This is a great example about how we as photojournalists can use photography to greatly impact the lives of people. We have a valuable skill that can be used for great things, and it is very discouraging when our routine work fails to give us this positive feeling of producing work that really matters to our subjects.

Check out Phil Hawkins story on how he created photographs and memories that will last his subject and client photographs and memories that will last generations.

http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=30985

This last month I was in Detroit photographing a community event as a favour to a friend. Yusef Shakur is an ex-gang member, who went from a gang member to a black revolutionary while in jail for 9 years, serving time for a crime that he did not commit.

He hosted an event with speakers, rap groups with a positive message, games for the youths and free school supplies for all of the kids in the neighbourhood. While he was looking at the photos- watching the emotion in his face was amazing. How can you beat that?

A young boy plays on an inflatable slide, during a community event for members of the community of "Zone 8", a Detroit gheto, that encouraged the strength of black people in the community, September 23, 2008, in urban Detroit.

A young girl looks through school supplies, while they are being distributed to members of the community of "Zone 8" during an event to encouraging the strength of black people in the community, September 23, 2008, in urban Detroit.

Three young boys sit on chairs, during a community event for members of the community of "Zone 8", a Detroit gheto, that encouraged the strength of black people in the community, September 23, 2008, in urban Detroit.

Yusef Shakur and his son Kobe, pose for a portrait, September 23, 2008, in Detroit. Shakur is a self described black revolutionary.