Let's get caught up: Summer 2009
This October, Doug Gifford Photography will participate with an elite group of photographers around the country in a very special family portrait promotion. Throughout October, we will celebrate “Family Portrait Month,” a wonderful opportunity for you to update your family portrait (or portraits of your children), and help to support Operation Smile, which treats children around the world who suffer with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.
Along with other studio members of Professional Photographers of America (PPA), we have pledged to contribute $25.00 from each session to PPA Charities, which has chosen Operation Smile as its charitable partner.
What’s more, we want you to benefit from this special offer. With your purchase of a single wall portrait, choose one of the following:
• 2 free gift-sized portraits
• 24 free custom holiday cards
• 10 percent discount on framing
• $75 gift certificate (for your use or as a special holiday gift)
Recording the faces of children and their families is our greatest pleasure. That’s why we believe so strongly in the work of Operation Smile. Each year this incredible organization of more than 6,000 volunteer doctors, nurses, dentists, and specialized health-care professionals, perform free reconstructive surgeries for children suffering with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. More than 100,000 children are born with a facial deformity each year in Operation Smile’s 26-partner countries.
We also believe that Family Portrait Month is 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.
We hope you will join with us in helping to make this vital work possible. Don’t forget that the holiday season is right around the corner, so there’s no better time for a family portrait! Plus, portraits are always appreciated as gifts for family and friends and to send along with holiday greeting cards.
Call now to schedule your appointment and be part of helping a child smile!
As always . . . we look forward to creating some truly wonderful portraits of your family.
It is with great pleasure that I announce that my wife, Karen Gifford, executive and leadership coach and principal of Gifford Management & Leadership Coaching, has been named president of the Orange County Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners – the largest in the country with 400 members, www.nawbo-oc.org. She is also a founding member of the Professional Coaches and Mentors Association, www.pcmaonline.com and member and former director with the Forum for Corporate Directors (www.fcdoc.org).
Congratulations!
October is Remarkable Women Month
Kimberly Snodgrass
The story of Kimberly Snodgrass, www.kimsodgrass.com, who went through foster care and adoption and is now on her way to Harvard Graduate School, is an amazing one. A friend of mine, Debbie Douglas, who is a partner in Douglas Strategic Communications (with her husband Gary), www.douglasstategic.com, and a volunteer at Orangewood Children’s Foundation, www.orangewoodfoundation.com, was in an article that I read in the Orange County Register. The article told the story of Kim and how Orangewood was helping her prepare for a graduate and post-graduate life as a professional. When I read the article I wanted to help, too. As my wife, Karen, always says “these young professionals are our hope for the future.” So, I emailed Debbie and offered Kim her first professional portrait as my gift. The next day, I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing a beautiful and bright young woman who I have a sense is going to accomplish great things in our world. That night I was invited to her launch party, hosted by Shirley Pepys and Orangewood at Shirley’s home on Balboa Island. Heartwarming! Good luck Kimberly!
Step Up Women’s Network
I was ask by my friend and Step Up board member, Julie Brady, who is the Catering Sales Manager for Patina Restaurant Group at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, www.patinagroup.com, if I would be willing to donate my services and photograph the July 30th meeting of Step Up Women’s Network at the St. Regis Hotel in Dana Point. It was my pleasure to do so and to meet all the dynamic women involved in this wonderful organization.
The best way to summarize this organization is to quote from the website: “Step Up is on the cutting edge of women’s philanthropy and social enterprise. The organization’s strength stems from member’s abilities to leverage their personal and professional skills and relationships to give back to the community. Our programs are designed to engage women in a way that inspires a life-long commitment to responsible, philanthropic involvement encompassing hands-on volunteer work and leadership opportunities. “Invest, Involve and Inspire” is our motto.”
To learn more, go to their website at www.suwn.org.
OC Rescue Mission Board of Directors
I was honored to be asked to photograph the board of directors for the OC Rescue Mission, www.rescuemission.org.
As many of you know, I have been working with them over the last year. The people there are wonderful and they are doing great work in support of the homeless in Orange County at the Village of Hope that was carved out of the former Marine Air Station in Tustin.
Please support them if you can with a donation of money, food or time.
Orange County Performing Arts Center (OCPAC)
It is almost that time again, to Get Centered as the 2009/2010 season starts at OCPAC. For more information about all the happenings at the Center this season or to make a donation, please visit their website at www.ocpac.org.
I hope to see you there!
