Crimson Chickadee Photography

I believe that the month of December is a wonderful month. I love the effort people put into the holidays, however I also believe that we unintentionally or subconsciously become self orientated. We look forward to seeing OUR family and friends, to making OUR homes festive, buying gifts for OUR families and I am very guilty of this one…anticipating what is under the tree with OUR name on. Sometimes around the holidays we hear how someone has had some misfortune and we have a moment of compassion for them but do we ever take it any farther than that? Most of the time no.
Last year I gave away a session over the holidays. Not because I wanted to help someone out or do something good…I just felt festive. Soon after I posted about my contest I found out about Giving is Awesome. It occurred to me that my little contest could hold more impact in someone’s life than just a random drawing of a name. I decided that I would be apart of Giving is Awesome in 2009. When the time approached to start thinking about giving, Alleisha and I both decided we wanted to give and we will both participate.

What is Giving is Awesome?

Giving is Awesome is a simple effort by photographers worldwide to give back to their communities. Regional contests are sponsored by photographers across the globe. Each photographer is encouraged to give both a session fee and a generous amount of portrait product (typically $1000 or more) to a worthy individual or family this holiday season. Giving a smaller portrait gift to the person who does the nominating of the winner is also strongly encouraged. You can visit the Giving is Awesome website HERE.

So here are the details.

You know someone. 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 can’t afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family’s spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

We want to know who they are, and we want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography — $1300 worth, to be exact. The winner will receive their session and the ‘Love Bird’ portrait collection.
Here is a twist to our Giving is Awesome contest. Instead of having one contest with one winner we will be having one contest with two winners…one winner for Nicole and one winner for Alleisha. That’s a total of $2600 in portrait goodness for two deserving families from Crimson Chickadee Photography.

Oh, and the person who nominates the winner receives a $50 print credit.

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing our 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 Alberta. They must also have transportation to the studio for their session. Tell us who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve our artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

*Nominees cannot be relatives of any employee of Crimson Chickadee Photography…but they can nominate someone:)

* You must e-mail me the full story : givingisawesome@crimsonchickadeephotography.com

The deadline for entries is 6:00 p.m. December 24, 2009.

The winner will be announced on Christmas Day — get nominating! We can’t wait to read all of your entries!

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

{hugs}

Nicole and Alleisha

When the alarm went off on Monday morning I wondered as I looked at  the time if I had agreed to something that I was really going to regret.

I got myself ready and I kept looking at my bed thinking it looked so inviting, I wish I could snuggle back into it.

As I headed out on the dark and lonely highway I wondered when I would see the sun.

I entered the building I called my destination and headed to the office and wondered what the day would be like.

I walked into the room and saw all of the  computers, the studio lighting, tables full of binders and cameras and many curious faces…I thought to myself it will be amazing, I am so glad I agreed to come.

As the day came to a close and I made my way  home I pondered about how often we procrastinate to do something that is a sacrifice to ourselves and a benefit to others. That simple act often becomes the most educational and satisfactory thing. I did not spend the day in the soup kitchen or volunteering for a wonderful organization but I did spend the day with a group of the most amazing high school students.  That’s right…I spent the whole day with the film and media students at the Leduc Composite High School. As I talked to them about camera settings, posing, natural and studio lighting I was rewarded with the gift of sharing my knowledge to eager ears. I am sure there have been more than one laugh at the school today as they walk around looking at the size of the other students eyes and which side of their face they subconsciously favor!

Thank you to all the students for listening so well, for not being shy to ask questions, and most of all for being yourselves and having fun learning about photography!

Till next time…

Nicole