in order to make this outreach possible.”
His work
will be funded entirely by monthly patronage through the artist crowdfunding
site Patreon, along with one-time, or recurring donations through PayPal. and
from the savings he has been able to set aside.
“It’s a
little scary,” Villacres admitted. “I will be starting the work at the same
time as I try to develop a support base for the outreach. And I need to do it
before my savings run out.”
He went on
to point out, “These portraits will never show up in a book or for advertising of
any kind. They are gifts for the families and the photos will belong entirely
to them. This gift is intended to affirm their worth and dignity despite
whatever battles they’re involved in. They are the ones I want to honor and for
whom this gift is intended.”
All the
work is anonymous with no identification required of the people and families he
will photograph. Each family will receive a 5 x 7 inch print of their finished
portraits as well as the digital files of their photos so that they can print
and share other copies.
Villacres
will host his first local community family portrait day on Saturday, April 14
from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. in McElroy Park (1704 Brick Road) in Ellensburg.
“These
portrait days are designed specifically to serve families that don’t have the
resources to hire a professional to create a quality portrait,” he stated.
Other
family portrait days are planned for this spring will be in Mattawa, Othello, and
Toppenish.
For
additional information, visit:
Instagram:
@richardvillacres
Or
Phone/Text:
509-607-3827
Please let me know what you think of it! Thanks!
Please let me know what you think of it! Thanks!
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