Los Angeles children and baby photographer Jennifer Wilson Photography, modern lifestyle kids portraits » photography blog of Jennifer Wilson, Los Angeles children and baby photographer

Makenzie Ruth on her first birthday!

This Friday favorite features a cute little book I made for my daughter two summers ago. We broke out the fingerpaints, made a huge mess and laughed a TON! Just looking at this makes me giggle – I need to plan another painting day soon…

First up is the cover of the book, then following are the two-page spreads – I hope you smile…..

Ever have one of those days where you REALLY REALLY REALLY need a laugh? Well, that was my day yesterday. Happily, it was also the day most of the entries in my big birthday celebration giveaway came in – so a big THANK YOU to everyone who entered – I cracked up looking at each and every one! The poems on my Facebook fan page also made me giggle – glad to know that there are other kooky people out there.

Recap of the rules:

must have two family members
one must be wearing a hat
there must be a pink cupcake
and a balloon
and a sign that says *hapy birthday jen*

bonus points if you can add:
a dog
a random stranger
bunny ears
a flamingo

Without further ado – the BIG WINNER of the $1000 giveaway is…………BRANDIE F!!! I was howling with laughter as I imagined the strange looks they must have received while unloading their props out on the Walmart parking lot! They got ALL the required elements and ALL of the bonus items in one shot – and the basset hound and random stranger cracked me up! I hope you guys had fun playing my silly little game and I can’t wait until we get together for your photos!

The two winners of the *write-jen-a-birthday-poem-and-win-a-free-session* contest (which I have decided to make a $400 credit – because what fun is a FREE session if you can’t get any FREE prints?) are the always lovely Leah D (former client – can’t wait to see her again) and the hilarious Jeannett G!! Jeannett entered the photo contest too – she posted a whole series of photos on her blog Jeannett’s BLOG entry – a MUST READ! She might be my newest *blog-crush* – I love the ay she writes and want her to be my new best friend. (HA – in a non-stalkerish sort of way, of course!)

To everyone who entered – THANK YOU all so much – you cracked me up and made my day! I’d like to offer each person either a free mini-session or a $185 credit towards a full session – if you were silly enough to try to pull this off, I NEED to meet you in real life! Here are some of the entires, hope you laugh too!

I am kicking off the holiday season with some super-fun birthday shenanigans and an ENORMOUS giveaway. Keep reading….

First up – My BIG, FAT BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA GIVEAWAY! I feel so grateful and lucky that I have been the recipient of a few *random acts of kindness* lately – and have been thinking **what better time than my birthday to PAY IT FORWARD**? So, on this coming Monday, September 27 (drum roll please…)

I WILL BE GIVING $1000 OF PHOTO CREDIT TO SOME LUCKY FUN-LOVING FAMILY!!

AND (if that wasn’t enough) I will also be giving away two free sessions on my Facebook *fan* page.

So – how to enter, you ask? For the Big FAT $1000 Credit prize, you will need to do the following:

CONTEST #1 – Gather at least two members of your family and take a photo. Somewhere in the photo you MUST have the following things: someone must be wearing a hat, someone must be holding a balloon, there must be a pink cupcake and something that says *Happy Birthday Jen* in the photo. Bonus points if you include a) a dog b) a random stranger c) bunny ears or d) a flamingo. (don’t worry – you will not be judged on photo quality – just the pure FUNness of your photo – and yes, I know that FUNness is not a word!)

CONTEST #2 – Visit my Facebook business page (you should probably *like* me while you are there!), write a birthday poem and post it on my wall – that’s it! Simple and easy! Jennifer Wilson Photography on Facebook

The Fine Print: Photos should be emailed to me at jenATjenniferwilsonphotoDOTcom by noon (Pacific time) on Monday, Sept 27. Please leave a comment here to let me know to look for your photo! You must give me permission to post/show your photo or poem and the images from your winning session. I am HAPPY to travel anywhere for the sessions, but if they are not in Southern California, you will be responsible for my travel costs. (but I will be visiting quite a few cities across the US next year!) All sessions must take place by my next birthday, Sept 27, 2011. Credit is for my photography services and products only, there is no cash value.

OMG – I am so excited to see what you all come up with!!!

Stay tuned….more surprises may be lurking around the corner….