Images for a Cure: A National Fundraising Event for Photographers

My favorite part about organizing this event, has been hearing the amazing stories from other photographers. I got this email tonight, and wanted to share – Kristen

Kristen,

This is the McElhenny Family. Mom, Dad, and 6 siblings. Their beautiful mother was diagnosed 7 years ago nearly to the day of the Images for a Cure Event with Breast Cancer. She is a survivor! Her birthday and wedding anniversary were the following day. Her beautiful children and husband decided to surprise her with a photoshoot in honor of being a Breast Cancer survivor. They came from just outside of Baltimore, Md to see me in Woodbridge, Va. 2 of the kids came in from out of state to surprise their mom and to celebrate…her. She had no idea where they were going or what the day held until they pulled up to where we would meet. Tears streamed down her face as she sat in shock, surrounded by the love of her husband and children.

We laughed the afternoon away as I imagined what it must have been like to grow up in their home. One full of love, life and dreams.

I send this email to celebrate you. You have touched so many lives with your vision for Images for a Cure. I am honored to be part of your vision and spread the cause that so dearly touches lives across the world daily.

Thank you for an amazing opportunity to support this great cause.

Always,

*Nicole

www.perfectlyposhphotography.com
www.perfectlyposhphotography.blogspot.com

Bev Luckraft: That is one of the most beautiful and heartwarming photos and stories I’ve ever seen. I feel truly blessed to have Penny & Joe as my friends … they are a wonderful example of what a close and loving family should be. Bev
Holly: They truly are an amazing family! I have been friends of the family for roughly 15 years now. I have never met any family as welcoming, loving, beautiful and humurous as this family. The McElhenny’s truly are amazing people. We are so blessed that Mrs. Mc is where she is today. She is the one of the most amazing women I have ever met. Thanks for sharing the email and pic. Holly
Nicole Paul: thank you so much for sharing this story. what an amazing family….
Kristin Kraczek: That is so sweet! I can’t wait until next year
Leigh - Broken Road Photography: What an awesome story and beautiful family.
bethany: That is such an amazing and touching story! What a beautiful family!!!

In my last post, I mentioned how Ryan Poirier shadowed us on Sunday at the Images for a Cure event, well he took some amazing behind the scenes photos and I’d love to share them! All the credit for these images goes to Ryan, who not only gave up his Sunday to hang out with me – but was just a super sweet guy and fantastic photographer! My clients loved him and will love his photos! – Kristen Weaver

You can see more of Ryan’s work at http://www.ryanpoirierphotography.com!

The team of the day – Christina and James from In Motion Video Productions, and my 2nd shooter, Reema!

My first session was with Jessica and Tim, recently engaged and so much fun!

My girl, Reema – rocking out her Canon!

Christina and James

Eye-level with my second little clients of the day, Sky and Wes!

My assistant, Angie, helping Wes

Wes is “popped-collar” cool

Ryan really got the essence of their session in this shot. Wes made that face all day, and Sky looked like a little angel

Oviedo is known for their chickens, which, yes – run rampant all day.

I should make a note not to hunch over when I shoot sitting down. In my defense, I was about to fall backwards down that hill.

I’m not sure how Ryan thought he’d get out of this one… I had to share the end of the session – Ryan made a new friend

Yes, I did a quick wardrobe change due to the insane heat for my third session, Melissa and Sean. I actually love this shot of us

Here’s my view of Melissa

I <3 Ryan for capturing this. It’s gorgeous.

My shot

Look how much fun we had! Melissa’s face says it all

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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!

Collages_logo_300 I have been so excited to blog about our new sponsor – who I actually tracked down on Twitter! Abbey and I got to talking about some ways that they could be a part of our little event, and I’m so excited to share the amazing contribution from them!

Collages.net works with over 10,000 professional photographers across the United States and enjoys strong partnerships with Professional Photographers of America (PPA), Disney Weddings, and Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS).

Now, they can add Images for a Cure to their list! This amazing company provides online workflow, printing, product, design, and marketing solutions for professional photographers. Their products are amazing, and their customer service is superb!

So let’s cut to the chase!

Collages.net would like to contribute the following to all of our participating photographers: (did you hear me, I said ALL!)

Free Collages.net account for 6 months where they can post the images from this event

PLUS a $25 of print credit to our collagesColor lab

And if you didn’t think that was awesome enough, one lucky photographer will also win a $250 print credit in our Photographer Giveaway!
I’m ecstatic about this! The company is amazing, their contribution is awesome and their support of our photographers is incredible.

I can’t say it enough; not only am I so blessed to have these amazing photographers who are so willing to give themselves and their time for this cause, but I’m in awe over the amazing number of sponsors who are contributing their products, talents and hearts. Thank you, 100 times over, for everything you do for this cause! – Kristen

Danielle McAdams: AMAZING!! Awesome, I am glad more companies are joining! Together we CAN make a difference
Jolene Grizzle: AMAZING!!!!!!! I love love love Collages and have been using them for a while now! Just another reason to keep on loving them!
Kristin Kraczek: Yay! Thank you so much Abbey and Collages.net!
dawngilmore: What an amazing offer. I am super stoked!
amanda mcmahon: I use Collages.net as my lab and love them! Thank you Abbey and Collages/net, you guys are just awesome!