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I’m so excited to announce my first ever Cute Kid Contest! This one’s gonna be so much fun, so get your cameras ready and send in those snaps!!

WHAT?

From September 3, at Noon (EST) until September 13, at 11:59 P.M., I’ll be accepting non-professional images of your little cuties.  Once the contest is closed for entries, each snapshot received will be loaded into an album on my Facebook Fan Page, entitled ‘Cute Kids 2010′. To vote for a photo, all you need to do is be, or become, a fan (or under the new facebook system ‘like’) Michelle Mullins Photography, then simply LIKE the photo for which you’d like to vote!   Anyone can vote, as long as they’re a fan, so tell your friends and family to join the fun!  Once all entries are posted in the Facebook album, you’ll have a week to vote for your favorite! Three prizes will be awarded to the contestants with the most LIKES.

WINNERS!

The winning entry will receive a FREE session with Michelle Mullins Photography (immediate family only), as well as a spiral bound mini album, and three high resolution images on a DVD (with a printing release). The second place winner will receive a $100 gift certificate from Michelle Mullins Photography, and our third place winner will receive a $50 gift certificate. Non-winning entries (one per household) will receive a $25 gift certificate!

DETAILS!

* Only parents or legal guardians may enter their children into the contest.
* One entry per child, no limit to number per family.
* Child must be 10 years old or younger on the date of entry.
* Submissions must be taken within the last month and must NOT be professional photographs – I’m looking for your recent snapshots!
* Photos will be accepted beginning Noon (EST) Friday September 3, 2010 until September 13, 2010 at 11:59pm (EST) via e-mail.
* Only photos e-mailed to michellemullins@verizon.net with the subject line CUTE KID CONTEST will be accepted
* ONLY the child’s first name and age will be posted for viewing.
* Contest is open to everyone, however the session must take place within 60 miles of Wise, Virginia.  If you live out of the area, you are welcome to travel for your session.
* Winning entry must complete their session before October 15, 2010.
* Prizes are not transferable and may not be altered or changed in any way, are not redeemable for cash, and may not be combined with other promotions.
* Additional prints and products will be available for purchase at retail prices.
* Winners must be willing to sign a portrait contract.

TO ENTER:

It’s so simple! Just email the following to michellemullins@verizon.net with CUTE KID CONTEST in the subject line:

Child’s Name:
Age:
Parent’s Name:
Email:
Phone Number:
A recent snapshot of your Cute Kid!

OK, so now you know the rules. . .let’s get started!!   You know you’ve got a Cute Kid, let’s see those snapshots!!!

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Some of you know that I sustained a horrible back injury back at the very beginning of summer. For those that didn’t…well, now you do! This injury kept me away from most everything, as I spent a few weeks bound to my couch, not able to walk, barely able to move. I wasn’t able to even lift my camera, much less take a photograph. But, after weeks of really intensive, but really wonderful chiropractic care (Thank you, Dr. Jessee), I feel like I can FINALLY safely say that I’m back! So, to get this blog back in shape, I’ll be posting several entries over the next few days! Keep an eye out for some exciting announcements in the next couple of weeks, too!!

I sure have missed you all!

xo

P.S.  what’s a post without a photo or two?   We were lucky enough to visit the lake for a week just before my injury and the kids had so much fun.  I have so many cute snapshots of them laughing, playing and jumping in the water, but this is one of my favorites.  It was so hot that week and you can really feel it in this picture, but my baby was determined to catch a fish-hot or not!  Here he is, just waiting it out!

After all that work, a Slush Puppy was definitely in order!!

Soon, many of us will be gathering with loved ones to celebrate Thanksgiving, to eat delicious food, and maybe even see relatives and friends that we haven’t seen in a while. But, for many American military members, this just isn’t possible. Their commitment to our nation takes so many of them away from the comforts of home and the things we often take for granted. This Thanksgiving, between all the cooking and catching up, please take a moment to remember our military members and their families – remember their sacrifice and say thank you.

There are lots of ways to show your gratitude.  A quick Google search or a call to your nearest military installation will give you tons of options, but here’s something you can do very quickly, even with all you have going on this week.

Let’s Give Thanks is a national program designed to deliver millions of cards to servicemen and women overseas with messages of support from home and they make it so easy to contribute! By clicking the banner below and following three simple steps, you can show your support!

And if you find yourself with a few minutes to spare, you might want to visit the website of The Gratitude Campaign and watch the beautiful video they’ve prepared to show us all how to say Thank You, without saying a word.

It’s not often that I post moments from my personal life on my blog, but I just had to share these with you.  These are the kinds of moments that inspire me, that give me joy in creating, and that truly take my breath away.  Fleeting moments of childhood, of life, a little glimpse, a stolen moment, insecurity, trust, joy, sadness, fear, fun – these pieces of life that make us each unique and also that make us all the same.   To capture those kinds of moments for others, and to capture them well, are things that I aspire to each and every day.  In the coming months, I hope to bring this out even more in my work, and to provide my clients with priceless, real documentation of their own lives, showcasing what makes them so special.  For tonight, here’s a little glimpse into my life – a few moments away from the busyness of the holiday season for me, spent at the park as a quiet observer in a child’s world. . .

This is what I love to capture. . .real laughter, pure emotion.  I love it and I’ll do almost anything to get it!  Just ask yesterday’s clients!  I was attacked by a monkey named Appledee and I didn’t mind a bit because he helped me get these smiles!  Thanks so much, Mom and Dad, for letting me show these sweet boys on my blog!

I had so much fun today playing with these gorgeous boys and their parents!  I just couldn’t resist posting a family photo for them tonight.  I could photograph them every single day – Mom and Dad were so patient and understanding and the kids were all kinds of adorable!  I Can Not Wait to show you more!  See you soon!

While blog browsing tonight, I came upon The 3/50 Project and was truly inspired!  It is so important for us to understand the impact that our local businesses have on our towns. . .and for us to support them and help them grow! Choosing to shop, dine, or bank with a local brick and mortar establishment not only benefits these businesses, but everyone in the community!   To find out more about the project and how you can impact your local economy, read the flyer below and visit the website.  Cinda Baxter, the founder of the Project, has done an amazing job of detailing the plan and answering any questions you might have!   Keep watching the blog – I’ll be featuring a local business every month or so and you never know who you might see!!!   Wanna have your business featured?  Shoot me an email – michellemullins@verizon.net!

The weather was gorgeous on Monday and so were my clients!!!

I had so much fun with the twins and their big sister!  Unfortunately, the baby boy wasn’t feeling well and I’ll be going back to get some extra images, but don’t worry Mom. . .we got an adorable group shot that I just know you’re going to love!!!

For now, here are a couple of images of your beautiful daughters!

Thanks so much for your patience everyone!   I hope the lag time between blogs will be worth the wait.  I’m excited about being able to share my images with you here and will have everything completely ready as soon as possible!

I love to photograph newborns! The sessions typically last a bit longer than a normal session, but the end result is so very worth the effort.  This gorgeous baby is my new nephew. Isn’t he the cutest thing?!?

He was 8 days old when I photographed him and we had an amazing session! The key to a great session is to get them early – between 6 and 14 days is ideal.  If you’re expecting and would like to have your newborn photographed, it’s best to make a tentative appointment based on your due date.  We’ll work out the details once your little one arrives!