WINNER!

I love polls!  I should conduct more polls here on the blog, like:

-Do you think that guy in the car beside me saw me picking my nose? yes or no.

-Who should do the dishes tonight, Tyler or Wendy?

-Is orange really the new black?

-do you often find yourself bored when reading our blog? yes or no.

Maybe having polls is a bad idea- cuts down on the amount of comments, which is directly related to my self esteem.

Aaaaanyway,  the WINNER of our CONTEST is:

LISA!!!!!

Lisa, aka Contestant #2, congratulations!  You get a free session, dinner on us, a big honkin' canvas for your walls, and some sweet pictures of your adorable family.  And Lisa, please know that there are a million people out there all rooting for you, all in awe of your fantastic outlook on life. You are one positive chick.

Thanks to the other contestants- your entries were all great and certainly this contest took on a new form than we had planned.  How wonderful to see people who are all gunning for one prize suddenly come together to help a deserving soul win.  You win, human race!

Because we are total softies- we are giving Lauren (who turned all her votes toward Lisa), Contestant #1 (Tammy) and Contestant #3 (ashley) all FREE mini sessions.  Sweet!  Gals, contact me to see what "mini session" means. I'm excited to meet you all!

I feel very happy tonight; this contest brought me much happiness.  We'll do another giveaway of a different sort next week- I love giveaways.  

Here is a peek at some of my favorite kids in the world. Recognize them? Such happy children. I love happy children.

I wanted to do a new spin on one of last year's pictures- the above picture was taken in June 2009, the below picture July 2008. Both in the same row in the orchard, almost the exact spot- but look at the difference. This year's was taken at 200mm and the background looks so cool all blurred out, I think.  

Comments

[Heather @ Cookie Mondays]

I can't believe how much those kids have changed since last summer! And the shot Stephanie posted of the whole fam is AMAZING. I am so jealous of all the winners!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You guys are awesome!

[Lisa M.]

WOW! I can't even put into words how THRILLED I am to have won! I'm even happier since Lauren, Ashley and Tammy are getting prizes too!!! You're the BEST!

I seriously want to say that I am still AWED by Lauren's selflishness......she took my "case" on as a project to help me win despite how badly SHE wanted to win. She is a TRUE friend and I've never even met her IRL....only met her online this past week. But, once I'm well enough to travel, I'm taking my kids to the Grand Canyon (a promise I made) and will stop to see Lauren on my way!

I'm off for vacation for a week (family camp) with a HUGE GRIN on my face! Thank you!

[Molly W.]

Ah, you're cool Wendy. Way to give out free mini sessions too. LOVE the pics of Nie's kids, you rocked it as always.

[Megan]

Love the pictures!!

[Lisa M.]

I meant to say that I LOVE the pics.....just so you know....I FOUND you on Nie Nie! a long time ago! Those are some awesome kids and amazing family!

[Shelby]

CONGRATULATIONS to all of the winners! You deserve it Lisa!
--The new pictures are GREAT! Those pairs of blue eyes are stunning

[Kt]

Love All of them!! Love the one of Ollie close up. His eyes look amazing. Congrats to Lisa I hope all goes well in the future.

[Erika F]

You rock - Lisa deserves this like no other - and how sweet are you throwing in a mini-package for the rest!!! Of course I recognize those kids......most adorable kids (next to mine of course) that I have (never!!) met!! LOL. PS - do you ever get to Philly??

[Meggan]

Wendy can I just tell you that you are amazing. I love your pictures and I saw the new ones you took of Nie Nie and her family. I feel that you truly captured an amazing family. The one I love is where Stephanie and Christian are standing facing their kids who are smiling and moving towards them. This picture brought tears to my eyes as I feel you captured true love as well as a happy family. You really are amazing!

[devon]

im madly in love with these..i adore these children, which is weird b/c i dont techincally know them...lol FANTASTIC JOB! your talent blows my mind!

[Mom]

What sweet pictures. I love all of the different colors of beautiful eyes.

[Amanda]

I had long detailed dreams on Friday night of doing a Blue Lily session in an urban setting. It was awesome. Perhaps I'm being called to get on the ball and get signed up at one of your closer locations.

[damaris]

Nie's kids are so adorable. Ashley is my friend, I'm glad she gets a mini session. You'll love meeting her, she;s one of the most interesting and talented people out there. Her girls are pretty dang cute too.

[Kim Yamaguchi]

What gorgeous photos! I love the one of Claire and Jane in b/w. They could have stepped out of the early 1900's.

And you know why they're such happy children: look at their folks and how they've been raised.

[Reyna]

Yes yes yes!! I love your blog (thanks to Nienie) because I love photography. My favorite are when you shoot her kids. Also, one day, when I find Prince Charming, you will most definitely be doing the picture thing. Because you are amazing.

[KAT]

Found you too originally on Nie Nie! These are incredible!

[Cynthia Q.]

Blue Lily Girl! You make pictures so pretty that I want to look at them all day! You're amazing! I love the Nielson family pictures! MAY-JOR LOVE!

[Mimika Cooney]

LOVE your images so crisp and fresh! what lense are you using clarity is gorgeous? don't you just love those comments ''great pics you must have a great camera''. Uhuh and as photographers we have nothing to do with it.... :)

[andrea]

Love love love your images! Keep them coming - I'm totally inspired! Thank you for the sharing - love that you brought the couch out!

[Teresa]

I recognize those adorable children!!! The picture Stephanie posted on her blog was gorgeous! Everything about it was just perfect!

[Tara]

AMAZING pics - I love them! Fantastic contest as well, what a great story!

[Valerie]

Found you on Nienie's blog.....LOVE the family photo you captured. So beautiful!

[Patti]

Beautiful work and so glad they won. What a great family. I saw a post on Nie's blog this morning and came right over, hoping there were more... You do a wonderful job always. I am adding you to my Google Reader! :)

[emily]

what amazing photos! the girls on the couch looks like it is in a make-believe wonderland! you have serious talent. if we are ever in your area i will have to book you!

[Megan Putman]

I just melt when I see beautiful Claire. I see glimpses of her journey through her somewhat serious eyes. And I see Stephanie. You get that. And it shows in your photography. Chicago? Chicago ever? Pretty please...with a big yellow bow on top?

[Monica]

There's something about redhead, they just can't take a bad picture.

[DrewB]

I have that same couch in my office. In grey though. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these images. You rock, girl!