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!

It’s been pretty quiet around here.  I hope to be fully recovered and back in the swing of things by June or July.  If you are interested in a session then, please email me at holla@samanthauphold.com to be put on the waiting list for when my business fully re-opens!

I had a little break from treatment, and happened to feel wonderful.  I took it as the perfect opportunity to squeeze in a session with this chunk-a-licious baby boy!  Is he not the cutest little guy you have ever laid eyes on?!?!?!

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.

If you have been following this blog for anytime, you are quite familiar with this beautiful family.  I’ve been photographing them for a few years now, and I simply adore them.  At the beginning of this session, the girls came bursting out of the truck with coloring pages for me, accompanied by lots of hugs and smiles.  It really doesn’t get much better than that.  It has taken me a few days to get around to writing this blog post, because there is so much that I want to say.  There is so much on my heart right now, and while I normally don’t post too many personal posts on this blog – I feel the need to get it out.  It’s been a challenge to figure out how to express just what I’m feeling right now, and what exactly it has to do with these photographs.  But, it’s all jumbled up inside me, and I’m going to try to put it out into words.  Bear with me, as this may be a little ramble-y.

I have been wanting aching to do a session with a family on a bed in a field for quite some time.  It is not a new idea.  I have seen many other photographers do this, and I’ve always thought it was just perfect.  I had to find the right bed frame (which turned out to be just a $5 headboard from an antique store).  I had to find the right family (I knew Lovelyn‘s would be up for this!).  Then, I had to find the right space (a field I had permission to shoot in with the right low hanging branches to hang paper lanterns).  Once I had all of this into place, it was just a matter of getting everything set up and in place.  Who knew that day my husband, who hadn’t had overtime for months, would be working.  To say I freaked out a little bit would be completely accurate.  I was frantic that I wasn’t going to be able to get this all set up on my own.  Good thing we have a truck, and I’m not too much of a weakling.  Oh, and did I mention this was the day before chemo treatment #12 of 12.  Yeah, I was tired, stressed, but also so. incredibly. determined. that nothing was going to stop this session from going off without a hitch.  I made this happen, one of my dream shoots – while having cancer and going through chemo. And, for that, I can say I am pretty proud. The results just thrill me over and over again each time I look at these images.  But, for me, it is so much more than the light, exposure, even the setting of these photos.  There is SO MUCH in these photographs that bring me to tears these days each time I look at them.

For those of you that don’t know me or follow my updates on facebook or my personal blog, I am currently waiting to find out if I still have cancer.  I will most likely know on Dec. 8th.  The past few weeks have been trying.  I haven’t been able to work at school through my treatments (I am a 5th grade teacher).  Luckily, I’ve had photography to give me something to keep me going physically and mentally.  It’s been one thing that the cancer hasn’t been able to take away from me through all of this.  I am so thankful for it.  I tried to post this blog on Tuesday morning, but I couldn’t get through this part without dissolving into tears.  I’m not exactly succeeding right now, either.  Tuesday was one of the hardest days I have ever faced.  Yes, battling cancer has been tough.  It isn’t nearly as hard as it was to come to grips with what Tuesday brought. On Tuesday, I drove to Indy with my mom to visit my Godmother, Robin.  Robin was recently diagnosed with stage 4 inoperable pancreatic cancer.  I had been down to visit her once since her diagnosis, and she had just one chemo treatment under her belt.  We laid in bed and talked a lot that day.  I will forever cherish that day.  The love and connection I have with this woman is more than I can express in a blog post.  She is like a second mother to me.  She has always been such a bright, warm, welcoming, loving, perfectly wonderful piece of my life.  I’m not sure how much is appropriate to share in this post, but I will just say that the reality of her situation was drastically set into focus on this visit.  I had started to come to terms with the severity of this all, but the first few moments of our visit hit me like a ton of bricks.  I realized, really realized, that cancer may permanently take her from us.  And, we TALKED about it.  I don’t know how to wrap my head around that.  I again, laid with her in bed, holding her hand, the both of us bawling, affirming our love for one another.  We were both desperate for the other to really, truly feel and understand how much we meant to one another.  What a wonderful blessing to have that moment, yet what a horrible feeling at the same time.  It is so strange to me to have those two feelings and so many others together all at the same time.  Thankfulness, love, fear, sadness, anger, hope…..all hanging out in the same place.  It is a challenge trying to understand how to manage them all.  To say this has been hard for me is an understatement.  To say this has been hard on her is not even starting to describe what she has been through.

Today is her 60th birthday.  I love her with all of my heart and then some.  I could never tell her enough how much she means to me. Happy Birthday to my most special Godmother.  Love you bunches and bunches, forever and ever.

So, what in the heck does this have to do with these photos?  These photos give me something to smile about.  These photos give me hope.  These photos give me something that defies cancer, that defies the crappy parts of life.  These days I am clinging so tightly to anything that brings that into my life.  In these photos, there are so many of those things……like…………

these 5 faces

the love between twins

(My Mom is a fraternal twin, Robin is an identical twin. and I have twin brothers.)

the joy in simple moments

that I got to witness little guy is showing us “the wheels on the bus” and the robot. 

those two expressions – aykm?  :swoon:

childish wonderment residing with the sweetest heart

baby cheeks and smiles

joy in simply being with the ones you love

snuggling on a bed with the ones closest to your heart

This photograph means the most to me….I see so much in it.

I see how different emotions, that don’t normally seem to go together can reside side by side.

I see the eyes of a mother loving on her children and dreaming of the future.

I see SO MUCH LOVE.

I see that empty space on the bed where there is always room for more.

Thank you for being a part of my life.  Thank you for letting me share in your beautiful journey.  I love you all, and please know how much you do for my heart every time I get to see you!

AYKM?  I just fell in love with this new kiddo clothing line.  Seriously.  It’s bananas (oh, how I miss my Rachel Zoe! :’( ).  Wee People

Based on the pre-session consultation, I knew this session was going to be fun. And, it was.  The girls are delightful, and the family is so excited to welcome baby brother in late December.    Can’t wait to meet him!!

On Saturday, November 6th there will be a benefit at Buddy – n – Pals in Winfield for Aubrey Deno.  Aubrey is ONE, and has been fighting Leukemia since August.  Here is an article about Aubrey and the benefit. There will be a silent auction and raffles.  I am donating a gift certificate for a session + product ($2500 value).  Please, if you can, stop by to support this sweet little girl and her family.  Below is a video of Aubrey.  It breaks my heart to think of this precious, little angel undergoing chemotherapy.  I can’t imagine how hard it must be for her parents to watch her go through this.

His expressions were priceless!!  I didn’t think this started ’til much later, but look at his little up-turned nose.

And, then below, can’t you just hear him grimacing through his smile.  Tehehehe

Yay!!!!!  Mom and Dad are done kissing!!  Too cute.

This session was very special to me.  Last fall, I attended a charity event for First Descents.  I had donated a gift certificate to help raise donations for this wonderful cause. I knew little about the charity, beyond the mission statement  -  “First Descents is committed to curing young adults of the emotional effects of cancer and empowering them to regain control of their lives by experiencing outdoor adventure therapy through kayaking, rock climbing and other outdoor adventure sports.”

I, of course, had no idea that just 4 months later I would be diagnosed with cancer and suddenly fit the demographic for which this organization serves.  It was a very memorable night.  I took my niece, Tabetha, along with me.  We were both blown away and moved to tears by the speech given by Beth Silverman, aka, Stiletto.  She spoke of her battle against breast cancer at the young age of 26 and how First Descents played a huge role in her recovery.  You can hear her speech here.  I suggest letting it load, and skipping to minute 4 if you would like to hear her story.  Right after I was diagnosed, I searched the internet high and low to try to find her speech.  It wasn’t until yesterday that I was able to track it down.  Listening to it again, brought back a flood of emotions not only from the night of the event, but now from the point of view of a young adult WITH cancer.  It is quite moving.

A big thanks to this family for purchasing this session for this wonderful cause.

Here is a video describing First Descents.

And, another from the point of view of a Lymphoma survivor

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!!

Ok – this session delivered a first for me.  What is that you ask???  Well, as I was going through the images I came to this one below.  It kinda took my breath away, and then the tears started rolling.   Yes, this first image brought me to TEARS!!!!  I have never, never cried any tears over any image I have taken before.  I have to share with you that during this session I was in awe of this father’s love for his new, little baby girl.  I seriously talked about it all day long.  I was telling several of my friends after the session – “You should have just seen him!!!  I can’t quite explain it, but I couldn’t stop watching him watch her.  He was so calm and gentle and smitten and blissfully happy.”  Yes, Elias – I talked about you all day!!!  I even told your wife after the session when you had left how incredible it was to witness.  And, to me, this image shows just that.  I can *feel* the smitten-y bliss I felt that day between the two of you.  Bessie and Elias – you have such a beautiful little girl and such a sweet, sweet love already as a family.  THANK YOU for choosing me to capture this precious time in your life.

I couldn’t love this much more.  Seriously.  The heart.  The love.  The light. The DOG!!   ::SWOON::