This was a wonderful contest theme! I can’t tell you how many fantastic and inspiring photos we received. Every image was touching, especially the stories you wrote with your images. I really needed the help of others on narrowing it down to five, but I think you’re going to be inspired with what we’ve got!
Vote for one of these five finalists by leaving your vote in the comments!
Finalist #1: Big Brother Shay and Baby Sister Tess, by Kelly (proud mom). Kelly wrote that she had butterflies in her stomach the first few times she watched her two children connect. Witnessing those moments of new beginnings between siblings is breath taking. Wonderful photo Kelly!
Finalist #2: First Day of School, by Stacie (another proud mom). The anxiety that goes into a first day is familiar to so many of us, and I love the way Stacie captured her girls. The composition on this shot is really eye catching.
Finalist #3: Portrait of Me, by Michelle. This was one of the sweetest emails/entries. “2008 is going to be the year that I try and find out who I am other than “mom” and what excites me. With a 5 month old, 3 year old and 5 year old..it is not going to be easy, but I need to do it. Armed with my new camera and attending your photography workshop, I am ready to learn more about something I love..photography…Other things that the photograph shows is the never ending pile of laundry that is the bain of my existence. This year, I am just going to let it go and not worry about the house always being perfect..the laundry will be there tomorrow (and the next day) but my kids won’t always be little.” Michelle also has a great blog called “A Mom’s Life“.
Finalist #4: A Piano for Christmas, by Judy (a proud and patient mom 
). Judie wrote that friends of the family decided it was time for their home to have some music. So on Christmas day a new beginning took place and the house has never been so full of music.
Finalist #5: New Nephew at 1 week, by Judith (proud auntie!). Judith wrote that this little one not only brings a beautiful new life, but Judith also has a whole new level of closeness with her sister as sisters, mothers and women.
There you have it! The five wonderful finalists for the New Beginnings, January Photo Contest! Submit your vote in the comments for the winner (with a few words on why you chose their photo) and you may possibly win the random voter award!!
Prizes?!!! Three ways to win!! (why do I feel like a game show host as I type this? )
The winning Finalist will get $100 credit to one of our 2008 workshops!
AND a Random Voter will receive $100 credit for a 2008 workshop too!
AND, AND…there is a third way to win something!!
I just got my new 2008 calendar in the mail. I”m so excited!!! It’s my favorite calendar by Nikki McClure (beautiful papercuts with inspiring images and words).
We’re going to pick a SECOND random voter for this contest and send you your own copy of this awesome 2008 calendar!
You’ve got until this Wednesday night at 8pm ET time to vote!! Tell your friends and family to vote for you b/c we even still have a spot for you in this weekend’s Seattle Workshop!!
#5. Reminds me of my youth.
#5 I fell asleep looking at this picture; it is so peaceful.
We vote for #5. There’s nothing that speaks of “new beginnings” more than having a new born enter your life.
#1 is my vote. It really captured the loving dialogue the two convey with their eyes.
All of the pictures are great, but my vote is for #1. It is simply stunning!
#5, I wish I had such a precious picture of my babies when they were that age!
My vote is for #5. I love the visual image, but also the subliminal connection of the new baby vs. fresh white towels…LOVE IT!
I vote #5. Even if I weren’t so tired I would still vote #5. That darling baby is too cute and too cuddley for words. Good job, Auntie!
I’d say number 2. It seems to capture the theme best.
#5 is truly the winner!
Fantastic job Judith!
#3
I can totally relate. I feel like 2008 is going to be the year I devote more time to me and my interest!
#1 it’s spontaneous!
I vote for #1
#1 gets my vote. Pictures like this are rare
#1!!! I love how the simplicity of the black & white doubles as a theme for the simplicity of the love between a brother and his new baby sister. Kelly captured it beautifully.
#1. What a beautiful shot with big brother. What are they thinking about?
My vote goes to #3 it’s hard keeping your identity once you become a mom and the luandry piles up
#3 – I can relate
My Vote is for #5…absolutely adorable!! Definitely a new beginning and on top of his world! So sweet!
#1 is a slam dunk! What a wonderful new begining. I hope they always come to feel the way they seem to in this photo. You are blessed.
I think that all of the photos are fantastic, but #3 resonates with me most of all. The bold colors, the statement, the Mom ever behind the camera, capturing all of her children’s precious moments and at the same time figuring her role as mom/woman/photograher/observer/participatnt. I think Michelle did an amazing job of summing it up, as the expression says… “a picture is worth a thousand words”!
I vote for #3. I feel that Michelle has huge potential and great talent, especially for catching such sweet precious moments of her gorgeous children. Good luck Michelle!!!