Photo Shoot

As a way of introducing me to the NGO with whom I will be working during my volunteer placement in Africa starting next January, AJWS asked that I submit a cover letter detailing my career background and summarizing my professional skills. No big deal—I wrote it one morning, sent it to Rebecca at school to proofread during her prep time, and had it back that same afternoon essentially ready to go. Easy. They also asked that I send them a recent, color, head-and-shoulders digital photograph of myself so that the organization's administration can feel like they are getting to know me a little bit before I arrive. Ugh, not so easy. Years ago during my online dating heyday I had quite a few cute and quirky pictures of myself to send around when necessary, but all of those are dated now and most of them are less than professional. Anyone remember the one of me asleep on the trampoline at Melissa's birthday party? No? Good.

To remedy the situation, one of our household's Sunday afternoon projects today was a photo shoot out in the backyard to see what we could come up with for me to send to Africa as a form of self-introduction. This session was no amateur affair--we did it up professional-style complete with:

*wardrobe: I dug out a clean sweater from one of the three massive Rubbermaid bins in which all my clothes are stored and stacked in the middle of my bedroom floor

*hair: cut 15 minutes before across the street at Festoon, it still looked smooth and neat

*make-up (the ubiquitous Burt's Bees lip balm, original mint flavor)

Fifteen minutes and countless ridiculous pictures later here are a few that DIDN'T make the cut. Would you invite this woman to come be an integral part of your organization for four months and expect her to be able to make some sort of meaningful professional contribution? I would not.

Fortunately, however, Rebecca is an excellent photographer and we finally came up with a picture that makes me look like the rustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent prospective volunteer that I am. And the winner is...