By Amy Pino
Sophomore Cristian Isbrandtsen has spent the last year taking professional-quality pictures. Alone, this is not unusual. What’s unusual is what he does with the money he makes.
Cristian donates the profits he earns from photographing events to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
“[The business] is a non-profit and it supports the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation,” said Cristian. “I go around Sonoma County and San Francisco and take photos for events, weddings, stuff like that, and all the profits are donated to that foundation.”
Cristian was inspired to do photography by his parents who are both involved in the business. He was inspired to donate his profits to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation because of family members who have suffered from diabetes.
“Sometimes I take photos of people who have diabetes and it’s something nice I can show them, that the money is going to this foundation,” said Cristian.
Cristian is also willing to donate his profits to other important causes.
“In the past what I’ve done is I’ve gone to other events that have been raising money for other foundations and I’ve split my profits, so half will go to mine and half will go to theirs,” said Cristian.
What Cristian does is not easy; when people hire him to photograph events, he has the responsibility of providing photos people may cherish forever.
“I think it’s really important to be able to capture the moment. Especially at a wedding, for example, after the event is over or the wedding is done people want to be able to look back at that experience,” said Cristian. “Probably the hardest part is being able to get photos of all the important people, because when I show up to an event I usually have a list of all the people that I need to be able to take photos of, so I’m there trying to find all these people I’ve never met before.”
Cristian’s job is very important. Not only is he in charge of providing people memorable photos from their events, but he is also donating money to a very important foundation, and showing people that it is easy to pair something you love with helping a good cause.
“I know not everyone is into photography, but I think it’s important to find something you’re passionate about and be able to raise money for your community or help or be aware of a certain cause and be able to raise money for it,” said Cristian. “I think that being in high school, you’re at that age where you definitely can do that and help make a difference.”