Columbia photographers offering free photo sessions for flood victims

After the historic flooding in October, Columbia photographer Lorin Fairweather wondered how she could help. She knew many people had lost everything, including family photo albums.

“As a photographer I know how important special moments are,” she said. “It’s hard to think about them all being erased.”

So Fairweather, along with four local photographers, formed Photos for Columbia, a collaboration offering free portrait sessions for those affected by flooding.

“While we can’t reproduce old images of the past, we certainly can create new ones for couples and families who have been through so much,” Fairweather wrote on her photography website.

People can submit a contact sheet and set up a portrait with a participating photographer. A portrait session will include edited, high-resolution digital images delivered in an online gallery with printing rights.

“I hope give these families a fresh new start,” Fairweather said. “Maybe this is a way to spread some joy in down times.”

Those interested can fill out a contact sheet for Photos for Columbia at Fairweather’s website: lorinmariephotography.com/photosforcolumbia

This story was originally published November 24, 2015 at 11:00 AM with the headline "Columbia photographers offering free photo sessions for flood victims."