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Giving is awesome [dot] com

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.

As a participating photographer at givingisawesome.com, I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography. Complimentary, as in FREE. The prize is a complete family photo session, a set of 4x6 prints, one 10x12 enlargement and a CD containing all the digital images. The value for this is $700, but the thought behind it is priceless and it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a generous 50% off a session of their own. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

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 greater Wenatchee valley area (Leavenworth to Quincy to Entiat). Tell me who you know, a bit of 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 storyusing the CONTACT link at the top of this page.

The winner will be announced 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.

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Muzzie Braun: Concert, travel photography

From earlier this summer. The Muzzie Braun and Friends Reunion Concert in Challis, ID. My family (Dad's side) is from this really small town and we try to get back every year for the concert. I love this shot because it looks like it was shot with a tilt-shift lens, although it wasn't. Climbed up to the top of the big hill (the concert is at the base of it) and put the camera at ground level to get this really cool perspective.

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Processing is what "makes" a picture a photograph

There are photographers who love to shoot and hate to process, but I am one who loves both parts equally. Before there was digital, there was film and I loved my time in the darkroom as much as my time behind the lens. To this day, the smell of a darkroom makes my mouth water. No kidding (and no clue why!) With the advent of digital photography, darkrooms are no longer part of the process. As a graphic designer and photographer, I was one of those in the forefront of personal computers and design software that led to photo-enhancing software. In fact, I used to be on the Adobe Photoshop (software) tech support team and was later made the manager of that team back when it was a fledgling little software. That experience combined with my more than 20 years photography and design background means I have a lot of knowledge to share.

So what this leads to is I like to make photos look their best as much as take them and time spent at the computer is fun for me! I've decided that in addition to my photography, I would like to offer my "processing" services to those that take their own photos. You would send me your photos and I would re-touch and process them with the same attention to detail as I would my own photos of clients. If you've seen the samples in my galleries, you'll have a good idea of my style. I've created an Etsy account (http://gauchogirl.etsy.com) where you can buy those services.

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October '08 wrap-up: Digital photography collage [scrapbook style]

Forgot I never posted my October monthly wrap-up layout so here it is. And now I need to start packing - we are headed to the "most magical place on earth" - yep, DisneyWorld. Its been too long since we had a good old-fashioned family vacation and we are e-x-c-i-t-e-d to say the least. Expect lots of photos here in a couple weeks.

Also, a couple little self-congratulatory toots. One of my photos was chosen as one of the featured photos for JPG magazine's "Pumpkin" challenge and is featured on their blog as well. Love me some pumpkiny Fall pics. Thanks JPG mag! Also heard from Scrapbooking.com that my blog is featured as "Blog of the week." Thanks guys!

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