I asked him to smile……he didn’t want to, obviously.

I thought it made a pretty picture. I could have taken photos of the all the ugly sweaters I suppose but the house and fire was too beautiful to go unnoticed.

As someone who has a camera attached to her hip,  I often take the time to reflect on the photos I’ve taken.  They tell much more of a story than I could ever tell but it just gives me a chance to go back to that moment and remember how it affected me, my family, or my friends.  As I decided to do this, I quickly realized that it was sort of a pain to thumb back through my blog, my flickr account and through files to find my favorite photo moments. I needed a way to create a book of memories; something I could hold and look through by myself, with my family, or with my friends.  A photo book is the solution.

I’ve made a photo book before but not to recap the year.  I think this is such a great way to preserve memories. I know that with today’s technology, we often overlook the thought of having something physical in our hands to flip through but I also know that my boys absolutely love going through our photo albums that I created years back and you just don’t get that same feeling gathered around the computer, or at least I don’t.

Kodak approached me the other day and asked if I knew about their SMARTFIT technology photo books.  I didn’t.  She told me about it and asked if I wanted to try it out and give you the chance to try it and of course, I was happy to.  It was perfect timing after all.  FYI, the SMARTFIT technology is well, smart of course. It’s pretty dang easy to use and has tons of quality options to make your photo book look fantastic.  I love when things are easy.  I’m a little bit more experienced with computers and such compared to the casual user at home so I always try to look at it through my mom’s eyes. Will she be able to use it and understand the options, instructions, and extra features.  I’m confident that she’d be able to with the Kodak photo books.    To give you an idea of how it works, here’s a quick video.

Here are a couple of my 2010 photo memories that I’ll be adding to my photo book.

Since I know we all have photos that we’d like compiled in a photo book, I want to give you the chance to make your own photo book from Kodak!!  There will be THREE winners who will receive a gift code in the amount of $55 per winner to use to create your own photo book.

HOW TO ENTER

Mandatory entry - Leave a comment on this post telling me what kind of photo book you’d create.  Would it be themed? If so, what type of theme?  Would it be random photos, only of kids and event that happened like a baby shower or wedding??  Let me know!

Additional, optional entry methods, leaving each one in a separate comment to count please.

• Share the giveaway on twitter or facebook.  Please do not Stumble the giveaway using stumbleupon. That is against TOS.
• Visit the Kodak Gallery website and tell me what else they offer that you’d like to do with photos.

This giveaway ends on December 27th, on or about 10pm CST.  Good luck!

You can follow Kodak Gallery on Twitter and on Facebook

When you arrive to their site, you are in awe of the breathtaking, endearing photos to the right and soothed by the color palette.  You immediately notice the focus on the photos and the welcome but can easily see who’s supporting the site with the drop down tab at the top. So subtle, yet clear.

I’ve seen a many communities in my day but I have to say, Clickin Moms is quality built, thinking of every kind of photographer.  Once a member, you have access to some of the kindness, most talented women I’ve met.  They immediately make you feel welcomed and even though you might feel a slight bit of intimidation by all that talent, don’t let it scare you. Like Jennifer told me,

“I look back at stuff from even one or two months ago (mostly post-processing, since that is what I will be focusing on) and I can see vast improvement, all kudos to the info and help I’ve received here. Don’t be intimidated and just focus on your journey and learning experience. :o) Everyone was new at some point.”

Those are the kind of people I like to surround myself around.

Not only are there good people at Clickin’ Moms, there are fabulous photo tutorials, challenges, resources for actions and templates, and even a vendor thread just in case you’re interested in purchasing  trendy camera straps or booking a photo session!  The gallery is the perfect, safe place to share your photos.  I love seeing the tweaked photos against the untweaked ones and how, if you are willing, you can see a whole new perspective when someone else plays with your photo.  Honestly there is a wealth of information made available to members that is sure to keep your busy for hours.

Anyone who is into photography should consider becoming a member.  I have no doubt that you’ll enjoy every second you’re there.  All this fabulousness does come with a cost. A cost that is very budget friendly and worth every cent in my opinion. A quick look at price packages:

• 1 Month ($8.00 for each month)
• 6 Months ($30.00 for each 6 months)
• 1 Year ($50.00 for each year)

You can see more options at the site.  You’ll definitely benefit from purchasing the advanced price and that’s what I recommend.  And of course, you can always pay for a month and try it out!

The only flaw I could find were a couple of forum errors. Nothing major at all.  I give this photography community two thumbs up and hope to see you over there!

SOMETHING FOR YOU

A one year subscription is up for grabs.  To enter, simply leave a comment one thing you’d love to learn about to enhance your photography/photography skills.

Additional ways to enter, leaving each one in a separate comment.

• Share on an social networking site like twitter, facebook, online communities, etc. If using twitter, please include my handle @ACowboysWife and don’t forget to follow Clickin’ Moms on Twitter too!
• Sign up for free updates from Clickin’ Moms
• Sign up for MY monthly newsletter.

Giveaway ends on Oct. 11th.  Good luck!

Every month,  a photo contest will be held here, each one with a different theme.  There will be two judges for each contest, whom of which will narrow down the entries one by one to choose the winners.  There will only be one Blue Ribbon winner.

I will be sharing my own photo for the current theme, however, it will not be eligible for the contest;) It will be a fun way for me to involved a little bit too.

SEPTEMBER BLUE RIBBON PHOTO CONTEST

Please read the complete rules before submitting your photo!

Photo entries will be taken from today, September 1st through September 20th at 10pm CST.  That’s over two full weeks to get your photo submitted here!

The September theme is “Sapphire”. I would love to see some creativity with these theme.  Sapphire is September’s birth stone so anything blue related applies to this photo contest.

The prize for September is:

• Blue Ribbon Winner – Kodak Zi6 Pocket Video Camera in Red and is valued at $160  The winner will also receive a 2GB SD memory card to use with your new Kodak Video Camera!

Kodak’s handy pocket video camera offers HD, easy video editing and easy uploads to youtube.  Comes in 3 colors; black, pink, and red but the winner will get red.

Here is my September, “Sapphire”  photo, which of course is not eligible but it’s fun to share my viewpoint of the theme.

Now it’s YOUR turn! Remember to read all the rules BEFORE submitting your link here to avoid disqualification.  I hope that you find this fun and exciting and really hope that you spread the word and participate.

Once your submission is ready, upload your photo into the comment box.  Share the title of your photo and feel free to tell us more about the photo in your comment.

Winner will be announced on September 28th.

Feel free to leave your comments here about my photo, other entries and the contest in general. I welcome your feedback. Be sure to check out each entry and leave comments on their submission as well!

Anyways, on Friday evening while at Blogher, I’ll have the absolutely wonderful opportunity to hang out at the Nikon party, play with the latest Nikon gear, and meet & interview Carson Kressley.

I am so excited that I can barely stand it!  Carson wants us to look good in pictures and is giving tips and answering questions so if you have a question you want me to ask him, leave it here in the comments and I’ll do my best.  On the list so far is how to hide a double chin, the best stance for women, and do we really need to cake on the makeup for photos?   If you check out the site, you’ll find tons of video tips and advice to help you look your best in photos.  That newborn baby is ADORABLE!!  Lots of interaction going on over there with comments and rating. You can even ask Carson a question!  I found several interesting videos about what celebrities think it takes too look good in photos. My favorite answer was CONFIDENCE.  Something I lack for sure but will get better once I lose more weight.

Getting the chance to play with Nikon gear fills me with  butterflies of excitement. Seriously.  Being able to speak with Nikon representatives about their products is awesome and meeting a stylist guru rawks!

Anyways, I’m stokked about the entire event and look forward to finding out if I’ll be a fashion do or don’t for the evening. Surely he’ll tell me the truth right??

Anyways, don’t cowboys and their gear just look better vintage style?  It’s like it takes you back to those John Wayne days, the days where people worked hard and had values.  When things meant something, not that they don’t know but it was a different day back then.  You had more appreciation for the little things.

So I was looking at some photos and turned a million of them into the vintage look because I think it’s a natural cowboy look.  The one of my son is my fave of course. Everytime I look at him, I just can’t believe he’s growing up so fast…..just a couple more years and he’ll be on his own:(

*Sigh*  I guess I’m a little sappy tonight.  I blame that on the movie Kramer vs. Kramer I watched tonight.

Do you have a favorite look that you give your photos?

Every month, I will hold a photo contest here, each one with a different theme.  There will be two judges for each contest, where we will narrow down the entries one by one to choose the winners.  There will only be one Blue Ribbon winner and 2 runner ups.

I will be sharing my own photo for the current theme, however, it will not be eligible for the contest;) It will be a fun way for me to involved a little bit too.

JUNE’S BLUE RIBBON PHOTO CONTEST

Please read the complete rules before submitting your photo!

Photo entries will be taken from today, June 1st through June 20th at 10pm CST.  That’s over two full weeks to get your photo submitted here!

June’s theme is “Faces”. I was looking through some of photos and was laughing at some the “caught off guard” expressions.

The prize for June is:

• Blue Ribbon Winner – Flip Mino HD Video Camera!

Here is my June photo, which of course is not eligible but it’s fun to share my viewpoint of the theme.

Somethin’ Stinks!

Now it’s YOUR turn! Remember to read all the rules BEFORE submitting your link here to avoid disqualification.  I hope that you find this fun and exciting and really hope that you spread the word and participate.

Once your submission is ready, put the link below that goes directly to your photo entry.

Winner will be announced on June 25th.

Feel free to leave your comments here about my photo, other entries and the contest in general. I welcome your feedback. Be sure to check out each entry and leave comments on their submission as well!

There were lots of great entries and I know the judges had a hard time deciding who should win.  There were quite a few that didn’t follow all the rules but we tried to cut everyone slack this first time around.  Next time though, ALL rules must be followed.

And with that, here is your Blue Ribbon Winner! Congratulations Kati! See her submission here.

2nd Runner winner is 1 in College and 1 in Diapers

and finally 3rd place goes to The A-Priori Mommy with

All entries were beautiful and creative in their own ways.  Congratulations to all of you and thanks so much to everyone for participating.  And if you didn’t win, please don’t get discouraged.  Just try again!

You guys can email me at lori {at} thecowboyshack {dot} com

And if you would like to sponsor or a judge for the future Blue Ribbon Photo Contests, please feel free to contact me at the same email!

See ya next time!

I’ve always wanted to hold a photo contest and have decided to make it ongoing (assuming it is successful).  Welcome to Blue Ribbon Photos, my first ever photo contest.  I’ve got bigger things in mind for this but will kick it off here for now!

Every month, I will hold a photo contest here, each one with a different theme.  There will be two judges for each contest, where we will narrow down the entries one by one to choose the winners.  There will only be one Blue Ribbon winner and 2 runner ups.

I will be sharing my own photo for the current theme, however, it will not be eligible for the contest;) It will be a fun way for me to involved a little bit too.

APRIL’S BLUE RIBBON PHOTO CONTEST

Please read the complete rules before submitting your photo!

Photo entries will be taken from today, April 1st through April 15th at 10pm CST.  That’s two full weeks to get your photo submitted here!

April’s theme is “COLORS”. April is a vibrant month to me so I can’t wait to see your creative entries for this theme!

The prizes for April are:

• Blue Ribbon Winner – Point & Shoot Camera valued at $100
• 2nd prize – Camera Bag
• 3rd prize - $20 amazon gift card

Here is my April photo, which of course is not eligible but it’s fun to share my viewpoint of the theme.  I put this on my food blog too but what the heck!

Now it’s YOUR turn! Remember to read all the rules BEFORE submitting your link here to avoid disqualification.  I hope that you find this fun and exciting and really hope that you spread the word and participate.

Once your submission is ready, put the link below that goes directly to your photo entry. Winner will be announced on April 20th.

Feel free to leave your comments here about my photo, other entries and the contest in general. I welcome your feedback. Be sure to check out each entry and leave comments on their submission as well!