2nd Annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway ~ Day 12

**The Day 11 winner and the GRAND PRIZE winner will be announced at the end of this post!**

So, here we are....the final day of the 12 days of giveaways for 2010. I'd like to thank each and every one of you that have followed the blog and daily posts. Please remember that all prizes must be claimed by January 2nd, 2011 or they will be forfeited. Simply email me at shayward1@cogeco.ca to claim your prize(s) and I plan to get all certificates out shortly after the new year. I'd also like to take this time to wish everyone a VERY Merry Christmas and many blessings throughout the holidays!
Before I announce the day 11 winner and the grand prize winner, I'd like to share this image, taken last month, of a beautiful set of twins that I had the pleasure of photographing in the studio. I've actually had a few sets of multiples in the studio lately and look forward to the possibility of a few more in the new year. Here's sweet Michael and Kate...this image makes me smile every time I look at it and I thought it would be a great way to finish off the giveaways with...

Onto the day 11 winner of the 25.00 gift certificate...

Congrats Avery! lease email me at shayward1@cogeco.ca by Jan. 2, 2011 to claim your prize! Any prizes claimed after this date will be forfeited.

And now, the grand prize winner, chosen by random.org out of a total of 271 comments is....................................


Congratulations Vivian! Please email me at shayward1@cogeco.ca by Jan. 2, 2011 to claim your prize! Any prizes claimed after this date will be forfeited.

And thanks again everyone for playing along!!!

2nd Annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway ~ Day 11

**Yesterday's Day 10 winner will be announced at the end of this post!**

Today is your last chance to get in on your chance at today's giveaway, as well as the grand prize giveaway of a 150.00 gift certificate (to be announced on Christmas Eve). The winner of the grand prize will be randomly chosen from all daily entries throughout the first 11 days....so, the more often you commented daily, the more chances you have at winning the grand prize!

Today's image is from an engagement session in October. This year, the fall colors really came through in my images and this is one of my favorite shots of the bunch from this session. I can't wait to see Jon & Rachel again on their big day next year!

Comment on this post for your chance at today's prize...
a 25.00 gift certificate!

To have a chance at winning, all you have to do is leave a comment on my blog each day, under that day's post, if you'd like to be have a chance at winning. Your comment can be anything, simply your name, a comment about that day's photo etc... The next day, I will have random.org choose a winner and will post that winner, along with the next day's blog entry. It's advisable to comment as soon as possible after the day's entry is made as I'm not going to give out set times as to when I'll be posting and when winners will be chosen. It will be whenever I have time in the day to do so.
I will post a reminder in my status on facebook as to when the blog post(s) will be visible. Comments MUST be made here on the blog, not on facebook, in order to be considered. Comments also must be made before the next day's post goes up and must have a name associated with them. Late postings and one's without a name will be deleted and will not count.

And now onto the Day 9 winner of the 50.00 gift certificate....


Congratulations Christine Keith! Please email me at shayward1@cogeco.ca by Jan. 2, 2011 to claim your prize! Any prizes claimed after this date will be forfeited.

Sweet Henry ~ Niagara Newborn Photographer

Meet Henry. A beautiful new additional to this wonderful family. I first met Mom & Dad in a most horrible way this past year as one of my
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep families. So Henry here, is a baby brother to a most beautiful baby girl named Elizabeth, who I think of often. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to watch this family come full circle and be blessed with such a gorgeous baby boy after such heartache not long ago.

2nd Annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway ~ Day 10

**Yesterday's Day 9 winner will be announced at the end of this post!**

Today's image is from a newborn session in September, although you might not be able to tell this sweet girl is newborn because she's so big!! Look at those rolls LOL! She slept peacefully through most of the shoot and we were able to get some great first pictures of her, including this one

Comment on this post for your chance at today's prize...
a 50.00 gift certificate!

To have a chance at winning, all you have to do is leave a comment on my blog each day, under that day's post, if you'd like to be have a chance at winning. Your comment can be anything, simply your name, a comment about that day's photo etc... The next day, I will have random.org choose a winner and will post that winner, along with the next day's blog entry. It's advisable to comment as soon as possible after the day's entry is made as I'm not going to give out set times as to when I'll be posting and when winners will be chosen. It will be whenever I have time in the day to do so.
I will post a reminder in my status on facebook as to when the blog post(s) will be visible. Comments MUST be made here on the blog, not on facebook, in order to be considered. Comments also must be made before the next day's post goes up and must have a name associated with them. Late postings and one's without a name will be deleted and will not count.

And now onto the Day 9 winner of the brand new, mini accordian albums....

Congratulations izz's mom! Please email me at shayward1@cogeco.ca by Jan. 2, 2011 to claim your prize! Any prizes claimed after this date will be forfeited.

2nd Annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway ~ Day 9

**Yesterday's Day 8 winner will be announced at the end of this post!**

Today's image is of my 2 little ones (k, not so little anymore), on the beach in Port Dalhousie, on a beautiful August day this past summer. We took the rare opportunity as a family to go down to the beach and snap a few photos and just spend some quality family time together that day. So much fun :)

Comment on this post for your chance at today's prize, another new product for 2011...
a complimentary set of 3 mini accordian albums from your next session!

These wallet size albums are a PERFECT way to show off any kind of photos....wedding, baby, family etc....Just pop them in your pocket or purse for a quick and easy way to brag about your loved ones! Even better, these albums will be offered as a bonus gift for product orders totaling 275.00 or more in the new year!

To have a chance at winning, all you have to do is leave a comment on my blog each day, under that day's post, if you'd like to be have a chance at winning. Your comment can be anything, simply your name, a comment about that day's photo etc... The next day, I will have random.org choose a winner and will post that winner, along with the next day's blog entry. It's advisable to comment as soon as possible after the day's entry is made as I'm not going to give out set times as to when I'll be posting and when winners will be chosen. It will be whenever I have time in the day to do so.
I will post a reminder in my status on facebook as to when the blog post(s) will be visible. Comments MUST be made here on the blog, not on facebook, in order to be considered. Comments also must be made before the next day's post goes up and must have a name associated with them. Late postings and one's without a name will be deleted and will not count.

And now onto the Day 8 winner of a 25.00 gift certificate....


Congratulations Samantha B.! Please email me at shayward1@cogeco.ca by Jan. 2, 2011 to claim your prize! Any prizes claimed after this date will be forfeited.

2nd Annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway ~ Day 8

**Yesterday's Day 7 winner will be announced at the end of this post!**

Today's image is from a newborn shoot in August. Adorable Austin and his parents are on my popular "bellies to babies" program which means I get to watch this little guy grow! How cool is that? This picture melts my heart, just love it

Comment on this post for your chance at today's prize,
a 25.00 gift certificate!

To have a chance at winning, all you have to do is leave a comment on my blog each day, under that day's post, if you'd like to be have a chance at winning. Your comment can be anything, simply your name, a comment about that day's photo etc... The next day, I will have random.org choose a winner and will post that winner, along with the next day's blog entry. It's advisable to comment as soon as possible after the day's entry is made as I'm not going to give out set times as to when I'll be posting and when winners will be chosen. It will be whenever I have time in the day to do so.
I will post a reminder in my status on facebook as to when the blog post(s) will be visible. Comments MUST be made here on the blog, not on facebook, in order to be considered. Comments also must be made before the next day's post goes up and must have a name associated with them. Late postings and one's without a name will be deleted and will not count.

And now onto the Day 7 winner of a a 50.00 gift certificate....

Congratulations Eva! Please email me at shayward1@cogeco.ca by Jan. 2, 2011 to claim your prize! Any prizes claimed after this date will be forfeited.

2nd Annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway ~ Day 7

**Yesterday's Day 6 winner will be announced at the end of this post!**

July's image is from Day 1 of this year's Rock the Dress marathon. I scoped out a killer location and a total of 6 brave girls rocked their dresses with us over that weekend. We had SO much fun, came out with some pretty fantastic images, and I can't wait until next year's event!

Comment on this post for your chance at today's prize,
a 50.00 gift certificate!

To have a chance at winning, all you have to do is leave a comment on my blog each day, under that day's post, if you'd like to be have a chance at winning. Your comment can be anything, simply your name, a comment about that day's photo etc... The next day, I will have random.org choose a winner and will post that winner, along with the next day's blog entry. It's advisable to comment as soon as possible after the day's entry is made as I'm not going to give out set times as to when I'll be posting and when winners will be chosen. It will be whenever I have time in the day to do so.
I will post a reminder in my status on facebook as to when the blog post(s) will be visible. Comments MUST be made here on the blog, not on facebook, in order to be considered. Comments also must be made before the next day's post goes up and must have a name associated with them. Late postings and one's without a name will be deleted and will not count.

And now onto the Day 6 winner of a certificate for 25% off any product at your next session....



Congratulations TayandJay! Please email me at shayward1@cogeco.ca by Jan. 2, 2011 to claim your prize! Any prizes claimed after this date will be forfeited.

2nd Annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway ~ Day 6

**Yesterday's Day 5 winner will be announced at the end of this post!**

Today's image is from Mike & Miranda's beach wedding this past June. We really lucked out with the weather that day as all weather reports had called for all day rain. You can tell from the picture that the rain thankfully held off and after about 7 or 8 tries, we got this super-fun shot for this awesome couple and wedding party. We had a blast that day :)

Comment on this post for your chance at today's prize, a certificate for 25% off any product at your next session

To have a chance at winning, all you have to do is leave a comment on my blog each day, under that day's post, if you'd like to be have a chance at winning. Your comment can be anything, simply your name, a comment about that day's photo etc... The next day, I will have random.org choose a winner and will post that winner, along with the next day's blog entry. It's advisable to comment as soon as possible after the day's entry is made as I'm not going to give out set times as to when I'll be posting and when winners will be chosen. It will be whenever I have time in the day to do so.
I will post a reminder in my status on facebook as to when the blog post(s) will be visible. Comments MUST be made here on the blog, not on facebook, in order to be considered. Comments also must be made before the next day's post goes up and must have a name associated with them. Late postings and one's without a name will be deleted and will not count.

And now onto the Day 5 winner of the complimentary 8X10 float wrap....


Congratulations Katrina! Please email me at shayward1@cogeco.ca by Jan. 2, 2011 to claim your prize! Any prizes claimed after this date will be forfeited.

2nd Annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway ~ Day 5

**Yesterday's Day 4 winner will be announced at the end of this post!**

Today's photo is a personal one that I took during our most recent trip to Florida last May. We've been a few times now but this picture of Mickey and Alex is my all time FAVOURITE ever! Love, love, love it! There's simply something so magical about Disney and you can almost feel it in this picture :)

Comment on this post for your chance at today's prize, one of my brand new products for 2011....
a certificate for a complimentary 8X10 float mount wrap with your next session!

Float Wraps are a new, unique option to display images. Float Wraps are similar to Canvas Gallery Wraps in that they add dimension by extending out from the wall. Float wraps are unique in that they appear to be floating on the wall with the main focus on the image!


To have a chance at winning, all you have to do is leave a comment on my blog each day, under that day's post, if you'd like to be have a chance at winning. Your comment can be anything, simply your name, a comment about that day's photo etc... The next day, I will have random.org choose a winner and will post that winner, along with the next day's blog entry. It's advisable to comment as soon as possible after the day's entry is made as I'm not going to give out set times as to when I'll be posting and when winners will be chosen. It will be whenever I have time in the day to do so.
I will post a reminder in my status on facebook as to when the blog post(s) will be visible. Comments MUST be made here on the blog, not on facebook, in order to be considered. Comments also must be made before the next day's post goes up and must have a name associated with them. Late postings and one's without a name will be deleted and will not count.

And now onto the Day 4 winner of the complimentary photo session for up to 4 people! (sitting fee only)...

Congrats Stacey Davidson! Please email me at shayward1@cogeco.ca by Jan. 2, 2011 to claim your prize! Any prizes claimed after this date will be forfeited.

2nd Annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway ~ Day 4

**Yesterday's Day 3 winner will be announced at the end of this post!**

Today's image was capture in April and was my very first request for a "trash the prom dress" session. Beautiful Nella and I headed out to Port Dalhousie for our version of a super fun "senior type" session.
Seriously, could she be any prettier???

Comment on this post for your chance at today's prize,
a certificate for a complimentary photo session for up to 4 people! (sitting fee only)

To have a chance at winning, all you have to do is leave a comment on my blog each day, under that day's post, if you'd like to be have a chance at winning. Your comment can be anything, simply your name, a comment about that day's photo etc... The next day, I will have random.org choose a winner and will post that winner, along with the next day's blog entry. It's advisable to comment as soon as possible after the day's entry is made as I'm not going to give out set times as to when I'll be posting and when winners will be chosen. It will be whenever I have time in the day to do so.
I will post a reminder in my status on facebook as to when the blog post(s) will be visible. Comments MUST be made here on the blog, not on facebook, in order to be considered. Comments also must be made before the next day's post goes up and must have a name associated with them. Late postings and one's without a name will be deleted and will not count.

And now onto the Day 3 winner of the 25.00 donation to NILMDTS...



Congrats Briar! Please email me at shayward1@cogeco.ca by Jan. 2, 2011 to claim your prize! Any prizes claimed after this date will be forfeited.

2nd Annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway ~ Day 3

**Yesterday's Day 2 winner will be announced at the end of this post!**

Today's post is extra special. That's because in February of this past year, I had the honor of meeting and capturing sweet Emma's much too short visit here on Earth. Many of you know that I work with an organization called Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. For those that aren't aware of what NILMDTS is, this is taken from the website:

"Pregnancy and birth are miraculous journeys. This amazing time of life is full of mystery, anticipation, joy, hope, and wonder. Feeling the powerful energy of birth and new life, watching as a new family is born unto each other. These things humble and amaze. These are the things that we celebrate when a baby is born.
But there is another aspect of pregnancy and birth. There is an unexpected place in this journey where some families may find themselves. When a baby dies, a world is turned upside down. There is confusion, sadness, fear, and uncertainty that cannot be explained. There is sorrow where there should have been joy. During this time, it might be impossible for families to know what they might need in order to heal in the future.
This is the place where the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation gently provides a helping hand and a healing heart. For families overcome by grief and pain, the idea of photographing their baby may not immediately occur to them. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner is the heart of this organization. The soft, gentle heirloom photographs of these beautiful babies are an important part of the healing process. They allow families to honor and cherish their babies, and share the spirits of their lives. The NILMDTS mission statement is to introduce remembrance photography to parents suffering the loss of a baby with the gift of professional portraiture. We believe these images serve as an important step in the family's healing process by honoring their child's legacy.
The Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation (NILMDTS) administers a network of more than 7,000 volunteer photographers in the United States and 25 countries. At a family's request, a NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer will come to your hospital or hospice location and conduct a sensitive and private portrait session. The portraits are then professionally retouched and presented to the families on an archival DVD or CD that can be used to print portraits of their cherished baby."

So, as you can see, this organization is not one that's easy to be a part of by any means, but just knowing that the gift we provide to these families that find themselves in this horrible situation may somehow make things just a little easier, is more than enough reason for me personally to keep doing what I do.

Back to Emma. This beautiful girl's time was short, but through her pictures and her families memories, her legacy lives on. Her Mommmy is all about sharing Emma's life with anyone who will listen, and I thought that March's entry should be dedicated to her (with her Mommy's blessing of course)

Emma and the other sweet angels I've met on this journey of being an area co-ordinator for NILMDTS have changed me in ways I can't explain and for that, I'm humbled and thankful.

Back to the contest, today's prize is a little bit different and I hope you'll all understand why. Comment on this post for your chance at today's prize,
a 25.00 donation to NILMDTS in your name, in honor of Emma and the other sweet babies who's time here on earth was far too short.

To have a chance at winning, all you have to do is leave a comment on my blog each day, under that day's post, if you'd like to be have a chance at winning. Your comment can be anything, simply your name, a comment about that day's photo etc... The next day, I will have random.org choose a winner and will post that winner, along with the next day's blog entry. It's advisable to comment as soon as possible after the day's entry is made as I'm not going to give out set times as to when I'll be posting and when winners will be chosen. It will be whenever I have time in the day to do so.
I will post a reminder in my status on facebook as to when the blog post(s) will be visible. Comments MUST be made here on the blog, not on facebook, in order to be considered.

And now onto the Day 2 winner of the $50.00 gift certificate...



Congratulations jke7698 (I'll assume that's not your real name). Please email me at shayward1@cogeco.ca by Jan. 2, 2011 to claim your prize! Any prizes claimed after this date will be forfeited.

2nd Annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway ~ Day 2

**Yesterday's Day 1 winner will be announced at the end of this post!**

Onto day 2 of the 2nd Annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway! Today's image is of a sweet little family very dear to me. They're one of the many "clients turned friends" that I've worked with over the years and I'm super excited to be watching this family grow. They are getting ready to welcome their first "non-furry" child into their lives in the new year and I can't wait to capture Lindsay's beautiful baby bump and Gavin's expression when he holds his little girl :) This shot was taken this past February, not too long after they welcomed their fur-baby Kobe into their home. There was some snow on the ground and although it was pretty cool out, we still had a really great time :)

So, comment away for your chance at today's prize, a 50.00 gift certificate! All you have to do is leave a comment on my blog each day, under that day's post, if you'd like to be have a chance at winning. Your comment can be anything, simply your name, a comment about that day's photo etc... The next day, I will have random.org choose a winner and will post that winner, along with the next day's blog entry. It's advisable to comment as soon as possible after the day's entry is made as I'm not going to give out set times as to when I'll be posting and when winners will be chosen. It will be whenever I have time in the day to do so.
I will post a reminder in my status on facebook as to when the blog post(s) will be visible. Comments MUST be made here on the blog, not on facebook, in order to be considered.

And now onto the Day 1 winner of the complimentary 11X14 print at their next session...



Congrats Stacie Brown! Please email me at shayward1@cogeco.ca by Jan. 2, 2011 to claim your prize! Any prizes claimed after this date will be forfeited.

2nd Annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway ~ Day 1

Starting today and each day, for 12 days, I will do up a blog post with a picture/pictures from the past year. All you have to do is leave a comment on my blog each day, under that day's post, if you'd like to be have a chance at winning. Your comment can be anything, simply your name, a comment about that day's photo etc... The next day, I will have random.org choose a winner and will post that winner, along with the next day's blog entry. It's advisable to comment as soon as possible after the day's entry is made as I'm not going to give out set times as to when I'll be posting and when winners will be chosen. It will be whenever I have time in the day to do so.
I will post a reminder in my status on facebook as to when the blog post(s) will be visible. Comments MUST be made here on the blog, not on facebook, in order to be considered.
This year, you can look forward to the chance of winning gift certificates in various denominations, % off certificates and even a chance at some of the new products I'll be offering in 2011. The grand prize winner will be chosen from a cumulative total of all comments received, so be sure to comment each day for the maximum amount of entries for the grand prize. But you must comment before the next day's posting in order to qualify (this prevents people from going in and commenting for entries at the end, all at once). This year's grand prize winner will win a 150.00 gift certificate and will be announced on Christmas Eve. You can win more than once but prizes MAY NOT be combined.
If anyone has any questions, please don't hesitate to forward them to
shayward1@cogeco.ca
Please do not use the comment form on the blog for this purpose.

Day 1

I've decided to dedicate each blog post to a photo shoot that took place during each month this past year. So to start, here's a super fun shot from Marissa & Drew's unique engagement shoot this past January, where we all braved the freezing cold and snow to capture some shots in Niagara Falls, right where they got engaged. We also went inside to grab some fun images in the midway. Marissa & Drew will be tying the knot in just a few short weeks on New Years Eve and we're really looking forward to it!

So, comment away and tomorrow's post will also announce today's winner :) Today's giveaway is a certificate for a complimentary 11X14 print with your next session! Good luck!

Adorable X3! ~ Niagara Multiples Photographer

There was a first in the studio this week...I had the huge pleasure of having 3 GORGEOUS babies here who happen to be the first set of triplets I've ever photographed. With the help of their beautiful Mommy, their Daddy and their doting grandma, as well as the invaluable help of friend and fellow photographer Deanna Williams, it was 4 hours of a bit of chaos, but so worth every minute. It was such a pleasure to meet and spend time with this family and I'm looking forward to watching these sweet babies grow! Here's some of what we captured: