Thanks to all who took the time to submit to my power of giving contest! It was a difficult decision, especially after reading everyone’s stories. The reality is that many need a little extra help this year. It is my hope that my gift can make a difference and that it will inspire others to reach out and give to those in need. So without further ado, this year’s winners are Shaquia & Peter from Edgewater, NJ – Congratulations and Happy Valentine Day! Their wedding date is set for October 24, 2009 and here is what they officially won:
- 8 hours of wedding photography by Chris Leary and my second photographer
- Extensive photography coverage, 3000 to 4000 pictures taken
- I will edit the photos to approximately 800 – 1200 final proof selections
- All final proofs will be categorized (bride prep, ceremony, formals, etc) for viewing ease
- Final proofs displayed online at www.pictage.com- you can keep private or share with family & friends
- One signed 11×14 gallery print of your favorite image
- And a copy of all the high resolution digital negatives on a DVD
Here is what Shaquia entered:
So I was on craigslist today searching for an affordable photographer for my 10/24/09 wedding. I came across your thread and loved your work! I wrote your name down to advise some of the girls on the wedding website I chat on for a possible wedding photographer. I didn’t email you myself because after looking at your work I figured it was going to be more than what I can afford. So I began to search again and BAM!! A CHRIS LEARY CONTEST!!! How exciting!!! So I immediately said a prayer… and before my boss comes rushing through the door with loads of work… decided to enter!
Immediately I read you want us to play off the theme.. something New, Old, Borrowed and Blue! But also expressing our love to one another.. and for some reason I can’t but to think of our kids… My son, and Peter’s son… how that that all play out in this theme you ask?! LOL! Well.. for starters planning this wedding has been extremely hard.. my dream wedding was on a yacht in my hometown in Long island. THat became way over our heads.. and we lost a lot of money 
. We started over and had to plan again. SOmething more affordable, intimate and nice. The biggest reason for us not going with the yacht of course was money. We have 2 boys.. my son and his son! Coming together as a family was hard in the beginning.. it was a challenge for the boys to get to know each other. It was something NEW. As parents it was hard for us because we were madly in love.. BUT wanted the best for our kids as well. We would get them together on weekends to spend time together.. and before you know it .. the situation was OLD! They grew to be BROTHERS! Which made our lives easier. But with two kids.. our focus is always there education and there day to day lives. Because of that we moved to a different area to better there lives.. which of course has cost us more, cut down our wedding cost and made us budget ALOT! But we love our boys extremely and figured that was still have to give them the best and can’t let the wedding take that from them. Winning this contest would take so much stress off of us! We work so hard each day. My fiance works double shifts ( boiler operator ) every second he can… I’m in the middle of trying to get a new title at work (property managment). We work hard to keep things together. In this difficult times the world is having we are both grateful to have jobs and able to maintain. BUT no matter what we remember our love for each other… always taking time out at night to talk for hours and cuddle ( every single night ). With the wedding approaching.. photographers are booking fast… and we still have not booked. I’m hoping for a blessing. My fiance would BE SO GRATEFUL!!! So something new is our family… old was our family before… something borrowed is each with each others son .. and something blue is our faces when there rooms are not cleaned!! 
I have sent you some pics of us.. and our KIDDIES 
thank for listening to me blab on and on… lol!
The pictures were taken at our home, it was there first day of school in our new neighborhood… but also in our MOST FAVORITE PLACE TO GO.. a park near our home! Great place for shooting pictures.. we love to be big kids…and as you can see from the pictures.. YES THAT’S ME AND THE FIANCE ACTING LIKE BIG KIDS ….. I LOVE MY FAMILY!!
