Sunflower House is a non-profit dedicated to protecting children from physical and sexual abuse through education, advocacy, forensic, medical, and mental health services in Overland Park, Kansas. Our goal was to create thoughtful portraits of three children to illustrate the strength, imagination, and perseverance of children for the Valentine's Gala in 2021 at the Sporting KC stadium. Live drawing videos were used on large, vertical screens throughout the event, while still portraits with sketched overlays were employed in marketing and decor.

We used poses that were wistful, strong, and slightly curious, making every effort to avoid sad, hurt, melancholy expressions that evoke negative feelings. Instead, the key was to showcase strength, inspire hope, and emphasize the chance to overcome. We collaborated with the event planner and an artist who captures live drawing to illustrate the hope of childhood, even through difficult times. The simple backgrounds, clothing, and soft lighting created a minimalist image to allow the artist's renderings to stand out. The final product encouraged nostalgia, reminding donors of their own dreams and hopes as children. Sunflower children, like all children, still dream, and all children deserve to receive the help they need to overcome.

Producing this shoot involved coordination on style, atmosphere, backdrop colors, and agency model selection with the client through two rounds of treatments. We used Sunflower House's building space for our shoot location to save studio fees for our non-profit client. A lighting and tech assistant was on set throughout the day to help coordinate models, lighting, and anticipate any other needs. This project was pitched, negotiated, shot, and delivered over three weeks.

sunflower house + josh dampf events

sunflower house : annual fundraiser portraits