Following up on the March 2018 ‘Pay It Forward’ Session Giveaway | Meet the Second Winner!
Hey, gang! Wow, I am so happy you’re visiting this blog post today! If you’re a regular follower, you may know that in March 2018 I did a session giveaway in which the premise was simple: share an act of kindness in hopes of inspiring other people to do nice things just because. In turn, when someone does something kind for you, you ‘pay it forward’ by doing something nice for other people, too. This creates a movement, even if small, of actions that better the world.
One morning, I woke up feeling very grateful, my heart wanting to give. I firmly believe each and every person has their own gifts and talents they can use to benefit others. I’m a professional newborn photographer in Houston; I am able to create lasting images that stand the test of time. These photos will be passed down from generation to generation; treasured heirlooms that are sure to preserve a precious new life. This in mind, I created a Facebook post with the following information:
This morning I awoke with a happy, joyful heart feeling inspired to pay it forward. There are few feelings as awesome as doing something kind for someone without expectations in return.
This in mind, I am giving away a completely free mini session to Sarah Borchgrevink Photography, LLC. I'm based in Houston, TX and specialize in posed newborn photography, but also photograph family, maternity, and studio milestone baby sessions, too, such as 6 and 12 months. :-)
If you'd like to enter for a free mini session it's simple: comment below with one (or even more!) ways you have paid it forward. You can also share a selfless act you've done. It's a nice way to put a little bit of goodness into this world and to inspire others, too.
I'll pick my favorite comment and I will follow up with a blog post featuring your session as well as showcasing other ways to pay it forward. This post is open until 3/28 at 3:30 PM. :-)
No strings are attached, just share an experience and I will look forward to reading them.
Mini Sessions at Sarah Borchgrevink Photography include the following: (8) full resolution, retouched digital files as well as a professional grade 4x6" print of each image. This session may be applied to newborn, baby milestone, family, or maternity.
I've never done this before so hopefully, it's not a complete failure, yikes!
Wishing you all a fantastic Tuesday with your loved ones! I'm out of the office for the rest of the day so I may spend time with my little ones, but I'll be back bright and early tomorrow morning.
27 people entered the giveaway! I chose my favorites based on reactions from followers, too, but also considered the act as well. For instance, Jamie, the first winner, donated a year of breast milk! You can read more about Jamie’s Act of Kindness, too!
Meet Cassondra
Please allow me to introduce you to one of the nicest parents I’ve ever had in my studio! I am awe of her! Not only is she an amazing person, inspiration to me, and also a fantastic Mom, when she visited my studio, I felt like she was a buddy and really connected with her. She is full of joy, positive energy, and is totally awesome! Wow!
In case the photo above does not load, here is her act of kindness.
“Before becoming a mother, I was a special education teacher. I taught the most beautiful population of students, kiddos with a range of severe and profound disabilities.
During my time at a specific middle school, my student were majority low income. It didn’t take me long to realize their needs were far and beyond academic. Luckily for me, my husband had been volunteering in special Olympics for years, one of the reasons I fell in love with him, and supported (still does) my burning desire to do good in this special community. So, I set out.
We purchased every single student hair brush, tooth brush, deodorant, floss, etc. I began arriving at school early and opening my doors to my students so before school started, I could wash their hair, braid it, teach them to brush and be ready for their day.
One of our sweet girls was in desperate need of a bra and age appropriate clothing that fit her; so we slowly but surely bought her a wardrobe that matched her royal personality and her age.
Another of our strapping young men desired to be a part of sports. With the encouragement from our class, conversations with our sports coaches, and his dedication, he made not only the track team but basket ball team.
The assistants in my classroom, who became my family, jumped right in along side me. We worked together to drive him to and from practices, purchase his shoes, pack him snacks for practice days and game days. We stepped in when his parents weren’t able.
I wasn’t alone in this endeavor. Myself, my husband, and two of the aids in my classroom jumped in. In fact, my male assistant learned to braid in order to help. My aids, who weren’t paid enough to begin with, gave additional time they absolutely didn’t have to give.
That group of kids will keep a special place in my heart no matter where I go or what I do. They taught me more than I can express. They deserved every single opportunity to be age appropriate and included. Throughout the year, no matter how much academic success we saw, the most joy was their social success. Learning to care for their own bodies, learning to be confident, learning to give to one another, teaching us what it means to be a good human. I keep in touch with most of these kids and their parents to this day, most of them are about to graduate high school.
This experience, giving from the deepest parts of my soul, extending my school day, attending their events and watching them bloom, has been one of the absolute highlights of my life “
Paying it forward with a wrapped newborn mini session
For her session type, Cassondra chose a wrapped newborn mini session for her impossibly handsome little guy named Summit! The 'wrapped newborn mini' is a newborn session only and baby is wrapped for the entire session. There are three setups for Baby featuring (3) styles of gorgeous newborn wrapping with a different vintage-inspired floor prop for each style. See highlights of our setups, the colors she chose, and how much fun we had together!
Potato Sack Pose | Perfect Bundle of Joy
Baby in a bucket | Classic Newborn Boy Set Up
Sage Green Set Up with Rustic Floor Props
Macro Photography | Those Tiny Details of Your Cherub
Macro images are absolutely breathtaking and set your gallery apart! These images, called macros, are up close, precious details of your baby’s stunning features. This can include, but is not limited to, baby’s profile, lips, nose, hands, toes, chubby cheeks, gorgeous eyelashes, feet, etc. I adore these and spend ample time photographing these in each and every newborn session I have.
See the full gallery below!
Thank you, friends, for stopping by to see why Cassondra is awesome and the winner of the giveaway! I hope this post inspires you and also puts a smile on your face! Wishing you a great Tuesday, friends!
Warmly,
Sarah
Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Harris County. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Richmond, West University and Rice Village.