I am not even really sure how it all happened. First it was "Oh, my gosh, I need to get up the nerve to call Shannon Stewart to see if she'll shoot my clothes." Once those nerves were calmed an entire new set of "what happens if she thinks my clothes suck" nerves set it. From that it went to, how the heck does someone get that super fuzzy background to where on earth are these most beautiful kids coming from and how the heck does one take pictures like that. It was then I was introduced to this entire world of photography. And my what a beautiful world it is.
I am forever in awe of the talent that I have came in contact with through Matilda Jane. Had I not started this clothing line I would have never met Shannon, Michelle, Betsy, Amanda, Jennie, Mika Beth, Gina and a zillion others. It is a wonderful world.
The other day as I was walking around the park all by lonesome, I thought of you. I thought of how sometimes I make a dress and I am not really sure how much I love it. Then one of you guys submits a photo and it all makes sense. It really is the girl that makes Matilda Jane sparkle. It really is.
And so I figured it was about time I paid a special thank you to you gals for sending me so many great shots and for supporting Matilda Jane. You have introduced us to some of your favorite clients who have in turn become some of ours. Thank you.
And here is our very own Photo Love contests for photographers only. We are gonna challenge 25-30 of you to show your own personality and style. It always amazes me how photographers use pretty much the same equipment but the image is so different. It is in the eye of the beholder.
Sam will be making 25-30 of the same exact dress and we want you to put your spin on it. All you need to do is email Sara at saras@matildajaneclothing.com your name, your website (you must have website to participate or a photography blog (not personal)), your address and the size of dress you would like. Sara will randomly pick 25-30 of you to receive the dress. All entries must be submitted by Sunday, October 4 to be considered. If you have been chosen to participate we will let you know no later than October 9.
We will then mail you out a dress and you will have a few weeks to shoot it and send us back your submission. We will post our top 10-15 on the site for the public to vote for the top 5. Matilda Jane will pick the top 3. The winner will receive an all expense paid trip for 2 to the January Dress Rehearsal (not redeemable for cash value) and be one of the first to view the Spring 2010 line. The 2 runner ups will each receive a $300 dollar MJC gift card.
So what do you think? I am pretty excited about this one. One, I can't wait to see what Sam makes, I left it in her hands. Two, I cannot wait to see you do your magic.
man! I just missed this one...gotta check your blog more often...I am crying BIG BUMMER tears.
I soooooo would have LOVED to do this one! jeepers...what luck.
Well, next time! (assuming you will do a next time...great idea!!)
angela
www.angelartpics.com
Posted by: angela | October 19, 2009 at 11:37 PM
eek, can't believe i missed this! ah well...what a fantastic idea. i'm itching to see the results, and please, please do a repeat next year! :)
Posted by: nic | October 08, 2009 at 08:26 AM
Oh my goodness... I am so psyched! Off to cross my fingers and wait! :)
Posted by: Holly | October 06, 2009 at 06:35 PM
Cute little girls with their cute dresses. I love it!
-mikee-
Posted by: wholesale artful dodger | October 06, 2009 at 02:05 AM
Interested. Too late to join in?
Posted by: Tracy D | October 06, 2009 at 12:28 AM
I have 2 boys and would this prime opportunity to seek out a cutie patutie girl for this. Please please please let me have a chance!
Posted by: Tracie | October 05, 2009 at 04:24 PM
So excited, thanks for this opportunity!
Posted by: Leah Godfredson | October 04, 2009 at 11:30 PM
AWESOME!!! Just sent Sara all my info :)
Posted by: Jenn | October 04, 2009 at 04:20 PM
O.M.G Denise.....most awesomest contest EVER! I can't wait to see all the amazing pics from the contest! Course I sent Sara my little bitty blog, dunno if it counts...but I tried! LOL :P
Posted by: Just Rachel | October 04, 2009 at 02:05 PM
Great contest! I sent my info and thanks so much!
Posted by: Candice Thomas | October 03, 2009 at 10:25 PM
What a fun and amazing opportunity! Just sent Sara my info as well!
Posted by: Traci Branscum | October 03, 2009 at 10:11 PM
...PS I am sure Susan aka mi*lolli knows or has been told of the contest - I'll put the bug in her ear anyway...she takes some awesome pics :)
Posted by: tree*head | October 03, 2009 at 05:13 PM
Denise-first of all I love the Chrissy on Ana...it is so funky and euro-love it, love it!!
Second, what an awesome contest - makes me want to become a photographer!
Can't wait to see the pictures all of the talented photogs take!!
Happy weekend!!
Posted by: tree*head | October 03, 2009 at 05:11 PM
oooh i cant wait to see the results of these! unfortunately i was not blessed with any photographic talent, if you are ever in need of a nurse to heal wounds, provide mercy, and care from the depths of her soul i would make a great candidate!translation: blood guts tradgedy i can do, lighting props and artistry sadly i cant
Posted by: carla | October 03, 2009 at 04:05 PM
It worked! I am super excited about his contest! The dress and what all the different images that will come from this... This is a very cool contest!!!
Thank you!
Posted by: Sharon | October 03, 2009 at 02:45 PM
**** TEST****
None of my comments have been showing up the past few posts. I wonder whats wrong?
Posted by: Sharon | October 03, 2009 at 02:43 PM
WOW ! awesome. too bad i dont have a photography website!!!
Posted by: J.Diddy | October 03, 2009 at 12:39 PM
denise, what a great contest! i hope you'll share all the pics with us!
Posted by: shannon | October 03, 2009 at 11:36 AM
I'm so excited to see the gorgeous photos!
Posted by: Ramona | October 03, 2009 at 11:27 AM
awesome! cannot wait to see pictures!
Posted by: GracieBird | October 03, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Amazing contest, there are some wonderful photographers out there who love MJ.
Kicking myself for not having a site yet but GOOD LUCK ALL!!!!
Posted by: Jamie | October 03, 2009 at 10:16 AM
WOW, I can not wait to watch all of this come to fruition... I am a photographer want-to-be in a way you couldn't imagine!! I am SO pumped about this... and I can't even participate!!!!
Posted by: Incognito | October 03, 2009 at 08:57 AM
Just emailed Sara too!
What an awesome contest..I cannot wait to see all the entries...hoping mine is going to be one of them!!!!
Denise, you should be a teacher you would hand out the greatest assignments!!!
Love it!
Erin in MI
Posted by: Pancake Makers Mom | October 03, 2009 at 08:48 AM
i just sent sara an email too!
you are so amazing.
it will be so awesome to see what that many people do with the same assignment. love it.
xx
jill
Posted by: jill | October 03, 2009 at 08:19 AM
Can't wait to see what the entries are!
Posted by: Lisa nottsosoft | October 03, 2009 at 07:54 AM
Awesome Idea!
We just got our Gyspy blue (and ordered our Gypsy Blue 2) yesterday! What an awesome line :D Can't wait to photography Li Li in it - today! I even wrote a special little post on how excited we were to see the little brown box waiting for us there - we knew our clothes had arrived!
Hug!
Deb!
Posted by: Pixel Fairy Princess | October 03, 2009 at 07:46 AM
Wow! Fantastic contest! Can not wait to see all the beautiful pictures.
Posted by: christine | October 03, 2009 at 06:05 AM
wow, great time to be a photographer!! Good luck all, I can't wait to see the photos!!
Posted by: 5AmericansInEngland | October 03, 2009 at 03:44 AM
Ooohhh fun!! And Mika Beth (and the others) are so awesome--agreed:) Emailing Sara...
Posted by: Kristy | October 03, 2009 at 01:36 AM
festive, WOOHOO! best contest ever!
Posted by: anna | October 03, 2009 at 01:31 AM
Best. Idea. Ever.
Posted by: Bekki | October 03, 2009 at 01:29 AM
this one will be so amazing to watch unfold- I just posted it to the moms forum I am on- hoping some of the photographers on there enter- they are amazing in their talent!
Posted by: Katie M | October 03, 2009 at 01:16 AM
Awwww, so sweet to see my name up there with some amazzzzzing ladies. ; )
This is going to be soooo much fun!!!!!! I'll leave this to the hardcore MJC ladies with little girls at home, but I'll be watching. SOOOOO much fun!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Betsy King | October 03, 2009 at 12:50 AM
YAY!!!! Sounds like fun!!!!!
Posted by: Carla B | October 03, 2009 at 12:49 AM
FANTASTIC contest/idea!! Cannot wait for the photos!!!
Posted by: nan | October 03, 2009 at 12:35 AM
Cool, cool, cool!
I'm looking forward to seeing the results.
Posted by: Linda | October 03, 2009 at 12:31 AM
Oh, this is the best contest yet. I have picked up the phone and called my photographer at home at 11:14 and NO, not for a photoshoot but to enter this sweet little contest.
What a great idea...you people amaze me!
Posted by: Laura Frazier | October 03, 2009 at 12:15 AM
Ohhhhh!!! Thank you! What a great contest. I just emailed Sara. Even if I don't get picked as one of the photogs I am SUPER excited to see what people come up with. There is A LOT of talent out there! Good luck everyone!
Posted by: mommy of 2 sweet <3's | October 03, 2009 at 12:06 AM
I got my backordered Chrissy dress today and I LOVE it!!! It is my favorite Gypsy Blue piece!
Posted by: Holly's Mama | October 03, 2009 at 12:02 AM
Just emailed Sara....Im so excited! I hope I get picked!
Posted by: chantena.... | October 03, 2009 at 12:01 AM
This is going to be so awesome. I cannot wait to see what these talented photographers come up with!!
Now after the pros are done I think you should let us amateurs try the same thing?
I mean we don't have blogs or get paid for our photos but we come up with some pretty good shots of our kids in Matilda Jane!
Posted by: Fancy Nancy | October 02, 2009 at 11:56 PM
I can not wait to see - I have my favorite person and you emntioned her - I hope she enters. I had a show tonight!! YEAH ME!! I can't wait to get my second batch pf MJC. I introduced the line to a lot of new people tonight and it was fun!!!
Posted by: Luci | October 02, 2009 at 11:52 PM
what a fabulous idea!!!!! seriously fab!!!!
Posted by: sashadvm | October 02, 2009 at 11:41 PM
What a wonderful contest! I'll have to tell my friend Sharon to enter! And yes, I kind of wish I had a professional blog, lol.
Posted by: Monika | October 02, 2009 at 11:24 PM
WOW~ what a cool contest. I can't wait to see the pics!! Good luck to all the amazing photographers.
Posted by: Amitha | October 02, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Cool, I'm going to tell my photographer friend about the contest.
Posted by: Holly's Mama | October 02, 2009 at 11:20 PM
See...now I want to be a photographer.
Posted by: Reality | October 02, 2009 at 11:18 PM
WOOOO! Off to email Sarah ;)
Posted by: Amy | October 02, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Man I wish I was a professional photographer! Good Luck to all those entering!
Posted by: knot*crazy*kate | October 02, 2009 at 11:11 PM