Supporting the YMCA youth scholarship fundraiser

“There is never enough time to do everything, but there is always enough time to do the most important thing.” -Brian Tracy

As many of you know, I’ve been training for a half-marathon that I’ll be running this weekend. Yes, it seems like I just started training yesterday…four months later…here I am about to go run 13.1 miles. Along the way I began training with the Y’s triathlon team…a group of amazing and inspiring people who helped me keep the momentum to keep going. I’m not so sure I’m crazy enough to do a triathlon (yet), but they sure have motivated me this year. I guess it’s time I do something else awesome as a way of showing my appreciation and support for those at the Y who have been behind me this year. Yes, another chance for you to win a photo session with me…you can thank this awesome team.

So here’s the details. The Blanchard Park YMCA is holding a silent auction this week to support their Youth scholarships. Every year they give away a lot of scholarships to families and children in need. They support things like memberships, sports programs, and swim lessons…helping families who typically wouldn’t have those types of opportunities without the scholarships they have available. The silent auction is running NOW through this coming Monday, April 30th. Here’s what I’ve donated to their silent auction:

One photo session (approx 1-2 hour session) that includes:

  • Session includes editing of 20-30 images (color & b/w)
  • DVD containing all photos (edited and unedited) from session
  • (1) 16″ x 20″ canvas gallery wrap print
  • (1) 11″ x 14″ print, (2) 8″ x 10″ prints, (3) 5″ x 7″ prints

Total Value of donation: $1000

** If you win this donation the photo session to take place in Orlando, Florida. Sessions outside of the immediate Orlando area are subject to additional travel expenses.

If you’d like to contribute to their fundraiser for a chance to win this donation or any of the other items they have on auction you may visit the Y in person anytime between now and Monday April 30th and purchase tickets. Tickets are $5 for 1, $20 for 5 & $40 for 12. If you are unable to make it to the Y in person  you may contact Blanchard Park YMCA’s executive director, Matt Libby, by email (mlibby@cfymca.org) and let him know how many raffle tickets you’d like to purchase and include your phone number for him to contact you directly to accept payment over the phone.

Best of luck to you all interest in helping this great cause. And thanks again to an amazing team of people who have inspired me to meeting this crazy running goal this year!

Katie & Ryan’s maternity session

This past weekend I got the opportunity to meet Katie & Ryan who are expecting their first little one in just over a month. We captured a handful of memorable moments as they anticipate the arrival of their daughter. Katie & Ryan I hope you both enjoy the photos…best wishes to you both in these last few weeks before your baby girl is born. I look forward to capturing just as many memorable newborn moments with your little girl soon!

John

My how time flies. It seems like just yesterday that I was photographing newborn little Ava. Here we are nearly 2 1/2 years later and I got the opportunity to photograph Ava’s little brother, John, who was just 8 days old. It’s always a treat to get to photograph new babies…but even more so when I get to photograph new siblings of newborns I’ve photographed. John’s mother contacted me and instantly I remembered Ava…yes, I really don’t forget any of the newborns I photograph. Each one is so unique and special in this little journey I’ve been on photographing newborns. John was much like his sister Ava and was alert and kept me quite busy trying to keep him content long enough to photograph the priceless newborn moments with his mom & dad. Sara & John thanks again for trusting me with capturing these special moments for your family…best wishes to you all.

Help me support Team Spina Bifida + a FREE photo session giveaway

“I run because I can. When I get tired, I remember those who can’t run, what they’d give to have this simple gift I take for granted, and I run harder for them. I know they’d do the same for me.” ~unknown

This past New Year’s eve I recall sharing with you all that I was vowing to run a half marathon this year in support of my baby boy who has spina bifida. It all began as a crazy idea that I wasn’t so sure I’d have the the strength to do but this little boy of mine has motivated me to commit to training knowing that somehow we could make even more of a difference. I have been meaning to share an update for a while now on this blog but life has been busy.

Yes, I’ve stuck to this goal I set close to three months ago…and I’m just over a month away from heading to Kentucky with our family so that I can run a half marathon for this little guy.

In the last 2 1/2 months I’ve ran over 150 miles total and cycled over 380 miles. I’ve joined the triathlon team at our local YMCA and have trained several days of the week running, spinning, swimming and strength training. As I’ve already ran and cycled hundreds of miles this year and endured my fair share of pain through this process I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Yes, I’d gladly run hundreds more miles for my baby boy…if it meant I could do something to help create awareness. Perhaps somehow we can educate others so we no longer get the “oh my God” reactions when I tell someone he has spina bifida. Or perhaps we can get enough people to be aware of it to help in the prevention of it. Yes, I’ve tortured my body a lot this year training…but it seems so small in comparison to what I’ve seen my baby boy go through in his first year of life. I can’t change the fact that Chance has spina bifida but we can continue to make a difference as we live through the uncertainties that come with having spina bifida. Every time I find myself running…I think of my baby boy and all we’ve already been through. I think of just the mere thought of running…something so many people take for granted. It’s still too soon to know if Chance will be able to walk or run…but I sure do find myself dreaming of it more often as I’m out running so many miles. For those of you who are interested in keeping up with my crazy thoughts as I train I’ve created a separate blog for training for this run.

HELP ME SUPPORT TEAM SPINA BIFIDA & GET A CHANCE TO WIN A PHOTO SESSION
So I’ll be heading to Kentucky at the end of April with my family to run in the Kentucky Derby half marathon.  Since beginning my training the Spina Bifida Association has established a fundraising page to help support the cause. I’d like to encourage you all to make a donation and know that in doing so you’re not only somehow helping my baby boy…but the thousands of others across the country affected by spina bifida. Perhaps I can encourage you to donate by offering a chance to win a free photo session. It’s been nearly a year since I’ve done a giveaway so I figured it was about time. I’ll be giving away ONE FREE photo session to one of the amazing individuals who donates to help Team Spina Bifida.

Check out the details below if you’re interested in helping me. And even if you’re not out to win a free photo session with me, you can still donate to help out however you can. Every little bit counts. With your help we can help create awareness and offer support to those affected by spina bifida. If you can’t donate, please help spread the word.

FREE PHOTO SESSION ELIGIBILITY
Here’s what you have to do for a chance to win a FREE photo session for those who care to participate.

  • Go to my fundraising page for Team Spina Bifida and Make a minimum of a $25 donation to the Spina Bifida Association.
  • Email me proof of your donation to amanda [at] amandakern.com – to do this either take a screenshot of the confirmation page or proof of payment. Only email proof of your donation if you are entering to win a chance at a free photo session.
  • When emailing me share with me your name, contact information and the ages and number of people of who you wish to be photographed so that I can get back in touch with you if you are chosen. If you’ve already donated to my fundraising page before this announcement and would like to participate email me so I can still include you. If I don’t receive an email from you your name will not be included in the entry.
  • You may enter as many times as you like. For every $25 you donate your name will be entered into the photo session giveaway if you have emailed me your donation confirmation. (You can make a larger donation and have it counted as multiple entries…for example, a $100 donation would equate to 4 entries).
  • To be eligible for the free photo session you must donate prior to April 28, 2012 at Midnight (the day I run the half marathon!). The names of those who have helped me will be collected and a winner will be chosen randomly. Entries will ONLY be accepted until Midnight on April 28th, 2012.

IF YOU’RE THE WINNER…
If you’re chosen as the winner you will have two options.

OPTION 1: FREE PHOTO SESSION

  • A free photo session with me that will last 1-2 hours for you, your family, or someone you wish to give the session to.
  • The session will be valid through December 31, 2012.
  • You will receive all unedited and edited photos in HIGH DIGITAL RESOLUTION format. Yes, I said FREE. That means I earn NOTHING from giving.
  • You will be given permission to print and share online all digital photos for personal use.

*By participating if you win you agree that photos may be used in my portfolio.
**You must be in the immediate Orlando area or willing to travel to Orlando if you win.
***The value of a custom photo session w/high resolution photos is $650.

OPTION 2: PHOTO MENTORING SESSION
I’ve received a lot of requests and inquiries in the last year or so for me to offer “mentoring” sessions. I’ve lost count of how many people have asked me “how” to I do something or if they could just spend an hour or two with me to see how my photography and/or editing approach. If you are chosen as the winner you have the option to select the mentoring session and it will be customized to meet your needs.

  • A free photo mentoring session with me that will last 1-2 hours. This includes the opportunity to sit in and participate in a photo session with me.
  • The session will be valid through December 31, 2012.
  • The mentoring session will be customized to meet your needs and could include tips on photography, editing or a combination of both.

*By participating if you win you agree that photos may be used in my portfolio.
**You must be in the immediate Orlando area or willing to travel to Orlando if you win.
***You are suggested to have a digital slr, photoshop and lightroom. If you don’t a mentoring session can still be offered but it may make more sense if you have access and/or a little previous experience to these things.

Whether you’re able to donate or not, perhaps you can help spread the word to others you might know that might be interested in supporting the cause or in my photography. Thanks in advance for everyone’s support…you all are helping me do something pretty amazing that I once never imagined I’d do.

Cameron

I’m a blessed to get to meet so many little miracles. Often times I don’t learn of these little ones until after they are born, which makes it exciting when I’m able to work them into my busy schedule. Every little one I meet is a miracle and usually I get to hear tid bits of each families journey to the little blessing they’ve welcomed to the world. Meet little Cameron…a sweet baby boy that I photographed nearly a week ago when he was just under three weeks old. You can’t get much more perfect than this little guy.

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