The secret to a profitable photo fundraiser

A single photo can capture what words can’t—a story, a milestone, a memory worth holding onto. For nonprofits, those moments can also become a powerful, low-lift way to raise funds.

A photo fundraiser combines two things people love: meaningful experiences and memorable keepsakes. Supporters walk away with professional photos, and your mission gets the funding it needs.

With Givebutter, you can bring photos and fundraising together through themed booths, pet portraits, holiday sessions, and more. And for the easiest option, Vacanva offers a turnkey solution exclusively for Givebutter users—managing the entire process while you keep 100% of the proceeds.

Key takeaways

• Photography can be a fundraising powerhouse: From holiday sessions to contests, visual experiences inspire giving and build community.
• The donor experience matters most: People give generously when they walk away with something meaningful.
• Givebutter features make it simple: Donation forms, event campaigns, auctions, and Canva integration streamline every step.
• Vacanva = lowest lift, highest return: For portrait fundraisers, Vacanva handles all logistics—marketing, bookings, photographers, and delivery—so you can focus on engaging supporters.
• You can mix and match approaches: Blend managed solutions like Vacanva with DIY photo ideas to create year-round revenue streams.

What is a photo fundraiser & how does it work?

A photo fundraiser is any event or campaign that raises money through photography. This could look like:

• A professional portrait day
• A donation campaign selling portrait sessions
• Seasonal experience sessions (e.g., Santa, mascots, wildflowers, etc.)
• Pet photo events
• A themed photo contest
• A calendar made from supporter-submitted images

Supporters make a donation (often in exchange for a photo session or entry), and your nonprofit benefits from both the funds raised and the increased community engagement.

With the Vacanva and Givebutter integration, the process is seamless. Vacanva sets up your Givebutter beneficiary campaign for you, provides all of your promotional materials, and guides your donor through the full custom portrait process—while 100% of donations go directly to your nonprofit.

We raised over $41,000 on our first campaign, and we expect the next one to be exponentially more! Our moms love this program. — Stacey Taylor, Director of Development, Federation of Aggie Mothers Clubs

Is a photo fundraiser right for my nonprofit?

Photo fundraisers work exceptionally well for:

• Schools and PTAs
• Youth sports teams
• Churches and congregations
• Arts and culture organizations
• Animal rescues and shelters
• Alumni organizations and booster clubs
• Any nonprofit with a strong local presence 

Why they work:

• They’re highly shareable on social media
• They provide tangible value to participants
• They can be scaled for small or large audiences
• With Vacanva, they require virtually no volunteer hours to execute

With some planning and a strategy for sharing your fundraiser, you’ll be well on your way to capturing both attention and support. 

At Vacanva, we believe beauty can fund impact. After 15 years in the photography industry and countless nonprofit events, silent auctions, and other high-effort, low-return fundraisers, I’ve seen firsthand what works and what doesn’t when it comes to fundraising.  — Ashley Diamond Siegert, Founder of Vacanva

How to do a photo fundraiser in 6 simple steps

Follow the steps below for a memorable photograph fundraiser your supporters will love. 

1. Choose your photo fundraiser format 🤔

Decide whether you want a professional portrait event, themed mini-sessions, a contest, or another idea from the list below. Consider your audience’s interests—families, pet owners, art lovers—and pick something that excites them.

💡 Pro tip: Check out our list of easy, high-impact photo fundraiser ideas later in this guide to help you find the perfect fit for your mission and audience. 

2. Secure your photographer 📸

With Vacanva, you don’t have to. They’ll match your donors with vetted local photographers and coordinate every custom session. If you’re going DIY, connect with professional photographers or skilled volunteers early.

We realized we could help in a better way by pairing professional portraits with a simple, turnkey digital campaign process that gives nonprofits a high-value fundraiser without the heavy lift. It’s about creating an experience donors love while making a lasting difference for the causes they care about. — Ashley Diamond Siegert, Founder of Vacanva

3. Set up pricing & donation flow 💳

Decide whether to offer set-price sessions, “give what you can” donations, or tiered packages. Vacanva will set this up in your Givebutter campaign for you so that funds flow directly to your account.

⚡ Example: A youth soccer club partners with Vacanva, which sets up their Givebutter campaign with a $50 suggested donation per family. Vacanva manages booking confirmations while Givebutter processes payments and emails tax receipts instantly.

4. Promote your fundraiser 📣

Getting the word out is just as important as planning the event itself. Vacanva makes this easy by creating ready-to-use promotional assets for nonprofits, including graphics and messaging tailored to your photo fundraiser.

You can also customize your outreach with Givebutter’s Canva integration. This makes it simple to ensure your emails, flyers, and social media posts all match your nonprofit’s branding. Consistency builds trust and excitement, helping supporters immediately recognize and connect with your campaign.

5. Host & deliver 👐

If you’re partnering with Vacanva, they handle all event-day logistics—from coordinating sessions to managing bookings and photo delivery. That means your team can focus on the fun part: welcoming participants, building connections, and sharing your mission’s impact.

💡 Pro tip: Use the event as an opportunity to thank donors in person and remind them how their support makes a difference.

6. Share & say thanks 💌

After the fundraiser, Vacanva ensures donors receive their photos and any additional prints they purchased, so the experience feels seamless and professional. 

Make sure to follow up with all attendees with a heartfelt thank-you. Share fundraising results in your newsletter, post highlights on social media, and tag participants where appropriate. Celebrating success publicly not only recognizes your supporters but also helps attract even more interest for your next photo fundraiser.

Dive deeper

Learn how to start any fundraiser in 6 steps →

8 easy photo fundraiser ideas

Whatever your mission, these easy-to-launch, memorable photo fundraising ideas can help you get one step closer to reaching your fundraising goals. 

1. Family portrait fundraiser 🎥

⭐ Best for: Schools, PTAs, youth sports, community groups, and family-focused nonprofits

Offer professional family photos in exchange for a donation—a timeless way to capture memories and support your cause.

💡 Pro tip: Make your family photo fundraiser part of a larger event by offering a professional photoshoot as an auction item. 

2. Santa photo day 🎅

⭐ Best for: Holiday markets, churches, and community centers

Invite families to book a Santa session for a set donation and send them home with a festive keepsake. It’s a fun and easy way to spread holiday cheer while boosting end-of-year giving.

3. Pet portrait fundraiser 🐾

⭐ Best for: Animal shelters, rescues, and pet-friendly nonprofits

Pet owners love high-quality portraits of their furry friends and will happily support a cause while getting one. 

💡 Pro tip: Pair your photo day with an adoption event or community pet fair to boost turnout and visibility.

4. Church directory portraits 💒

⭐ Best for: Congregations, ministries, and faith-based organizations

Refresh your directory with new portraits while generating support for mission projects through a church photo fundraiser. 

💡 Pro tip: Consider offering printed directories, digital galleries, or framed portraits as an added way to deepen engagement.

5. Seasonal mini-sessions 🍂

⭐ Best for: Back-to-school, fall, spring, and holiday campaigns

Offer themed mini-sessions tied to the season for an easy, repeatable fundraiser year-round. These sessions create built-in excitement because supporters look forward to fresh themes each season, making it easy to turn them into an annual tradition.

6. Creative photo contest 🎨

⭐ Best for: Arts programs, youth groups, and community nonprofits

Encourage supporters to submit their best photos for a small fee, then showcase entries in a gallery or online. Voting and sharing add excitement while helping raise extra funds for your cause.

7. Photo calendar fundraiser 📆

⭐ Best for: Schools, sports teams, and community organizations

Compile supporter-submitted or themed images into a calendar that highlights your community. It doubles as a fundraiser and a year-round reminder of your mission.

8. Senior portraits 🎓

 ⭐ Best for: Schools, PTAs, and education nonprofits

Graduation is a milestone every family wants to remember. Hosting a senior photo fundraiser offers students professional portraits at a fraction of the cost, while raising money for your school or nonprofit. 

More to explore

Discover even more nonprofit fundraising ideas →

Launch your photo fundraiser with Givebutter and Vacanva

A picture fundraiser can be one of the most engaging ways to connect with your community—especially when you don’t have to manage the moving parts yourself. 

With Vacanva’s Givebutter integration, you can launch a professional portrait fundraiser with no fees, no extra work, and 100% of proceeds going directly to your mission.

Our small private school of 1,500 kids raised almost $9,000 in just 2 weeks, and we didn't have to plan any events! — Josephine, The Village School Enrichment Organization

📸 Book your free Vacanva photo fundraiser today, or sign up for Givebutter to start turning moments into mission support.