Hey everyone!  I am leaving tomorrow for a stem cell transplant to hopefully cure me of Hodgkins Lymphoma.  Due to this, I am not able to hold my usual Senior Rep/Model program this Spring.  As a small replacement, I am running a senior contest.  This contest is inspired by the heart of my business.  I strive to really get to know my clients and develop a session that is unique to each client.  So, I want to get to know you!!  Here are the details you need to know in order to enter.

1.  Student must be a 2011 or 2012 graduate.

2.  I will take up to two students from the following schools:  Kouts, Morgan Township, Washington Township, Hebron, Boone Grove, Valparaiso, Wheeler, Kankakee Valley, Chesterton, Merrillville, Andrean, Lake Central, Highland, Crown Point, Hanover Central, Hobart, Westville, Portage, South Central, North Judson, Knox, Lowell, Munster.

3.  The number of prizes depends on how many schools are represented.  I will only hold the contest if at least 10 schools are represented.  Then, there will be one grand prize. If 15 school are represented, there will be one grand prize and one second place prize.  If all 23 schools are represented, there will be one grand prize, one second place prize, and one third place prize.  So – spread the news!  Tell your friends from other schools!!

4.  What do you have to do?  Take a photograph or have someone else take a photo of you holding up a sign of your favorite quote.  Please email the photo to me at holla@samanthauphold.com.  Please include your name, phone #, school, year of graduation, your quote, and tell me three things about yourself.  I will pick up to two students from each school.  The photo does not have to be anything fancy.  Feel free to be as simple or as creative as you want.

5.  I will accept photos until May 5th, 2011.  After May 5th, I will select the photos (again, up to two from each school).  The winners will then be determined by a vote.

6.   The grand prize will be a custom designed photo session and all of the digital images from the session (at least 35).  This is the cd of the edited, high resolution photographs with reprinting rights.  This is a $2500 value!  You will have the reproduction rights to your senior photographs, forever!  You can print them as much as you like, make cool products with them like, open house invites, phone covers, wall art, jewelry, etc!   If 15 schools are represented in the contest, the second place winner will receive a custom designed photo session and 10 digital images.  This is the same cd, but with 10 images of my choice.  This is a $1025 value.  If all the schools are represented, the third place winner will recieve a custom designed photo session with 3 digital images.  This is a $475 value.  This contest is a HUGE GIVEAWAY!  Don’t miss out on this!

7.  The prizes are non transferable.  I reserve the right to cancel the contest at any time, for any reason.  The session will be held at a mutually determined location and date.  This will not be until June, 2011 but possibly after.

Here is an example of the photograph I took yesterday, with the help of my niece, Alaina.  You do NOT have to submit two photos.  I just really liked the full photo, but you couldn’t read the sign, so I posted two.

Obviously, this photo has a lot to do with my journey through cancer.  Here are the 3 things about me.

1. I once had lunch with Billy Corgan, the lead singer of the Smashing Pumpkins.

2. I love pickles, but never eat the butt end. Yes, there is a butt end.

3. I once peed my pants in the bookmobile (in the name of friendship).

Click the following link to “Like” my Samantha Uphold Photography Facebook page to be notified of the latest news and contests.

I can’t wait to see all of your submissions!

Before I announce the winners, I would like to take a moment to thank all of my 2010 clients – sincerely, from the very bottom of my heart, for your business this past year.  As I was going through the images for the contest, I realized that I held my first portrait session after I started chemotherapy treatment.  Which then led me to realize, I held ALL of my sessions this year while I was being treated for this horrible disease.  I’m incredibly lucky to get to live out my passions through my daily work.  Many of you know how hard it was for me not to be able to teach this past year.  However, each and every one of YOU allowed me to keep doing something I truly love, in spite of the difficulties I was facing with my health.  Many of you have become friends and cheerleaders through this time in my life, and I am grateful for each and every one of you.  People always comment on how positive I have been able to stay throughout this crazy, horrible mess called cancer.  Please know, that you all made that positivity something that was much easier for me to feel and live each day.  THANK YOU for choosing me to capture your families.  THANK YOU for being patient with me through this time.  THANK YOU for your care, concern, prayers, offers of help, hugs, and well wishes.  THANK YOU for allowing me to continue to have this part of my life.  This was a huge part of what kept me going, and for that I could never thank you all enough.  I hope you can feel all the warm fuzzies I have thinking about you all.    You guys are incredibly special to me, and have blessed my life more than you know.

Now onto the winners!! It was a mighty close race down to the very end last night.

The grand prize winner of the complimentary session and a 16×20 canvas ($775 value) is the Klepsch Family!!  Congrats you guys!  I can’t wait to see you again this year!

The second place winner of the complimentary session ($225 value), is the Dovellos Family!  I already know what session Mom is thinking of for the coming year, and Aleka – wouldn’t TODAY be just perfect for it???  Well, if the snow stopped blowing, it would be perfect.  We don’t need another windy session, do we? 

And, the third place winner of a $100 print credit, is the Palm Family!  Mom is currently serving with a ministry in Uganda at this very moment.  All prayers for her and those precious orphans she is loving on right now would be much appreciated!  If you wish to follow her journey over there, you can find her blog, here.  I am mighty excited to see if there may be a new addition to their amazing family when it comes time for our next session.

The winner of the free session *just* from leaving a comment is  Emily Guzek!!  That winner was picked by random. org  She left the winning comment number.

Thank you all for your votes and comments!

Here we are again, folks!  The Image of The Year Contest 2010 has begun.    THANK YOU to all of my 2010 clients.  It was an honor to capture you and your families.  Thank you for stopping by to vote.  Make sure you “like” Samantha Uphold Photography on facebook to find out about specials and keep up with the latest news!

Click here to be taken to the facebook page.

Please vote for your favorite photo at the very end of this post.  The winning client will get a complimentary session and a 16×20 canvas ($775 value).  The 2nd place winner will receive a complimentary session ($225 value), and the 3rd place winner will receive a $100 print credit.  Encourage all of your 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 (votes are monitored by IP address), and the contest ends on February 1st, 2011 at 11:59 pm.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

Today is a pretty special day.  Most of you that visit this blog know that I have been battling  cancer.  Well, today was my last chemotherapy treatment.  I thought I would feel SO amazing today, and I kinda do.  But, I also feel a lot of other things.  I know I have a really icky week ahead of me (I’m already feeling the gross side effects).  I also have three weeks to wait to find out if it all worked and if the cancer is gone.  Today wasn’t quite as exciting as I was expecting it to be.  So, I decided I needed to make it a little more exciting.

Yesterday I had an incredible session that has been in the works for awhile.  I wish I could post a sneak peek, but there just hasn’t been enough time to work on the images – they will be coming soon! Here is a little behind the scenes snapped with my phone camera as I was setting up.  

The mom, Lovelyn has a very special birthday wish.  I was so busy this weekend, I don’t think I even wished her a happy birthday on her birthday.  I am so grateful to know her and her family.  They are so full of love and so amazing to be around.  I know this is so special to her.  I’d like to help.  So……do you want to book a session?  Are you thinking about your session for next year already (the session can be held anytime btwen 11/10-11/11)?  Do you want to reserve a session for yourself, AND help a good cause?  How about a holiday gift with the best intentions attached to it?  Well, the next person to book a session ($175) will be donating their session fee to this great cause, and helping Lovelyn’s birthday wish come true.  I had a wish for my birthday, and it came true with the help of generous friends and family.  I am SO thankful for that.  I really, really hope this comes true for her, too. Call 219.405.5117 or shoot me an email, holla@samanthauphold.com.

Excerpt from her blog

Much, much Love to you Lovelyn.  Thanks for being you and sharing your family with me and my camera yesterday.

Happy Birthday!  <3, Sam

P.S. (omigosh – just found out that my birthday team surpassed the $2,200 goal and raised $2,530 for Lymphoma research!!!!!!  That MADE my day!!!!  )

P.P.S {I Love Love} is one of my favorite perfumes.  I wore it today.    The name alone is awesome, but it smells sooooo yummy!!

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!

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

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.

Last month, Butterfly Kisses and I teamed up for an extra special event.  Zutano customers recieved a complimentary mini session with me, and now they are entered into a contest to win some fabulous prizes!  The  contest will run through April 18th, 2009.  Anyone can vote once (one vote per computer).  Check out the adorable kiddos below and vote for your favorite! Check out Butterfly Kisses to shop the latest in Zutano fashions

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Hey everyone!  It’s been pretty quiet around here, eh?  I *just* finished up switching my sites over to a new hosting company, and it wasn’t the quickest experience to say the least.  But, now I’m back up and running, and ready to end my 20ish day absence with a contest!  That’s right!  For the lucky, loyal blog readers who keep checking back, this is for you!  I’m going to limit this contest to a new client.  I love, love, love my clients, but this contest has significant sentimental meaning, and well, in order to do what I want it to do – I need to have a winner that has put off photos for awhile.  

Is that person you?  Do you keep meaning to call, meaning to schedule, meaning to get that arrangement of outfits, loose that weight, perfect that hair, or save just enough money to finally set up a family photo session?  Let me tell you – there will never be the “perfect” time for family photos.  Your little babyman or babygirl will always have a scratch, a broken arm, a few missing teeth, or something that will make you say – “Maybe in a few months we’ll get them taken”.  I used to believe in this theory, too.  That’s used to be when I would try to get those perfect family shots where that perfect family was looking perfectly into the camera, with the perfect amount of smile minus eye squint, and everything was, well, picture perfect.  Then I discovered my passion.  It was capturing people in a real setting, in a real environment!  That’s when I also discovered that the imperfections were what made the “perfect” in the photos.  There are SO many moments that shouldn’t be missed.  I really believe that everyone should hire a custom photographer at least once!  Let someone document who you are at that very moment.  

So, this moment is right now.  I want to hear from someone who keeps coming back here thinking

“I should, but”,

“I want to, but”,

“Maybe after I/we/he/she,”

Shoot me an email, let me know you want me to document your life for a moment.  I’d be glad to do it.  Here is how the contest will work.

The first person to email me, letting me know why today, March 26th is so special to me, will win a free session.  Yes, this contest is in honor of *something* very special and important to me.  :)  My loyal blog readers who have followed me since my blogspot days, will probably have the best chance of winning this (but seriously, people – google is your friend.  It is EASY to find my old blog).  Or you could cheat.  How?  Well, my family works all over Valpo, and they’d have no problem telling you the answer. Test drive a car at Barile (wait til noon and ask for Preston), go snatch up some yummy Fazoli breadsticks and ask one of the Vanaman twins, or shoot over to Pam’s cubicle (holla Livemercial peeps!).   Today is very important to me, and I want to celebrate it!  Remember, the winner will be someone I haven’t photographed before.  Go!  

Right now is important.  Right now needs to be remembered.  I’m thankful for right now.  

email me at

sammyv22@yahoo.com

I know times are tough, but you want to do something good, right?  If you could find it in your hearts to spare at least $1 to vote in a contest for one of the following kiddos, it will go toward an amazing organization.  The organization is NILMDTS, and it is a fantastic charity.  

Go here to make your tax deductible vote!!  The kids are organized by last name, and the letters you are looking for are F, J, M, P.

Here are the adorable faces you are looking for!!