I [heart] faces: sun flare

My entry for I [heart] faces "Sun Flare". One of my all time favorite photos to boot! Be sure to check out the other amazing entries here.

[ETA]: WOW. Something like 421 entries. Scratch that, 421 GREAT images, and I was the 1st place winner. So cool! The top ten are all so amazing, I would be thrilled to have taken any of them. So many great image makers out there! Thanks to I [heart] faces for always taking the time to host such a great site and to this week's judge, the incomparable [becker]! Thanks!!

Wenatchee Photography: Giving is Awesome

It's that time of year again! My very favorite time. When I get to give back to the community and town that so generously accepted and made room for me and my family almost 13 years ago. This is my second year (and the second year of the program) called "Giving is Awesome" that encourages photographers to donate to deserving people the gift of professional photography.

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.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography. 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 also receives a free mini-session. 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 vacation home does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in or around North Central Washington. Lets say within 60 miles of Wenatchee, WA. 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.

* If you're not comfortable posting the story in comments, then please e-mail me the full story: tonya [at] gauchogirl [dot] com.

The winner will be announced on Dec. 7 - my youngest daughter's 11th birthday. Get nominating! I can't wait to read your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

If you aren't in the Wenatchee area, you can still enter! Please check the Giving is Awesome MAP and find a participating photographer near you or your intended recipient!

(Below is last year's winner. A much deserving young couple in Oroville, WA. --  Hi Willis family! I got your holiday card the other day, thank you! Hoping you have a wonderful year!)

Thousands of other daddies...

One of the most beautiful letters ever written: http://www.lettersofnote.com/2009/11/thousands-of-other-daddies-went-too.html

Wenatchee family portraits: Fenter family sneak peek

Had the honor of spending a gorgeous fall afternoon with the Fenter family at one of Wenatchee's many beautiful parks. Between Brady, the dog, and AJ, a very curious (and fast) 2 year old, we had our work cut out for us. I think with the help of apple chips and a ziploc bag of dog food, we pulled it off. Thanks in part to mom's unwavering cheerfulness, dad's patience and, honestly, the rapid fire on my Nikon!) Thanks Fenter family!

 

Wenatchee pet photography: Ali from the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society

We adopted a new baby this week. Ali (who was called Sable) and her sister had been abandoned by their previous owners when they moved and left the animals to fend for themselves. Whenever I write something like this a part of me hopes the offenders will see this and feel guilty. Shame on you. These are living, breathing animals that were suffering because you couldn't, at the very least, drop them off at the humane society. OK, off my soapbox. They were discovered when Ali got into a tangle with a porcupine and neighbors found and brought them in. We were wanting another dog and found Ali at the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society through their Petfinder page. Such a sweet girl. A little timid still, but totally understandable, I think. Yesterday, the first time she was left alone for an hour, she busted out our front window and escaped. She didn't go far, just stayed on our front lawn with the neighbor kids. Definitely has abandonment issues from her previous owners/treatment, but we will get through them.

I know pet ownership isn't for everyone, but please remember your local animal shelter when considering adoption and especially when deciding which organizations to help or donate to. They totally appreciate, and really, really NEED, donations of just about anything: time, money, pet food, blankets, pet toys, animal walkers. Even photography and graphic design services, I hope, as that's what I'm going to offer. And kids can help walk pets at our local shelter with a parent's supervision. My 10 year old wants to help so we'll be headed that way soon.

As far as photo post-processing I really just did basic adjustments to contrast and color saturation. Shows that just a little helps a lot. Here's a tip when photographing your pets: get down low, on their level. Makes a huge difference over the typical "shot from above" look of most home pet snaps. I like all three shots below, but notice how much stronger the first one is over the other two. The camera at her eye level creates a much more intimate, personable feel.

Happy Wednesday! My daughter has another WVC volleyball home game tonight and I'm so excited to watch them play. Sad there are only 2 more after this one though and then we'll have to wait till next season.