It’s finally time for my all my big announcements, and they’re all happening in one day!!! I’ve been like a kid with a huge secret for weeks…I couldn’t contain it COMPLETELY, but most of the time I just had this big goofy grin on my face for no apparent reason. That’s because today we're not only announcing our new business name, and not only giving away a free spot in my upcoming class, but…are you ready for this…we're giving away
FREE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY to some lucky couple!!! Eeek! I’m so excited!
(for details on the Wedding Photography Giveaway, scroll down to the 2nd half)
First, for the now VERY obvious announcement. Starting officially in January, we will be no longer be operating as Impressions Studio! Rawsii is the {smashing fabulous} new name I have chosen to brand my work and define my style. What I do is a little bit earthy, with a fashionistic flair, somewhat daring, energetic, bold, bright, mysterious, sometimes shocking, but always {smashing fabulous}. Since I didn’t know of any one word with a definition that encompassed all of that, I decided it was high time one existed. So there you have it!
Rawsii: {smashing fabulous} art. Get the full effect at my new website http://www.rawsii.com/!
Along with renaming and rebranding, I’m reinventing. My studio has served me well as my creative space, but I've outgrown it. It's time to expand: THE WHOLE WORLD is now my studio! No longer will I be confined by four walls…let’s take this party inside, outside, up, down, over, under...but let’s GO! I have long felt that my limited backdrops impersonalize my images, and since I am 110% about personalization, YOUR life needs to be the backdrop. I’m looking forward to documenting your life and your personality right where you are! And in a few months, I hope to invite you all in to see my newly remodeled office which will replace my in-home studio space. Bridget and I are SO looking forward to this new comfortable, organized and fashionable environment!!
I’m particularly excited about my new site and blog design, which was orchestrated by my bff of almost 25 years, Rebecca at Uptown Design Studio. She’s absolutely A-maaaaaazing and I’m not just saying that cuz she knows I had a major secret crush on Jay Underwood when I was 11 (THERE, it’s out, the blackmail is over! Lol). Hands down, she is the coolest chic I know, and ever so talented and loving and giving. Words cannot express my thanks to her, not only for helping me rock out this new site, but for a whole lifetime of amazing friendship.
Ok, {*sniff sniff*} moving on…
This is so fun, it’s like an early Christmas! For me AND for you! Woo Hoo! So this is how it’s going down. It’s a two part contest, so stick with me here…I’ll try to keep it as simple as possible.
PART ONE: Win a spot in the class! This is the best kind of contest EVER, especially right before the holidays...I need you to help me GIVE something HUGE away! I want to get the word far and wide about my {Smashing Fabulous} Wedding Photography Giveaway! I need you to send all your friends, family, co-workers ( acquaintances, enemies, arch nemesis’, foreign exchange students, and illegal immigrants) to my blog so that they can then pass it along and everyone can nominate the perfect engaged couple for this contest! By spreading the word, you’re going to earn entries into a drawing for the very 1st spot in my upcoming class that runs from November 4, 2008 to December 4, 2008. Here’s how:
1. Leave me a nice blog comment to let me know you’re a reader and you’ll earn 5 entries, right off the bat. You MUST either be registered to comment or leave me your real name and contact info, in case you win! Anonymous or nicknamed comments without contact info will not be entered!! Limit one per person.
2. Blog about the {Smashing Fabulous} Wedding Photography Giveaway on your blog and you’ll get another 25 entries. Send me an email (rawsiigiveaway@rawsii.com) with a link to your blog if you write about it! Limit one per person.
3. Email it to everyone you know! For every unique and individual person you email about it (no duplicates allowed!), you’ll get one entry into the drawing. Make sure you add me on the cc (rawsiigiveaway@rawsii.com) so I can count the number of people you sent to! I’ll give you credit for sending to me too…why the heck not? Email MUST mention the actual fact that we’re giving away a wedding photography package. Emails that simply link to the Rawsii blog will not qualify.
4. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Tuesday, October 28th, 2008. Winner will be drawn Wednesday, October 29, 2008 and announced on the Rawsii blog no later than 11pm EST (barring any unforeseen technical difficulties). Drawing will be completely random. Entries only increase chances of winning. All decisions by Rawsii concerning final results will be final and are not subject to dispute in any manner.
5. The prize is non-transferrable. Winner must accept prize or forfeit and we will re-draw another random name.
Just spread the word, get lots and lots of chances to win by doing so. It’s that easy!!! And for those of you not really interested in the class, you will have the option of choosing an alternate prize (original Rawsii framed artwork) of equal or greater value. And my lawyer would like you to know that absolutely no purchase is necessary to win, and that Rawsii reserves the right to change the contest or its rules at any time. Oh, and totally void where prohibited.
PART TWO: the {Smashing Fabulous} Wedding Photography Giveaway!!! This is BIG. Really REALLY big! I’m really overwhelmed at all the possible ways this could pan out, but so excited too!!! Here’s the rules:
1. The engaged couple must be nominated by someone other than themselves (can be anyone who knows them) and the nominating letter must explain why the couple deserves a free Rawsii Wedding package and include a photo of the couple. The more personality expressed, the better! Stories will be confirmed prior to announcing finalists. Nominations should be emailed ONLY. Send to weddingstories@rawsii.com . Winners will be required to sign the standard Wedding Day Agreement and Photograph and Publicity Consent and Release Form with Rawsii. All stories and images submitted become the property of Rawsii and will not be returned.
2. The couple’s wedding must take place between the dates of 1/1/10 and 12/31/10 in the Continental U.S. (this excludes Alaska and Hawaii). Void where prohibited.
3. All nominations must be received by 11:59pm EST on January 31, 2009. Rawsii reserves the right to select finalists without disclosing reasons or criteria. Finalists will be confirmed no later than March 30, 2009. Three finalists will then be presented on the Rawsii blog for public voting on April 1, 2009. Public vote will be final. In case of a tie, Rawsii reserves the right to cast the final vote.
4. The winner will receive the Smashing Fabulous Wedding Package, valued at $4200, which includes full day coverage, a 30-page (60-side) Storybook Album, and online proofing. In addition, the winner will receive the High Res images on DVD, and a 16x20 Gallery Wrap (an additional value of $1000.) All travel and lodging expenses will be covered by Rawsii. Winners will be required to sign standard Wedding Day agreement with Rawsii, minus any clauses pertaining to an exchange of monies.
5. To be eligible, the couple may not be under any contract or agreement for wedding photography with Impressions Studio or Rawsii or any other wedding photographer of any kind as of the date of entry. Cancellation of an existing contract with Impressions Studio or Rawsii will render a couple ineligible for the contest.
6. Another friendly message from my awesome lawyer, Matt: Rawsii reserves the right to change the contest or contest rules at any time without notice. No purchase necessary to win. Void where prohibited. (thanks Matt!)
