Welcome back to Viewfinder, our ongoing series in which we chronicle interesting projects that incorporate instant film. This week, in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, we have a very special post to share with you from New Jersey native Christine Zona…
The Jersey Shore is a very special place to me. My summers as a kid were spent with my grandparents and cousins at the boardwalk in Pt. Pleasant. I would eat orange vanilla swirl ice-cream until my brain froze and I played boardwalk games until my fingers cramped. As a teenager my friends and I would cruise down to Seaside Heights were we would get into all sorts of crazy shenanigans. In my older years I would spend time with my parents in Atlantic City playing penny slots and enjoying strolls along the water. Not to mention those awesome buffets.
A couple of years ago I started a photography project about the Jersey Shore. I did it to restore the innocence of it to the masses. I wanted people to view it as I did as a kid. I thought this project would go on for years. So much so that I bought an entire case of expired Polaroid film to dedicate to this project. Little did I know that the shore would be taken from me. My memories and my youth washed away by Sandy. The photos that I took have now become my most prized possession.
It is important to me that I help the people and the places that have shaped me into who I am today. That’s why I am putting prints of my Polaroid series up for sale. 100% of the profits will go towards two charities to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Every print sale generates $3-4 profit and all other product sales generate an additional $4-5 profit.
The money will be split between Waves for Water and the ASPCA-NJ. Waves for Water has a lot of experience with disaster relief on every level and though they normally focus on clean water, this time they will be assisting with many needs – first response survival supplies, rubble removal, and rebuilding, etc. They’ll be targeting surf-based coastal communities in Jersey and NY. ASPCA is helping families reunite with lost pets and is caring for any abandoned pets in need. Don’t forget, pets are family too.
The more prints we sell, the more we have to donate to those in need. With your help I know I can reach my 5K goal. Thank you all for your support and love during this time.
To purchase a print and support Christine’s cause, please visit http://zonafoto.zenfolio.com/savetheshore.
Thank you so much for shining some light on this fundraising effort. There are so many people in need and I am just trying to help as much as I can one polaroid at a time.
I know so many are reading this. The most inexpensive print is $5 and $3 of it goes to charity. Buy a print, help a cause, get new artwork. win-win!