WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Congratulations to The Grand Prize Winner of the NAME THE PHOTO CONTEST, Holly McDonald. Also Congrats to Holly and her family on their new expectation. I have photographed Holly's first two adorably plump new babies both when they were about 6 weeks of age. She worked so hard sending people to vote so that she could save money on another Newborn Baby Session. She wants to have this baby photographed around the same age as her first two, Ava and Maddox, but she is considering doing them at the true newborn age 2 weeks or under. In the photography industry, newborn age is much younger than the clinical age. To photograph those little curled up newborns in the new style of new baby portraiture they must be photographed ASAP!

FIRST PLACE GRAND PRIZE WINNER:

With over 200 votes HOLLY wins 50% off any portrait session (up to $200 off) and she will also receive a 11x14 Heirloom Wall Portraits ($100 value).

I was in awe of how well this contest went: how quickly the votes added up; the response of the contestants at referring people to the jami ainsworth portraits facebook page and just how much I enjoyed seeing the numbers add up. There over 600 votes on the poll and also many additional votes fron the contest on the facebook page. The original contest was for 50% off for any portrait session package, value up to $200. Holly and another contestant were so close at time and the she took the lead. So as to reward both for being well above the others I am giving them both 50% off which is the reason I added the additional portrait to Holly's gift prize package.

Since the contest went so well and so many worked so hard to get the votes in I am adding runner-up prizes as well.

1. FIRST RUNNER-UP: Deidra Cox with 134 votes for "Where's the Party?". She will win 50% off any session fee package. She has an "almost" one-year old grandson who she is wanting to be photographed very soon.
2. SECOND RUNNER-UP: Crystal Shows-Tipton with 74 votes for "So we've established that I am the princess in this operation, my question is why am I sitting here waiting for my cake, presents, prince charming...? Someone is fired!" She will win $100 off any session fee package. I know Crystal has been planning to do family portraits and her son will soon be turning one. Maybe she'll choose a combination portrait session.
3. THIRD RUNNERS-UP: These were so close that I am giving this prize to two people: Christal McGlothin and Darlene Curtis Walsworth. Christal's title of "Gone, Gone!" received 66 votes. "Oh well, I told Mikey to use E-trade," by Darlene received 63 votes. They will be receiving $75 of any portrait session fee package.
4. FOURTH RUNNERS-UP: And a tie for fourth place totals go Nikki DeCell with "How old am I again?" (36 votes) and "You talking to me?" by Brittney Blaney Smith (36 votes). They will be receiving $50 off any portrait session fee package.

All Portrait Session Fee Package Discount Prizes must be used within 12 months from today's date.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to voted and to the contestants who spent hours solicting votes for your entry.

~~jami~~

WINNER IS...

DISCLAIMER: BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHS WERE NOT CAPTURED BY ME

Before Bunny Portraits, I had a little photo contest? "Who is this Wednesday?" is what I called it. The winner of the contest had to identify two of the three babies that I had featured.

No one was even attempting a guess at these babies. I new it had been a while since these babies were about 5 years old or older. They were babies that were photographed at a previous Bunnies and Babies event (from 2004). Yeah, it had been awhile, so I decided to change it up a bit and make it tad easier. This time the winner would be the first person who could name two out of three of the babies. Some one did and it was a young girl that I have never met in person...only via Internet. Her name is Brittanie. She is an aspiring young photographer still in high school. She became my blog follower immediately and facebook friend too. She gave me the sweetest compliments. Apparently, I've inspired someone who is interested in photography, something I do not feel worthy. With the anxiety that I have experienced in my personal life and business the last few years, I have not felt extremely impressed with my own work. So with that being said, it is very inspiring to know that I have inspired someone else. If you would like to view some of Brittanie's images, CLICK HERE.

Back to the images that I've posted, these images were captured by woman who inspires me in so many ways. I first met Rachel when I purchased a Christmas tutu from her as a prop. She asked if I was on facebook. I said yeah! But I really wasn't too facebook savvy at the time. Little did I know that this meeting was the beginning of a long distance friendship. Rachel business blossomed last year. She has a boutique business from her home and more recently she has started her own photography business. Talking about a multi-tasking, talented, inspirational woman, who is also the mommy of two small boys! WOW! Just describing this person makes me tired. Rachel is already an awesome photographer! If you like to check out here images, HERE IS HER WEBSITE. When someone picks up a camera and has such a great vision along with awesome photo shop skills that they become a great photographer, it makes me want to quit. It makes me wonder do I have what it takes these days. Then I bring myself back to reality and realize that it takes all kinds to make the world go around. It feels good to finally realize that I and my business do still have a place in this world: a place for classic, clean and yet fun and simple portraiture. Thanks to you that are reading this and to those who have chosen me to capture special moments in yours or your child's life. This has been an incredible journey that God as lead me to and is still leading me through. I covet your prayers as I struggle with the changes that have changed the industry and the many changes that I have gone through and will soon be going through in my personal life.

So I digress...so did NOT have that in mind along with post. As most of you know that do follow, I tend to do things from the heart and sometimes I just don't know what direction it is taking me.

Back to the photos that were included. Rachel sells these beanies from her online boutique with Etsy. CLICK HERE TO VIEW COLORS AND TO ORDER. Brittanie, please look here to choose your colors and either contact Rachel or me to make your selection. And thank you, Brittanie, for being a flog follower and playing the contest. It was pointed out to me that silly me posted a collage of Hayden that included his name for the contest. Yeah, often I don't think! You did however, name Laurel too. That's pretty awesome since you don't even know her. You had to do some blog research to find that one out! WAY TO GO!

~~jami~~

BTW, the other baby was Micheal. I photographed him and his baby brother, NICHOLAS several times last year. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THAT SESSION FROM LAST YEAR THIS TIME.

AND THE WINNER IS...

Yesteryday was the "official" end of my NAME THAT PHOTO, my first photo contest. I hope do some more of these. Would any vendors who follow my blog like to participate and be the sponsor and give a way a great prize to the winner?

After I began the contest (the next day or so later), I found my own inspiration and I did come up with a title or caption as you might call it: Brother to Baby Sister, "There are two things in life you can count on: John Deere and Me." Okay, I know...I can't win the prize! So there are several others I really like:

• Who says country can't be cute? by Laura


• "You take care of the work, I'll take care of the cute!" by Cristi


• It takes two to "tutu" by LeAnn of Our Little Emily

MY DAUGHTER'S FAVORITE (She thinks it should be a short title): "Tutu Deere".--by kanna

But since it is my blog, I get to choose the Winner! It's fun being the boss of something...well, sometimes it is! AND THE WINNER IS: PENNY

I'll let you wear my tutu IF you let me play with your tractor.

And actually, I think I like this better than mine. I wanted something that tied in the brother/sister relationship along with the John Deere (tractor) and the tutu. This sounds just like a conversation to siblings would have with each other.

Penny, I am trying to decided if I will may your tutu or if will get my friend, Rachel, from Washington State, who has made many of my tutus to make one for you. I recently purchased the materials in white and lavendar. Anyhow...I will let you know and I will post a photo of the prize before I send it to you. Contact me via email for your address for me to mail it to you or just meet you in Vidalia at a convenince time for both us. Either way it will be next week or the next before I get it to you. Not much as been accomplished around here this week or last, since I have been on Mimi Duty much more than photographer duty. Congrats to Penny! And thanks to everyone who played along. It was such a fun contest for me!

~~jami~~

CONTEST WINNERS AND INFO:

Most of you were correct, CASH. Click HERE to see the last time Cash made his appearance here. Click HERE to see the first time I met Cash and his parents. He has grown very quickly. He is just not letting his mommy have a little baby for very long at all. The first person to guess Cash was Cristi. So Cristi wins a FREE HEIRLOOM 11X14 WALL PORTRAIT AND A SESSION FEE.

ALL THE OTHERS THAT COMMENTED were put in a hat for a drawing. Jennifer, who did not guess correctly, did win the random drawing for a free session and 2-5x7 portraits from my next promotion.

So are you wondering when is the next promotion? Yes, I have been wondering that too. I had made up my mind to post it as a tentative date, April 18th, the weekend after this one, Easter weekend. My daughter informs me this a.m. or rather reminds me that dance recital is that same date. My thoughts were "oh no! " But as I think some more, it may still possibly be then...if not then the first weekend of May, but I really want to do it this month. Since Cari is driving now, I really think I can still do it then...I just won't be able to do a late session. So stay tuned for the update of this.

I also want to let you know that my mom's surgery went great. Now she has a long road of recovery. She came home yesterday. So Natalie (my little sweetheart) and I are going there today for a few days to help out. Well, I am going to help out by cooking, washing, or whatever my mom needs me to do. Natalie will help by just being herself. She always seems to make us smile and I know my mom needs a Natalie fix too!

I should be back here Thursday.

~~jami~~