I just had a good question asked...and I have been sorta vague in the past, so maybe I haven't explained myself well. What do I do with the photos for DHS? I take photos of all of the children in Pulaski County whose parental rights have been terminated, meaning they are eligiable for adoption now. Once I take the photos, Bedford Camera and Video so graciously print for FREE an 11x 14 of every photo. Then, they are framed and added to the collection of photos for the Heart Gallery. The Heart Gallery is all of the waiting children in Pulaski County. There are about 70 photos in this gallery that rotates around Pulaski County. Each week, a very wonderful lady, her father, and a few friends move this gallery to a new location. It is mostly churches. They usually show the video for the CALL and pass around info about adoption and foster care, and all of these photos are on display in their church to see. Also, DHS has an adoption link on their site....(it isn't very well maintained, but they are getting better) and it has photos of all the kids in the state of Arkansas, and the photos I take also go on there if they ever get around to updating it.
And, currently Pulaski County is working on a website that will have all these photos on there, along with information about how to find out more about them, and how to become a foster parent. Clay was actually building the website for them, but they wanted some things on there that we didn't know how to do, so they decided to get someone else to build the website. So, as soon as they get that up and running, I will be post that site on there. That will hopefully be kept up to date.
And, if you were watching KATV Channel 7 news last week, they interviewed Mary Carol Pederson, director of the CALL. They were having a prayer vigil and they prayed individually for each child in the Heart Gallery. There was a very short segment about it on the news, and they showed a shot of some of the pictures on display, and some that I had taken were on there, so my work was on t.v.! Ha ha
And I am not the only photographer that has taken these pictures. There have been several photographers working with it in the past. I have done all of the recent ones b/c someone seemed to have gotten it in their head that I am their personal photographer now! LOL No, I really don't mind. I have such flexible work hours during the week, I think they just get me b/c I will do pretty much whatever they ask, and I will devote an entire day to doing them. (b/c I don't know how to say No....) Plus, I think it is just easier for them to do it this way than to call a lot of different photogs and making individual appointments for the kids.
And, currently Pulaski County is working on a website that will have all these photos on there, along with information about how to find out more about them, and how to become a foster parent. Clay was actually building the website for them, but they wanted some things on there that we didn't know how to do, so they decided to get someone else to build the website. So, as soon as they get that up and running, I will be post that site on there. That will hopefully be kept up to date.
And, if you were watching KATV Channel 7 news last week, they interviewed Mary Carol Pederson, director of the CALL. They were having a prayer vigil and they prayed individually for each child in the Heart Gallery. There was a very short segment about it on the news, and they showed a shot of some of the pictures on display, and some that I had taken were on there, so my work was on t.v.! Ha ha
And I am not the only photographer that has taken these pictures. There have been several photographers working with it in the past. I have done all of the recent ones b/c someone seemed to have gotten it in their head that I am their personal photographer now! LOL No, I really don't mind. I have such flexible work hours during the week, I think they just get me b/c I will do pretty much whatever they ask, and I will devote an entire day to doing them. (b/c I don't know how to say No....) Plus, I think it is just easier for them to do it this way than to call a lot of different photogs and making individual appointments for the kids.
if they get that working it could be a valuable resource for reaching people who want to adopt.
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