San Francisco wedding photographers are experiencing a sharp drop in business due to the current economic situation. Some San Francisco Bay Area wedding photographers are turning that down time into good works, as they use their skills in capturing people and events to do pro-bono event photography for non-profits. With weddings down by 50% as people put off their marriages until better economic times, photographers in San Francisco are finding that they have much more free time than they are used to. But who better than the people who have been shooting wedding photography in San Francisco to cover charity galas, fundraisers, award ceremonies and events.
Alex Schoenfeldt, a San Francisco Bay Area wedding photographer said “In hard economic times, the urge to shot down and cut off needs to be resisted. By doing pro-bono photography for local non-profits, I can use my skills as a wedding photographer to make a difference for causes I believe in. In the past month I’ve had the opportunity to shoot for Architecture for Humanity, Habitat for Humanity, Opportunity Impact (an after school program for San Francisco inner city youth), Americorps, and the East Bay Jewish Community Teen Foundation. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work with such fine organizations, and I’ve met great people.”
Non-profits typically rely on the talents of volunteers to cover many of their needs. Usually however photographers in San Francisco are too busy shooting weddings and events to jump in and volunteer at events. The job of taking charity event photos falls to amateurs who do not have the equipment or experience to capture first rate photos. Photographer Alex Schoenfeldt, who has been shooting weddings in San Francisco and weddings in Yosemite for over 10 years has put the word out thru the Young Non-Profit Professional Network email list that he had the time to do pro-bono photography for non-profits.
Alex Schoenfeldt, a San Francisco Bay Area wedding photographer added “The response has been incredible. I am truly sorry that I do not have the time to attend every event. My weddings are down about 50% this year, and I am getting more calls for 2010 and 2011 than I normally would this early in the year. I normally shoot weddings in Yosemite every month, but so far this year I have only booked a few. Slow business is no fun, but I am very glad I can use the extra time to give back to so many organizations that are doing such good work in our community. Plus, I’m really only happy if I have a a camera in my hand. “
San Francisco Bay Area wedding photographers who shoot pro-bono events for local non-profits are finding that tough economic times does not mean that there is nothing to do. Wedding photography in San Francisco may be down substantially, but San Francisco photographers know that they have valuable skills that can help organizations and charities in their community get on with the work of making our world a better place. As photographers in San Francisco step up to volunteer for non-profits, the image that those organizations present in the future will only improve. To find out more visit San Francisco Bay Area wedding photographer Alex Schoenfeldt’s website.
