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{charity model search | 2012}

January 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment
eunice brownlee charity model search photographer

© eunice brownlee 2011

Last year, I was extremely proud to participate in the International Charity Model Search, a fundraiser to benefit the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation.  We had so much fun with our kiddos and even had one take 18th place in our region (not bad out of over 1,000 entries)!! This year, we’re doing it again and we want to do it Eunice Brownlee style…BIG.

Our studio has a goal of photographing 100 kids and raising $1,500 for NILMDTS this year and I know we can do it!

The scoop: Eligible contestants must be 0-17 years of age. One photograph per contestant is allowed, and must be taken by a registered CMS photographer (ahem, moi). Photograph must have been taken between January 1 and March 15th, 2012.

The commitment: In addition to having your child photographed, we ask that you share the voting link with family and friends and encourage them to vote. Votes are $1 each and 100% of the proceeds go to NILMDTS and are tax deductible. Session fee is $45 per child and includes a 20 minute session and one digital brag file (additional items may be purchased).

The prizes will be announced shortly, but there is usually a grand prize of about $1000 in gifts and such. Plus, the finalists will all be published in Professional Photographer Magazine this summer.

To get started: Book your session! Available appointment times for this promotion are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, every half hour from 3-4:30 pm, and Saturdays from 10am-3pm, every half hour.

Please help us support this very worthy cause and give your child a moment in the spotlight.

 

Filed Under: {babies & kids}, {giving back}, {specials}

{READ TO ME | professionals}

August 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Let me just start out by saying how much I love Rebecca Erickson. She is made up of 100% amazing in every way. So it’s no surprise that her organization, READ TO ME::Colorado is also full of amazing. I was so honored to shoot these photos for their web site update.

Stack of books

© eunice brownlee 2011

READ TO ME is a local non-profit that provides an awesome “goody bag” to new, low-income families. The most important of which is a book. Through the years, Rebecca has learned that many families bring their babies home to a house with no books. As an avid reader and book lover, the idea of this is just foreign to me. Rebecca saw a need, however, and began to provide books to these families.

Contents of goody bag

© eunice brownlee 2011

We all know that reading to our children from an early age helps to promote literacy, and part of READ TO ME’s goal is to help in that respect. But Rebecca also talks about how just taking the time to snuggle your new baby, in the time it takes to read a book, provides a priceless bonding opportunity with that child. I think her message is pretty awesome: Snuggle your baby and read.

Mom & daughter reading

© eunice brownlee 2011

I first “met” Rebecca on Twitter, actually (so for those of you that think Twitter is a dumb waste of time, please take note!). I had put out a call to local non-profits to submit an application to be the beneficiary of the art show and wine tasting that I put on for my church each year. She was referred by a fellow CRAVE business to respond, and she did! As I talked to her about her organization, I immediately fell in love with her. We put on a fabulous show in April and raised a good chunk of money for READ TO ME.

Mom & kids reading

© eunice brownlee 2011

This summer, Rebecca was one of the winners of the Pepsi Refresh $5,000 grant. That money will go a long way towards helping her reach more families and provide more books. Her reach continues to spread, with a feature blurb in this month’s issue of Parent’s Magazine as well. See? I told you Rebecca is made of awesome!

I also want to continue to work with READ TO ME, so I am proud to announce that they will be one of my featured charity partners through 2012. I will be running a variety of portrait specials throughout the next year and a half  to help raise money for them, so keep your eyes open.

Little boy reading

© eunice brownlee 2011

If you’d like to find out more on how to get involved with READ TO ME, please email Rebecca and learn more.

Filed Under: {business}, {giving back}, {professionals}

{fundraiser | Colorado MESA}

May 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

You all know by now that I love to raise money for charity. I love it even more when raising money for charity is for education. So I didn’t hesitate to say, “I’m in!” when John Bosley approached me to participate in a fundraiser for Colorado MESA.  MESA stands for Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement and focuses on getting low income and underrepresented elementary, middle and high school kids into careers in math, science and engineering and they desperately need money for their program.

So John and his lovely wife Belinda brainstormed on how they could help. John decided that as photographers, we can put our talents to use and raise some money. John’s thought was that we use our senior portrait packages to raise money for this organization. I think it’s a brilliant idea.

© eunice brownlee 2011

Since I also do a lot of family portraiture, I would like to include a part of my profits from those sessions as well.

From today through June 30th, 20% of all session fees and print sales from Family and Senior sessions will be donated to Colorado MESA. Please help us raise a good chunk of money and support this very worthy cause. Click here to get your booking started!

Filed Under: {families}, {giving back}, {seniors} Tagged With: ,

{cutest kid contest | we need your vote!}

March 30, 2011 By 1 Comment

In the fall, I was reading one of my professional trade magazines, and learned about a fundraiser that was happening for the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation – an organization that provides professional photography services to commemorate the short lives of babies born that never make it home. While I wholly support the mission of the organization, I have never been able to bring myself to volunteer as a photographer, because selfishly, it would be too hard. Although I have been trained as a grief counselor and got plenty of opportunities to use it the year I was trained (and since), there’s just something about the phrase, “I’m sorry about the loss of your baby,” that makes me want to vomit, and then burst into tears. I just know I would be a wreck in that situation.

However, I have wanted to find a way that I could (comfortably) support this charity. So I was excited to find out about a portrait contest hosted by Sandy Puc, the organization’s founder and professional photographer extraordinaire that benefits NILMDTS.

As a photographer, I paid a nominal fee to be listed as one of the participating photographers and I hosted a special with all of my clients. We ended up with one family that chose to participate, and so now I ask you, dear blog readers, to please go vote for this handsome little man:

click on the photo to vote for ME!!

Isn’t he cute?!?! I really think this image totally fits the contest guidelines and we have a great shot at making the finalists with votes. If all things stay static with the voting (dare I say?) we could even be in real contention for the grand prize.

The top five favorited and the top five voted of each region will advance to the finals (50 total), which will then be judged by a panel of certified master photographers on staff with Professional Photographers of America. The top three will win some ridiculous prize packages (both the family AND the photographer), including a $2500 savings bond for the kiddo AND will be published in a summer edition of Professional Photographer Magazine. Who doesn’t love that? Bonus: if we placed, I could cross #12 off The List!!

I received an email this evening that NILMDTS is far behind in their projections, or even this time last year, for raising funds, at just over $19,000 total. So I urge you to please forgo a cup of Starbucks this week and vote. It costs $1 per vote, it’s tax deductible, and it is for a very worth cause. I would also be your best friend.

VOTE HERE

Oh, and tell your friends.

Filed Under: {babies & kids}, {giving back}

#72 – donate to a dozen charities in a year. Check.

December 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I am so happy to have accomplished this goal, not that I doubted I would. Giving is just part of my nature. I love giving of my time, my talent, and my money whenever I can in order to help someone else. But often, I don’t feel that I give enough. A lot of my friends would argue that to the contrary — that I, in fact, give too much, but I don’t think there is such a thing. When I wrote this goal, it was my intent to build giving into my business model and raise awareness for some of the charities out there that don’t get much press. I hope to significantly expand on this next year, so if you’re a charity and would like to partner with me, please, just send me an email and let’s talk!

To date, the twelve charities that I have donated to (I may have forgotten one or two here, and the year isn’t over yet!):

March of Dimes – donated a portrait session to their Signature Chefs Silent Auction

Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy – donated a portrait session to their fundraising gala

Marshall Magnet School – donated a portrait session to their Masterpiece Gala

The 1010 project – donated and participated in their March Madness tournament (I took last place!!)

Home Base Youth Services – sponsored Kindra in the Ride for their Lives marathon

Susan G. Komen – sponsored Kathy in the Race for the Cure

National MS Society – sponsored Flora in the Life Bike 2010 race

Wish Upon a Wedding – donated a portrait session for their Blissful Wishes Ball and donated funds for Pay It Forward Day

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation – signed up to be a photographer in support of their Charity Model Search

ten thousand nets – helped organize the Denver Community Church summer art fair that raised money to purchase life-saving mosquito nets

American Heart Association – Sponsored Thor in the Jump Rope for Heart event

American Cancer Society – Sponsored Mary Beth in the Climb to Conquer Cancer

I truly enjoyed working with all of these non-profits this year, although I am bummed that due to being in AZ, I haven’t been able to work with the two charities that are nearest and dearest to my heart – HIV Care Link and Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver. Next year, I’ll get active with these groups again. I encourage you to learn more about these organizations and donate where you can. I look forward to championing others in the coming year!

Filed Under: {giving back}, {personal}

The search is on!

December 2, 2010 By 1 Comment

© eunice brownlee 2010

Eunice Brownlee Photography is proud to participate in the International Charity Model Search to select North America’s Cutest Kid and to raise funds for the non-profit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation.

Is your child North America’s Cutest Kid? We’ll give you the opportunity to prove it! The grand prize winner will win a $2500 savings bond, a $2500 travel package, and a $100 Target gift card.  The second and third place runners up each will win a $500 savings bond and a $100 Target gift card.

The Charity Model Search (CMS) is open to children from birth to 18 years of age. All entrants must reside in the United States or Canada. Each child must be submitted individually, i.e. siblings may not be submitted in pictures together.

Model Search Special:

$45 entrance fee includes a 30-minute model session and one image submitted to the international gallery. A print special will also be offered.

Finalists will be determined by online votes. Each vote is $1 (no limit on the amount of votes you can cast), and all proceeds from votes benefit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.  Every family member who registers their information on the Charity Model Search Website will also receive 1 complimentary vote.  The top 5 paid votes, and the top 5 complimentary votes in each region will move on to the final judging round for a total of 50 finalists.

Grand prize international winner and runners up will be determined from the 50 regional finalists. The winner and runners up are selected by photography experts.

Call 720.227.5505 or email me now for more information on how to enter your “Cutest Kid” in this exciting contest. Or book your session now! The first 20 to register and pay for their session receive $15 off with code FIRST20. Shoots begin January 1st.

Filed Under: {babies & kids}, {giving back} Tagged With: ,

{new project | celebrating survivors}

October 4, 2010 By 2 Comments

I’m sure that you all know someone that has battled breast cancer. Some have won, some have lost, and some are still fighting. I’ve had several friends fight the fight at various stages, and I am thankful to say that I haven’t had to say goodbye to any of them.

The grim reality of this awful disease hit me two years ago when one of my friends from church was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer at age 30. Thirty. I was 29 at the time. She had a husband. She had two young kids, about the same age as my own. She was a beautiful lady inside and out. My heart ached for her and her family and everything she was going through. Despite having had friends that had gone through this before, none of them hit as close to home as it did this time.

It was awful watching her go through everything to fight this disease. But man, she fought hard…and she WON. She is still the mother to two beautiful kids, wife to a gorgeous husband, and still one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen. (You rock, Mary!)

Back when she was diagnosed, I had the idea that I would love to honor those that have fought breast cancer and won – represent them photographically, tell their story, and put it all into a book. It’s been two years since I had the idea and I’ve finally hashed out all of the details.

I want to create an art book featuring portraits of these amazing fighters. I want to tell their stories in pictures and in words. I have recruited professional storyteller, Kindra Hall, to tell the stories of these women (and men if I can find any!), their fight, and their triumph for the book.

I want to use this book to raise awareness and raise money to find a cure. I will spend the next year putting the book together and will then be selling them and donating 100% of the profits to the cause in October 2011.

So I need your help. If you are a survivor of breast cancer (or know someone who is), and would like to participate in this project, please contact me to learn how to get involved. Those featured in the book will get a complimentary portrait session as well as a copy of the book.

I can also use sponsors to help fund the cost of the project, so if you’re interested, please let me know how you would like to be involved.

I look forward to working on this and hope that you will enjoy the final product!

Filed Under: {giving back}, {news} Tagged With:

Check your boobies Momma!

October 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

While we were in Denver last month, we were driving through the Tech Center when my four-year-old daughter asked why the buildings had pink ribbons hanging on them (for those of you in Denver, you know the three buildings I am referring to, just off Orchard). So I responded, “they symbolize breast cancer awareness.” Which opened up a whole can of worms…

“What is breast cancer?” She asked.

How to explain breast cancer to a four-year-old. Hmm. Okay. “Well honey, there’s a yucky disease called cancer and you can get it all over your body. When you get it in your boobies, it’s called breast cancer. Every month, women and men should check to see if they have any lumps in their chest. If they find any, they need to see a doctor right away because the earlier you find it, the better a chance you have to survive the disease.”

“Oh. So the pink ribbons mean to check your boobies?”

“Yes sweetheart. That’s exactly it.”

And then we proceeded to go through every other color of the rainbow, as she wanted to know if those ribbons meant anything too. In all, I thought I got off easy.

Until a few hours later, when she spied pink ribbons hanging on another building and screamed, “Pink ribbons mommy! Check your boobies!” And this trend has continued ever since. I have a feeling that there are going to be a lot of these moments this month.

Hey – if I can get it in her head early, all the better, right?

As I am sure that you are aware, October is breast cancer awareness month and I would like to help celebrate survivors, lift up the fighters and remember those that lost their battle. I will be donating 25% of my profits for the month of October to the Feel Your Boobies campaign, which is targeted at bringing awareness to the younger generation of women and aid in early detection.

I hope that you will join me this month in helping to raise awareness about this disease and help find a cure.  Stay tuned as I have a new project in the works related to celebrating breast cancer survivors that I’ll be announcing in the next few days as well.

Filed Under: {giving back}, {info} Tagged With:

an art fair to end malaria

July 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Filed Under: {art}, {events}, {giving back} Tagged With: , ,

{marshall arts gala | events}

March 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

you know I love a good party. and I especially love a party for a great cause.

in 1996, flagstaff arts & leadership academy became one of flagstaff’s first (I think it was the first, actually) charter schools, focusing on music, performing and visual arts. what, a school that is fine with me playing clarinet for half the day? genius!

I was a senior that year and didn’t want to change schools, and I was jealous of my younger sister that she got to attend such an amazing school. her experience was nothing less than top-notch and I was grateful that she got such a great education in high school. back then, they were meeting in portable trailers on the museum of northern arizona campus, hoping for new grounds by the time she graduated in 2000.

it’s been 14 years and fala still needs their new campus! a very generous donor has offered the school $20,000 if they can raise a match from the community. enter the gala! come on out on  friday, march 26th at 7 pm to celebrate and help raise money for this very worthy cause! it will be a fun evening of delicious food, drink, entertainment, and a fabulous silent and live auction items.

tickets are just $20 and your ticket purchase includes plentiful hors d’oeuvres and one complimentary drink. the event will be held at:

museum of northern arizona, branigar/chase discovery center

3101 n. fort valley rd. (off highway 180)

flagstaff, az 86001

many local artists, companies and organizations have donated items to this event.

can’t make it but still want to help? visit www.flagarts.com/donate

tickets are available through the fala office, 928-779-7223 or at pesto brothers pizza.

Filed Under: {events}, {giving back}
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