Second, I need to just say out loud that I can not believe my business has taken off in the way that it has...that I flourished when the economy was, to be honest, a hot mess. Somehow all of you have still chosen your memories and moments over that big screen tv, that new lawn mower, or whatever it is that could have been upgraded. This is part of why I am so in love with the people who contact me...your priorities are in line and your lives--well, they're just beautiful.
It is entirely true that I do not have many photos of my family together....and most of the dearest memories I hold in my heart...but that is part of the reason why this giveaway means so much. I am certain that you will not be printing the 100+ photos that we will be collecting over the next year....but I am even more certain that someday, you can pull out a shoe box full of memories with me and show someone in ten minutes or ten years...and that makes me so happy.
So many of you know my story...that this dream started in a place in my life that needed some good old fashioned love. The other day I was flipping through photos of my husband and I on our honeymoon and found so many with him and his Canon camera strap hanging around his neck. I could have never known then that I would carry that torch and that his love of photography would become one of my greatest gifts. I am, though, proud to carry my own Canon now and to have learned about exposures and the golden hour from him.
You see the problem is that we think we have time..we think there will be another month or another year and that we don't need photos all the time. (I can just hear some of my favorite client's husbands saying that) I also agree-they are not a necessity...they will not make you live any longer and-by all means-provide first and foremost--but the beautiful thing about photos is they will prove that you lived.
To be honest, I have always done my very best to be accessible to anyone which means I provide sessions on the house, no questions asked and that is another reason why these giveaways come very rarely. I am hopeful that people will continue to come to me with their stories, their needs, and their hopes so I can continue to provide one of the few tangibles that moves people now....and 50 years from now.
I am fully aware of the fact that you could go anywhere for your photos...there are many other photographers out there....but i am BEYOND GRATEFUL that all 2029 of you have chosen to follow me....and that you allow me to come into your lives and share these stories. If I could, I would have given each of you this prize....but my accountant would kill me.
So, finally, thank you...for allowing me the privilege to be your photographer for the next year. For entering this contest and giving me the opportunity to share my love and passion with you. Congratulations, Chris Herzog.....I will be seeing a whole lot of your family this year. I hope you're ready.
And, to everyone who entered--there will be many more to come. It has been one heck of a ride and I cannot wait to see where God takes this dream of mine. I only hope to meet you all along the way.
Good night, friends...Happy Easter.
xoxo,
Miss Oh!
