The Veteran's Project

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In May of 2018, two weeks before Memorial Day, I was thinking of ways to support our military and Veterans. Given the unemployment, suicide, and homelessness rate amongst our Veterans, I wanted a way to help bridge the transition gap from active duty to civilian life. The idea was to offer free corporate head-shots for military Veterans to use to promote themselves in their job search. I was also offering discounted sessions for military families, with half of the proceeds going to The Semper Fi Fund.

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When writing out the business plan for the project, our initial goal was to photograph fifty Veterans for free. I was determined to make this project work, so I emailed and called people I wouldn't normally contact asking for help and support. I looked up and emailed every Veteran organization in Maryland and DC. And I emailed the news organizations.

 

What we did not expect to happen was the immediate response, interest, media attention, and overall love of this project. Megan Pringle from WBAL-TV11 called and said she loved the project and would like to do a story on it. Then Hilary Lane at WUSA9 in D.C. called and wanted a story. And Nancy Yamada from State Circle at Maryland Public Television.

 

The response phenomenal and were so grateful. We surpassed our goal of fifty Veterans, and ended photographing over 200 Veterans and spouses in six months. It was simply amazing!  

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Thank you for your love and support of this project. You helped make this dream a reality and made it so much more than I could have ever imagined. 

 

xoxo,

Meghan