I’ve thought long and hard how I could pay it forward by doing a photography giveaway but I’ve never managed to figure out anything that would work. I like the idea of giving away a free wedding to a deserving couple, but I hate what happens when that couple has already booked another photographer. I don’t ever want to take someone else’s work away from them. So I kept thinking… and thinking. I finally have came to my first photography session giveaway, my Uncle Bob Giveaway!!!
What is an Uncle Bob?? In the professional wedding photographer world, we often talk to each other about Uncle Bob (or Aunt Bobbi for gals). “Uncle Bob” is typically a relative or friend of the family that happens to take good pictures and becomes a nuisance to us professional photographers from time to time. Either we a) lose weddings to this person or b) have to work around them throughout the wedding i.e. when they’re on the altar, directing the formals or taking our brides away for their own photo shoot. Either way, it can really mess up our day and our pictures (Uncle Bob’s flash is probably my biggest gripe). However the biggest thing that bothers me about Uncle Bobs are when at the end of the day, the couple is left with images that disappoint and are often just plain snapshots and nothing that they imagined their wedding pictures would look like. I have heard of people that have looked back after Uncle Bob shot their wedding to find out that no images were even in focus, or no images of the bride and groom – there are just plain horror stories about letting someone who ‘happens to have a nice camera’ shoot a wedding day.
My Uncle Bob giveaway is aimed to get those couples at least one nice image of themselves as a couple that they can frame and PRETEND that it came from their wedding.
So here are the details!
Who: Any couples married in the past 5 years with proof that they had a friend/family member shoot their wedding. Images will have to be provided to prove to me that you did in fact get someone that was less that stellar which will be used on the blog along with the new image(s) to qualify for the free shoot. No couples will be accepted that hired a professional photography studio for their wedding photography unless that photography studio went out of business and did not provide photographs to the couple (I know a couple years ago here in Cleveland this happened to a lot of couples who are still fighting for their images). Any couple that meets all of the qualifications will get a free session. Have I mentioned I HATE popularity contests? EVERY couple that qualifies wins a session! Easy peasy!
What: This giveaway will include a 1 hour photo shoot in the style of a Day After Session of a married couple, 1 full size digital image and online hosting of all images.
When: This giveaway will run until the end of August. All photo sessions must be scheduled within a year.
Where: There is no limits where I will travel for the giveaway but all travel costs outside of one hour from my home in North Canton, Ohio will be paid by the couple.
How: Send me an email and title the subject “Uncle Bob Giveaway.” Please include your names, address, story behind your wedding photography and at least 3 pictures from the wedding that Uncle Bob provided you.
- The Christy House Wedding with Ashley and Stephon - March 11, 2024
- Peninsula Wedding with Colleen and Eric - March 10, 2024
- Winter Inn Walden Wedding with Julia and Walter - February 29, 2024
Corey that is Awesome! A very unique giveaway and very cool concept, there will be a very lucky couple at the end of this contest.
SUCH a good idea!! Can’t wait to meet the lucky couple!!
The only couple I know that would qualify is now divorced. hmmm.
Greatest idea EVER! Whoever wins will be so lucky to have you take some pictures of them!
I think this is a fabulous idea!!
You go girl with your creative self! I absolutely love the idea of hooking up an “uncle Bob(ed)” bride and groom.
I would soo have entered this contest had it been extended to 10 year couples. My aunt photographed my wedding.
I wonder if maybe you might still consider us? We have been married 9 years this October, but a friend took our wedding photos (35 mm-disposable?- don’t know), and we have never really done anything with them because they were not so great. We have no professional photos of us as a couple either. Well, either way, thanks for such a great giveaway and congrats to whomever you award the prize!
I’m willing to extend the years 🙂
I’m willing to extend the year qualifying dates 🙂