Linda Hawkins Photography, llc is participating in the International Charity Model Search to select North America’s Cutest Kid and to raise funds for the non-profit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation. (NILMDTS.org).  If you are not familiar with NILMDTS please check them out.  The organization consists of some incredibly special photographers around the country who donate their time by photographing newborn babies who never leave the hospital and give the treasure of photographs to the parents.  This truly takes a very special person.

Is your child North America’s Cutest Kid? We’ll give you the opportunity to prove it! The grand prizewinner will win a $2500 savings bond, a $2500 travel package, and a $100 Target gift card.  The second and third place runners up each will win a $500 savings bond and a $100 Target gift card.  In addition, Linda Hawkins Photography will reward any child she photographs who is selected as one of the 50 finalists a signature 11×14 of their submitted photo and if one of the children she photographs is chosen as winner, they will be presented with a photography package worth $500 by Linda.

Model Search Special:

$49 entrance fee includes a 30-minute model session and one image submitted to the international gallery.  Never have I offered a session fee so low, but this is for something very special.  Sessions are limited to ONE child per session and do not last longer than 30 minutes.  One photograph of the photographers choosing will be submitted to the contest.

Finalists will be determined by online votes. Each vote is $1 (no limit on the amount of votes you can cast), and all proceeds from votes benefit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS.org).  Every family member who registers their information on the Charity Model Search Website will also receive 1 complimentary vote.  The top 5 paid votes, and the top 5 complimentary votes in each region will move on to the final judging round for a total of 50 finalists.

Grand prize international winner and runners up will be determined from the 50 regional finalists. The winner and runners up are selected by photography experts.

Sessions run January 15 through March 12 and will be scheduled on specific days at a limited number.   BOOKING NOW!  Session MUST take place during January 15 through March 12, 2011.

*Contest open to residents of the US and Canada. For more information, visit http://www.charitymodelsearch.org.

Call 401-486-3656 or email Linda@lindahawkinsphotography.com now to enter your “Cutest Kid” in this exciting contest.  I’ve photographed some of the cutest kids in RI, I’m sure we’ll have a winner!

Just popping my head up from editing and pushing orders out to stop in to say Happy Holidays to everyone!  This has been the most wonderful year full of beautiful faces and wonderful people that I was so lucky to shoot and meet!  Every day was an adventure and I so loved working with all my clients!  I truly wish each and every one of you the most fabulous and magical holiday season!

As I wrap up the year I just want to remind people that I’m already booking out through the Spring.  Weddings are booking up already.  This year I’m only taking a very limited number of weddings.  I hand edit each and every photograph that I take myself.  I do not outsource any of my work as I feel the editing is part of what makes my photographs what they are and I don’t feel that anyone can match my very unique and special editing style.  That being said, with portrait sessions in high demand and taking up more of my time, wedding editing takes up so much of my time that I feel I need to cut back this year so that I can continue to give all my clients the same photography that is my signature style.

If you’re expecting a baby, please try to book your newborn session BEFORE the baby is born so that I can buffer time in my calendar!   Those that book ahead get their choice of premium time when their baby arrives because I’ve planned on it.  Those that book last minute get squeezed in to my schedule at not always the best times, if it’s even possible.   Many times I cannot even accommodate them at all.  If I know I am going to have 10 newborns in May because they have booked  me, I plan for it.  I know I cannot take on additional portrait sessions or weddings.  If 10 additional newborns come along at the last minute after I’ve already scheduled my month out it’s sometimes impossible to get them on the schedule.  There are only so many hours in a day!   You really do want to get those newborn sessions done within the first two weeks…it makes a world of difference, trust me!

Remember to book your 2012 Senior sessions and First Communion sessions early!  If you’re planning on having portraits available for a celebration event you want to factor in the time.  Plan on scheduling your session 6-8 weeks before your event to make sure you’ll have them in time!   Custom portrait photography takes so much more time than those high volume stores that pump out cookie cutter images where every session is identical.  There is a lot involved in my editing and processing that takes time.    No two sessions I shoot are ever the same, everything is very unique and the hand processing that is part of my work flow takes time.

My schedule usually books up a couple of months in advance so you want to make sure if you want a session you schedule it in advance!  I also buffer time in my schedule for inclement weather should you book an outside session, so don’t worry about that.

Again, thank you to all my wonderful clients!   Each and every one of you have truly made my year fabulous and I appreciate your business!    I look forward to the new year and new clients and hope to see lots of my past clients again!  I enjoy seeing your families grow from year to year!

Peace and many blessings to all!