Photographers are in the business of capturing smiles, so the Professional Photographers of America Charities is working to create and protect the smiles of kids who are born with cleft lips and palates.
Each year, the Professional Photographers of America Charities (PPA) partners with Operation Smile for the “Celebration of Smiles” to raise money for children around the world to receive surgery to correct cleft lips and palates (CLP) and other facial deformities.
Photographers who are members of PPA offer mini-portrait sessions for $24, and the proceeds are passed on to Operation Smile. Each operation costs $240, so if a photographer sells 10 sessions, one smile is saved.
Baker Photography in Baldwinsville is holding its fourth annual Celebration of Smiles, while Albro Photography in Liverpool is joining the fundraiser for the first time.
“We’re getting ready for our fourth annual Celebration of Smiles!” Kathy Baker wrote in a post on Baker Photography’s Facebook page. “Each year has gotten a little bigger. We have high hopes [for] 2016.”
Baker said the studio started offering a Celebration of Smiles special after she learned about Operation Smile through PPA Charities. She said the stories of children with facial deformities brought her to tears.
“Because we record smiles, helping children rebuild their smiles was just a logical choice,” Baker said.
CLP is a gap in the mouth and/or lip that did not close during a baby’s development in the womb. It can cause issues with feeding (leading to malnutrition), dental problems and ear infections and can make speech development difficult. In the United States, CLP affects one in every 700 children, making it the fourth most common birth defect. Worldwide, a child is born with CLP every three minutes.
“I’m told it’s a very quick and simple operation. Not only does it reconstruct a child’s smile, but it can save their life. They can’t eat properly and they can’t communicate,” Baker said. “How can we not do this?”
Jeff “J.D.” Albro of Albro Photography said he “felt compelled” to participate in the Celebration of Smiles this year.
“I’ve always thought about it, but it never worked out,” he said.
Albro said he donates to other charities throughout the year, but Celebration of Smiles is special because it allows people to not only donate to a good cause but to “get a taste” of Albro’s photographic style.
“This is one I could really get behind and push,” he said. “It’s a definite need for kids in [developing] countries.”
As for his goal for his first Celebration of Smiles, Albro said, “I don’t have 10 [clients] yet but 10 would be nice.”
Baker said since the studio photographs a lot of children, especially during the Celebration of Smiles, the event lets kids know they’re helping other kids in need.
“I think it’s important for people to do what they can to give back. It’s especially important for businesses to give back to the community. Operation Smile is the community in the broader sense because it gives back to the world,” Baker said. “We’re really fortunate to live in a community that’s so giving and caring. We have people who this is an annual thing for them.”
Albro Photography is holding its Celebration of Smiles on Saturday, April 2. Albro Photography is located at 137 First St. in Liverpool. To schedule an appointment, call 935-3145. If you can’t make it on April 2 but still want to support the Celebration of Smiles, call to schedule a special appointment.
Baker Photography’s Celebration of Smiles mini-sessions will be held April 26 through 29. Call 638-0812 to schedule an appointment.
