PORTRAITS FOR THE PEOPLE

A community-supported art project by Sheree Rayford

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Honoring every family’s right to joy this holiday season. Because every family deserves to be seen and to celebrate joy, even in hard times.

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About the Project

PORTRAITS FOR THE PEOPLE was born from the belief that joy is a form of resistance. When times get heavy, love and connection are what hold us together.

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This community art project makes family portraits accessible for everyone, especially during seasons when joy can feel far away. Each session is an act of care, a reminder that our stories matter, and our presence deserves to be documented with pride.

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Every full-price session booked this holiday season helps fund gifted or pay-what-you-can portraits for families navigating hard seasons. This is not charity. This is community care through art.

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When you book your portraits, you help another family see themselves with the same light and love. And if your own family could use that reminder right now, PORTRAITS FOR THE PEOPLE is here for you too.

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PORTRAITS FOR THE PEOPLE is a community-supported art project, not a nonprofit. While contributions are not tax-deductible, every dollar goes toward time, materials, and making joy accessible for all.

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How It Works

• Book a session. Every session you book helps make portraits possible for another family.

• Nominate a family. Quietly lift up someone who deserves to be seen this season.

• Pay what you can. This option is available for families who want a portrait experience at a pace that fits their season.

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Get Involved

PORTRAITS FOR THE PEOPLE thrives through collective care. There are many ways to be part of this work.

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• Spread the word. Share the story. Post the flyer. Tell a friend. Joy grows when it’s shared.

• Suggest a location or community partner. Help expand this project’s reach.

• Support the mission. Contributions at any level help ensure more families have access this season. (For contributions above $5,000 or to explore sponsorship, contact Sheree directly.)

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If you believe art should be accessible to everyone, this project is for you. Together, we can honor every family’s right to joy this holiday season.

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 PORTRAITS FOR THE PEOPLE   – Nomination Form

Nominate a family to receive a PORTRAITS FOR THE PEOPLE session this holiday season.

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You can lift up a family you love — a neighbor, a friend, a teacher, a single parent, or anyone who deserves to be seen and celebrated right now.

Share as much or as little as you’d like. Nominations can be anonymous. You don’t have to explain everything — a few kind words go a long way. If you’d like, you can include a short message to be shared with the family as part of their session: a note of love, encouragement, or simple joy.

There’s no purchase required to nominate a family. After submitting, you’ll have the option to make an optional contribution to help fund portrait sessions through PORTRAITS FOR THE PEOPLE. Every contribution — big or small — helps keep this work alive and keeps joy within reach for others.

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PORTRAITS FOR THE PEOPLE is a community-supported art project by Sheree Rayford. While contributions are not tax-deductible, every dollar directly supports sessions, materials, and the continuation of this work.