Giving is Awesome

Photographers are great people. And I'm not saying this because I'm a photographer. I'm saying this because a group of photographers has banded together to make the holiday seasons of many deserving families just a little bit brighter!

Giving is Awesome is a group of photographers nationwide that are giving the gift of memories to deserving families. I'm so proud to be a part of this holiday mission!

Where do you come in? 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 -- $1000 worth, to be exact. The winner will receive a portrait session, a 10 page 8x8 inch album and their high resolution digital images. It's in your power to give them the gift of lasting memories!

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a complimentary portrait session of their own and a $100 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be?

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 Florida. 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 wish to nominate someone who's not in Florida, check out Giving is Awesome for participating photographers around the country!}

* You must e-mail me the full story : lb@loribarbelyphotography.com

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.

And the winner is...

(yeah, yeah, so I'm a little late announcing it - sorry about that!)

Alison & Ross!

There were so many great stories, but how could I not be swayed by this:

"Why do I think I should win? Come on...I took him to a strip club. What good Catholic girl does that?"

Good Catholic girl, indeed! Maybe we'll shoot their e-session at a strip club ;)

Miscellaneous Sunday

Special thanks to all the lovely ladies who partook in yesterday's boudoir bash - we had a blast!

As a reminder, the final day to enter the free engagement session is coming fast! January 15. So send your story today!

Free engagement session contest!

Happy 2008! Sheesh, wasn't it just 1999/2000 and everyone was freaked about the whole millennium crisis? Time flies! Hope you all had a fantastic New Year's Eve and are as excited as I am about 2008!

To celebrate the new year and the host of engagements that tend to happen over the Christmas holidays, I'm giving away a free engagement session! The prize is a 1 hour session on location in the Orlando area and includes 1 8x10 print. To enter, send an email telling how you and your fiance met and why you think you should win. It's that easy! The deadline to enter is January 15, 2008 and the winner will be announced here by January 20, 2008.

What are you waiting for? Tell Lori your story now.

And the winner is...

Melanie R. from Sanford, who guessed 5 years! Congrats Melanie and check your email for info about your iTunes gift certificate! Thanks to everyone who entered.

Last chance to enter!

The guess how long I've been married contest ends at midnight EST tonight. Send me your guess now for a chance to win a $10 iTunes gift certificate.

A celebration and a contest

Today is our wedding anniversary! In celebration, I'm giving away a $10 iTunes gift card to the person who guess how many years my wonderful husband and I have been married! Click here to email your guess.


Photo by Gary Fox

The fine print:
•Contest ends 11/08/07 at midnight EST and I'll post the winner's name on 11/9/07!
•If more than one person guesses correctly, I'll draw the winning name out of a hat containing all the names of the people who've guessed correctly.