I just posted this on TTD- Please post here if you would like to be involved in helping somehow- your ideas and feedback are welcome.




I’m sure anyone who has followed TTD has seen a fair share of posts asking why Brides don’t donate their dresses to a charitable cause, such as www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.com. With the fanfare that the organization is receiving on TTD, I decided that maybe we should learn more about them, and I’m glad I did. Since we at TTD are interested in creating memories- not destroying them, I was excited to learn that their mission is very similar, in fact- they own the website www.makingmemories.org.


I had the opportunity to talk to Fran Hansen, National Director and Co-Founder of the organization. After we had a chuckle over some of the misconceptions (like how the media hypes us up as destroyers of Vera Wang, when in fact we’ve never featured a Vera Wang on the site as far as I know) we had a great conversation. I explained that we are really about creating great art and memories for brides who want a little more non-traditional photo shoot. I explained that our goal isn’t to destroy the wedding dress- but to create an experience where the bride (and groom) can have a fun filled shoot without having to worry about getting the dress a little dirty or wet. Then, I listened to what Brides Against Breast Cancer is all about- and I was intrigued for the next 15-20 minutes. This is truly a great organization, and I now see why the supporters are passionate about it.

For those who aren’t familiar with the organization, you should check out their “about us” page as soon as possible. Basically, they sell donated wedding dresses at huge gatherings across the country- then use the money to help terminally ill cancer patients fulfill their wishes. This desription comes from their website:

It is our intention to “make a difference” in the lives of those suffering from this devastating disease. Our wish-granting service helps put the realities of this terminal illness aside, if just for a few days, while providing the opportunity for a family to spend quality time together. Our hope is that every metastatic breast cancer patient will be able to pass from this world comforted with the joy of having left his or her family a final beautiful memory—something the family will look back on and remember for a lifetime.

This organization is making a powerful difference in people’s lives, and we want to help any way we can. I asked Fran what she thought about some of the suggestions we’ve received, such as donating dresses to the organization after a TTD photoshoot (assuming that the dress only saw minimal exposure to water or dirt). I admitted that I almost felt like doing so would be like offering something of no value to her organization (after all, it was used for a Trash the Dress session- why would anyone want that, right?). Fran assured me that many of the dresses they receive are fairly dirty upon receipt- from wine, food, and dirt stains. She told me that 90% of the dresses clean with no signs that the stains ever existed. The only time a dress can’t be recovered is if the fabric or beading is scratched- but she said they have a use for those dresses as well. If the dress is beyond repair, the fabric can be used to make quilts, which also bring in revenue for the organization. Fran highly recommends that Brides send in their dresses, even after a TTD shoot, if she is willing to part with it.

Of course, in addition to letting TTD brides know about this option, there are many more ways we can help. They take monetary donations. They accept donations of all sorts- including dresses, jewelry, and other items. Even if you follow the blog, but aren’t interested in a TTD shoot- we highly recommend that you consider donating your dress if you don’t have plans to use it as a family heirloom.

I encourage our Photographers and Videographers to get involved with this organization as well. We have, without question, some of the most talented Photographers and Videographers in the world on this website. I’m thankful for the giving spirit that each of you have brought to the website- allowing us to show your images (even before the media hype), in a display of what can be accomplished when artists put aside their egos for a common cause. Because of your willingness to share, you’ve inspired others- both Brides and Photographers. Now, we have a chance to take it to the next level. Imagine what we could do with our talent as well as our monetary donations. We, as artists, know the power of visual art such as photography and videography. What would happen if we used the talent that we’ve been blessed with to help create documentaries for the terminally ill patients and their families. Not only would the families have something special to cherish, but with their permission- their story could be told through your work to help inspire others to give to such a great cause.

I’ll be the first to start. After all, I’m in this business to help make memories. I can’t imagine a better opportunity to do that than with a family who won’t have the possibility to make memories as the days, months, and years fade away.

I'd love to help!!!!!

This is really cool Mark. Interesting how these things come together. I would have never thought they'd have a use for a dirty dress but apparently not. This sounds like a great organization - whether the girl is trashing or not, I'll definately pass the word along to my clients.

I'm excited to hear the interest this way, and with so many photographers now having some "moral priority" for one reason or another, I see a lot of people who would be interested in furthering the interest of these groups. We've been in process of checking out lots of different charity organizations and have some major plans in the works to do work specifically for the benefit of certain charities. We'd really like to reach a point when we're able to give 25% or more of all or revenues directly to charity groups, or at least find ways to generate 25% on top of our revenues that the clients donate to the charity (such as donating their dress after we suggest it and explain why it's a good cause). I hope we can hit that mark by next summer. We'll see.

Pairing with charity groups can also be a huge marketing boost. Follow the example of the companies who jumped on the (red) campaign. You can bet it was a benefit to their own bottom line as well as supporting another very worthwhile cause. I don't think their's anything wrong with entering into these "win-win" marketing campagns as they truly benefit everyone. The charity benefits, you stand out amoung the competitors as being 'part of the solution', and the client gets to feel good knowing they purchased a high quality product, but also directly benefited the lives of others.

Wouldn't it be great if at some point in the future there was an organization of photographers who were able to leverage all of this to benefit others? Imagine a group with a website - a bunch of member photographers, a list of all the various charity groups each of them are a part of benefitting (a page on the site listing them all in detail) as well as some way to perhaps track dollar amounts raised. If you got a few hundred photographers on board benefitting different organizations in some way - even if each photographer can only raise a few hundred dollars a year for various groups - that still adds up to well over $100,000 - and that's enough to get media attention, which draws clients to select services from those people, which draws more photographers to the cause, which generates more money for the good cause, which gets more media attention..... maybe a long shot but everything you've done Mark has been an example of how one person's idea and simple actions of bringing others together can really grow into something much larger than an individual person.


Anyway, that's good to hear. We all think of big major corporations making good stuff happen because we each as little family owned small businesses can't afford to contribute much - but this country (and much of the world for that matter) is really starting to shift toward small entrepreneurs making up a major segment of the economy. Taken together - very small efforts by each of us can really add up to a huge effect. I think small business owners would love to be a part of this sort of thing and I think a selling point for consumers also is knowing they're contributing somehow.

That is the best idea I've heard in a LONG time. Wow.

that's because Mark has a special friend

Kevin too, that was Kevin's idea. Great thinking man- we need to chat soon.

I love this idea. I've been actually trying to figure out how we can use our God given talent to help others. One thing that's on a bit of a tangent than the wedding industry (but is close to my heart) is somehow figuring out a way to donate my portrait ablities to help those with babies (or children) in the NICU or PICU. my son was hospitalized shortly after birth and stayed just a week (such a short period of time compared to what so many other families deal with). But it made such a huge impact on our lives. It was a rough week, and there were a few days that we weren't sure if he was going to make it. Thankfully he's 5 now and you would NEVER be able to tell he had a rough start. But the photos I snapped on my POS camera (long before I was looking at photography as a career) are some of my most treasured photos. At the time I took them, not knowing if they would be my only physical memories I'd have of him in the future, and now they are a beautiful reminder of what God has brought our family through.

I've wanted to somehow offer this to other families going through something similar, but unsure how to go about it. I would LOVE to find an organization I could team up with to bring this to reality.

One thing we can all do is donate our talent. Just providing a quality portrait session for a family who is about to loose a loved one would mean more than $. When the loved one passes, they will have the memories that we help to create to cherish. According to Fran, most of the families are facing huge medical bills, and can't afford luxury items like video cameras- I'm sure they can't afford a good photographer either. Let's give them something more than a snapshot.

so true!!! I love Kevin's idea of having an organization for photographers to team up on this. I have been thinking about this for some time, and donating my time for just such sessions, I just don't know a good way to get in contact with the families and letting them know about this. If we teamed up as photographers and somehow got the word out, that would be AWESOME!!!

After talking to Fran at www.makingmemories.org, I registered www.creatingmemories.org (there I go again). My idea was to use it as a sister site for Fran's organization, by using it to pair photographers who were willing to donate their time with families in need.

We could easily use it to promote Kevin's vision as well. Kevin- when do things slow down for you ? I hear it's Monsoon season now.

Thanks for sharing & getting this going Mark! Would love to help out!

Mark, you read my mind. My mother and father are both cancer survivors and the cause in general means a lot to me. When I read this section of your post:


I take it they are working much like the make a wish foundation right? What if we as photographers agreed to follow them along on these adventures and outtings? We could be there to document this fun event, immortilize it in a sense if they'd like. At some point during this time, more formal portraits could be done to really give them a nice piece to hang on to. It would be so rewarding. I know about the nights sitting up with my mom and sobbing cause she couldn't sleep after her chemo would make her sick and she and I saying, "sleep is over rated anyway. this way we can spend more time together" *sigh* I'm so glad they made it through, but so many don't...

Count me in, I'd love to help any way I can...

another idea? could we as a group create a visual piece like a brochure (printing funded my money we all donated?) that we could give brides letting them know about donating their dresses to this great cause. It would be a great way of getting the word out. We could even help distribute the piece to other vendors we all work with. I mean we are all in constant contact with the right people for this.

Good thoughts Erin. Yes- if we create a network, I'm sure we could come up with some good promotional material such as brochures.

I believe most of BABC's trips are to Disney World, where they are given free park passes- but the organization covers the cost of the hotel, flight, meals, and spending money. That means that we would keep our Florida photographers pretty busy.

Fran almost had me in tears this morning, ok- she did have me in tears, when she told me about a family who gave up the Disney trip for a $500 video camera. She said the family told her that the camera provided them with more tangible memories than the trip ever could have. Our photography can do the same- even if it isn't at Disney, but in their backyard.

Wouldn't it be great to get an album company or lab to help sponsor this. Then after we devote our time to giving a free session, we could send the images to one common lab to print them an enlargement and coffee table book.

I'm really excited about this opportunity.

Oh, I'd be honored to take part in this. I wish this foundation had been around years back when I had a bride who was in the last stages of cancer.

I remember her crying because everyone wanted the day to be perfect and were fussing with the details a bit too much. She and I were alone in the sanctuary and she said, "Don't they realize that I just want to get married???....THAT'S what makes it perfect." She was SO happy to be marrying her love, even if they knew it was just for a while. (They had less than a year together, but it made them both happy. ) It makes me both and when I think of it.

To help other couples like this would be wonderful. Thanks Mark!

Ginger
www.amitphotography.com

GREAT idea!

Don't know much about it, but isn't Johnny doing something with donation of time and services.... The Mosaic Group ? No idea if there's a way to work in with that, or if it's even necessary, but it's be great to see some synergy and a lot of effort into these sorts of things!

Thanks Kaitlin, I'll check that out, I'm not familiar with Johny's group.

I don't know if he's done anything recently with it, I haven't seen much....I just remember a few conversations along the same lines - we have so much talent to offer, and there are amazing and strong people, not to mention organizations....I think it's good you posted on the TTD site because it will give some people a better idea of what the goal is, etc.

Sometimes, actually probably most of the time, we don't appreciate just how fortunate we are - these stories really hit you hard when you hear them & make you stop to think but it's not just about thinking only. It boils down to is taking action & it's great to see how this is turning into something incredibly positive. Let me know if I can help from over here.

I'm on board to help any way I can.

And Jen, PM me, I'm already doing something similiar to what you're asking and don't want to threadjack.

I would love to help as well. I know sick children is a cause that is really close to my heart. We actually have a friend who works with a children's cancer group (his son survived a brain tumor and since then he has been driven) and more fighting for children's autism.

My point is saying this is I think everyone has been touched by something and bringing all this together for the good of others is a wonderful endeavor.

p.s. I use to design databases many moons ago and if you need help on those lines please just let me know.

very cool- thanks for sharing this! I'm off to go check out the site!