My Photos In Print & Winning Photo

Well, I had an awesome surprise today ! As many of you know, I recently submitted five photos to a local magazine, Shutterbuggerz (website, http://shutterbuggerz.com/). The photos were posted online during the month of January for the public to vote on their favorite photo. Shutterbuggerz magazine also has a sister magazine, Sophie Woman’s Magazine (website, http://sophiewomansmagazine.com/).

After being in all morning due to the snow, my husband and I decided to venture out for me to take some snow photos, shop a while, then have dinner at Zeko’s Restaurant. Zekos has a magazine rack as you go in the door. I picked up the February issue of Sophie and took to the table with me. I began scanning the pages and saw that there was a feature section from Shutterbuggerz toward the back of the magazine. I saw what I thought to be the only page from Shutterbuggerz. I put the magazine down, ate dinner, then picked the magazine back up. I flipped the pages and saw photos that were submitted by some of my photographer friends. I was so surprised when I reached the next to last page, and there were four of my photos in print. I almost screamed, lol ! I was definitely not expecting to see them in print.

Since I began my business one year ago, I have only had one advertisement, which was in the football program at East Burke High School. Needless to say, seeing your photos in print when least expecting them is a pleasant surprise. I am truly honored that they would print some of my photos. The four photos in print are of Lydia Hodges, Braelynn Hodges (Lydia’s daughter), Addyson Whaley, and Lauren Williams Davis.

Amateur and professional photographers alike may submit photos monthly to shutterbuggerz.  I have submitted photos January, February, and March.  You may see some of my photos in the February and March issues of Sophie at http://sophiewomansmagazine.com/ .  Any photos from shutterbuggerz will be included in the Sophie magazine (but you will still vote at shutterbuggerz website). 

A few places that carry the Sophie magazine are Zeko's, El Paso, Buck's Pizza, and Habour Inn.  I am sure they may be found at other restaurants also.  Stop by one of these and pick up your copy.
I am including some of my photos that were shown in print.

UPDATE:  The first photo below of the little girl having a tea party won the photo contest for January 2010 contest, and was printed in the March 2010 issue of Sophie Womans Magazine.  Thanks to all who voted.

Allison & Travis

I recently spent the day with Allison and Travis photographing their maternity session. They are such an adorable couple with an interesting story to tell.

In October 2003, Travis interviewed for a youth pastor position at the church Allison attended in Ohio. Allison was also working with the youth at that time. Travis was offered the position and moved to Ohio Thanksgiving weekend. Travis and Allison soon began dating, and he proposed in Jan 2004. They were married October 9, 2004.

After three surgeries, Allison was diagnosed with endometriosis in Dec. 2006. She eventually had to have her right ovary removed. They began invitro-fertilization in September 2008. The first cycle failed after her left ovary was over stimulated resulting in a torsion. This could have led to surgery where she could have lost her left ovary. They decided to take a few months off and restarted IVF in January 2009. Two eggs were implanted, and they found out on January 30th that they were expecting. Adelynn Gwynn Coffey is due October 15, 2009.

Travis is currently the youth minister at Drexel Baptist Church. He seems to be a big kid at heart, lol ! It was very evident during our photo session how excited they are about the pregnancy, and the birth of their little one. Allison states, "We give God all the praise, and Adelynn is truly a miracle baby". I am sure Adelynn is going to be spoiled rotten, lol !