Before I get to the GOOD stuff, I wanted to take the time to wish my clients, friends and family a HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you all have plans to be with the ones you love tonight and watch that ball drop at midnight. Give a little kiss to your loved one (and blow them one if they are away) and remember all the good that has happened this past year as well as any hardships/heartaches you have had to overcome. I pray that 2009 will be a wonderful year for all of us! January is a crazy month for me with a lot of neurologist appointments, but no fear, I have limited sessions scheduled this month and work will presume as normal after January 6th. Oh, and don’t be alarmed because I’m fine, really. I just had a seizure not too many months ago and that hasn’t happened since I was four. So, we are just making sure all is well “upstairs”. It just takes that long to get specialty appointments these days <grin>.

Now on to the GOOD STUFF! This decision was not an easy one. I thought by having others that I trust read the emails and stories, that it would be an easy feat. I would tally up the votes and viola – the winner! Not so easy. It was tough on them, but I told them I could not decide. It was also too hard for me to choose one winner. But, the decision has finally been made, and the winner of our “Giving is Awesome” giveaway nominated by Serriah Womble is:

THE HOWINGTON FAMILY

And Serriah, you two will be gifted a $200 gift certificate as well for you taking the time to nominate your friends! I will be contacting you soon to get further information from you on where I can mail your gift certificate and your friends!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

And a QUICK sneak peek for a sweet and adorable baby boy!

Is he not the cutest, such fair skin. He has his Mama’s lips, but he looks a lot like his Daddy too. Oh and boy is he a Daddy’s boy. The photo below is one I love because you only get this when they are still babies. I love it!

I will be finishing up a newborn session tomorrow for a client..and then a 9 year old birthday party..and then a four month old CUTIE…and I’m still on vacation.

In 2009, I am truly hoping to speed up my gallery turnaround, but this year, it was so hard for me to show LESS. So by showing MORE, it took me that much longer to proof. But the “mom in me” likes to show more. So many of my clients purchase the CD slideshow or the Session Album. The mom-side-of-me wants the clients to have the entire experience on that slideshow regardless of them ordering them all or not. But at the same time, I don’t like my clients having to wait as long to receive their galleries.

So although I create policies and run my business as such, I want to put this question out there for all of you to help me understand what you (my clients) want:

Would you prefer LESS images in your gallery (as in I STICK to 20-30)

or

Do you want all the of the best shown for you even if it comes with a longer wait?

I want to hear from you!! You can comment on this post or email me if you’d like your answer to remain confidential.

I just want to apologize to you all for being SO LATE with Christmas cards. I will be sending them out late because, honestly, I live by “better late than never”. So when you receive them think “Happy New Year” more than anything. =)

Thank you all so much for a wonderful 2008!!! I cannot wait to see you again and meet those of you I haven’t had the pleasure of photographing.

While burning CDs for clients, I had to do something. So, I did this, and you may want to try it. My boys love to watch it now. Also, if you celebrate Christmas with Santa as well, there is a great application online that allows you to have a personal greeting “live” from Santa from the North Pole for your children. It’s very neat! You can go to the following address to get started on your very own internet email from Santa. My boys were just shocked, and even my 12 year old wants to believe again. =)

Portable North Pole

Now back to my regular scheduled program:

Hello to all clients, friends, family and others who visit my blog. Many Photographers, including myself, are participating in a nationwide giveaway to those that need it most. I believe now is the best time to reflect on our own lives and all the blessings that we have received and turn it around to bless another family. The “warm fuzzies” in knowing that you have put smiles on their faces and love and encouragement in their hearts is something that lasts a lifetime. Do your part. Read the following information and NOMINATE those that are laid upon your heart.

———

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 — $1135 worth, to be exact. They will receive a complimentary family session, a mounted 11 x 14 print, and a session album with all 30-40 of their session proofs. It is in your power and in your hands to give them the gift that they deserve and will cherish forever this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $200 print credit on a future session with Sherri Winstead Photography. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be? I can think of none.

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-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in Fayetteville, North Carolina (to include Hope Mills and surrounding small towns). Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, their story, and why they deserve this gift. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story : info@sherriwinstead.com

The winner will be announced on New Years Eve — get nominating! I can’t wait to read all of your entries and announce the winner!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season — and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

If you are not in the Fayetteville area and would like to nominate someone for this nationwide giveaway, please visit the Giving is Awesome website by clicking on the link below:

Giving is Awesome

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kristen of Essential Imagery for starting such a wonderful way to give back to our communities and give back to those that need it most! Share the love, people!

With love,

Sherri Winstead

HI everyone,

I wanted to let everyone know of my holiday schedule which actually starts this Monday, December 15th. We will be closed from December 15th – January 5th, 2009! I can’t believe we are just right around the corner for another New Year! For those that may be asking themselves the question “But, what about my order. Will I get my order before the new year or have to wait?”.

Although I will be on vacation, I will continue to proof the few remaining sessions that are due this month, continue to submit orders that expire this month, and continue to package and mail orders that arrive during my vacation time. Phone calls will not be answered during this time, however, I will do my best to answer current clients who may have important questions to ask about their orders, etc. via email at info@sherriwinstead.com.

I would like to share with you a funny and busy four year old that I had the pleasure of photographing.

This above shot was his idea. It was sort of fast and on a whim, but it was so perfect! It shows his imagination, and it was a great thing. Thank you Clayton. I love this shot!

And last but not least..the family together.

GASP…this first image makes me GASP! What a beautiful baby girl!! She was sooo happy during her session in downtown Fayetteville.

If the above image does NOT make you laugh or giggle inside, then nothing on earth can or will. (okay, well….at least for me, that is). I love this one! What personality!

And I’ll end this sneak peek with the “GASP image” in black and white because honestly, I love both. It would be VERY hard for me to choose between the two if I were her Mom. Good luck!