GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – A nonprofit group is helping the victims of California wildfires by addressing some unmet needs of our neighbors as they rebuild.

Highlights & Shadows, out of the Vacaville area, documents and publicizes other nonprofit organizations by offering free photography and videography services. Kristina Claudio, founder and photographer with Highlights & Shadows, says that with the upheaval of 2020, her group was called on by the SF Zion Church to something positive and uplifting for those in need that may not be immediate or obvious, such as clothing, food or shelter. We were challenged, “to do something, in a creative manner, to be able to shine the light to other people,” says Claudio, and the group desired to focus on something meaningful, “something that will last forever”.

Therefore, the volunteer photographers of Highlights & Shadows have reached out to families affected by fire, including Camp Fire and Bear Fire survivors, offering free family photos and videography session to replace photos lost to the flames.

The response has been pure gratefulness from the five families that they have been able to help so far. Claudio says that some have expressed that “this is the most thoughtful thing that someone has ever done for them…because those are lost memories that they can’t really bring back… But this is a way where they are able to start anew and start new memories as well.”

The group of photographers have traveled to locations throughout the north state in order to meet and schedule shoots with interested families. The resulting photos from the photo sessions have proved to be a cathartic experience for the survivors. “When you are able to help people, it changes your perspective on how much one small thing can actually change someone’s life in a bigger way. And, how it could actually inspire them to continue to move forward. This is just one of the many lights that we were able to shine,” says Claudio.

Highlights & Shadows is seeking more fire survivors and families interested in taking part in the photo sessions. For more information, please visit highlightsnshadows.com, on Instagram, Facebook and twitter.