The Perfect Time is Now

A few weeks ago, I found myself flipping through old photos of my dad. It was late, the house was quiet, and I was lost in memories—his laughter, his unwavering belief in people, his way of making everyone feel like they mattered. He spent his life lifting others, whether it was through founding an orphanage in India with Mother Teresa or simply showing up for those who had no one else. Giving back wasn’t something he did; it was who he was.

One of his favorite sayings was, “The perfect time is now.”

That line echoed in my head as I sat there, staring at the glow of my laptop screen, thinking about an idea that had been tugging at my heart for a while. I knew I wanted to do something meaningful—something that wasn’t about profit, but about people. Something that could create the kind of impact my father dedicated his life to.

And then it hit me. I already had the tools to make a difference. My camera. My experience. My ability to see people—not just through a lens, but for who they are.

I shared the idea with my partner, Kelly, and before I could even finish my sentence, she was in. That’s when Smyle Portraits was born. With her talent for styling and my love for photography, we realized we could offer more than just pictures—we could give people the confidence to step into new opportunities and the chance to capture memories they never thought they’d have.

So here’s what we’re doing: offering free portraits for those who need them most.

A job seeker needing a LinkedIn headshot but struggling to afford one.

A family who has never had a professional photo together.

Someone who just wants to be seen.

No price tag. No catch. Just a way to give back.

How You Can Help

If you know someone who could benefit from this, send them our way.

Email us: arun@arunfrances.com

If you believe in this mission, share it. The more people who hear about Smyle Portraits, the more lives we can touch.

I don’t know exactly where this journey will take us, but I do know one thing—there’s no perfect time to start something meaningful. There’s only now.

So here we go. One portrait, one connection, one Smyle at a time. ❤️