When the Alabama Youth Ballet Guild contacted me about helping with a fundraising project I was SO EXCITED. I have a special place in my heart for ballerinas but I love Grebel Dance even more! The studio is just incredible! They produce amazing talent but most of all they teach correct technique. This is so important so that the beautiful girls (and talented guy) will not be injured! Add to that how much fun this group has and you have the perfect recipe for a dance studio. I will post the details on how to purchase the calendar from the guild, I know so many will want to have an awesome calendar and support the Youth Ballet.

Do you know someone who need a dance studio? Go check them out….

There are SO many that I am in love with… it was hard to decide what to share on the blog. More on Facebook…

How cute can you get? After a traditional beach session with these two families, we decided to bring out the tutus. One of the moms made a purple tutu to match my tutus. Isn’t it beautiful? I will share more of the session later but I had to show you the girl’s playing on the beach. I loved these so much that I had to do a quick session with Sarah in a tutu before we left. (Those pictures to come later… I am so late on editing our person stuff!).

Say it with me…. “Awwwwwww”….

This is the music minister at my church and his beautiful wife. I really had no idea how much fun I would have on this session. But, we walked all over the city! I just love the results! They seriously need to be models… both of them… love love love this session…

I know I am a blog slacker! We went without Internet while we at the beach for beach sessions. So…. they put me totally behind. I have more blog material that I have blog time! Forgive me… editing comes first…

I was so excited when I heard from this little guy’s mom. Mom is the brother from a groom from April. She wasn’t able to make the wedding because this little guy was due around the same time! When mom and dad decided to come to Alabama to visit she wanted to set up a session for her son and her parents. This session was so celebrate her dad’s birthday. Isn’t that great? (The Bride and Groom also came along! I snapped one quick picture of them. Aren’t they cute? They are all in newlywed love….)

What I remember most from this session is he really loves his Grandpa. A couple of times he was fussy but all he needed was Grandpa to talk to him and he would smile the biggest smile. I love the picture where Grandpa is holding him up. So, so, many that I love!

We have talked about it for a long time and now it is time to announce our big contest to celebrate our children’s birthdays. Our kids have birthdays 5 days apart and we want you to get a gift! We want to celebrate relationships because we pray our children grow to be very close. I really think that is what our photography business is all about, capturing relationships of families, couples, siblings, etc. At 3 and 1, our children are just starting to really play together. The other day I was in the other room and I heard Sarah laughing harder than I had ever heard her while playing with her brother. At 1 year old, she was taking his blocks every time he stacked them up. I love that I am starting to see such a beautiful relationship!

So, that was my inspiration for the contest! First let’s talk about what we are giving away…

1 session fee to the winner ($100 value)

1 session fee for a family or person the winner chooses ($100 value)

Digital Disk with ALL portraits from both sessions ($800 value), AND

1 11×14 wall portrait for each family ($150 value)!!!!!!!!

Why are we giving away two sessions??? I want you to tell me who you would love to have a session with! Tell me about your sister and how awesome she is and how you want to thank her with this session. Tell me about your best friend that has stuck beside you for YEARS. Tell me about your co-worker that is always there to lend an ear. Tell me about your mom… you get the idea! This is two full sessions but I want to schedule the session where the two families have a few shots taken together. I want to celebrate your favorite relationship!

Now, here is how you win:

1. You must leave a comment here on the blog or here on our fan page wall on Facebook. Tell me about why you want to win and who you would give the other session and 11×14 to as a gift. The contest isn’t about someone in need. Remember, I am interested in the relationship!

2. If you enter on Facebook, tell your friends about the contest on our fan page. You can have it say whatever you like this time, but include a link to our fanpage. The last contest went so well with so many entries that I felt very generous and gave away MORE stuff to other winners! I seriously have a hard time not giving everyone something that enters!

3. Session must take place in the greater Birmingham area (some exceptions made on the case by case basis).

4. The person you choose to give the session away to must agree to the session and both families must schedule the session on the same day. This will allow the portraits of everyone together.

5. The sessions is for up to 10 people total.

6. Session must be booked and completed by December 31st, 2009.

And to celebrate some my kids’ relationship, let me show you the picture from 4th of July. I have to admit, it is hard to get picture of my own kids at this age. They are not interested in my camera (Sarah is lately… maybe there is hope!) and we all know how our own kids don’t listen like they should…lol. So when I try to sit them down for a posed picture, it is often comical. Cory is in the background making funny noises (ask him about “Moose”) and I am desperately trying to get both of my toddlers looking my way…lol. But, I love to see both of them in the same print, it makes my heart smile.

 All entries must be received by August 25th, 2009. Winner will be annouced on August 26th.