Haiti Earthquake Fundraising... Livonia, Michigan Children Photographer

My heart and prayers goes out to the people affected by this devastating tragedy. I want to try and raise money to help those in need. The Haitian Red Cross said it believed 45,000 to 50,000 people had died and three million more were hurt or left homeless by the major 7.0 magnitude earthquake.

Starting today and going through the weekend (1/17/2010) I will be selling Carrie Lee Photography gift certificates and 100% of the profit will go toward Haiti relief.



I have picked a specific charity and all raised funds will go to Doctors Without Borders.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has provide emergency medical care to millions of people caught in crises in nearly 60 countries around the world. With the current events , MSF has already treated more than 1,000 people on the ground in Haiti following Tuesday's earthquake, but the needs are huge. An inflatable hospital with operating theatres is expected to arrive in the next 24 hours.

Gift certificates can be used for yourself or given as gifts. They can be used towards a session fee or used towards prints or products. The certificate will be good until December 31st, 2010. Normally I sell gift certificates with a $50 minimum, but these special certificates used for charity can be purchased for any amount. Every bit will help and I want to try and raise as much as I can quickly. I am thrilled to donate all the profits that I receive from gift certificate sales over the weekend to help out.

If you are interested, send me an email, carrie@carrieleephotography.com

If you know someone that might be interested, please spread the word and share this link.

Giving is Awesome WE HAVE A WINNER!

First of all, I want to thank everyone that nominated a deserving family for the "Giving is Awesome" giveaway. What a great gift you are you offering and it was amazing to see so many people take the time to write such great letters about the people they love.

I have to admit, it was very hard for my judges and I to decide who we felt really needed this gift. Most of the stories we read were heartbreaking and I definitely wish the best to all our nominated families.

The votes starting coming in from the judges and it was close one at first, but in the end this is the letter that tugged at our heart strings the most...

Carrie,

When I thought about who truly deserves your photography services, I did not have to think long to come up with the most deserving person you will ever find. The most deserving person is Nettie. This wonderful, most caring person in the world, is my aunt and she has sacrificed so much for two wonderful children that I believe in my heart she truly deserves this special gift.

Let me tell you a little about her and why….

At the age of 15, my aunt gave birth to her first son, Jason. Despite the odds of being a teenage parent, she took wonderful care of her son and made the best home for him that she could. She was married to his father at a young age, and unfortunately lost her husband, father of her child, to Hodgkin’s disease when her son was only two years of age. Despite the heartache of losing her husband and father of her child, she carried on and continued to work to provide her son with everything she could.

She later met my uncle, William, and had 2 additional children, Nicole and William. Nettie had young children at home, but wanted to complete her education so she went back to school and received a GED. Throughout her life she would often hold two jobs, while trying to provide a home for her children. Through conversation, I have learned that she would often work long hours to provide for her family and at times would have such little left over after paying for a babysitter, gas, and insurance needed to work.

My uncle and aunt have worked hard in their lives to provide for their family, often with little for themselves. Neither had medical insurance during several periods of their life because they could not afford the cost of such and be able to pay their bills and put food on the table. Despite all of this, my aunt has always had the most positive view of life and cherishes her children dearly. She is always an inspiration to me and believes everything will work out for the best.

Five years ago, my cousin gave birth to her daughter Jordin. My aunt was a doting grandmother and tried her best to help support her daughter in caring for a child as a single parent. My cousin stayed with my aunt and uncle for a few weeks and eventually rented a house next to my aunt. During this time, my cousin relied heavily on my aunt for financial and emotional support. My aunt often took care of the little girl as she saw that her needs were not being met. Throughout the first two and a half years of Jordin’s life my cousin did less and less to provide for her child and eventually left the home and her child in the care of her mother.

My aunt continued to provide for Jordin and sacrificed so much to give her the love and home she deserved. My cousin had little contact with her daughter and eventually my aunt was providing everything for this little girl. In fact, she was acting as a parent when my cousin was not. She did not have much, but provided everything she did.

A little over a year ago, my aunt found out that my cousin was pregnant again and had already contacted an adoption agency only weeks prior to delivery. My aunt could not imagine having this grandchild adopted out and not having the opportunity to develop a relationship with the infant. She also thought that Jordin should have the opportunity to be raised along with her sibling. My uncle and aunt finally decided that they would take the child and raise it along with Jordin. My cousin readily handed over the child from the hospital never looking back.

Over the last year, my aunt has continued to sacrifice in order to provide for these two little girls. She gave up her job because she could not afford to pay for a babysitter in order to be able to work. She tried working for first couple of months after Aliah was born, but eventually realized she was bringing home less than she was paying for childcare. Again despite all hurdles, she continued to be the best role model for these children and provided them the love and everything she had.

Jordin recently celebrated her 5th birthday and Aliah her 1st. My cousin did not bother to come to either celebration. Out of the blue a month ago, my cousin came to her parents and informed them that she was married, pregnant, and wanted her girls back. My aunt and uncle were devastated. Jordin had resided with my aunt and uncle since the age of 2 ½, and Aliah from the first day home from the hospital. My cousin went to the police, after my aunt and uncle refused to just hand the girls over after she had had little to no contact for years. Thankfully, the police agreed that it was not in the best interest of the children and they would remain in the home for the time being.

I would like to give my aunt the most memorable gift of your photography services in the likelihood that her grandchildren will eventually be given back to their mother. I believe the memories of the holiday pictures would mean the world to her, especially if she does not have the girls physically in her presence. The pictures would remind my aunt of these precious children and also remind her that she provided the best world possible to two little girls in the time they needed it the most.

Please help me be able to give Nettie this gift. Thank you for this consideration.

Sincerely,

Toni

Thank you so much Toni for your nomination and your Aunt's story. I will be in contact with her (and you) once the holiday fever calms down, but I thought you would like to share your gift to Nettie on Christmas Day.

Congratulations Nettie, I can't wait to meet you and your kiddos!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!

Wedding Slideshow

I know there are a few people out there waiting to see these pics so I thought I'd post them on my blog for now.... ENJOY!!!!

Wedding Slideshow from Carrie Miller on Vimeo.

Giving is Awesome!

You know someone.

You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography -- $1,000 worth, to be exact. Whether it's canvas or albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.
Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $100 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:
* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Hawaii does not qualify as sincere financial need.)
* The nominee must reside in Michigan. 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 as well.
*The $1,000 gift will be broken up the following way: $125 towards the session fee, $375 towards prints/products and $500 towards the Keepsake CD with all images and copyright release.
* You must e-mail me the full story to carrie@carrieleephotography.com by December 20th.

I have selected a panel of judges to help me choose the winner.

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,
Carrie

Before & After

A quick post for your viewing pleasure! :)
I haven't shared a before/after in a while and I had a couple extra minutes today. Like this sweet'ums wasn't cute enough already....

Happy Friday everyone!!!

I Heart Babies..... Royal Oak, Michigan Newborn Photographer

Let the flood gates open - Baby Pictures Galore!

What a great job for me. I get to be creative with my camera all day long AND I get to hold babies too! Bonus for me, I love babies. I'm sure I'll be posting lots of newborn pictures that I take at the hospital. I hope you like babies too!

Kind of makes me want another one... HA! haaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Family Session... Novi, Michigan Children Photographer

Does anyone recognize this sweet little face?? This is Anthony, winner of our Favorite Things" contest.

Mom wasn't joking, this little guy is ON THE MOVE! He was definitely Mr. Explorer for the day and I think we found a great location for him. There was tons to things to see and nature to experience. He wasn't so sure about me and wasn't a big fan of smiling, but that's ok. With gorgeous eyes like that, he's going to melt everyone heart with or without the "cheese" smiles! :)

And here's another preview of the holiday cards designs Carrie Lee Photography has to offer this year. If you are are interested in booking a session to get some family portraits to use for your holiday greets this year, don't delay.

Christmas is closer than you think!

SESSION GIVEAWAY! Facebook Contest Details

Sometime this weekend, between November 6th and November 8th, I will make a Facebook shout out and the first person to comment will win a FREE session.

How easy is that??? Nothing more to it.

If you know anyone that would benefit from this, feel free to pass the word along. Hit "SHARE" in FB to share with your friends and give them the chance to enter. They will have to add me as a friend before hand.

The only rules I have is that:

1. You become a FB friend of mine before commenting (if you're not already)

and 2. That you have not received a free session or other prize in the past from Carrie Lee Photography.

You can be a friend, a family member, a former client or a new friend.... it doesn't matter as long as you have smiling faces for me to photograph. (Up to 4 people, no large groups please.)

Good LUCK Facebookies! :)

Holiday Mini Sessions... Livonia, Michigan Children Photographer

A little preview of one of the holiday cards Carrie Lee Photography is offering this year.

***NOTE...Holiday Cards can be purchased by former clients using images from previous shoots. You do not need to book a mini session to purchase holiday cards.***

By popular demand, the mini sessions are BACK! And OH how excited I am. These were a blast last time and I can't wait to meet some new adorable faces!

Holiday mini sessions are perfect for the kids, couples or families on the go that don't have enough time to invest in a regular Fall Session with me and/or just need a few portraits for Holiday cards and gift giving.

Holiday Mini Sessions are ONLY $125! (plus 6% MI sales tax)

What's included:
- The Holiday Mini Sessions are only 20 minutes long. This is enough time to get group portraits and a couple individual shots. There will not be time for outfit changes or multiple scenes. If you are looking for a more custom session and the time essential to capture more candid portraits, I would suggest booking a full session. I do still have some spots available before the end of the year.

- A password protected online gallery with up to 10 finished images to choose your prints from.

- Set of 25 5x7 holiday cards with envelopes. Choose from 10 unique holiday card templates and customize with your photo and family wishes. (option to upgrade to 5x7 folded cards for $15)

-1 8x10 (for you) and 2 5x7 prints (for thee grandparents)

- Also, receive 5% off any other prints or products that I offer.

I have 10 holiday designs to choose from, they will be available to view with your online gallery.

Dates/Times Available:
Sunday, November 15th, sessions starting at 9am, location TBD
May add another date if needed. If you are interested but can not make this date, please email me.

Contact me at carrie@carrieleephotography.com to reserve your session before the slots fill up! Note: Your session CAN NOT be reserved until full payment is received.

Everything I Ever Wanted...

I used to cut photos out of magazines and tape them all together creating pages of families for my pretend family album. I had pages and pages of families and had a story in my head for every single one. There were families with 2 kids, families with single moms, families with adopted children; I even labeled them all with a name and an age. At the time I was just having fun and wasting time, but I see now that this was another hint that should have pointed me in the direction of my correct career path. I remember I would spend hours sifting through magazines searching for the perfect Moms to go with the Dads and the perfect kids to complete their family. I would pick names and use my imagination to create a story for their lives together. It sounds so silly but I loved browsing through the pages I created and showing them off to everyone willing to look. Of course I had my favorite family, the one I would imagine someday being my own… and it included you, Alayna. (only your name was Nicole, but I called you Nicki :)

When I look at you now, I know you were given to us as a gift from God. You were carefully thought out, hand crafted and custom made to fit PERFECTLY into our family. Some girls plan for years how perfect their wedding will be. Every little detail, imagining it over and over again in their head hoping one day their fairytale will come true. Not me. I skipped right over that fine detail and began planning how wonderful my “one day” daughter would be.

2 years ago today, my wish came true.

You are everything I ever wanted. Everything I imagined you would be and more. I always wanted a little girl with strawberry blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes. She would be small like me, but what she lacked in size, she would make up in spirit. She would be sweet and caring, but confident and fearless. She would love to be close to the people that mean so much to her, but she would be independent and strong. She would have a smile that was infectious and a face that could not go unmentioned. She’d be girly, couldn’t get enough of her baby dolls and fingernail polish, but could hold her own in a game with the boys.

She would be the important piece missing.

The moment I saw your face, I was in love. I know every mother says this, but it really was true. The doctor held your tiny little face over the drape and my heart suddenly melted. Tears swelled up in my eyes and I was reminded in that very second that there has to be a God and he has granted my lifelong wish… my perfect daughter. And you have been exactly that, my perfect little dream come true.
In the past 2 years you have gone from our precious tiny peanut to our sweet little spitfire. Every day I get that same feeling of pure love when I look at you. I can’t get enough of your hugs, kisses and snuggles. I could stare at you all day with a smile on face. You are exactly what I imagined and hoped you would be. Even the little Scorpio attitude you have is part of the plan. You match the profile completely and I can’t imagine what life would be like without you. I feel so blessed, thank you for making my life so special.

Happy 2nd Birthday Alayna Bana! I love you with all my heart.