January 1, 2010

Giving Is Even More Awesome With 3 Winners! {Gainesville Photographer}

This year I had a hard time choosing between all of my Giving is Awesome nominees- and thank you so much for sharing these stories with me! It is amazing to be able to give just a little something to these people who are your friends and loved ones. Because I couldn’t decide between these stories I decided to give a little something to each of them. The total value of these giveaways is $1500!

The second runner up is an acquaintance of mine, and I am actually the one who nominated her. She has been saving up money for a family portrait session with Sweet Serendipity Photography for quite some time now, and whenever I see her she tells me how excited she is to schedule a session with me. For Christmas she told her family she just wanted money so that she could have her family pictures with me. When she called me the other day to tell me she was ready to book a session, she also shared with me that instead of a session with her husband and children, she wanted to do photos with her mother and siblings. Her mother was very recently diagnosed with cancer and she felt that it would be very meaningful for her mom to have a session before she began a rigorous schedule of chemotherapy. So, because GIVING IS AWESOME, Sandi Oakes- your session with your mom is compliments of Sweet Serendipity Photography.

The first runner up was nominated by one of my boudoir clients, Julianne. Julianne is a NICU nurse and often interacts with very special families. She nominated the Marin family who recently gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, seven weeks premature. The babies have spent many of their first weeks in the NICU- one at North Florida and one at Shands hopsital- and the family has remained strong during this difficult time. This GIVING IS AWESOME winner will be receiving a complimentary newborn session and their high resolution images on DVD from the session. Julianne, as my thank you for nominating this family you also receive a complimentary photo session.

The WINNER this year from the GIVING IS AWESOME campaign is the Strode Family from Gainesville, FL. They were nominated by Julie Peine, whose son Ben was my first newborn client. Ironically, Julie found out about Sweet Serendipity Photography through Brandi Strode, and over the years Brandi has sent many referrals to Sweet Serendipity Photography, including her little sister Josi’s wedding this upcoming April. Julie wrote a very heartwarming email about Brandi and her family, and I was so incredibly touched by the selflessness of this family. Because I am just announcing the winners here I am not going to share many of the details before I have the opportunity to speak with Brand. However I will share a link from Julie’s email that I think really is what this campaign is all about. “Perhaps the Strode’s aren’t the typical family but I think that they epitomize what family should be about, despite the difficulties that life might bring. I know I look at the Strode’s and wonder if I would have the faith to step out and do what they’ve done. I find it easy to make excuses, but they have done whatever is needed to make the right things happen.”

The Strode family will receive a complimentary photo session, as well as a collection of prints and digital images valued at $750. The Peine family also receives a complimentary photo session for sharing their story with me.

Thanks to all of you for making me take the time this holiday season to pause and reflect on all that I have been blessed with. I am so grateful to be able to give something back to these families who are oh so deserving. I look forward to being able to share their stories and photos with you over the next few months.

Happy New Year to each and every one of you! May 2010 bring you much joy and happiness!

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