LOS ANGELES, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ — Mark Robert Halper, the famous Los Angeles portrait photographer, plans to set up shop and take photos on December 13, 2008 of the families who are victims of the Sayre fire.  The shoot is complimentary for those affected by the fire.

    Best known for his portraits of celebrities and captains of industry, Halper will be turning his talent and his lens to help those affected by the devastating fires.

    Halper has committed the day to giving a priceless gift of a fine art black and white portrait to these families. 

    With the help of his wife Jennifer, Halper has handled setting up all aspects of the shoot so they can help these families that have suffered so much.  Located very near the fire area, the Hansen Dam Equestrian Center has made its clubhouse available for the event.  Halper’s gift will be signed prints for the affected families.

    “There is a good chance that, outside of the school or a department store, these families have not had a professional photo taken of themselves.  The portraits I will be doing aren’t anything like what they would get from a traditional family photographer.  I hope they will be treasured,” says Halper.

    “Even though this is a difficult time and these families have lost so much, we intend to give them a priceless gift they will hold on to for many years to come,” says Halper.  “I want to do something to give them some happiness and joy this year.”

    In addition to the shoot, Halper is hoping to mount a show of the images to bring attention to the plight of those affected by the fire.  “For us, the fire ended as soon as the flames were put out, but for these people that was just the beginning.  I believe images and faces have a stronger impact than statistics,” says Halper.

    In November of 2008, the Sayre fire destroyed 487 residences in Southern California, most of which were in the Oakridge Mobile Home Park.

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