A photographer friend whose children attend a private school in told us why she was chosen to be the school’s official photographer. The story revolved around a novel way that the school selected their homecoming queen.

The students vote, the administration votes and the faculty votes. One of the candidates selected was a girl on scholarship whose single mother cleans houses for a living. She was loved by everyone. The other candidates were equally wonderful girls from affluent families. These girls decided that the scholarship gal should be the homecoming queen and set out to make it happen.

The competitors secretly campaigned for her. Our friend the photographer, moved by the story, offered to do the photography at no charge. One of the competitor’s parents took her to the hairdresser. It was the first time she had her hair done professionally. Another parent took all the girls shopping and bought everyone dresses and accessories.

The results were announced at the football game. My friend was in the know and positioned her camera to catch the look of surprise and joy. The picture turned out beautifully. She used the picture in her company ad, congratulating everyone.

Wonderful things started happening to our friend the photographer. The school contracted her to do the photos for the year book. Many parents recommended her, and had their family portraits taken by her.

This was a natural gesture, a spontaneous act of kindness, coming from a mother who supports two daughters in private school. She just naturally wanted to contribute her expertise to make someone’s day that much better. She was not asking for the photography job, she was volunteering and making her brand known. We also rallied behind her and sent a considerable amount of work her way. We were moved by her genuine kindness and this story.


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