So, I was at this concert last night (Mirage) with a lady I know that photographs as well. We were shooting the band members and towards the end of the concert, many of the people attending went to the center stage to dance. I had noticed a frail, elderly woman in a wheel chair with what had seemed to be her son. He took her hands and stood her up carefully and slowly, they made their way to the concrete. He took her hand in his and let the other gently rest on her back. They started moving in swift circles. The lady I was with motioned at me to take a picture of them and she did as well. It was a really touching moment. Afterwards, everyone started leaving and my friend who was shooting with me talked to the man and told him that she had some pictures of them and that she would get them to her. The man explained that his mother had recently had a stroke and is now blind. He also mentioned that she has lost her memory, to which the elderly women replied "Now that's not true!" He showed my friend where they lived and she is thinking about going there and photographing her some more.

My friend had also mentioned to me about possibly going to a nursing home to take pictures of the patients there and listening to their stories and typing them up. Then giving the patient's families and the staff at the nursing homes the photographs so they could do whatever they wanted with them. With this idea, came an epiphany to me.

I love to take photographs, no doubt, and I especially love when an interesting subject comes my way for me to shoot candidly (is that even a word?). I was thinking, I want to be able to do something for other people that would not only give me an experience many couldn't say they had, but could also create a precious keepsake for someone and their family to cherish forever. We also considered shooting at a hospital with cancer patients, young and old, and at rehabilitation centers. Also, Habitat for Humanity would be another great opportunity for a shoot to give back to families who are getting their first home.

The lady I was shooting with last night and I are considering going to these places and asking the nurses and staff if they had patients willing to do this. I really hope this follows through, because I want to be able to do something meaningful for someone else. Something that is small, but could potentially change someone's life.