Orange Crush {the crystal image photoblog}

{ run for a cause }

Into running? Like helping a good cause? Well this is your chance to do both. This weekend on Saturday, September 20th is the Cooper's Cause 5K/1-mile Fun Run and Walk. The entry fee is just $15 and your money will help a local family whose young child has been through pediatric heart surgery. Even with medical insurance, the families patient responsibility has been overwhelming. Friends of the family have started Cooper's Cause to help ease that burden for the family. Next year the organization will raise money to assist other local families with their medical debt. 

Sign in and late registration begins at 7 a.m. in the Southwind 12 Theatre parking lot, 3433 Iowa Street.

Learn more at www.CoopersCause.com or by calling Kelly Ballard at 785.218.5891.

{ seniors—this site's for you }

Our new senior website launched this week and I absolutely love it! The pictures are huge and it's all about seniors, seniors, seniors. I'm in the process of adding some more info about our products, as well as a picture of myself (for those of you who haven't met me yet), and a few more galleries. So if you haven't already, go check out the new site. It's still at www.tcistudio.com, but now there's a seniors option. I want to hear what you have to say, so send me your comments!!!

And, don't forget, our senior reps are at most of the high schools and getting one of their rep cards prior to booking is good for eight free wallets—just for having a piece of paper. Not sure who the reps are? Visit our senior reps gallery on the new site—each has their name, school and a few pics shown.

{ sweet lane turns one! }

Little Miss Lane and her mom came up to see me last week for the first time and we had so much fun. I have known her family for years and years and am thrilled that I was finally able to take the baby's picture. Of course, the baby isn't such a baby anymore and has earned the nickname "baby giant" for her height (dad's a pretty big guy himself!)—but when you look at the picture of her on the little tiny stool, then you realize how truly small she still is! 

So here's a little sneak peek for the family—I can't wait to share the rest of the pictures with you guys on Friday! Enjoy! (click to see them larger)

Looking sweet and a little pensive.

Hello Mr. Bear! 

So sweet! 

{ drumroll please... }

It is finally time to announce the winners of the 2008 Crystal Image Baby & Child Portrait Contest. While none of our local cuties placed at the national level, we still have some great prizes to give away here at home. It's hard to believe that this is our fifth year of the contest! All I know is that every year myself and the panel of judges have one heck of a time agreeing on our top three favorites. And this year was no different! The top three selected by the panel of judges will receive:

1st Place: a 10x20 L'Image Bonded Folio Board 

                       (a $275 value)

2nd Place: a free session for two and 8x10

                        basic print (a $105 value)

3rd Place: an 8x10 basic print and 24 wallets

                        of their choice (a $78 value)

As for the popular vote, we had more than 100 people drop by the studio to vote, and it was a tight race. As in, from first place down to about 10th place were just a mere vote or two apart. My favorite thing each year is getting to listen in as people debate the merits of the pictures and hearing which ones really draw people in—whether with humor or a sweet sentiment. With the numbers so close (and a tie for second), we decided to throw in a few honorable mentions as well (they were just a point behind the other popular vote winners). The top four winners (a first, two seconds and a third place) will each receive 24 free wallets and I decided to throw in eight free wallets for the two honorable mentions. 

As always, double click to see the photos larger.

So, without further ado, here are the winners. Congratulations to everyone! 

1st place—Ian F.

2nd place—Parker M. 

 

3rd place—Olivia S.

And the popular vote winners:

1st place (popular vote)—Emily H.

2nd place (tied for the popular vote)—Carter D. and Parker M.

3rd place (popular vote)—Lilli L.

And our two honorable mentions, both of which crack me up (apparently the public agrees!)—Guy T. and Finn and Jack H.

Thanks again to all of you who voted and to all the parents who brought their kids in. We hope to see you all again when we begin the 2009 Baby & Child Contest. All sessions shot between January 1, 2009 and May 1, 2009 are eligible to enter, so be sure to bring your cuties in for their chance to win national and local prizes! 

Winners will have until June 1st, 2009 to redeem their prizes.