The V Family, 2011 Giving is Awesome winners

Once again this past year, I held a contest called Giving is Awesome that gives a free photo sessions to a deserving family.  Melissa Neu wrote in sharing a story about her grandparents, and I chose them to be the winners. Here is Melissa's email...  

I just read your blog about the Giving is Awesome and the first people that come to mind are my grandparents Orville and JoAnn VanCuren. 

My grandfather worked for a union plant in Evart MI for most of his life, when the economy took a turn for the worse, the plant was closed and he was forced to retire. Soon after they got hit worse, since the plant had tanked my grandfather lost his pension. Now unable to work due to health and age, they are struggling just trying to buy enough groceries for the two of them let alone keep on top of their mortgage payments. To make matters worse my grandmother was diagnosed with throat cancer a couple years ago, after several chemo, radiation treatments, and surgeries, she is left with little voice and thousands owed in medical bills that Medicare is refusing to pay. Just this past week the dr's did a biopsy on my grandmothers thyroid and it turned out to be cancer. In most cases of thyroid cancer it is an easy fix to just remove the thyroid and be put on a hormone replacement. Unfortunately due to the severe scarring from all the treatments from her throat cancer if they remove her thyroid my grandmother will be left unable to talk for the rest of her life. What makes it worse is that my grandfather has lost most of his hearing, so they will be left in silence for the rest of their lives. 

I would love for them to win this.  Life is so precious and never a guarantee it would mean a lot to have photographs taken. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and considering them. 

Thank you V family, it was my pleasure to meet and photograph your family. I hope you enjoy your photos!

 

Trina Rocks the Dress at the County Fair

I have been wanting to do a session at a fair/carnival for so long now.  I had asked a couple of my engaged couples if they would be interested, but they had other visions for themselves that fit them better.  I happen to have a Rock the Dress session scheduled with Trina during the week of the Isabella County Fair.  We were planning to do something in/by water for her session.  When we came up short deciding on a location to take her pics, I suggested the fair to her. At first, I think she thought I was joking. So I did a search on Flikr for 'Carnival Trash the Dress' and came up with a few photos to send her way.  Once she saw the pics I found online, she was in, and I was so excited!  I got a facebook message from Trina as I was walking out the door for our session that read, "Just to be clear, I feel absolutely ridiculous right now!"  She was a bit apprehensive to be walking around a fair in her wedding dress.  I totally understand that! But I'm so appreciative that she decided to just go with it, and we had a great time! Yes, we got some strange looks and a lot of double-takes as people walked by wondering, did they really just see a bride walking through the fair?  One person even asked her if she was the fair queen. We should have made her a banner and that would have stopped a lot of the funny looks.  But who cares, right?  I think it was totally worth it, and I think she does too... now that it's over. :)

Jamie + Jason, Engagement Session

One of my favorite things about this business, is all the people I meet. But not just meeting new people, being a photographer as also gotten me back in touch with people from the past who I might not have gotten the chance to other wise.  Jamie is an old highschool classmate of mine. I love that I got to see her again and catch up for her and Jason's engagement photos. And I love that I get to capture her wedding day next month. It's such a special thing that I get to be a part of, thanks to what I do.  And I am grateful.

Last week I met up with Jamie and Jason on this immaculate private property. With all the deer and wild life running around, I felt like I was in a Disney enchanted forest. It was so beautiful, and the perfect choice for an engagement session, capturing two people very much in love.  

The "E" Family

I met up with the E family in downtown Midland a couple weekends ago. We were planning to meet at the Tridge, however there was a Montgomery Gentry concert going on there that I was unaware of. We made a last minute switch to the Court House which is really my favorite place to shoot in Midland any way. It's just such a cool building. I'm sure Midland photogs are tired of it, but it's always 'new' for me.  :)  Loved meeting and working with this sweet family.