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Category Archives: Giving Back

Engagement Session Giveaway WINRARS!

Just as I finished announcing the New Year’s family photo giveaway, I started a new one over on Wedding Bee classifieds for three free engagement shoots. I love the ‘Bee community because it was SO immensely helpful to me during my wedding planning, and I’m really happy to be able to give back in some way.

I asked people to submit their vision for their ideal engagement shoot in the Seattle/Portland area… and I got so many great responses. It was really very difficult to choose just three from all the emails I got. I was sad to narrow it down, but I eventually had to. I couldn’t just let everyone else send me something for nothing, though! So, while the winners will receive a free engagement shoot (and image files), everyone else who entered will get $50 off an engagement or bridal session and a free disc of print-resolution images (normally $200).

Here are the three winners… Congrats!

Maggie Walker dreamed of an engagement shoot on the ferry between Seattle and Bainbridge Island, where she grew up, and at some of the iconic sites along both waterfronts.

Andrea Jung met her fiance in a Portland ultimate Frisbee league and being a self-described “shy bride,” would love a Frisbee-themed session in one of Portland’s great parks and some of the iconic neighborhoods nearby.

Kate Winne has a very special engagement ring custom-engraved with her and her fiance’s favorite things. She brainstormed a shoot around these things: Books (at the Seattle library), puppies (with a canine friends), pizza (a heart-shaped pie) and hops (with their home-brew equipment).

Other amazing ideas included vintage photos at the Vista House in the gorge and ethereal pictures near and in some of the gorge waterfalls; a session at some of Seattle’s most beautiful, natural spots; shooting at the downtown REI; pictures to commemorate a first date in downtown Portland (including smooching on the MAX!); a snow session during ski season; colorful photos in the Skagit valley tulip fields; and iconic Seattle shoots on the waterfront and beaches, at the Market, near the troll, under the Needle, at Gas Works Park, and more!

Thank you so much to everyone who took the time, energy, and courage to share your stories and ideas. I was so glad to hear from you.

Family Photo Giveaway Winners

Happy New Year!

It took a lot of work, and help from my friends, but I finally decided on the winner of my “Giving is Awesome” portrait session. Buuuuuut… because there were so many deserving families nominated, I also chose three runners up. Woohoo! OK, let’s start the announcing…

The Winner: 2-hour portrait session + $800 in goodies

THE MCGUFFEY FAMILY: Jessica and Jeremy live in Puyallup with their three-year-old son Connor. Connor was born with an extremely rare series of genetic disorders and is confined to a wheelchair. He has struggled his entire life, but recently he’s been suffering from increasingly severe seizures.

Connor’s dad, Jeremy, an officer in the army, was injured while deployed in Afghanistan. His stryker vehicle ran over an I.E.D., which completely pulverized both of his heels and caused severe lacerations to his legs. He will eventually re-learn to walk but is also wheelchair-bound for now.

In the face of everything, Jessica has been courageous and upbeat, and extremely supportive of her lovely family. They’ll receive the gift of a two-hour portrait session at a location of their choice as well as up to $800 in prints, albums, or canvasses.

Jessica was nominated by her sister, Mary, who lives in Texas. Mary, if ever we meet, you have a $250 credit toward a session or prints of your own. Thank you so much for caring so deeply about your sister and her family. And congratulations to all of you!

The Runners-Up: 1-hour portrait session + a framed triptych

THE KINDORF FAMILY: A series of medical problems has had Mr. Kindorf in and out of the hospital and upset the family’s finances. His wife and oldest son are working together to raise the other three Kindorf kids, the youngest of which has cystic fibrosis. They are struggling to stay afloat after a tough year in a tough economy but will stay strong no matter what.

Thank you to Mauvia for thinking of the Kindorfs. They are blessed to have you as a friend!

THE KARR FAMILY: Kathleen is a military wife who is raising a new baby while her husband is out to sea. Kat gave birth to little Kendall three days before her husband was deployed and has raised her on her own away from friends and family for the last seven months. Kathleen could only take a little maternity leave and is now working full time to support Kendall and pay her mortgage. At a recent well-child visit, Kendall was diagnosed with hip dysplasia and placed in a body cast, where she will spend the next six months. Kendall needs new everything to fit her cast, and probably has to look forward to many surgeries. Kathleen has had a trying and painful year, but she and Kendall have accomplished so much.

Thank you, Chastity, for nominating your sister-in-law. You rock!

THE HORAN FAMILY: Therese is a single mom who moved to Seattle from Sitka, Alaska to go through ARNP school. She has just graduated and is looking for a job in a very tough market. Despite mounting bills and student loans, Therese is a wonderfully supportive mother to her young daughter. She has always made sure that her daughter’s needs are first, even when she was working through school. They are a joy to watch together!

Justin, you’re an awesome classmate for suggesting Therese. I wish everyone were so considerate!

Each of the people who nominated a runner-up also receives a $50 credit that they can use either to schedule a personal photo session or to purchase prints for the family they’ve nominated. Y’all are awesome!

Holiday Photo Giveaway = All Done!

Images of icicles, snow on grasses, seed pods, and snowy berries by Seattle photographer Kat Speyer
Thank you to everyone who entered on behalf of their friends and families in need. It was very touching to read all of your entries and many brought tears to my eyes. I wish that I could help everyone in some way.

Now that the giveaway is closed, my trusted friends and I wil review your nominations and try our best to pick one deserving winner before the New Year.

Thank you again… I mean it! You’re all so awesome and it warms my heart.

Because Giving *IS* Awesome: A GIVEAWAY!

It’s been a tough year for a lot of people. You probably know someone who is struggling to stay afloat, raising kids while holding down more than one job, or volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances.

It’s been a tough year for me, too. Tough, but good. I’ve made a lot of hard choices about my personal well-being and my career. I started a business in a recession. I just got laid-off from my full-time job at a software company. But you know what? I’m OK. I’m better than OK. I am so blessed by the serendipity in my life, the privileges afforded me, and the feeling that I’m finally doing what I’m meant to do. I have so much that I need to give back.

So I’m doing a giveaway for a family, a couple, or an individual in need. Because, guess what? …

Logo for Giving is Awesome, a Seattle portrait photography giveaway

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

This holiday season, I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography…about $1000 worth, to be exact. I’m giving away a 2-hour portrait session and up to $800 in printed products.  Whether it’s canvas or albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, it’s in your power to give someone you know the artwork they deserve this holiday season. Will you tell me who they are?

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner (that’s you!) receives a $250 session, print or album credit. So show some love!

Here are the details:

  • Alas, you cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Not struggling to pay off their yacht and six vacation homes.)
  • The nominee must reside in Washington (West of the Cascades) or Oregon state (Portland area only). Tell me who you know and why they qualify for this giveaway. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.
  • You must email hidden; JavaScript is required the full story of the person or family you are nominating.
  • You have between today and December 28th to nominate someone you know.
  • All entries will be reviewed by me and a panel of judges (my homiezzzz) to choose the winner.
  • The winner will be announced on New Years Day! So get to OM NOM NOMINATING…I can’t wait to read all of your entries!

If you’re a photographer and want to give back, too, visit the Giving is Awesome website. Open your heart to someone this holiday season — and thank you, sincerely, for supporting me in my photography business and giving me the opportunity to open mine.

K + J
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