this contest was good…

y’all stepped up.

you donated the cost of a cup of coffee,

your lunch money,

and some of you gave that $50 to get entered

for a pretty rad prize from MZP.

and you know what?

Jen exceeded her goal…

EXCEEDED.

the clinical trial starts soon,

in part due to you amazing people.

thank you, thank you, thank you.

I know I’m late announcing the winner,

and I’m sorry.

It’s been insane around here

to say the least.

But here it is…drumroll please…

Krystle Joyner

(be sure to email me on July 1st to book your session spot…you get first dibs!)

  meet jen. and cooper. and cohen.

when I first started my journey into the world of photography, I was almost immediately introduced to this mama’s amazing talent.  her giving heart.  her clear wantingness to elevate this industry.  I was in awe – she’s as amazing as she seems and more.

and now, she needs our help.  your help.  your friends’ help.  your mom, your sister, your old college roommate.  she needs them all to help.

nine months ago jen was diagnosed with aggressive ovarian cancer.  she had a radical hysterectomy. she endured rounds of chemo…but due to complications from that chemo her numbers are climbing again.

what exactly does that mean?  it means that doctors have said she’s got 12 to 18 months.  that time, hugs, moments, memories, kisses, smiles…everything with her two sweet boys is now on some crazy time table.  BUT, there is this amazing clinical trial with the Mayo Clinic and jen’s in…well, if she can raise the some $63,000 it will take to pay for the trial and the flights back and forth from Oregon.

that money amount sounds HUGE, I know, but really would you put a price tag on extra hugs with your kids? a chance to see them grow into the amazing men you know they’ll be?

so, now that you know about my friend jen,  about why she needs each of you, I know you want to know how to help.  it’s a couple quick clicks to donate on her blog (where you can also read about her journey).  you can give $5, the cost of a Starbucks coffee.  or $20, the cost of a lunch out.  or…if you have $50 you can get your name in the pot to win something AMAZING from MZP.

Here’s the deal, friends.

The prize:  a coveted, happens once-a-year, holiday mini session with all the trimmings (session, ALL the digital files, plus 75 holiday cards) a $1400 value

How to enter: donate $50 to jen’s fund  DONATE HERE then send me an email saying you donated (mz@melissazihlman.com).  that’s it, you’re entered to win!

Bonus entries:  for every additional $50 donated you’ll receive ONE additional entry.  but here’s the amazing one…share this post, and let your friends know when they enter to tell me in their email who sent them – if they mention you, you get ANOTHER entry.  the more entries the better your chance to nab this prize.  awesome, right?

now go help jen.

she deserves every chance to kick cancer’s butt.  to have more moments with cooper & cohen.  to live.

all images copyright Benjamin Edwards Photography used with permission from Jen Thompson

the fine print: this giveaway is in NO way affiliated with Facebook. session will be booked in early July and winner must select from mini session dates provided (Saturdays in Sept or October). sessions take place in either the Dallas/Fort Worth area or Philadelphia.   prize has no cash value and is nonrefundable and nontransferable.  winner will be chosen Wednesday, May 29th and announced Thursday, May 30th.  please play fair…this is about something SO much BIGGER than a mini session. xx

I’m so excited about this giveaway!

So, so, so excited!

One of my favorite photographers, Deb Schwedhelm

has been given the opportunity to travel Tanzania,

to photograph a huge 11-day event in June.

She’s trying to raise $5000

before her journey

for the foundation for tomorrow (TFFT)

Check out that link…trust me.

when Deb posted about her giveaway,

I had to jump on board.

I had

to help.

and that’s where

you come in,

my friends.

GIVEAWAY | a $1,750.00 value
a one-hour photo session in the dallas-fort worth area
one 11 by 14 print
30 high-resolution digital files on DVD

HOW TO ENTER:
donate $20 HERE
for every $20 donation, you will receive one giveaway entry
you can enter as many times as you wish
submit your first and last name when donating
email me that you would like to be entered into the giveaway

PLEASE NOTE:
eligible for giveaway if you live in the dallas-fort worth area or are willing to drive / fly to the area
session must take place on a weekday, may 1st through july 15th, 2012
session location is limited to 30-miles of 76248 zip code
session is for immediate family members only [parents & children]
no cash value

spread the word.
let’s get Deb far beyond her goal.
make a difference.
do
something
extraordinary.

oh, friends…what fun it has been!  thank you, thank you for spending the last twelve days with me! Merry Christmas!

WINNER, WINNER: Amanda G. (email by Tuesday to claim, mz@melissazihlman.com)

saved the best for last, my friends.

thanks so much for an amazing 12 days of giveaways…this has been *so* much fun!!

now, go enter – one comment per person. contest ends at 10pm CST.

session must take place before May 2012. good for one weekday session. if the winner does not live within my travel radius, winner must pay travel costs.

WINNER, WINNER: Callie (email me before Monday to claim, mz@melissazihlman.com)

don’t forget to come back tomorrow – I’ve saved the most wonderful gift for last  – don’t  miss it!!

a little somethin’ somethin’ for those wanting to better your skills…

leave a comment to enter. one per person. contest ends at 10pm CST

(this offer is for a half day in person mentoring session OR a two hour Skype session if you aren’t local or willing to travel)