I am a mother. Since the day I birthed my child being a mother became an undeniable part of who I am, and changed my life completely. My child is now just shy of three and a half years old. He would be in a "tender age shelter" were he taken from me at the US border while seeking asylum.
I’ve been trying to imagine the sheer terror of having my child taken from me as I was seeking asylum and a better life for us in a country where we didn’t speak the language. The idea is so horrific I can’t even comprehend it happening and making it through with any shred of my sanity left intact. I can’t fathom what that would do to my tender, loving child who wants to spend his every day with me and those he knows and loves.
I was contemplating how I can help, what I can do and decided I wanted to set up some sessions that would benefit organizations that are doing all they can to help these families and stand up to the administration. Lo and behold, the next time I logged into Facebook I found out that there is a group of other photographers who all had the same thought and are scattered around the country.
You can read about what we are doing on the website here: https://www.familiesbelongtogether.us we are all passionate about what we do as photographers, and passionate about ending the immoral actions of the current government.
How does it work? Go to https://action.aclu.org/teamaclu/campaign/families-belong-together-sessions or https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/families-belong-together-photography-fundraiser and donate $150 (or more) and send an email with screen shot/receipt of your donation to kendall@kendalllauren.com with subject "ACLU/RAICES Donation Mini Sessions." I'll respond with open session times, and you tell me your top three times (in order) and I'll respond with booking confirmation. $150 includes approximately 20 minutes at the studio (in Georgetown, South Seattle) an online gallery, and 5 images of your choice in high resolution via digital download. Additional digital files and print products are available for purchase (50% of sales donated to ACLU & RAICES.)
If you donate $300 or more to the ACLU or RAICES you can schedule an hour long session (for up to 5 people) on location* or in studio anytime between now and the end of 2018. This session also includes an online gallery, and 10 images of your choice in high resolution via digital download.
If you donate $500 or more to the ACLU or RAICES you can schedule an hour long session (for up to 5 people) on location* or in studio anytime between now and the end of 2018. This session also includes an online gallery, and all the images in high-resolution via digital download.
There are 12 mini sessions available on June 30th, 2018 starting at 10am, every 30 minutes. The last session starts at 3:30pm. All hour long sessions must be booked with donation made before July 31st, 2018. Sessions must take place before December 9th, 2018. PLEASE do not wait to schedule your date/time for your on location or studio session, I would hate not to be able to fit everyone in because of a booking bottleneck.
I thank you all so much for your support of these groups doing the hard work to combat the human rights violations happening in the US. I look forward to meeting you and photographing your beautiful families and those you love. I'm honored to be a part of this movement.
*Location must be within 25 miles of zip code 98188.