MARYSVILLE — Clear Image Portrait Studio has extended its participation in the nationwide “Portraits of Love” project for an additional month, to help bring a piece of home to U.S. service members around the world.

The PhotoImaging Manufacturers and Distributors Association and Soldiers’ Angels, a grassroots volunteer organization, have recruited more than 150 photographers from across the country, including Daniel Jolly of Clear Image, to send free family portraits to American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who will be deployed overseas this holiday season.

Although the goal of the project was to send 10,000 free family portraits during the month of September, Jolly explained that he extended his own participation through the month of October because many service members’ families might not have heard of “Portraits of Love.”

“Only a few area families have taken part so far,” Jolly said. “It wasn’t really advertised, and people can be wary of deals like this, because they often think that there’s a catch to it. There’s no obligation, though. People can buy more if they want, but we’ll take professional portraits of military members’ families, and give the families copies for both themselves and their deployed loved ones, totally for free.”

Not only does Jolly see this as an opportunity to increase exposure for his own shop, he also appreciates the chance to give something back to the military.

“When Mom or Dad is serving overseas, something as simple as a family portrait takes on a whole new level of importance,” Jolly said. “It’s not a huge burden for us to help them out.”

Jolly asked military family members to call Clear Image at 360-653-5005, or e-mail the shop, to make an appointment. Participating families will have to show valid military IDs to be eligible for this offer. Clear Image is located at 9023 State Ave, Suite B, and its Web site is www.clearimagephoto.com.