Wedding + Engagement Photography Giveaway WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT

A total of 648 votes were received over the course of the Wayfaring Wanderer Wedding + Engagement Photography Package Giveaway! WOW!

I really loved seeing the show of support being displayed by all of the awesome peeps voting for the couples they were rooting for! Made me feel all warm and fuzzy!

As you know, the Grand Prize winners were chosen based on the show of support from family and friends of the finalists. It was an extremely close race and Katie and Dom only won by 15 votes so each and every one of your votes was crucial, so thank you for taking the time to participate in this fun event so they could win a Boone wedding photographer!

This was the most exciting giveaway and I am so pleased to announce the winning couple. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO KATIE + DOM! 

You are the WINNERS of the Wayfaring Wanderer Wedding + Engagement Photography Giveaway GRAND PRIZE valued at $3,000.

Time for a happy dance because here's what you've WON:

» 6 hours of wedding photography coverage by Wayfaring Wanderer + a trusted second shooter

» Online gallery filled with a minimum of 400 fully edited hi-res images from your wedding day

» 1-hour engagement session + 20 high-resolution digital downloads + online gallery

The other two couples that made it as finalists also WIN! Here's what they will be receiving:

[FIRST PRIZE goes to Abby + Cameron]

Wayfaring Wanderer Photography is giving away a package valued at $1800 and you get:

» 90-minute Custom Engagement Adventure by Wayfaring Wanderer

» Online gallery filled with a minimum of 40 fully edited high-resolution images from your session

» ½ off a basic wedding package to use for your 2015 wedding ($1,200 savings)

[SECOND PRIZE goes to Jess + Mike]

Wayfaring Wanderer Photography is giving away a package valued at $699 and you get:

» 1-Hour Engagement Adventure by Wayfaring Wanderer

» Online gallery filled with a minimum of 20 fully edited high-resolution images from your session

» $299 wedding package credit to use for your 2015 wedding

I wanted to host this Wedding and Engagement Photography Giveaway because sharing my gifts with the world makes me happy. The costs associated with having a wedding can be cumbersome so this was my way of giving back to couples that truly want beautiful wedding and/or engagement photos without the cost constraints. 

It was also because I wanted to celebrate the new Wayfaring Wanderer website that I launched in December. If you haven't had a chance to check out my new home online, I'd love for you to visit the site! Here's a link: www.wayfaringwanderer.com

If you have any friends or family that you know who will be getting married soon, please be sure to share my site with them because 2015 dates are booking quickly! 

Hi! My name is Jessica a.k.a. Wayfaring Wanderer and I reside in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains here in Boone, NC. I'm a free-spirited wedding, engagement, and lifestyle photographer who loves working with couples, families, and individuals who are committed to travel, adventure, and laid-back lifestyles. If you think we might be kindreds, I invite you to join the WW tribe by signing up [ HERE ] for weekly updates & get connected to the [ WW Facebook page ] to join the conversation! | Website www.wayfaringwanderer.com

{ Featured Weddings }

» BIG LIST of Boone Wedding Vendors
» Focusing on the Marriage and Not the Wedding
» Allyson + Younes' Destination Wedding at Westglow Mansion
» Leah + Chuck's Intimate Mountain Wedding at Banner Elk Winery
» Kari + Chad's Mountaintop Destination Wedding at Kilkelly's
» Alice's Adventures in Wonderland | Wedding Styled Shoot @ Camp Sky Ranch

Clearly, Out of Focus

Photography deals exquisitely with appearances,
but nothing is what it appears to be.
~Duane Michals~

I am extremely honored to announce that Wonder Collides was an
Award Winner in this years Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition!
I probably don't really have to admit that I was plum tickled to find out the wonderful news, but I WAS :)

This year, we really enjoyed the photographer's reception, and spent much of our time schmoozing with other attendees. Last year, I didn't talk to anyone, really. It just goes to show how much has changed during this time. I definitely felt a whole lot more confident this go round. And maybe having been through it last year lessened any anxiety I would have experienced. I'm sure that it was a combination of many things. Either way, we had a great time, and I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to participate.

After the reception, we headed over to the Banff Mountain Film Festival since they awarded free tickets to all photographers in the competition. I really like that these events coincide with one another. We saw some really great films. Lucky for me, I didn't have an emotional breakdown like last year! However, they did have some very touching and awe-inspiring movies, but none that made me cry like a baby.

I'll let you in on a little secret:
I knew I was going to win all along :o)

Hope you all had a terrific weekend!

Spring in your Step {Mini Giveaway Winners}

Congratulations to Kyla, TD, & Liss!
Please forward me your addresses via email & I will get them out this week.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't be sad if you didn't win your very own mini print trio.
I would be more than happy to fulfill your special order, just give me the word.

If you decide to purchase a MPT, my gift to you will be $1.00 off the regular price!
And as another special bonus, you can have 3 MPT's for only $15!!!

You have permission to go CRAZY!

If you want to get the insider deal, just leave a comment or email me.

MINI PRINT TRIOS

***You can help the honeybees! I will donate 10% of every sale to NAPPC to help fund research for Colony Collapse Disorder.***

Big, big NEWS!

We've spotted so many deer along the parkway, but this was nothing like the other sightings. For this was more than just a mere glimpse. We stopped at an overlook loop off the parkway that we had hiked through the night before. As we pulled into the parking area Cody spotted a fawn, I hung out of the window trying to get a shot, but we realized that we had to get closer. I got out of the vehicle and slowly crept up to the edge of the field. At first he ran off, and as I walked closer, he darted out from behind a bush less than 7 feet away from me. Taking refuge yet again behind the brush we could only see its tail pointing straight up in the air; it could still sense our presence. Cody was flanking the left, and I patiently waited for him to coax the deer out of the wooded area. Once it was confirmed that I was ready Cody made a rustling sound behind the little guy and he ended up in the clearing which was exactly where I was hoping he would go. It was truly exciting & I don't think I'll ever forget how cute that fawn was. It was definitely the highlight of my weekend!

This photo was taken July 1st 2007.

I've got some news to share with you.
The only reason I haven't shared before now is because I am terribly superstitious and I didn't want to jinx it. Here's the story: Some time back in September I entered a handful of photos in the NC Wildlife Magazine's Photography Contest. After I entered them, I put the competition out of mind. Then in October they contacted me.

Unlike the 860 submissions received in the Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition that I was a part of, this contest received a whooping 6,400 entries! I am deeply honored to have had one if my photos selected. Speaking of selections, where did the bambi photo place?! Well, that's something I just found out recently....have a look.
All winning photographs will be published in the NC Wildlife Magazine (which will be a first for me) and exhibited at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh. Also, second place winners will receive a cash prize of $75. However, I'm more excited about the prospect of one of my photos being published in the magazine. Although, seeing one of your captures hanging in a gallery is just as rewarding. Even if it's a pain in the rear to get them there, however, with this competition I won't have to worry about the framing part. What a relief!?

One by One

We can make a difference.
I am eternally grateful and touched by your willingness to participate in the "Green" Giveaway challenge. There weren't as many to participate as I would have liked, but it's about quality, not quantity. Speaking of quality, you guys offered up some wonderful suggestions that I am sure sparked a few light bulbs in the minds of others. I know that this challenge has sparked a few light bulbs in my mind, too. I have even found that I am scrutinizing my greenness with a fine tooth comb as a result. I feel that I need to be as mindful as humanly possible, and incorporate those additional changes that fit with my personal lifestyle.



One thing that seemed to be unanimous amongst the bloggers who participated were things like recycling, using reusable shopping bags, and switching out our light bulbs with CFL's, while these are all great strides to take in the direction of being more 'green', we can make a continued commitment to mix other sustainable projects and ideas in with what we currently do. Being green isn't always about what you can afford. Some advantageous additions will even SAVE you money if you can believe that! So, don't be hesitant when it comes to cultivating a greener way of life because you think it requires money, in most cases, that is just not true. Being greener may simply mean cutting back on items that produce less or no plastic waste (individual snacks are the worst!),or not buying that shiny new item to replace something that is still in good condition. I have learned to look at it by not thinking in terms of a sacrifice, but as benefit to my wallet and the environment. It also helps that I am passionate about putting money into my savings account, I know, I'm a dork.



Do you enjoy seeing the natural wonder of the world around you? I know I do!!
My deep and most primal instinct is to do as much as I can to protect its awe-inspiring beauty. It pains me to think of the many people who give little to no consideration for what is taking place in and around our homes. I am aware, and I hope that being so will influence others to take part in doing what they can to support and guide those who have yet to see the light. I truly hope that I don't come off to you as preachy, but I just want to offer encouragement to those who are wondering what they can do or for those thinking about how to do more. Whether you believe so or not, every little bit helps.


With all that being said, here are the winners.
Thank you again to those who participated!


Elk @ Red or Gray
Kristina @ Meadowlark Days
J.H. @ A Gift from Heaven

Miscellaneous Links

1. Article : Where does all the stuff go?
2. The sleekest hydration vessel you can buy, & it's eco-friendly! KOR
3. Here is a reusable bottle that is not as slick but less expensive. Aladdin BPA Free bottle
4. The Alternative Consumer - for your eco news and product reviews. I love this blog!
5. I seriously want this pair of Ninja Boots by TOMS - so not snow friendly :(
6. Posted in Wordful Wednesday
   

Widow's Prayer

(Congratulations...this was selected to be one of the MANY WINNERS in Our Bokeh Shots Thread! )

You may or may not recognize this photo, that would solely depend on whether you looked at the Evergreen Cemetery Set on my Flickr account as I did not post it here prior to today.
I decided to post it because it's receiving a lot of looks right now because it was chosen as
a winner of the Bokeh Shots Thread for a group that I am a part of on Flickr. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with groups and commenting on other peoples photos within Flickr since I spend time reading blogs as well, but I really enjoy and appreciate getting feedback on my photos whether it be good or bad. Obviously the bad feedback isn't as well received at times but I'm a big girl and can handle it. Well, anyhow I posted this photo in the Bokeh Shots Thread amongst I don't know how many others, and was subsequently selected with 21 other people as a winner. I don't get anything except for a little praise so it's not really that big of a deal I guess but I thought it to be worthy of sharing.

Click here to see the Bokeh Shot Thread winners.

Click on the photo or here to be taken to the picture on my flickr account to see some of the comments I've received.

I also posted it at jpg, although I'm not sure if it's a good fit for the category I put it in.


*And if you're wondering what the heck Bokeh is, click here. It's pretty interesting!!