I know.  I’ve been MIA.  I haven’t even blogged my last two sessions of 2009.  I am getting ready for baby #2 who is due to make his appearance on December 16th.  Something tells me this little guy has another idea and may decide to visit us early  I promise, Erin & Laura, I will blog your little cherubs!  But first I wanted to get you all thinking.  I am going to be running the Giving is Awesome giveaway again and that means you need to spread the word!   Here’s the dillio:

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 – $1000 worth, to be exact. Whether it’s canvas or an album, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over…it’s in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and another awesome detail?   The person who nominates the winner receives a $200 print credit towards a future session. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

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-home does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

The nominee must reside in Massachusetts. 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 as well.

Comment on this blog entry to let me know you’ve entered, and e-mail me the full story: stephanie@bellinipics.com.

The deadline is Christmas Eve and the winner will be announced on New Years Eve…so 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.

“The family I would like to nominate is that of a friend and co-worker.   I have known Karen for several years and she has always been an inspiration to me.  She is fearless, always has the best attitude, and a great sense of humor.  Whenever I am struggling to juggle life I think “WWKD?” (what would Karen do?)  

Four years ago, Karen pulled me aside in her office to say she was pregnant; after many years of infertility she had finally conceived twin girls!  I was so excited, I actually jumped up and down!  However, after the 29th week, everything went horribly wrong.  One of her babies stopped growing, and then passed away.  In order to give the surviving twin a better chance at making it, Karen continued to carry the  baby for several weeks more, before Alexandra was born early but healthy, in 2005.  Fast forward a few years…following several more failed attempts, Karen was pregnant again — this time with with twin boys!

Thankfully, her pregnancy was completely healthy this time around….and she delivered Cameron and Harrison full term in July (2008)!  They were overjoyed at the birth of their sons.  Unfortunately, bad luck struck again, though, when some routine testing in the hospital revealed that despite all the prenatal tests being normal, Cameron had been born with mosaic Down’s syndrome.  As Karen put it…”that really took the wind out of our sails!”  Just as Karen and her family were getting used to Cam’s diagnosis, Karen herself received some very bad news; she has malignant breast cancer.  So for the last 5 months Karen has been a new mother of twins (something I can testify is challenging) with a precocious preschooler, and has undergone a mastectomy and is now in the midst of chemotherapy.  In order to survive, their entire extended family has really pulled together to take nights feedings, prepare meals, and get Karen to her appointments.  Despite all of this, Karen is back at work full time and looks fantastic!

Given all that they survived this year so far, and their incredible strength and resilence, I cannot think of a more deserving family for the opportunity of your custom photography.  They would be truly touched to be able to have a great set of memories to celebrate surviving twins and cancer in one year.  ”

We finally had our session yesterday afternoon after a couple of failed attempts due to the bad weather we had this spring and early summer.  They are a wonderful, loving and kind family.  I had such a nice time meeting them and spending time with their beautiful children.  I hope that this images bring some smiles to their faces and happiness to their lives!