Giving is Awesome is a group of 320 professional photographers across the globe who are donating almost $350,000 worth of custom photography services and products to deserving families this holiday season. I’m thrilled to announce that I have become part of this growing campaign within the photographic community and as a result I have a project for you all.

Tell me about someone you know…Nominate.

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 would really cherish and appreciate some special images. You know someone who deserves to have a special 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 custom photography — $1750 worth, to be exact. As my gift this holiday season, the chosen nominee will receive a full custom portrait session along with the “Digital Moments” collection containing a set of 4×6 prints and a keepsake CD containing the full resolution digital files for the entire session.

Oh, and the best part? Other than the warm fuzzies you’ll get from doing a good deed that is? The person who nominates the winner also gets a gift from me — a $350 print credit.

The rules are simple:

* To nominate someone all you have to do is follow the contact link at the right of this page to email me the full story. (Or send directly to feddema@shaw.ca) Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why you feel they deserve to be chosen. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You cannot nominate yourself.

*The person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Sorry – Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar vacation home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need – keep it real.)

* The nominee must reside in Calgary or be able to travel to my Calgary studio.

*The deadline for nominations is 11:59pm on Christmas Eve.

That’s it! Now get nominating! I can’t wait to read all of the entries and find that very special family. The winner will be contacted on New Years Eve.

Open your heart to someone this holiday season — and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

Love,
Shonda