August 27, 2026 9:03pm
Big day for the project. The first camera was handed out. That was the goal from the beginning, and today it actually happened.
I also applied for a $1,000 Exposure Grant through Socialmark Giving. To be completely transparent, this is only an application. Nothing has been awarded or promised. If it does happen, the money will go toward getting more working cameras into people's hands.
No emails were returned today, so that part continues.
I also got out for a little while and took some quick pictures of a few of my favorite little guys. Sometimes just getting outside with a camera is the whole point.
One camera is out there now. On to the next one.
August 26, 2026
Planning to drop this off somewhere in Saratoga, either before or after work. 
August 25, 2026 5:09 PM
Today had a little bit of everything.
I found out that one of my photographs was accepted into the America’s Favorite Photos September 2026 competition. I have no idea where that will go, but just getting accepted is nice.
Two more photographers also submitted photos to the Community Gallery, and they are now posted. Thank you for taking the time to support this.
I also heard back from a photographer/creator I reached out to. He took the time to read my About Me page and told me that photography has helped him through difficult times too. That meant a lot to hear.
Now the bad news.
A major online shop got back to me and unfortunately they aren't able to pursue what I proposed at this time. The idea was to secure grant funding, use that funding to purchase working cameras from said company, and then distribute those cameras to people who could benefit from photography.
So that particular route didn't work out. I'll contact the 2nd one tomorrow.
And after all of that, I still managed to get out with the camera for a little while early this evening.
Not every day is going to be a win, but the project moved forward today.
August 24, 2026 - 5:09 PM
Today I received the first donated photograph for the project. A huge thank you to Ray for being the first person to step up and contribute a new photograph in support of mental health awareness.
I also added a new Community Gallery to the website. This is for everyone. You don't need to be a professional photographer. Camera, phone, beginner or experienced, it doesn't matter. Go out, take one new photograph and share it for the cause.
So far, none of the emails I've sent out have been returned, but I'm going to keep reaching out.
I'm also still working on funding and finding the first working camera for the giveaway. The goal hasn't changed. Get a camera into someone's hands and give them the opportunity to discover what photography might do for them.
One photograph and one camera at a time.
August 23, 2026 - 7:00 PM
Took pictures before and after work. Working on leading lines and converging lines and trying to pay more attention to how they can pull your eye through a photograph.
Last night I also sent out some emails and reached out to photographers about my Public Call to Photographers.
The idea is simple. Go out and take one NEW photograph in support of mental health awareness. It doesn't matter what you photograph or what camera you use. Anyone who contributes keeps ownership and all rights to their work. The photograph will never be sold. I just want to bring photographers together, share their work, and maybe show someone what getting out with a camera can offer.
My bigger goal hasn't changed. I want to put working cameras into the hands of people who might benefit from photography but may not otherwise have access to one.
And I may have secured the first camera to give away. Nothing is final yet, so I don't want to get ahead of myself, but if it works out, this would be the first real step toward making that part of the project happen.
I'm going to keep taking pictures. I'm going to keep sending emails. I'm going to keep asking.
I'm not giving up.
August 21, 2026 8:41 PM
New photographs have been added to the galleries, with more still to come.
I’m also waiting to hear back about the idea of purchasing older, working cameras to eventually put into the hands of people who could use them. Nothing new to report there yet, but I’ll keep trying.
I also had a new idea: ask professional photographers to go out, take one new photograph, and donate it to the website to support mental health awareness and the positive role photography can play in our well-being.
So far, I’ve asked four local professional photographers.
Two said no. One laughed.
One said 100% yes.
That’s a start.
If anyone is reading this and wants to be part of what I’m trying to do, please reach out. This project means the world to me.