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.

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)

two more days of goodies – and, well…the prizes only get bigger from here folks!

everybody needs a new wall display, right?!?!

you know the drill. leave a comment. one per person. contest ends at 10pm CST.

go big, or go home.

you know the drill.  leave a comment below.  one per person.  contest ends at 10pm CST.

(canvas valued at $890)

WINNER, WINNER: Erin Cox (email me, mz@melissazihlman.com, before Thursday please!)

you know the drill…leave a comment to enter. one comment per person. contest ends at 10pm CST

($595 value. session is good for any mini session date, including those outside of Texas. dates announced July 1, 2012.  winner will have first pick of dates)

today, I’m pleased to bring a prize from another of my favorite vendors, BURNISH.  Rebekah makes simple, understated, amazing jewelry.  I own the necklace in today’s prize – it’s around my neck every. day. and I promise it is the perfect piece for the favorite mom in your life (even if it’s you, lol).  Rebekah is also including a matching pair of petite disc earrings – she’s pretty fabulous, right?!?!

BURNISH on etsy | facebook | link to prize necklace | link to prize earrings

you know the drill…to enter leave a comment. one entry per person. contest ends at 10pm CST.

sorry I’m late in posting…date night with the mister last night and church with our boys this morning = no computer time for mz!

you know the drill…leave a comment to win. one entry per person. contest ends at 10pm CST

Sorry for the delay in posting this winner – the mister and I had a date night last night, followed by church with the family this morning.

let me tell you about today’s vendor…in a word, *amazing.*  Amanda owns EightBabyLegs and makes the cutest, most creative, totally custom shirts for babies and kids.  She has made *every* shirt for my boys in the last two years – for birthdays, for pictures, for gifts, for just because…I’m totally addicted to her, her style, and her adorable personality.

trust me, you want to win this.  your kid will win thank you, I promise.

and while you are online – head on over and check out EightBabyLegs on Facebook and like her!

you know the drill.  leave a comment to enter.  one per person. contest ends at 10pm CST.  good luck!

(shoot me an email by Sunday to claim your prize, mz@melissazihlman.com)

Come on back tomorrow – one of my most favorite vendors has something awesome for you!

You know the drill…leave a comment below to be entered.  One entry per person.  Contest ends at 10pm CST.

Y’all come on back tomorrow for something *really* great!

Today’s giveaway is courtesy of my dear friend, Jude.  She’s an *amazing* photographer in Canada, and she’s crazy talented – go check her out!

And while you are at it, check out her actions too – they are awesome!  And they are today’s giveaway!!  The winner receives Jude’s complete action set – faded glory, velvet colour, golden light, & black and white art.  If you own Photoshop and don’t own these, you. are. missing. out.

you know the drill…leave a comment to enter. contest ends at 10pm CST.

Big thanks to everyone who participated today…come on back tomorrow for something fab-u-lous!

Leave a comment below, be entered to win.  Contest ends at 10pm CST today!

Check back tomorrow for another amazing giveaway!!

Wanna win?!?! Just leave a comment below.  Winner chosen at 10pm CST.  Good luck!

(CrewCuts and JCrew and in no way affiliated with this contest; MZP is purchasing and gifting the prize to the winner; no cash value; one entry per person)

This contest was insane.

More than 10,000 hits to my blog in the last three days.  Unreal.

Some 2500 votes.  TWENTY FIVE HUNDRED!

In the end,

it came down to two.

Lerin and Heather.

Neck and neck until the last moments.

All the votes have been verified,

and the winner is…

but Lerin fans,

don’t be sad

I’ve got great news…

because she’s somewhat local,

I’m giving her a session too!

That’s right…each lady will receive the session they dreamed of.

Between the two there were more than 1100 votes cast.

They worked their tales off…

they deserve it.

To the other finalists…

I love you all.

Thank you for sharing your hearts,

your loves,

your precious words

and time with me.

With all of us.

You’ve each got so much to be grateful for.

And I’m better for knowing you all.

xoxo

**VOTING IS NOW CLOSED.  Thank you to the more than 2000 people who logged in to vote!  I am busy validating the votes and will be announcing the winner within the hour!**

**update 2/9 2:45PM** It’s a close race between First and Second right now.  Lerin is inching out Heather by 11 votes!! It’s going to be neck and neck until 8PM CST. VOTE VOTE VOTE**

**update 2/8** Please remember you can only vote ONCE per IP address/computer, the program I am using to tally votes flags votes they feel have been entered in error/duplicates.  I can then review them by hand.  Such cheating has caused one contestant to be disqualified.  This is a fun spirited contest, where the winner is truly deserving, please do not ruin it!**

I received so many amazing entries…forty entries from more than 20 states!  It was awesome to read about the stories of love.  What an honor to choose the finalists.  After much deliberation, 12 finalists were selected, and you will find their image and story below.  And now…

It’s time to vote!!

Voting is open from now until Wednesday, 2/9 at 8 PM CST.  Please note that you may only vote once per IP address, and cheating will result in disqualification…let’s all play nice, please!  Remember to tell all your family and friends to head to the blog to vote, and they can become a FB fan here while they are at it.

You have until Saturday…hurry!!

All the details are HERE

So you want to know how to enter, right?  Here’s what you have to do…

I consider it my very special honor to be able to capture the love I see during a session.  The stolen kisses, the sweet little glances as the kids play wildly, the little songs you sing to get your sweet son to smile, the moments you don’t ever want to forget.

I’d like for you to send me an email to mzplove@gmail.com telling me about the love in your life.  Maybe it’s your new baby girl, or your sweet fiance; maybe it’s a crazy-haired toddler who has more energy than you ever thought possible, or your girlfriend who you know you’ll be spending the rest of your life with.  Or just maybe, it’s the growing belly of your wife as you eagerly anticipate your first baby.  Tell me all about it…I want to know what in your life makes your heart skip a beat.

Be sure to include your name, location, details about the type of session you’d like (maternity, newborn, engagement, family, etc), and a picture of yourself with the love in your life.

Saturday, February 5th at 6PM CST – deadline for submissions

Monday, February 7th – I will select a group of finalists (with the help of some awesome photographer friends) and post your photo and words in an album on my facebook fan page.  Your last name and location will not be shared publicly. If you are a finalist you can then ask (or beg and plead) your friends and family to “like” your photo.  IMPORTANT: They must first “like” Melissa Zihlman Photography before they are able to “like” your photo. The photo with the most votes wins!

Wednesday, February 9th at 8PM CST – voting ends and the winner will be announced

Some necessary fine print:

1. The contest is open to anyone in the contiguous US. Anywhere!

2. This session should include immediate family members only.

3. Your session must take place in May of 2011

4. You will receive 5 digital files from your session (additional files or prints may be purchased at a 20% discount)

5. You must fill out a model release form granting me permission to post images from your session on my blog and other promotional materials.

6. Any cheating during the voting process or falsification of your story will result in immediate disqualification.

7. Email me if you have any questions or post your questions in the comment field below!!!

8. Prize is non transferable and not redeemable for cash.

Now let’s get this started!! I can’t wait to read your entries…

Congratulations to Molly Murphy and family! You’ve won the Seventh Generation starter kit (which I promise you’ll love!) and a complimentary session with MZP and 5 digital negatives to take place sometime this fall!  I can’t wait!

Thank you to everyone who participated in MZP’s celebration of Earth Day 2010.  I hope you’ve found some new things you and your family can do to reduce your carbon footprint…thanks for making this planet better for our children’s children!

Shoot me an email mz@melissazihlman.com with your address, and I’ll get it sent your way!!

And now…for the final contest of the week.  They are our my family’s favorite products to clean with! Its a Seventh Generation Free & Clear gift set.  Something to get  started…products you will love, I promise!  This set comes with:

• 2x Liquid Laundry (32 oz.) – This unique, non-irritating blend of plant-based surfactants and enzymes powers out the toughest stains.
• Hand Dish Soap – Tough on grease, gentle on your hands and the earth. No phosphates, safe for even the youngest dish-washing family members.
• All-Purpose Cleaner – Cleans and degreases hard surfaces, indoors and out. Non toxic, it creates no harsh fumes. Safe for your family and the planet, great for wet mopping; not recommended on wood floors.
• Auto Dish Tabs (15-count tabs) – Concentrated automatic-dishwasher pacs deliver phosphate- and chlorine-free detergent in convenient packets. Environmentally friendly, safe for your family.
• Glass & Surface Cleaner – Effectively cleans glass, mirrors, chrome and other hard surfaces – without streaks, toxins, fumes or harsh chemicals.
• Liquid Fabric Softener – Free & Clear 40oz.Canola-derived fabric softener makes your laundry naturally fluffy and static-free. Add to your final rinse cycle or use for hand-washing delicates. Truly free and clear of fragrances, dyes, and masking agents.

And (as if that wasn’t enough right?) a complimentary weekday session with MZP and 5 digital files ($1200 value)!! Sessions must take place between September and November 2010.  I’m willing to travel to any location (airfare provided by winner, but come on…$1200 in prizes for a little plane ticket, that’s nothing!).

Contest ends Sunday, April 25th at 11PM CST

How to enter: Leave a comment below with something your family does to “do your part”  Inspire others to get on the bandwagon and embrace their inner hippie!  Good luck!

Extra entries:  Blog it, facebook book it, or tweet it…and then come back and leave a separate comment saying you did it!