A picture of kindness: Kenmore Camera donates Canon Rebel to youth who resides at Seattle's Hope Place

A picture of kindness: Kenmore Camera donates Canon Rebel to youth who resides at Seattle’s Hope Place

Christian Curby could see that 16-year-old Mavius had an eye for shooting solid photos. Mavius (last name withheld for privacy reasons) started out using the point-and-shoot camera available at Seattle's Union Gospel Mission's Hope Place — a recovery program serving homeless women and their children — where he resides with his mother and siblings. Hope Place Assistant Director Curby pointed Mavius toward Sharon Thomas, the mission's public-relations manager, and asked if he could intern with her and hone his photography skills.

By Andy Nystrom • August 18, 2011 5:41 pm

Christian Curby could see that 16-year-old Mavius had an eye for shooting solid photos.

Mavius (last name withheld for privacy reasons) started out using the point-and-shoot camera available at Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission’s Hope Place — a recovery program serving homeless women and their children — where he resides with his mother and siblings.

Hope Place Assistant Director Curby pointed Mavius toward Sharon Thomas, the mission’s public-relations manager, and asked if he could intern with her and hone his photography skills.

“I saw potential in him,” said Thomas, who sent an email to Kenmore Camera, asking if they could donate a professional digital camera to Mavius.

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“I got the email, and said, ‘We’ve got to get this kid a camera,'” said Rich Alverdes, Kenmore Camera assistant floor manager.

So, this morning, Mavius, Curby and Thomas drove to Kenmore Camera, where the young photographer received a $300 used Canon Rebel. Alverdes said that Kenmore Camera often donates cameras to individuals and organizations in need.

“We’re blessed to be able to give them something to do that really excites them,” said Alverdes, who noted that Mavius was a bit hesitant to take hold of the camera at first. “He knows a lot about photography and is excited to go out and start shooting stuff. He’s interested in shooting cityscapes at night, and this is the perfect camera for him to do that type of project.”

Mavius said that he had an idea something was up when Thomas told his mom to keep a secret from her son.

“I kind of figured it out beforehand. I guessed what it was,” Mavius said.

“It was cool — it was great,” he added about the camera hand-off.

Tomorrow, Mavius and Curby — who formerly ran a wedding-photography business with his wife — will cruise around Seattle taking pictures.

“One of the things I’ve always wanted to do was take the perfect picture of the whole city of Seattle,” Mavius said.

Curby said that Mavius told him that photography is helpful when he’s having a bad day or is stressed out. “He gets away from life looking through the lens of his camera.”