Families have been posing for photos during the pandemic (Image Credit: Natalie Dollman Photography)

By Chad Klassen

FRONT PORCH PROJECT

Photographers coming together to raise thousands of dollars for charities during pandemic

Apr 22, 2020 | 11:54 AM

KAMLOOPS — When Natalie Dollman came up with the idea of taking photos of families outside their front door, she wasn’t sure what the response would be like.

But since she started her ‘Front Porch Project’ campaign three weeks ago to raise money for Kamloops charities, people have gravitated to the concept during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Everyone is jumping on board. The most comments I’ve been getting is it’s giving people something to look forward to by getting ready. As simple as it is to stand outside your front door, lots of people are looking forward to doing that and capture and document this crazy time,” she said.

Dollman says she first noticed an article about taking front porch photos on a global photographers Facebook page, and it inspired her to start a campaign to help the Kamloops Food Bank.

“When I first heard that the food banks were struggling at the beginning of all this, it broke my heart and said ‘Oh my gosh, I need to help,’ because I feel like I’m in a slightly lucky situation and I wanted to help people that needed that extra hand,” she said. “It just makes me super happy to be able to help, and I wanted to get other photographers doing the same thing.”

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Image Credit: Natalie Dollman Photography

According to the Kamloops Food Bank, there are two other companies that have been taking pictures and donating to the non-profit. Executive director Bernadette Siracky says more than $2,000 has come to the food bank since the campaign was started by Dollman.

“It’s been incredibly heartwarming to see the different ways this community has surrounded us with support. People are using their own skills and expertise to raise money,” said Siracky.

The thousands of dollars raised is allowing the food bank to support programs in Kamloops and across the Thompson region.

“We are very determined to get food, perishable and non-perishable, into the community to whoever requires it,” Siracky noted. “We are giving food to many ASK Wellness programs, PIT Stop is re-opening, The Mustard Seed, and we’re also serving nine regional food banks.”

The Kamloops Food Bank is also just coming off a record Rotary food drive, collecting more than 70,000 pounds of food on Saturday.

Image Credit: Natalie Dollman Photography

For Dollman, who’s hit the $1,000 mark for the food bank, said it was time to turn to another charity in need. She has chosen the B.C. Wildlife Park, which has been closed for a month and is struggling financially during the pandemic.

“I have two kids and it would be just so devastating not to be able to take them to the wildlife park,” said Dollman. “I know they do so much for the community and the animals, so I feel they need it next.”

Her goal is to raise another $1,000 for the wildlife park before choosing another deserving non-profit organization.

A photoshoot is $75 per session with $25 being donated to the charity of choice. The remaining $50 can be used as a credit for another shoot or to acquire more photos from the shoot. Anyone interested can email nataliedollman01@gmail.com.