Monroe Family | Orange County Family Photographer

Hello there blog world!

Yes, I know I sort of disappeared for a while, but I didn't stop working!  I kind of lost the urge to blog, and well, I gave into that urge!  So, I have lots of catching up to do, and lots of gorgeous images to share!  So, stay tuned for more frequent updates on this old blog!

This cute family won my FB fan giveaway, and we got together this summer for a quick mini-session.  I am in love with their color scheme and cutie-pie little girls!  Thanks Monroe family for a fun session!  Hope you love your images :)  xoxo

I'm still booking Fall Mini-Sessions, and would love to photograph your family! 

Contact me for availability!

Merry Christmas and a Winner

I guess my title should have been reversed because I am going to announce the winner for my Holiday Giveaway FIRST and then wish you Merry Christmas SECOND.  :)  Don't hate.  Scatterbrained and disorganized is how I roll.

So...after carefully recruiting friends (it was hard to find people who didn't personally know the nominees!) to help vote on the nominations that were sent in, we sat at a TIE for 2 days and this morning another one of my lovely and helpful friends sent in her vote, breaking the tie.  Thank you all for your participation - whether it was in your heartfelt and thoughtful nominations, or in giving your time and consideration as you helped judge the nominations.

Each one of the stories sent in was truly touching...and as I personally know some of the people nominated, I'm sure you understand that there is just NO WAY that I could be the final judge!  So thank you for your patience while we got it fairly sorted out.

You're probably wondering when I'm going to stop blabbing and just make the announcement already!  So here ya go...the winner for my 2012 Holiday Giveaway is:

THE FEATHERSTONE FAMILY!!

I am thrilled, and excited to photograph this beautiful family!  Without divulging too much personal information, I will just say that they have been through A LOT as a couple and as a family and someone who loves photography (and is a great photog as well!) as much as Sara does, I hope they will be equally as thrilled to receive this gift of family photos!

Now that we got the biz stuff out of the way...I wanted to share with you a little newsletter I put together with a cute, FREEBIE template I got from birdesign - they have lots of fun freebies and cute templates for sale, go check 'em out!  

Merry Christmas from the Hansons!  (Click to enlarge)

Much love to you all and thank you for your continued support and encouragement!

Holiday Giveaway 2012

Hello friends!  

It's time for the Shari Hanson Photography annual HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY!  

What is it?  

Please nominate a person or a family who you think would love the gift of photography.  There aren't really any guidelines, but for example, it could be someone who has fallen on hard times or just someone who you really admire!!

The winning family must be able to meet me within 20 miles of Huntington Beach for their session, and the session must be completed by August 31, 2013.

All of the nominations will be carefully considered and the winner will be determined by a special, and impartial panel of judges. (not ME!)

The winning family will receive a 1-2 hour photo session PLUS a Top Ten CD AND their choice of two 8x10s or one 11x14. (total value: approx. $670)

Please send a paragraph (or more) explaining WHO you are nominating and WHY to:

sharihansonphotography@gmail.com 

Please include your nominee's contact information (email or phone #) with your entry. 

All entries must be received by midnight on Sunday, December 16, 2012.

The winner will be announced and contacted on Wednesday, December 19, 2012.

**Special Note** If you'd like to remain anonymous to your nominee, make sure you specify that in your email, and I will make sure to keep it a secret!!!

PLUS...as a BONUS, the person who nominates the winner will receive 50% off their next session fee!

Here is a snippet from the session I did with the recipient of last year's giveaway, the Price family:

As most of you know, I adore working with newborns, so I was thrilled when Alison chose to use her session with me for after she had her first baby!  Here's what she had to say about her experience:

"We were the recipients of last years Photo Package Giveaway.  It was a complete surprise!  I was pregnant with our first baby, and my husband had lost his job recently.  Having family photos or newborn photos wasn't even on the list of things we could do financially.  We were so surprised and happy to receive such a generous gift!  I begged and begged Shari to tell me who nominated us, but she wouldn't say.  I felt so honored that someone would even think of us!  

Shari came and did newborn photos of our sweet little guy and it was wonderful!  She was so patient and so gentle with Ryder.  She captured him perfectly and we couldn't have been happier!  What a blessing for us to have worked with Shari and for someone to be so thoughtful in nominating us.  Shari does such a great job and her photos are just flawless.  We love each picture we have!  Thanks to our anonymous nominator and an even bigger thanks to the fabulous Shari! We love you!"  

This is the fourth year I've offered this giveaway, and I look forward to reading all of your entries!  They always touch my heart and I am so happy to be able to share the gift of beautiful photos with another special family!

xoxo,  Shari

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!

So, I kind of slacked off on my promise to do another drawing once I reached 50 followers...but here I am, redeeming myself.  :)  I will do a drawing for a FREE 30-minute session + 10 images on CD each time another 25 people start following my blog...  I'm only doing this until I reach 100 followers -- so that means only 2 more drawings!  I currently have 350 likes on my Facebook page -- and so I'm thinking of doing some kind of giveaway once I reach 500...  Stay tuned!

Anyway...back to the blog giveaways!

My first winner (when I reached 25 followers) was Seth Braithwaite...and you can see their pics HERE...

My second winner is...

Congratulations! 

Please contact me ASAP if you'd like to fit in a session before Christmas...otherwise, you have until April 30, 2013 to redeem this prize! 

sharihansonphotography@gmail.com or call/text 714-865-3885

HAPPY TUESDAY Y'ALL!

xo, Shari

Baby Ryder | OC Newborn Photographer

Alison and Ryan were the recipients of my Holiday Giveaway - and after all the long years of trying to have a baby, their little guy is finally here!  I was so happy to photograph them at such a sweet and precious time in their lives.  Congratulations to the Price family!  He is delicious and I love him!  Thanks for still being my friend after I broke your blinds...heehee.  :) 

it's that time again!

image (c) James Wojcik

Hello friends!  That's right, it's GIVEAWAY time again!  So, what are the details?

Please nominate a family who you think is deserving of this gift. There aren't really any guidelines, but for example, it could be someone who has fallen on hard times or someone who you just really admire.

The winning family must be able to meet me within 20 miles of Huntington Beach for their session, and the session must be completed by August 31, 2012.

All of the nominations will be carefully considered and the winner will be determined by a special, 

and impartial panel of judges. (not ME!)

The winning family will receive a 1-2 hour photo session PLUS a Top Ten CD AND their choice of two 8x10s or one 11x14. (total value: approx. $670)

Please send a paragraph (or more) explaining WHO you are nominating and WHY to:

sharihansonphotography@gmail.com 

Please include your nominee's contact information (email or phone #) with your entry. 

All entries must be received by midnight on Sunday, December 11th.

The winner will be announced and contacted on Wednesday, December 14th.

**Special Note** If you'd like to remain anonymous to your nominee, make sure you specify that in your email, and I will make sure to keep it a secret!!!

PLUS...as a BONUS, the person who nominates the winner will receive 50% off their next session fee!

I love the family who won last year, the Jensen family.  Tracy is a dear friend and just look at all those handsome boys!

Here's what Tracy had to say about their experience:

"Last Christmas we were nominated to win a photography session with Shari.  When we won, I couldn't believe it.  I was so excited to take our pictures, because Shari does amazing work.   I hadn't had our family pictures taken in four years, and our oldest is now a senior and going off to college in the fall.  Our family pictures won't quite be the same after this.  It means so much to have these photos, a small snapshot in our family's life before things change. We had some challenges the day we took our pictures; the Huntington Beach pier was crazy busy so we went to Seal Beach instead.  My kids were so annoyed and I really would have liked to throttle them all (well mainly the teenagers).  I thought for sure that Shari was not going to get pictures of a happy family, but a family that was annoyed and irritated instead.  What came out of her camera was a miracle.  How Shari got these photos was simply a miracle....we are so very grateful to have these gorgeous photos.  And above all else, I am so grateful that she chose to donate her time and her miraculous camera to capture our moment.  Thank you so much Shari."

This is the third year I've offered this giveaway, and I look forward to reading all of your entries!  They always touch my heart and I am so happy to be able to share the gift of beautiful photos with another special family!

xoxo,  Shari

annnnnnnd the winners are....

Giveaway #1 - Kelly Moore B-Hobo Camera Bag:

"Quietangelsb said...
Congrats on your anniversary! I'm a follower of your blog and would love to win either 1,2 or 3

quietangelsb@hotmail.com
September 2, 2011 11:17 AM"


Giveaway #2 - Fall Mini-Session + 50% off additional prints/images: 

"The Smith Family said...
I like you and I follow you - I'm glad the internet exists because if I liked you and followed you 20 years ago I could be convicted of stalking!! I love your pictures, you are super talented and I'm so proud of you that you have stuck with your business in the midst of having 3 (almost 4) active little boys :0) You're Awesome!

September 2, 2011 8:32 AM"

Giveaway #3 - FREE Top Ten CD + 50% off all prints with any paid session:

"Amber said...
I "liked" your Facebook page and also a follower of your blog. I'm dying to have pictures done of my three kids. I'd love either #2 or #3.
September 4, 2011 10:39 PM"

Congratulations to each of you!  And a huge THANK YOU to everyone who entered and helped spread the word about my anniversary and my business.  I sooooo appreciate it!

I have a bunch of sessions that I'm working on right now, so stay tuned for some great sneak-peeks in the next week!

ALSO...

I have now reached 51 followers...so, as promised, I will be doing another drawing for a free mini-session!  I will announce the winner at the end of the week!

Thank you so much for your support and encouragement!

THREE Years! THREE Giveaways!

Wow, time flies...  It's crazy to think that 3 years ago today I posted my very FIRST blog post announcing my photography business.  I think I've come a long way...but know that I still have a loooooong way to go, and the journey has been a blast! 

I want to say a HUGE thank-you to all of my dear family and friends who have supported me and encouraged me along the way.  I think the thing I've struggled with most is being confident in my work and my abilities.  So all of the kind words and comments that I hear have really helped buoy me up and gave me the little push I needed to try harder and keep learning!

So, I would be simply overjoyed if you'd celebrate this anniversary with me...and I'd like to offer you THREE amazing giveaways...that I hope you all would LOVE to win!

Click HERE for all the details, more pics and even a video demonstration of this awesome camera bag!

(The regular 2011 Fall Minis do NOT include the 50% discount on additional prints...

so that is an ADDED bonus to you!!!)

So how can you win?  I will gladly tell you a few ways how you can enter to win! 

(Make sure you leave a separate comment for each qualifying entry, along with your email address so I can contact you if you win!  ALSO...and this is VERY IMPORTANT!  Make sure you designate which giveaway you'd like to win, i.e., "Giveway #1" or "Giveaway 1, 2 or 3!" -- you get the picture, right?)

1. Become a follower of this blog by scrolling down to the bottom and click on "join this site" -- then leave me a comment to let me know you did it!  Already a follower?  GREAT!  Just leave a comment letting me know you are already a follower.


2. "Like" my business page on Facebook, then leave me a comment!  Click HERE to "Like" my Facebook page.  Already "like" my page?  Then leave me a comment letting me know!


3. Post a link to this blog post on your FB page, then leave a comment letting me know you did it!


4. Blog about my business and the giveaways with links back to this blog post, then leave a comment letting me know you did that - with a link to your blog please.  :)


5. Tweet about my business and giveaways, then leave me a comment!

Ok, there ya have it.  FIVE easy ways to enter to win!  Entries will be accepted through midnight (PST), Monday, September 5th.  Winners will be announced Tuesday, September 6th.  Good Luck!

p.s. watch for news about my new website that will be launching later this week!!

follow me and win! (maybe)

Want a chance to win a TOTALLY FREE 30-minute mini-session + 10 high-res images on CD?

Then scroll on down to the bottom of my blog...waaaaaay down to the bottom...and become a follower.

I already gave away 1 free mini-session when I hit 25 followers...and I want do do another one when I hit 50!  

Spread the word!  It's EASY!  And who doesn't love FREE stuff?  

p.s. this type of session is PERFECT for little kids...a quickie family session (think CHRISTMAS CARDS!)...or whatever you want to use it for!  

p.p.s.  all prize sessions must be completed by August 31, 2011

ok, go on, SCROLL DOWN NOW!  and have a nice day.  

thank you.

Mini-Session Winner!

Thank you to all of you who are now following my blog!  And if you're not already a fan on FB click HERE!  (It will save you time in the future for other drawings and giveaways!)

The prize:  A FREE 30 minute mini-session + 10 high-res images on CD.  

As promised, I conducted a random drawing this morning from the first 25 followers. (Sorry Jessie, you were #26!)  I will do ANOTHER drawing when I reach 50, 75, 100, etc.  So tell your friends!  It's easy!  It's free!  And who doesn't love winning FREE stuff?? 

So here's how I did it...I listed the first 25 followers in alphabetical order, and assigned a number to each.
Then I used random.org to choose a winner...

 And the winner is:

#18 - Seth B.!!!!! 

Please email me at sharihansonphotography AT gmail DOT com to book your session!  You have until August 31st to use it!

Thanks for playing!  Keep following the blog for details on future giveaways and fun stuff when I launch my new website!

 

and the winner is...

The Jensen Ohana!!!!!!!!!  

Thank you to all who sent in nominations...and Thank 

You to two of my best friends from high school for being my judges!  

I am SUPER excited to photograph this family!!

And p.s. keep little Kumaka in your prayers as he recovers from (yet ANOTHER) surgery!  

XOXO

 

peace on earth, goodwill toward men

Hello friends!  It's GIVEAWAY time!

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I find myself counting my blessings.  

I also find myself wanting to repeat last year's giveaway experience! 

So, what are the details?

Please nominate a family who you think is deserving of this gift. There aren't really any guidelines, but for example, it could be someone who has fallen on hard times or someone who you just really admire.

The winning family must be able to meet me within 20 miles of Huntington Beach for their session, and the session must be completed by April 30, 2011.

All of the nominations will be carefully considered and the winner will be determined by a special, 

and impartial panel of judges. (not ME!)

The winning family will receive a 1-2 hour photo session with me along with a Top 10 CD and their choice of two 8x10s or one 11x14. (total value: approx. $470)

Please send a paragraph (or more) explaining WHO you are nominating and WHY to: 

sharihansonphotography@gmail.com 

Please include your nominee's contact information (email or phone #) with your entry. 

All entries must be received by midnight on Tuesday, Nov. 30th.

The winner will be announced and contacted on Wednesday, December 1st.

**Special Note** If you'd like to remain anonymous to your nominee, 

make sure you specify that in your email to me, and I will make sure to keep it a secret!!!

PLUS...as a BONUS this year, the person who nominates the winner will receive 50% off their next session!

I had so much fun with the family who won last year, the Holbrook family:

Here's what they had to say about their experience:

"Wow, we were so surprised to win Shari Hanson’s Holiday Photo Giveaway!  The timing couldn’t have been better.  Our oldest daughter was heading off to college and we were in desperate need of a family photo.  Combining the beautiful backdrop of the ocean with Shari’s photography expertise, the resulting family photos are more than we could have hoped for.  She captured this moment in time for us to cherish for years to come.  We will forever be grateful. Thank you for your wonderful spirit of giving Shari!  We Love You!"   - Holbrook Family

I am really looking forward to meeting and working with whoever wins this year's giveaway!!