Photographers take and present photo portraits to many at hospitals, the elderly, and others in difficult circumstances.

The ninth annual Help-Portrait Vietnam was held last week in 17 cities and provinces around the country, with over 1,500 young photographers and volunteers pitching in at the mass photo-shoot and giveaway.

The day-long initiative in over 60 locations around Vietnam took place under the banner “Traveling through photos”, with over 10,000 images of pediatric cancer patients, lonely elderly, and other needy members of the community shot and presented. This year the photographers were also called upon to add their dream backgrounds, as a symbol of the pursuit of the dreams of their communities.

As one of the event’s sponsors, Canon supplied printing materials including ink and high-quality photographic paper to ensure that those photographed received beautiful, high-quality images.

This year’s Help-Portrait event also included Christmas parties in hospitals, orphanages, and centers raising children with disabilities, with small gifts such as milk, candy, coloring books, and toys from donors handed out.

The opening of Help-Portrait in Ho Chi Minh City was attended by Mr. Hiroshi Yokota, CEO of Canon Marketing Vietnam, along with various other sponsors and media. The National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion hosted the opening in Hanoi, with the attendance of 100 professional and amateur photographers as well as numerous other people offering logistical support.

Help-Portrait began in Vietnam in December 2010, with just 120 volunteers. It has grown rapidly in the years since, spreading to all corners of the country. To date, more than 50,000 images have been presented over the nine years of the program. This is one of many events Canon supports, highlighting the way in which photography can capture and convey human values.

VNF/VnEconomic Times