VIDEO: Smile Portrait Project (Los Angeles): Benefitting Smile Train w/ Free Photo Session

July 21, 2010 - PRLog -- The “Smile Portrait Project” is a creative photography project where anyone can participate by having their photo taken for FREE in studio.  If you would like to purchase your portrait, a large portion of the proceeds will be donated to “Smile Train,” the organization that helps repair cleft palates in children around the world. The project starts shooting Sunday, July 25-Saturday, July 31, 2010 (based on time slots. Call 213-595-3462).  The online gallery exhibit begins Aug. 16.  The official Gallery exhibit at the M Street Coffee & Gallery (13251 Moorpark Street, Sherman Oaks) will be Aug. 23-30, 2010.  All the info, and how to reserve your half hour shoot time, is available at http://smileportraitproject.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_ZXgiy3cIw



What is the Smile Portrait Project?  Created by photographer, Faleena Hopkins, “The Smile Portrait Project” starts with a week of portrait shoots (free half hour sittings by appointment) where the participants have the opportunity of purchasing their photos.  A large portion of the proceeds will be donated to the “Smile Train” organization.  “Smile Train” helps cleft-pallet children with around the world to smile again.  All the participants will be displayed in an exclusive ongoing online gallery beginning Aug. 16th.  The top 5 will have their portraits exhibited in 20x30 framed, signed prints at M Street Coffee & Gallery Aug. 23-30. After the showing, the framed prints are theirs to keep.  

About Photographer Faleena Hopkins: The Photographer is Faleena Hopkins, a self-taught photographer who can shoot anything from fashion to high art to babies and whose work has been seen in Colures, Lux City, and Stomp print publications.  Faleena has created the “Smile Portrait Project” as a way to combine what she loves – photography while helping children smile by donating to “Smile Train”.  Faleena expresses her “extroverted side” by acting in commercials, plays, and movies, but photography is where her heart is.  And photographing real people is what she loves the most.

About the Benefit, "Smile Train": Cleft lips and palettes are a significant problem in under-developed countries.  Children do not have the money or opportunity for reparative surgery to help them live normal lives.  The goal of “Smile Train” is to provide free cleft surgeries for millions of poor children in developing countries and to provide free cleft-related training to medical personnel.


Info & Contact:  
Link from Benefit, "Smile Train": http://www.smiletrain.org/site/TR?pg=fund&fr_id=1040&pxfi...
Company Website: http://smileportraitproject.com
Booking Photo Sessions: 213-595-3462
Press Requests contact: Press@M4PR.com
Celebrity Bookings contact: PR@M4PR.com