"Pay It Forward" pays out!

Many moons ago, my good friend Merri nominated me for the CBS News "Pay It Forward" series, in which the nominator gets to surprise their friend with cash money to help with their service project. 

As many of you know, I try to do two complimentary sessions a month, for people who serve our community.  I have done photo shoots for public school teachers, foster families, police officers.  It is a guiding force in my business, indeed I take paying clients so that I can fund the equipment, software and other costs so that I can do my service shoots. 

Tuesday afternoon, there was a knock on the door and there stood Merri (who is on bedrest by the way!  hopefully her doctor doesn't watch the news) plus a reporter, a cameraman, and $500.  It. Was. Insane.

They set up a billion lights in my living room, hooked me up to mic, and started shooting away and asking weird questions too.  Like, what's your favorite photo? (seriously? that's like asking which one is my favorite child)  (the shortest labor) (not telling). 

They also interviewed Merri and one of my service clients.  And she was standing right there, not that I could see her with the lights in my eyes, when they asked why I wanted to provide that service for her and I started talking about how she's a teacher and why they're so important and it was her first baby and I knew she'd had a late miscarriage before and how special it is to capture those first few weeks and I start choking up and get teary eyes, and then freak because I don't want snot on top of the gallons of sweat I've started leaking, and I completely forget the question!!!  Are you serious?!!

Yeah, so then they film me editing some photos and let me tell you how incredibly clean my computer area was, NOT.  Then they want some footage of me shooting, of course two of my kids volunteer because it means going to the park next door.  But I'm like, hello? full sun?  no.  But they insist that no one will see the pics, they just want the footage.

Once my camera is in hand, my blood pressure goes down and I start breathing normally again and even though there's a news camera in my face and I completely forget to suck it in, I finally start enjoying myself. 

It was a blast!!  Thank you so much Merri!  What an incredible gift you've given me and the kids.  So, so fun. 

My First Senior

With all of the talk about my Senior Model Rep scholarship opportunity, I am so happy to show off pictures of my first senior shoot....









HaHa. Of course Great Grandma Norton IS a senior and I was very lucky to take her photograph, but she's not my typical senior.

Marilyn Norton is turning 80 this month.  She has children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren spread throughout the country.  She wanted a few pictures to show them she was alive and kicking, so I was more than happy to provide the service.

She is truly a beautiful woman, with a kind heart and a generous soul.  We love our Great-Grandma.

Senior Model Reps Scholarship Contest!!

Hey all! Just want to announce my new scholarship for Senior Model Reps.

Reps will receive their entire senior session for free, a $200 value, with the disk of at least 20 images in full print resolution, able to print however and wherever you like.

Reps will also receive their own "senior cards" with their image to hand out.

At the end of the school year, the rep with the most referrals will earn a $500 college scholarship.

2nd and 3rd place winners will receive a Target gift card, $25 per referral up to $200 to help with school supplies, dorm decoration and that important freshman year wardrobe.

If interested, send me an email with a picture and a quick explanation about why you would be a great Model Rep for Thurston Photographs. ejtcat(at)hotmail.com

Can't wait to hear from you!!

Here's the fine print:
**Once selected, senior reps need to have their photo session complete ASAP, preferably during the month of July.
**At least one Model Rep will be accepted per high school. One female and one male, maximum.
**First place winner needs to refer at least 3 clients in order to receive the full $500 scholarship. If winner refers less than 3 clients, they will receive the Target gift card, $25 per referral same as the 2nd and 3rd place winners.
**Contest begins as soon as rep is accepted and announced. Contest ends May 31, 2012. Check and gift cards will be given by June 30, 2012. Share10

For the Winner...Tahnee Harris

What an incredible photo shoot. Tahnee won my Facebook contest from last month. She finally came to town and we were able to do an awesome family photo shoot. The first for their family in a long time. They were up at the crack of dawn and gave me some really amazing photographs. I'm so honored, excited, inspired to have done this photo shoot.

So many more to come, cute baby, cute grandparents, cute couple, it's all coming. But these were some of my favorites.

Secret Smooching

I posted these family's pics earlier, but I just couldn't leave these photos out. We were walking around, taking the usual shots, and I saw a restaurant setting up this table. I immediately made a beeline and Dad knew exactly what I was going for. It was a blast to shoot these, and even more fun to publish. Easily the most unique couple photos I have taken yet.

And yeah, he's that cool. And she's that hot.

Rockin' for Dad

These cute kiddos have an awesome Dad. He's an accountant by day and a serious rocker by night, or weekend, or whenever he has a gig. Mom brought all kinds of cool props to play with and luckily she loves the black and white effect, which really brought out the rock'n'roll soul of the shoot.

Father's Day Fun

As my inaugaural mini-session, I was pretty worried how I could squeeze Father's Day cuteness into 30 minutes with a 3 year old and a 5 year old. Luckily they were pros. What Daddy wouldn't love this?