PHILANTHROPIC CONTRIBUTIONS - In seeing more of "The Bigger Picture" and "Growing the Good"----------

-- Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW)- I am a graduate and I have heartstrings for other entrepreneurs and local small businesses!! (It is one reason why I started Personal Branding Photography for business owners.) I utilize these sources as much as I can in my business and personal life. It has been a great source of bringing our community together. http://www.growbusiness.org/

-- KIWANIS- a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child and one community at a time. I was a board member in 2016, volunteered at many events (my favorite was building a greenhouse for Sunnycrest Youth Ranch),  and also headed and promoted a Murder Mystery Party with profits going to KIWANIS. 
http://www.kiwanis.org/

-- Silent Auction donator, photo sessions and products- Cystic Fibrosis annual black tie event in Grand Rapids, Women At Risk International (WAR)  https://warinternational.org/, and my nephew's school fundraisers. ;)

-- WAR- I housed a woman at risk for one month just with my Christmas gifts alone! https://warinternational.org/

-- Annual Donations- Autism Alliance, Alzheimer's Foundation of America, Sunnycrest Youth Ranch, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Bish and Bash, Pewabic Pottery in Detroit, Christmas gifts for the poor every year

-- Annual Photo session for a low-income family, free of charge. If you would like to refer or surprise a deserving family, please contact me and give me a little info on why you think they are amazing. If they "grow the good", I am with you and I want to hear about them.

-- 2018 "Spread the Love" Contest- People nominated an angel who helps others, makes the world a better place. The winner received a FREE "Day in the Life" family documentary session with me, plus digitals. The person who nominated the winner also received a FREE session. (Newsletter subscribers get opportunities like this straight to their inbox!!)

-- West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology (WMCAT)- I volunteered and taught underprivileged teens photography, retouching, and design. http://www.wmcat.org/

-- Gallery Project, Ann Arbor- I volunteered in the gallery, helping with exhibitions and administration.

-- Guest teacher for certain grade schools- art, photography, and dance

-- Maho Bay- This is a work exchange program in St. John. I worked in the ceramics department teaching kiddos.

-- I love helping aspiring photographers! We all know how important it is to have positive and empowering teachers/mentors. I do. We also know what it feels like to have the opposite. I do. I offer  the chance for inspiring photographers to follow me on a shoot. I'll give guidance, the ability to assist, some business background, and they ask me anything.