Host a Portrait Party

• Portraits conveniently taken in your home with family & friends
• Comfortable wardrobe changes in the comforts of your home 
• Portrait Party Theme photos make great gifts (Valentines Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Halloween, Christmas, Easter, etc.)
• Treasured Memories that last a Lifetime

September and October is a good time to schedule portrait parties with a Christmas theme. A fireplace or family room can be decorated with a Christmas theme. Family photographs can be taken to send with your Christmas cards.

Portrait parties are an enjoyable and affordable way for you and your friends to get together, and have professional portraits taken of your family in a relaxed environment. The best part is that the session is completely free!  There is no hard sell afterwards, and photos are available for viewing online.  The event takes place at your home. As Host, you will invite 4 (minimum) to 8 families to the event. As host you will receive one 8x10 and two 5x7 complimentary photographs of your family plus a 15% credit toward your portrait order.

A portrait party is an event in your home or a near by location (local park) where my portrait studio comes to you. I will take professional portraits for you and your friends in mini-sessions. I will need space for setting up my backdrops and lights; preferably a living/family room, garage OR an outdoor setting appropriate for portraits. (Gardens, Trees, Patios, Fences, bird baths, benches, etc make beautiful backdrops!)

You, and each guest family, will be scheduled for a 20 minute photography session. In that time period, I will capture images of your family in a "studio" environment. During each guest's 20 minute session, images of groups, individuals or a combination of both can be taken. Available dates fill up quickly, so if you are interested in hosting a Portrait Party please contact me as soon as possible! For more information on Portrait Party events, please visit my web site, www.papabphotography.com and click on Portrait Party (or give me a call: 540-427-1535). You can also e-mail: papab@papabphotography.com

What is a Portrait Party?

  Portrait Parties are an exciting opportunity for you and your friends to have professional portraits made in a fun and affordable way.  Portrait Parties take place in your home (if you are the host) or any other suitable location.  The host invites between 4 (minimum) and 8 families to the party.  It is a low stress fun opportunity to have beautiful portraits made of your family in a low pressure, relaxed atmosphere.

How do Portrait Parties work?

  The Portrait Party is organized by the party Host.  Hosts provide the location, coordinate the hors'doeuvres, drinks, activities, the guest list and scheduling the 20 minute session times. Guests enjoy a good time, a free portrait session and a short and concise sitting.  After the party, the guests will visit Portrait Party Online to view and order their portraits.

How do I schedule a Portrait Party?

  First contact John Burrows to ensure availability - you might put together several prospective dates to ensure everyone's schedules match up - and to find out everything you need to know to have a super successful party.  Once your date is set you can put together an invitation to postal or email out.  Select a good location for the photographs.

If I host a Portrait Party what are my responsibilities?

  The Portrait Party is organized by the party Host. The Party Host is the key ingredient to a successful party. Hosts invite guests, coordinate the bringing of snacks and drinks (if not providing themselves) and the scheduling of sessions. Successful hosts follow up with their guests with reminders and to ensure that every session block is filled.

I would recommend that as a hostess you provide some simple snacks and drinks for your guests.  Or if you prefer you can have your guests share with the snacks and drinks.   Please schedule your guests' sessions 20 minutes apart. Please have the sessions scheduled consecutively so there aren't any gaps between sessions (i.e. noon, 12:20, 12:40, 1pm etc)  Your guests are not required to stay for the duration of the party.

Encourage your guests to bring multiple outfits, hats, and any other props that they would like to use to personalize their photographs. Every image is available in color and black/white. Indoor AND outdoor photos can be taken per person/family.

There will be NO SALES at the party or orders taken during the party! All the images will be put on a secure website with a password for your guests to view. 

What types of Portrait Party themes do you suggest?

Themes for Portrait Parties are only limited to your imagination: 

Holidays (Christmas, Easter, Halloween, etc...) 
Father's Day gifts 
Mother's Day gifts 
Birthdays 
Pets 
Children
Teen
Cheerleader
Playgroup
Seniors
Football
Preschool 
Scouts
Jazz / Dance 
Sports
Hawaiian Luau 
Dress-Up Ballet
Tea Party

How much do the pictures cost?

See the price list here.  Exception is 4x6 from the portrait party are $1.00 each.

Order Christmas cards (envelopes included).  Quantity 25-49 are $1.25 each.  Each 3.5 x 7 card is available in horizontal or vertical.  You may personalize the card with up to 3 lines of type.  Over 20 designs available.

Prints are also available mounted and/or with a linen laminate finish for an additional cost.