Pictures of Hope

I found out a few days ago, that I was accepted to be a member of the Pictures of Hope Foundation.  It is a non profit organization that partners up with professional photographers everywhere to give families with a baby in the NICU free NICU photo sessions.  You can check out my previous post about when I first decided to apply here. 

My motivation for joining this foundation is and always will be my girls.  They were both our little miracle babies, and both NICU babies themselves.  I have quite a few photos of both of them from there stay in the NICU, but looking back, I wish I had real newborn photos of them, even if it was in the NICU.  I was able to capture a few of Jordy (I didn't get my first DSLR camera until shortly after Abby was born, so I only have P&S photos of her).  Here are a few of my sweet princess Jordyn.  The first one, was from one of the first times I got to see her. (Keep in mind these were taken on my old semi-pro DSLR Nikon D70, almost 4 years ago, in horrible NICU lighting, and she was not given a "bed with a window view" LOL).

This photo is so hard for me to look at.

Sadly, it is not even one of the worst ones of her...

 Jordyn, the day she was taken of the ventilator...which was also the first time we got to hold her...one of the best days of my life

This was just a few days before we got to go home.  Tube free, bruising and wounds almost all healed.

Totally slacking! Photo update....

So, wow I just realized how behind I am on blogging.  I do not think I have posted ANY sessions from this year so far at all!  Facebook makes it waaaay to easy to forget about blogging.  If you haven't already head over to my facebook page, that is where the very first previews are posted...and where all the fun happens: Facebook Fan Page

In the meantime...here are just a few of the sessions I have recently done (in no particular order):

Winners of the I Love You Contest!

Thank you to all who submitted photos for the contest!  Thank you also to all those who participated by voting!  I will be hosting the next contest sometime in the spring! Here are the winners!

Most votes:

First place- Photo #3 FREE SESSION

Second Place- Photo #2  $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE

Third Place-Photo #6   $25 GIFT CERTIFICATE

Winner of the photo that shows the most Love:

#5  FREE SESSION

All prizes (including free 8x10 vouchers) must be picked up within 7 days, or it will be forfeited (unless a previous arrangement has been made).  Please make arrangements with me on when you are able to stop by to pick up.

Reminders:

*Free sessions are only good toward future sessions and must be redeemed by May 1st 2011.

*Free 8x10 voucher can be used on any session that took or takes place between Jan 1 2011 and May 1 2011.  You must present your voucher at time of session in order to redeem your free 8x10.

*Gift Certificates expire 6 months from issue date, and are good towards session fees, prints, or products. 

*Gift certificates may not be used for any mini session event (but may be used in addition after minimum requirement has been made for additional purchases).

Contest Update!

Okay...thanks to Crystal, we now have a MUCH easier way to vote for your favorite photo! I added a Poll to the right side of my blog. Please simply vote for your favorite photo by selecting the corresponding number. I will still count the few voters that were able to get a vote in via commenting at the bottom of the blog, I will just add those in to the total at the end, but I will be deleting them from the post to help with less confusion. Voting ends tomorrow night at 8pm CT, and at that time I will announce the winners! Again, sorry for all the confusion!

P.s. If you were one of the 9 votes that were not anonymous, please do not re-vote, as I have already recorded your votes to add to the tally at the end. Thanks!

I Love You Photo Contest!

***No longer accepting comments as votes...please vote on the poll that is on the right hand side of my blog. This is much more simple and there is no login required.

Photos have been added in order in which they were recieved. I only got 8 entries, but there are some really good ones!  Happy Voting!

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Mandelyn is currently deployed and we are keeping Reagan here in Texas until she gets back sometimes in May.  Attaching a photo for your "I love you" contest that I think is truly appropriate.  While Mandy is away Reagan likes to look at her picture.  I took the pic I am attaching as he was kissing his fingers to plant them on the glass.  He loves her bunches and can't wait for Mommy to come home. 

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that Adam (Dad) and Lora were laying on the couch like that watching TV.  Luke decided he wanted to be a part of it, but first he had to find all his Sesame Street toys and put them up there the way he wanted them, then he crawled up and layed down on the other side.  I was in the kitchen and walked in to find all three laying just like that watching TV together.  I quickly ran to grab the camera desperately hoping none of them would move before I got back.  Thankfully, they were still the same and I told them all to smile for the camera!  This is my favorite picture of the three of them!

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The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets holds a Ring Dance for the junior class each year when they receive their rings.  It is tradition that the cadets do not see their rings before the saber arch/unveiling, so you tie your ring to your date.  Since Derek and I were both cadets, I decided to be a “civilian” for the night but missed out on the “04” arch formation with my classmates in my company…and was so surprised to see them arranged so they were right behind us…well Derek had been planning this for over 9 months and when it was time to untie your rings I reached for his hand as he dropped to one knee to propose.  The ENTIRE room seemed to know about it and came rushing towards us and I couldn’t stop crying for what seemed like forever—one of the happiest moments of my life!

I Love You! Photo Contest

Welcome to my first official contest on my blog!  I am a little sad we can no longer do contests on Facebook (here is the official FB guidelines for those wondering Facebook Contest Rules)...it did seem a lot easier...it just involved clicking like on a photo!  So we will see how it goes on here. 

The theme is "I Love You".  I love this theme because pretty much anyone can enter this category.  I just want to see a photo that shows "I love you".  It can be a photo of you and your spouse, your children, your pet, anyone you love.


What to do:
Email a photo to: Stacy@stacyvandyckphotography.com
by Feb. 12th, 2011. 10pm CT. Only one photo per family please.
That evening I will upload all of the photos at once, to my blog.
Please include your Name and contact information in the email so I can be sure to notify winners!

Voting will be based off of blog comments.  I will number all of the photos.  Post or email the link to my blog, and tell people which photo number is yours.  Each person can only vote for one photo to avoid confusion.  Just simply say "I vote for photo #.....". 

Prizes:
Everyone who enters will recieve a free 8x10 print good on any session that took or will take place from Jan.1.2011-May.1.2011.  (In order to redeem these, you must stop by my studio and pick up your voucher within 1 week after the end of the contest)

3 prizes will be given away based on number of votes recieved:

1st place- Will recieve a free studio session, which includes your personal proof website, an 8x11 proofing book, and a $25 print credit!

2nd place- $50 gift cerficiate good towards Session fees, prints, digital imags, or products.

3rd place- $25 gift cerficiate good towards Session fees, prints, digital imags, or products.


1 prize will be given away based on content of photo, the one which I believe shows the most LOVE!
*Another FREE session!

**Free Sessions are only good towards FUTURE free sessions, and must be redeemed by May 1st 2011.  Gift certificates may be used on a previous or future session, but must be redeemed by May 1st 2011.

Okay so here is the boring part where I talk about the rules:
*One Photo per family
*Please keep all photos PG.  A kissing photo is fine, but please make sure they are appropriate for kids to see, just in case.
*Voting will take place once all photos have been submitted, and I will end voting on Valentine's Day at 8pm CT (I know, short contest, but it seemed appropriate to announce the winners on Valentine's Day!)
*Professional photos will be accepted only if the photo contains the photographer's watermark/logo, or you can prove copyright release to use the photo)
*Please be honest and only vote once.  Any double votes by the same person will be thrown out and will not count.
*Photos will not be accepted through my facebook page, nor will any voting take place on there, please be sure to email your photos. You can however, tell people about my fan page and tell them how cool they would be if they "liked" it :D

Remember, the more you share my blog link, the more votes you will get!

And because no post is complete without photo awesomeness......

Haha...I bet his mom wanted to use this photo for the contest too :)