Images for a Cure: A National Fundraising Event for Photographers

Ohmygosh. Can you believe today finally came? I feel like I’ve been anticipating this day for months, and here it is!

If you don’t know me yet, Hi. My name is Kristen, and I started this little shindig! I’m a fashion and wedding photographer based out of Orlando, FL, and I LOVE what I do. Other than that, I love things like cats and circus peanuts, and can’t wait to get married to my man, Anthony!

So let me tell you a little bit about my sessions today.

I started out with a full house. My first session, the engagement session of Jessica and Tim, involved makeup donated by Jillian Caro, and the fantastic Jacksonville videographers Christina and James of In Motion Video Productions. We rounded out the clan with my 2nd shooter, Reema, who was there to document the day and my fabulous assistant Angie. Ryan Poirier also came by and was a lifesaver when my newly fixed camera broke again (I’ll be taking that up with the company tomorrow)

I also, surprisingly, had a good time doing the interview for our first Images for a Cure video, produced by In Motion. I am notoriously camera shy, but Christina made me feel completely comfortable – like chatting with an old friend It was nice dragging them along with us – and I highly recommend them if you’re planning a wedding. They were awesome to work with!

We’re having a heat wave in Florida (and that’s putting it lightly). The temperature seared at over 90, and gave us a heat index over 100 degrees. It only cooled slightly around 4:30 when the weather quickly changed to thunderstorms (causing me to reschedule my last session). Ahhh, October.

Regardless, I had such a great time today! I love my clients – they’re the best ever! I have a lot of great images to work on, but I wanted to start with a couple teasers from each session. Enjoy!

To see more of my work, please visit my blog: http://www.kristenweaverblog.com

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InMotionVideoProductions: We loved working with you too. Thanks for letting us capture your shoots Love the teasers- I can’t wait to share the video with you.
Kimberly: These are so Pretty. You are so awesome for doing this! I am looking forward to next years event as a participating photographer.
Clark Lara II: The sessions look great, we will posting ours this week.

smugmuggy Images for a Cure would like to welcome our newest sponsor, and Photography Giveaway – SmugMug!

I’m so excited to announce our 22nd sponsor of Images for a Cure – SmugMug and SmugMugPro! SmugMug allows photographers the opportunity to upload unlimited images, and share or sell them via their SmugMug site! In conjunction with their print service, SmugMug has created a service aimed at professional photographers. Professional accounts have the ability to add custom watermarks to their photos and add additional forms of image protection. They can also sell prints and digital downloads of their photos through the SmugMug interface with their own custom pricing.

This week, I connected with the fantastic Markham from SmugMug! This guy is awesome – and has graciously donated 5 awesome prizes for our giveaway!

Courtesy of SmugMug, we’ll be giving away (3) 1-Year Pro Accounts and (2) 1-Year Power Accounts!

Now, the only thing is that you must be a new customer to get these prizes, so we’ll be drawing for these next Thursday (before the big drawing on Friday) so that we can be sure to select photographers who don’t already have an account. We’ll contact you if you’ve been selected for this prize (more details to follow).

I wanted to thank Markham and all the fantastic people over at SmugMug for this amazing contribution and for their continuous support of our talented and dedicated photographers! I know they’ll all be excited to hear about this!! Thanks!

Nicole Benitez: I cannot believe all of the amazing sponsors!! Smugmug rocks!
Kristin Kraczek: SmugMug is awesome! Your clients can view full screen size images, with copy protection! Love it!!!
dawngilmore: That is FABULOUS. I have seen SmugMug but hadn’t signed up yet. It would be cool to win this one. What a deal.
khristen: I love them! They have been so great to me!!
Nicole Paul: Oh! This is a sweet one! Actually, I’d never heard of the site and i am about to go check it out. Sure sounds like it will beat putting PROOF across each individual shot myself!!!

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Ladies and Gentlemen – It’s Time.

Can you believe it’s already October? Here we are, right around the corner from this amazing opportunity and event!

To my photographers: I’m so proud of all that you have accomplished in this short amount of time. I’m honored and extremely humbled to be a part of this group of doers. You have all shown me the most amazing strength, courage and commitment. I’m blessed to have met all of you.

In times when the economy is tough, families are struggling and day to day life isn’t as easy as it seems, I have been touched by our clients and sponsors, who have given their money and time to this important cause; who have supported our efforts and truly been the heart and backbone of this organization. Without them, we would have been a group of photographers, aimlessly wandering Facebook.

As we draw near the close of this event, we are reminded every day at the tragic effects of Breast Cancer, and I can only hope that our contribution makes our statement loud and clear. We want to find a Cure. We must find a Cure.

This is only the beginning, and we will continue to fight.

Whether it’s in the donation of money, time or talents – we are not obligated to be a part of the battle – we desire to be part of the battle.

I am proud to announce that as of today, October 6, 2009, we have exceeded our donation goal of $5,000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

However, I am even more proud to announce, that this will not stop today. Even as I write this, donations keep popping up in my email. Let’s continue to support, continue to book our sessions and I hope our final numbers surpass our goals tenfold.

So I challenge you, photographers, to continue to promote your event. If your sessions are sold out, reach out to other local participating photographers to send referrals. If you’re struggling to book sessions, keep your head up and push through.

And I challenge you, clients, to get involved! If you can’t do a session yourself, help spread the word among family, friends and coworkers. Call that long-distance cousin and ask them to get involved! We can all help – nothing is too big, or too small.

We’re in the final stretch, and with 239 participating photographers across 44 states and 3 countries – our opportunities are endless.

It is with a great deal of love and faith that I leave you today, with the courage to make an impression, and the hope to pass along our accomplishments to our own children; that they never know the battles of so many before them.

Thank you for your patience, and thank you for joining me.

Kristen Weaver
http://www.kristenweaverblog.com

Joel Meisels: Kristen, I feel so privileged and honored being able to be part of this amazing group you’ve almost single handedly done, you and the great friends with you are a inspiration and role models to so many, Keep up your great work and count on me to be here for you too <3
Abbey Saloiye: Kristen mad props for you. You saw a need and did something. That’s huge in today’s society where we often shut our eyes to needs. All of the photographers and sponsors, thank you! The Breast Cancer Foundation has an aggressive mission. Great job!
Heather Blackwell: I am so honored to be a part of this! I took your advice and switched it up a bit for the session dates… Turned it into a 2day event this weekend for minisessions at 2 local pumpkin patches! The places involved are wonderful since it will also raise $$ for their youth groups with the pumpkin sales. Win/Win! I am even going to have the payment button ready for those that may be walk ups during the event. Hope the weather is on our side and it is a huge success!
Jolene Grizzle: As a photographer I thank you for creating this wonderful opportunity for me to be a part of!

ThomasRoss Images for a Cure welcomes College Station, TX based photographer, Thomas Ross! This Texan photographer photographs families, teens and brides. He has an appeal for those who want a simple, fun, and beautiful style of photography. His work is fun and really creative. If you’re in the Texas area…check him out. His photography is definitely one to go after. Thanks for participating, Thomas! We’re so glad to have you!

Website: www.thomasrossphoto.com | E-mail: info@thomasrossphoto.com

Why did you want to get involved with Images for a Cure?
I wanted to help give others the gift of time.

How has Breast Cancer (or any cancer) made an impact on your life?
I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer days before my 27th birthday in late 2006 . Having over a year of time eaten up by numerous medical tests, surgeries, overnight stays, and ingesting a new form of medication that was still being tested was a cakewalk. The hardest part for me, was watching my wife deal with my illness.

What song best describes you?
My wife and I would totally disagree on this one. She would say that Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” best describes me, only because I’m always checking myself out in the mirror. I would have to say that Nickelback’s song “Photograph” best describes me, especially how every moment and memory has a defining impact on ourselves through out our lives.

Details of his sessions:
Portrait Session fees: $150 on location (Includes HS Seniors, Families, Maternity, Newborns, Couples, Headshots)

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