For Japan With Love

Then Jesus said to his disciples : “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

Luke 21:10-11

 




images via boston.com

"The Lord rules over the flood waters; The Lord reigns as king forever." ~Psalm 29:10

By now, you may have seen these images several times, or maybe its your first time viewing them. Every new image that is shown leaves me speechless. I can't even begin to fathom what is being felt in Japan right now. There are people, over there, right now who just like you and I have families, have children, pets, & friends..who could be missing, starving, or even dead. Their world has come to a screeching halt, all within the blink of an eye.

On Friday, March 18, I will be participating in a bloggers day of silence, in order to raise awareness and pay respect to what the people of Japan are suffering through.

This day of silence is being put on by two lovely blogging women over at Utterly Engaged and Ever Ours who have teamed up to start For Japan With Love.  And theres more, they have started gathering donations to help the victims of these disasters. All the donations will be going to Shelter Box, which provides emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies to those who need it most.  Each large, green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items.  And Shelter Box is already at work in Japan!  Each box costs $1000 and they are trying to raise enough money to buy 5 boxes. Could you please help spread the word?

I know that the blogging community has a HUGE heart.  Whether you donate to Shelter Box or the Red Cross or any other organization, it doesn’t matter.  The important thing is to donate!  I know many of us are not in a position to donate a lot, but every little bit helps.  Can you help?
If above all else, please, please PRAY. They NEED your prayers. I know God is with them there already in that dark desolate place right now, but they need to feel our prayers, they need to feel the power, and presence of God, and the love of the world around them.

If you are interested in participating in the day of silence, click here:
For Japan, With Love

Share the Joy Photography Workshops!!

Alright Folks! Big Announcement time! Months and Months ago, God laid something on my heart about starting a mentoring session for other photographers, and after months and months of planning, and praying I would like to present to you...*drum roll please....*
The Share The Joy Workshop!

These workshops are meant for YOU! Professionals, Amateurs, Enthusiasts, Photographers of all kinds!

 

As a special bonus, all those who book will get 15% off the next session they book and a special gift ;)

Thanks so much! Can't wait to see you all out there!!

~ Sara

The Donato Family | Palm Coast Family Photographer

Wow, what an amazing family I got to work with this past week! Ray * Anna have to be one of the sweetest couples I have met, and what an ADORABLE little girl they have! I can't wait to work with them again soon!
Here's a couple sneak peeks from their session :)

Giving IS Awesome! | Palm Coast Photographer

 

You know someone. 

Lets face it, times are tough. But, for some people, its even tougher. 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 one of God's many gifts to them - 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 – $250 worth, to be exact.  This will include a complete session as well as all of the high-resolution digital files from that session, on a CD with full release, and an 8x8 leather bound layflat album, with an inscription on the cover. And as an added bonus, the person who nominates the winner will also receive a $50 credit and an 8x10 print credit to be used during a session!

The rules:
You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Sorry, not being able to pay the insurance on your super expensive Bugatti or Ferrari sports import does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

The nominee will receive either a newborn session, child session, family session or engagement/anniversary session.  *Sorry but, Weddings are not included in this offer.*

The nominee must live within 45 minutes of Palm Coast, FL or be else willing to travel here for their session. Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve a session. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

Comment on the FB page to let me know you’ve entered, and e-mail me the full story:
  sara@photographybysarapurdy.com

If you live further away, and are still interested in participating, find a local photographer in your area by clicking HERE!

 

**Nominations are due by midnight, Monday, December 20, 2010 and the winner will be announced on Christmas Eve…so get nominating! I can’t wait to read all of your entries!

Thank you for opening your heart to someone 

and Thank you for allowing me to open my heart

and give out to someone who is need this year as well,

Sara

Blogging update!

Well, I have come to realize that I am desperately behind on my blog! I apologize - its been a crazy last few months, God has been blessing me with some serious business! Ive updated the website to a new look, and have been working on big things for 2011! Right now is also wedding season (fall weddings! woohoo!) and then immediately following wedding season is the Holiday Season (Christmas Photos! another woohoo!! :) So, the blog got pushed a little behind, BUT good news is, hopefully soon, a *NEW* blog will be up, and I dont have to worry about all the hassle I deal with through "blogger." So hang tight folks, the blog will be back in full swing here soon - but, to catch you up on all thats been going on, here are some photos :)

Misty & Travis had their lil baby boy, Kai, and I was lucky enough to visit him in his first few hours of life. :)

 

 

 

 

Ashley & Philip got engaged (their wedding is tomorrow by the way!)

I've been blessed to shoot some really amazing and gorgeous families:

And some really amazing weddings so far this season:

Mr & Mrs. Cottingham!

Mr. & Mrs. Koehlinger and their lil ones!

Stay tuned!

Janeen + Joseph

Have you ever seen a couple and thought to yourself "they are undeniably head -over heels in love"? Take that thought one step further, have you ever seen a couple, who was expecting and thought "they will be awesome parents, because of how much and how strong their love is for each other"? Janeen + Joseph are that couple! Janeen and I went to high school together, and she called me up a few weeks ago and said she and her hubby Joseph would be visiting from SC and that she would really like to have some maternity photos done (can you believe she is only 6 months!? She looks GREAT!), but she also really like the idea of doing them out along an old dirt road out by where she grew up. I have always wanted to do photos in this setting, and I love the way they turned out!

Megan - Class of 2011!

Megan is my second 2011 senior so far! 2011 Seniors are on the ball!!! I had a great time with her, she is such a sweet girl, and was so willing to let me destroy this gorgeous dress she brought with her! (well, not destroyed but very very wet!!) Her mother Joyce, and Megan were so great to work with, I love em' both so much! Megan will be graduating from Matanzas High School next year! Here are a few from her session.