Being a parent is tough work. I’m not one, but I’m remembering what I put my mother through in middle school…. AND I watched a friends baby the other day while she ran to the grocery store for 30 minutes. By the time she came back, I was ready for a massage and a NAP. Someday I’ll be a parent, but holding Kaia the other day made me realize how incredibly selfless you have to be when you become a parent. I’m not quite there yet… As a parent, you develop these intense feelings of love for your child. A sense of unconditional love, love that would make you deny your own senses to protect theirs. (I sort of have that for Ladybug, weird I know). It’s a powerful thing, and I don’t think you ever really grow out of that as a parent. Your children grow up, begin their own lives, start their own families, but you’re still the rock. The one who supports in those tough moments, the same way your parents did for you.
Back in January, I shared with all of you that one of my major goals for this year was to give back to you! I challenged readers to nominate someone here on the blog, who you thought deserved to be recognized for their giving spirit! I received so many great nominations and absolutely couldn’t decide who should win the free session. So Billy and I kinda cheated. We chose three…. here is the nomination for one of the winners we chose!
“Dearest Laura,
I’d like to nominate my mom. She is nothing short of amazing, and is completely selfless. Aside from being an amazing and strong figure in mine and my sister’s lives, she is a fun, inspiring, and adventurous spirit. She doesn’t take no for an answer and doesn’t back down from a challenge. (All qualities I hope I’ve picked up from her!) Despite several difficult years, she made sure both my sister and I went to college, and were taken care of. This past year was a difficult one for me. Anything and everything that could have gone wrong or fallen apart did. At points I wasn’t sure how to keep moving forward, but no matter what came up, she was always there to support and love me. I hope everyone out there is as lucky as I am to have such a wonderful mom.
This year is her 50th birthday, and I can’t think of anything better than some family photos. I hope she wins!
xoxo,
Justine”
As a photographer, I’m all about celebrating milestones, and as a daughter I can really relate to that feeling of support and wanting to say thank you.
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61 people have commented
Oh Emm Gee. I LOVE IT! I wanted it to keep on going forever! :)
Congrats and good luck!
So amazing and cute! I totally hope you guys win!
the butt squeeze… classic Laura. :)
WOW!!! That video was so amazing! You guys are amazing, and Lady is so cute! I really want you guys to win, because you deserve it so much!
Oh my goodness Laura, that was so cute! Love love loooooved the car wash scene!! :)
You guys are so cute!! I really hope you win!!! :)
um…tear…running…down…cheek…
loved the butt squeeze.
Great photogenic subjects. Wonderful interaction between them would create many shooting ops for the students.
Laura! It is amazing! Great job :) I would love to watch your wedding on Creative Live for sure!
YAY! We totally love you both and just know you’ll win!! There isn’t a cuter, more sincere couple around!Quin says the video was awesome, and Garrett just said “Wow!” Olivia and Teej-you two rock!!
VERY CUTE VIDEO!!! Good luck! We’re rooting for you!
I think I literally just started tearing up! I LOVE you guys, so beautiful together!! Love the video, expresses you individually and as a couple perfectly! You better win, I need a reception to dance at! ;)
You two are so cute! I hope you get your free wedding, you def deserve it. :) xoxo!! love u
OH and did I not comment on the ‘car wash scene’ :: probably the best part of the video!
Cute vid! You look like a great couple…so good luck…I hope to see you on the CL class webinar next month! Best Wishes, Julie XOXOX
GREAT video you guys! You looke like such a fun couple. I hope you win :)
And Laura, you ROCKED out the car wash scene!!
Soooooo adorable!!! Love it!
WOWZA! You guys are incredible! An amazing couple and an fantastic video. You really deserve to win. Good luck!!
OMG soooooo good! I loved it….wonderful and i hope you guys win so i can come to the NW lol love both you guys tons! the flash back of laura washing the car takes me back to a time at camp where she did a similar seizure move as an interpretive dance.
I have a complaint. TOO SHORT! you guys absolutely kill me. the best news is that we will be in oregon at the time… thanks to you of course. hahaha. love you so much
Love it. Great sense of humor. I’m submitting a video to be one of the lucky few to attend in person. Would be a blast to have you both as the winning couple. Good luck.
ummmm… I LOVE IT! You have to win, it is truly amazing.
I love it! I love you guys! I am so happy for you… I really hope you win because this sounds like an awesome opportunity. Yay!!
Love your video!! Being married is the BEST! I hope I can be one of the shooters!!
perfect … just perfect :) !!!
okay seriously…could you be ANY cuter?!?!? I have everything crossed for you guys!!
SOOO good! And funny :) good luck, hon!
I love this video! Absolutely beautiful, funny and completely showed your personalities! Good luck you guys!
OMG – If you win, you MUST invite all local photogs to your wedding!!! Would love to see Jasmine Star in action :)
holy crap! that was great. I want you two to have your own tv show! You’re gunna win, I can feel it!
that is too awesome! can’t believe that was put together in a week!Good Luck!!
you are soooo going to win this! gah! so exciting!!!
SOOO adorable! Good luck!
love it!! you two are totally going to win, at least I hope so, you have my vote!! great video… fun, fun!!! fingers-crossed remember i’m going to be your dress straightener-outter : )
OMG…your video is soooo good and well produced! You guys are so cute. I don’t know how you won’t get picked.
Love it!! Everything you do is gold. Good luck!!!
Laura, I LOVE it! I hope you guys win! :) :)
so cute, you guys look like you had fun doing it!
I hope you win!!
HAHAHAHA! Only you two could be so totally romantic and utterly dorky at the same time! Oh my God, we love you guys so much. The perfect representation of your personalities and your love for each other. T.J. and Oliva- unbelievable talent! Thanks for helping our kids get the “send-off” they deserve. Love you guys.
you two rock the tassel!! good luck.
What a great little story! The butt squeeze is the cherry on top of the ice cream… AND it made me laugh out loud at my desk, which is bad, because I am at work right now and this is NOT work related.
CONGRATULATIONS YOU WON! WAY TO GO! WICKED!
Laura, congratulations! Just saw on Jasmine’s blog that you guys won! How exciting for the two of you!!! LOVED that video. That car wash scene made me laugh out loud!
Congrats!!! I loved your video the minute I saw it and to me, it stood out from the rest. I hope to be one of the lucky photographers to win the opportunity to capture your wedding day and learn from Jasmine*. Wish you both all the best and hope to see you in Seattle!!!!
Okay so I was just on J* blog to see who won, saw your video, teared up,{and laughed!} and then had to come over and tell you CONGRATS!! I am so excited for you two! {even though I don’t know you!} Happy wedding planning !!!!
Congratulations (on your engagement & winning a Jasmine Star/CreativeLIVE wedding)! Your video is gorgeous – love the sneaky bum squeeze! ; )
CONGRATULATIONS guys!! Just read on J* that you guys won! :))) No doubt your wedding will be perfect with the dream team behind you. All the best & glad her post lead me to your site – its great!
Well a little birdie told me you won… Wicked cool. All the best, in your marriage.
LOVED the butt squeeze towards the end!!
Congrats on the win!!!
Congratulations. You already made it 6 years, so you are bound to make it over the next 60 :-)
you’re most likely still sleeping and have no idea that you’ve won the free wedding yet! Ahhhhh, wake up!!! Hahaha, enjoy!
Congrats!
You sooo totally deserved the win! Couldn’t have found a couple more perfect for it! Shame I won’t be able to admire your wedding from afar…But I am looking fwd to the follow up video and pics to come!! :) Loved your video and can’t quit smiling I’m so happy for you two… Be Blessed U Beauties!
Hi Laura, Just saw you won the competition on Jasmine Star’s blog and came to check your blog out! Congratulations, you seem a really nice and down to earth couple, bet you’ll have a blast, what a gerat way for you to get married…
SHUT UP!!! how did i not know this till today when my MOTHER told me?! ohmygoodness cutest ever video (teej and livvie…genious?!) and i’m beside myself thrilled for you guys!!! love love love you!
Congratulations! I love your video- you two look like you would be so much fun to work with! I can’t wait to see the amazing images Jasmine captures of your day! :) Best wishes to you both in your new life together!!
GIRL! You did it!! Awesome! As Tom Peterson would say (before your time!), “Free is a very good price!” CONGRATS!!
Hey Pinky and Billy, OMG you too are as adorable as ever as always! It was nice seeing your smiling faces after soooo long! I’ve heard you won, congrats! And um well, good luck with Leah’s burka! lol! Cannot wait to see pics when it’s all done! Have fun and hopefully we will see your bright and smiley faces in the future.
Luv, Elizabeth, Patrick, Finnegan and Cuddles too!
That was so amazing! Loved the subtle humor and so stinkin’ adorable.
Amazing video!! I LOVE it! Congratulations! I’ll be at your wedding (via creative live)…so exciting!!
You are a beautiful couple! Laura, you are a gorgeous bride!
Your video is so cute! Loved the butt grab, go girl! Congrats on winning, I have been watching the downloads from the wedding and you were so gorgeous (or gorg is what you are more accustomed too). Good luck to you and Billy!