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first place:

BROCK

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second place:

EGAN

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third place:

GAVIN

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fourth place:

KYRA

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fifth place:

IT’S A TIE!  HOLDEN & CALEB

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*First Place will receive a free session with ae photography.

*Second Place will receive half off your session + a $25 “ae credit”.

*Third Place will receive a free print set when you book a session with us which includes: (1) 8×10 (2) 5×7s (8) wallets.

*Fourth Place will receive a free 5×7 when you book a session with us (remember you also get $25 off your session fee for being part of the contest!)

*Fifth Place will receive a free set of 8 wallets when you book a session with us (remember you also get $25 off your session fee for being part of the contest!)

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE WINNERS!  CONTACT US TO BOOK YOUR SESSIONS!

THE NEXT CONTEST WILL BE IN APRIL & WILL BE FOR ALL OF YOU NEWLYWEDS OUT THERE  CHECK BACK SOON!

p.s.  The next post will be full of photos!

I want everyone to be aware that while you may see duplicates that slipped passed us, don’t feel like what you see will definitely be the end result.  The reason the announcement of the winner is going to be made Monday and is not just obviously known by reviewing the comment box is because we will be be meticulously  going through each and every comment and deleting those that appear to be duplicates in any way.  We want this to be 100% fun and fair.  I know the “1 vote per person” was not stated in the contest info.  I assumed everyone would figure to only vote once out of fairness, plus I knew we would be going through all of the votes at the end anyway ; )

That said, I know tomorrow is the last day for voting, so I’m sure we will be getting a slew of last minute votes–which is wonderful!  I just wanted to post this bit of info before then so you can be sure to only vote once.  Be fair to everyone else in the contest.  Keep it honest and fun!  We have been amazed at all of the votes and how the blog has 1000 or more hits a day  Horray!   We hope all of you continue to follow the blog!

Another thing people have been emailing about is to make sure the votes that we posted in another blog post comment section get counted.  We will definitely make sure to include all of those  Now worries!

Also, as stated in the comments awhile back, if you voted and have facebook–please click the “become a fan” link at te top of our  page or click here and become a fan of ae photography.  It really helps spread the word about the contest and our business, plus you will be able to see our future contests right away.  The next one is in April!

Have a fun final voting day!  We have weddings today and tomorrow, so please be patient if you don’t see your vote posted for a bit.  It is there–we just have to accept it first.  Looks like we beat 100 comments (haha) so there will be something for 4th and 5th place, as well!  Thanks again to each and everyone of you who has taken place in the contest and made it so successful!

-ae

Each photo below is numbered.  Please post the number of your favorite image along with the child’s name in the comments section.  The more votes, the easier it will be to have a distinct 1st, 2nd and 3rd place–so tell all of your friends and family to vote!!  Post it on your facebook, tweet it, blog it… get it out there : )  If we hit 100 votes, we will add on something special for 4th and 5th place.  We have never even gotten close to 100 comments, but hey–I think it’s worth a shot…. plus, I know how many hits our blog gets daily, and if everyone who looked voted, we would have waaay more than 100.  Let’s just see how high we can go.  Yes, you can vote for your own photo : P

1 - KYRA

2 EGAN

3 HOLDEN

4 AUTUMN

5 DREW

6 PEYTON

7 GAVIN

8 CHARLES

9 CALEB

10 JACOB

11 SCARLETT

12 BROCK

I wanted to make sure to include some tiny ones : )  While they may not be doing anything crazy, they still have a look of sweet, childlike innocence–and I love it.  I didn’t realize how almost all of the submissions were boys!  Let the voting begin!

SO HERE’S THE SCOOP:

1. Send us your favorite image of a moment you caught of your child doing something cute, silly, etc.  Stick with the motto “kids will be kids” for this contest.  Think silly faces, doing naughty (but adorable!) things, dressing up, playing with their favorite toys–there are a lot of possibilities.  It doesn’t really matter to us.  We are looking for natural moments, not “sears portrait studio” photos of gorgeous children ; )   The point is, there is more to it that just a beautiful face.  All children are beautiful : )  We want to showcase the happiness &  joy they bring to our lives!
2. We will narrow the submissions down to 5 and post them on the blog.
3. Blog readers will get a chance to vote for their favorite image.  Results for each images will be posted for everyone to see!
4. First place will receive a free baby/child lifestyle session with ae photography (see session details below). Second place will receive half off their sitting fee and a $25 “ae credit” to be used toward prints, albums and products.  3rd place will receive a free print set which includes: (1) 8×10 (2) 5×7s (8) wallets.
5. You are free to send in images that include all of your children (as long as it follows the “kids will be kids” guideline).  If you do, and your image is chosen, your session can include all of your kiddos!  You are also free to send more than one image (as long as it is of a different child).
6. You can start submitting your photos right away.  Please email images to aephotography.info@yahoo.com.  Feel free to include a small paragraph with the story behind the photo (if there is one!), and also include the child’s name.  Submitting time ends on Saturday March 13, 2010.  Sunday, the top five photos will be posted on the blog and the contest will begin.  You can simply select your favorite by leaving a comment with the number of the photo you like best!  The contest will be closed Saturday, March 20th, and the winners will be announced on Monday, March 22nd.

SESSION DETAILS

-Baby & Child Lifestyle Sessions last approx. 2 hours.  We leave plenty of room for snacks and breaks.

-We love to come to your home and shoot, using your child’s natural surroundings (room, toys, pets, backyard, etc.).  Plus, your child’s closet full of clothes will be

right there, so it will be easy for you to change up their outfit/s if desired!

-We are also willing to meet at your favorite location/s (park, ice cream shop, etc.) and do some fun shots there!  We will leave that up to you.

-You will receive 2 hours with unlimited poses/clothing changes and an Online Gallery to view and order prints.

So there you have it!  We hope you enjoy the contest and send us a gazillion submissions!  We want to have fun with this!  Since we are asking you to share moments of your “kids being kids”, we figure it’s only fair if we do the same with you!  So–we will post some recent faves of our  3 wild monkeys soon!

]]> http://www.aephotographyblog.com/cute-kiddos-contest/feed/ 5 http://www.aephotographyblog.com/2-date-for-boudoir-giveaway-info/ http://www.aephotographyblog.com/2-date-for-boudoir-giveaway-info/#comments Sat, 16 Jan 2010 03:23:28 +0000 ae photography http://www.aephotographyblog.com/?p=284 Due to the large number of girls that wanted to sign up for our “ladies sessions”, we have decided to add a second date–which is actually a day before the first date : )  If you were not contacted with a final time slot for your session on the 31st, that means we were already booked up.  Sooo… now you have a second chance!  The sessions are still planned to take place in our home studio, however with the large number of ladies and the wonderful amounts of clothing + accessories we are going to have + the hair/makeup station + the “dressing room”…. we might have to move the location.  We have currently been looking around Rochelle, Rockford, DeKalb… and the other surrounding cities and towns for a neat open studio space to rent out for the two days.  We also looked into some mansions : )  If anyone knows of any places, please let me know asap.  I would really like to get a final location sent out to everyone who is attending!  We already have two spots booked for the 30th sessions, so let me know asap if you want a spot.  I’m still planning on a doing a post with all of the designers and a few featured items that you can win just by joining me… but we have been overly busy lately, and the blog posts have been set aside.  Here is a version of the flyer we had out an the Bridal Expo:

As you might notice, the new sessions are not free.  There is a $99 sitting fee (which is still a huge discount off the original $499 fee!)  Since there is a fee for the new event, we decided to include something in the package–so you will get (1) 8×10 or (2) 5×7s of your choice–and the 5×7 prints do not have to be the same : )  Look at it this way, with all of the giveaways, we know every girl is going to win a least one item!!  Contact us if you want to book an hour.  P.S.  There is a possibility we might be adding more timeslots before 4pm if we get a crazy amount of girls interest again : )

Here is a small list of the different giveaway items from the awesome designers who will be priding clothes + accessories for you to play dress up in:

• headpieces
• hair accessories
• undies
• a sexy “kimono” style robe
• nightgown slips
• funky, fun dresses
• jewelry
• lingerie
• other neat clothes

I will get a photo post up soon to give you a visual of all the lovelies.  I have already received 4 packages of items for the events, and it just makes me more and more excited every time I see something new!!

On another note, we will be announcing the winners of our zillion giveaways during the Bridal Expo giveaway we held last Sunday!  There will be a special blog post + each couple will be notified directly!  I can’t wait!

Here is a list of the services/items that were given away:

• free engagement session with ae photography ($499 value)
• free album with any coverage plan from ae photography ($750 value)
• 10% off your entire wedding coverage with ae photography
• 10% off your entire wedding floral order from the cypress house
• 5 different stunning headpieces from feathers + frills

Here are the 5 different headpieces + info about each one:

I decided I would just postpone it and focus on other things… but, as I sit here, I’m feeling a little disappointed.  I was really looking forward to the event–something new + different… a style of photography I really love shooting. I love “fashion/model” photography.  While editing my butt off today, I have been thinking of a way to open the event back up again.  I will have to change the date, of course.  The new one will not be invite-only and will not be labeled as “boudoir”–I know that can scare people!

Our “boudoir” does not have to be ask risque as people assume all boudoir is.  It’s about getting all fancied up (or down–whatever works for you).  It’s about getting some beautiful shots of yourself to give your guy as a surprise gift.  The Boudoir Event was meant for a Valentine’s gift for 2010 for the special man in your life.  Think pajama bottoms + a tank top…. boxers + a t-shirt…. cozy, cute and beautiful.  I’m thinking a range between Sear catalog sleepwear and Maxim magazine.  You choose where you want to be.  Haha.  Eric is not involved what-so-ever… just me!

I had so many things lined up that all came together so wonderfully, I would hate to just flush the opportunity away!  I will be so much fun for anyone who does join me for the new “event”!  I have changed the packages a bit, so here is what you would be getting:

*professional hair + makeup

*snacks + beverages while you prep and hang out

*NEW!* amazing, amazing, amazing selection of handmade boudoir items, lingerie, cozy sleepwear, and some fun + funky clothing.  Over a dozen designers have signed up to send in their items for you to use so far!  If you would like links to view some of the wonderful pieces that you will be able to play dress up with, just send me an email!  :)

*lovely handmade accessories–also from independent designers (hairpieces, headpieces, etc.)

*30 minutes of shoot time with yours truly

*pre-session online consult with ashley to discuss the style/s you like most + share some favorite found images you like the look of!

*private online gallery to view an order prints!

Here is the NEW part:  There will be no sitting fee!  Horray!  The last event had a $499 fee.

I’m guessing those of you who signed up are pretty excited now!  This is what is changing:

***All of your edited images will be available in your Online Gallery.  From there, you can order an album for your guy, your favorite prints, a giant poster for your living room (hahaha)–there will a bunch of options for you.  You can also order the Photo Disc with release rights or rights to individual images of your choice!  So basically, you book your time slot, show up and get pampered + lovely, have a fun session with me + get an online gallery all for free. If, in the end, you decide you don’t want to order any of the photos–that’s fine with me.  I just want this event to HAPPEN!!  Email me if you would like to attend.  I know many ladies wanted to attend the other event, but money was too tight at the moment (trust me, I know the feeling) — so I’m thinking this is a great opportunity for everyone!  You will still have time to create an awesome Valentine’s Day gift for your guy! The location is not set quite yet, but it will be in the area (it may very well be in my home studio!)  Help us create the most stunning new website ever!  We want you!!

Sunday, January 31st 2010.

12pm-7pm (it may go longer, if needed)

Schedule your 60 minutes (half hour for prep, half hour of shooting)

I am assuming this is going to fill fast since it is free and all –but I’m putting an end date to the sign-up.

December 31st, 2009.  Can’t wait to work with you guys!!

We did, however, decide to change it up a bit!  Instead of just having 1 winner, there will be a first place winner, a 2nd place winner (which will receive a mini session of their choice for only $100) and a 3rd place winner (which will receive a mini session of their choice at half off)!!

Here are their submissions in order:

We hope you enjoy reading the 3 winners submissions!  As you can see, just by those 3–it was NOT easy for us!  Congratulations to Jenn, Candice and Justine!  Your submissions were very sweet, and we look forward to working with you.  We will be in touch!

We didn’t think it was fair to ask all of you to share what you are thankful for with us without  sharing what we are thankful for.  Eric wrote his paragraph in the living room while I wrote mine in the office–which is pretty much how everything business related goes!  I definitely enjoyed reading his… I thought about picking him as the winner ; ) haha.

-ae

1) If you are a current client who has us booked for a remaining 2009 date or a date in 2010,  you can choose to take $200 off your package if you win the contest!

2) If you are a previous client who has already had us shoot your wedding and/or mini sessions, you can choose to receive a $150 “ae credit” — good for prints, albums and add-ons, if you win the contest!

So now EVERYONE can enter… so… ENTER EVERYONE!  : )

We’ve enjoyed the entries so far!  Please keep them coming!

Thanks,

eric + ashley

Please take advantage of this lovely offer!  I’m very much looking forward to getting to know our followers/fans a bit better!  Keep in mind–even if you are out of state, we can always schedule your session during a time you plan to visit the Illinois area… OR we could come to you!  Mini Sessions available are:

• loveshoot (basically an engagement session for the un-engaged ; )
• engagement
• boudoir
• fashion bridal
• trash the dress
• day after
• senior
• maternity
• baby/kids
• family lifestyle portraits
• model/fashion
• band
• headshots

Many to choose from-certainly something for everybody!  Contact us with any questions : )  Send paragraph submissions to:  aephotography.info@yahoo.com.