Encompass makes memories by giving free family portraits
December 8, 2010
By Sebastian Moraga
In a flash, 2,700 miles disappeared.
“These photos are for the grandparents,” Alma Gonzalez said at Encompass preschool in North Bend, flanked by her 6-year-old and 16-month-old daughters, Denise and Samantha.
Alma Gonzalez poses with her two daughters, Denise and baby Samantha, at Encompass in North Bend during the annual Free Family Portrait Day. By Sebastian Moraga
Dressed to the nines, the trio had posed for a free family portrait at the preschool, which they would send to Grandma and Grandpa, in Jalisco, Mexico.
“They haven’t met the girls yet,” Gonzalez said of her parents.
The free family portrait day has become a tradition for the Gonzalez girls, and for Encompass. More than 40 families — sometimes giddy, sometimes scared — showed up Dec. 4 to sit in front of photographer Carlton Ward.
Samantha and Denise were OK in front of the camera with Mom by their side but when Alma suggested a solo, Mom-less picture, the smiles disappeared faster than you can say “cheese.”
Still, Alma was thrilled.
“I took their picture last year when my baby was only 4 months old,” she said referring to Samantha. “Now, I have another one.”
A family portrait is more of a luxury than a necessity in tough times, Ward said.
“People are trying to feed families,” he said. “Getting a portrait done is so far down the list, it isn’t going to happen.”
That helps explain the popularity of a program that gives them away.
“It’s something they’ll treasure for the rest of their lives,” he said.
The Valley-based Ward said people not only remember the occasion but also the photographer. Sometimes, he’ll run into people in the supermarket whose photo he took at Encompass.
“I’ll get a big hug or a nice smile from someone,” he said. “They are so appreciative.”
Ward said he could sell the photos, and sell them cheap, but the price would still spike with shipping and handling fees. So instead, he uploads them and Encompass takes care of the printing and delivery.
If he had a magic wand, Ward said, he would make sure more people knew about the program.
“We try our best, but we still feel there’s lots of families who don’t know about it,” he said.
Still, enough people do know about it to fill almost an entire day’s worth of appointments.
“The response is amazing,” said Encompass’ Mary McManus. “We’ve had three more calls today since you’ve been here.”
For Encompass staff, McManus said, Free Portrait Day gives them a chance to meet people face-to-face.
“You get to see all these cute little girls in these cute little dresses,” she added.
One such little girl was Samantha, whose sister, Denise, had been battling a bug throughout the week. Her illness had her trip to Encompass in doubt.
“All week, she was asking me, ‘Are we going to go? Are we going to go?’” Alma said. “I had to tell her, yes, we would go get our photo.”
Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
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Thank you Sebastian for coming out to interview us and for the article.
I would like to note that Help Portrait is the driving force behind this event and you can visit them at http://help-portrait.com/about/our-mission/
Love & Blessings,
Carlton Ward