gwendolyn waite photography :: blog

I cannot even begin to comprehend that my youngest nephew is already one. He was just born, I swear. His newborn photos, here and here. He had a pretty rough entry into the world, but has thrived in this last year. He’s beginning to take his first steps, starting to babble, all that good baby stuff. Such a sweet, mischievous little guy. I couldn’t resist… more little piggies. Enjoy.

I got to spend some time with my sweet niece and nephew last weekend – they were a teensy bit overdue for their portraits. Sorry guys! Just getting my feet on the ground from the very busy holiday season.

We started off at their beautiful home in Linden Hills – they have a sunroom that is every photographer’s dream – the natural light just pouring in from all sides. So delicious. I hung out with her and we played with her Littlest Pet Shop friends and of course had a tea party. Love her colorful, festive tea set. This second photo just makes me so happy – I love how she is just giggling quietly to herself, and holding her teacup so gingerly. Precious.

We headed down to their local library and took some photos there as well – of course I had to steal her away for some fun auntie time reading Valentines books. And just a wee bit of tickling!

Coming up next… her squirrely, squishable, mischievous and sweet baby brother. With the brightest, bluest eyes you could imagine.

I’m sure that most of you have been following news stories about the devastating earthquake in Haiti, and and some of you might even have personal connections. I have been following a personal story on facebook posted by some friends of mine, about a little Haitian girl named Gracie. My friends’ cousin has been trying for over two years to adopt Gracie from Haiti. After a long and difficult process, and an incredibly stressful few weeks, Gracie landed in Florida on Saturday, and was united with her new mom early Monday morning. They are now getting to know each other as a new family in their home in Columbus, Ohio. You can read more about Gracie’s story here. I know there are stories like this all over the country about people trying to adopt, and so many of them do not have such happy endings. There are still many children stuck in Haiti who desperately need help.

Since the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, I have been thinking about ways I could help, beyond making an individual monetary donation. About a week ago, my friend and fellow photographer Sally Clark contacted me about taking part in a program she had just created to help raise money for the orphans in Haiti.

It’s called Lenses of Love: Hearts for Haiti, and I am honored to announce my participation. It’s a nationwide effort by photographers dedicated to helping the people of Haiti.

Book your Limited Edition Lenses of Love session by February 14th (you have until April 30th to complete your session) and I will donate 100% of the sitting fee to Kentucky Adoption Services, a nonprofit organization that is helping orphans in Port-au-Prince.

I am offering a special sitting fee for this fundraiser of $150 (normally $200).
Limited number of sessions available. Call 612-747-0372 or email today to book a session.

All Lenses of Love sessions include:

- A pre-session phone consultation to answer questions and discuss location and wardrobe

- A full 1-2 hour photo session at a location of your choice

- An online slideshow featuring 20-35 fully-edited images from your session

- A personalized ordering meeting to choose your prints and products

The session fee is for Gwen’s time and talent only. Wall galleries, albums and other products are available at standard pricing. May not be combined with any other offers. Minimum order of $300 applies.

A great big shout-out to Sally Clark for creating this program, and putting all of the hard work in to make it a success.

Please share this link with your friends, family, and help get the word out. If you are not in the Twin Cities area, please visit the Lenses of Love website and click on “Find a Photographer” to locate a photographer in your area.

612-747-0372
gwen@gwendolynwaite.com

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 my twitter peeps (who is a fabulous dog and pet photographer in the Minneapolis / St. Paul area – go check out her website) tweeted this yesterday: “If I could crush one photo belief it would be that a good family portrait has everyone looking straight at the camera. What would you pick?” (minus a few sporadic letters to make the twitter 140 character limit). I couldn’t agree more.

This family photo makes me so happy. No, everybody’s not looking at the camera. Yes, dad’s a bit fuzzy. But what a beautiful moment it captures – the joy of holding a leaf in the autumn sun… the pure adoration these two parents have for their little guy… the beauty of this simple moment being together.

What this photo didn’t capture was the leaf going into this little guy’s mouth – about seventeen times!

To me this is the perfect family photo.

And a few more of this little sweetie…I’m a total sucker for his curls – just adorable.

Thank you so much for coming out, H family, on this very chilly downright cold fall morning!