Young Mothers at a Youth Shelter

Last year my church hosted an event for young mothers that were living at a youth shelter in New York City. In addition to the food and program we had planned for the night, I was asked to shoot portraits for the mothers and their children. The idea was to shoot, process, print, and frame the photos that night and give as a gift to the mothers as they leave.

We ended up making an ad hoc studio by the largest window in the room and shot the portraits while a friend made faces behind me in an attempt to get the children's attention and make them smile.

While I was looking last week for photos I can share on this blog, I came across the portraits again. What were just gifts for the mothers then mean something more to me now a year later. I can't help but wonder where these women and their children are now and how they are doing. It would be great to get in contact with them again to see where they have been this past year and what the next year looks like for them.

Canon EOS 30D, 85mm, 1/100 @ f/2.0, ISO 800

Canon EOS 30D, 85mm, 1/125 @ f/2.0, ISO 800

Canon EOS 30D, 85mm, 1/125 @ f/1.8, ISO 800

Canon EOS 30D, 85mm, 1/100 @ f/2.0, ISO 800

Canon EOS 30D, 85mm, 1/80 @ f/2.2, ISO 800

Canon EOS 30D, 85mm, 1/80 @ f/2.2, ISO 800

Canon EOS 30D, 85mm, 1/125 @ f/2.0, ISO 800

Comments

[Alison]

Wow, these are great pictures. I wonder where there are now too. Thanks for helping out last year

[dan]

awesome. this is probably one of my favorite shoots.

[E!]

this is a beautiful thing that you did for them. real talk.

[grace]

beautiful women and children!!