Project Polaroid

The idea is simple.
$1=1 Polaroid photo, for 1 kid, that will last a lifetime.

So many children around the world have never even owned a single photo of themselves. What could be more precious of a memory than a photo of you/your family?

I'm leaving for Ghana on August 6 and will be there until mid-December. If you have a few extra dollars that you'd like to contribute to buying Polaroid photos to give to children in Ghana, please let me know! I can give you my address and I also have PayPal.

Your support is greatly appreciated. Feel free to check out the "Project Polaroid" portfolio section at www.carlybrantmeyer.com. I will be sure to update you with new photos from Africa, as well.

My vision is to take photography beyond US borders to share with kids around the world. It starts with $1.

PHILLY.

A piece of my heart will always be in Philly. Four summers ago, I went on my first inner-city mission trip, and it was to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While in Philly, two missionaries from my hometowm, Frank and Carisa, connected us with various organizations and non-profits in the city. My group also worked a lot at Cornerstone Community Church in Kensington, which is located in one of the roughest inner-city areas. Despite the brokenness, there is beauty.

During my NYC trip, I took a day-trip to Philly to revisit some of the places that are the most special to me, and to visit my friend Andre, a formerly homeless man that I had not seen in four years. It was a wonderful Philly day, filled with LOVE Park (based on Andy Warhol's famous "LOVE" logo), Philadelphia water ice, a visit to St. John's (a transitional housing facility), and a walk down the streets of Kensington. I couldn't have asked for anything more (well, it would have been pretty incredible to stop by "The Simple Way," but Shane was out of the office--check out www.thesimpleway.org, or better yet, read "Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne).

And just for the record--I forever thought that the Andy Warhol museum was in Philly, but to contrary belief, it's actually in Pittsburgh, where Warhol was born. So a visit to the Warhol Museum will have to be a separate trip...one day.

NYC

Amidst all of the chaos, subway stickiness, and a fast-paced shoveyououtoftheway New York, I was somehow blessed enough to get a glimpse of the Big Apple's beauty. From the top (above): Times Square, dinner at Better Burger, Strawberry Field's iconic "Imagine" mosaic, rowboat views from Central Park, a skyline view from pier 41.

I went to New York with the expectation of diving into the local's perspective. Or for that matter, 7+ locals' perspectives. I have 7 good friends up in NYC--some of which are interns for the summer, some living there year-round, and some trying to figure out why they're there and where they'll be next. It was such a colorful and insightful journey during the 6 days I was there. I tried to step back from the camera and the journal and wanted to soak up the city, but here I am "blogging" and posting pictures--go figure.

Lollipops, Sparklers, and Watermelon

Mom always knows best. The morning I did the shoot for Angela's family, the kids were just as excited as I was. Mom was prepared. She knew exactly what would bring out the personalities in her kids and she was fully equipped with slices of watermelon, packs of bubbles, and plenty of wipes to clean up our messes. I also decided to bring them a little treat--GIANT RED LOLLIPOPS. They went crazy, and as soon as they looked at each other's faces and realized that the lollies turned your cheeks BRIGHT RED, the contest was on. I think they all ended up equally sticky, which was quickly resolved with HOSE wars.

Flashes of Hope

Flashes of Hope is a non-profit organization that has already grown so much in my heart. FOH is incredibly powerful and inspiring. I got involved with the Charlotte chapter this summer and since then have assisted with two photo shoots at the Presbyterian Hemby Children's Hospital.

In June, I received the amazing opportunity to shoot for the day at Victory Junction Gang Camp, an amazing camp near Asheboro founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their son, Adam. The camp's mission is to "enrich the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses by providing life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun, and empowering, in a safe and medically sound environment." A few of my favorite photos that I took from camp are featured above. For more information on how you can volunteer or sponsor Flashes of Hope or Victory Junction, go to www.flashesofhope.org or www.victoryjunction.org.