Shameless plea for votes | san diego family photographer

Hi friends and readers.  Today is the last day of a contest I entered my daughter into about a week go.  It's a contest to win a session from one of my favorite local photographers, Melissa Koehler.  My sweetface is trailing in the votes so I figured I'd try one last avenue to garner a few votes for her.  In order to vote you have to have a Facebook account.  I don't expect anyone to go out and create one just to vote, so no worries if you don't have one.  But if you are already a Facebooking extraordinaire, please read on.

In order to vote you have to first go to Melissa's fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Melissa-Koehler/102897976989
Once you're there, click the "Like" button at the top of her page.
From there, go into her photo albums and find the "Cutest Kid Contest" album.
My daughter, Angelina (3 yrs), is the very first photo in the bunch.  Click on her picture and then "like" her photo.
Your "like" is your vote.

That's all you have to do and it only takes about two seconds.

Voting ends at 11:59 pacific time tonight.

Thank you!

xoxo
Gwen

Show me the awkward | san diego family photographer

Hello friends!

The first contest of 2010 is here and there's a little bit of a twist on it this time around. If you haven't experienced the awesomeness of the Awkward Family Photos website yet, please take a moment to peruse it first and try not to soil yourself during your fits of laughter or flashbacks of your own family's awkward photographic moments) to witness the inspiration for this month's contest. Go ahead and check it out...I'll wait. :)

Ok, so many of you have seen the most standard of contest solicited by photographers, myself included. The basic premise - submit a photo of yourself, your family, or your child(ren) and let the voting begin. The premise here is still just that, only this time I want you folks mustering up the courage to publicly display your own awkward family portraits, submitting those photos, and encouraging your friends and family to vote yours the most awkward! Fun, right? Well...I can say that because I'm not putting my family's awkward photos on display. Erm...because we don't have any...yeah, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. lol

Entering is very simple. Just send me an email with your family's most awkward photo and a quick description about the photo (a couple of sentences will do just fine).

That's it - it's that easy! I will be accepting entries from May 1 until May 10. The top three finalists will be featured on my blog on May 11, and voting will last through May 15. Voting instructions will be posted that day as well. The winning photo will be announced May 17.

Now, what's the big prize up for grabs? The winner will receive a FREE session and a FREE 11x14 print (that's a $180 value)!

Official rules:

1. Winner must reside in or be willing to travel to San Diego, CA for the session.
2. Only one entry per person/family.
3. Please include your name, address and phone number along with your entry photo.
4. Winners of previous Sweetface Photography contests or prizes are ineligible for participation.
5. Winning session must take place before August 31, 2010.
6. Prize not redeemable for cash.
7. Winner will receive one free session for up to five people and an 11x14 print. Additional prints and digital images from the session may be purchased at 10% off.

So go ahead folks - I want to see photos of wicked big hair and shoulder pads, AC Slater mullets and acid wash denim, identical winter sweaters on all the kids, goofy/freaky/funnylooks on your family's faces, or whatever else you think is just hilarious and fun!

What are you waiting for? Go tell everyone you know to enter this contest. All entries should be mailed to info@sweetface-photography.com.

And because a post just isn't a post without a photo...

Introducing our 2009 Sweet Face Contest Winner!

Some of you may remember this contest I announced a couple of months ago, in order to celebrate the launch of our website.  Well, yesterday I got to shoot the winner of that contest, two (almost three) year old Hayden.  He and his momma made the drive all the way from Long Beach for our session; unfortunately, getting a little lost along the way, but that proved to be a blessing in disguise.  See, when I showed up to our meet spot, the May grays were in full force.  But by the time they got there, the sun had just started shining through the clouds.  I like to think it was waiting for Hayden, to make sure we could get great shots of this adorable little guy!

Sonya, thank you again for making the long trip down for our session.  It was such a pleasure to meet both of you.  Hope you enjoy your sneak peeks!

Before we get to Mr. Hayden and the rest of the sneak peeks, I just want to say to Sonya, "I TOLD YOU SO"! ;)  Momma thought we could photograph Hayden without her getting wet.  Ha!  By the way, is she not freaking gorgeous?

Proof that mr. handsome can hang with the real models!

Umm yeah - do I or do I not get to shoot the most adorable kids?  If this ain't a sweet face, I don't know what is.

The votes have been counted...

...but first let me say, you all have some pretty wonderful friends and family!  They really came out in big numbers to help all of the entrants.  I had to go through 158 votes!!!  So make sure you all thank your friends and family members for casting their votes.  Clearly these little cuties are all very loved :)

It's been a great contest and very exciting to watch all the votes pour in.

Without further ado, our Sweet Faces winner is...

Lucky #7!!!

Thank you everyone for your participation and keep an eye out for future contests and specials!

It's that time...

~ VOTING CLOSED ~

Sorry I'm late getting to this, but you can blame Cox Cable for this one. As many know, we moved this past weekend. Our internet/phone/cable was supposed to be set up on Saturday, but apparently they didn't turn it on. Sunday we called it quits a little early because we were all beat; it was then we realized our services hadn't been activated. So hubby called them and after making him run up and down the stairs to test all the jacks in every room, they still couldn't fix it. They couldn't get a tech out to us until yesterday, frustrating me even further. Oh well - I'm just glad they were finally able to get us up and running.

So all that said, let's just put it in the past and look to future. There are more important things to think about - like who is going to win our Sweet Faces contest. We got lots of adorable entrants - so cute they all are, I'm just glad that I'm not the one who has to decide who the winner is. Voting starts now and since we were delayed in getting this up, the final voting day is now moved to Sunday, April 5.

So here's how it works - in the comment section, post the number of the photo you'd like to vote for. Remember, only ONE vote per household, per day. Make sure you tell your family and friends so they can get in on the voting, too! Please note that in an effort to maintain fairness, no 'anonymous' votes will be counted.

So without further ado, I give you your Sweet Faces contestants...

1



2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


Good luck to all the contestants and happy voting!!!

Horns sounded, the Heavens parted...

...and then the website was unveiled! That's right, Sweetface Photography's official website is now LIVE! {Click here to view the site}

To celebrate the launch of the website, Sweetface Photography is having a Sweet Faces Contest!!!

If you have a child between the ages of six months and 10 years, and have not had a session with Sweetface Photography within the last 12 months, submit a recent photo (preferrably a close-up taken within the last eight weeks) to this email. Be sure to put SWEET FACES in the subject line. Please include your child’s name, date of birth, and contact info. In an effort to preserve privacy, contestants’ names will not be published.

Deadline for submission is March 27, 2009 at midnight PST.
Images will be posted on the blog and voting by the public will begin on March 30th and run until April 3, 2009. This contest is limited to 5 entrants, so enter quickly!

What does the winner receive?
The winner receives a complimentary photo session at the location of my choice, and one framed 11×14 image of your choice from the session.

Ack...my kids don't qualify!
So you’ve had a session within the last 12 months, or your kids fall outside the required age range? That’s okay! We still need you! Just forward this information to all of your family and friends and if one of your referrals win, you will receive a $50 print credit to use at a future portrait session!

Details...
∴ Entrants must be between six months and ten years of age at the time of entry.
∴ A signed model release is required.
∴ Child(ren) entered must not have been photographed by us within the past year. If you have had a session with us on or before March 2008, you may enter.
∴ One entry per child. If you have more than one child you may enter them individually; however, session will be limited to the winning child only. Session is non-transferable. Exception: Multiples (ie twins, triplets, etc.) may be entered together.
∴ Standard session policies apply.
∴ Photos entered for contest submission must NOT be from a professional photographer (including Sweetface Photography)
∴ Out-of-state entries will be accepted; however, the winning entrant must be willing to travel to San Diego, California to complete the session.
∴ We reserve the right to disqualify or deny entry to anyone.
∴ Please, no 3rd party entries. If you think of a child who you think could win this contest, please forward this information to their parent/legal guardian so that they can enter their own child.

The winner must book their session within four weeks of notification of winning. The session must be completed before September 6, 2009.

Good luck!

Congratulazioni!

And the winner is...

The M Family!

Congratulations to the three (well...five counting the buns in the oven) of you! I'll be sending you an email with all the details concerning your free session. Be sure you thank all of your friends and family for all their helping votes (and there were A LOT! lol)!

I also want to thank the S family for participating in the competition. It's Christmas morning and I'm feeling particularly giving, so be sure you check your email because I've got a little something for you, too. :)

To the M family, the S family, and all of you readers...Merry Christmas!

Now I'm off to watch my little one rip through wrapping paper.

xoxo

Finalists...

...but first an apology. Things got a little crazy this weekend between Christmas shopping and throwing my hubby a birthday bash (pics to follow). So forgive me for being late updating the second half of the photo contest.

As for the contest, I received lots of inquiries about it, but alas, not many eligible entries. I was debating canceling it altogether since we didn't receive enough entries for five finalists, but I still feel like giving so you know what? Let's just go for it! :)
I did receive two from two gorgeous families, making me very glad the decision for the winner isn't mine! lol

So without further ado my friends, I give you our two finalists!

#1 - The M Family



#2 - The S Family

Remember, you're voting for which picture you like the most. All you have to do is hit the comment button below and indicate the number of the picture you're voting for.
Voting starts immediately. Only one vote per household, per day.
Winner (will definitely) be posted on Christmas morning!!!

So don't just sit there - go enter your vote. Then email your friends and family and have them vote, too!

Good luck to both the M family and the S family! :)

You asked...

I've received a couple of emails about this contest, so I thought I'd post the questions and their respective answers in case anyone else was thinking along the same lines.

Q. Are you only accepting entries from people with children?
A. Absolutely not. Family is what YOU make it. So whether it's just you and your spouse, a couple and their dog, you and your siblings, or even just you, submit your entry!

Q. I'm a mom and usually the one with the camera, so I don't have any recent pictures of all of us together. Will you accept an old photo or one of just my kids?
A. Of course! Trust me, I know how you're feeling. Pictures of all three of us (me, husband, and daughter) are few and far between. But hey - there's a reason I'm behind the camera ;)

Q. Can I submit an entry for someone else?
A. Hmm. This one is tricky. I would hate to tread on someone's privacy. If for some reason your nominee doesn't have an email address or something, I suppose you could enter them. I would just need their phone number so I could contact them and verify everything, prior to posting the finalists. I will also need your contact information so I can let them know who referred me.

So let me repost the contest and its rules for you. Get those entries in as soon as you can! There's only one more day left!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * THE CONTEST * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Entering is very simple. Just send me an email with your favorite picture of your family (or even just your beautiful self!).
That's it - it's that easy! I will be accepting entries from now until December 12. The top 5 finalists will be featured on my blog on December 13. After the finalists are posted, readers can vote by commenting with the number of the photo they love the most. Voting will end on December 24. Please invite family and friends to vote for you (one vote per person per day). The winner will be announced on Christmas Day!

Your prize: The winner will receive a FREE session and a FREE 11x14 print. That's a $110 value!!!

So what are you waiting for?! Go tell everyone you know to enter this contest. All entries should be emailed to info [at] sweetface-photography.com

Official rules:
1. You must be a San Diego county resident or willing to travel here for your session.
2. Only one entry per person.
3. Professional portraits will not be accepted. Any professional pictures emailed to me will be discarded and not available for voting.
4. This contest is only open to new clients. If you are a previous client, please pass this information along to your friends and family so they can enter a chance to win.
5. Please include your name, address, and phone number, along with your entry photo.

Good luck!

.: the news you've been waiting for :.

So, everyone likes free stuff, right? Of course we do. And like I'm sure most of you do, I absolutely LOVE giving stuff to my friends. So here's your chance to win a freebie from me. It's time to officially announce Sweetface Photography's very first contest!

Entering is very simple. Just send me an email with your favorite picture of your family. That's it - it's that easy! I will be accepting entries from now until December 12. The top 5 finalists will be featured on my blog on December 13. After the finalists are posted, readers can vote by commenting with the number of the photo they love the most. Voting will end on December 24. Please invite family and friends to vote for you (one vote per person per day). The winner will be announced on Christmas Day!

Now, what's the big prize up for grabs? The winner will receive a FREE session and a FREE 11x14 print. That's a $110 value!!!

So what are you waiting for?! Go tell everyone you know to enter this contest. All entries should be emailed to info [at] sweetface-photography.com

Official rules:

1. You must be a San Diego county resident or willing to travel here for your session.
2. Only one entry per person.
3. Professional portraits will not be accepted. Any professional pictures emailed to me will be discarded and not available for voting.
4. This contest is only open to new clients. If you are a previous client, please pass this information along to your friends and family so they can enter a chance to win.
5. Please include your name, address, and phone number, along with your entry photo.

Good luck!