Hosting a photo fundraiser for your group is a great way to bring in some Church Funds and give people a special keepsake. Working with a Legacy Portraits to arrange when and where the event will take place, making sure to stay aware of any copyright rules that may apply. After you promote the event, Legacy Portraits will arrive prepared to capture quality images of attendees. The proceeds are then divided up between what you pay the photographer and the amount you’ve raised. Lastly, your group disperses prints or digital photos according to whose purchased them, leaving you with earnings for your group or organization's cause.Of course, that’s the easy version. The Angel is in the details.

Planning a portrait photography fundraiser:

   Ensure that the payment is made in advance of the scheduled photoshoot. Offering a choice of fundraising packages, including two or three different options to choose from, helps encourage commitment and expedites the overall process; attempting to collect payments at a later date can be exhausting and inefficient. To ensure successful collection, assign members of your group with signing people up for the fundraiser package and collecting corresponding payments simultaneously. Be sure to give out receipts that include the dollar amount and info about the package they’ve paid for. Keep copies and/or good records of who paid for what. A second way to earn money at the portrait fundraiser can be to advertise to the general public, and just give a location where they can come and order their portraits and pay in advance.

   When planning the timeline of your portrait photography event, allow yourself plenty of time. Depending on your group's needs, we suggest the photographer be scheduled 3-4 weeks after you start marketing the event and collecting commitments. If you can start even earlier (up to 2 months in advance), it could be beneficial for your group. To ensure people don't forget what they signed up for, collect contact information – including email addresses – when they sign up and give a reminder call a week or two before the actual photography session. This will help maximize profits by ensuring everyone who enrolled has an opportunity to participate. A portrait makes a great gift!

   In sales, add-ons are items sold to a customer after they have completed their original purchase. Grocery stores often take advantage of this technique by placing candy shelves at the checkout stand. Likewise, there are numerous opportunities for add-ons in portrait fundraisers. Promotional items such as keychains and buttons can help increase revenue. Coffee mugs featuring the portraits can also be a great way to boost sales by offering an extra fee for the design placement on the mug itself.Pick a spacious location. To be on the safe side, pick an indoor location, like a school gym. That way you have plenty of room for people to wait and be comfortable. Be sure to coordinate your event with other events that might take place around the same place in the same location. It would also be a good idea to invite the photographer to come out and approve the space. You don’t want any surprises on the day of the event.

Success 

The success of an event often depends on effective communication, so it's important to maintain contact between the Legacy Portraits and the designated event coordinator in your Church Organization. It may be a good idea to regularly send reminders and include information about the event in newsletters or emails. Furthermore, consider setting aside a dedicated area for the photographer, as well as providing a small table where they can store their equipment and bags. On top of that, scheduling the photographer to work during a Saturday morning might be beneficial – after all, many people have this day off.