So – how to vote? Have a look through the galleries below, tick the box with the corresponding number (or if you know the surname, that will help too) on the poll, and then click on VOTE! It’s that simple.

However, you can only vote once. To be fair the system is designed to allow 1 vote only per IP address. Be sure to spread the word far and wide to ensure the contestant you chose has the best chance of winning! Some ideas to help spread the word include post the link to my blog into your Facebook Page directing people to vote, emailing the link to your friends and family or just give them a simple call to tell them all about it. If you want to keep a closer watch on the progress of the competition please head over to my Facebook Page and *like* me to keep informed of regular updates and also future specials (just for Facebook fans).

I would like to thank all of the families who have entered into my competition. I wish each of you all the best with rallying the troops to vote for your image to win!! Good luck!!

Remember voting closes: 11:59pm on 24th of May, 2012

Which brings me to the reason I adore my photography…simple memories. I have this innate ability to freeze time. I am fortunate to be able to capture my own children, in all their glory, just as they are, as often as I like. I am truly blessed to be able to do this. Whether I use my ‘big’ camera or my iphone, I do my very best to try to capture something every once in while. But what about me, and my photos? Again, I’m so very fortunate to have such wonderful friends (who also happen to be photographers) that I can call on to capture some memories of me and my family. We probably don’t do it near as often as I would like but at least it’s been done.

Anyway, I digress, I’ve been thinking about the fortunate position I find myself in and about those that are not. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to ‘pay it forward’. I wanted to create some lifelong memories for someone special and in doing so decided that I didn’t just want people to win a ‘few free prints’. I wanted to properly give someone the chance to capture their newborn, baby or child/ren and create some life long memories.

So, I’d like to announce that I am running an amazing competition – the chance to Win a Complete Portraiture Experience!

THE PRIZE:

“Colour Me Happy” Collection

• A portrait session for up to 5 members of a Family.
• 15 individually processed images on CD .
• Two custom 11×14″ enlargements matted within 16×20″ white mats, ready for framing.

Total value – $1,295 ($150 session booking fee + $1,145 for the Sheer Delight Collection)

But that’s not all.

All entries will automatically be eligible to receive 20% off of their session fee and Collection of choice, now or in the future (that is of course if you chose to book a session). So, even if you don’t win, you can still have a photographic session discounted by 20% – just because you entered.

HOW TO ENTER:

- Read and familiarise yourself with the Terms and Conditions for this competition.

- Email me a picture of your baby or child/ren to nicole@nicoleramsay.com (if you are pregnant, I’m happy to receive a shot of you/your ultrasound/your bump!)

- In the subject of the email, type “Competition Entry”.

- Provide your full name; your contact telephone number; and the name/s and age/s of your child or children and your location.

- Once entries have closed, each photograph will be displayed on my blog (watermarked with an entry number). The competition will be run by public vote, so you will need to spread the news of the competition far and wide to your family and friends, so that they know to come and vote and give you a better chance to win!

Entries are open as of this evening (8 May 2012), and close at 11:59pm on 15 May, 2012.

Voting will commence on approximately 18 May 2012 and will cease at 11:59pm on 24 May, 2012. The winner will be announced by Friday, 25th of May, 2012.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

- Winners will be determined by public vote (an online poll). The winner will not be chosen by Nicole Ramsay Photography.

- By entering the competition and providing an image for this purpose, you are giving permission for this image to be used by Nicole Ramsay for advertising and promotional purposes. All valid entries will be made public on the photography blog for the competition.

- This competition is only available for residents of Brisbane or the surrounding areas. However, should you reside interstate or do not live in the metropolitan or surrounding areas of Brisbane, but are willing to travel to Brisbane for the photographic session or alternatively meet the travel and accommodation expenses of Nicole Ramsay Photography in traveling to your destination (within Australia), you will be eligible to enter.

- The prize is not redeemable for cash, nor is it transferable to any other session or person.

- The prize is not valid for Maternity or Wedding Photography.

- This competition is not valid for clients of Nicole Ramsay Photography who already have a current booking.

- Entries are limited to one image per family.

- The photographic session must take place before 31 March, 2013.

- The winners of the Photographic Session agree to any images resulting from the photographic session to be used by Nicole Ramsay Photography for promotion and advertising purposes.

- The winners will also adhere to conditions as outlined in the Portrait Agreement, as per any ‘normal’ session held.

I thinks that’s everything, so GOOD LUCK!!!

So here we go in an attempt to catch up…

You might recognize the beautiful girls below. I have been photographing them for the past four years. Every year around November (and yes this is November), I have the wonderful pleasure of capturing their lovely faces. They have grown into the most amazing young ladies who are poised, beautiful and well mannered (on account of their equally wonderful parents). It’s amazing to look back each year and see how much they’ve grown.

Well, here he is. The sweetest, most cutest, loved baby you ever did see. Baby Shaun. A true miracle. After many months of blood transfusions and a will to live, he made it through and gosh, I can’t tell you how sweet it was to hold him in my arms. So much so I can’t even imagine the magic his parents would have felt that very first time they held him in their arms.

This is truly one of my most loved newborn sessions because every time I see these pictures I am reminded of just how precious life is.

xx

My very favourite part each year is to take a look at all the moments, all together. It doesn’t matter what order, I just like seeing the beauty (and heartache) that was January 2012, in one complete ‘frame’.

Mine. Four compelling, riveting and equally beautiful souls.

They make me laugh, and cry. Sometimes at the same time. On occasions they drive me up the wall. Probably more often than not. But without them who would I be? Sometimes I can hardly believe I’m so lucky. Sometimes I can hardly believe they’re all mine.

Thank you for sharing in my journey. Especially for your lovely, uplifting words regarding my ‘Day 18′. I truly felt every bit of love. And for that, I am beyond grateful. Until next year my friends…

Nic xxx

Waiting for the movie to begin and I have no idea what Byron is doing, but I can see Lily is stuffing her face full of popcorn. A typical movie experience I would say.

Despite your attempts at lipstick and nail polish.
Or at wishing you were three years older.
You are five. And a half. I must not forget the half.
So soft and delicate. All things innocent.
Away in dream land.
No doubt singing under rainbows and dancing with the butterflies.
Never stop dreaming.
Sweet child of mine.

What is it with boys and their fascination with all things exploration and dirt?

We have a creek at the end of our street, and with all the recent rain it’s been quite high. Byron insits on checking it out at least once a day. Today I went along for the ride in the hope of spotting one of the three turtles he had the pleasure of seeing these past few days.

No such luck unfortunately. The turtles had fled. No fauna to see on this occassion. The only fun to have was chucking rocks in and seeing how big they splash!