Why do we need a Family Portrait Week?

Created by international photographer Gary Italiaander, Family Portrait Week is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of family portraiture.  At a time when there appears to be a decline in family values, a portrait has the huge impact of bringing family together whilst also essentially recording our image for future generations.

How many of us have a really amazing professional photograph of our grandparents; or even our own parents?  Most of us would be hard pushed to find a few tiny faded snapshots of our loved ones from yesteryear. 

It’s so important to create a time for your family to come together, especially when something so special and lasting will come from it.

So how did we get started?

In June 2008, a meeting took place at The Variety Club head office and a proposal was put to their Ambassador at Large, Nikki Page, who readily agreed to work in partnership to help make the initiative a success. Gary Italiaander then invited Hoss Mahdavi to join forces and develop the concept.

For the first Family Portrait Week, participating Master Photographers Association members are providing the complimentary portrait sitting and print to every family making a donation of £25 or more to the Variety Club. Endorsements have come from HRH Princess Michael of Kent, Gordon Brown PM and David Cameron MP.Our supporters include The National Portrait Gallery, Tesco Baby & Toddler Club, Hasselblad, GraphiStudio, GF Smith and EatAndTwoVeg.

What will it mean for the Variety Club?

This initiative will help to raise much-needed funds for the many children that receive support from The Variety Club. 

Make sure your family is captured together forever …

and make a world of difference to disadvantaged children