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Charlene
I wish you and your Family a safe and Happy Holiday as you celebrate Christmas and the New Year!
I will also be closed through January 10, 2010. If you need to get in touch, please email or call me and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Warmest,
I am very blessed and thankful! I have a wonderful husband, great kids and we’re all healthy and one happy unit. I am thankful for the house we live in, the cars we drive, the clothes we wear, the wonderful meals we eat and of course we are blessed with having work too. 3 out of 4 that is, since my younger son is playing sports his last year in high school he’s exempt from working. Yes, we are blessed!
We don’t take for granted what we possess but sometimes we forget in our busy lives that other families are less fortunate. There are many wonderful people who really make a difference with coat & blanket drives, food drives, bicycle programs, clothing closets and the list goes on…
“Giving is Awesome” is another way to help out a family. Kristen Kalp of Essential Imagery and a friend photographer in one of my photography forums, created this awesomeness and over 500 photographers went crazy last year donating their services nationwide. Last year I participated and sadly, it fell through. The family name given to me was set to have portraits done in July. Not only family portraits but I was going to document their daughter’s Quincenera, 15th birthday celebration. Unfortunately, I lost contact with them. No forwarding address or number, gone! I hope they are doing well!
I’ve registered to help again for next year but I need your help.
Please help me find a family who qualifies with the following:
{Thanks Kristen for your wording.}
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 — $950 worth, to be exact (includes waived session fee). 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 $200 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 Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)
* The nominee must reside within 100 miles of San Jose, CA. 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.
* You must e-mail me the full story with the nominee’s contact information : charclc@yahoo.com
The winner will be called the first week of January — 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.
Warmest,
Charlene Chavez
What a delight to have been witness to this beautiful Japanese Tea Ceremony held at the San Jose Buddhist Church in Japantown area of downtown San Jose. The church was beautifully adorned with rich traditional Japanese culture once I stepped inside I felt like I was really there. Truly, there was so much to look at it would take quite an afternoon to really see it all!
Kelly & Tyler have been patiently waiting to see their images and finally here is a small preview. Kelly and Tyler, you two were so patient and awesome I want to thank you for such a great time and hiring me to cover your beautiful ceremony! I was treated like a guest and it didn’t even feel like I was working!
More images coming soon but for now…
details of the day. Enjoy.
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony
I was up late going through some wedding images and my sister emailed me the image below. I’m not taking credit for this one and wish I had thought of it. I’m wondering why my sister sent this? hmm?
Anyway, I think this will stop you from further harassing your teens! Owner of image, Unknown.
I got together with some girlfriends a couple of weeks ago to bbq, catch up and play Bunco. One of my girlfriend’s son in law is over seas and the ladies wrote personal thank you notes to him and his buddies and sent a bundle of goodies. We wore our new Red Friday t-shirts and I wanted to share this because I think we all look great!
Thank you to all the Troops fighting for our country as we go on with our lives and sleep in the comfort of our homes!
Support our troops and purchase your Red Friday Shirt. The sizes run 2x small so order 2x larger than you normally would. We are wearing Product id: 235349550062539109-the ladies petite dark red with hearts.
You’re invited to an open house/exhibit on Sunday, October 18, 4-7pm @UnWined. There will be raffle prizes, Holiday items on display and one lucky person to win the Grand Raffle Prize! You can also sign up for a Holiday Mini-Session and possibly win a 20 page 8×8 beautiful flush mount album.
Details:
Cost: $100 for a 45 minute Holiday Mini-Session
Dates of Holiday Mini-Sessions: (limited to only 6 sessions per date)
Oct 24 and 25
Nov 7,8,21 and 22
Grand Raffle Prize:
One lucky person will win a 20 page, flush mount album to show off their beautiful images from their Holiday Mini-Session. You must be present to win and you must book your Holiday Mini-Session this Sunday. Choose one date from the above listed dates.
More Savings…
Charlene
Catching up on some blog…
I only had a few minutes and I promised I wouldn’t make them wait any longer. Gabe and I arrived late, missed the group pictures, the guests were already eating and Amanda waited for Gabe so they could eat together.
Isn’t Amanda so darling?
They are so cute together!
It was really chilly as you can barely see there are goose bumps on Amanda’s arm.
Ooh, love the shoes!
There was a beautiful full moon that evening.
I really do love photographing weddings! They’re unique, so beautiful and the best part is getting to know the bride and groom. Although I only spend a small amount of time with them, I feel as though we’ve been friends for a very long time. Like the guests, I get emotional and fight to keep dry eyes. My eyes do water a little. I suppose it could be the pollen in the air. No, it’s the love, special moments, the way they look at one another, touch, smile and kiss as if they are the only ones in this world. Nothing else matters. That’s the way it should be.
Stephanie and Dan shared their wedding day. They looked at each other, smiled, kissed and held hands. Their eyes said it all, no words to be said. They are in love! That’s the way it should be.
Stephanie and Dan, thank you for having me photograph your wedding!
A few images from your special day. Beautiful is the only word to describe it! I will have more to share soon, enjoy!
