You know the old cliche: A picture is worth a thousand words. For people struggling in their daily lives, a picture can be worth so much more.
A quality portrait can have a big impact in the lives of people who need to find a sense of direction and purpose. It can capture the dedication and drive of a rising professional, the sense of dignity and self-worth of a person with big dreams for the future, or the love and connection of family.
At Apricus: Photos for All, we offer the gift of professional photography to families and individuals who may not have access to such treasures due to cost or other barriers. We gift free photography sessions to low-income people at any life stage looking for quality portraits as they make their fresh start in life.
Based in Rochester, Minnesota, our nonprofit organization focuses on serving low-income families, at-risk and homeless youth, and individuals released from prison who wish to re-enter society and maintain steady employment. We have a special interest in helping people of color obtain photo portraits due to a knowledge gap that prevents many minority individuals and families from taking advantage of these services. We make photography accessible to this target group by promoting our services in underserved and underrepresented communities in Minnesota and beyond.
Apricus was started by Solen Feyissa, PhD, a learning technologies scholar, avid photographer and educator who recognized a need for making quality photographic portrait accessible to all. Solen’s vision is to use the power of photography to give underserved and underrepresented people their moment in the sun.
Our photography services are supported by talented volunteers from diverse backgrounds who share a goal to deliver an amazing selection of high-quality portraits to the people we serve, completely free of charge.
Apricus is a Latin word meaning exposure to the sunlight. We want to give our clients their moment in the sun, allowing them to bask in the glory of a well-taken photo that truly captures their essence. These types of photos are typically only available to affluent people. Our service makes visible the invisible, levels the playing field and gives everyone a chance to experience the power of priceless photography, sparking the change they need so we can all be the change we want to see in the world.