Below are some fun photos from our week. 

Hee Hee, I’m Lola!

This is looking through the window of Lael’s new ‘doll house’

Silly Hat!

Chase me Kemper!

Someone save her from that tiny dinosaur!

…to tell you how completely and utterly overwhelmed I am with the amazing and touching stories that have come my way via the giving is awesome effort I took part in (see details here). It was an emotional and heart filling journey for me to go through this process and because of the response I got and the way these families touched my soul I decided to choose three families to share my art with. Thank you to all of you who nominated families I wish I could have chosen each one. I hope that my efforts along with the efforts of the nearly 500 other photographers across our great world touched the families we chose as much as they have reached our hearts by hearing their amazing stories. 

Each family I chose will experience complimentary custom photography – $1,265 worth, to be exact on me! That’s right, the fabulous find collection will go to these amazing families who truly deserves it this holiday season. The wonderful women who nominated the winners will also receive a $250 print credit. I hope I was able to make each of you feel absolutely special this Christmas you deserve it!

The nomination for our first choice came from Elizabeth Wiedmaier and here is what she wrote.

I have a family that I would like to nominate. They are, “The Hendrie Clan” as they like to call themselves. the family consists of my oldest sister Christina (mom) her husband John (dad) and their five children; Lowgun (16), Preston (13), Kellsea (13), Cheyanne (11), and Autumn (9). They are a very wonderful, loving and close knit family and there are a few reasons I feel that they should be nominated. My brother in law John, was just recently diagnosed with Fibro Myalgia at the begining of year, which has made it that he had to leave his job he loved working for the borough. The past year has been rough on the whole family because they are used to struggling and living paycheck to paycheck but this year has been especially hard with John having to travel a lot for medical appointments and being so sick from new medication trial after medication trial to be bed riddin. My sister had to give up being the homemaker she loved to go back to work. She does not have much skill, and no continuing education after high school because all she wanted to be was  a mom, and she was great at it. She began working as the school lunch lady at Joy Elementary. This was a huge adjustment not only for her but for her children. they are used to their mom participating in every school event, activity and being there right there after school when they needed help with homework. they’ve really had to grow up quite quickly this past year and help out more than usual. 

They also had to move out of the home they loved, because they could no longer afford it, to a little one bedroom mobile home. They are pretty squished in there, and everybody is in everbody’s business, but they make it work and they are just happy that they all are together and warm. I really think this family deserves this, because not only have they not had a family picture since the kids were babies, the kids have not recieved christmas presents in two years. (let alone mom and dad). John and Christina just realized that they could not afford christmas for their five kids, and sat them down two years ago, and told them. The kids are pretty mature about it, realizing that if it cant be done, it just cant be done. I’m so proud of this family because no matter what trials come their way, they stick together as a family and work it out. no one whines or complains. there are some tears now and again, but not from anger. They thank God everyday for the things they do have, and they forget about the things they dont. My sister and her husband do everything for their kids, and i know this would be the greatest gift for them to have custom pictures of their kids. what great artwork to display in their little home, the kids that keep them going everyday!

 The nomination for our second family came from Alli Pearmine and here is her story.

 I think I have the best nominee.  Her name is Sheena Batac.  She is the most hardworking, honest person I have ever met. I wish I could adequately articulate her story better, but here it goes.  This past spring she had a baby boy and literally hours after his birth she noticed something odd. They ran several tests and the doctors decided he needed to be flown to Anchorage for further diagnostics and more extensive care. To make a long story short, and to be honest I don’t have all the exact details, the baby stayed at Providence in Anchorage for about five weeks (and from there has since made a trip or two to Seattle for even further care, plus other trips to Anchorage). Brayden is Sheena’s first baby and having a newborn, one who needed intense hospitalization, must have been especially frightening.   She was always positive and knew Brayden would pull through.  Then one day, I got a phone call at work.  It was Sheena, crying hysterically.  Colby, her boyfriend (and Brayden’s father) was dead.  After leaving the Anchorage hospital and on his way back up to Fairbanks he somehow lost control of his motorcycle, he was wearing a helmet.  

Somehow, through all of this Sheena has remained resilient. She is now a single mother, going to school full time and working part time.  She makes numerous trips to the doctor with Brayden, as his condition warrants lots of care and expensive medications and monitoring, probably for the rest of his life.
She never thinks about herself, let alone do something special for herself, it just isn’t her style. I can’t imagine the sadness and despair she has endured, and so I want her to create lasting memories of smiles and joy.  Please consider her for your wonderful gift, she really deserves it.  Thank you.  Alli Pearmine

The nomination for our third family came from Tonya Garnett and here is her story.

Her name is Sharlot Evans.  She is such a nice, sweet, hard working person and has gone through a lot.  She and her soon to be ex husband have five kids together.  She always worked full time while raising her kids. Her kids are all nice, well behaved sweet kids and all of them have such a nice personality.  She goes above and beyond for her children even while in a bad relationship with her husband.  She took on many of the responsibilities; school, work, practices, bills, etc.  She never let anything hold her back when it comes to her kids.  She always made rent, car payments, provided for all six children.  All her children are so nice and a delight to have around. Even though all these things were going through her life she still made time for family and friends and is always a person you can call on when you need help.  Sharlot works at the Cancer Treatment Center here in Fairbanks.  Sharlot always thinks of creative ways to make life interesting and fun for her kids with activities and outings!  Even though she has five of her own children she still babysat for her cousins and other family members.  

I just think that she needs something special, especially during this holiday season.  She is such a neat loving smart person and she only deserves the best.  She is really an inspiration and we are so glad to know her.  If you meet her you can just feel the genuine person she is; loving, nice, and goofy and she is contagious by making others smile and feel good around her.  
She’s just had a tough year and I think something special can probably bring up her spirits.  Her and her kids are all very beautiful people and they are such a joy to be around.  
 
Thank you Cassy!  You too are an awesome person! 

Thanks again for the amazing stories. Below is a photo I took in Texas that inspires me and makes me realize we can endure and thrive even in the harshest of circumstances. I titled this photo the Test of Time because this tree is thriving on a huge gravel pad where nothing around it for a couple hundred feet is growing yet it is making it’s way and holding strong and standing the test of time. I hope these special families inspire each and every one of you to realize that no matter how rough it gets you too can stand the Test of Time! God Bless each one of you, Merry Christmas.

Decorating the tree this year with Lael made us stop to really enjoy the moments and appreciate all the beautiful ornaments in a way we’ve never done before. She has so many questions so telling her about each one and where we got it and what it is made it extra special for us. Our tree gets more beautiful each year because we have incredible friends who add special ornaments to our collection each Christmas. Remember the little things and take the time to stop and appreciate each gift whether it’s material, a real blessing or just a simple moment this Christmas. 

I have been overwhelmed with the amazing response and the job ahead of me is tough one, but there is still time today to nominate a family in need for my custom photography give away. Click here for details. I want to reach as many as I can with this effort so please keep the nominations coming. The deadline is tonight at 8 p.m. and I will announce the winner tomorrow on my blog so stay tuned. 

…And even at twelve below they were so delightful…we were freezing and many breaks were needed, but these guys were troopers through it all and the outcome was perfect! They were my models for my second official photo shoot when they were preparing for the arrival of their oldest son and I was testing the waters to see if this photo stuff was going to work out for me and I’ve been capturing their adorable family ever since. It helps that she’s one of my best girlfriends and my neighbor. Thanks for believing in me and loving my work since the day this journey began. Love you guys!  

Is what Lael kept telling us she wanted on her birthday cake. Oh and it had to be chocolate. Only worth mentioning because she’s never had chocolate cake before, had only seen a short bit of the Nemo movie and had only been to one little kid birthday party. So, I was bound and determined to make sure her cake had all of those components since it was talked about for a month prior to her birthday. We told her we were going to Texas to see Nana and Papa for her birthday so the minute we got to their house she said “where birthday go guys?”. It was a long 5 days for her to wait until her party. The cake was a ton of work, but I had a blast making it! We sang happy birthday no fewer than 10 times that day as she kept saying “birthday song please” and she soaked it up every time! We tried to keep her presents simple, but somehow even with a tiny party she ended up with a ton of gifts – including a $50 bill from her great grandma! Since we were in Texas my family has been trickling in with her gifts on a near daily basis so she thinks it’s her birthday everyday and will likely be confused when Christmas is over and the gifts stop coming.

And…for all the moms out there…blue frosting = a blue diaper the next day!

Maybe just a little taste won’t hurt…

Those hats do seem pretty fun…

You can’t make me smile no matter how silly you guys get…

On the count of 10…

Watch out Momma!

We just returned from 10 days in Texas with Mike’s family and this was one of our many fun stops while we were there. One of the local parks is full of ducks so we grabbed a few loaves of bread and headed out with Michael’s 89 year old Nan for some good old fashioned family fun. Watching Nan light up as the ducks flocked to us was one of those moments that will stick with us. There were moments filled with little screams and lots of laughs as the ducks were pecking at my side and nibbling my fingers and all the while I’m trying to convince Lael not to be scared. Or the brilliant idea to bring the dog over the rock wall to enjoy the ducks with us – the ducks went crazy and headed straight for the water! It was a fun and very special simple trip! There will be several Texas posts to follow so stay tuned.  Enjoy! 

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 – $1,265 worth, to be exact on me! That’s right, the fabulous find collection will go to the winner and it’s in your power to help me find a family who truly deserves it this holiday season. Need a reason to nominate someone???  Here goes…the person who nominates the winner receives a $250 print credit. I want to make someone feel absolutely special this Christmas so please help me find a family who would truly cherish this gift.  

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Blowing their cash on their trip to Hawaii or the sweetest ride out there doesn’t count as financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in the Fairbanks area. Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story : cassy@exposures-studio.com

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve…get nominating! Please share this with your friends and family – the more people we reach the better. I can’t wait to read all of your entries! Open your heart to someone this holiday season – and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love!

Cassy

I’ve been photographing this shy guy since he was a not so shy, wild toddler. I use to visit my sister in Oregon each summer in junior high and high school and Brenten was my little buddy. I had so much fun with him and this day especially sticks in my mind – my sister was about to cut his hair and before she did I put it into a mohawk. He was super proud of it and so was I. Many years have passed since those days and he is about to graduate from high school, but he will always have a special place in my heart. I apologize for the rough scan on the first photo – it’s 16 years old.

This is the final chapter in the rusty bus shoot. This little guy is the most chill kid you could ever meet – being down for anything and a natural behind the camera made him such a treat to work with! Also, watching him tenderly guide his little sister was very sweet to witness. You can be my model anytime Ty – you rock! This was a super fun shoot and I’m so grateful to all who came out to help bring my rusty bus concept to life. 

How fast the time flies…that you could love someone so much…that someone so little could impact us in so many fabulous ways…how much she has grown…that she is two! To think that she was just 5 pounds 4.7 ounces two years ago yesterday and was no bigger than our Christmas angel just blows me away. She’s amazing! Stay tuned for birthday pics.