A local photographer has gotten involved with trying to help raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in British Columbia who are currently selling a calendar locally at Mercer and Co, The Book Bar, Village Arts and All Things Beautiful..
Kyla Brown of Kyla Brown Photography became involved in the project through a friend.
“Janiece Wiens is a friend of mine from back when I lived in Vancouver. We have kept in touch and she really loves my ‘honouring life’ line of greeting cards. She approached me about doing the shoot and whether I would be interested in taking creative control and designing an honouring life themed calendar. The project would involve using her staff at Urban Body Laser as models (also to include her 6-month-old daughter.) Beyond that, the theme of the images and calendar were open. I have never been involved in a Make-a-Wish fundraiser and I was happy to donate my skills for such a great cause,” Brown said.
The intention of this fundraiser is to raise $6,000 which is approximately the amount required to make one child’s wish come true.
According to Brown 100 per cent of the proceeds are going to be donated and all of the services involved in making the calendar were by donation, including the models, the printing, photography and design.
When asked why she wanted to get involved with this project Brown said, “I have been interested in finding ways to give back with my work and this sounded like a great opportunity to help children in need. Janiece and her company, Urban Body Laser are very involved in fundraising and I intend for kyla brown photography to make time every year to work on projects such as this one.”
As for the concept behind the calender, Brown had to try and decide what the images should say.
“I spoke with Janiece beforehand about what we wanted the photos to communicate. We were very interested in using the images as a platform to speak about balance, inner strength and the beauty that exists within each of us. These are topics I address with my honouring life pieces and the match made sense,” Brown explained
Brown also hopes the project will do more than raise needed funds for the Make-A-Wish group in the province where she is not sure people realize the organization exists.
“I don’t know that they do… That is part of the reason I think it’s great to share this information with people. Right now there are over 75 children waiting to have their dreams realized in B.C. I want to be one of the people doing something to reach out and help others. I believe that there are simple things that we as a community can do to support one another. I am choosing to do what I can to help make a difference in the life of a child who is struggling with a life-threatening illness. It is something that is within reach for me to offer and I hope that others feel the same way. We as individuals can have an impact on a child’s life,” Brown said.