Miranda Hagan

I just started my business two months ago and I am learning everyday. I have three kiddos: 7 years old, 4 years old and 8 months! They are my pride and joy, but now I need something for me….I have loved cooking and taking photos for years. Now, I want to capture the moments that make life unforgetable. I want photos that make people stop in their stare. I want to bring tears of joy to the mommies and daddies who have had candid momments shot of the pure love that is captured at that particular momment. My first photo shoot was of a family who tried for ten years to have kids and finally had twins! I took so many candid momment shots. THE LOVE! Oh my!The love radiated from this family. Not only did the photo bring tears to the parents but the grandparents as well. I want many many more momments like that….To bring joy into one’s life.
THANK YOU.

Nicki

Ok Stacy…take two. I’ve been a fan of yours for a while. The way you capture light in your photos…how do you do it? I’ve been behind the computer for years working in graphic design. For my birthday this year, my husband gave me a Nikon d3100. It was like a whole new world opened up in front of me. Everywhere I look I see a photo. My daughter throwing a tantrum, my son standing on his head, the baby in the grocery store grabbing cereal off the shelf. I’ve been lucky to have friends who have allowed me to practice on their families. The joy of capturing not just smiles and faces but memories for them has been amazing. I’m hooked. But I have so much to learn. I would give anything to win a seat at your workshop. It’s wonderful after 15 years out of school to feel the urge to learn again. I look forward to hearing that I’ve won!!! Thanks for the inspiration.

Taina N.

Winning a seat to this workshop would be amazing. I have personally declared this year the year to make my dreams come true. Your workshop is the perfect start to commence my journey to developing a successful photography. Jsines. Thank you for having these giveaways to help others find their way Happy New Year.

Christine Doggett

2012 is the year i have decided to take what i enjoy, taking photos, to a new level. I am ready and winning a seat in this workshop would be the best place in which to start. I have always considered photography my hobby but I am starting to see that I can literally make a living doing what I love, what a concept!!

Melissa

Hi Stacy! Why do I deserve to win? Well, I’m in my second year of business and oh what a journey it’s been. I started doing photography after I had my second child and kind of got thrown into it ….. I LOVE IT. I breathe it and everyday I thank my lucky stars that things worked out the way did. This last year has been full of ups and downs …. I love that I get to do what I do but I’m conflicted because as much as I love it – I’m not 100% confident, and lighting is a huge thing that causes me stress …. I want to walk into a session or wedding and just know that there’s no reason to freak out since I know my stuff 100% . Your workshops will provide me that that sense of confidence, the one I’ve been lacking. Thank you for offering this fantastic contest and of course, Happy New Years!

Jen Heisel

Can I win twice;-) Love you Stacy… spreading the word right now, I know a few people dying for the chance!!!

Kerri

Hi Stacy…Well, this is perfect timing. LAUNCH has been on my mind for several days now. Attending your workshop continues to be one of my biggest wishes. Because I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to do what I do, I have put a huge emphasis on using my business to give back to those who I can help with my talents. I was recently able to do a session for a brother and sister who both have disabled children who are confined to wheelchairs. I know that because of their wheelchairs and mostly the expense, they never really thought they could get a good picture of their entire family for their own father. It was probably the biggest challenge I have experienced on my journey (not only because of the large family and two wheelchairs, but also because we shot inside), but it has to have been the most fulfilling session I have EVER done. I’d love to experience your workshop to become more confident in how to use the lighting that I do have available, so that I can continue to offer these services to families who might otherwise not have their memories captured, in whatever situation or setting that may be required. Winning a seat to your workshop would be so incredibly awesome to me. It would give me the confidence that I need to continue building this dream that I have and to use it for all the good I know I can. Bless you for continue to offer this wonderful opportunity and for being such a source of inspiration for so many!!

Glenda Quiring

My love for photography has been with me since I was very young. I want to keep learning how to take the very best photos so people can have golden warm memories to keep forever.
I want to keep taking photos for people that might not ever be able to have photos of their child, wife, family because of their situation, be it financial, illness or family situation.
Their smiles when they see the photos are priceless.
Thank you.

Regina Penney

I would be more than honored to attend your workshop! I am a 100% self taught photographer. I have such a passion for pictures and capturing those memories that sometimes only a photograph will joggle! I have sought after many photographers help but keep running into dead ends as they view another photographer as competition. I feel I have taught myself as much as I can and now want to learn from the best! I have a strong curiosity for natural light, children, babies, and how others manage their workflow. I know there has to be an easier way than what I do! I would love the opportunity to win a seat at your conference!

Vicki Gandolf

I am so new to this but have a passion for learning and photography. I would be honoured to have such an excellent teacher to start me in the right direction. My focaus is young children and also elgerly adults. I would be blessed to have a seat to increase my knowledge. Thank You

Rachel Demand

I was sitting here at the computer trying to find the right words to post that also reflect the way I feel about photography. I took a break and was just checking my facebook page and I saw this post from a photographer.
http://fototails.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/a-letter-on-my-doorstep-portraits-are-more-than-paper/
I sobbed when I read this like everyone else I am sure. This is why I want to strive to be the best photographer I can be. We never know what tomorrow will bring and having photos can be the only memories a family has.
I think a seat at your workshop will give me the tools I need to become more confident in my work and to be a great photographer. Plus, the workshop is just a few days before my 1st anniversary in business! What better way to celebrate my 1st anniversary

Jody Savage

OH my, I have been following you for quite some time and LOVE your work and would absolutely LOVE to get a spot in your workshop- I wish I could afford one right now but unfortunately cannot so if I won the free spot I would just die! I started my “business” about a year ago as just a hobby but really need your help to LAUNCH! thanks so much for the opportunity to register for a free spot- and for the inspiration!!!

Rebecca Dodson

I would love to win a seat! I have been stuck in a rut for over a year! I can’t seem to make the leap to become a full time photographer. I will be moving from Florida to the Tennessee area in March and when that happens I hope to find the courage to start fresh and begin my real deal photography business. This has been a dream of mine for as long as I could remember, I can see it but for some reason it seems out of reach. I feel like winning a seat to the workshop could really “launch” (wink, wink) me into a business that I have wanted for so long but been too scared to just do it! I love your work Stacy (and have stalked it online for 2 years) and admire all of your knowledge and know-how. You are amazing at what you do and just the tiniest bit of help from you would mean the world! Thanks for the opportunity!!

Ruthie

I found this webpage because I googled “feeling overwhelmed about my photography.” I just did a session yesterday and left feeling exhausted and scared…the resulting shots are acceptable, but not beautiful. I feel like I have so much to learn and I don’t know where to start. I really want to keep learning and master this, and I know this workshop would be perfect for where I am right now.

“Opening up shop before you are armed with confidence and skill can be overwhelming and frustrating. It can leave you feeling under qualified and frankly quite scared.”

This is exactly how I am feeling.

Cami

Honestly, I don’t know why I would deserve this any more than anyone else. The desire to learn more, share ideas and meet others that are intrigued and passionate about photography is probably what makes everyone want to attend your workshop. I would guess the majority probably also have circumstances that play in to why we think we deserve the free workshop. So while I hope I win (truly, madly, deeply) and I think your workshop would be beneficial to me and the future of my business, I will just leave it at that and wish everyone good luck!

Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita

Well, I think your “is this for me” section was just about written for me. I need to take this to the next level and I would so appreciate your fantastic information as to how to get it done. My friend Elizabeth swears by your workshop!

Angel Jones

Hi Stacy, ditto to so many of the comments above. I have fanatically taken pictures for 30 years and have decided to step out to the next level. Natural light is my passion. I love working a camera to get a shot in almost any situation and to get the emotion, the love, the memory. God luck to all the entries but I would LOVE to be in that seat.

Lori

Hi Stacy!
I became an instant fan of yours while shopping at Petite Elite for baby furniture! I was awed by your beautiful and elegant studio, and as soon as I returned home I had to “Google” your story and work. The images you capture are amazing and heart-felt and I would be so honored to learn from your experiences. While I am a serious hobbyist photographer now, I dream of becoming a natural light photographer. Your workshop will be the perfect stepping off point for me. Thank you so much for your consideration and I look forward to meeting you!

Sara Candle

I, like so many others, enjoy photography and capturing a moment in time. Slowly I am teaching myself what I need to go out and have confidence in doing photography on my own. I would really benefit from having someone else’s encouragement, advice and knowledge. I strive to learn all I can and would love any additional help your workshop could give me. Best of luck to everyone! I feel photography should be encouraging, and so many times we are met with people who don’t want to help or encourage others in the field. We need to realize collaboration and encouragement can not only help others but ourselves!

Jillian Saravong

Winning a seat in this workshop would be the best thing ever! I have always considered photography fun and theraputic but over the past year I’ve realized that with lots of hard work I can make a living doing what I love!! It would be amazing to get away from the daily grind (and the cold) and get to experience this amazing workshop. I would also love to see Mariah Gale Photography speak! She photographed my daughter 2 years ago and watching her work really inspired me to think about photography as a profession. Hope to win!! Thanks so much for offering this amazing opportunity!!

karyn

I can’t say that I deserve to win this any more than anyone else here, but when reading your “is this workshop for me” page and answering yes, yes, yes…I knew that I had to enter. I would love to be in this for the long haul and would love to learn how to do it from such a passionate person!

Gretchen

Hi Stacy,
Not sure where to start. First and foremost, I am so blessed to be able to take pictures that capture my life and the life of my family. But to take pictures of another family and capture the love and sweetness and all the little things that make life worth living, is a true gift. I haven’t been doing this “professionally” for long, but have always loved pictures and looking back and seeing those magical moments that can escape us so quickly as time goes by, always makes me smile. I know there is so much more to learn and at times it can be overwhelming, but I am moving forward and working hard and I just feel it in my bones that this is what I should be doing right now. So, I’d be honored to attend this workshop and learn as much as I could! Thanks for hosting this giveaway.

Catina Anderson

I would love to win a seat in this workshop. A good friend of mine attended 2 years ago (or maybe it’s been 3 already?? during your first workshop) and had high praise! I’m hoping to really get myself going this year so this would be perfect timing! Thanks so much for the contest and chance to win a seat!

Serena Maples

I would absoloutely feel blessed to be a part of the LAUNCH workshop! I am a registered nurse who works weekends while I am also a full time mom during the week to three kids. I am trying to follow my heart in turning a joyful hobby into a career. The wealth of information given at your workshops is something I definately need and would be grateful for! It has been very frustrating at times trying to get started and I feel that you could give me the boost I need. There is a saying I heard that sticks with me and is a halo over me everyday and it goes like this,”Never give up on something that you think of everyday.” Thanks to you and other very generous photographers I feel like I can take on anything! Please help me to become a LAUNCH graduate!

Susie

I would L.O.V.E to win a seat at this workshop! I have been trying for a few years now to move my hobby into a business and I am not sure where I’m going wrong. Being able to learn from someone who has been there and pushed past pain points of starting a photography business would be awesome! Thank you very much for doing this giveaway!

Erin McElhaney

I would love to win a seat at your workshop! I have been perusing photography as a full time business since last year. I strive to learn new things daily so being able to attend this workshop would be another learning experience. I also told myself that I would make this my full time job this year and this would help me out greatly!

Sharmon Craft

I am (finally…yay!) at the stage in my life where I can devote real time to this awesome hobby turned business. Photographing people, mainly children, has been a love of mine ever since I can remember. Even as a teenager I would grab my father’s camera and take pictures of my cousins, nieces, nephews, neighbor’s kids and random kids at the park:) I love candid photos of children just being…children. dirt is good. alittle on the face is even better;) I love a drippy popsicle in the summer or tangled hair from hanging upside down from the monkey bars. And I LOVE LOVE sandy cheeks at the beach! My passion was affirmed when I had my 3 sons, now 11, 9 and 5 who fit the above description perfectly! they are never clean haha! And I am never at a loss for photographic material. I wanted to come to this even back in ’10 but had some family circumstances that kept me away. Now, armed with a better camera, more time to devote, and a burning passion for learning more about turning this hobby of mine into a real business, I am ready to LAUNCH myself to the next level;) There’s only one teensy thing holding me back…money ;-/ which is why I am seriously close to begging….(k, I’m actually begging) for a freeeee spot at this totally awesome workshop that I have heard SO MANY great things about for SO MANY years! (mostly from a mutual friend, Elisabeth). It’s my time ladies. I’m so ready! But alas, I know that you can only choose one lucky winner. Just so you know, I am committed to being at LAUNCH one day…free seat or not!:) I hope to see you this year!

Brooke

I am thrilled that this was extended because I thought I entered and then went back to see who won and did not see my original post! Whew!

Back to the question at hand. I would be honored to be in the LAUNCH workshop, but a free seat would be more in my budget this year, so I am entering this contest and putting my pennies away for the next workshop regardless.

I jumped into business this past July and have been working and learning as I go, and could really benefit from not only the topics of the workshop, but hopefully gain something through the professional contacts of other photographers starting out in a similar stage! I am a mom first, and a photographer, but as my twin boys grow older every year, I know I will have more time to focus on my career and still be a mom first. Good luck to everyone! Thanks for the opportunity to win and for the inspiration as well!

Dita

SERIOUSLY? What’s NOT to love about this workshop. I”ve been eyeing LAUNCH workshops since 2010…I would love to learn every aspect of this business I’m about to embark upon!! Thank you for the seat giveaway……..just amazing!

Dita

Jody Savage

I am just in love with your work and started my business this past year but haven’t had a lot of time to focus on it with a new baby and a 2 year old. I would LOVE a spot in your workshop to learn from you and also get away for a long weekend! I hope I Win!!!!

Lori Mason

Hi Stacy,
Like so many others, photography is my passion, my joy; it’s always made me happy even on the worst of days… The last couple years have been trying at best, two moves across country, serious health issues, financial struggles and eventually the loss of my full time job last fall. At that time I decided life is too short and it was time to do what I love full time…photography. I felt that my dream was finally going to come true! Unfortunately, I quickly realized having a business is much more than just shooting. The business end of it is so overwhelming…I feel lost, unsure of what I should be doing and struggling to find direction. Your workshop is exactly what I have been searching for. I can’t even express how grateful I would be to be chosen…this is such an amazing opportunity. I hope to hear from you!

Bridget

Hi! Now that I’ve gotten blog and design business off the ground, I would like to get then moving. One sure way to do that is through photography, an area where I can use some help. Winning this giveaway would be the ultimate boost!

Dana

Hi. I would love to win a seat to this workshop. I have been wanting to go to this workshop for a couple of years now. I feel completely stuck with my business, and I think that this workshop would give me what I need to really excel and take off. The bottom line is, I need help and this is the perfect way to get it.

Thank You Stacy!

Carolyn Fulginiti

Ever since I was old enough to hold a camera and point it at my family to capture them on film, I fell in love with photography. I feel such joy when my inspiration translates from my mind to the click of my camera and I see the joy in a person’s face when they view my photos… My hope is to win a seat to your Launch workshop so I can increase my photography joy level and continue forward to amazingly joyful photography business. The Launch itinerary is so awesome! I’m especially excited to learn about finding and maximizing the use of ALL natural lighting conditions & posing newborns which is one of my favorite subjects Thank you for offering this amazing opportunity to learn and expand my photography dreams!
Thank you,
Carolyn Fulginiti

PS… I may have said Joy a few too many time in my above post but i would really would be OVER JOYED to win a seat to Launch!…Just saying

Michele Sankey

I would love, love, love to attend this workshop. I’ve been searching for a workshop for the past year. I feel like I really need it to be more confident in my photography business. Winning this giveaway would get 2012 off to a great start!!!

Thank you!!!