Giving.Is.Awesome

So we heard about this great cause called 'Giving is Awesome'...
There are several very talented l0cal photographers, along with photographers all over the world joining forces to give the gift of custom photography to families who otherwise would not be able to enjoy it. So far there are 475 contributing photographers and $506,795 worth of custom photography being donated. We want to be a part of this. Here's how you can be a part of it, too:


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. We guarantee it.

We want to know who they are, and we want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography -- $500 worth, to be exact. Whether it's wall prints, storyboards, canvas or desk prints for Grandma, it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $250 print credit. 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 our 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 the Tampa Bay area. Tell us who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve our artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail us the full story : mail@brinkerfreedphotography.com.

The winner will be announced on New Years Day-- get nominating! We can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season -- and thanks for giving us the opportunity to open ours.

With love,
Sherilyn and Kristine

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love,
Sherilyn and Kristine

Our last shoot of the season

"W&K" were at the Gymboree March of Dimes Fundraiser back in April.
http://brinkerfreedphotography.blogspot.com/2008/04/another-night-at-gymboree.html.
They won our gift certificate and decided to wait until cooler weather to get some family pics done.

After the cold, dreary morning for our first shoot, the sun came out and the wind came with it! Little "L" was shivering some, but it didn't bother "A" at all. Here we are all bundled up and she didn't even want to put on her jacket when we were finished!

"W&K"- you 'followed directions' very well! :) Hope you guys had a good time and enjoy your sneak peek!

A cold day at the beach

After fighting the rain on Saturday, we were left in the cold on Sunday... at the beach! :) It actually ended up being not so bad- and the kids didn't seem to mind much. We had to creatively position everyone to avoid all of the surfers who came out. :)

Thanks, "M&M" for coming out in the cold. Congrats on winning the gift certificate! Hope you enjoy the pics!

In their holiday best

Our 2nd shoot on Saturday was for "E&C". You may recognize them from our Halloween Picture Playdate Party: http://brinkerfreedphotography.blogspot.com/2008/11/halloween-picture-playdate-party.html.

The rain was nice to us and stayed away, but we had to brave the hot, humid post-rain air! Nothing like the ground being wet and the sun shining bright overhead!

Although they hadn't been feeling so well, everyone hung in there and it paid off. "C" was smiling the minute we started. "E" was so serious, but would just light up when her daddy would play with her! :)

Thanks, "N" for coming out despite the impending rain and the heat.
Hope you are all feeling better soon!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

With this weekend being our deadline for holiday photos, we had 4 shoots: 2 on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. "N&P" started our day out on Saturday. We weren't sure if the rain was going to hold out for us, but we got lucky and it did!

"N&P" have grown so much since we did their holiday pictures last year!

http://brinkerfreedphotography.blogspot.com/2007/11/santa-claus-is-coming-to-town.html

Still as cute as ever, and still love to run :), just big boys now!

Thanks, "A" for thinking of us and asking us to do your pics for you again! :)

Halloween Picture Playdate Party

We had our first Playdate Picture Party... a Halloween one!

Thank you, "D" for inviting us- it was loads of fun seeing all the kids dressed up. They were all so cute!

If you are interested in hosting a playdate picture party, you can find some info on our website under Details- Packages/Plans. Or contact us for more info! They're lots of fun!

Kidz Club Halloween Party

Thank you, Lara for asking us to come take pics at the 3rd Annual Kidz Club Halloween Party! :)

Moms and dads- thanks for bringing your kids in for a mini photo shoot. We had a great time and enjoyed seeing all the kiddos dressed up.

We hope everyone had a very Happy and safe Halloween!

We're Back!

Ok- so we've been back for a week now, but things have been so busy we're just getting a chance to post. Right before leaving we had 2 sessions and since being back we've done 19 families at the Kidz Club Halloween party and 3 models' before/after hair & makeup pics for Sherilyn's hairdresser!

We had a GREAT time in Orlando. We survived 5 days together with four 3yo's, two husbands and nana and papa! :)

Hope you enjoy ALL our pics- trust us, there's more, we just chose some to give a glimpse at our funfilled vacation.

Those waiting for their galleries... bear with us. We're working on them and will have them ready for you soon!

Exploring the place where we were staying

Disney Marketplace- went to have dinner at Rainforest Cafe

Epcot

Can you tell we had fun with these? We must have been at this place for like 10-15 minutes just trying on hats and sword fighting! :)

Magic Kingdom

Do you think "E" liked the princesses? :)

Hanging out at the pool and lazy river

Like Father, Like Sons

Tackling Mr. Jim in the pool

All of us on our last day in Orlando- back to Disney Marketplace to have lunch and walk around before heading home.