I just have to start off this post by giving a HUGE HUGE thank you to everyone who sent in entries! I was so overwhelmed with all of the thought and love that went into all of the emails I received and it was near impossible to choose! I wish that I could just give each and every one of you a free session… but then I wouldn’t be running much of a business if I did that would I 
I narrowed it down to my favorite four but there wasn’t a single one of these four that I could throw out… so I have changed the rules (hey, it’s my contest right?) and added one extra finalist. Please vote for your favorite by clicking on the poll below. One vote per person please. I won’t be playing hall monitor but please play fair Voting will close on Sunday night August 16 at midnight pacific. Good luck to all of the finalists and once again thank you so much to everyone who participated!
#1 – Jen’s family memories
Special memories…we are making lots of them these days. My husband and I just recently celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary I guess nine doesn’t have the same ring as ten, but we will get there. I am really proud of the fact that we are making this marriage work for the long haul–unfortunately we have begun to see people we know divorce. Along with the happiness of celebrating this milestone, we recently had our second daughter, Avery, who joins the proudest big sister you have ever seen, Olivia. Olivia is starting kindergarten in the fall, learning to read, write and draw. She is an amazing artist! Avery is a little love–four months old, very good-natured and so eager to move after her big sister. I guess what I am trying to say (on little caffeine–oh the woes of motherhood!) is that I feel like this is THE year of love for me. I am overcome by love for my husband and proud of his accomplishments. I marvel at the love I feel for Olivia who everyday becomes spunkier, more independent, more charming and less of a little girl. And I am completely overjoyed that my heart has expanded to love this new little person, Avery, who we are delighted to learn more about everyday. I would love to record this time in our lives (although I, unlike you, have NOT lost all of the baby weight, yet–congratulations!). It would be amazing to have your beautiful photography capture this moment of ever growing love in our family!
#2 – Ryan’s gift to his wife
I would like to nominate my wife, Heather, we have two young kids and as much as I think I am the breadwinner and she is the stay at home mom, I have realized with every passing day and year that she is the full time employee and I am the one that gets to socialize and be selfish in my own work atmosphere. She is a selfless human being and I admire her and love her not only as my wife and the mother of my children but as a role model. Our society is filled with immediate gratification and results and too see my wife devote her life to the raising and teaching of our two children has been truly inspirational for me and for everybody that comes to know and love my wife. I am writing because my daughter is having her 4 year old birthday this week and her “Princess” party is this weekend at our home. My wife, even on a very tight budget—-thanks to our crumbling California economy, has been simply amazing when it comes to being resourceful all in hopes that my daughter (and our family) have a special day to remember forever.She has asked me if we can afford the opportunity to take our family to a local company for our annual family photo as well as my daughter’s 4 year old Birthday pictures and I feel that this would be a great way to surprise my wife and Thank her with a “Real” photo shoot as opposed to something that comes directly out of the mall (kiddie candids). I wish nothing more but to be able to finally give back to my wife for all the love and support that she has created w/in our family. Thanks again in advance for your consideration and I applaud you for taking time out of your schedule to give back——-Be it loving your family, loving your spouse or simply loving what you do for a living…..that’s life’s biggest blessing
#3 – Amanda’s retro re-creation
This is such an amazing giveaway! My fiancee and I are newly engaged and would love to do a portrait session. I would love to do a session as a homage to my parents marriage. My parents eloped to Carmel, CA in 1972, on my Dad’s birthday with my Mom sporting a pink mini-dress. They had a wonderful and strong 22 year marriage until my Mom died suddenly when I was 14 years old. Though no pictures were taken on their wedding day, I can only image how chic and cool they were in my fathers red hot rod and I would love to take pictures recreating their day (mini-dress and all). My Dad constantly tells me how much I remind him of my Mom and so this would be a wonderful gift for him as well as to us. We want our marriage to be as solid and loving as theirs was and I can’t think of a better way to start it off.
#4 -Martha & Hector’s beautiful boys
Martha and Hector were friends many years ago. They fell out of contact, but then re-united and the love between them grew. They married not too long after (on 7/7/07). They now have two beautiful boys. Dylan, Martha’s son from a previous relationship, is now Hector’s son. Hector so easily filled father role that Dylan yearned for. And just last year, Jake was born; a beautiful little boy who just beginning to crawl. This family is so loving, and it would be wonderful if you captured that.
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but instead we sat and talked about photography, about life, about the importance of memories. From that day on I made it my mission to learn to use my camera to its fullest potential. I became completely immersed in learning everything there was to learn about photography. I was excited and passionate and LOVED taking pictures. I knew I had found my calling.
