Last weekend, James and I took Lorelei to the Tioga Town Fair. We had such an amazing time, I hope some of you made it out as well. Lorelei enjoyed the petting zoo, bounce house, gym bus, train ride, face painting, and other activities provided by the fair. It was all to benefit the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation. If you don’t know about the foundation, you should check out their website or facebook page.

It really was a ton of fun and it was great running into so many friendly faces!

Gotta love the bunnies at the petting zoo!

Ever get your pictures back and love them…but have no idea what to do with them? Storyboards are a great way to display your photos. They can be framed or propped up on a bookshelf. They can also be mounted on 3/4″ standouts, which come ready to hang on the wall without a frame.  Ask about standouts after your next session!

Elise Kersey Photography is hosting a Cutest Kid Contest! Beginning Friday August 20th, 2010 you will be able to submit a photo of your cutest kid, and the winner will receive a free photo session with Elise Kersey Photography, which includes a high resolution disc of 30 images and a $50 print credit. Here are the details:

TO ENTER

* One entry per child

* You must be the parent or legal guardian of the child you enter into the contest

* Child must be 17 years old or younger on the date of entry

* You must have permission/rights to use the photo you enter

* Photo must have been taken in the last 6 months

* Photos will be accepted from 11:00am Friday August 20th, 2010 until 11:59pm Friday, August, 27th, 2010 (EST) via e-mail

* Only photos e-mailed to elisek09 @ gmail.com with the Subject line EKP CONTEST during the previosuly mentioned time will be accepted

* Include your child’s name and age in the e-mail (first name and age will be posted for viewing), as well as your name and contact information

* Contest open to everyone, however if you live outside of Gainesville or Tampa, Florida you must choose a location in a 30 mile radius of either of these cities for your prize shoot.

HOW PHOTOS WILL BE JUDGED

* All entries will be uploaded into an album by Elise Kersey Photography no later than Saturday, August 28th, 2010, on the facebook fan page

* To vote for a photo you MUST be a ‘fan’ (or under the new facebook system ‘like’) Elise Kersey Photography. Parents can vote for their child, of course, and can recruit family and friends to vote as well.

* Click ‘like’ for the photo you are voting for in the Elise Kersey Photography album labeled ‘Fall 2010 Cutest Kid Contest’

* Photo with the most ‘likes’ will be the winner. Comments permitted, but WILL NOT count towards the total number of votes

* Elise Kersey Photography will verify that all ‘likes’ of the winning photo come from Elise Kersey Photography facebook fans, ‘likes’ from non-fans will not be counted

* Voting will close Saturday, September 4th, 11:59pm

* Official winner will be notified and announced no later than Sunday, September 5th, 2010

WHAT YOU WILL WIN

* The parent or legal guardian of the child in the photo that receives the most ‘likes’ will receive a free photo session with Elise Kersey Photography, which includes a high resolution disc of 30 images and a $50 print credit. The session can be used as a family session or child session. (Immediate family only, additional charges for over 5 people)

* Photo session must be booked within 30 days of winning, and completed before January 31st, 2011

* Prize retail value of $300 – can not be altered or changed in any way, and not redeemable for cash

* Additional prints will be available for purchase. Please inquire for print prices.

* Not redeemable towards Birth or Event Photography

* No other promotions or discounts can be applied

*In addition, all of the parents of the children entered in the contest who do not win will receive a $50 print credit toward a regular session booked no later than 30 days after the close of the contest.

Please post any questions you have on this note, and I will be happy to answer them. I look forward to seeing your Cutest Kid entries this weekend!

Email me with your entry and visit Elise Kersey Photography on facebook  to vote for the cutest kid!

A few months ago, I was sent a request on facebook to join a local group, Battle for Bella. I read about a little girl, not much older than my own daughter, who has been diagnosed with high-risk stage IV neuroblastoma, a type of cancer. According to the site’s description, Bella will need six treatments after the chemo, that are still considered experimental so insurance does not pay for them. This special antibody treatment specifically helps children with neuroblastoma completely rid their body of the cancer and help fight it off. EACH ONE of the treatments will cost $18,000.

Maybe it’s because I am a mother that my heart seems to hurt to even read these words. My heart breaks when I see this angelic face look back at me. I want to help, and while I don’t have the kind of money this family needs, I know I can offer my services as a photographer.

I had the privilege of meeting Bella and her mom a few weeks ago in Tampa. We met up at a local playground for some pictures. Bella was such a sweetheart. She let me join her on the set and even played it up for the camera a bit. She is so full of life, it was a joy to capture her personality with my camera.

She is such a little model. I love it!

Love the pictures of Bella and her beautiful mom.

I had such a wonderful time meeting Bella and her mom. It was such a pleasure. Please check out that Battle for Bella link from above to learn more on how to help. I also want to mention that there is a lovely slide show from this session on my facebook fan page. To watch, just “like” Elise Kersey Photography on facebook!

Elise Kersey Photography was featured on Polka Dot Bride this past weekend! Miss Polka Dot featured Janyll and Maykel’s Florida State Fair engagement session. Polka Dot Bride is an Australian wedding blog dedicated to inspiring brides to make their wedding uniquely their own. There are so many inspiring photos and ideas. Be sure to check it out!