I did an engagement shoot at the Capitol in Salt Lake today.
There were hundreds of teenagers there taking prom pictures, with dozens of professional photographers all over the grounds.
During the shoot, while my clients were taking a break, I saw a young couple trying to set up an older camera on a tripod with a timer so they could take their own photos.
Between the camera, the tripod setup, and the fact that they didn’t have a photographer with them, I got the impression that money was tight.
I asked if I could help by taking a photo for them. I took the girl’s camera off the tripod, made a little show of trying to figure it out, and then said, “I’m terrible at learning new cameras. How about I just use mine instead?”
They happily agreed and I gave them a mini photo session.
When I showed them the images on the back of my camera, their faces just lit up. The young woman offered to pay me and asked for my Venmo.
Of course, I refused. I told her all I needed was their phone numbers so I could send them the finished photos.
I edited them tonight and sent them over a little while ago. They replied right away, thanking me profusely.
I’m so grateful for the talent God has blessed me with. It’s wonderful when photography brings in a little extra money, but the real reward is moments like this, when something you’ve spent years developing becomes a gift you can give away.
Tonight, two kids who might not have been able to afford prom photos still got to leave with something beautiful.
Seeing their smiles and receiving their gratitude was even better than getting paid.
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