Coming Up Roses: Spreading Good Cheer

My new tradition is doing some sort of photo giveaway around Chistmas time. This year's ideas was to hold a contest to give deserving parents-to-be free photo sessions to celebrate the birth of their newest family members! We had lots of nominations, and thanks to three fabulous judges (who knew nothing but the nominations about each of the Mommies), we have our winners. We actually had a tie for the top spot, but since I planned on two winners, I figured it was fate. Check them out below!

Maria

Maria was nominated by one of her good friends, Allie, who I've worked with a couple times in the past. She has a bit of a sad story leading up to her current pregnancy, and I think she is a very deserving choice! More about Maria and her baby-in-the-making.

Allie: "Maria has been one of my best friends for a long time now. She dated her boyfriend, Chad, for about six years before they got married a year and few months ago. They are such a sweet and loving couple, and also very hard-working. He works long days and sometimes nights. It depends, as his shift changes every few months. Maria works full time as well. She is always thinking about other people before hersle and rarely does any spoiling for herself. She does deserve to be spoiled because of how amazing, caring, and loving she is. This baby is extra special. They have been trying since the wedding. She was pregnant before but sadly has a misscarriage. They found out just the other day that they are having a little girl. Maria is so cute and just starting to show. She deserves pampering through photos for her and little baby McConnell!"

Katie Jo

I met Katie at shoot last year, and while that was the only time we've worked together, she has some amazing friends who were all about making sure she was recognized as someone who is going to be a great mother. Not one, but THREE people nominated Katie and her husband, Dave, for this honor. They also have a great story and definitely desever it as well! Thanks to Claire, Abby, and Missy for sending your nominations in. Without further ado, more about our second winner!

Claire: "Katie deserve this because she is a hard-working military wife. She got pregnant while her husband was home for his two week R-and-R and spent the first 4 to 5 months of her pregnancy without her husband. They are a young couple, just starting their family, and have just moved into their first house. Katie is very active in her church and community. She is extremely sweet and willing to help others whenever possible. She is an amazing woman who has done her part to serve our country as the wife of an American soldier."

Each of these ladies and their hubbies are first time parents and I am so excited to work with them. They each received a free maternity session, as well as newborn portraits, with more sessions at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months for their babies. They will also get a book of all the sessions after they are completed. A years worth of memories! Exciting.

Thanks also to our two runners-up, Stacy and Melissa, another couple of deserving moms who we will see more soon! Thanks to everyone who nominated and was nominated. It's going to be a year full of babies!