By. DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
Alyssa Stahl has been sponsoring a family for Christmas for the past several years.
This year the professional photographer has decided to give her philantrophy a different look.
Stahl said she follows a number of other photographers on social media and she was inspired by Jeremy Cowart, a photographer and activist, who sets up his gear in low income neighborhoods to take portraits of the residents.
So this year, Stahl to put her photographic skills to work through The Memories Project.
Stahl and two other photographers, China Parry and Katie Heuerman will set up shop at three locations on the grounds of the Wood County Historical Center on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
They will take photos of families or individuals who couldn’t otherwise afford to get pictures taken.
The event is a collaboration with the Brown Bag Food Project, which will help spread the word and line up participants. Those wishing to make an appointment should call Brown Bag at (419) 960-5345.
They will receive a CD with several images, and a photo release that will give them permission to get the portraits reprinted. The CDs will be available at Brown Bag’s office at 115 W. Merry Ave., Bowling Green.
“This is a way to help multiple families,” Stahl said. “It doesn’t have to be a family. It could be elderly person. Just anyone who wouldn’t have the means to get that done,” Stahl said.
Her love of people is what led her to take up photography.
She grew up in Liberty Center. Her mother and her aunt did sports photography for local papers. Stahl said she got started manipulating photos using Photoshop and doing digital design.
She attended Bowling Green State University to study graphic design. While at BGSU seven years ago, she started taking photos, especially of families and friends. Four years ago she started her own business Alyssa Danielle Photography and Design.
“It’s really cool to do a wedding or watch somebody’s kid grow up and to take pictures over a period of time and capture their personalities,” Stahl said.
“It’s just nice to have that updated picture of themselves. People don’t take pictures that often and don’t think about it until something happens,” she said. “Being able to give that to somebody is heartwarming.”
