Winners of the Free Photo Session: Elma Portrait Photographer, Washington State

Drumroll Please!!!!

Well after careful consideration this entry "moved me" the most. In fact I was pretty teary-eyed after reading it. So the winner of the Free Photo Session and 8 Prints 8x10 and under goes too.....Angie!!!!

Here is her Entry:

Not sure if this is what you had in mind but here it is....

Mel,

When I decided to work on my weight, I made myself a list a rewards for each milestone. Even though Dunc doesn’t know it yet I really wanted you to take our picture. All of your beautiful outdoor family sessions made me really want to get our family’s picture taken when I reached my final goal (40 pounds).



In May, I honestly did not think I would lose 40 pounds. I would have been happy with 5 or 10. Since Lexi turned two I have tried to get on top of my weight many times. I was even told by two doctors that my heart frankly needed me to lose weight. However it seemed the harder I tried the more I gained, but for whatever reason (see the journaling from the scrapbook page below) last spring I decided to give it one more try. Slowly all summer something worked.



Now I am 7 pounds from where I want to be and you offered this fabulous contest and my bathroom frankly needs remodeling (so trying to convince D on pictures could be fun) too. I think you know I am a huge fan even if I have not been a regular customer. So I made the page and wrote you this letter. Your work is amazing, natural, and having my picture taken does seem the ultimate way to celebrate my success. Your contest inspired the scrapbook page I attached. I did not know how emotional I was about this all until I made the page. So even if I don’t win at least it motivated me to make a page about me. J

Love,

Angie



PS. I included what I wrote on the page below. When I post pages on the Scrapgirls website, journaling is sometimes hard to read. I used materials from scrapgirls.com.

Journaling:

So maybe the difference in these two pictures is only noticeable to me. The one on the right is not even that great but it is the first picture in a long time that did not make me cringe.

Two years ago looking at the 2008 pic was when I decided to start “hiding” in pictures. Hiding with kids on my lap, or sitting on a rock, or even jumping out of pictures if I could. I looked at that picture and felt sad. So defeated that I started to hate getting my picture taken. I looked at that picture and wanted to never see another picture of me. Pictures of myself reminded me that I somewhere had lost control of my life. Somewhere I lost control of me and I did not believe there was anything I could do about it.

Last spring it really hit me how few pictures I really had of me and my rapidly growing children. I realized that pretty soon they would no longer be clamoring for pictures and I decided I’d had enough. Enough wallowing in self pity and enough hiding. I wanted to be proud of me again. I wanted to really smile in a picture. I wanted to feel as beautiful as my daughter told me I was.

I know losing or gaining 30 pounds does not make me beautiful. What makes me beautiful is that I found me again. I spent a little time everyday focusing just on me. Everyday for six months I’ve become a little healthier. I’ve believed in myself a little more. I’ve had something to smile about. As a teacher and a mom, it’s been a long time since I made me a priority. So now I am ready. I am ready to stop hiding. I am ready to celebrate me.



Congratulations Angie! I can't wait to photograph your family.

For those who entered and didn't win...I have a little something special for you as well. Email me your address and I will send you a gift certificate for use toward a session. It will not be as large of a giveaway but a little token of my appreciation for you!

Merry Christmas Everyone and Happy Holidays as well.
Spend some quality time with family, forgive those who have wronged you (life is too short for grudges) and take some pictures of all that you love this season.

XOXOXO