www.givingisawesome.com

In the spirit of this Christmas season that is fast approaching, I’ve joined “Giving is Awesome.” What is this, you may ask? Giving is Awesome is a simple effort by photographers worldwide to give back to their communities. Regional contests are sponsored by photographers across the globe. Each photographer gives away a session fee and a certain amount of portrait products (i.e. – photographs), to a worthy individual or family this holiday season.

To summarize, I’ll be giving away $250 worth of my photographic services to a truly deserving family or individual this holiday season.  The winner will be announced on my blog on Christmas Eve, December 24th.  The rules to nominate are:

1.  You cannot nominate yourself.

2.  The person you nominate must be sincerely incapable of purchasing my services.

3.  The nominee must reside in Maryland.  Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork.  Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself.

4.  You must email me the full story at mandysroka@gmail.com

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.

With love,

Mandy

If you or someone you know is getting married in 2009, and you already have a date chosen, you can win a free wedding photographer courtesy of my wonderful friend, teacher, and fellow photographer – Stacy Richardson! Visit her blog for details…but hurry, this contest has a deadline! Below are just two of her STELLAR images. She’s great at photography, and super easy to work with (trust me, I’d know!). So write your greatest love story, submit it, and wait for the winner! Good luck!

Copyright Stacy Richardson Photography

Copyright Stacy Richardson Photography

Thanksgiving, for me, is a time of celebrating all the blessings we’ve been given with our loved ones. This Thanksgiving I had the honor of photographing dear, dear friends, the Deterding’s. Chris & Patti have attended our church as long as it’s been in existence, and their children – Amy, Steve, & Jimmy – attended Annapolis Area Christian School with my husband’s family. Now, with all the children married, three grandchildren, and Grandma Kay, they are quite a bunch. The Deterding’s have always been a blessing to us, and I was excited to be able to bless them on their morning together this Thanksgiving. Enjoy your mini-preview!
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