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Media Credit: Rebecca Zachary SONY DSC

While many stand in long lines to purchase the perfect gift for their loved ones, Janicka Rouse is working around the clock making final preparations for her ongoing project

"Operation: Community Capture."

Rouse, a fourth- semester photography student at the Southeast Center for Photographic Studies at Daytona State College, created Operation Community Capture in 2008 after listening to DSC Professor Patrick Van Dusen speak about the power of photographs.

In an interview with blogger Morgan McDole, Rouse said, "My goal is to hold events year-long in the community, not just during the holidays. It would also be nice to give back to the volunteers who donate their time, especially if the same people participate in Operation Community Capture efforts often."

Those volunteers include students Duane Rodriguez, Jenna Michaels, Tyson Robertson, Patricia Woods and Amber Plutowski, Jared Siegel and Lukus Harden, as well as staff workers Roger Linke and Molly Coffin . Speedway Photo offered a discount on the prints and other donations came from Sorrento's Italian Restaurant, Jeanne Fish, and even the photo program stockroom.

"Add to all of that, the support of Dan Biferie and all of the professors. How can I name just a few? It was truly a team effort all the way around with everyone doing what they could when they could, which is what I appreciate most," Rouse told McDole. "This may have been one person's idea, but there was a team behind the day and memories these families will always carry with them."

More of that extensive interview can be found at: http://dirtcityzine.blogspot.com/2009/02/operation-community-capture-interview.html

The Operation has had two events to date. The first was set up last year during the holidays in the photography studios on the Daytona campus and families were brought in throughout the day for portrait sessions with volunteer photographers and staff.

When they first arrived, families were shown to an area where the kids could color and play games before being escorted to the studio for their session. Afterwards, they anxiously awaited for the CD of images that they would receive before leaving for the day. The families also received prints in Christmas baskets provided by the Salvation Army.

"The Operation allows families to be selected by Captain Karla Perez of the Salvation Army, in which a process is already in place for families in need," said Rouse. "She knows the families and interacts with them almost daily. This allowed for families that may not have been considered, to be recognized because she was personally aware of their sacrifices and needs."

Those chosen have one or more family members who are trying to get their lives back on track and would not be able to afford a professional portrait session. Most are only able to see their family one day a week and on holidays.

The second event consisted of two parts for Valentine's Day and was geared towards young women. The first week Rouse met with the young women and discussed the value of loving yourself and the power of the self-portrait. She brought along books by photographers Annie Leibovitz and Richard Avedon to discuss mood, lighting and what each portrait meant to each one of them.

They also talked about what the women loved most about themselves at that moment and how they wanted to convey that in their photographs. The women were given a week to prepare and then Rouse returned with lights and backdrops to photograph each woman's idea. A week later , participants were given a CD with the images from their self-portrait session, as well as a print.

"Watching the expressions on the families' faces at the end of the day. It is absolutely amazing to see the transformation from apprehension to outright joy," said Rouse.

Rouse also is grateful to the many students and community members who came to her assistance for the project.

Roger Linke, the Mac Lab technician at DSC, also volunteer for the program and added, "It is good that some students showed initiative and started this thing. I think it paid off with those students gaining experience. The clients seemed very happy and the event was successful."

Last Christmas, 20 families signed up and Rouse is hoping to offer her Valentine's gift again this year. Those interested in participating, donating food, drinks and toys for the playroom, or financially for the printing costs, can contact Janicka.Rouse@yahoo.com or call 386-334-1165.

Rouse says, " If you pay attention, life gives you a chance to give back."

Staff reports contributed to this story

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