This year I am taking part in a worldwide photographic effort, Giving is Awesome, to provide deserving individuals and families with cherished photography heirlooms. Giving is Awesome is a simple effort by photographers worldwide to give back to their communities.  Premiere photographers from around the world donated over $565,000 worth of artwork in 2009, and expect to double that number in 2010.

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. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family’s spirit, love, and beauty. This could be your maid, your driver, (sorry, if you have a maid or a driver you probably don’t qualify!!) a work colleague, a neighbour, someone you’ve heard about – whoever it is, please tell me their story and why you think they are deserving of this gift.  

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 — I’m giving away AED3500 (US$1000) 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 AED800 print credit if they book a session. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

*You cannot nominate yourself, and the family 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 Abu Dhabi. 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.

*You must e-mail me the full story : kirstylarmour @ gmail . com (take out the spaces!) Put “Giving is Awesome” as the email subject.

Please nominate by 24th December. The winner will be announced on January 1st 2010– get nominating! I can’t wait to read all of your entries!

To learn more about Giving is Awesome, or to nominate a family outside the region, visit www.givingisawesome.com.

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

With love, Kirsty x

PS this post will be stuck to the top until Christmas so remember to scroll down to read the new posts when you come back to the blog!!