Studio J Photography - Our little bit of the web

Family is a Gift

You may or may not know about our relationship with The Baby Fold - each year we host a fundraiser event for them which is a baby and child portrait contest.  We have the opportunity to meet families that are great supporters of The Baby Fold and families that are touched by the great things The Baby Fold offers to our community.

This year we met one family in particular that stepped right into my heart - great parents that have been given a gift of 3 wonderful children I absolutely fell in love with.  I can't wait to share them with you!  This family is a true testament that family is a gift.

Not flesh of my flesh, Nor bone of my bone,
But still miraculously my own.
Never forget for a single minute,
You didn't grow under my heart - but in it
--- Fleur Conkling Heylinger

Family is a Gift from Studio J on Vimeo.

Every Child is a Masterpiece - Contest to Benefit The Baby Fold

It's that time of year - we are getting ready for the upcoming 'Every Child is a Masterpiece' contest to benefit The Baby Fold, and we couldn't be more excited!  We have a great video slideshow to share with you of last years contest, including some commentary and statistics of the community support, and nationwide support, shown for The Baby Fold.

If you haven't already, we invite you to take a look at a recent post that we shared with you - Our Baby Fold Story.  Then, take a look at the contest from last year (below)!

Baby Fold Contest Video from Studio J on Vimeo.

This year, we have so fun things in store for you, as participants, and a big goal for The Baby Fold!  There are also some fun and exciting events planned in support of the contest, as well as a fun twist on the contest to showcase what really makes every individual a masterpiece! 

This year our goal is to raise $10,000 for The Baby Fold!!!

The contest will be during April and May - so mark your calendars and get ready for an exciting spring community event! 

Are you on our email list to be sure you are receiving event updates? Just drop us a line at info@studiojphotography.net and say 'Add me'!

Our Baby Fold Story

It's the time of year that we are getting very excited for the upcoming 'Every Child is a Masterpiece' Contest to benefit The Baby Fold.

Last year's contest was such a great start to this annual event, and we are so ready to welcome an even bigger and better year for 2010!

As we begin sharing with you about this year's contest, first and foremost we have to share with you the reason the Baby Fold is such a vital part of this community! 

During the contest last year, many, many adorable children visited the studio - and many stories were shared with us of what The Baby Fold means to them.  This was something that we were not expecting, and instantly became some of the most treasured moments for us throughout the event.  There were stories of grown children who had been adopted through The Baby Fold and who now have children of their own.  They shared a beautiful story of how they support The Baby Fold yearly, and how the nurse many, many years ago made some wonderful notes on the look of their adoptive parents faces, a story of someone who went above and beyond to create for them their own personal story beginning- and to share the joy of the union of their family forever to be remembered. There were many stories of families who had a family member that had been adopted, and there was even a time where someone contacted me wondering about my affiliation with The Baby Fold, as I looked a lot like her and she wondered if I could have been her birth mother. 

A few amazing people took time to share with us their stories and their thoughts on The Baby Fold, watch below.

 

Baby Fold Interview Story from Studio J on Vimeo.

As we look forward to this years contest event, we want to start with, and remember always what it's all about. Community helping community.  Families given a chance at a better life.  Children given the foundation of forever.  The Baby Fold -never giving up on a child.

The Biggie! Our Grand Prize Winner!!

A round of applause goes out to this little fellow who is our GRAND PRIZE WINNER in the Baby and Child Portrait Contest Every Child is a Masterpiece.  As the grand prize winner, he will receive a $250 College Saver CD from First Farmers State Bank, - a wonderful prize for any child as this CD is designed specifically for college savings (and to all parents out there, check it out!).  Additionally, he will receive a $250 gift certificate from us.  

With an amazing response from our community, we have raised and brought awareness to a great organization. 

Watch for the GRAND TOTAL, coming soon!

Round 3 Prizes

We are happy to tell you that round 3 is finished in our Baby and Child Portrait Contest to benefit The Baby Fold.  With over $3500 already raised so far in the contest, we want to thank each and every one of you that voted for your favorite image(s).  TOMORROW we will be announcing the winner! The lucky winner this month will be in the running for the GRAND PRIZE, a $250 College Saver CD from First Farmers State Bank. The College Saver CD is a unique way to save for your child's future, in that deposits can be made in the future at any time, in amounts of $25 or more.

The lucky winner for round 2 will receive the following prizes, generously donated by Bloomington-Normal area businesses:

One (1) Kids Haircut, Cookie Cutters, 115 Susan Drive Unit B, Normal , IL, (309) 451-3400, www.haircutsarefun.com

Gift Certificate, Carl's Ice Cream, 1700 W. College Ave., Normal, IL (309) 454-7732,    www.carlsicecream.com

Two (2) Happy Meals and Four (4) Extra value Meals, Bloomington-Normal-McLean        McDonald's , (309) 663-4181,  www.mcdobski.com

Gift Certificate, Pinstripes and Polkadots, (309) 821-9408, Contact: Sarah Gesiakowski,  www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com

One (1) 6 piece box of Chocolate Fruit, Edible Arrangements, 2205 E. Oakland, Bloomington, IL   (309) 661-0100, www.ediblearrangements.com

One (1) headband and flowr clip, Frostings, Contact: Stephanie Frost www.frostingsboutique.com

One (1) Family and Friends Bowling Party, AMF Circle Lanes Bowling Center, 1225 Holiday Dr., Bloomington, IL, (309) 663-7402, www.amf.com

One (1) Little Hands Keepsake Kit, Uppercase Living, Contact: Jessica Frerichs, (309) 829-6416, email: mfpd@netoptioninc.net, www.uppercaseliving.net

Two (2) Adult tickets to The Dan Tyminski Band at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, 60 North East Street, Bloomington, IL

One (1) 2 hour introductory class, Upper Limits Rock Gym and Pro Shop,
1304 W. Washington St., Bloomington, IL  61701 (309) 829-8255  www.upperlimits.com

One (1) Gift Certificate, Usborne Books, Misty Lay, (309) 261-3609 www.mistysbooks.com

One (1) Gift Certificate, A. Renee, 306 N. Center St., Bloomington, IL (309) 827-3524 www.arenee.com

One (1) 30 minute massage, Bright Bodywork, 901 E. Grove St. Ste. U, Bloomington, IL (309) 820-8795

One (1) Gift Certificate, Garden of Paradise Restaurant, 1412 E. Empire, Bloomington, IL (309) 828-8080

One (1) Baby Sling, The Sling Connection, Lincoln, IL (217) 828-0872 www.theslingconnection.com

Round 1 Prizes!

We are happy to tell you that round 1 is finished in our Baby and Child Portrait Contest to benefit The Baby Fold.  With over 1500 votes for round 1, we want to thank each and every one of you that voted for your favorite image(s) in the contest.  TOMORROW we will be announcing the winner! The lucky winner this month will be in the running for the GRAND PRIZE, a $250 College Saver CD from First Farmers State Bank. The College Saver CD is a unique way to save for your child's future, in that deposits can be made in the future at any time, in amounts of $25 or more. The lucky winner for round 1 will receive the following prizes, generously donated by Bloomington-Normal area businesses:

Two (2) Tickets to Thomas the Train, US Cellular Coliseum, 101 S. Madison St., Bloomington, IL, (309) 828-1712,  www.uscellularcoliseum.com

One (1) Kids Haircut, Cookie Cutters, 115 Susan Drive Unit B, Normal , IL, (309) 451-3400, www.haircutsarefun.com

Gift Certificate, Carl's Ice Cream, 1700 W. College Ave., Normal, IL (309) 454-7732,    www.carlsicecream.com

Two (2) tickets, Miller Park Zoo, 1020 S. Morris Avenue, Bloomington, IL, (309)                       434-2250,  www.cityblm.org/zoo

Two (2) Happy Meals and Four (4) Extra value Meals, Bloomington-Normal-McLean        McDonald's , (309) 663-4181,  www.mcdobski.com

Gift Certificate, Pinstripes and Polkadots, (309) 821-9408, Contact: Sarah Gesiakowski,  www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com

Chocolate Fruit Arrangement, Edible Arrangements, 2205 E. Oakland, Bloomington, IL   (309) 661-0100, www.ediblearrangements.com

One (1) Polkadot Hairbow, Frostings, Contact: Stephanie Frost www.frostingsboutique.com

Ten (10) Free Passes, AMF Circle Lanes Bowling Center, 1225 Holiday Dr., Bloomington, IL, (309) 663-7402, www.amf.com

One (1) 2-layer 10" Cake, 1 decorated sheet Cake or 24 Cupcakes
Somethin' Sweet by Kim Mixer Cakes, Contact: Kim Mixer,  email: berlygirken@aol.com

One (1) 30-Minute Massage, Bright Bodywork of Bloomington, 901 E. Grove St.,
Bloomington, IL, (309) 820-8795

One (1) Session Membership, Rising Stars Academy, 2902 Gill St.,  Bloomington, IL, (309) 662-3330, www.risingstarsacademy.com

Two (2) paid studio fees- Artful Designs, 502 N Prospect Rd # 24, Bloomington, IL, (309)  664-6655, www.artfuldesignsonline.com

Gift Certificate and 1 Pound Organic Sumatran Coffee, Coffee Hound,  407 North Main St.
Bloomington, IL (309) 827-7575  www.coffeehound.net

One (1) Little Hands Keepsake Kit, Uppercase Living, Contact: Jessica Frerichs, (309) 829-6416, email: mfpd@netoptioninc.net, www.uppercaseliving.net

   

Voting is Now Open!!

Let the Voting Begin! Voting for round 1 is officially open and will remain open until April 3! Show your support for The Baby Fold by pledging votes for your favorite image from Round 1 of the 2009 Baby and Child Portrait Contest. To vote, go to our Baby Fold Portrait Contest Voting page and follow the instructions for placing your vote. For only $1 per vote, your pledge can help another child in our community. Every child is a masterpiece; may your generosity bless another.