For me, no feeling compares to the moment when I hand a child a photograph of himself – their faces transform before my eyes and I am amazed as these children fill with a light that is caused by pride. That is the power of a photograph – to give self-esteem to those who have none. This is why taking photos in rural South Africa is my life's most satisfying experience.
-- Brandi Hill, founder of Photos for Africa

The Beginning…
Photos for Africa was founded by freelance photographer, Brandi Hill. An alumna of the University of Florida, Brandi first traveled to Southern Africa while conducting research as an undergraduate. Though it was her research on the judicial system that situated her in South Africa; it was the children who captured her interest. Despite their hardships, Brandi was impressed by their sense of identity and tenacity. Empowered by their yearning to learn and their gratitude for basic school supplies, Brandi began using her skill of photography to raise money to purchase the needed supplies and to provide village school students with portraits. While an undergraduate she began creating personal portraits, as a means of fundraising. Half of the monies earned from photo shoots went towards gathering, purchasing and delivering school supplies.

Now…
May 2008 after graduation Brandi relocated to South Africa. Aside from her photography, with the help of a one year funding stipend, Brandi will implement a program that focuses on South Africa’s most vulnerable children. Modeled after the Police Athletic League http://www.jaxpal.com/main.htm in her hometown of Jacksonville Florida, the program focuses on investing in children through recreation and art in an effort to prevent future criminal activity amongst juveniles.

In her free time, Brandi will continue to carry out the school supply and portrait projects. In the past, school supplies have been gathered by volunteers such as student organizations at the University of Florida and local businesses. Now that Brandi has relocated to South Africa, she will partner once again with South African organizations and businesses. Monetary donations given through the website will no longer be used for high shipping costs. Rather now they are used directly to purchase school supplies in South Africa.

Brandi takes pride in operating with minimal over-head costs. 100% of the monetary donations given on this site are used to purchase additional school supplies for the children of South Africa. While half of the monies raised through photo shoots are used for the overhead cost that come with carrying out the projects, such as transportation and supplies and for the cost of portrait developing. While carrying out the project, Brandi’s food and housing are provided by the residents of the community in support of the project.

**Special arrangements can be made to purchase specific supplies on behalf of donor or civic groups and delivered to specific children or communities based on the interests of the donors.

In the future…
In the longer term future, Brandi hopes to combine her two passions; criminology and photography to prevent crime amongst juveniles. She recognizes that a reality in life is that wrong decisions, such as participating in criminal activities, are largely made based on lack of self-worth and self-esteem. Brandi sees the benefits of providing much needed self-esteem to children through photography. While taking a photograph is seemingly a simple gesture in the West, where cameras are readily available, many of the children in South Africa have never had the opportunity to see themselves on paper or to hold a camera. Each time she hands a child a photograph she can see their face fill with pride. Brandi is amazed by their interest in the idea of photographs. She sees this curiosity as a chance for them to learn and she hopes to hold workshops where she can allow children to handle basic cameras and create their own photographs.

As of May 2008, through the blog and photo albums located on this website, Brandi frequently posts the photos and news of what is happening with the children who benefit from your donations. Please visit often.