“Dreams do come true, if only we wish hard enough. You can have anything in life if you will sacrifice everything else for it.” – ― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
This evening, we were treated to a one-of-a-kind performance of Peter Pan – aboard a hayride in the scenic orchards of Smolak Farms! My guys were captivated by the magical characters, and felt like they were part of the action as the actors climbed aboard the fantastic ride. Oliver was relieved to find that Captain Hook wasn’t TOO scary, and Hudson was almost as excited about the complimentary donuts as he was about the ticking crocodile. Such a fun family night!
Brandy says: SO excited this pic won, it's my fave of yours! Love the runners up too! And may I say, brilliant marketing idea on your part? So creative! on 02.1.12 @ 8:21 am
Casey says: Very exciting! Three of my favorite SJP pics made it to the top three! Looks like everyone has the same good taste :-) on 02.1.12 @ 9:53 am
Nana Chris says: Although I am a bit partial to the precious little boy and his sister :), the top three are all awesome pics along with the other entries. This was a lot of fun.......thanks for doing this, Sarah! You are one incredible photographer!!!! on 02.1.12 @ 2:39 pm
Voting is now OPEN for the 2011 SJP Pic of the Year! All images were nominated by my clients, and I have really enjoyed reading the little snippets about why each image was so meaningful to them.
The winner will receive an 11×14 canvas print of the winning image, and a $500 Sarah Jordan Photography gift card to be used towards a 2012 Premium Session. Two runners-up will each receive a framed 6×9 print and a $100 Sarah Jordan Photography gift card to be used towards a 2012 Premium Session.
*Voting is monitored by IP address, so no multiple voting.
*Polls close at midnight on January 31st
*I reserve the right to disqualify entries or terminate/modify the contest if necessary.
To see the images larger, please visit the full gallery HERE!
IMAGE 1:
“This is probably my favorite picture in the world. I can’t help but ponder what he is thinking/dreaming about. I also look into his eyes and realize that he has his whole life ahead of him; that his life has just started and the possibilities are endless. You took a perfect picture of innocence and wonder. The picture also displays to me the true meaning of comfort and security. ” – Mom
IMAGE 2:
“The reason we both picked this image is because it really captures the love Avery and Griffin have for each other while still showing their fearless personalities and boundless energy. Every time We look at this picture We say to each other ‘Red Light! Green Light!'” -Mom and Dad
IMAGE 3:
“This image is my favorite because you captured Dylan’s bright blue eyes, adorable nose and all of his gorgeous features that are changing every day.” -Mom
IMAGE 4:
“We picked this photo because it shows the love between these two and when most people see it they aren’t even sure if Cooper (dog) is real! About a second after this shot, Quinn tipped over behind Coop so it really was a once in a million. They love each other and we love them both so much. So happy that we have this image forever.” -Dad
IMAGE 5:
“I laugh every time I look at it, remembering how I was in the crib trying to hold him and his monkeys up! The pic fits him, he is a monkey. He is always climbing on or over everything!” – Mom
IMAGE 6:
“Family get-togethers are, shall we say, interesting when you have a biracial child. My Filipino family thinks she looks white and JUST like David. David’s Caucasian family thinks she looks totally Filipino and JUST like me. It never fails when we look at a picture of our daughter – in one shot she’ll look just like me, while in the next she’ll have an expression that is totally her dad’s. But it’s the very rare photo where she actually looks like BOTH of us at the same time. We also love this picture because it’s a family photo, but with us looking at our daughter as she looks at the camera – while she hugs us. That’s our family in a nutshell!” – Mom
IMAGE 7:
“I chose this picture because it captures the innocence and beauty of Lucy. Her eyes just simply captivate you. The morning light and the colors are so electrifying, Lucy appears angelic. Glancing at this photo, you can’t help but smile and think, ‘What a happy child!'” – Mom
IMAGE 8:
“This is one of those moments frozen in a photograph that truly represents our 3 year old son’s whole hearted enthusiasm on being a big brother. His 1 week old sister is calmly asleep in the crook of his arm, and he is simply beaming with joy to proudly show her off to the world. Their lifelong sibling relationship is still in its infancy, but capturing it in this picture is pure magic to their parents.” – Mom and Dad
IMAGE 9:
“When I look at this picture, I see joy… pure and simple. My newly turned one year old baby girl sat in that blue chair thrilled, optimistic, and filled with love. It was a crazy first year for all of us, filled with colic, infant colitis, a tough economy, exhilarating highs, challenging lows, and the typical trials any baby & parent would face. It wasn’t an easy road to her presence in this world, but she came, like she was meant to all along. Emma is filled with so much life- a vigor and passion I can’t explain. She was born that way. I think of that photo constantly and how it completely captured Emma- her smile (“I’m such a happy, daring, energetic, & loving girl”), her little feet kicking (ready and raring to hit the ground running), her auburn hair in the sun (a connection we share), her eyes (smiling and taking everything in)…” – Mom
IMAGE 10:
“This photo will always bring me back to the time when my son was small enough to fit into my planter! A time when a 7 lbs 4 ounce, chubby cheeked little man stole my heart forever! To me, this picture completely captures the innocence and purity that encompasses being a beautiful newborn.” – Mom
IMAGE 11:
“We chose this image, because you really captured the essence of the boy. He looks happy and a little bit mischievous all at the same time!!” – Mom
IMAGE 12:
“Mother of three…mother of three. Those words kept ringing in my head for months before Gavin was born. How do I manage being a mother of three?? Is there enough of me to give to ALL of them?? I knew I would love this new baby, that was a given. But there were days when the thought of a new little one in our lives just consumed me. What I wasn’t sure of was would Harrison and Elizabeth love this new baby when we brought him home and we had to “keep him”. Could we survive the chaos? Could I still be as connected to Harrison and Elizabeth as I was before Gavin?
This one picture captures what I finally realized. There is enough love and as a family we can survive anything as long as we huddle together.
I love the way this picture captures exactly what we’ve become (my kids and I)…closer. My older two hugging me exactly where they always seem to hug me when we snuggle, with Gavin in the middle soaking it all in. So unfazed by these two “big kids” that have captured his heart and in turn he has captured theirs.” – Mom
IMAGE 13:
“Loads of Love” – Mom
IMAGE 14:
“This picture is so special to me because you have captured one of the earliest connections between Nathan and Emma. They both truly adore each other. I think there’s no greater bond than that of siblings and this picture speaks volumes as to the love they share. It melts my heart!” – Mom
Looking back through the images I’ve taken in the past year makes my heart swell a bit, because each photo evokes memories of the the families I had the pleasure of working with. I have the awesome honor of documenting some of life’s most important milestones – engagements, births, high school graduations – and all of the amazing little moments in between. In fact, it’s those “between” moments that sometimes mean the most. A smile, a smirk, an airplane ride on Daddy’s leg, giggles between siblings, a mother’s gaze…I get to capture it all.
Thank you for an amazing year, everyone. I can’t imagine my life without you in it!
It happens every year. You think and think and think, then shop ’till you drop, and STILL, that “perfect gift” you chose for your sister (or mom, or friend…you get it) sits on the shelf collecting dust. Personally, I love gift-giving at the holidays, but our family has started to place a higher value on experiences and memories than “stuff.” Of course, there will be a good number of boxes under the tree on Christmas morning, but the things I’m most excited about giving and receiving include a trip to NYC, dinner out, and, of course, lots of photos. There will be albums, prints, maybe even a mug or canvas for special people around me. Because photos never fail to bring a smile to the recipient.
You can spoil your own loved ones with the gift of photography this year with beautiful, personalized, wrapped (if you’d like) gift cards to Sarah Jordan Photography. Email me for more info, and together we can create a perfect holiday gift.
Brandy says: SO excited this pic won, it's my fave of yours! Love the runners up too! And may I say, brilliant marketing idea on your part? So creative! on 02.1.12 @ 8:21 am
Casey says: Very exciting! Three of my favorite SJP pics made it to the top three! Looks like everyone has the same good taste :-) on 02.1.12 @ 9:53 am
Nana Chris says: Although I am a bit partial to the precious little boy and his sister :), the top three are all awesome pics along with the other entries. This was a lot of fun.......thanks for doing this, Sarah! You are one incredible photographer!!!! on 02.1.12 @ 2:39 pm