Veterans offered free portraits in Warm Springs, Redmond

Award-winning military photographer and disabled combat veteran Stacy Pearsall will be taking complimentary individual photographs of veterans as part of her Veterans Portrait Project.

She has photographed thousands of veterans nationwide, archiving their history and service for posterity. We’d like to welcome you to attend one of these two extraordinary events celebrating your military service:

Monday, May 30 , between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at VFW Post 4217 located in Warm Springs
Tuesday, May 31 , between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at VFW Post 4108 located in Redmond

The Veterans Portrait Project is a free event made possible by the support of USAA. You do not have to be a member of any veteran organization, or USAA, to participate. As long as you served, and are a DD Form 214 holder, you qualify. Active duty, Guard and Reserve personnel are eligible as well. Each veteran’s portrait session lasts approximately 5-8 minutes and you’ll be provided with a high-resolution digital file of your portrait. You may share it, or have them printed wherever and however you choose.

You can wear whatever you like – uniform or civilian clothes. Bringing a military memento or old photo always helps, and is encouraged, but it isn’t necessary. While we honor military spouses, the event is reserved for veterans. If your spouse is a veteran, they’re welcome to pose with you. If they are not, it’s “time permitting” only, with no guarantees.

To reserve a portrait session, please email RSVPtheVPP@gmail.com to reserve your time slot. In the subject line please note the event location and date. In the body of the email please provide your contact information ie: full name, phone number and email, and the time-frame you’d like to attend. We will respond confirming your scheduled portrait session. If your preferred time is not available, we’ll provide an alternative time nearest to your requested window.

You don’t want to miss this amazing opportunity to have your portrait taken by this extraordinary woman. Retired Air Force Staff Sergeant Stacy L. Pearsall enlisted at the age of 17 as a photographer. During her service, she traveled to over forty countries, served three combat tours and became a two-time Military Photographer of the Year. Among other military distinctions, Pearsall is the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and an Air Force Commendation Medal with Valor for her actions in combat.

The Veterans Portrait Project began while Pearsall recovered from combat injuries sustained in Iraq on her last deployment in 2007. Spending hours in VA waiting rooms surrounded by veterans from every generation and branch of service, Pearsall felt compelled to honor and thank them in the only way she knew how, photography. The Project became her new mission. It was her therapy too, and over time she began to heal both physically and mentally.

Since starting the Project in 2008, she’s photographed thousands of veterans in countless cities nationwide, hosted community-based exhibitions, and conducted numerous public speeches on veterans’ issues. She is active in organizations such as Songwriting with Soldiers, Fatigues to Fabulous, Defense Centers of Excellence, Veterans of Foreign War and American Legion. For her philanthropic efforts, the Daughters of the American Revolution presented Pearsall with the Margaret Cochran Corbin Award and The White House declared her a White House Champion of Change.