Friday, April 13, 2012

Moving Mountains, One Photograph At A Time...

Let's start this one out with a bit of nostalgic history...and a disclaimer. 

This article is not for self-promotion, this article is not about wanting sympathy - this article is to raise awareness about a disease that captures so many loved ones, that sooner or later, it will affect your life. This article is about a plea to all photographers - find a cause, and fight for it.  Give back with your photography.

The best compliment that a photographer can receive about a work is, 'You moved me...'  It's time to move mountains.
The story starts with a man growing up of simple means, yet molded by complex situations that formed extraordinary principles he chose to pass along to his children. It started in the prairies and hills that I now call home - Western South Dakota. That man, my father, when I was in junior high, presented my brother and I cameras - a Pentax K1000 and a Pentax ME super (I still pull out the ME super for those special moments that a digital camera just can't capture).

At that point, my passion for photography was created...I was hooked, in fact - addicted. To look through that viewfinder and capture a moment of time, to steal a millisecond from the universe that no one could take away from you, to freeze a memory forever on a piece of photographic paper that could be shared - that passion was ignited.

All this, from a man that collected hundreds of antique cameras, but couldn't take a picture with any of them if his life depended on it. But when he saw the passion - he continued to fuel the fire by allowing opportunities, providing encouragement, and supplying product for the addiction. For that, father, I am grateful.

To explain a little further and to bring us to the present time, my father has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, so the capturing of memories has taken on new meaning. So when the Alzheimer's Association of South Dakota approached us about teaming up with them for a photograph to be used for State Roll Call at the Advocacy Forum in Washington, DC - we didn't hesitate to say yes! 

Their promotion of South Dakota during the roll call in Washington, DC on April 24th will go something like this, "...we are from the Great State of South Dakota, home of Mt. Rushmore and the great plains buffalo, which contain omega rich meat that is not only good for your heart, but good for your BRAIN..."  And to accompany that will be our photograph below:

Moving Mountains One Photography At a Time Alzheimers by Dakota Visions Photography LLC Mt Rushmore Buffalo Bison

The mission of the Alzheimer's Association of South Dakota is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support of all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the prevention of brain health. We find this cause a worthy one to support and represent. Not only because by supporting the Alzheimer's Association the life you save may be your own, but it may be ours! 

So in closing, we are calling on all photographers and supporters of the See You Behind the Lens... blog. Join the fight to stop the spread of this deadly disease by donating or volunteering your time or photography skills today.  We, at Dakota Visions Photography, LLC join the fight each year by donating a part of our profit to Alzheimer's research along with our personal donations of time and support during the Walk to End Alzheimer's.  For news on the upcoming walks in South Dakota, join the Alzheimer's Association of South Dakota on Facebook

Each of your photographs has a voice. Use that voice to raise money, scream at injustice, chant for change, or speak in civilized protest.  Speak and be heard.  We can move mountains, one photograph at a time.

Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC.   Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens...

4 comments:

  1. Great post, my friend, what a great cause you've supported here. We do a lot of volunteer work in our area, too, for various groups that are meaningful to us. We find that it's highly fulfilling. Love this post, I totally agree with your thoughts and sentiments here my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you my friend. We hope that all who read take the opportunity to join a cause in their area. Photography skills can be used in many worthwhile charities and local causes. Giving back can mean so much more than just a monetary donation. Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  3. My Mother passed away one year ago today of Alzheimers. Thank you for your support. She was an incredible woman who spent the last year of life in a tormented hell. She believed she was taken from her home and could not escape; in reality she was at home, and this was an every waking moment nightmare.She had to live that brand new, many times every day. Alzeimers is a horrible disease and affects many people. I wish you good luck and God's grace in all you do to support this worthy cause.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joe, we are so sorry to hear about your Mother on this anniversary of her passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

      With tears in our eyes, we continue to hope that as others band together with us - our common voice gets louder and stronger about this deadly disease and the wide swath of havoc it wreaks.

      It is in the strength of stories like yours, that we continue to fight. Thank you, Joe!

      Delete

Feel free to comment on See You Behind the Lens... We will be reviewing your comment and post shortly. Thanks for joining in the conversation!

Dakota Visions Photography, LLC
www.dakotavisions.com