In October 2010, we participated for the first time in Family Portrait Month, benefiting Operation Smile. Operation Smile is a charity that provides volunteer surgeries to children in developing countries suffering from facial deformities. Last October, we donated $25 from family-related photography session fees PLUS 10% of all print orders over $200 to Professional Photographers of America (PPA) Charities, benefiting Operation Smile. By contributing nearly $300 from October sales alone, we proudly passed the threshold to be named an Operation Smile studio, eligible for year-long participation in fundraising for Operation Smile.
Beginning November 1, 2010, we are donating a portion of annual net income to PPA Charities/Operation Smile. This means that your wedding, event or portrait photography session, no matter the month, could help to save a child’s smile!
Operation Smile treats children around the world who suffer with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities.
The cost of a single surgery performed by the volunteer medical professionals of Operation Smile is $240. In 2009, PPA Charities, the philanthropic arm of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), in partnership with PPA photography studios around the country, raised more than $100,000 for Operation Smile. Let’s help match…and even beat…that phenomenal contribution in 2010 and 2011!
Call now to schedule your wedding, event, or portrait photography shoot.
And remember…your family portrait is perfect for Valentine’s Day, Easter, and holiday cards!
Irene Abdou Photography is a member of PPA.
October 2009
Local Photographer Supports October “Family Portrait Month” Promotion To Benefit Operation SmileBy Irene Abdou Photography
Summary: During October, Irene Abdou Photography of Germantown, Maryland joins PPA Charities in promoting “Family Portrait Month,” a fundraising effort benefiting Operation Smile, which treats children suffering from facial deformities.
During October, Irene Abdou Photography of Germantown, Maryland joins PPA Charities (the philanthropic arm of Professional Photographers of America) in promoting “Family Portrait Month.” This national fundraising effort will benefit Operation Smile, which treats children around the world who suffer with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.
Irene Abdou Photography has pledged to contribute $25 plus 10% of print sales over $200 from family portrait sessions conducted in October or booked in October for future months to PPA Charities, which has chosen Operation Smile as its charitable partner. According to Louis Tonsmeier, President of Professional Photographers of America, “October and November are ideal times for families to have their portraits created, because the holiday season is just around the corner. Few gifts are appreciated as much as portraits of family members. And when families participate in Family Portrait Month, they are making it possible to truly change the lives of children who would otherwise face a lifetime of pain and rejection.”
Founded in 1982, Operation Smile is a worldwide children’s medical charity dedicated to helping children and young adults born with facial deformities. In as little as 45 minutes, one cleft lip surgery can change a child’s life forever. Each year, more than 100,000 children are born with a facial deformity in Operation Smile’s 26 partner countries. Tens of thousands remain untreated.
“Joy, excitement, love…these are emotions that we all show through a smile, and a child’s smile can melt a parent’s heart. I love that my job is to fuse art and photojournalism to create images that are simply unforgettable. But I can’t forget that a smile is key to that, and I’m incredibly happy that I can help to save a smile by participating in Family Portrait Month,” says Irene Abdou, photographer and owner of Irene Abdou Photography. PPA Charities Board of Trustees president Mary Fisk-Taylor adds, “It’s hard to imagine a more appropriate charity for our members to support. And when parents participate in Family Portrait Month, it’s a wonderful way to teach children the value of reaching out to others. Even small children can understand the importance of Operation Smile’s work, and they are eager to help these needy children.”
For further information on how you can help to save a smile with your family portrait session, contact Irene Abdou at (202) 596-8147 or visit her online at http://ireneabdouportraitsweddings.com.
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Irene Abdou Photography fuses art and photojournalism to create images that are simply unforgettable. Serving the Washington, DC metro area and destinations worldwide to meet your portrait, wedding, and event photography needs.
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