What would you picture if you were asked to photograph something that makes you laugh, cry, something you love, something beautiful or something you can’t live without? Your images would undoubtedly speak volumes about your values, your personality and the people who matter to you most. Barrington portrait photographer, Thomas Balsamo, recently posed that challenge to 28 area special needs children in a contest called Express Yourself. With the help of special needs advocacy group, Barrington Area Special Voices, this project is the latest way Thomas has used his lens to both enlighten and empower.
For the Express Yourself Photo Contest, Thomas armed contestants with cameras, confidence and a few tricks of his trade. He paired them with local photography experts, encouraged them to explore and inspired them to share their feelings creatively.
He rewarded their work with prizes and praise. The project became the focus of his latest book and a brand new photography exhibit debuting in Barrington this week. And now here’s where we come in……
