A photography service project created to honor Asheville families, preserve their stories, and bring a little joy in the midst of continued recovery.
This month, a group of NAPCP photographers is coming together in Asheville for a special Hearts of Service project created for families who experienced significant loss as a result of Hurricane Helene. On Tuesday, September 15, from 9:00–11:00 AM, participating photographers will donate their time and talent to create meaningful family photographs for a select number of local families. These sessions are being offered as a gift—an opportunity to pause, be together, and create something tangible to hold onto after a season marked by so much loss and change.
We know the impact of Hurricane Helene reaches far beyond what can be captured in a form. For many families, the storm meant losing homes, belongings, keepsakes, photographs, and pieces of everyday life that can’t simply be replaced. And while much time has passed since the hurricane, recovery is still ongoing for many throughout Asheville and Western North Carolina.
This project is about more than taking photographs. It is about using the skills we have as photographers to serve a community that is still rebuilding, to bring a little joy to families who have endured so much, and to remind others that meaningful support is still needed long after the headlines have moved on.
We also hope this project encourages photographers everywhere to recognize the unique way they can help in the aftermath of tragedy. A photograph cannot replace what was lost, but it can preserve what remains: connection, love, family, and this chapter of your story.
If your family was significantly impacted by Hurricane Helene, we invite you to apply for one of the available photography sessions below. Please share only what you feel comfortable sharing. Your story does not need to be dramatic or detailed to be worthy of consideration. We simply want to learn a little about your family, how the hurricane affected you, and what receiving these photographs might mean to you.
Please Read Before Applying
This project is both a gift to families affected by Hurricane Helene and an awareness initiative. If your family is selected, photographs from your session and portions of the story you choose to share may be featured publicly by NAPCP and participating photographers.
Our goal is to celebrate your family while helping others understand that recovery in Western North Carolina is still ongoing. We also hope this project inspires photographers everywhere to recognize how meaningful their skills can be when a community is experiencing loss.
By submitting this application, you understand that photographs from your family’s session may be shared publicly by NAPCP and the participating photographers as part of this project. You’ll also have the opportunity to tell us what parts of your family’s story, if any, you feel comfortable having shared alongside those images. We want to honor both your experience and your boundaries while helping others understand the continued impact of Hurricane Helene.