Sarah Jordan Photography

It’s here! The SJP 2013 Pic of the Year contest is now underway! All images were selected by the clients themselves – be sure to take a moment to read about how they chose their favorite photos.

Each image will be posted on both Facebook and here on the blog. There are three ways to vote:

1 – “like” the photo on FACEBOOK
2 – comment on the photo on FACEBOOK
3 – select the image on the blog poll at the bottom of this post

That’s right, each person can vote up to 3 TIMES! Votes on the blog will be monitored by IP address, so no multiple voting, please. At midnight on February 4th, I will combine all votes from Facebook and the blog to determine the ultimate winner.

And now, without further ado, I present to you the contestants!

IMAGE 1:
“This photo of my daughter, Alyssa, is my favorite for so many reasons. It looks like it could have been taken 100 years ago. I also love that in this photo – more than any other – I can see her resemblance to many relatives on both sides of our family. Her dress and her eyes are so blue, and her skin looks like porcelain. I also love the contrast of her elegance against the rustic, old Smolak Farms barn.” – Mom

IMAGE 2:
“This picture was taken about a week before Ava’s due date. But, instead of being nestled snugly in my belly, she was already a month and a half old! When I look at this photograph now, it holds so much meaning to me. Ava spent the first month of her life in a NICU and special care nursery after being born nine weeks early. As her mama, all I wanted to do was hold her close. Instead, I savored the allotted hour each day that I got to hold her skin to skin. In those early days, I feared that she would not know me. I worried that among the constant presence of the doctors and nurses, she wouldn’t recognize my voice or my touch as her mother’s. When I look at this picture, I see the bond I feared I missed out on. I am more at peace in this photograph than I ever have been in my life. My girl had come home. I was free to hold my healthy, happy baby and cuddle her whenever I wanted to, free of tubes and wires, without the sounds of monitors and alarms. She is my Ava and I am her Mama, and that is all I have ever wanted to be.” – Mom

IMAGE 3:
“This image conjures up one word that describes the collective feeling of our family in the moment this photo was taken, in addition to the energy of that mid-fall afternoon. That is, “softness”. It encapsulates the overall energy of that day and of my family, taken towards the end of our shoot. It was cool out and there were brilliant fall colors everywhere. We ran around the estate ruins, kicked a soccer ball, read together, and had a blast. This photo is a reminder of that beautiful day in our lives, together as a family. To us, it is more than just a photo.” – Mom

IMAGE 4:
“Brotherly love! This photo captures their bond- 2 brothers-best friends for life!” -Mom

IMAGE 5:
“This photo is so special to me because it is a reflection of such a genuine moment; a mother rocking and soothing her newborn baby. Sarah peaked behind the tree and captured my little Drew tucking into my shoulder as I held him close and quietly sang to him. There are so many of these times during an infant’s first year of life and they truly are moments, because it happens in a flash and suddenly they aren’t a baby anymore. Drew is the final addition to our family and our hearts now feel complete. He is almost 7 months old now and I don’t know where that time went. Every time I look at this photo my heart swells and I beg for time to slow down, if only for a little while, for these days are passing far too quickly…” -Mom

IMAGE 6:
“The reason why like this photo is that it shows how excited Logan was to be big brother. You can see the love in his eyes!” -Mom

IMAGE 7:
“I loved this image in particular because it not only captured a sweet moment between me and Benjamin, but because it also captured a beautiful look from my husband. The look on his face was one that photographers had previously captured during our engagement session and on our wedding day. It melted my heart to see him still looking at me the same way five years and two kids later. I’m so thankful you were able to capture it!” -Mom

IMAGE 8:
“The gentle natural lighting and angelic wisps of hair are more reminiscent of paintings than pictures. Back arched just enough to counter the little weight in her arms, Mommy gazes with unexplainable depth of love at her tiny miracle while the little one rests comfortably in the strong yet gentle grasp of her mother’s hug. These two are the most beautiful girls I’ve ever seen. It’s almost beyond words, yet this photograph has somehow captured this moment of love, grace, and beauty.” -Dad

IMAGE 9:
“Peace and quiet. A rarity with a busy two year old and a VERY colicky newborn who somehow found a way to stay asleep and silent for this entire session (and not again until 3 months old!) Sleeping Beauty and her Prince who managed to steal not only a quick kiss but also his parents’ hearts inside a single frame. In those moments of craziness it’s nice to look upon this photo and “Awwww” for a split second before heading back into battle…er…the playroom.” -Mom

IMAGE 10:
“This photo makes me smile every time I see it hanging in my living room. I love my kids more than anything and seeing their happy faces and how much they love being together, just melts my heart.” -Mom

IMAGE 11:
“At first glance, this photo of my silly boys might not look as “sentimental” as a photo of them giving each other a spontaneous hug. However if you knew Trevor and Tyler personally, you would know why this is one of the most sentimental photos I have of them. Tyler, my son on the left, is a spunky three year old that lives everyday to make his brother, Trevor, happy. When Trevor is sad or hurt, Tyler is the first person to stop what he is doing to comfort his brother with a tight hug and a whisper, “It’s alright Trevor.” I see the joy in Tyler’s eyes when he has made his brother smile or laugh. It’s as if it is his mission in life!
Trevor is five years old and Tyler’s biggest fan. He cheers him on, and always lets him know how great he is. He finds everything Tyler does hysterical. Trevor is proud like a father when it comes to Tyler’s accomplishments, and is the first person to let him know just how proud he is of him. When I look at this picture, I see two boys who love each other with all of their heart. Best buddies. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts Sarah, for capturing that bond between our boys that to anyone else is just a silly face, but to us means so much more.” -Mom

IMAGE 12:
“This image captured the essence of my daughter: Goofy, happy, and beautiful. Despite her offbeat mood resulting from several teeth coming in, this picture was taken at a moment when she was showing us her true self. Lacey is goofy and always laughing. The look on her face in this image is priceless to anyone who loves her, and I am thankful for it every time I look at it with a smile on my own face.” -Mom

IMAGE 13:
“I first came across Sarah’s work when I visited Maternal Health and Fitness when I was expecting. The baby photos on the wall were so beautiful, I had to ask who had taken them. I had never hired a professional photographer before (other than clipping coupons, and going to department store photo studios), so I was a bit intimidated by the cost of a session. I admired the photos on Sarah’s web page for a year before I decided to book an appointment. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner! There were so many beautiful and artistic photos from my session that I can’t really pick one favorite.
I love the details captured in this picture of my daughter: long eyelashes, slight smile, pudgy hands reaching for her hat; soft, pale skin with a hint of a blush from running around outside on a beautiful spring day. It truly is a work of art, and one that makes me smile whenever I look at it.” -Mom

Now, vote below for your favorite image! Don’t forget to head over the FACEBOOK to “like” and comment for additional entries.

Fine Print:
Sarah Jordan Photography reserves the right to modify contest or prizes as necessary.
Anyone tampering with the contest or results will be immediately disqualified.
No purchase necessary to win.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.