Merry Christmas!! ....and the winner is....

First of all, Merry Christmas! I hope everyone is having a fantastic holiday with their family & friends today.

Second, I apologize for not posting the winner of the BIG giveaway last night as promised, but the winner WAS notified last night... Just didn't get around to the post here!

Due to the confidential nature of this giveaway, I don't want to say much here without speaking to the family first, but I'll just say that the winners of the giveaway are a family of NINE (with a set of QUADS thrown in there!) and the amazing mother (who carried all those babies beautifully) homeschools them all! I did hear through the grapevine as well that they have not had family photos done in 4 years, so I am so happy to give them this gift! Bless you guys!

Thank you to everyone who nominated your loved ones! You are amazing & this choice was not an easy one!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Just Because.

PLEASE be sure to read the BIG GIVEAWAY post if you have not yet... and get your nominations in! Click HERE to read the post!

I spent this afternoon with a few of my photographer friends.... We chatted over brunch & pumpkin spice coffee & then enjoyed the surprisingly non-freezing weather by strolling around Newport, Covington & Cincinnati with our cameras taking shots of anything that jumped out to us. I love what I do, but I often forget to just shoot for the heck of it. It was so nice to chat with other professionals & just relax! Here's just a quick little set of some of the random things that grabbed my eye today (I'm a sucker for details... specifically OLD details :o) ....and I couldn't pass up my initials carved in the side of an old church!

The BIG Christmas Giveaway!

The awesome Kristen Kalp came up with the fantastic idea for Giving is Awesome - Where photographers worldwide are coming together to offer a major giveway during the Christmas season for deserving families.... I am honored to join in and help bless a family in need....

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 -- $500 worth, to be exact. It's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $150 credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:
* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)
* The nominee must reside in or near the Cincinnati-Metro 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 : amanda@donahophotography.com

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve -- get nominating! 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.

xoxo,
Amanda Donaho

PS - If you have someone you would love to nominate but they are not in my area, please visit the Giving is Awesome website for a list of photographers particpating worldwide! http://www.givingisawesome.com

Rachel - Maternity Shoot

Rachel & Ben have a special place in my heart.... I have been their photographer through their engagement session, wedding day, family photos and now, their maternity session. It is such a cool thing to be able to capture so many amazing moments in one family's life. I hope to have many more sessions with them & am so blessed that they've come to me over & over. I love you guys!

We both used to live in Oklahoma, but we've both since moved! So, Rachel & Ben drove up from Nashville, TN for their session... and I'm so glad they made the trek!

Here's just a few from our time together.... Rachel looks AMAZING. Seriously. It's ridiculous!

We had dinner with the parents-to-be and then before they headed back to Nashville, I pulled Rachel out into the cold one last time for a funky head-light shot in the dark.... I love it!

Checking in...

Just a quick stop by the blog to say hello to my Internet family :o) - I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I have been swamped lately with life in general, the holidays, the traveling that comes with it, and photography. The winter is upon us now, which means I will have a little break soon! I work non-stop during the summer and into the fall, so the winter is always a nice little break for me. Not many shoots going on in the freezing cold :o)

Check back within the next few days for a new photo blog! Until then, curl up with some cocoa, a good book & stay warm!