Isn’t this early Spring weather AMAZING?!?!?!  Gosh, I am loving it, and it is certainly a sign that the next season is right around the corner!  Things are going to get crazy around here soon.  I have several Senior Models lined up, and I will start shooting their sessions at the end of the month.  It’s been slow around here due to the weather, and the break has been nice.  But, I am ready to get back in the swing of things. 

With St. Patty’s Day approaching, I thought it would be a good time to share one of my FAV youtube videos.  I am, admittedly, a youtube junkie.  I could watch the silliness for hours.  I have so many favorites, but this one makes me laugh.  EVERY.  TIME.  It’s just ridiculous.  I hope on St. Patty’s Day you all find your pot of gold, or maybe even your leprechaun!! 

I would LOVE to hear what your favorite youtube videos are.  Please let me know!!

Once a Year Session Special

Purchase a standard session for $175 and receive a complimentary $100 gift certificate for prints or products. Offer good through 3/12/10

SENIOR MODELS NEEDED

Attention 2011 Seniors – I am looking for Senior Models from the following high schools – Valparaiso, Merrillville, Chesterton, Morgan Township, Andrean, Highland, Lake Central, Crown Point, and Munster. Contact Samantha at samantha@samanthauphold.com to find out how you can receive a FREE session and other complimentary goodies! Rep applications are being accepted through the end of March. Please pass this on to any upcoming 2011 Senior that you think would be interested.

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

And the winner of the free session is Robyn Markos!!! 

Thanks for all the entries and sweet comments.  This was a lot of fun. Congrats to the winners and thank you to everyone for making 2009 a fantastic year!  There will be a session special announced on Monday.  Stay tuned!!

Thanks to 2010 starting with an epic computer crash, this contest is SUPER late.   That just gives me an excuse to make this an even better contest than the past two years.  The winning family will get their choice of the image in a 16×20 or a complimentary session.  The 2nd place winner will receive an 11×14, and the 3rd place winner will receive and 8×10.  Encourage all of you friends and family to vote AND to leave a comment at the bottom of this post.  After the contest is over, I will enter every person who leaves a comment into a drawing.   One person will win a complimentary session!!    Everyone can vote once, and the contest ends on March 3rd at 11:59 pm!

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2010 is proving to be an interesting year to say the least.  This week has already had its share of ups and downs.  I was planning on posting several sessions that never made it to the blog, along with the annual image of the year contest.  However, I think I may be experiencing my very first (traumatic, scary, ohmygoshi’mfreakingout!!) hard drive crash, and I have no clue what exactly it will take to fix this.  And, this is just the *tip* of my overwhelming iceberg that is turning out to be 2010.  Fun business.

Sooooooo…….I think I’ll share a sweet story instead.  One of my former students presented me with an amazing present, right before our Christmas break started.  Z came to visit me, made me close my eyes, and handed me my very first Storypeople print.  I have LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, Storypeople for years.  They are one of my most favorite things in the UNIVERSE.  They hit that certain spot in my heart that makes things feel all warm and fuzzy, all the while helping to put some of life’s strangest situations into perspective.  I was blown away and so incredibly touched by the present – it brought tears to my eyes.    The print reads  ”Most people don’t know there are angels whose only job is to make sure you don’t get too comfortable & fall asleep & miss your life. ”

Now, there are a lot of storypeople story’s that really resonate with me.  I thought this one was cute and interesting, but it didn’t quite strike a chord with me right away.  Sitting at my desk this morning, feeling particularly down – I looked over at the print and it clicked.  Being shook up and startled and blown away and confused and sad and blissful and happy and let down can sometimes be exactly what someone needs.  I have felt all of these things lately, not understanding the course of events that have recently transpired.  I have been asking myself “Why?” for several days now – I think I just received my answer.  I may have just been a little too complacent lately, a little too comfortable and sleepy in my current situations. 2010 is going to be different.  I am certainly wide awake now.  Thanks, Universe.  ;)

Yesterday was one of *those* days.  One of those icky days where everything seems to go wrong and everything tests your patience.  I don’t speak too much about my personal life here on the blog, but yesterday was stinky.  I was actually headed to this session in tears after the last straw broke right before I had to leave, and it sent me over the edge.  I was trying so hard to get it together, knowing I had a very important session in front of me.  And, the moment I laid eyes upon Mom and Dad’s smile from their car window, my bad day got better.  Then – I walked up to their car and was greeted with squeals, and hugs, and pictures drawn for me by 3 of their 4 girls.  And THEN – THEN!!! – I was able to meet and hold and love on the newest member of this family – Clayton.

There is no way I can do this adoption story justice, so please go read Mom’s blog.  She is such an amazing woman. I have followed this adoption story since the beginning, cheering on this family in all of the hurdles they overcame, praying for them every step of the way, and shedding tears of joy when I finally heard the news that they were bringing this sweet boy home.

Yesterday I was blessed to be reminded of how lucky I am to capture these moments.  Yesterday I was blessed by the experience of documenting this wonderful family.  Yesterday I was blessed.  Thank you for erasing my bad day and making it one that I will remember fondly for a very, very long time.  I simply adore you all and am beyond elated when I look at these images and was beyond elated to capture them!!  So much {love} to you all.

Please also don’t forget to submit your entries to Giving Is Awesome!!

Oh, how I just adore this child!!!  This is now my third time having the pleasure of photographing this beauty.  I couldn’t believe how much she had changed since last year.  We had a fantastic time downtown playing, laughing, singing, tickling, and jumping around during our photo session.  Can’t wait til next year!! 

I would like to start by thanking Kristen Kalp of Essential Imagery for this truly awesome idea. She is not only the brainchild behind this incredible giving idea, but she encouraged photographers all over the world to donate last year.   AND, she started this amazing website to track the donations of photographers! Now, onto the awesomely awesomeness that is the heart of this season….the spirit of giving…..

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. Who is that person? I need your help!

We all know that custom photography is a luxury, not a necessity. But, what is more important to us than our relationship with family and the precious memories that we create? I can’t think of much else. That is one of the reasons I choose to photograph families in the way that I do. I want them to have a physical, constant reminder of their precious connection – the spirit of their family. I want to give them something that will lift their spirits when they look at it. I’d really like to give someone a chance to have that year long reminder. And, I’d like to give it to someone who deserves it and could otherwise not afford to have it. This is where you can help me.

I want to know who you think deserves a holiday “pick me up” of sorts , and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography – $2,000 worth, to be exact. Whether they choose a gallery-wrapped canvas, albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over . . . it’s in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season. Oh, and a little bonus? The person who nominates the winner receives a $500 print credit. What better reason do you need to show some love?

The rules:
1. 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.)
2. The nominee must reside in Northwest Indiana or be able to travel here for their session. If your nominee lives outside the area, send me an e-mail, anyway. There are loads of incredible photographers partnering on this project and there’s sure to be one near you.
3. Comment on this blog entry to let me know you’ve entered and e-mail me the full story: samantha@samanthauphold.com. Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve their life translated into art. Please include contact information for your nominee and yourself. 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.

Sweet, funny, smart, beautiful…..

::sigh::

Clients make my job TOO easy!!