What's this all about?

Giving is Awesome is a simple effort by photographers worldwide to give back to their communities. Regional contests are sponsored by photographers across the globe. Each photographer is encouraged to give both a session fee and a generous amount of portrait product (typically $1000 or more) to a worthy individual or family this holiday season. Giving a smaller portrait gift to the person who does the nominating of the winner (typically $250 or more) is also strongly encouraged. Early giveaway winners are being announced on Christmas Eve, but you can choose your own announcement date.

Where do I sign up?

Hit up registering to enter your info in our database. Stuck? Try givingisawesome@gmail.com to get unstuck.

What if I can't give away $1,000 worth of products and services?

It's okay! This is about the spirit of giving, not about who can give away the most stuff. For those giving away less than $1K of products and services, simply list all the stuff you're giving away, and how excited you are to be a part of this -- no need to mention a dollar value. It's still free artwork for a deserving family, right? ;)

Why would I do this?

Because you care about giving back to your community. Because you love what you do, but you know not everyone can afford what you do. Because you'd like to be a part of something bigger than yourself. Because, well, you're human.

Can I get dibs on a region, for publicity's sake?

Nope, sorry! Giving is Awesome comes from a 'the more, the better' approach to life, and a generous, giving approach to the world.

Who are all these other photographer-people?

They, like you, are professionals interested in being a part of a nationwide giving phenomenon. Please add the current list to your blog, and link back to givingisawesome.com to encourage everyone who reads your blog to vote.

I don't know what to say, but what's been written is awesome...

Why, thank you...now steal it! Tweak it a bit, but feel free to steal the flagship statement that got all this started. It goes as follows:

You know someone. 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 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 -- $2000 worth, to be exact. Whether it's canvas or albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $500 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in [YOUR STATE HERE]. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story : [YOUR E-MAIL HERE].

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve -- get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,

[YOUR NAME HERE]

******

Who's behind all this?

That would be me, Philadelphia children's photographer Kristen Kalp. I made a post on my blog about giving away a few thousand dollars worth of photography to a worthy family, and within a week over 100 photographers had signed on to do the same. Thus, a website, a name, and all that jazz...it was just a little giveaway. But that little giveaway ended up donating over $565,000 worth of photography to people around the world. We were also featured in Professional Photographer magazine and newspapers across the United States.

Thanks for that!

{Go home.}