And the winners are...

I want to say a HUGE thank you to those of you who nominated families for this endeavor. I loved reading the emails about such amazing families. Unfortunately I can only choose THREE families. But I'm excited to share the news of who won! I can't wait to get some sessions done for some truly incredible people!

The first winner is: NICOLE MOULTEN
Nominated by: Cori Weber and Debbie Lambson. Nicole, you have really great friends who care about you and your family! Congratulations! I can't wait to set up an appointment with you!

The second winner is: GRETCHEN BERNASEK
Nominated by: Camie Crockett. Gretchen, Camie wanted to surprise you with a photo session because she admires you so much! Congratulations to you! Let's set up a time when we can get together!

The third winner is: BRITTANY (didn't get a last name)
Nominated by: Kristie Roberts. Brittany, Kristie tells me that you are a very special person, and that your family deserves to win. So, Congratulations to you too! I can't wait to meet you!

I am so excited about these sessions and will post them as soon as I can!

Winners: PLEASE EMAIL ME ASAP TO SET UP YOUR SESSION TIME! :)

susanmonsonphotography(at)gmail(dot)com.

3 FAMILIES - 3 WEEKS

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED! THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED!

I am offering a special kind of giveaway. I want to give a service to three families who deserve a little extra kindness right now.

Is it you? Is it a friend? All you have to do to enter this contest is send me an email at susanmonsonphotography(at)gmail(dot)com or through my contact page on my website.

In the email, please tell me about the family you are entering for. What makes this family special? Why do these people need the service right now?

I want to give what I can to three special families. You can help me to do that by spreading the word. Get the information out there. Please tell people about this project, and encourage them to enter as well.

My heart is so full, and I want to do my best to spread a little more happiness around.

This contest is for Utah Residents only, and all sessions will be done in Utah County.

The contest closes February 9.

Now, EMAIL ME! :)

With Love,
Susan

What a difference a year makes...

At the start of 2010 I was a hobbyist photographer with a dream. But I also was a hobbyist photographer with a huge amount of self doubt. "How can I start a business? No one will like what I do." "Maybe I suck at this." "Maybe I should go to school first." And then I would search the internet for answers, and find things like, "...just a mom with a camera..." and "...fake pro photographer who works out of my home..." or "You can tell  you haven't gone to school..." and I would cry and cry and cry. I would contemplate throwing in the towel. I would judge myself so harshly, and compare my work to that of others. I looked for validation constantly...

And then... I decided I AM good enough. I decided it DOESN'T MATTER if I went to school or not. The proof is in the pudding. I have seen countless people who have the education, who can't take a good picture to save their life, and on the other hand, I have seen COUNTLESS people who have no formal education who are amazing at what they do.

I don't profess to be perfect. I don't pretend to have all the answers or know everything. But I do know this... I love what I do. I am grateful for the opportunity that has been given to me to pursue my dream. I strive to constantly improve. I work hard at gaining more experience and growing each day. I try to give back to others as often as I can.

I started this business at the end of January 2010. I ended that first year, 63 shoots later, having paid off my equipment, and having been able to help support my family by doing what I love. So many blessings in such a short amount of time. I feel overwhelmed with gratitude. Gratitude to my Heavenly Father, my family, my friends, my "fans", my clients, for all the immense support given to me by them. I would not have gotten through this last year without you. Honestly and truly. I would have failed miserably because I would have given up. I would not have been able to go from my humble facebook page and blog to having the courage to start a website.

Thank you thank you thank you, you mean the world to me.

With love,
Susan

It's official. I'm a big girl now.

For some reason, blogger told me I have too many pictures on my photo blog... hmm. Quite the dilemma. So, I talked to the Mr, and I told him that I seem to have outgrown my space here... I had been thinking about a website for a while, but always thought that it was out of my reach... Well, the time has come. I officially have a website now! So, I will keep this blog open, and post pictures and things from time to time, but the majority of my pictures can be found on my website now. My facebook page will continue to be where I show sneak peeks, and so I will still be all over the place. Please don't leave this page today thinking that I have left my blog to grow cobwebs. I will still post on here. I will post giveaways, and special promotions, and on my facebook page, I will continue to post pictures and be accessible there as well. However, as I said, my new website is, I feel, much easier to navigate.

So, without further ado...

Please visit me at:

www.susanmonsonphotography.com

Please go and look around! Drop me a line and let me know what you think! I would love to hear from you!

With Love,
Susan

And the winners are...

I know everybody has been on the edge of their seats for the last few weeks wondering who the lucky winners would be...

So tonight I did the drawing and my adorable little Z picked the winners! :)

And without further ado... The winner of the 11 x 14 Print is...

YAY!!!!! Congratulations to you!!!! Please email me your mailing address, and which of my non-people pictures you would like printed! You can search through my albums on the facebook page and pick from any of the photos that are of Places or things.

And for those of you Utah Residents wondering who won the Free Family Session...

Wow! Congratulations Zaugg Family! I loved the sessions we have done, and I'm so excited for round #3!!

Contact me and let me know when you would like to do it!

For any of you who entered but didn't win, I am offering a 20% discount on your next session! Just email me and let me know when you would like to set up an appointment, and give me the code 200FAN20. Thank you for entering, and for "liking" me, and for the continued support. It is very very much appreciated!

Much Love,
Susan

It matters. It really does.

To some, I am just a girl with a camera. To others, I am an artist. Others might see what I do as insignificant, while others think what I do is important.

What do I think of what I do? Well, there are days when I feel all of those things, but today, after reading THIS POST, I feel that what I do is one of the most important things. I capture memories for people. Moments in time with a click of my shutter. I help others to remember loved ones faces with more clarity. Because, when we are gone, that is what we leave behind... Memories.

Today, I don't feel so insignificant, or like I'm trying to be something I'm not. Today, I feel honored to be invited in to people's lives even for an hour, to help them remember for a lifetime.

You never know, until you've lost someone, how precious those memories are. I am grateful, that photography is not only something that I love, but something that is a service to others.

My heart goes out to this family.

Don't forget about your Christmas Cards!

This is just a reminder for you that I have some Christmas card templates already made up, and if you would like something different, just drop me an email, and I can whip up a new design for you, and you can tell me what you would like the message to say! It will be totally personalized to you. Below are just some designs I already have or have made.

All cards are either 5x5 (which costs extra postage to send out) or 5x7.

If you haven't booked a session with me, just email me a full resolution copy of the family picture you would like included on the card, and which design you want, and what you would like it to say.

The Christmas/Holiday cards are included in the session price right now, but if you just want a cute card made up for you using a picture you already have, it is only $5!

You can email me at susanmonsonphotography(at)gmail(dot)com.

GIVEAWAY!!!!

Well, we reached 200 "likes" on my Facebook page, and because I appreciate all of the love, I am giving back. I hope to show others, the people who make it all possible for me to do what I love, how much I appreciate the support I get.

So, this giveaway is for an hour long session, and 20 images on a full resolution disc. ALL IN TIME FOR THE CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY SEASON! (Utah Residents only are eligible for the session giveaway).

All you have to do to enter to win the giveaway is leave a message on my FACEBOOK PAGE and tell me why you want to win. Please indicate if you are in Utah, because...

I AM ALSO DOING ANOTHER SPECIAL GIVEAWAY! Woohoo!

Because I have people from all over who support my work, I want to do something for those who are beyond the Utah borders. Again, all you need to do to enter is leave a message on my Facebook page, but instead of a photo session, ANY PERSON IN THE UNITED STATES may enter to win a print of one of my NON-PEOPLE-PICTURES that are posted on my facebook page listed under PLACES AND THINGS. The winner will be able to decide which of my pictures they would like in an 11x14 print!

So, head over to Facebook and like me if you don't already, and leave me a comment! I love to hear from you, and this time, it enters you in to a contest!

You have until Saturday, November 27th to enter. On NOVEMBER 28TH, I will announce the winner!

Thank you so much for all the love and kindness! You are all so very very much appreciated!

With love,
Suz

VOTE!

Don't think that your voice doesn't matter. Don't think you don't count. The more people feel that way, the more that the control is taken from us. Exercise your right to vote! Whether you are just turning 18, or a veteran of WWII, get INFORMED, make your OWN OPINION about the issues, and GO MAKE YOUR OPINION KNOWN! Whether we agree or not, it is our duty and a PRIVILEGE TO VOTE!

VOTE

VOTE

VOTE!!!!

Lillywhite Family Sneak Peek!

Here is a sneak peek at a fun session I just had with an awesome family!

The Salcido Family Sneak Peek!

Here is a sneak peek at a truly fun and beautiful family!

BIRTHDAY SESSION WITH Z!

This little man is... well, gorgeous, hilarious, and so much fun! He loves trains, and he really enjoyed the session up at the Heber Valley Railroad. He's almost 3, and he's absolutely 100% the joy of his parents' lives. I mean, look at him! He's awesome! :)

If you are interested in booking a session with me, please email me at susanmonsonphotography(at)gmail(dot)com.

The Perl Family

This family was so amazing to work with. And they have just about the cutest kiddos I have ever seen! Please enjoy this (rather large, I'll admit) sneak peek at the Perl Family!

Check back soon! I am just editing away! More shoots to post soon!

A few pictures of Shady Chapel...

My brother in law, Derek, is the bass player in a really cool band, called Shady Chapel.

Last night, they played a free show at the Art City Coffee in Springville, Utah. They went on at 8PM, which is MUCH earlier than their usual show times, and so I took the boys and my handy-dandy camera to the show. It was so fun. I have never photographed a band before, so I wanted a little practice. The venue wasn't exactly photog-friendly, but they sounded amazing, and it was fun to play paparazzi to a local band. We all had a really good time.

Here are a few pictures from our night out on the town.