Below is all the details to the Cutest Baby Contest. I suggest that each person who is interested, reads this in detail before contacting me for an appointment.
1. Space is limited so I suggest that anyone who is interested, to contact me right away. I have certain dates and times reserved for the cutest baby contest and when these dates and times are filled I will not be making any further appointments.
2. Each person who would like their baby to participate in the Kim Stahnke Photography's Cutest Baby Contest will receive a free mini session, an 8x10 print, and a chance to win the grand prize.
3. A mini session for this contest will be limited to around 15 minutes. This is a very short period of time, and the point of it is to get one good picture, not 50 good pictures. A typical photo shoot for a baby is 1 1/2 hours, and a newborn is 3 hours, so as you can see 15 minutes doesn't give a huge period of time to get tons of different pictures. However it is enough time for me to get one to five good pictures for the parent or parents to choose from for the cutest baby contest.
4. The parent is limited to only one outfit for the baby. (no outfit changes due to short period of time for the session) I do encourage hats, or headbands, because it is a quick way to switch it up a little.
5. No other older siblings are permitted in these free mini sessions. This is stricly limited to babies of the age 0-24 months, and I can only photograph one baby per mini session.
6. Each parent will need to sign a picture release form that will allow me to post these pictures on my website for the voting purposes, and I may use some of these pictures for my photography portfolio.
7. I will be scheduling these mini sessions in the month of February, and I will have posted on my calender the days that are available for booking the mini session.
8. To schedule a mini session you will need to find a date on my schedule that is reserved for the photo contest, and then find at least 2 dates and times that works for you. Then I will need you to email me the information listed on the page for scheduling, and then I'll get back to you.
9. All these mini sessions will take place outside at Medina Square. I will meet each baby and guardian at their appointment time at the gazebo, and from there we may go to a different spot along the square. The square of Medina provides many different looks within a walking distance away. Most might think I'm crazy for having photo sessions outside in the middle of February, however if you bundle your child in something cute, you should be fine. Newborns or very young babies, we can grab some cute shots with them bundled in a blanket in a basket or in a parents arms. My ideas are endless for outside shots, and the lighting is best and even though I do indoor photo shoots, it isn't possible for this contest for me to drive to each contestants indoor location.
10. I will have dates listed on my calender for the baby contest. Then you will need to check below the calender for the time slots that are available. I will be filling them in as I book them. I will also have a bad weather make up date for each date that I schedule, so be sure to check that date incase the weather is bad on the original day you schedule. If I need to reschedule the free mini photo sessions, it will be on the date listed, unless their is available time still on another date reserved for the Free Mini Sessions.
11. I will cancel the photo sessions for bad weather, if it is snowing really hard, under 28 degrees, or if it is raining. Please keep in mind if it is cloudy the day of your photo shoot, that is the best conditions to shoot in. Sun can sometimes be harsh for lighting. I will also post the morning of the photo shoot before 9am on the front page of my website if the sessions for that day is cancelled. It is the parents responsibility to check my website the day of your scheduled free session to see if the sessions are cancelled or not for the day due to the weather. I will not have time to call each person to let them know I have cancelled.
12. I like to capture babies playing and doing what they do at the stage they they are in. I usually don't try to pose the child to much. I like pictures with the baby with their favorite things. I will have plenty of props but it there is something that you would like your child interacting with in the picture then by all means bring it.
13. I do ask that all moms be ready to jump into pictures. I will try to photograph the baby by themself, but sometimes babies just want mommy, and if that is the case we will get a picture of you interacting with your baby.
14. Be sure to pick a time of the day that your baby is the happiest. Skipping babies nap for a photo session is a waist of everyone's time. Be sure your child is fed, and happy upon arrival. Remember 15 minutes is not a lot of time. I will give myself extra time for meeting your baby and preparing where we are going to shoot, but the time for shooting the pictures once I get started is 15 minutes. If your child is fussing the entire time, I'm afraid I can not reschedule a free session. I will do my best, however to overcome a baby that is upset. I have no problem getting down with the baby and playing with them if that is what it takes.
15. After the session, I will be emailing 3-5 pictures after I'm finished editing the pictures, and the parents will get to choose which picture they want entered into the contest.
16. I'm hoping to have all pictures ready to go up on my website for voting on March 1, but that is subject to change. I will also be running an ad in the Mimi Vanderhaven paper for the month of March in the Medina area, and I will be encouraging people to go to my site and vote for the cutest baby.
17. After pictures are on my website, the voting can begin. I will have a comment section for each picture entered, and at the end of the month of March, whoever has the most votes in the comments will win. To vote all you simply need to do is leave a comment telling what you liked about the picture. It will be limited to one vote per person. The idea is to have others vote for your baby, and not just yourself. There will be a link on my website for voting and instructions when the pictures are posted! A great way to get the word out would be facebook, twitter, or just send everyone you know an email with my site.
18. Grand Prize Winner will receive a full session at the location of their choice (this is limited to 1 1/2 hours), up to 5 people, copyrights to all the edited pictures (this gives you all rights to the pictures for where and how you want to print your pictures), and printing up to $50.00. A grand prize total of $310.00. The four runner ups, will receive up to $50.00 free printing if they schedule a full photo session at a later time. All prizes are valid through December 31, 2010.
19. All contestants can also choose to purchase additional prints from their free mini photo session. For all pricing please check out my pricing page or just click here.
20. To view the available dates and times for the free mini sessions for the Cutest Baby Contest you will need to click below. Please remember to find at least two dates and times that are good for you before contacting me. All appointments will be first come first serve, so the more available times you give me in your email when contacting me the better chance you will have, of getting on the schedule.
21. To contact me for an appointment or if you have any questions, click below.
