Giving Back Through Photography:
Bringing Smiles to Seniors at Homeward
On June 9, 2026, I had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer with Mom Squad at Homeward, a supportive housing community for seniors, during their Soup and Songs gathering. It was an afternoon filled with music, laughter, dancing, and beautiful moments that I was so happy to be part of.
As a professional photographer, I always love finding opportunities to give back through my work, and this experience was particularly special.
My role that day was to photograph the senior residents, creating beautiful individual portraits that they could take home as keepsakes. But instead of simply taking photographs and delivering them later, I brought a printer with me so I could print their portraits right there, on the spot!
Each photograph was placed in a frame and given to its new owner as a little gift.
And honestly, seeing their reactions was the best part of the entire experience.
The smiles, the excitement, and the genuine happiness on their faces when they saw their printed portraits were priceless. Some admired their photographs, others proudly showed them to their friends, and it was wonderful to see how much joy such a simple gesture could bring.
The afternoon was about much more than photography. We celebrated birthdays, enjoyed music, sang, danced, and shared so many lovely moments together. At one point, everyone even joined in for a little cha-cha-cha to Bruno Mars, which made the celebration even more memorable!
Experiences like this remind me why I love volunteering as a photographer. Photography is not only about capturing beautiful images; it is also about making people feel seen, appreciated, and celebrated.
Sometimes, something as simple as a portrait in a frame can become a meaningful gift. And being able to use my skills to create those little moments of happiness is incredibly fulfilling.
I left Homeward that afternoon with a big smile on my face and a heart full of gratitude.
Giving back through photography is something I truly love, and I look forward to creating many more beautiful memories like these.
With love,
Anna Meshcheri
