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How the Sanders Fine Portraits Giveaway Works

Families grow and change. Children mature. Meaningful chapters pass more quickly than any of us expect. That's the honest reason these projects exist.

 

The Sanders Fine Portraits giveaway is part of our charitable giving program, and it isn't a casual promotion or a marketing gimmick. It's a legitimate and purposeful extension of our studio's work, created to introduce families to commissioned fine-art portraiture. For many people, it's an experience they've never had, or never realized was available to them.
 

Why We Offer These Projects

We believe a family portrait should be more than a record of how you look today. It should be a work of art that honors what you hold most dear, reflects the character of your family, and becomes part of the legacy you leave behind.

 

In our experience, that first portrait is often the beginning of a long relationship. Clients return as children grow, as new generations arrive, as milestones are celebrated. Over time, individual portraits become a collection that preserves a family's story and creates an artistic legacy for children and grandchildren to inherit.


Opening our studio to a select number of families each year is also one of the ways we give back to our community. It makes commissioned portraiture more familiar and more accessible to families who might otherwise never encounter it.

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Two Projects: Family, and Family and Furbaby

Applications are specific to each project, so choose the one that matches the portrait you want to create.

 

The Family Giveaway is devoted exclusively to the people in your family. It celebrates the relationships, personalities, and connections that make yours extraordinary.

example of a family portrtait. Family of 6, parents and 4 kids posing for a portrait

The Family and Furbaby Giveaway is for families who wish to be portrayed with their beloved dogs. A dog holds a singular place in a family: loyalty, comfort, joy, unconditional love. And because the years we share with them never feel long enough, this project preserves that bond while you have it.

 

That instinct is widely shared. The American Pet Products Association's 2026 Dog Report found that dog ownership reached 53% of U.S. households in 2025, roughly 71 million homes, and that even under economic pressure, owners continue prioritizing their dogs. A portrait that includes the dog isn't sentimental excess. For millions of families, it's simply accurate.

 

A note on other pets: Dogs are the only pets we photograph in the studio. If you have another beloved animal, you're welcome to bring a framed portrait of them to be incorporated into your family portrait. It's a meaningful way to honor their place in your family while keeping the studio environment calm and controlled.

example of a family furbaby portrtait. Family of 6, parents and 3 kids posing for a portrait with their three dogs

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​What's Included in the Portrait Giveaway

Selected recipients receive:

  • A private, two-hour custom portrait experience at Sanders Fine Portraits

  • Personalized planning and guidance from our portrait team

  • Professional posing and artistic direction

  • One unframed 14-inch commissioned canvas portrait in our Classic finish with hand artistry

The total stated value of the gift is $3,000.
 

Is There an Additional Cost?

No additional purchase is required to receive the included portrait. Because we reserve two hours of private studio time and dedicate staff specifically to your family, a $200 fully refundable reservation deposit is required when scheduling. This is required of all clients who make an appointment for portraits, regardless of how they come to us. The deposit is refunded when you attend your appointment, in accordance with our reservation policy.

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While many families fall in love with more than one portrait and choose to commission additional artwork or custom framing, there is absolutely no obligation to purchase anything beyond what's included with your gift.

 

One point worth stating clearly: no purchase is necessary to apply, be selected, or receive the gift. That's the legal standard, not just our policy. The Federal Trade Commission is unambiguous and clearly states it's illegal for a company to require payment to enter a contest, or to suggest that buying something improves your odds.
 

How Recipients Are Selected

We receive many applications, and only a limited number can be selected. Each commission requires private studio time and the dedicated attention of our artists and staff, so availability is necessarily limited.

 

Depending on the project, recipients may be chosen through a random drawing, an application review, or a combination of both. Eligibility requirements, deadlines, selection details, and notification information are provided with each opportunity.

 

About the Portrait Itself

The included 14-inch portrait is created in our Classic finish with hand artistry. The Classic finish retains the realism of a photograph while introducing the character of fine art. Each portrait is given a canvas texture, mounted to artist masonite for lasting beauty and durability, and sealed with a protective coating.

 

Our Legacy finish is our most exquisite offering and most closely resembles a master oil painting. It's rendered entirely as a painting and produced with archival-quality pigments on museum-grade canvas. Because of the extraordinary artistry and labor involved, Legacy portraits are available only at 24 inches or larger, in limited quantities each year.

 

The included portrait is unframed. Custom framing is available for an additional investment, and our team can guide you through options chosen to complement your portrait, your home, and the room where it will hang. Custom framing by us includes a lifetime guarantee on both the frame and the artwork. There's no obligation to purchase framing from the studio.


Why We Don't Offer Digital Files or Online Proofing

Sanders Fine Portraits is a fine-art portrait studio. The vision for our work isn't fully realized until the portrait exists in physical form, as a finished work of art.

 

Our purpose is to create portraits with enough care, beauty, and permanence that they become part of a family's legacy. They are displayed in the home, treasured over a lifetime, and 

eventually passed to future generations.
 

Digital files aren't included unless expressly stated in an individual offer. Online galleries and take-home printed proofs aren't available either. Selections are made in the studio during your private viewing and selection appointment, where our team helps you choose artwork that's beautifully suited to your home and appropriately scaled for the space.

 

Please bring everyone involved. All individuals participating in the artistic, logistical, or financial decisions should attend, so your family can complete the process together.
 

Bringing Your Dog

Your dog does not need to be professionally trained or able to hold perfectly still. Every dog has a distinct personality, and our team knows how to work patiently with different temperaments, ages, and energy levels. Tell us in advance about any sensitivities, mobility limitations, medical concerns, or behavioral considerations so we can prepare thoughtfully. 

 

Senior dogs and dogs with medical or mobility needs are welcome, provided the experience can be conducted safely and comfortably. Accommodations and session pace are something we'll discuss with you beforehand.

 

For the safety of our staff and other families, we cannot permit dogs with a bite history or signs of aggression.

 

What to bring:

  • All dogs must remain on a leash at all times in the studio

  • Favorite high-value treats

  • A favorite toy or familiar comfort item

  • Any necessary medications

  • Waste bags

  • Your dog freshly groomed or bathed before the appointment
     

Planning Around Your Schedule

Many clients take at least a half day away from work or school, because this is an exceptional family experience. They prepare together, then enjoy a family meal or outing afterward. Making a day of it creates its own memories. Those memories return every time you see the portrait on your wall. Appointments are limited and we are always working off of a nearly fully-committed calendar. We encourage selected recipients to review their schedules and reserve promptly.

What to Wear

Our portraits are traditionally formal and classic in nature. Because your finished artwork is intended to become a generational heirloom, we recommend choosing refined, timeless clothing that will resist passing trends and remain beautiful for decades to come. For guidance on coordinating colors, selecting styles, and preparing each family member, please explore our Wardrobe Guide.


Ready to Apply?

Experiences are nontransferable unless a particular opportunity's terms expressly state otherwise. If you know someone who would value this, encourage them to submit their own application.

To see the kind of work we create for families like yours, spend time in our portrait gallery, or better yet,  see how these pieces actually live in real homes. Scale is difficult to imagine until you see it on a wall.

 

For any questions about a current project, please contact the studio or call (847) 582-0782.​​​​​​​​​​

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FAQs about the Sanders Fine Portrait Giveaway Which special project should I apply for? Apply for the Family Giveaway if you would like a portrait focused exclusively on the people in your family. Apply for the Family and Furbaby Giveaway if you would like your dog or dogs to be portrayed with your family. Applications are specific to each project. Which pets may be photographed in the studio? Dogs are the only pets we photograph in the studio. If you have another kind of beloved pet, you are welcome to bring a framed portrait of them to be incorporated into your main family portrait. How many applicants are selected, and how are they chosen? Only a limited number can be selected, because each commission requires private studio time and dedicated staff attention. Depending on the project, recipients may be chosen through a random drawing, an application review, or a combination of both. What is included? A private two-hour custom portrait experience, personalized planning and guidance, professional posing and artistic direction, and one unframed 14-inch commissioned canvas portrait in our Classic finish with hand artistry. The total stated value is $3,000. Is there an additional cost? No additional purchase is required. A $200 fully refundable reservation deposit is required when scheduling, and it is refunded when you arrive for your appointment. Is framing included? No. The included 14-inch portrait is unframed. Custom framing is available for an additional investment, with no obligation to purchase from the studio. Does my dog need to be professionally trained? No. Your dog does not need to be professionally trained or able to remain perfectly still. For the safety of our staff and other families, we do not permit dogs with a bite history or signs of aggression. What should I bring for my dog? All dogs must remain on leash at all times. We recommend high-value treats, a favorite toy or comfort item, any necessary medications, waste bags, and your dog freshly groomed or bathed. What if my dog is elderly or has special needs? Senior dogs and dogs with medical or mobility needs are welcome, provided the experience can be conducted safely and comfortably. Please share your dog's needs before scheduling. What if school or work schedules conflict with available times? Many clients take at least a half day away from work or school and make a full day of the experience. Because appointments are limited, we encourage recipients to reserve promptly. Can I give the experience to a friend or family member? No. Experiences are nontransferable unless the terms of a particular opportunity expressly state otherwise. How much do additional portraits cost? We don't provide a standard price list, because every commission is unique. Commissioned artwork begins at approximately $1,000, and large-scale Legacy portraits can exceed $20,000. What portrait finishes do you offer? The included portrait is created in our Classic finish with hand artistry, meaning a canvas texture, mounting to artist Masonite, and a protective coating. Our Legacy finish resembles a master oil painting, rendered entirely as a painting with archival-quality pigments on museum-grade canvas, and is available only at 24 inches or larger. Do you offer digital files? Digital files are not included unless expressly stated in the individual offer. [H3] Do you offer online proofing? No. Online galleries and take-home printed proofs are not available. Selections are made in the studio during your private viewing and selection appointment. Who should attend the viewing and selection appointment? All individuals involved in the artistic, logistical, or financial decisions should attend. Is a purchase required to apply or be selected? No purchase is necessary to apply, be selected, or receive the advertised gift. That's the legal standard, not just our policy. The Federal Trade Commission is unambiguous and clearly states it's illegal for a company to require payment to enter a contest, or to suggest that buying something improves your odds. Eligibility, deadlines, selection methods, geographic restrictions, and expiration dates are governed by the terms provided with each individual project.

FAQs about the Sanders Fine Portrait Giveaway

Terms and Conditions for the Giveaway

Social Media Contests & Special Project Applicants NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE THE CHANCES OF WINNING. 1. Eligibility: This Campaign is open only to those who sign up at the giveaway website and who are 18 years and older as of the date of entry. If you have won a giveaway or taken advantage of another Sanders Fine Portraits offer, special, or promotion within the past 365 days, you are not eligible to win. The Campaign is only open to legal residents of United States, and is void where prohibited by law. Employees of Sanders Fine Portraits, its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, and suppliers, (collectively the “Employees”), and immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of Employees are not eligible to participate in the Campaign. The Campaign is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Void were prohibited. 2. Agreement to Rules: By participating, the Contestant (“You”) agree to be fully unconditionally bound by these Rules, and You represent and warrant that You meet the eligibility requirements. In addition, You agree to accept the decisions of Sanders Fine Portraits as final and binding as it relates to the content of this Campaign. 3. Campaign Period: Entries will be accepted online. All online entries must be received by Entries close at 3pm on December 31st, 2026. 4. How to Enter: The Campaign must be entered by submitting an entry using the online form provided at giveaway website. The entry must fulfill all Campaign requirements, as specified, to be eligible to win a prize. Entries that are incomplete or do not adhere to the rules or specifications may be disqualified at the sole discretion of Sanders Fine Portraits. Optional verbiage to include: You may enter only once. You must provide the information requested. You may not enter more times than indicated by using multiple email addresses, identities, or devices in an attempt to circumvent the rules. If You use fraudulent methods or otherwise attempt to circumvent the rules, your submission may be removed from eligibility at the sole discretion of Sanders Fine Portraits. 5. Prizes: The Grand Prize Winner of the Campaign (the “Winner”) will receive a Masterpiece Session with Artwork for your home. There may be runner-up prizes offered as well. Actual/appraised value may differ at time of prize award. The specifics of the prize shall be solely determined by Sanders Fine Portraits. No cash or other prize substitution shall be permitted except at Sanders Fine Portraits discretion. The prize is non transferable. Any and all prize-related expenses, including without limitation any and all federal, state, and/or local taxes, shall be the sole responsibility of Winner. No substitution of prize or transfer/assignment of prize to others or request for the cash equivalent by Winner is permitted. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for Sanders Fine Portraits to use Winner’s name, likeness, and entry for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation, unless prohibited by law. 6. Odds: The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. 7. Winner Selection and Notification: Winner will be selected by a random drawing under the supervision of Sanders Fine Portraits. Winner will be notified by means of telephone and email within five (5) days following selection of Winner. Sanders Fine Portraits shall have no liability for Winner’s failure to receive notices due to spam, junk e-mail or other security settings or for Winner’s provision of incorrect or otherwise non-functioning contact information. If Winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim the prize within 10 days from the time award notification was sent, or fails to timely return a completed and executed declaration and release as required, the prize may be forfeited and an alternate Winner selected. Receipt by Winner of the prize offered in this Campaign is conditioned upon compliance with any and all federal, state, and local laws andregulations. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES BY WINNER (AT Sanders Fine Portraits SOLE DISCRETION) WILL RESULT IN WINNER’S DISQUALIFICATION AS WINNER OF THE CAMPAIGN, AND ALL PRIVILEGES AS WINNER WILL BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED. 8. Telephone Communication Consent: You consent to Sanders Fine Portraits recording or monitoring telephone communications for quality assurance. 9. Rights Granted by You: By entering this content (e.g., photo, video, text, etc.), You understand and agree that Sanders Fine Portraits, anyone acting on behalf of Sanders Fine Portraits, and Sanders Fine Portraits’s licensees, successors, and assigns, shall have the right, where permitted by law, to print, publish, broadcast, distribute, and use in any media now known or hereafter developed, in perpetuity and throughout the World, without limitation, your entry, name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness, image, statements about the Campaign, and biographical information for news, publicity, information, trade, advertising, public relations, and promotional purposes. without any further compensation, notice, review, or consent. Optional verbiage for Contests: By entering this content, You represent and warrant that your entry is an original work of authorship, anddoes not violate any third party’s proprietary or intellectual property rights. If your entry infringes upon the intellectual property right of another, You will be disqualified at the sole discretion of Sanders Fine Portraits. If the content of your entry is claimed to constitute infringement of any proprietary or intellectual proprietary rights of any third party, You shall, at your sole expense, defend or settle against such claims. You shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Sanders Fine Portraits from and against any suit, proceeding, claims, liability, loss, damage, costs or expense, which Sanders Fine Portraits may incur, suffer, or be required to pay arising out of such infringement or suspected infringement of any third party’s right. 10. Terms & Conditions: Sanders Fine Portraits reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Campaign should virus, bug, non-authorized human intervention, fraud, or other cause beyond Sanders Fine Portraits control corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, or proper conduct of the Campaign. In such case, Sanders Fine Portraits may select the Winner from all eligible entries received prior to and/or after (if appropriate) the action taken by Sanders Fine Portraits. Sanders Fine Portraits reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Campaign or website or violates these Terms & Conditions. Sanders Fine Portraits has the right, in its sole discretion, to maintain the integrity of the Campaign, to void votes for any reason, including, but not limited to: multiple entries from the same user from different IP addresses; multiple entries from the same computer in excess of that allowed by Campaign rules; or the use of bots, macros, scripts, or other technical means for entering. Any attempt by an entrant to deliberately damage any website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Campaign may be a violation of criminal and civil laws. Should such attempt be made, Sanders Fine Portraits reserves the right to seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law. 11. Limitation of Liability: By entering, You agree to release and hold harmless Sanders Fine Portraits and its subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, partners, representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers, and directors from any liability, illness, injury, death, loss, litigation, claim, or damage that may occur, directly or indirectly, whether caused by negligence or not, from: (i) such entrant’s participation in the Campaign and/or his/her acceptance, possession, use, or misuse of any prize or any portion thereof; (ii) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to the malfunction of any computer, cable, network, hardware, or software, or other mechanical equipment; (iii) the unavailability or inaccessibility of any transmissions, telephone, or Internet service; (iv) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Promotion; (v) electronic or human error in the administration of the Promotion or the processing of entries. 12. Disputes: THIS Campaign IS GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF United States AND Illinois, WITHOUT RESPECT TO CONFLICT OF LAW DOCTRINES. As a condition of participating in this Campaign, participant agrees that any and all disputes that cannot be resolved between the parties, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Campaign, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, exclusively before a court located in Illinois having jurisdiction. Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances shall participant be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby waives all rights to, punitive, incidental, or consequential damages, including reasonable attorney’s fees, other than participant’s actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e. costs associated with entering this Campaign). Participant further waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased. 13. Non-Disparagement: The Client is welcome to share honest feedback about their experience with Sanders Fine Portraits. However, the Client agrees not to publish or communicate any false, malicious, or defamatory statements about Sanders Fine Portraits, its employees, or its services. This includes statements made online, in reviews, on social media, or through any public or private communication intended to harm the reputation of the Studio. 14. Privacy Policy: Information submitted with an entry is subject to the Privacy Policy stated on the Sanders Fine Portraits website. Note: a privacy policy is optional, but may be required when running a promotion on the web when using third party platforms or when using features from social channels. Including this information makes it clear to your users how you are going to use their information. 15. Winners List: To obtain a copy of the Winner’s name or a copy of these Official Rules, mail your request along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Sanders Fine Portraits. Requests must be received no later than January 31st, 2027. 16. Sponsor: The Sponsor of the Campaign is Sanders Fine Portraits 17. Facebook: If you use Facebook to communicate or administer a contest or sweepstakes, include the following: The Campaign hosted by Sanders Fine Portraits is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook. 18. Our staff and artists reserve exclusive studio time to provide you with our very best, personalized one-on-one service while we create your family’s artwork. So that we may accommodate you with the level of service you deserve, we do require a fully refundable deposit. This is to secure your portrait session and is refunded at your appointment. Rescheduling an appointment with less than two weeks notice will result in a loss of the deposit. Deposits on appointments rescheduled with more than two weeks notice are applied to the new appointment and will be refunded on the day of the appointment. Reschedules must be made by phone and are not accepted via email. The deposit is not refundable for permanently cancelled appointments.
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