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Thursday, September 10, 2009

#5 Monkey Moon Photo Session

Yes folks you read that correctly a FREE photo session with the talented (and extremely sweet) Gina from Monkey Moon Photography!
She is offering photo session AND up to 10 high-res images free to print as you choose!
Oh how I wish I could win this one!!
*****MUST be a Southern California Resident or willing to travel to Orange County, CA for the shoot!!!*****
Here is how you can win...
Main entry (mandatory): Leave a comment here with why you want photos taken.
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In addition to the main entry you can get loads of extra entries if you...

~Follow Gina on twitter HERE! Leave your Twitter ID in the comment or let me know you already do (3 entries)
~Subscribe to Monkey Moon Photography's RSS Feed. Click 'subscribe' on the top right of her menu bar. (3 entries)
~Tweet about the giveaway, can be done daily. Copy and paste this for the tweet: "So Cal residents!! Enter to win a free photo session from @ElisLids w/ Monkey Moon Photography here http://bit.ly/3NPuPh Pls RT!" If you don't have twitter you can FB for this one. (3 entries per day)
~Add the "Eli's Lids Giveaway" button in our sidebar to your blog or let me know you already did (2 entries per blog)

~Subscribe to the Eli's Lids RSS Feed or let me know you already do (2 entries)
~Follow
Eli's Lids on Twitter, leave your Twitter ID in the comment or let me know you already do (1 entry)
For every extra entry, be sure to leave a separate comment on this post! i.e. If you add our giveaway button to your blog leave 2 separate comments.

***Giveaway open one week! Ends Friday September 18th 9:00pm PST***
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If you read Eli's Lids you have already met Gina (click here to read her last feature) and you know how fabulous she is. If you are new to our blog then read on and fall in love!!
Tell us a bit about your family.
I am originally from South Carolina and met and married my English sweetheart, Rob, 9 years ago. We have been richly blessed with three kiddos and my photography started with the birth of my first. My husband encouraged me to begin photographing clients professionally and we've recently made the decision for me to concentrate on engaged couples and weddings (although I can't resist taking pictures of my sweet friends and their families and will probably always make time for them!)
Your favorite shoot to date?

That was probably my engagement shoot of Alejandra and Benny. They were up for anything and I got some interesting shots of them on railroad tracks and a tractor. The shoot was part of a shootout so I also got to meet some amazing photographers.
For those of us who want to bump up our own photography skills, any tips?

The best advice I can give someone who wants to bump up their own skills would be, as simple as it may seem, take as many photos as possible in manual mode. The single most important thing you can do is to learn through experience. Take your camera with you everywhere. Don't be afraid to pull it out. Don't worry that others might think you take too many. If you want to be truly great I would give the same advice a great photographer once gave me. It is this one instruction: Take 100,000 photos in manual mode. By the time you get to 100,000 photos you will be an absolute pro. If I could give any more advice it would be to develop your own style. You are uniquely you and that will come out in your photography. If you copy someone else it won't be genuine and the world wants to see beautiful you! Lastly, hang out with other photographers. There is a relatively new movement in the photography industry that involves photographers helping each other out. I've been amazed at the generosity and friendliness of this industry and if I wasn't a photographer, after meeting these people, I'd want to be one just so I could hang around them. So get out there and meet folks. Facebook. Twitter. Blog.
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What is the best lighting?
For me, it's gotta be natural, baby. I resist using my flash if at ALL possible. Give me natural sunlight in the form of evening haze and I swoon.
Flash or no flash?

Opps, I think I answered that in 4.
Any photography sites that might help us learn?

I get 99.8 percent of my inspiration from other photographers. To name a few: Mike Colon, Parker J. Pfister, Anna Kuperberg, David Jay. Right now Richard and Amy McDowell of Red Leaf Studios in Canada are my heroes. I adore the photography in Anthropologie magazine and I rent old movies because the cinematography gives me a huge inspirational boost.


105 comments:

BeachyDuck said...

I follow you on twitter (again).

BeachyDuck said...

I'm now following Gina on twitter!

BeachyDuck said...

And I need pictures because, well, I'm a photographer too...and I'm never IN any pictures! I want Grace to know she had a mommy when she was little!

Jessica said...

We haven't had a "real" family photo since our son was born a year ago. It would be wonderful to document this stage in our family in such a way.

Jessica said...

I'm now following Gina on twitter. I'm fringies. I think I'm now supposed to leave 2 other comments stating the same thing.

Jen B said...

Awesome work! My hubby and I could use a photo shoot for our one year wedding anniversary!

Jessica said...

Following Gina on twitter: I'm fringies.

Jen B said...

I signed up on Monkey Moon Photography's RSS Feed (3 more entries!)

Jessica said...

Following Gina's tweets. I'm fringies.

Jen B said...

I signed up on Monkey Moon Photography's RSS Feed

Jen B said...

I signed up on Monkey Moon Photography's RSS Feed

Hot hubby said...

Why I need the photos??? Why not when you have such a hot wife and beautiful kids!

The Blonde Duck said...

She takes wonderful pictures! I wish I lived in So Cal!

Lynne R said...

Why do I need a photo shoot? 16 weeks pregnant with my first baby!!

Daytrippingmom Media said...

I need to win this! Please! I haven't had family photos in almost two years.

Daytrippingmom Media said...

I follow Gina's Tweets

Daytrippingmom Media said...

I follow you on Twitter!

The Glamorous Life Association said...

I am a photographer...who has never ever had a family photo session. Like EVER.

I would adore winning.
(that might be the stupidest thing I ever said. I mean who DOESN'T adore winning?)

Aimee said...

I have a Birthday Bash button on my blog.

Aimee said...

I would really love to win this because we have not had professional pictures taken of us since we were married almost 6 years ago.

Aimee said...

I clicked the RSS Feed button on her blog and it gave me a bunch of mumbo jumbo. Is there another way to do it?
Also, how do I subscribe to Eli's Lids RSS Feed? I "follow" you on blogspot.com already so is that the same thing?
Also, since I'm not on Twitter, can I Facebook about the giveaway and have that count as 3 entries?
Oh the questions.... =)

Aimee said...

I have a Birthday Bash button on my blog.

Aimee said...

If "following" you on blogspot.com counts for the RSS Feed, then here is my entry.

Aimee said...

If "following" you on blogspot.com counts for the RSS Feed, then here is my entry.

Aimee said...

I have a Birthday Bash button on my blog.

Jessica said...

I follow Eli's Lids on twitter.

Jessica said...

I have Eli's Lids Button on my sidebar. http://fringies.blogspot.com

Jessica said...

I rt'd. I'm fringies on twitter.

Lin said...

I would love to have pictures of myself & my husband taken! We've never had any photos taken that weren't done with a family camera & I would love to have some that I can blow up & post around the house.

Lin said...

I'm following Gina on Twitter.

My name is linnysvault.

Lin said...

I have your Eli's Lids Giveaway button on my blog.

http://www.linnysvault.blogspot.com

Lin said...

I have your Eli's Lids Giveaway button on my blog.

http://www.linnysvault.blogspot.com

Lin said...

I posted about this giveaway on twitter:
http://twitter.com/linnysvault

StevenW said...

I need the photos because I live in L.A. and don't have head shots yet!

Lentil said...

My baby is 7 months old and while we've taken tons of pictures on our own, we've never had any professional shots taken. And since we take them ourselves, there aren't any shots of all of us together.

rachael said...

Ooooo, I'd love to win this one! I love Monkey Moon's photography and would be so happy for a free photo shoot (maternity, kiddos, family - would LOVE IT!) Thanks for the giveaway!

rachael said...

mrswoodall follows elis lids on twitter

rachael said...

I get Eli's RSS feeds

rachael said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
rachael said...

I get Eli's RSS feeds (#2)

rachael said...

I subscribed to Monkey Moon's RSS Feed

rachael said...

I subscribed to Monkey Moon's RSS Feed (2)

rachael said...

I subscribed to Monkey Moon's RSS Feed (3)

rachael said...

mrswoodall follows Gina on Twitter (1)

rachael said...

mrswoodall follows Gina on Twitter (2)

rachael said...

mrswoodall follows Gina on Twitter (3)

rachael said...

I posted (tweeted? twitted? - lol) about this giveaway on Twitter (mrswoodall)

rachael said...

Eli's Lids is on my sidebar (of course!)

rachael said...

Yep! Eli's Lids is still on my sidebar (duh!)

rachael said...

Wait! I get two more entries for my tweet about this giveaway (here's #2)

rachael said...

Comment #3 for my Tweet today about this giveaway (whew!)

Monica said...

I want to win this because I want pictures taken of my just turned one year old and I want to freeze time right now so I will never forget how darling she is! I hope the random.org god smiles on me!

Stacey said...

Thanks for coming to visit my blog :) I would love a family portrait. We've never had them and my daughter is 4.5! I feel like such a slacker!

Anonymous said...

To make me feel beautiful
for who i am//

panicxduh@yahoo.com

rachael said...

I tweeted about Monkey Moon's giveaway this morning! (1)

rachael said...

I tweeted about Monkey Moon's giveaway this morning! (2)

rachael said...

I tweeted about Monkey Moon's giveaway this morning! (3)

rachael said...

I tweeted about Monkey Moon's giveaway this afternoon (1)

rachael said...

I tweeted about Monkey Moon's giveaway this afternoon (2)

rachael said...

I tweeted about Monkey Moon's giveaway this afternoon (3)

Sonia the Frenchie :^) said...

Hi there! The pictures are amazing! I hope some day I can do the same.
I would really like winning this photo shoot, with my hubby, so we can have nice pictures of us together...
He is from the Rockies and I'm from the French Alps, living in OC now, so pictures of us in SoCal would be wonderful!
Wow, yep, that would be awesome! :-D
Merci!

Jennai said...

We live in So. Cal. Our baby is due any day now and it would be awesome to have a photo shoot with our new baby, my husband and me to put on our Christmas Cards this year!
HobartsMama at AOL.COM

Jennai said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jennai said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jennai said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jennai said...

I subscribe with Google Reader to Monkey Moon Photography #1
HobartsMama at AOL.COM

Jennai said...

I subscribe with Google Reader to Monkey Moon Photography #2
HobartsMama at AOL.COM

Jennai said...

I subscribe with Google Reader to Monkey Moon Photography #3
HobartsMama at AOL.COM

Jennai said...

I have both of Eli's Lid Buttons on my blog #1
http://jennaisblogg.blogspot.com/
HobartsMama at AOL.COM

Jennai said...

I have both of Eli's Lid Buttons on my blog #2
http://jennaisblogg.blogspot.com/
HobartsMama at AOL.COM

Jennai said...

I subscribe to Eli's Lids with Google Reader #1
HobartsMama at AOL.COM

Jennai said...

I subscribe to Eli's Lids with Google Reader #2
HobartsMama at AOL.COM

Jennai said...

I follow Eli's Lids on Twitter @jennai
HobartsMama at AOL.COM

Jennai said...

I follow Gina on Twitter @jennai #1
HobartsMama at AOL.COM

Jennai said...

I follow Gina on Twitter @jennai #2
HobartsMama at AOL.COM

Jennai said...

I follow Gina on Twitter @jennai #3
HobartsMama at AOL.COM

Jennai said...

I tweeted this #1
http://twitter.com/Jennai/status/4047370523
HobartsMama at AOL.COM

Jennai said...

I tweeted this #2
http://twitter.com/Jennai/status/4047370523
HobartsMama at AOL.COM

Jennai said...

I tweeted this #3
http://twitter.com/Jennai/status/4047370523
HobartsMama at AOL.COM

Missy said...

I'd love to get some photos of my family... we never have any pictures of all of us, since one of us is always taking the picture

Liz said...

My kids have never had a pro-photo before....I really need this!

Liz said...

Just followed Gina, on twitter @mommasof98

Liz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Liz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Liz said...

Just subscribed to Monkey Moon Photography's RSS Feed

Liz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Liz said...

Just tweeted! @mommasof98

Liz said...

Already follow you on twitter!

msjazzyfresh said...

Great giveaway!

I would love a photoshoot with my family, as we havent had them done since 07. A combination of life, school, finances and scheduling has held it off but I would really love some new pix for our brand new home!

msjazzyfresh said...

Followed!

@jazzyrae

msjazzyfresh said...

Ive subscribed.

msjazzyfresh said...

tweeted and facebooked.

http://twitter.com/jazzyrae/status/4072765171

msjazzyfresh said...

Also subscribed to eli's lids!

msjazzyfresh said...

tweet [comment 2]

msjazzyfresh said...

tweet [comment 3]

msjazzyfresh said...

subscribe [comment 2]

msjazzyfresh said...

subscribe [comment 3]

msjazzyfresh said...

followed on twitter [comment 2]

msjazzyfresh said...

followed on twitter [comment 3]

msjazzyfresh said...

subscribed elis lids [comment 2]

Jennai said...

I tweeted again today #1
http://twitter.com/jennai/status/4047370523
HobartsMama at AOL.COM

Jennai said...

I tweeted again today #2
http://twitter.com/jennai/status/4047370523
HobartsMama at AOL.COM

Jennai said...

I tweeted again today #3
http://twitter.com/jennai/status/4047370523
HobartsMama at AOL.COM

cherimarie said...

Oh my goodness I just found this giveaway and I'm just in time!!! I would LOVE a photo shoot because we have never had any professional photos done of our family. We just don't have the money to spend on that and I would love to have that of us before my boys grow too big!

Lin said...

Posted this giveaway on twitter.

http://twitter.com/linnysvault

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