gwendolyn waite photography :: blog

UPDATE: I have chosen a winner, and have sent them an email. As soon as I hear back from them, I will post a few details!

Last year, Kristen Kalp of Essential Imagery started a grassroots movement. She put a challenge out to the photography community to give the gift of photography to deserving families who wouldn’t ordinarily be able to afford custom portraits. Last year I joined the movement, and was able to give an amazing single mom and her four kids some portraits of her beautiful family. This mom was so inspired that she used the same idea to give a deserving family the gift of her midwife services. I love how the spirit of giving is so contagious.

This year I am so excited to be participating again.

And here’s where you come in…

You know someone who can’t afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who’s experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family’s spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography – $1500 worth, to be exact. Whether it’s a canvas or an album, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, it’s in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season. The winner will receive a complementary session along with a $1500 print credit to use however they wish.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner also receives a free session ($200 value) and $500 in print credits. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in the Twin Cities area (that would be in Minnesota, for all you non-Midwesterners). Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story : gwen@gwendolynwaite.com by midnight December 23rd.

The winner will be announced here on my blog on Christmas Eve.

Get nominating! I can’t wait to read all of your entries.

Open your heart to someone this holiday season — and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

Giving *is* awesome.

Something else that is awesome?
My three kids.
Here they are.

One of our family traditions is to make and decorate a gingerbread house. Some years we fail, and don’t do it at all, despite good intentions. Some years we get so busy we just buy a kit. But this year, Michael spearheaded the project, and started planning it a week ago. He downloaded house plans, looked up recipes, bought candy. Then a couple days ago he baked and assembled the house, complete with stained glass windows. It sat for a few days until we had some time together as a family to decorate it. So last night we hauled out the candy, prepared the frosting (a.k.a.glue) and got busy making memories. Here are some shots from the evening.

Leave me a comment about your favorite holiday tradition, either from when you were a little kid, or now, with your own family. I’ll pick one winner, and that person will receive a $25 gift card to Pacifier, one of my favorite local hip kids clothing and toy stores. (And by the way, if you’re looking for an outfit for a photo session – check them out… eclectic. cool. fun.) If you’re not local, they have a website and will ship nationwide. The winner will be chosen randomly this Saturday the 12th at midnight and announced on my facebook fan page, so check back there to see if you have won!

I love seeing how differently my kids decorate their sides…

These are taken with no natural light, no flash. Just our overhead light. I hiked the ISO way, way up. 6400, to be exact.
Embrace the noise.
You know you love it.

Love this texture and color that Bea came up with on the back. Love her embracing Elliott. And love his pouty lip.

The finished product…
Notice the light, emanating from inside? Illuminating those stained glass windows? That would be Michael’s bike light. fa la la la la…

I got an email from this mom saying that her daughter came to her with her school photos, and asked that they not be shown to anybody because they were ugly. This makes me sad, so I can only imagine how heartbroken her mom felt when her beautiful daughter thought she was otherwise because of a bad school photo.

This young woman is filled with so much spunk, unique style, confidence, and beauty. That’s right, T – you are absolutely beautiful. And I hope these photos will help you to feel more so. Thank you for sharing such a gorgeous fall afternoon with me.

I dare you. I dare you to look at these photos of these beautiful, happy kids and not smile.
Betcha can’t do it. Their smiles and spunky attitudes are truly infectious.

And the girls’ hair? LOVE it.
I photographed this family a couple years ago (in my pre-blogging days!), and Mom wished she would have had the girls’ hair down. Well I’m so glad we got a chance to do it again this year, this time with hair! Absolutely gorgeous. Totally jealous.

You’re smiling, aren’t you…
Good. Me too.

:)

To say that this family is active is a great understatement. So what did we do for our session? Got out the football, played some catch, jumped on the trampoline, and ran like crazy! Of course there was time for a much-needed cookie break and lots of exploring. The light was amazing this weekend, and we were on the lake at just the perfect time.

This family had so much fun with their session, as it should be! This is the second year I photographed this bright, spunky, active little girl – check out last year’s family session here. It’s just so evident to me how much they truly enjoy each others’ company and love being together.

Thanks so much [G] family – I had a fabulous afternoon with you guys!

Totally love this last photo – check out little [M's] strut. You go girl!