On December 17, 2011, Lunatic Fringe stylists Steven Robertson (LF  Salt Lake City, UT) and Matt Fine (LF Nashville, TN) headed up a team of stylists in both Salt Lake City, UT and Nashville, TN to participate in a worldwide event, happening on the same day, in every major city all around the world. The event is called Help Portrait, a collective of photographers that provide free portraits and photo printing to those who would normally not have access.

This was the third year for Help-Portrait. It is an international movement: a shift in thinking about photography. It is a collaboration of photographers, hair/makeup artists, and general volunteers that come together to provide the unique experience of a professional photo shoot for the needy members of our community. We invite people that otherwise would not have the opportunity or be able to afford a professional portrait. This year, we worked directly with the Road Home Shelter and on Dec. 10, 2011, as many as 178 people came to the SLC Photo Collective where they were greeted with free food provided by Chartwells (from the University of Utah), free hair and makeup provided byLunatic Fringe Salon, and free portraits and prints provided by photographers involved with the SLC Photo Collective. Hundreds of frames were donated by IKEA, and close to 1,500 same-day prints were made possible by a generous contribution from ZAGG. It was awesome to collaborate with so many local organizations and people who were all eager to give back this holiday season. -Dave Brewer, SLC Photographer &  Help Portrait organizer

This is the second year Lunatic Fringe stylists have donated their day, in order to celebrate another’s beauty, that our stylists may have never had the chance to meet. Unlike a monetary donation, Help Portrait provides our team the ability to directly effect each and every individual they encounter; a special moment that is not commonly provided in the charitable world.

Touched by this particular individual, stylist Steven Robertson was the lucky one to have been able to spend an hour of styling time with Dionne, a beautiful woman residing in a homeless shelter in downtown Salt Lake who had not seen or had a photograph of herself in over 20 years

Meeting Dionne absolutely made the entire Help Portrait event day a total success. To see a woman; beautiful, strong and struggling to make ends meets every day, and be able to provide her with some one-on-one attention to remind her how beautiful she is, is a moment that you could not attach any amount of money to. A great experience that I will cherish my entire life. -Steven Robertson

Stylist Robertson with Dionne

Dionne's first photograph in over 20 years

Help Portrait will be a annual event for Lunatic Fringe Salons nationwide, and we are always excited to share our craft and passion with others. A video diary of each locations experience will be posted as soon as they are released

Happy Holidays from us at Lunatic Fringe Salon

This past October 22, 2011, our Nashville locations sponsored a team of stylists and ran a 5K, helping raise funds for www.runformercy.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of all young women from all socio-economic backgrounds. Congratulations team!! To read more about Run For Mercy, click here.

The Nashville Family

Recently, our Lunatic Fringe- Nashville team raised funds to be able to donate 15 h0t tools to Magdalene, a residential program for women who have escaped many hardships to improve the lifestyle of themselves and their families.

Tools donated included smoothing irons, curling irons and blow dryers.

A small donation for a large cause. Not a better feeling in the world

Lunatic Fringe-Boise recently joined up with OATHS (Organization Assisting the Homeless Student) by offer back to school cuts and styles for local children and surprised mothers, in Boise. Read what OATHS had to say about the experience:

August 15th was one of the best days in the one-year history of OATHS. Lunatic Fringe Salon in Boise offered to cut and style the hair of homeless students free of charge. Last Monday evening, for more than three hours, eight stylists generously donated their time and expertise. When it was all over, twenty kids and their mothers had gotten the best salon treatment of their lives. One grinning eleven-year-old boy said, ”This is the best place I have ever been.” A grateful mother, who wasn’t even expecting to get her hair done said, “This is the first time I have ever had my hair done in a salon.” Now these students are excited to go back to school and show off their new hairstyles courtesy of the generous stylists at the Lunatic Fringe Salon. Thank you!! – OATHS

Here are some pictures from the event!!

Boise thanks everyone for being able to participate in such a fulfilling, great event!

Congratulations Amanda on your editorial feature!