And the Winner is...

I put out a call in late November for nominations to give a deserving family $500 of custom photography. It is by no means on the same scale as "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" but I wanted to give back to the community and use my gifts and talents to do so.

I received an email while at work and was blubbering by the third paragraph. I photographed Megan's family in the spring and was delighted with her thoughtful, loving description of this family:

"When I first read the nomination idea I immediately considered one of the families that until recently was much like every other “normal” family. The moments that I have been in the presence of the "T" family as they embrace their situation and face it head on, have left me feeling amazed. Amazed by their emotional strength, their connection to one another and their perseverance to battle onward.

Brian and Heather decided to plant their family roots in the small town that they too grew up in. Home to 3 girls, 2 very tired parents and more nurses and hospital equipment then most people see in a lifetime!

"B" was born 2 months early. There were some signs late in Heather’s pregnancy that raised some concern. True to her intuition, there was something wrong. You see, B could not breathe, on her own. After many weeks of testing with no results, she was taken into surgery where a tracheotomy was performed, muscle biopsy taken and a feeding tube was inserted. Weeks later, B was diagnosed with Mitochondrial Myopothy Disorder. Four months and three days later after she was moved to St. Louis Children’s Hospital, B returned home. She survives with her ventilator in tow, 24 hours a day, a vitamin cocktail may times throughout the day and the nurses who provide nearly constant care.

Heather has taken a leave of absence from her teaching position to be with B and her sisters. B’s care alone would cause most people to become overwhelmed and become down beat. However, Brian and Heather have taken this wrench thrown into their life and try to see the positive in any situation. As focused on the positive and all of Brooke’s improvements, it is hard to look beyond the obvious reminders that their little angel is living a different life. Their home is quite crowded. B must sleep in a chair that folds out to a twin bed in their living room to give space to her, the ventilator, and the nurse providing care. However, B is able to move throughout the home, with her four feet of ventilator tubing and the ventilator carried in a backpack! Brian and Heather are willing to follow B wherever she goes, because their goal is to create a life for her that is like all other girls. Their hope is that she will be vent free, running and playing like all other children! They say, “With her attitude and personality, we have no doubt she will be someone very special!”

For this reason I nominate Brian and Heather and their children to receive complimentary custom photography. Memories are all any of us have as time quickly passes by. My Christmas wish would be to give them the chance to beautifully capture the essence of their spirit and keep it alive on their walls. A professional photo opportunity is one that I am certain they would love. IF they had the money to pay for this, I am certain they would use it to put towards an expense for not only B, but their other girls. If selected, this chance will allow them to hold on to their beautiful family of five, in an artistic fashion, for all the years to come.

Thank you Megan for your beautiful nomination- I am looking forward to photographing both families in the next few months!

What ever happened to Beanie Babies and Tickle Me Elmo?

I had a "oh crap" moment today when I realized there is less than 2 weeks until Christmas... Time passes too quickly with work, shopping, decorating, wrapping... etc. I forget to stop and appreciate the month leading up to one of my favorite holidays. Next time you're out and about frustrated at Toys R Us because they're all out of Zhu Zhu pets, take a deep breath and remember it's the most wonderful time of the year!

Don't forget to nominate a family by December 24th!

This year's Christmas card- Gigi was not very happy with Mommy for making her wear those silly antlers. But doesn't she look soooo cute!?

Miss Brooklyn | Newborn

I loooove little babies- their tiny toes and hands and fingernails... so cute! I adore watching new parents coo and cuddle their little ones. Miss B is a lucky girl to have such loving parents!

Christmas Gif

My Grandy passed along this Christmas morning tradition to Rachel and I. She and her siblings (she was one of 5) would wake up to open stockings, properly clothe themselves (Christmas attire has always consisted of dress clothes in this fam- gotta look good for all of those pictures!) and eat breakfast before they were allowed to see the tree and open presents. The kids would wake up and try to be the first to say "Christmas Gif" to someone else. Supposedly this is what slaves in the south once did because they weren't able to give gifts- it was their way of celebrating.

This year, NBP is offering a "Christmas Gif" to a deserving family.

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. Whether it's canvas or albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, 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 $250 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be?

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 Illinois. 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 : Sarah@nbpstudio.com

The winner will be announced on Christmas Day - 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.

With love,

Sarah (and Gigers!)

Thankful...

In my tear to get coffee, fill up my gas tank and leave town yesterday, I managed to lose my debit card at the filling station. I have seen so many 60 Minutes episodes about identity theft, I don't need to be reminded of how lucky I am that some honest person picked my card up off the ground and called my bank instead of racking up a ridiculous bill on my bank account. I'm so thankful that person chose to ignore my flaky-ness and do the right thing!

And, what's a blog post without a photo? Another shot from my Jersey beach vacay-

TRA Before and After

You don't have to ask me twice to proclaim my love for Totally Rad Actions. I have every set! They saved my workflow and allow me to be creative in post-processing. A few weeks ago, I submitted a recipe using Totally Rad Actions and Dirty Pictures (the fabbitty fab fab textures) to their website. In addition to being featured on the Recipe site, I wanted to share my photoshop culinary skills with my blog followers:

Recipe:

Pro Retouch
Prettyizer @ 40%
Pross Crossessed #1 @ 20%
Boutwell Magic Glasses @ 60%
Dirty Pictures texture Starla Fontaine @ 55% set to Hard Light blending mode
Dirty Pictures texture Foxy Laurinda @ 68% set to Overlay blending mode
Burn Out @ 35%

Move Over Real Housewives of NJ...

the Chatham Chicks are in town! (Who needs the drama and fake boobs when you've got us?) Thanks to my fab cousins for taking shots of all three of us (normally, my head gets photoshopped in b/c I'm the one behind the camera!)











One of the best shots of me. Oh cowl neck sweater...

Crouse Fam | Bay Head, NJ

Part II of my trip to Jersey. Couldn't get enough of the beach!

Bay Head, NJ

It was a wonderful, relaxing weekend with family in Bay Head, New Jersey. Even though it was "off season," weather on Saturday was a perfect 60 degrees and sunny. I had forgotten how much I love the east coast- being near the beach is so revitalizing- it's like rehab for my workaholic life!

Alex | Senior

Alex is a guy of many talents- in addition to playing the drums (since he was 8!), he can sing, dance and act! He's involved in Glenwood's Show Choir. If you haven't been to one of their performances, definitely check it out- these kids can sing like you would not believe! Seriously, move over American Idol!

Lindsey | Session III

I know I'm super behind on several things this week- I came home from the race Saturday night to a sick Gigi... We've been in and out of the vet all week and I think she's finally on the mend!

Here are a few from Lindsey's final session. She's so fierce!

Race to Cure Lymphoma

Saturday was the 3rd Annual Race to Cure Lymphoma in STL. My fam is so rad- my Dad (aka "Race Director Extraordinaire") organizes and executes the race and my Darling Sister decided to (gasp) RUN her first 5k (she trained in 8 weeks!). I can't articulate how proud I am of them both.

With 450 participants, the race raises money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society . This was the first year for an LLS Team in Training to participate- these cool cats (20 total) raised $17,000 in 8 weeks! I was so honored to be an Honored Teammate for this team and loved cheering each of them on and watch them cross the finish line. So inspiring!

While Dad was running around like a crazy man with one hour of sleep, and Rachel was running 3.1 miles in 30 minutes (2nd place woot woot!); I did manage to do a little something and take a few pictures:


Balloon Release, in honor/memory


Dad looking very official explaining the course


Seriously- she has a smile at mile 3...?


Alisher came to support his super fab girlfriend


Don't judge, she just ran a 5k and we'd been up since 6:00.

It's been a week. One of those weeks where all the bad stuff seems to overshadow all the good stuff. Thank goodness for my A-mazing clients. Without them, I think I would crawl under the covers and hibernate until spring.

A few things that have brought a smile to my face this week:

1. Dana's sweet words about her Senior Session experience- "I just loved taking pictures. I have never had anyone really take pictures of me so it was a lot of fun. Sarah made me feel comfortable and not shy around the camera." Compliments like that make me fall in love with my job all over again.

2. The way my sweet Gigers curls up with me at night. She'll lay on my back, balance herself on my side and curl up by my stomach. It's nice to have that unconditional love, even if it is from a cat.

3. Coming home to find a beautiful package at my doorstep! There is a horribly hilarious story regarding my purchase of a Shootsac which I will share with you once my ego has recovered.

What gorgeous packaging! I cannot wait to work on my photo packaging this winter once things have settled down a bit!


Flower Child! To match my Hippie Girl car!


Here's to Friday, and a better week ahead.

Hannah | Senior

I'm burning the midnight oil, trying to get a few of Hannah's best shots up tonight. She is such a sweetie with beautiful eyes and a bright purple lock of hair hidden behind her ear! It is always a wonderful photoshoot when my clients are willing to try my crazy ideas- Hannah rolled in hay bales, yelled "ye-haw" a few dozen times and froze her butt off downtown for some fab shots. This first one is my absolute FAVE:

Ross | Senior

Ross was awesome to photograph- just look at that smile! He says his favorite subject in school is history, but after seeing him in his suit and tie, I'm thinking he should look into government/politics!

Two Gorgeous Smiles!

A sneak peek for my two Seniors from today! A special thank you to both families- Ross' for the fabulous cup of coffee that kept me going through the (busy) day and Hannah's for chauffeuring me around!

More pics for these two coming soon!