Today we are celebrating World Water Day with an incredible project that was born from the generous, giving spirit of someone in our own wedding community; photographer Jim Davis Hicks. He founded Thirst Relief International to tackle the crucial international shortage of clean, plentiful drinking water. Thirst Relief is able to do big things with even small donations, so everyone can help make a difference in someone else’s life. Five dollars provides someone with clean water for 25 years!

One of Thirst Relief’s projects is an annual benefit shoot that takes place every year at Wedding & Portrait Photographers International, WPPI. Before the event, wedding photographers bid on the chance to learn from and shoot alongside some of the world’s best talent, and 100% of the proceeds go directly to Thirst Relief water projects located around the world to help provide people with a long-term source of clean water.

photo by Mike Colón

This year’s shoot boasted an incredible line-up of instructors: Mike Colon, David and Luke Edmonson, Rocco Ancora, Roberto Valenzuela and CM Leung. The shoot took place at Ghost Town outside Las Vegas, and took on a Wild West-boudoir feel with the featured corsets by Glamtastik. Here are just of a few of our favorite shots from the day…

photo by Mike Colón

photo by Bernie Aho Photographer

photo by Matthew DeMaria Photography

photo by Rocco Ancora

“It was a true honor and privilege to be involved in the Thirst Relief Charity shoot. It has been, without doubt, the most rewarding thing I have ever been involved in. The money that we raised will give 2000 people fresh drinking water for the next 25 years.–Rocco Ancora

photo by Hector G Zouls of Zouls Photography

photo by Jeffrey Kuo Photography

photo by Krista Puruhito of Puruhito Photography

photo by Donal Doherty Photography

I was attracted to the event because the images from previous years are exceptional and the instructors I would have an opportunity to shoot and learn and hangout with are all amazing. We travelled to Ghost Town outside Vegas, which has the most random of random stuff lying around and is such an amazing location for photography.–Donal Doherty

photo by Marian Bader Wedding and Lifestyle Photography

photo by Wing Wong

photo by Luke Edmonson of Edmonson Weddings

photo by Meaghan Elliott Photography

Pretty amazing, life changing stuff!–Meaghan Elliott

photo by Caleb Cheong Photography

Would you like to join the cause and help provide clean drinking water around the globe? Thirst Relief is partnering with Sevenly to sell limited edition t-shirts that are only available this week (and are only $22!) in honor of World Water Day. All proceeds will go to building four wells in India. You also can make a fast and easy donation right on the Thirst Relief website. Remember that $5? Imagine skipping your morning latte tomorrow, but having it matter for 25 years. Pretty awesome!

photo by Aundrea Shafer of A. Shafer Photography

photo by Raye Gillette-Whaley of Gillette Portrait Arts

photo by Victor Carrillo Photography

photo by Rebecca Bouck Photography

photo by Lynne Sarao Photography

To learn more about Thirst Relief International, be sure to visit www.ThirstRelief.org!