My conversation with Roy

First of all, this post has nothing to do with photography or my business, but has everything to do with me. A concern that has weighed heavy on my heart for quite some time now is how can I help the less fortunate? And I don't mean hand them money, I mean really get in and help them. I thought of an idea a while back of starting an organization, but still wondered if it would do any good. I finally had the idea of taking a moment to stop and talk to someone who would know best if my idea would help or not.. A man named Roy, on the street asking for help in the form of holding a sign that read "Just Hungry. God bless."

I first drove by this man, and I rolled down my window to hand him $5. I wanted to see his reaction and how he handled accepting the money. When I handed him the money he was very grateful. He said thank you, happy new year, and don't ever lose that smile on your face. I knew this was the one, he was the one that I needed to ask these questions that I had rolling around in my mind. So I turned around, parked in a near by parking lot, and got the courage to go sit by him and start a conversation. Now for me this was scary. I had no clue what his reaction would be or if he would be open to giving me his honest opinion and story. The answers I received were exactly what I needed to hear.

I told him of my idea of how I want to help people that are in need and may be in common situations as himself. Not only did he like my idea, he then went on to tell me of other organizations that can help ME make my idea a success. I was shocked. Here I was, talking to a man who needs something so badly from someone else yet I became the one in need and he helped me. I now have the knowledge of where to start to really put my ideas into action.

I went on to ask him if he was homeless. I was a little nervous because now I was starting to ask some personal questions. He told me that now he is not homeless, thank God. All of the money he gets goes towards rent to live in a motel. He went on to tell me that last year his home was under the blue bridge. He said he has been sober now for 3 years and has turned his life to God and that is the reason that he now has a roof over his head. He said people will ask him while he is out on the street if he is a liar, and his response is no.. my sign says that I am hungry, I have no money for food or else I would not be out here. He then told me about the church he goes to and other wonderful churches and organizations that are out there to help people. Not one thing he said to me was negative. Even in the situation he is in, he still was so thankful that this year he is a lot further than he was last year.

The conversation helped confirm that I am on the right track and I can't wait to get it going! So here is my plan: I want to call it "Backpacks for hope". I want to collect backpacks and fill them with items such as food and water that can easily be eaten without needing to cook. I will also include a pamphlet of information for organizations that can help with housing, jobs, food, etc. I figured having the items in a backpack would be handy since a lot of people do not have transportation and walk quite a bit. I also want to include material that will be uplifting and a reminder to never give up hope. Now I know that this may not seem like a huge help to some, but it is something. And I know that not every person that is in a situation like this will want it, but its ok. If at least one person is helped by the contents of what they have found in their backpack then we have done our job. I would love to have the help and support from my friends and family and would love any suggestions you all may have!

January Rock the Shot entry

2012 was a year of growth and learning. I was so blessed to have had so many clients believe in me and give me the opportunity to take their photos. I had so many great pictures to choose from, and it was really hard to narrow down to one picture to enter for the Rock the Shot contest. I really feel this picture really captures my style as a photographer. This is from a senior session. Paige, the senior, was so much fun to work with and she is absolutely beautiful.

Vintage Buttercup photography Facebook page

Vintage Buttercup Photography website

Rock the Shot

A few of my favorite things... The winners are...

Here are the winners for the giveaway! Please send and email to: atvintagebuttercup@gmail.com  within 48 hours to find out what you need to do to claim your prizes! Thank you everyone for participating, and I hope you enjoy your prizes as much as I have enjoyed them!

Scentsy crackle warmer, home scent, and spatula: Anna Squires

$15 Gift credit to Seidel Designs: Emma Easton

$50 Gift credit to Prairie Sweet Boutique: Beth Williams

$35 Gift credit to Ali's Cottage: Cassie Coats

Vintage Buttercup Boutique headband: Barb Meahan

Bellanonna cocoa scrub: Beth Aggers

A few of my favorite things! Giveaway

I originally started planning a giveaway for once I hit 1k fans on my facebook page.. well we passed 1k and I now finally have the time to put it all together! Thank you everyone for being so patient. I am excited about this giveaway! I have asked my favorite vendors to participate so that I could have some awesome items up for grabs. All of the items are things that I have personally purchased or gift credits to shops that I have items from and love.

 Here are the instructions for entering the giveaway! You have from now through Friday December 21st to enter. A winner will be chosen for each gift and all winners will be announced in a blog post on Saturday December 22, 2012. All winners will need to then send an email to: atvintagebuttercup@gmail.com for further instructions for claiming their prize!

Step 1: Please make sure you are already a fan of Vintage Buttercup Photography by CLICKING HERE and then clicking the "like" button.

Step 2: Visit each vendor's facebook page and leave a comment letting them know Vintage Buttercup sent you. (NOTE: My scentsy vendor does not have a facebook page, therefore you will not need to visit a page for this item.) Please make sure to visit all pages, not just the page for the item you wish to win. 

Step 3: Share the link for this giveaway on your facebook page to invite friends to enter as well!

Step 4: Leave a comment on this blog post once you have finished step 1 and 2. Here are the awesome prizes!

 1.) Scentsy Crinkle wall plug in, "My home" scent bar and scent spatula!

                                         
 


 2.) $50 Gift Certificate to Prairie Sweet Boutique!

3.) $35 Gift Certificate to Ali's Cottage

4.) $15 Gift credit towards a logo from Seidel Designs

5.) 8oz Cocoa Dreams sugar scrub, made with organic shae butter and all natural coca beans from Bellanonna Boutique

6.) Bohemian style headband from Vintage Buttercup Boutique

Good luck everyone and thank you for being a fan of Vintage Buttercup Photography! 

Bruce family/ newborn session

Thanks to a friend of mine I was able to get my blog looking presentable and I decided to start blogging my sessions! This is my first one so go easy on me ;-) What I love about newborn sessions the most (I mean besides getting to hold tiny beautiful babies and play with little baby feet) is that as a photographer, you have the opportunity to have a special place in that baby's life. You get to be the one to capture these special moments and grow with them. I absolutely love when my newborn clients come back for a session once the baby turns 3, 6, or 9 months, 1 year, etc. Seriously, how cool is it to be the one that gets to track and capture their growth in the cutest way?! I've also been blessed with the opportunity of doing a birth session (will blog about that one next time). Anyway, what I am trying to say is us photographers take on a special role to that family. Back in October I had the opportunity to be the newborn and family photographer for the Bruce family. Here are some of my favorite captures from the session. I hope to have many more sessions with them in the future.

It's time for a little giveaway :-)

It's been a while since I have done a giveaway, so I thought I would try out rafflecopter and giveaway a surprise newborn size headband! Make sure to enter, contest ends on 10/26/2012 and winner will be announced here on the blog on 10/27/2012! Good luck :-)




a Rafflecopter giveaway -Amber Vintage Buttercup

Rock the Shot

Entry for Rock the Shot's October photo contest!

www.rocktheshotforum.com
Go to Rock the Shot here