Okay, so I’m so completely excited that my husband Dan and I are getting a photo session on Friday from the fabulous Sloan Photographers! We won it way back in a contest they had, and it’s going to be a couple’s session-just the two of us! That NEVER happens once you have kids! It’s coming at a great time since it’s going to be our 9 year anniversary on March 11th, so it’s like so totally perfect!
This got me thinking…we know everyone does Christmas photos. Birthday photos sometimes (for your kiddos). Weddings. POSSIBLY if you’re a guest or attendant at a wedding… Come on people! That doesn’t give us that many times during the year when we can go out and have fun, and just document ourselves/our life/our achievements/what have you!
So…get out there and find a good reason for a photo session! Leave a comment on this post (if you’re in AZ, or going to be in AZ, that is!) with the best/most unique reason to schedule a photo session, and I will grant it to the person with the best answer!!! For serious. Because I love contests. I also love Rainbow Brite legwarmers-see? That’s a good reason to take a photo!
The contest is closed!!!
+ - 29 comments
Nicole Smith - I would absolutely love love love to have a session with you! I am a single mom with an almost two year old daughter named Lily! I am ashamed to say that I have never had professional pictures taken of just the two of us
Lily’s dad and I were married and during my last trimester of my pregnancy he had an affair. It has taken so much time to heal and feel normal and not broken. He has since moved out of the state and has seen her twice since then. I would love to have someone so talented document the precious moments between my beautiful baby girl and me. I would feel so blessed if you chose us for this extremely generous offer!
shannon bullock - Because my horoscope for today said: “Your persistence will pay off today!”
Natasa Djordjevic - my daughter is 5 months old – approaching 6 next week – and diagnosed with 2 rare congenital heart defects at 2 months of age. She’s undergone two heart surgeries (currently in the hospital recovering from her second one done just yesterday). According to her doctors she is the first reported case of having these 2 rare conditions at the same time. So, she’s making the medical books – not exactly how i wanted her to, but it is what it is. We’re not sure of her prognosis since her condition is that rare, but I have to believe in my heart that she will live a long, healthy, and beautiful life. She is a beautiful little angel who has gone through so much in her short life. She is an inspiration to me and has given me strength and courage that i didn’t think I had. Unfortunately, we haven’t had an opportunity for a professional photo op and she and I have not been photographed together, aside from the day she was born. I would love to be able to have some professional photos of her….
Millie - Because my family has NEVER had a photo shoot or an opportunity to show off our awesomeness!! Especially our rockin baby girl who is now 7 months needs to strut her stuff. PLUS, I am always on the other side of the lens, how fair is that? Doesn’t my baby actually need her MOM in the same picture as her! haha.
Shannon Bullock - Four reasons
Because I am excited that you are getting pictures from the Sloan’s.
It is always good to give to others I will be giving to my AZ friends.
I LOVE the Little Miss Sunshine shirt picture you have on your website..I love yellow because it reminds me of sunshine.
and NO I am not related to Sandra Bullock though everyone always asks me when they hear my name over the phone, so unfortunately she does not give me money…so I would really love to win!
April Betts - How about 10 reasons:
10. It’s been 2 years since you took our last fam pics.
9. We have another family member.
8. I’d like another pic of all my kids crying.
7. Audrey has hair now.
6. Does any other family make you laugh as much?
5. It’s not a birthday or holiday.
4. We need a new pic before Ryan or I go to the loony bin.
3. We need a new pic before Ryan or I strangle Ethan.
2. You’ve missed Ethan’s wit and charming personality.
1. It will force us to pick a day to get together!
Shannon Bullock - Because my two best friends that I have known since I was 12 decided to date then get married and eventually have two beautiful children together. They left me for AZ and are now raising their family without their 3rd wheel friend (thats me!). They are the best people ever not only because they are my friends but because they help everyone. They just recently have become parents of 2 more teenagers non the less after agreeing to take custody of nieces. So in there 20′s they have 4 kids and are just working it out. We all turn 30 this year and they have never ever taken professional photography pictures. I took there wedding photos after I had taken a photography class in college, so giving them a great session without the kids would be like a very very old wedding gift from me and a great 30 birthday present also. They have also recently encouraged me to go back to school for photography because they know I love it and they are great friends. So I would love to give this to them since they support me and they can experience professional fun pictures they way I want to learn to take them. So its not for me its for them.
brenda - Rachael, your baby and her leg warmers are too cute. i would love to know where you got them? i would love to get some baby leg warmers for my dear friend at work who is expecting her first baby soon.
(good luck on picking a winner!)
Jenny B - sorry I put the wrong e-mail address, here is the right one
Jenny B - My reason is because if I survive one more day of being a poor, pregnant, SAHM its worth celebrating. Plus I would love more than anything to have a reason to get all dolled up and buy my kids new cute outfits, and my husband always looks hot, it should definitely be documented.
Stephen Andert - I was going to enter, but after reading Robin Loudon Welker’s comment, I am increasing her chances by not entering. (Congrats to Robin for her sons recovery and strong family!)
Robin Loudon Welker - Hi Rachael! We went to high school together, and my how time goes by so fast! You are so talented! What beautiful pictures, and a great idea. My reason for a photo shoot would be because my 10 year anniversary is this May, and my sweetie of 10 years is the love of my life. What better way to document true love than with a personal photo shoot. Him and I have been through so much together, especially with our oldest son’s battle with cancer, and ultimately overcoming it with the help of us, his Mommy and Daddy. All our trials together in life have cemented our love for eachother. Words can’t always say what love someone has for another person, but eyes can always see how they feel about eachother. So pick me because I’d love to have that vision captured for FOREVER!!!
Shara Hancock - Hi! I am Dax’s Aunt(shawns older sis). I love your photography! I could not resist entering, hope you dont mind. My reason would be because my daughter is coming up on a year and I am a slacker mom and never taken her in for photos! -Shara
Jamie Burnett - I want to win because I need a better excuse to come back to Arizona considering the front page of our local newspaper was dedicated to “Hog Killin’ Day”. If that’s not an excuse to get outta dodge y’all…I don’t know what is!
P.S. I just wanna kiss those adorable wrinkly baby toes! She should be a baby model.
Lauren Fetter - Hi my name is Lauren Fetter (Yes im related to Dax Fetter he’s my adorable nephew). I want my pictures taken (i mean who doesn’t). The cute pictures you’ve done with Dax, I’m jelous. I’m 13 and not getting any younger. I love the pictures you’ve taken, your truely talented. I’d love to have super cute pictures. I need to remember my teenage years with great memories. The pictures I have now are bad (they are blurry most the time) and don’t reflect who I am. I would love to have my pictures taken for FREE! I could promote it, by putting my pictures in my binder for school. Not only would I get compliments about the photos but ask who took them. I would gladly reply RACHAEL EARL. Please pick me because I need pictures that reflect me.
Darcy Martin - Alright so I have to enter even though it looks like the possibility of winning just keeps getting smaller and smalller.. but I REALLY REALLY NEED FAMILY PICTURES TAKEN!!! In my 6 years marriage to my husband we’ve NEVER had pictures done, except the once a year shot on the back porch at my moms for Thanksgiving
Yep, that’s a keeper! And you can only ask you’re photog friends to take your pictures for free without feeling stupid so many times (money’s tight!) So if you want a challenge cause my kids are crazy wild, but the cutest in town.. pick us! Plus I’ve decided to start my own trend.. winning every contest Rachael Earl puts up on her blog 
We are up for anything, lets do something new and fun.. lets just do it!! Thanks Rachael.. OH and here’s another reason why I should win.. so I won your last contest and I got all excited the day I got the awesome mix CD, went out to the car to drive across town, only to have my CD player go out with your CD inside before it ever played!!! And it’s still in there now! …,
Tara Keator - To be totally honest….I’ve gained a lot of weight since being married and having kids. I am working on losing 85lbs this year before Thanksgiving. I am really hoping for this. I have been so unhappy with any photos that I have had with my family, I won’t hang them in my house. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have a family photo to blow up 20×30 or bigger after this weight is gone!! I got the personal trainer, got the motivation, just waiting for the time to fly by and get skinny. Haha, now that I have shared this with the world, just throwing it out there.
Mary Beth Frei - Ok, so if I won, I wouldn’t really use it for me, I’d use it for my parents. They’ve always done so much for their children and grandchildren, and I honestly think they need to be reminded how beautiful they are…not to mention, what a success a 40 year marriage is in this day and age!
Becca Goodman - Because who knows how long Palmer will keep what little hair he has!
Rachael Earl - LOL, Michelle! My husband always looks like a single dad in our photos, too!
Michelle Duckworth - Because as a Mommy with a camera I would love to be on the other side of the lens with my husband and kids… instead of him looking like a great single father with 3 cute kids. Plus I love your style.
Rachael Earl - Pruney toes fresh out of the bathtub
Jen Stewart - Ok, so I’m not going to be in AZ anytime soon, but I just HAD to comment on this photo. I just LOVe the bright rainbow leg warmers and the itty bitty toes. sooooo cute!
Becka Knight - Love the wrinkly baby toes!
Zak - because I need a stimulus package that will make a difference in my life.
david & kimi b - check this out. 8 ball. you got a question, you ask the 8 ball.
should rachael earl give us this free session?
all signs point to yes.
Kelvin Leung - I guess I’ll comment first. In the old days, before people have their own cameras (I’m not talking about your phone:). If they want to have portrait picture taken, they need to go to studio. It’s professional with special lighting and it is a big deal. Nowadays, people have their cameras, iphones, we do have a lot more pictures taken anywhere from home, school, or even their bathroom.
But, those snapshots flood our lives so much that we don’t really appreciate the anticipation of a professional photography service. The fun part about photography doesn’t really existing in those snapshots. I think everyone should schedule a photosession at least once a quarter to capture their life/family/happiness/sadness…
Leah simmers - 1) because we won’t be any prettier tomorrow then we are today
2) because some photographers out there are joining the bandwagon against the photoshopped / over processed look- we need that look
3) “cause I wanna be a rockstar baby . . .”
Cristi - Rachael, this is the coolest contest ever! I want to do one too! You might have started a trend…