I recently returned from Santa Cruz, California, where I spent another wonderful week volunteering as a photographer with First Descents. And while I have only just unpacked my camera gear, I am already thinking about the next opportunity to do it all over again.

This was my fourth time volunteering with First Descents, an organization that has become very special to me over the past few years. Every time I join one of their programs, I am reminded of how much I love what they do, the people they bring together, and the incredible experiences they create.

But more than anything, these experiences remind me of something I have always believed: one of the most rewarding things about having a skill you love is being able to share it with others.

As a professional travel photographer, I spend much of my time exploring beautiful destinations, creating images, and telling stories through my camera. Photography is my career, my passion, and a huge part of who I am. And while I genuinely love the work I do for my clients, there is another side of photography that brings me an entirely different kind of fulfillment.

That is giving back.

Four Adventures, Countless Memories, and One Very Special Organization

My journey with First Descents began in 2023, when I volunteered as a photographer for their surfing program in Santa Cruz, California.

I had such a wonderful experience that I knew I wanted to do it again.

In 2024, I joined another surfing program, this time in North Carolina. In April 2025, I returned to Santa Cruz for my third adventure. And most recently, from September 27 through October 3, 2026, I found myself back on the California coast, camera in hand, documenting another incredible week of surfing.

Four programs. Different groups of participants. Different experiences. So many beautiful memories.

And somehow, every time feels just as exciting as the first.

First Descents creates outdoor adventure experiences for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions. Their programs bring people together through activities like surfing, kayaking, and rock climbing, creating space for adventure, connection, and personal growth.

I love their mission, and I love being able to contribute to it.

Surfing programs are particularly close to my heart. There is something magical about watching people challenge themselves in the ocean, catch their first waves, laugh together, and celebrate those little victories that often turn out to be not so little after all.

And I get to be there with my camera, capturing it all.

Over the years, I have also made wonderful friendships through these programs. Returning to First Descents often means reconnecting with familiar faces, meeting new people, and feeling part of a community that I genuinely look forward to seeing again.

I cannot wait to see where the next adventure takes us.

Sometimes Giving Back Means Giving What You Do Best

When we think about charity or supporting a good cause, the first thing that often comes to mind is making a financial donation.

And of course, financial contributions are incredibly important. They help organizations operate, support their missions, and reach the people who need them.

But I also believe there is something very special about donating your time, your knowledge, and your professional skills.

It allows you to become part of the experience.

Instead of simply supporting a cause from a distance, you get to show up, meet the people involved, understand what the organization does, and contribute something that is uniquely yours.

For me, that something is photography.

I have spent years developing my skills, building my photography career, investing in equipment, and learning how to tell stories through images. And it is incredibly fulfilling to know that those skills can also be valuable to organizations and people who might not otherwise have access to professional photography.

I may not be able to change someone's circumstances, but I can give them something meaningful to take home from an experience.

A photograph of themselves doing something they never imagined they could do. A beautiful portrait. A moment of happiness. A memory of a friendship or an adventure.

And I think that is pretty amazing.

That Moment When Someone Sees Their Photograph

There is one thing about being a photographer that never gets old for me.

It is watching someone's reaction when they see a photograph I took of them.

That moment when their face lights up and they say, "Oh my God, wow! Is that really me? This is so cool!"

I love it.

Of course, I experience this with my paying clients as well, and it is one of the reasons I enjoy being a professional photographer so much.

But when I volunteer, those moments feel especially meaningful.

Sometimes I am photographing someone catching a wave for the first time. Sometimes it is a moment of pure laughter, a spontaneous celebration, or simply a beautiful photograph of someone enjoying themselves.

And when they see that image, they get to experience that moment all over again, perhaps even seeing themselves from a completely different perspective.

That is something I find incredibly rewarding.

We photographers spend so much time thinking about lighting, composition, camera settings, lenses, and editing. But at the end of the day, the most important thing about a photograph is often how it makes someone feel.

And knowing that something I created can bring someone happiness is one of the best feelings in the world.

Photography Is My Career, but It Is Also Something I Can Give

I run a photography business, and like any other small business owner, I work hard to build it, find clients, manage projects, and make a living doing what I love.

Photography is not just a hobby for me. It is my profession, and I take it seriously.

But I also love the idea that my work does not always have to be transactional.

Not every photograph I take needs to be part of a paid assignment. Not every project needs to have a commercial purpose.

Sometimes I simply want to show up with my camera because I believe in what someone is doing.

Sometimes I want to use my skills to help tell a story that deserves more attention.

And sometimes I want to give someone beautiful photographs simply because I can.

I think there is something incredibly fulfilling about finding that balance between building a career and using the very same skills to make a positive contribution.

For me, volunteering is not separate from my identity as a photographer. It is another expression of why I fell in love with photography in the first place.

I love capturing people, places, emotions, and experiences. I love preserving moments that will never happen in exactly the same way again.

And I love being able to share those moments with the people who lived them.

Looking Ahead: My Volunteer Photography Plans for 2027

After returning from my fourth First Descents program, I have been thinking a lot about the organizations and causes I would love to support next.

I am currently putting together a list of nonprofit organizations and charitable initiatives that I hope to connect with in 2027.

First Descents will always have a special place in my heart, and I would love to join another one of their adventures. But I am also excited about the possibility of discovering new organizations, meeting new people, and using my photography skills in different ways.

As a travel photographer, I am naturally drawn to projects that involve travel, outdoor adventures, nature, community, and meaningful human stories. But I am also open to learning about other causes that resonate with me.

I plan to dedicate a limited amount of my time each year to volunteer photography projects, carefully selecting organizations whose missions I believe in and where I feel my work can make a meaningful contribution.

And this is where I would love to hear from you.

Do you know a nonprofit organization, charitable initiative, or community project that could benefit from professional photography?

Perhaps it is an organization doing wonderful work but struggling to document its impact. Maybe it is a program that creates meaningful experiences for people facing difficult circumstances. Or perhaps it is a cause that deserves more visibility and could benefit from stronger visual storytelling.

If something comes to mind, please reach out and tell me about it.

I cannot promise to participate in every opportunity, but I would genuinely love to learn about the possibilities as I plan my volunteer photography projects for 2027.

A Little Reminder to Share What You Have

If there is one thing these four First Descents experiences have taught me, it is that giving back can be incredibly rewarding, not only for the people receiving support but also for those offering it.

And you do not have to be a photographer to experience that.

We all have something we can share. It might be a professional skill, a creative talent, knowledge, experience, or simply a little bit of our time.

Sometimes the things that feel ordinary to us because we do them every day can be incredibly valuable to someone else.

For me, that is photography.

And I feel very fortunate that something I love doing so much can also bring joy to others.

So here is to more adventures, more meaningful connections, more opportunities to give back, and many more photographs that make someone smile.

And if you know of an organization that might benefit from having a passionate travel photographer on board in 2027, I would love to hear from you.

With love,

Anna Meshcheri
Travel Photographer | Ann in Motion

More Than Just Photographs: Why Giving Back Through Photography Means So Much to Me