Millbrook photographer David Harry is giving back to the community by offering discounted photography sessions to raise funds for Millbrook Community Care.
Anyone who signs up for a mini-shoot from the photographer between Friday, September 29th and Sunday, October 1st will receive 20 to 40 proofs and eight edited images ready to print. Each session will cost $150, half the usual $300 cost.
“I’m just taking what I have a passion for and what I do to help whoever I can help in town, because my kids grew up here and I’ve been here a long time,” says David.
Having moved to Millbrook nearly two decades ago, David was working as a marketing consulting until he turned his hobby of photography into a full-time job a few years ago. He jokes the career shift made him feel like he was “using his powers for good” after working in marketing for so long.
“In consulting, when someone calls you, they’re not having a good day, so it was very stressful,” David explains. “Now I get to hide in the shadows, take pictures of things and people, and just make memories of things. I love it.”
In his business Fire Hose Photography, David captures everything from events and commercial photography to boudoir and family portraits. He can also be seen regularly around town, documenting community events like the portraits with Santa Claus at Christmastime last year, earlier this summer at SummerFest and Ladies’ Night hosted by the Millbrook Business Improvement Area, and last week at the Millbrook Fall Festival, also hosted by the Millbrook Business Improvement Area.
“I really enjoy giving people their memories,” says David. “It’s all about capturing people in their elements, especially when there are kids involved. As a parent whose kids are now grown, I wish I were a photographer ten years ago, because all these people I’m doing work for are getting those memories that I wish I had.”
This is the second time the photographer is hosting the fall fundraiser mini-shoots, which are flexible and can be used for family photos, couple portraits, dog portraits, or anything else the client wants. While most of last year’s sessions took place at Mill Pond, Harry explains that he can also suggest other locations with suitable lighting and backdrops that would make for good photo locations.
“It can be pretty much anything,” David notes. “I’ll do whatever it takes to get the money to Community Care.”
The photographer explains that over the years, he has connected with many people who have either been involved in or have benefited from Millbrook Community Care, one of several Community Care offices located in the city and county of Peterborough.
For that reason, this year David has chosen to give two-thirds of the proceeds of his fundraiser to the non-profit organization that provides a variety of services to seniors and adults with physical challenges that allow them to remain in their own homes and stay connected with their communities.
“I’ve always been a supporter of Community Care,” he says, pointing out he knows first-hand how necessary their work is as the organization lent him a wheelchair for three weeks while he was healing from a broken tibia several years ago. “They do a lot of really great things for the aging folks here in town.”
David is already looking ahead at planning his Christmas photography fundraiser that will raise money for another community organization in Millbrook. He explains that his choice to use his passion and work for a good cause is his way to be “proactive” towards making positive change in the community.
“I’d rather do things to actually effect change,” he says. “I’m just capturing memories and really trying to use that to help out some people, and why not? We can all do a little bit more.”
While David says he’s happy to donate his time both for the good cause in getting donations to Community Cares, it’s also an added benefit to know that he’s supplying his neighbours with photos they’ll treasure for a lifetime.
“My payment comes when I send them the pictures, and they’re just so excited and happy,” says the photographer. “I just really enjoy it.”
To book a time slot for the photography fundraiser, email David at david@vervedevelopments.com or message him on Facebook.
To see more of David’s work and to book his services, visit his website at www.firehorsedigital.com.
