I’ve always been a massive proponent of lending a hand. I’ve probably started no less than 3 blog posts with that a similar sentence over the years and each time I say it, it just helps to reaffirm that belief. This year is no different. I’ve been fortunate that my life has been filled with opportunity, love, health, and a network of amazing friends and family. As such, I’ve always tried to open my heart to others who may need a hand, whether its by helping them to achieve goals, or to provide a mentor to those wish to have one. I’ve always donated my time as a photographer to many charitable causes for auction, donation of time or through my clients.
This year, I’m looking to go in a different direction and I’m opening up this charitable season as a contest to any and all couple’s (Any combination of 2 adults) out there. I know there are a ton of charitable organizations out there that don’t get the proper recognition and this is a way to really learn about them.
So here’s the deal, over the past year, I’ve saved up a certain dollar amount (is the amount something I should disclose?) that I’d like to donate to a charity of YOUR choice. In exchange, I’ll offer up my time for a 2hr couples session at no charge to you (an $800 value). Having said that, if you feel so inclined to pay me, you should know that the money you do give me goes straight towards whatever charity we’ve chosen to donate to. So now you’re asking yourself, “so wait a sec…you’re gonna donate your hard earned money to a charity of my choice and you’ll do a free session for the two of us?! What do you stand to gain?! What’s the catch??”. The catch is that there is no catch. I’ve never done charitable work with the expectation that I will personally gain from it (though volunteering as a Big Brother has definitely taught me so much more about myself than I ever would have imagined), or that I’ll suddenly win $500,000 (though having purchased a raffle ticket for the 4Kids Lottery may improve my chances of this happening). I stand to gain a smile, a warm hug and hopefully a thank-you. Ok, I lied a little…maybe I’ll gain more traffic to my website. And if nothing else, by asking you to look into your favourite charity, I gain the knowledge that you’ve learned just a bit more about a worthy cause (Wow! It’s pretty high up here on this horse ain’t it!!).
The largeprint:
To enter please email me at: terence [at] tlawphotography [dot] ca (or you can use my contact form) with the following information :
1. Who you are and how you met
2. Why you’d like to win this free 2 hr session
3. What charity you’d like to see the proceeds donated to and why is this charity important? (This part is very important)
4. Please join/like my Facebook fanpage
The smallprint:
The contest closes at 11:59pm on November 20, 2010 and the winner announced on Monday November 22, 2010. Any submissions after this time will not be accepted. Sessions must take place within Calgary, Alberta or 30 min drive from Calgary, Alberta (unless you wanna cover my travel cost to go where you are I’m cool with that too – hello to any readers in Jamaica!!). The session must take place within 6 months of the winner’s name being announced (short deadlines suck). Winners will be selected by myself and my assistant based on the submission that best exemplifies the spirit of charity, love, honestly, warmth and giving.
You too can also enjoy a couple’s session just like Jillian and Craig below…Ok go!
by tlaw
2 comments