Say Cheese! Village Children Will Show Off Pearly Whites
Professional Photographers Donate Services, Provide Lasting Memories

   SAN DIEGO — As many as 180 infants, children and teens living at St. Vincent de Paul Village will have their pictures taken free of charge by a local professional photography group on Tuesday, April 30, from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 5 p.m. at the downtown shelter located at 1501 Imperial Avenue. Maximum visual impact will be from 3 to 4 p.m., the event’s busiest hour.

   For the third time in as many years, the Professional Photographers of San Diego County (PPSDC) will be on hand to capture the youngsters’ countenances on film.

   St. Vincent’s Children Services Program Supervisor Alma Covarrubias says the event gives youngsters an opportunity which otherwise would be unavailable to them.

   "Parents living at St. Vincent’s are on very tight budgets and are saving as much as they can to prepare themselves for self-sufficient lives," she says. "That means there is not a lot of money left over for extras like pictures taken by a professional photography studio."

   Spokesperson for the photography group Eva Aguila says 17 volunteers will come together to snap the headshots. This will be the first time many of the youngsters will have their pictures taken professionally.

   "PPSDC wants to make a difference," Aguila says. "Our association feels very strongly about how precious children are and how a photograph can help to capture those special moments."

   A community room at the Village will transform into a working photography studio with lights, backdrops and two cameras, says Aguila, adding everything – film and processing included – will be donated.

   The pictures will be returned to the children before Mother’s Day, says Covarrubias, making them the perfect gift for mom.

   For more information on Tuesday’s event, call (619) 525-1608. For more information on St. Vincent’s children’s programs, call (619) 687-1000.

# # #