Designed to help bring a piece of home to soldiers around the world, the project is utilizing the talents of volunteer photographers across the country who are opening their studios, as well as a team of pros who will go on base at Ft Hood (Kileen, TX) and Ft. Lewis (Tacoma, WA), this coming month to offer free family portraits to military family members who have a soldier deployed overseas. Over 275 photographers, camera stores and studios have joined the program so far. The portraits will be uploaded to a website, www.pmdaportraitsoflove.com, and a print will be sent, free of charge, directly to the soldier in Iraq, Afghanistan, or wherever they are deployed around the world. The goal of the project is to send 10,000 free family portraits during the month of September & October.
“This project is the photo industry’s way of giving back to our soldiers, and thanking them for the sacrifices they have made for our country,” said Jerry Grossman, the president of the PMDA who has spearheaded the effort. “Our industry is uniquely qualified to bring an important piece of home to our soldiers, and we’re pleased to be able to organize this effort.”
“It’s incredible how motivating a simple family photograph can be to a soldier who is far from home,” said Sergeant First Class Toby Nunn, who has served two tours in Iraq and has worked with Soldiers Angels on a number of projects. “This volunteer effort is one more way that we can help our soldiers cope with their situation,” he said.
The website was developed by Fujifilm, a PMDA member who has underwritten this effort; and SeeHere.com from Fujifilm is supplying the free prints to the soldiers and their families.