This post isn’t about why I love being a photographer, but I feel it is important for me to share what being a photographer means to me in order to explain why I get so much joy out of donating my time and services for a great cause.  When I take time to reflect on why photography is important to me, it gives me confidence that I am continuing this career path for a lot of great reasons and that it is very much worth it.

Why I love being a photographer:

• No two days are ever the same –different people, different places, different things
• I am fortunate to meet truly amazing and inspiring people
• I am continually challenged
• I am honored to play a part, documenting some of life’s most emotive occasions for my clients
• It has pushed me to be better in front of and behind the camera
• It has exposed me to a variety of cultures
• It has taught me to pay attention.  To all kinds of people.  To nature…the small intimate details, as well as the grand landscapes.  To notice and appreciate what is happening around me.
• It has taught me patience and reminds me of the beauty of being in the moment

Being a professional photographer is not only a passion but it is how I feed my family and pay my bills, but there are times when I just want to give and hopefully make a difference in the lives of others.  If I could always donate my time, I would.  For the past 3 years I have donated my time and services with The Challenge To Conquer Cancer and have LOVED it!!  I enjoy riding with the group, but when we do the actual ride each year I go as the photographer.  The first 2 years we rode to Austin, Texas and this last year we went to Lewiston, Maine.  A tough and emotional ride all for a great cause.

This year I have been given the opportunity to go with the globalbike team to Tanzania.

Since 2006, globalbike has been transforming lives and communities with the power of bikes. They began their work through providing bikes to community care workers in Zambia and quickly learned that these bikes were powerful tools for expanding the work of individuals already creating positive social change in their own communities. Globalbikes enable these individuals to travel three times as far, carry five times the weight (for supplies, market goods, or even using the bike as an ambulance), and visit three to four times as many community members in a day.

 

 

On this trip I will not only go as the photographer, but I will be riding right along with them from village to village.  I still have a ways to go to reach my fundraising goals by February 28th, 2014 and would be most appreciative of your support.  Your donation will help us to achieve our mission of using the transformative power of bicycles to connect people and resources.  If you would like to be a sponsor and have your company logo displayed and in view for many to see, please contact me to discuss.  You can reach me at lisacarpenterphoto@gmail.com or call me directly 864-640-5045.

 

There is one thing I have learned over the years and that is that we are all living on this beautiful planet and the things we do locally have an affect globally.  We are all connected in one way or another.  Just one of many reasons why I am excited for this journey to help others become self-sufficient and be able to thrive because of it.  Your donation is tax-deductible as well.

Click HERE to make a donation.  If you make a ‘Good Neighbor’ donation, I will provide you with a beautiful print of your choice…I can only imagine what beauty will be captured along the way.

Thank you and please share with anyone you think would be interested in helping out.

xo

Lisa