By Shutterbug Staff

August 15, 2006 — October will be a month of a thousand smiles for families across the country as Professional Photographers of America (PPA) designated it as Family Portrait Month. Studios from across the country will join together to participate in the benefit to assist Operation Smile (www.operationsmile.org), a nonprofit organization that helps children with facial deformities such as cleft lips and cleft palates.

More than $15,000 was raised during last year’s drive and PPA member studios have pledged to contribute a portion of each Family Portrait sale to the cause.

“October is an ideal time for families to have their portraits created, because the holiday season is just around the corner,” said Ann Monteith, Chairman of the PPA Board of Directors. “Few gifts are appreciated as much as portraits of family members.”

Operation Smile, along with more than 5,000 specialized health care professionals, performs free surgeries on thousands of children annually. More than 100,000 children are born with facial deformities in Operation Smile's 23 mission countries.

For complete information, visit: www.familyportraitmonth.com.