I’ve moved!

In case you were wondering why I haven’t been blogging too much, it’s because I’ve moved!  I got my website redesigned and have moved my blog over to my site as well.  So, if you are dying to read what I’ve been up to, come visit me at My Blog!  I look forward to seeing you!

“Giving is Awesome”

www.givingisawesome.com

In the spirit of this Christmas season that is fast approaching, I’ve joined “Giving is Awesome.” What is this, you may ask? Giving is Awesome is a simple effort by photographers worldwide to give back to their communities. Regional contests are sponsored by photographers across the globe. Each photographer gives away a session fee and a certain amount of portrait products (i.e. – photographs), to a worthy individual or family this holiday season.

To summarize, I’ll be giving away $250 worth of my photographic services to a truly deserving family or individual this holiday season.  The winner will be announced on my blog on Christmas Eve, December 24th.  The rules to nominate are:

1.  You cannot nominate yourself.

2.  The person you nominate must be sincerely incapable of purchasing my services.

3.  The nominee must reside in Maryland.  Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork.  Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself.

4.  You must email me the full story at mandysroka@gmail.com

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve – get nominating!  I can’t wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season – and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,

Mandy

Getting married in 2009? Win a free photographer!

If you or someone you know is getting married in 2009, and you already have a date chosen, you can win a free wedding photographer courtesy of my wonderful friend, teacher, and fellow photographer – Stacy Richardson! Visit her blog for details…but hurry, this contest has a deadline! Below are just two of her STELLAR images. She’s great at photography, and super easy to work with (trust me, I’d know!). So write your greatest love story, submit it, and wait for the winner! Good luck!

Copyright Stacy Richardson Photography

Copyright Stacy Richardson Photography

The Deterding Family

Thanksgiving, for me, is a time of celebrating all the blessings we’ve been given with our loved ones. This Thanksgiving I had the honor of photographing dear, dear friends, the Deterding’s. Chris & Patti have attended our church as long as it’s been in existence, and their children – Amy, Steve, & Jimmy – attended Annapolis Area Christian School with my husband’s family. Now, with all the children married, three grandchildren, and Grandma Kay, they are quite a bunch. The Deterding’s have always been a blessing to us, and I was excited to be able to bless them on their morning together this Thanksgiving. Enjoy your mini-preview!

Anna & Kate

Many faces of Mackinzie

I know I’ve posted about a gazillion Christmas cards, but I couldn’t resist putting Mackinzie in one once I’d edited these four photos of her. She was just too precious! This is for mommy Laura, daddy Bert, & Gigi & Pop Pop while you wait for the rest of them to be finished!

Coupon!

Since I absolutely love saving money, and using coupons, I decided to have both opportunities for this Holiday Season.  I’m putting up this coupon for my blog readers and Facebook friends.  It’s the last coupon of the year!  In case you can’t read it, here’s what it’s for:  $25 off your photo session, or $25 off a photo session gift certificate purchased for a family member or friend.  So, if you want to book a photo session, or give one as a gift this Christmas, it’s now only $75.00.  This offer runs from now until December 24th, 2008.  That’s great news for any of you last-minute-givers, because I can email you (or your gift recipient) the coupon on the last possible day!  Enjoy, and thanks for making my year so wonderful with all your smiling faces!

Just foolin’ around

So I’ve been totally inspired by all these great Christmas cards that people with mad Photoshop skills are creating (especially Amy Wenzel’s Swiss Miss Design Haus)…and I decided to try my hand at an original, funky, fun, Christmas card. It features Mike & Rachel and some not-so-traditional Christmas colors. BUT, there are snowflakes! Enjoy!

This next one is another vertical card, but 4×5.5 inches, featuring Bella. The color scheme shows various shades of red and gray.

The third card you see is a 4×5.5 inch horizontal card, featuring the Foley family. It’s much simpler, but I love the rich red & gold.

Beautiful Bethesda, MD

This afternoon I traveled to Bethesda, Maryland to meet a fun family wanting some pictures before Christmas. My husband works in Bethesda quite a bit so it was nice to see for that reason. It was also great practice photographing a 4-year-old and a 15-month-old because those are almost the exact ages of my two children. Only difference….these were boys! If anyone thinks there’s no difference between boys and girls, they’re wrong! These little guys gave me a run for my money, but they also gave me lots of laughs. Thanks Adam & Amy for letting me “play” today…I had a lot of fun. Enjoy your preview!

Bella

If my memory serves me correctly, “bella” means beautiful in some language. Even if it doesn’t, it should, because this baby girl is just that….beautiful!

I got to meet and reconnect with a sweet family today. My husband knew Carrie a couple of years ago, and I was able to meet with her today when I got to capture her, and her husband Dane, and their 5-month-old daughter, Isabella. She was a wonderful model and very compliant! Thanks for sharing your morning with me and enjoy your mini-preview!

My favorite shot so far

Oh, and nice choice of outfit, Aunt Kristina!