With a freelance photography gig, sure, you get experience, money and samples to add to your portfolio, but I receive even more as the Community Matters photographer. I show up and am greeted by smiles and great stories every time.

Back in March, I got to go to an event called Art with a Heart. An event filled with music, lemonade, cupcakes and auctions also brimmed with heart. From the planning to the cause to the guests, everyone just wanted to help the community, and in this case, the Great Plains Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

Last year, Nate Blum, volunteer coordinator of the event, began Art with a Heart as a way to celebrate his 30th birthday and give back to the community. By featuring a local organization and business throughout Lincoln, Blum has been able to raise thousands of dollars to help change lives.

I am sure thoughts are already being tossed around on what to do for the Third Annual Art with a Heart event, and I am glad. It was a room full of people who really just wanted to help. That seems to be the case with a lot of organizations around here, and I have been lucky enough to view them from behind my lens.

But I couldn't just talk about cupcakes and not show them to you. So here are some of the cupcakes from the event. Check out more Art with a Heart photos that were published by the Lincoln Journal Star.

Banana split cupcakes featured along with edible sand.

This cupcakes won the People's Choice Award.

These little strawberry rhubarb cupcakes looked delicious and perfect for spring.