At the beginning of the year, I decided that I wanted to help someone by giving away my photo services on Valentine’s Day, by means of a contest. Shaquia and Peter were the recipients of this grand prize, additional details of the contest can be read at http://chrislearyweddings.com/blog/?p=375
So, on October 25, 2009, Shaquia and Peter were married at the Atrium in West Orange, NJ. Ever since she was a little girl, Shaquia dreamed of having the perfect wedding day and more importantly the perfect guy. I think she succeeded in both, and despite the rain (although it’s good luck, right?) I think she had a fantastic wedding. Shaquia and Peter told me that because of my contest, the money they saved on the photography allowed them to splurge on additional services and items that they had previously cut from their budget due to some financial difficulties.
Although, Shaquia and Peter directly benefited from my generosity, I too have gained much. It feels good just to help someone out, no matter the level of need. In general, I’m a giving guy – I help out friends and family with no strings attached all the time. Sometimes I feel I could do more, especially when I think about my wife, god bless her, who donated white blood cells over the summer to a complete stranger dying of non-hodgkin’s lymphoma, in the hope that he will be able to live a little bit longer. People can make a difference no matter what effort they try. And when you look at the state of this country, and even the world, when so many people are having to do with less, or just fighting to be employed, or are basically struggling to make ends meet, you realize there is so much more to do for your community. So, if you’re looking for a way to help someone out, an easy way that you can, is to support your local businesses by shopping close to home. Chances are that several of your neighbor’s livelihoods are at stake this holiday season. Let me know if you help someone out, I’d love to hear all about it.
All the wedding images will be uploaded to Pictage soon, if you would like to be put on the guest list, please visit: http://www.pictage.com/664019
Congratulations Shaquia & Peter!
[slidepress gallery='20091025_shaquia_peter']
NJ Wedding Photographer – Weddings by Chris Leary Photography
