Paying it forward...

Back in January, I asked my clients to nominate someone they thought was deserving of a free photo session and $250.00 print credit. I feel like we have been blessed this past year with the adoption of our daughter and how things fell into place for us, I wanted to give back. I got 2 different emails that were both nominating the same family. I thought that was a sign that these people had to be very special and deserving. Once I read the emails, I realized they truely have had a rough few years and deserved to have something positive in their lives. Now they can sit back and enjoy a photo session, with no worries of the cost. Their friend Holly and Bonnie wrote me letters explaining their situation. They both told about the same couple and their 2 children, who are adopted from Korea. Their son had very bad asthma and spent a lot of time in the hospital. He seems to be doing well now. They have a sweet daughter that has been through one struggle after another. She has a condition called chronic neutropenia. She now needs shots everyday. She also has severe allergies, she is allergic to so many things that she can only eat a very limited diet. She was eventually put on a feeding tube. She has been through some very hard times, and even close to losing her sweet young life. The mother, a wonderful generous person, took off work to care for her children because of the health problems. Part of Bonnie's note read "The father, Justin is the most wonderful husband and father and he has been so strong taking care of his 3 family members. Jamie, was previously a nurse, and has a passion for nursing. However, when Joella's medical issues surfaced she realized she could not be left in the daily care of anyone else, so God made her Joella's personal nurse. Jamie misses nursing and struggle daily with her own physical pain and emotional stress of her family situation. This family cannot attend or participate in many outings/events that most families can because they have to worry about allergy issues and germs with Joella's immune system and growth issues."
If this weren't enough to deal with, about a year ago Jamie fell down the stairs and had back surgery and an extremely hard recovery. Here is a bit of the letter that their friend Holly sent to me. "About a year ago when Jamie fell down the stairs in their house, backwards. She broke her back. She had to have back surgery to fuse her spine. It didn't go well, either. It's been a year now, and she still is not, and likely never will be, fully recovered. She can walk, but needs a cane and not for long distances (she uses a wheel chair when out in public most of the time). She cannot drive. For months she could not be home with the kids alone, so this one income family had to hire a babysitter for both her and the kids."
"Justin has been a trooper through all of this. I don't know how he does it. They are the sweetest and more generous people. They give so much, despite all of their challenges, and truly deserve to be 'lucky' for once!!"
I agree I think Jamie and Justin should be lucky for once. So they are the winners of a complimentary photo session for the whole family! And a $250.00 print credit. I hope you enjoy it, I know your friends think you deserve it and so do I!!

Valentine Mini Sessions!!!

Paying it forward....

Ok, I am feeling especially blessed as we start this new year. No, I didn't make a million dollars last year, something even better happened.


As many of you know, we adopted a little girl and brought her home in October of last year. When I first started my photography business about three years ago, I remember thinking that we wanted to use some of the money to adopt again. That was always my goal, one of the main reasons I worked so hard at my business. And for those of you who have met our little girl Lakyn (also known as Rosey), you know that it was worth every late night minute of editing. She is the perfect fit to our family. She brings us so much joy and happiness. It is hard to believe that she has only been with us for three months. The adoption was one of the most emotional experience of our lives. As we left her former home, Dan and I knew our lives were forever changed because in the back seat was one of seven most precious gifts God has given us!! Below are a few pictures of that sweet girl....

　
So I thought it would be great to pay it forward. I thought, "what better way to show my appreciation to the great clients I have but to pass something along to someone who deserves it." With your help here is what I would like to do.....I would like you to tell me about someone who is deserving of a session and a $250.00 print credit! Maybe it is someone that is sick, has a sick child, is a single parent, is a special elderly friend, is someone who works hard and gives back, is a deserving high school senior or, maybe, it is you! It can be someone who just can't afford custom photography or someone who doesn't take the time to do something for themselves. Tell me why you think this person deserves this!


Why am I doing this? Because I know I will get back much more than I give!

So if you have someone you would like to nominate, just send me an email at: juliemartinphotography@live.com or call me at 517-256-3623 or Facebook me. Tell me about this deserving person. All nominations need to be in by February 10th. The winner will be announced by February 16th.

Kayla...

It was very cold out when we did Kayla's session, but we still got some beautiful images! Kayla definitely looks older than she is, she is such a beautiful girl.

The Todd Family....

I had the best time at this session. I loved that they just let themselves have fun and enjoy the experience. I get the best photographs when people are truly enjoying themselves. The boys, just the cutest things ever! And MacKenzie is just beautiful. My absolute favorites are the pictures of her laughing! All I did was ask her to be serious, she had a hard time with that. lol Thanks Jennifer, for asking me to photograph your beautiful family, it was an honor.

Jesse....

Another senior session. October was super busy trying to fit in all the last minute sessions, before the weather gets cold. I have lucked out each session we have done, the weather has been beautiful! If you are still interested in getting in a session before winter, call asap. Thanks Jesse for asking me to capture you in your senior year!!

Kevin....

I have been so busy since our newest addition to our family, that I haven't blogged! So, I am going to try to get caught up. This is Kevin, a senior from P-W. We got some great shots at the Ledges in Grand Ledge. Thanks Kevin, for choosing me to shoot your senior session!!

The Polfus Family....

Sunday I took pictures of the Polfus family. Rick and Joann have two beautiful girls, Blake and Chelsea. I was thrilled that is was a cloudy day. The light was beautiful!! We had shot the pictures right at their home, they have some beautiful areas to take photographs. The family has two Newfoundlands. For being so large the dogs are super sweet. Loved the shot with Blake and the dogs! Thanks Joann for asking me to shoot your families photos!!

Dave...

For someone who really didn't want his pictures taken.... Well, I think we got some great pictures!! I loved the pictures with the truck, the sky was a great fall sky. Just love those, cloudy skies! They make for some cool pictures. Thanks for being a good sport Dave, hope you love your pictures.

The Andros Family....

I just love fall days. We had a perfect fall day for the Andros Family session! A little red barn, cool air and family. What a great combo for some awesome pictures!
Thanks for asking me to capture your family portrait.

Werner Family....

Ok, I took a few days off and finally am getting back to work. Sorry Werner family! I know I promised these a few days ago. But here they finally are :) I got so many great pictures, I got a little carried away for your sneek peak! I had a really great time taking these pictures. My favorite part was when we moved under the apple tree and the kids started having a great time. They just played and munched on their apples. I think they forgot I was taking pictures and just kind of ignored us. Well, until Corey started singing "Apples are good for me, I pick them off the tree!" Yes, I had that song in my head for quite some time. Even days later when my daughter Kennedy starts singing it again. lol The apple tree got me in the mood for fall pictures. Anyone up for going to an apple orchard for a session? :)