I've observed that I get the most comments for puppies, babies and controversy. So I'm going to try to stick to those topics from now on :). Keep this in mind all you aspiring bloggers out there--puppies, babies and controversy--that's what a good blog's made of :). No seriously--thanks to all of you who are posting comments. I love them! And it's so great to hear everyone's opinions on shot lists and all such issues that affect our national security :).
Moving on to the topic of this here post (on which I expect no comments because it regards none of the above)--the contest I started in June. I wanted to update you all on the progress. But first of all, for those of you I need to bring up to speed, the following is a recap:
Both of my nephews are Autistic. Because of how Autism has affected my family so deeply I've learned a lot about this disorder that has reached epidemic proportions. One in every 150 children have Autism. And currently there is no known cause or cure.
I decided to make one of my goals on my 101 in 1001 list to do something to help raise awareness for autism or help find a cure. I wanted to not only do something but to somehow incorporate my photography into it. There is a walk to help raise money for research that is taking place in Tempe, Arizona on November 4th. I decided to start a team to walk and raise money. I thought I'd shoot for the stars with a goal of raising $5,000. Now, just doing the walk and trying to raise money is one thing. But I want to raise the stakes by creating a fun contest to go along with it. So here's the deal. Whoever makes the largest donation toward Autism research (using the link below) between now and the walk in November will win a SUPER-SPECIAL-AMAZING-CRAZY-COOL GRAND PRIZE!!!!
The Grand Prize is valued at $1,000 and can be your choice of a combination of the following:
-a photo shoot (this can be anything--family portraits, engagement shoot, maternity, kids, even part of a wedding) ($300/hr.)
-a print credit toward the purchase of prints from this shoot or any prior or upcoming shoots (up to $1,000)
-a coaching session with me where we can cover your choice of topics ($100/hr.)
So hopefully this makes sense. However you want to combine the above choices to equal $1,000--that's what I will be giving to whoever places the highest donation toward research for Autism. For instance, I can do a one hour family portrait shoot for your family and include a $700 print credit for you to use toward the purchase of prints. If you're an out of state photographer, I would love to meet up with you at Pictage PartnerCon or WPPI for a mentoring session or shoot or we could do some coaching over the phone. So no matter where you live, please don't hesitate to participate--we will make it work!
Please--even if you don't feel that you can make a large enough donation to win the prize--every little bit helps. If everyone who reads this blog donates 5 or $10 I can easily reach or even surpass my goal.
[END RECAP]
So far, since we started in June, we have raised $585 toward my goal. And our team of walkers now number 4. So I'm very excited about this start! Thanks to all who have donated so far! The leading donation is currently $100. Now, a few of you have mentioned that you're planning on waiting till the last moment and blowing the competition away. While I appreciate your zest, I don't think the ebay mentality is going to profit Autism the most in this instance. So I want to encourage you to donate now and if you need to donate more in the future to add to your initial donation to win the contest, that is perfectly acceptable. I will keep track of any separate donations you make and add them together at the end.
Click here to be taken to our team page where you can read more about why I am doing this, sign up to walk with us or make your donation. Make sure to fill out your information so that I can announce the winner in November. Or if you would prefer to donate by check, you can do so by letting me know through email.
Thanks everyone for your consideration and for your help in reaching my goal!!
Moving on to the topic of this here post (on which I expect no comments because it regards none of the above)--the contest I started in June. I wanted to update you all on the progress. But first of all, for those of you I need to bring up to speed, the following is a recap:
Both of my nephews are Autistic. Because of how Autism has affected my family so deeply I've learned a lot about this disorder that has reached epidemic proportions. One in every 150 children have Autism. And currently there is no known cause or cure.
I decided to make one of my goals on my 101 in 1001 list to do something to help raise awareness for autism or help find a cure. I wanted to not only do something but to somehow incorporate my photography into it. There is a walk to help raise money for research that is taking place in Tempe, Arizona on November 4th. I decided to start a team to walk and raise money. I thought I'd shoot for the stars with a goal of raising $5,000. Now, just doing the walk and trying to raise money is one thing. But I want to raise the stakes by creating a fun contest to go along with it. So here's the deal. Whoever makes the largest donation toward Autism research (using the link below) between now and the walk in November will win a SUPER-SPECIAL-AMAZING-CRAZY-COOL GRAND PRIZE!!!!
The Grand Prize is valued at $1,000 and can be your choice of a combination of the following:
-a photo shoot (this can be anything--family portraits, engagement shoot, maternity, kids, even part of a wedding) ($300/hr.)
-a print credit toward the purchase of prints from this shoot or any prior or upcoming shoots (up to $1,000)
-a coaching session with me where we can cover your choice of topics ($100/hr.)
So hopefully this makes sense. However you want to combine the above choices to equal $1,000--that's what I will be giving to whoever places the highest donation toward research for Autism. For instance, I can do a one hour family portrait shoot for your family and include a $700 print credit for you to use toward the purchase of prints. If you're an out of state photographer, I would love to meet up with you at Pictage PartnerCon or WPPI for a mentoring session or shoot or we could do some coaching over the phone. So no matter where you live, please don't hesitate to participate--we will make it work!
Please--even if you don't feel that you can make a large enough donation to win the prize--every little bit helps. If everyone who reads this blog donates 5 or $10 I can easily reach or even surpass my goal.
[END RECAP]
So far, since we started in June, we have raised $585 toward my goal. And our team of walkers now number 4. So I'm very excited about this start! Thanks to all who have donated so far! The leading donation is currently $100. Now, a few of you have mentioned that you're planning on waiting till the last moment and blowing the competition away. While I appreciate your zest, I don't think the ebay mentality is going to profit Autism the most in this instance. So I want to encourage you to donate now and if you need to donate more in the future to add to your initial donation to win the contest, that is perfectly acceptable. I will keep track of any separate donations you make and add them together at the end.
Click here to be taken to our team page where you can read more about why I am doing this, sign up to walk with us or make your donation. Make sure to fill out your information so that I can announce the winner in November. Or if you would prefer to donate by check, you can do so by letting me know through email.
Thanks everyone for your consideration and for your help in reaching my goal!!
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