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In other words, stealing is bad.
Momtrepreneurs:
Here are some links to my favorite and featured Momtrepreneurs:
Waddle N Swaddle
Three Sister Herbals
Proud Member- New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce
Ok, finally. After several weeks away, the holidays and the tummy bug running through my house, I finally have SOME pictures ( you don't want to know how many I took) up from our time in Kauai. We really were not planning on coming back to this island but we got a deal we couldn't refuse. I am so glad we did come back here, we fell it love with more this time around.
Being that it is winter, the north shore has high tides and really high waves. Most beaches were closed to swimming. Ke'e beach is the most northern beach in Kauai. Literally, the road ends here. We spent our last day here in Kauai 5 years ago and swam with the sea turtles. Pretty cool :) This day, the beach was closed due to the high surf.
This was the view of our hike around theKalalau Trail.
Amazing Race, here we come! Day 2, Zipline. This was the coolest thing ever.
Getting ready to jump.10 foot waves
The Nene goose, Hawaii's state bird
Look who came to lunch..
We call him BO and #10. Those where their tag names :)
Back to the seen of the crime. This is Shipwreck beach, where hubby and I got hitched :) That is him on top of the cliff.
"Marry Me"
Mr. Turtle taking a snooze on the beach
These trees were cool but creepy at the same time. Here we are driving through green piled on top of green and here are some stark white trees in the middle of it
When we started running with this idea, it started with 9 photographers and our desire to do something good, for someone else. As of today, we had over 482 photographers from across the world, with donations totaling $516,994.
I received a ton of emails with stories that just brought me to tears. I selected four of my top families, not kn0wing how I was going to narrow it down to one. After discussing it with my husband, we found that Katlyn and her families nomination story, to be one of true strength and courage.
We want to wish the Bolander's, as well as all other families out there, a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Since hubby and Kieran are feeling a little under the weather, Brayden and I decided to tackle a little project to welcome Santa to our home, a Gingerbread House. I am not sure how much of the candy actually ended up in Brayden's tummy, rather on the house, but I think we did good.
With every candy, Brayden chanted, "One for the house, one for my mouth."
Yes, I am still up. It is like I drank a gallon of Kona coffee at 10 pm. Anyway, I wanted to give you an update on the "The Big Give Away." I have been overwhelmed with the response from you all who have been sharing your stories with me. Some were so touching, they put me in tears.
Overall, the response from the photography community has spread across the WORLD with 462 photographers donating almost $500,000 in gifts!! That is truly "AWESOME!" For most, including myself, these are the last days to submit your entries.
If you are not in the Hudson Vally/Ulster County area, or have someone outside the county you would like to nomiate, please visit the following link: Giving Is Awesome.
Thanks again and for more information on my Give Away, please linkhere.
On our second to last day in Maui, we had the honor of having Marina Miller of Red Heart Photography, take our photos. This girl ROCKS! I had a lot of fun talking shop with her, although I am not sure my husband enjoyed the conversation :) If you are ever in Hawaii, fly here to where ever you are.
And not as tan as I would like to be, but I can't complain since it is snowing here in NY. I tried updating my blog while on vacation, but WiFi at Starbucks didn't want me to upload any large photos.
Anyway, the first day we were in Kauai, the it was sunny and 83 degrees. We hiked about 8 miles of the Kalalau Trail.This trail is an 11 miles trek, 22 miles round trip. What an amazing journey. It wasn't the easiest hike, but not the hardest either. But at the end of the first trail, we were greeted with an amazing waterfall.
(Sun coming up in Kauai, off the plane)
Coastline
Morning haze
The Grand Prize
For all of those who think you need a big camera to take good pictures, these were shot with my Canon Powershot aka, my human size camera I call it ;) Stay tuned for more.
Hubby and I ran away for a badly needed vacation. I will be returning on the 20th and return all your emails then. I hope to post some pictures of our travels soon.
Please keep emailing me your stories for the big Give Away. I have been checking my mail and I am just blown away by these stories. They are truly heart breaking. From my understanding, we are well over 60 photographers, with gifts totaling over $75,000!! I will update the full list and map as soon as it becomes available, or check out Essential Imagery.
This is something I have been thinking about for a long time and one of my fellow photog friends, Kristen Kalp, finally put the challenge out for our photography community to give the joy of photography to a family in need this holiday season.
We have accepted the challenge, now it is your turn to do your part. (Thanks to Kristen for letting us borrow your words :) )
This is a joyous time of year. A time to celebrate the season, our family and a time to truly reflect and appreciate what we have. For some people however, the holidays are a reminder of personal struggles.
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 – $1000 worth, to be exact. This includes a session, slide show DVD and $700 to be spent as you wish.
Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a complementary session as well as a $250 print credit. 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-home does not qualify as sincere financial need.)
The nominee must reside in Dutchess/Ulster county. 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.
The shoot will take place in February of 2009 and will accommodate up to 5 people.
The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve…get nominating! I can’t wait to read all of your entries so please have them all in by December 22nd.
Open your heart to someone this holiday season – and thanks for giving us an opportunity to open ours.
Comment on this blog entry to let me know you've entered, and e-mail me the full story at melissa@surprisephotography.com
Here is an UPDATED list of my fellow photog friends who have also accepted the challenge:
Heidi Offel started as a client, but over time has become a friend. Of coarse, it is exciting to see my friends do what they enjoy to do, "sell their craft." The name "TyBro Treasures" comes from the combination of the two most valuable "Treasures" in her life, her two boys Tyler and Brody. Brody is famous for getting me published in the Little Redhead Book.
Although Heidi has been creating crafts for some time now, she finally made it her business this past August. When she sent out the link to her website, TyBroTreasures.com, I saw her growth carts and all I could think was, I WANT ONE!
So, anyone who knows me knows I am a Red Sox fan trapped in Yankee country. So when I asked Heidi, a Yankee Fan, to make me a Red Sox Growth Cart, I could feel the hairs on the back of her head go up. But, she was a trooper and made this most beautiful chart for my boys. Honestly, I could fit on the thing too :)
BTW, this is a secret, hopefully hubby doesn't read my blog :) Right now it is hiding up in my attic until Christmas.
I asked some questions to Heidi about her business:
Please explain a little bit about your product/business and how you developed the concept behind it:
Most of the products I design start off as unfinished wood pieces.No two items are ever the same since I hand paint/decorate each one individually.I developed the concept based on my desire to make things for my own two children as well as gifts for family and friends.I’m the type of person to see something in a store or magazine and say, “Oh that’s adorable, but I could totally make that myself and I would change this, this and this...”
What makes your product/business so unique and why can’t I live without it?
Do you have a store front/website/etsy? (please include url)
My products are as unique as the individual for whom they are made.For example, if someone asks me to make a set of wall letters for their child, I send them a series of questions to allow me a glimpse into that child’s personality, demeanor, interests and family and then I gear the design of the letters to reflect that as best I can.I usually feel like I know the “subject” personally by the time I’m done with their item.
What are some of your short and long term goals with your business?
Short term – spread the word and generate business, open an Etsy store
Long term – expand my “product line” – I’m always looking for new items to market!
Is there anything exciting in the works that we can look forward to?
I’m hoping to be able to offer more variety with one of my most popular item – the wall letters – soon.I am working on finding letters with different fonts that will help reflect the personality of my clients even better.
What is the hardest part or has been some of your struggles starting your own business?
Shipping costs and Moving to FL.I’m still in the process of researching the best way to ship my items – specifically the growth charts.They are an awkward length and it’s hard to find the best and most economical way to ship them.I’m still working on that!As for moving, we moved last year from NY to FL and we’re preparing to move again (locally) in the next 6 months.It’s great in the sense that you are broadening your market area, but moving also takes time away from production.
About You:
Tell me about your family, kids, hubby, pets.
I’m very fortunate to have two beautiful boys and a very supportive husband.I’m also lucky to be able to stay home with my boys, which allows me time to develop my business and work on production.We are big travelers and have moved a ton in the short time that we’ve been a family – but I love that we are always on the go and doing something unique and fun, whether it’s a trip to CA or taking in a Blue Angels show or Space Shuttle launch.A dull moment is a rare moment in the Offel house!
What is your ideal thing to do on a lazy weekend with the family?
We love being outside and now that we live in FL, we can be outside just about all year long.A lazy weekend usually consists of a Daddy-made Breakfast on the patio, an afternoon bike ride or a day at the beach, topped off with a BBQ with friends or neighbors.
Favorites:
Reality Show:I don’t watch very many reality shows, but I always like when I catch “Jon and Kate Plus Eight” for a little perspective on life!
Favorite online shopping:Intrigued with Etsy.com right now! ( ILOVE ETSY BTW!)
Can’t live without item:my baseball hat (Yankees, of course)
How do you balance your business and your family?
My boys are creatures of their routine so while Brody naps in the afternoon, I set Tyler up on a craft project of his own and we both go to “work” in the office upstairs.It is such a nice, quiet, productive time of day.While Tyler and I work, we get a chance to chat so I’m able to work on orders/projects without feeling like I’m taking time away from either of them.But I’m most productive at night after the kids are in bed.
SOOOOOOO... don't you love them! Want one? Want to give one for the holidays? How about a "Surprise Photography" special? Got to love those. Contact Heidi in the next month, mention Surprise Photography, and receive 10% off your growth cart.
Want to be featured as "Momtrepreneur" of the month? Please drop me an email for more info at melissa@surprisephotography.com.
Is now available. Although I am leaving for vacation on Saturday, I have already started booking for the New Year. I have a couple days left in January and believe it or not, I have taken bookings for the next holiday season. This year I was booked by the end of August, so I guess it is never to soon to think ahead ;)
If you are interested in taking a peek at the new catalog, drop me an email!
Is now available! For those who missed it, one of my photos, of one of my favorite redheads, will be featured in this publication.
This book will make a great gift for all fabulous little redhead in your life. For more information or to order your copy, please visit: Little Redheads Across America. Best of luck and thank you to Nichole Giladi, for allowing me to be apart of such a great project!
This sweet young couple just got engaged and came up from the Bronx to meet me this weekend for some pictures. You can feel the happiness amongst this couple as well as their family. I got a phone call straight from his family in Ireland, wanting to gift them with their session.
And I do have to say, he did a great job picking out the ring, check out that rock!
In the middle of shooting, it started to snow. You can see snowflakes in some of these pictures.
5 ft 2, eyes of blue,
I love my boys (Jesse, Brayden and Kieran)
I also love....
Starbucks,
A good glass of Vino,
The Boston Red Sox,
Project Runway "Fierce!"
Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel.
10 foot waves
10 foot waves
