Earlier this year, Alec Soth's publishing house, Little Brown Mushroom, released the book Conductors of the Moving World by friend and writer Brad Zellar. The book went on to raise $10,000 for the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami Relief fund.

Despite Zellar's touching contribution to helping others, his luck hasn't been quite as great - a series of dizzy spells and a nasty fall meant he had to spend several weeks in hospital undergoing neurological tests. "As a consequence, Brad is drowning in medical bills," says Soth, explaining why he has decided to offer his services to raise money for the cause.

"Over the years I've done a handful of these," Soth says of his portrait commissions. "Whomever purchases this portrait, I aim to make a serious piece of work for a friend who is seriously in need".

Ten days later and after nine bids on Soth's offer, the commission went for $9100, which will go towards the Brad Zellar Benefit.

So just who is the lucky winner? Justin Miller, an aspiring hobbyist photographer, who told Soth: "‘Lenny, Minneapolis' was probably the first work of yours that made me say ‘wow, need to learn more.'"

Soth's previous  commissions have been exhibited internationally - will it be the case Miller's portrait?

For more information and to contribute to the Brad Zellar Benefit via Pay Pal, visit Soth's blog at littlebrownmushroom.wordpress.com.