Urban Ministries of Durham, Inc

• Their group serves over 6,000 people every year providing over 250,000 meals
• Urban ministries serves breakfast every day to over 300 individuals (100 in house, some from one of the 20 homeless encampments around Durham) - sometimes their only hot meal of the day
• With basically non-existent affordable housing, many individuals in our community are one check away from homelessness
• Beyond meals and shelter, this group also provides groceries to families facing food insecurity, and support services to individuals experiencing homelessness

• Providing nutritious meals to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.
• Offering safe shelter and supportive services that give people a pathway to stability and self-sufficiency.

We are all spinning a bit and quite uncertain of the future as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  But there are those among us who live life uncertain of the future under normal circumstances, and under these extraordinary circumstances the most vulnerable among us are especially vulnerable.  

As a photographer, I typically spend hours every week capturing images of families in times of joy: babies on the way, newborns, siblings, grandparents and more. Those moments of joy are still happening in homes right now. I know it. But I can’t be there to capture them.

 We in Durham are doing our part to stay at home. 

Starting today, I am offering to take five minute ‘Front Steps Portraits” of Durham residents.  I am taking and hour or so each day to scurry around  and snap super fast images of Durham families on their front steps. 

You will know when I am coming. You can step outside, where I’ll be standing near your driveway or street, at least 10 feet away. I’ll take a couple quick shots and leave. I physically interact with no one, and touch nothing, during these sessions. I *do* smile and laugh with you, however, and don’t we all need a little bit of that right now?
After your quick session, I will email you the digital file of your portrait.  In exchange, I am asking you to make a good faith donation to Urban Ministries of Durham through this GoFundMe Campaign. 
 
I will be posting these images on Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #thefrontstepsproject.  Please share these posts. Let’s spread the word!
 
The purpose of this project is to bring us together when we might feel isolated.  I aim to highlight the faces of our community during a time when we might not see them in passing at the grocery store, coffee shop, at school pickup or at the gym.  Participating in this project is also an opportunity to step up to help those who need it most right now in Durham. 
 
To be clear: I will be taking images outside ONLY and from at least 10 feet away. Our session will be brief, likely just 5 minutes. This is not a typical get-dressed-up-and-pose-for-the-photographer session. Want to stand outside in your pajamas and slippers? Sounds good to me. Kids in mismatched clothes but you’re thrilled they got dressed? Fantastic. Wearing your workout clothes because you are on your way out the door to walk the dog...again?  Perfect.  Thank you for your participation!