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.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography – $910 worth, to be exact. 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 complimentary session to be used in 2010. 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 the Kansas City area 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: heidiabbott@thrivecreativestudio.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.

With love,
Heidi

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS MIDNIGHT DECEMBER 20, 2009. 

Giving is awesome is an nationwide effort by professional photographers to give back.  As of today, there are 212 photographers across the USA giving away $218,980 in custom photography! 

Who would have ever dreamed that the Saturday after Thanksgiving would be close to 70 degrees and the perfect day for some family pictures?   I meet up with these three cousins for a photo session to get a great picture for Nanna’s 50th anniversary gift.  It was a great shoot and they were awesome to work with.  We ended the sessions with a leaf fight, which was perfect!  Thanks Trisha and Tracy for choosing Thrive to take these really special photos.

My first Pictures of Hope session was with this Baby M’s twin brother (click here to see).  At the time, they were in separate hospitals and now with the first brother brother home, I came to take this brother’s pictures.  He may be going home in the coming week!  Twins M & M were born at 24 weeks and mom and sister have been living near the hospital because their home is in Juction City, with Dad driving in on the weekends.   I can’t imagine what a difficult time it is both physically and emotionally on a family, especially one so far from home.  These boys are miracles!   I only had literally 5 minutes to get some shots of baby M because of unexpected testing being done, but it was enough to get some wonderful shots of him with his loving momma.

I got another wonderful opportunity to meet a precious new family and do a complimentary photography session of their sweet little girl who has spent the last 14 weeks in the NICU.  Baby M was born at 23 weeks and is doing great.  They hope to spend her first Christmas at home celebrating.  What a blessing to meet these two new parents and watch the interaction they had with their baby girl and her responses to them.

So much can be said about the incredible beauty in this sweet family.   Mommy and Daddy, beautiful people themselves, have three beautiful little girls to love on.   I came to take newborn portraits of the newest little one and some of all three girls together.  I love the pictures we got and mom said she loved having me come to their home, which she said was just so much more relaxing than going to a studio.   I love my job! 

Counting ALL my blessings today.   My life would be nothing without the love of God that has been poured over it; it has seeped into every crevous and nothing remains untouched by His goodness.   Thank you for being part of God’s blessing in my life.  I pray that you are experiencing His love today and always!

Thrive’s 2009 Portrait Clients have some new designs to choose from for their special and unique Christmas cards this year.   Keep in mind that all text can be modified.  Feel free to contact me with any questions.  The deadline to order to receive your cards for Christmas is December 14th. 

THE FOLLOWING CARDS ARE 5X7 ONE-SIDED CARDS

To see the cards available from my 2008 line, click this link:   2008 CHRISTMAS CARDS