Mini Golf Photoshoot at Eagle Landing
It’s an early Friday afternoon in early June. The clouds threaten light rain with the temperatures still cool, summer not quite ready to make an appearance. The meticulously clean mini-golf course nestled into the relaxing surroundings of Eagle Landing in Happy Valley is nearly empty. That’s just perfect for a *Reuben, a young man whose energy matches his excitement to do something fun with Gene, his mentor of several years. Maybe that Coke purchased while paying for the course entrance was a mistake, but it’s a happy pleasure. After all, being a mentor can be a bit like being a grandparent: you can spoil someone special without dealing with that sugar spike. ;)
Gene has dedicated his career to serving the community as a Portland police officer. Now in retirement, he continues to work to make the community a better place by enjoying the friendship he has with Reuben and his family. Today’s outing is a chance to enjoy the spring-like weather while sharing time catching up in the car to and from their northeast Portland homes. He usually comes up with an outing for Reuben that will include his whole body since sitting around and doing crafts just doesn’t cut it.
Tagging along is the guy with a camera, staff photographer & Communications Manager Tim Cowley who, on this day particularly, could often be seen crouching low or peering through shrubbery to experiment with some fun angles as this happy occasion is being recorded.
Many of our mentors enjoy taking selfies and shots together with their mentees when they hang out together, whether that is building a gingerbread house around Christmas time or hiking a waterfall in the gorge. They often upload those photos via our Mentor Logs page, but it’s always a win-win when someone else can record your time together.
Professional photos can serve in multiple ways for any non-profit. For Faithful Friends, they could mean illustrating new print material like postcards, brochures or thank you notes. Or they could be used in pitch decks intended for churches or possible grant donors. They could be used on slides during training sessions, or simply on our social media channels where it is important to connect in powerful visual ways with audiences.
Tim the photographer tries to keep a low profile, but it turns out Reuben loves the camera. He is constantly posing and practices his leaps over waterways or off of high rocks. Fortunately, the staff and other golfers are not around so Gene can relax just a bit. He seems unperturbed, calm and collected. Certainly this is not the first young energetic male he’s spent significant time investing in. Maybe being a seasoned grandfather also helps.
If you are a mentor and wish to schedule a shoot, email Tim.
*Reuben finishes the last of his Coke just as the round of mini-golf ends and he and Gene prepare for their return.
