Edmontonians receive free portraits through photographers’ initiative

Different organizations have different means to help the community. It could be food or even clothing. 

But, a group of professionals across Edmonton have a unique way of helping them, and that’s by getting their portraits for free. 

It has not been Railene Hooper’s typical day as a photographer.

“I’m a full-time wedding photographer, portrait wedding photographer you obviously paid to do what you do,” she explained.

But this time Hooper, the organizer of Help-Portrait, along with 45 volunteers, are donating their time and skills for free, to create portraits of families, friends, or even individuals at Edmonton’s Stanley A. Library, on Saturday morning.

“Help-Portrait is a movement of people that want to make a difference photographers, make-up artists, hairstylists, anyone within the community that wants to help people,” said Hooper.

Hooper explains why they are giving portraits away for free and why they are special to the people who get one.

“It’s about making people feel mattered, it’s about making them feel like really special for one day … sometimes single families it’s the only portrait that they’ve had ever.”

For one of the families this is their second time at the event, saying having a professional photo of her and her family makes them feel special.

“I feel like, pretty glamorous actually, if I have to be honest with you. I feel like I’m a superstar and it feels really good,” said Fran Chalifoux, a mother of seven.

This type of reaction is just one of many, Hopper has seen when people finally get their first portrait. 

“When people see their printed eight by ten picture, there’s like nothing more rewarding than that. We’ve had people kiss their photo, we’ve had people literally hug it and walk away hugging it,” said Hopper.

Chalifoux’s first family photo was back in 2019. 

“Yeah, that’s the last time we had a picture, with my dad and my other daughter,” said Chalifoux.

While she wishes to have all her kids join her next time for a big family portrait. Right now, they’re just glad to have another memorable and good photo taken at no cost.

“Look at that you guys, that looks good.”