And the winner is. . .

I know this is long overdue so let me catch everyone up. Three months ago we had a contest for a free wedding give away. We had tons of great entries but could obviously only choose one. It was a hard decision. Because we announced the contest so late in the booking season, some were eliminated because of availability. Once we had a narrowed down we knew who we had to choose, Kelley and Chris! Kelley's mom submitted their story. It's not a story of overcoming incredible odds, it's not a story of defeating death, it's just a story of a mother trying to give her daughter a dream wedding on a limited budget. Here is the story that Myra sent to us about her daughter.

I’m writing to ask you to consider my daughter and her fiance for your free wedding photography give away.


I got divorced about 11 years ago and unfortunately I’m not going to be able to give Kelley the wedding of her dreams. I have always worked full time, but took on 2 additional jobs to try to give her a nice wedding. Kelley and Chris are helping out with the costs as well. She’s always telling me that she doesn’t want me working so much, but I want to because I want her to have the best that I can give her.


A friend of Kelley's used Banks Photography as their wedding photographer. Kelley often comments about how much she loves the pictures. She and I both check the Banks blog everyday looking for new postings. When she first sent me the link to your website, I viewed the pictures and immediately emailed Kelley to tell her that we had to book you. She then emailed me back and told me that she and Chris just couldn’t afford it. Unfortunately I can’t afford it either, although we both know the cost is well worth the quality of pictures we have seen. She was upset, but continued to look for other photographers. We re-visit the site every day and dream that there could be a way to have you shoot her wedding. Then, one day last week, I found out about this contest! I thought I would write to see if you would consider Kelley and Chris for the contest. She and I both think your photographs are fabulous...probably the best we have ever seen. Everyday she emails me saying she wishes you could be her photographer. I thought that maybe I could do something to try to give her the dream photography, if not the dream wedding. Don't get me wrong, Kelley will still have a wonderful wedding, but the memories won't be captured the way we know Banks Photography could capture them.


Kelley and Chris live in Columbus. Kelley has lived there since she went to college and graduated from OSU (in 2001). After graduation she got a job helping teachers in the state of Ohio prepare for retirement. Chris has lived in Columbus for about 3 years. He is from Tennessee. He landed in Columbus after serving for about 5 years in the U.S. Army. He was last stationed in Korea as a Military Police Captain. Prior to his time in the Army, he attended and graduated from Auburn University in Alabama. Many of Chris' friends are still in the service and we are hoping that they will be able to make it to Ohio in October to serve as Chris' groomsmen.


Now I'd like tell you a little more about my daughter. She’s twenty nine years old. She is the most wonderful daughter a mother could ask for. She volunteers and tutors inner city school children once a week and is such a loving and giving person. She always volunteers to do things for her friends and she is so beautiful (I know I’m her mother and of course I would think that, but it's true).

I’m so proud of both Kelley and Chris. Kelley knows that she can't have the wedding of her dreams, but maybe you can help me give her the best gift of all...beautiful memories to last a lifetime.


So congratulations to Kelley and Chris for winning our free wedding giveaway of 2008! We are truly looking forward to working with you both and creating memories that will last a lifetime!