Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Changing the world....one story at a time.


Last month a group of 7 of us photographers; Jenna Walker, Liana Lehman, Amy Nave, Shyla, Crystal Goss, Jasmine Star, and I headed out to Denver, CO for a little retreat to get away and get to know each other better.....but we decided months before we ever went out there that we wanted to make an impact somehow through photography, on the first day! Since Jenna lives in Denver and had worked with non-profits before she had all the connections and hooked us up with a day of documenting Volunteers of America! Let me just tell you....it completely opened my eyes! It was SUCH fulfilling work getting to see all these people rally together to help the homeless and needy! As their full time job too! I definitely got the bug to do these type of projects again! Especially for people who don't normally have the privilege of getting their pictures taken!
We all broke up into 3 groups to fully document all of "VOA's" projects! My friend Amy and I documented all the elderly people in the program and OMG I LOVE older people!! Amy and I were laughing pretty much the whole time from how hilarious and adorable they were! We also went to a hospital to document foster grandparents who just come there to hold the baby's so they always have physical touch...incredible!! That's us styling our very hard to breath, stylish masks...hehe!

We also got to do our project with the amazing Jim White who works for VOA and has some of the most incredible stories! The best part was working with him and then the next day turning on the TV and seeing him being interviewed about VOA! Too funny! But he and VOA are truly making such an impact in Denver! Here is a slide show that I put together for VOA's promotional stuff of all of us girls pictures!! This was one talented bunch here!! I was in awe going through all of their pictures! Check it out!

PS..The top pic we are missing Jenna and Crystal...since we all broke up into groups we didn't know what the other group was doing...so that is also why Amy and I have SUCH original "I AM's" LOL!!

8 comments:

abigail smith said...

Wow, that slideshow was incredible! Loved it! VOA sounds like an awesome organization.

Justin Marantz said...

Awesome!! You guys did such an amazing job with this! I feel like I was right there!

Anonymous said...

i love the story you told here sarah! and the pic of jim - what a rock star!! you are amazing ms. barlow!

Joy Neal said...

Here is your gift: You see a person for the work of art that he or she is, and then show everyone else what you see.

Beautiful.

THE PARSONS said...

wow, sarah, that was so beautiful! you ladies all made an amazing impact, I am sure - these images are incredibly moving!!!

Unknown said...

VoA is a great Organization! So glad to see them featured here! Keep on inspiring!

~Brian

Sarah Barlow said...

Thank you guys sooo much!! But yeah..it's totally all 7 of us!! They are incredible!

Joy...boy do you have a way with words!! I love you.

Anonymous said...

Sarah glad to see you guys getting together as photographers and giving back!!!