theknot's Real Weddings contest

emilie inc. brides and grooms, have you entered your images in theknot's first annual Real Weddings Awards? Click this link to submit your favorite 7 images from your wedding by March 31st, and have your friends and family vote for your photos. Anyone who shares photos is automatically qualified to win a 10-day safari worth $20,000! Good luck!

* Amelia and her father Stephen

You may recall that Amelia won the father's day essay contest in the spring. I recently had the pleasure of finally meeting this little cutie and her super sweet parents Stephen and Lindsey.

I challenged myself to take pictures of Amelia and Steve that say "father and daughter" but not just your standard portrait. This typically works best with little ones Amelia's age anyway because they are constantly on the go and don't want to mug for a camera!

This is Amelia and Steve (mommy Lindsey was dancing behind me to get their attention).

This is my favorite picture from the session... love Amelia's bright, wide eyes and Steve's smile in the dark background.





Amelia loves to play hide-n-seek.

Mom jumped in for a few photos, too.

I hope these pictures bring you lots of joy, Stephen. It was easy to see what a great father you are. Amelia is a very lucky little girl! Hope to see you all again soon, perhaps on the Eastern Trail!

* Howie

Remember Howie? He won the dog photo contest back in May! It was a hoot to meet this pooch who has so many fans!

contest- results!

Congratulations to Amelia for winning the Father's Day Top Pop contest w/ 49% of the 875 votes cast! I'm looking forward to meeting this 10-month old cutie and photographing her with her great dad. Thank you all for taking the time to vote!

contest- time to vote!

Thank you so much for your Father's Day Top Pop entries. Please vote for your favorite essay from the finalists below. The winner, announced June 8th, will receive a portrait session with their dad!

Entry #1, Amelia (10 months) submitted by her mom:

The first person who ever saw me take my fist breath was my father, and it is a moment that has bound us forever and something we will both never forget. After I was wrapped up and a funny hat was put on my head, I blinked at my dad, he introduced himself and gave me a kiss. Less than an hour later, he was gently washing my hair, and giving me my first bath.
My dad has to work long hours at the hospital, but no matter what time he comes home, no matter how many hours he has been on call, he is still there to feed me and give me a bath at night. It is my favorite time of day, we sit together, I splash in the water and talk nonstop about my day. Dad is always patient and lets me sit in the tub until I become a prune, even if he is hungry and is still wearing his scrubs from work.
The other morning, I was up really early, and mom brought me into bed with her and dad. I was a little cranky, but turned my head and saw my father and said , with a big smile, “Dada!” Daddy was pretty tired, but after that, he was ready to start the day with me.
I have not done or seen a lot in my short life, but I know what that I have learned some of the best examples of unconditional love from my father. He puts me (and my mom) before anyone and he is always happiest just to sit on the floor and read to me (the same book over and over) or play with Elmo. He never acts impatient and he always gives the best hugs. I cannot say how much I love my Dada!

Entry #2: Nathan (22 months) submitted by his mom:

My name is Nathan and my Daddy is very special to me. In my 22 months of life my Daddy and I have become very close! Well actually, it all started before I was even born. My Daddy read Goodnight Moon to me every night while I was growing inside my Mommy’s belly. It’s one of my favorites now.
I was a sad baby and cried a lot and never really slept at all. They call it colic. I’m glad it’s gone now but when I had it my Daddy helped me to feel better. My Daddy held me on his chest and slept with me in the recliner. When he got home from work, he’d hold me and pace up and down my street until dark because it made me feel better. Then when I was one, I had a bad earache and toothache and the only way I could fall asleep was to go for a ride in the car. My Daddy spent a lot of long nights driving me around and once I finally would fall asleep, I just wanted to sleep. So my Daddy would sleep in the mini-van with me. (I’m not kidding! This was for several nights too!)
For my first birthday Daddy made me an Elmo birthday cake from scratch for my party because I love Elmo. We spent my first birthday day together. He took a vacation day! We went on a train ride to the next town for a special treat and he took me to the store and let me pick out my very own birthday balloon. I picked Elmo of course!
My Daddy does a lot with me now that I am getting bigger! We have silly games we play together. He crawls around the house chasing me, lets me feed the dog (I always give her too much but Daddy doesn’t care), and dances to my Baby Einstein CD with me. He takes me for walks and lets me bring home rocks from the grader truck that is working on the road. We have a rock garden now!
Three days a week, Mommy goes to the gym and I get to spend time all alone with Daddy. It’s the best! He lets me vacuum with the real vacuum, play with the cell phone and even pretend to drive the car. I even get to add all the ingredients and turn the mixer on to make my Saturday morning pancakes. Mommy would never let me do those things! He takes me to playgrounds, the beach and the library too. I love the times when it’s just me and Daddy!
Daddy is very helpful to my Mommy and that makes her happy. He doesn’t mind changing diapers and cooking dinner. He gives Mommy a break so she can go shopping and do Mommy things. He does lots of projects around the house. He made me my nursery. (He had to finish off my entire upstairs of my house-it was a big project and it’s really nice now). Right now, he is painting a little table and chairs for me and when he is all done he is going to make me my very own sandbox.
I am one lucky little boy to have such a special Daddy! I love him very much and I know he loves me. He shows me all the time. Happy Father’s Day Daddy!

Entry #3, Nelson (8 years old) submitted by his mom:

My name is Nelson, I am 8 years old. My daddy is the best because of many reasons. He is a hard worker all week but always takes Sunday as our Family Day. 2 of my baby sisters first words were "Fammy Day!" because daddy makes it so special for us. He even says no to golfing with his buddies on Family Day. Any chance he gets he asks me what I want to do with him. Sometimes we throw the football around, sometimes hit a baseball and run the bases, sometimes kick a soccer ball around. In the winter, he always takes us sledding. Lately we've been playing Frisbee. He always finds a way to include my baby sister who is almost 3 years old (even though she makes it hard sometimes!). Once he took me to see a movie and we were the only ones in the theater. Before the movie started, daddy had me cracking up so much because he went up on the stage and was doing a really silly dance. I was hoping someone would walk in to see him!! I wish I had a picture of that ! On my birthday, he took me and 5 of my friends to see Meet the Robinson's--that was so much fun.
My dad loves my mom SO much. There isn't a day that goes by that he tells me and my sister how wonderful and beautiful our mom is. He makes sure we appreciate everything she does and that we treat her right.
The picture is my dad helping me make my first pizza, which we did one family night. I think I put too much cheese on it, and making it was more fun than eating it. We've made lots of pizza since then, usually me and Maya make them now and mommy and daddy eat them.
These are some of the reasons I think my daddy is Top Pop!

Who's daddy is Top Pop?
	Amelia
	Nathan
	Nelson
Free polls from Pollhost.com

contest- last call

Entries for the Father's Day Top Pop contest are due by next Thursday! Be sure to submit a brief explanation on why your father is the best (moms can help with the submissions for children), and don't forget to include a photo! The winner receives a portrait session with their dad.

new contest!

Following the success of last month's doggie contest, I'm announcing another just in time for Father's Day! Looking for the perfect gift for your dad? How about a portrait session with emilie inc. of you and your dad?

To enter, email me a short essay explaining what makes your father Top Pop and be sure to include a photo. Be specific- share poignant memories or moments or anything that will make the judges laugh, cry or adore your dad like you do.

Submit your entry to photo@emilieinc.com by May 31st. Voting will take place the following week and the winning dad will be announced on June 8th (in time to get a gift certificate in the mail to the winning entrant to present to his/her father on June 17th).

contest- results!

Congratulations to Howie who won the dog photo contest with 42% of the vote. Thank you all so much for your votes (more than 400!). Howie's parents, Megan and Sean, were guests at a wedding I photographed last month. I look forward to meeting and photographing Howie soon as his prize for the best doggy mug.

contest- time to vote!

Thank you all so much for your wonderful dog photos! I received over 50 entries and it was difficult to narrow it down to just 3! You all have absolutely adorable (and photogenic!) pups! Below you will find the finalists. Vote for your favorite through May 10th (you can vote once a day). The winner receives a free pet portrait session!

1.
2.
3.

What is your favorite dog photo?
	1
	2
	3
Free polls from Pollhost.com

contest- last call

You have until May 1st to submit your favorite photo of your dog! Send your digital file to photo@emilieinc.com. Thanks to those of you have already entered! The winner receives a portrait session for their pooch!

new contest!

You know I love 'em, so... we're goin' to the dogs!

For this new contest, email me the cutest mug of your mutt. Show me his best puppy-eyes, when you caught him getting into trouble, romping in the surf or snow, hanging out your car window... Be creative!

We'll run a poll of the top 3 entries, and the winner will receive a free portrait session of your pup. Submit your entries now through May 1st. Email to photo@emilieinc.com.

Fall photo contest- results!

Congratulations to Deanna of Newburyport for winning the inaugural photo contest with this adorable photo of her son Max! Well done! Great angle, moment and autumnal color palette!

(I have not met this adorable little boy; Deanna randomly stumbled across my blog and has been checking back at the goings-on of emilie inc. Neat!)

Thanks to everyone for your entries and participation!

Fall photo contest- vote!

Thank you to everyone who entered the Fall photo contest! Below are the top 10 finalists, in no particular order. Now it's time to choose the winner! Please vote for your favorite Fall photo (the winner receives $50!). Voting ends November 27th.

1. Noah
2.
3. Emerson
4. Max
5. Yosemite in the Fall
6. Delores
7. Whaleboat Island
8.
9. Guinness at Halloween
10.

What is your favorite Fall photo?
	1
	2
	3
	4
	5
	6
	7
	8
	9
	10
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Fall photo contest- extended!

Starting Wednesday, I will be driving cross-country (fun!) so the Fall photo contest deadline has been extended until I return on November 17th. Keep those entries coming! They are terrific so far!

Fall photo contest!

Hi everyone! For the last year, you have all been looking at my most recent work on this blog. Well, I want to see what YOU have been up to with your camera!

For this inaugural contest, the theme is Fall. Please share your favorite photo from this beautifully visual season... apple picking with the kids, carving a pumpkin, bold foliage, goofy Halloween costumes... you get the idea.

Please email your digital photo to me at photo@emilieinc.com by November 10th (3 entries max per person). I will then post the best 10 submissions on the blog for you to vote for your favorite. The winner will receive $50!

So what are you waiting for? Don't be shy!