PMDA today announced that its fourth annual Portraits of Love Project will launch in November 2012 and aim to provide active US military personnel with free family portraits during the holiday season.  Starting 1 November 2012 and running through 31 January 2013 military families can sign up for a free portrait session hosted by the program’s growing network of photographers. Participants will receive two free 5x7 prints from Shutterfly. Active military families can participate at select USO facilities, military bases hosting on-base sessions and at the Project’s nationwide network of local photography studios.

PMDA Press Release

PMDA LAUNCHES 2012 PORTRAITS OF LOVE PROJECT TO PROVIDE ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY FAMILIES WITH FREE PORTRAITS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

With Fourth Annual Project, More Military Families Then Ever Before Can Participate at the USO and Independent Photo Studios Nationwide, Access Shutterfly to Receive Free Prints

Woodbury, NY- Oct. 17, 2012 – The PhotoImaging Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMDA), a respected photo industry organization that brings together some of the most renowned brand names in the photographic community, today announced that its fourth annual Portraits of Love Project will launch in November 2012 and aim to provide active military with free family portraits during the holiday season. Starting November 1, 2012 and running through January 31, 2013 military families can sign up for a free portrait session hosted by the program’s growing network of photographers. Participants will receive two free 5x7 prints from Shutterfly. Active military families can participate at select USO facilities, military bases hosting on-base sessions and at the Project’s nationwide network of local photography studios.

Launched through a joint effort between the PMDA and the military support organization USO, the Portraits of Love Project seeks to provide professional photographers with an opportunity to use their talents to show their appreciation for all those serving our country, both at home and abroad. To find a local independent studio or for information on participating USO offices and on-base sessions, military families can visit the Portraits of Love Project website at: http://www.pmdaportraitsoflove.com/.

“Each year, it is the PMDA’s great honor to support our servicemen and women through the Portraits of Love Project, a meaningful way for the photography community to give back to those who have sacrificed so much for our nation,” said Joellyn Gray, President of the PMDA. “This is the fourth year for Portraits of Love and each year we’re able to reach out to more families and connect them with the hundreds of professional photographers that want to show their appreciation. This season, we’re welcoming all active duty military personnel and their families to participate – not just those with deployed family members – and we’re making it easier than ever to view and order free prints online.”

To take advantage of the free portrait offer, military personnel should schedule a free family portrait session with one of the participating independent photographers, or plan to attend one the of the USO-hosted or on-base sessions in their community.

Participating Through Independent Photographers
Families wishing to participate through the Portraits of Love Project’s local network of independent photography studios should visit http://www.pmdaportraitsoflove.com/families.php.  Families can simply locate their preferred studio and contact it directly to schedule appointments. Following the scheduled session, military families will receive an e-mail share link from their photographer with access to their portrait at www.shutterfly.com, along with a code redeemable for two free 5x7 prints.

Participating Through the USO and Select Military Bases
For families taking advantage of the sessions scheduled at the local USO facilities or on military bases listed below, the process will be very similar.  A complete schedule of sessions will soon be available at www.pmdaportraitsoflove.com.
Among the confirmed sessions, from December 8-9, 2012, Ft. Hood, TX will host the Portraits of Love at Oveta Culp Hobby Soldier & Family Readiness Center, Building 18000, Battalion Ave.  Active duty military families should contact (254) 288-2794 to schedule an appointment.

Registration for Independent Photographers
Interested photographers can immediately register to participate in the program online at http://www.pmdaportraitsoflove.com/photographers.php. Volunteer photographers will receive program promotional materials from the PMDA along with directions on how to upload portraits to the Project’s fulfillment system on Shutterfly. Additionally, volunteer photographers will be asked to provide details about their studio space, such as location, size and set-up to allow organizers to plan for anticipated volumes in each market.  Photographers are being asked to open their doors to military families beginning on Nov. 1, 2012.

Sponsors of the 2012 Portraits of Love Project include: Canon, FUJIFILM, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, Digital Photo Academy, Photo Industry Reporter, Samsung, Shutterfly, Sigma, Panasonic, Hewlett Packard, Tamron and The Tiffen Company.

For more information on the Portraits of Love Project, please visit: http://www.pmdaportraitsoflove.com, or check out the Project’s Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/portraits.of.love

About PMDA
Founded in 1939, PMDA provides a series of forums throughout the business year for its membership to exchange ideas and learn about new technologies and business trends, in addition to administering programs that promote photography to the general public. Programs and symposiums feature leading photo and imaging product suppliers and retailers, as well as financial analysts and technical experts. The organization has also teamed with PMA International to produce www.TakeGreatPictures.com, a site created to help American consumers find meaningful ways to incorporate photography into many aspects of their everyday lives, while helping them to make intelligent decisions about buying new cameras and accessories.

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