Benj Haisch Photography | Seattle Tacoma Wedding & Portrait Photographer. » benj haisch photography blog.

Sorry for another personal post, but I really thought I’d love to share some photos from our last minute trip up to the Olympics this past weekend.

The question I keep getting asked is, “how was Haiti?!?!” It is always enthusiastic and with a smile, like I am going to respond back with an, “AWESOME!” or “SO GOOD!”. The reality is that the situation and even my time there wasn’t either of these things. The widespread destruction can be summed up in the word I found myself saying over and over and over throughout the trip, “unreal”. Driving through Port-au-Prince is like driving through a war zone or a movie. With the way our media is you might think that Anderson Cooper might just be finding the worst spots and simply reporting on them.

The problem really is that EVERYWHERE is the worst spot.

Here are just a few video stills from our initial drive through downtown Port-au-Prince.The coolest part of our time in Haiti was hanging out with the kids. Where ever we went, we’d be followed by a small mob is children. These kids LOVED getting their photo taken and thought it was the coolest thing ever to see the photo right after I took it. Here is to the kids who have lost brothers, sisters, moms, dads, grandmas, and grandpas. Their upbeat spirit was incredibly encouraging. This kid was poking his head under the gate trying to get a look while we passed out tents. Two girls sat outside of their destroyed school.This girl napped on a small stool during the heat of the day under just a bed sheet for covering.This lady was so excited to get a tent that she literally started dancing. Can you imagine being that excited for a tent?
These people are desperate. How are you involved?The problem is not over and it won’t be long after all the media has left and turned away to other issues.
Please find a way to help if you can. I can’t stress this enough.

Some photographer friends and I decided not to just feel bad about what is going on in Haiti, but to actually do something about it.

I’m here inviting you to do the same.

I’m a contributor to a photography blog called switchcities where I’m able to post some photos that I might not always put on my own blog from travels and such. It is through this site where I will be offering a few limited prints through an auction format done on the site.

100% of the money from my prints will be donated to World Vision which is an incredibly respected organization that I have personally worked with in the past.

Not only will you get to help out, but you’ll be receiving some fine work from a few great photographers.

Click on the switchcities graphic to go to the main auction page and click on the individual photos to bid on the directly through the comments section.

Thanks so much for helping us help others in need. If this goes well, I’ll add more prints.

Maddie and I have been so incredibly blessed to have taken these photos. 2009 was a rad year and I’m looking forward to some more adventures in 2010.
Cheers, friends. Here are some of my faves.

Over the past month or so I’ve been working on a personal project with my friends in Roman Holiday. After a long summer of weddings and portraits it was nice to have another creative outlet and the opportunity to use my 5D Mark II to its full potential. Give it a watch and leave some love.

Big thanks to Mark for letting me borrow his Canon 7D for the slow motion clips.
Become a fan of Roman Holiday on Facebook.