PMDA’s Portraits of Love Program to Participate in PMA’s The Big Photo...

PMDA’s Portraits of Love Program to Participate in PMA’s The Big Photo Show

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Jackson, MI—Volunteer pro photographers will capture free portraits of the family members of active-duty military personnel at PMA’s The Big Photo Show through the PMDA’s Portraits of Love program. Portraits of Love, created by the PhotoImaging Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMDA), is sponsored by Canon, Fujifilm, HP, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Samsung, Sigma, Sony, Tamron, Tiffen and Digital Photo Academy.

“We are pleased to welcome Portraits of Love to The Big Photo Show, and honored by the opportunity to help comfort members of the U.S. military with portraits of their loved ones,” said Allen Showalter, president of PMA. “This is such a perfect example of the power of photography and the important role images play in everyone’s life. Embracing and encouraging that power, and the passion for photography it creates, is what The Big Photo Show is all about.”

The inaugural The Big Photo Show, which will be held May 4–5, 2013 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California, is the first in a series of photography events for the millions of U.S. consumers who consider themselves photo enthusiasts. The show will offer exhibits from imaging suppliers, retailers and service providers, as well as an array of educational opportunities for attendees presented by professional photographers, framers and other experts. Among many other things, attendees will learn how to take better photos, what new innovations are available in equipment and services, and the coolest new ways to creatively display their images.

Working with the USO and Shutterfly, Portraits of Love will have volunteer professional photographers on-site at The Big Photo Show to take free portraits of the families and loved ones of U.S. military members. The portraits will be sent to deployed servicemen and women all over the world, and each family will receive a free portrait to keep for themselves. Hundreds of families are expected to take part in portrait sessions held throughout the two-day event.

“Thanks to the Portraits of Love program, more than 1,000 family portraits were sent around the world during 2012,” said Jerry Grossman, executive director of the PMDA. “Military families are encouraged to contact their local Los Angeles USO office to arrange for a portrait session at The Big Photo Show.”

The Big Photo Show is in keeping with PMA’s new mission: to promote the growth of the imaging industry. According to PMA, “there is no better way to do that than to help foster a love of photography on the part of consumers. The Big Photo Show will promote the growth of photography, videography and photo printing. We know from our experience doing consumer shows in Australia that this works, and works well.”

For suppliers, retailers and service providers, The Big Photo Show presents the opportunity to sponsor or exhibit at the show, where you will be able to talk directly with a much larger group of potential customers than you are ever likely to. It is the chance to build relationships with consumers. For those who don’t exhibit, you can still offer your customers the chance to participate in The Big Photo Show photo contest and offer them free tickets to the event. PMA will be partnering with retailers in the local areas of each The Big Photo Show event with more specific ways to get customers involved. Additionally, thebigphotoshow.com offers you the opportunity to reach out and interact with consumers in your local area, or anywhere. The on-site calendar will also allow you to promote your own events. pmai.org

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