CLOSED!!!!
Marissa and I are so grateful for the amazing WOMEN (all women) who took the time to comment about paying “it” forward.
You gals surely lifted our spirits with your amazing ideas and charitable hearts.
You ladies – ROCK!!!
“ARDEN”
🙂
Out of the 81 individual comments the random number generator chose:
And the 64th comment came from………….
CONGRATS DEANNA – Please PM Marissa on FB and if you don’t have a FB account, contact me and I’ll get you in touch with her!
Because Marissa is such an amazing woman she wanted to also gift one other wonderful participant with a set of her actions – based on their “PAY IT FORWARD” post.
She would like to gift a set to…………..
WHAT A WONDERFUL PIF NIKKI! Please PM Marissa on FB and if you don’t have a FB account, contact me and I’ll get you in touch with her!
*I am having to “approve” the majority of comments, to be patient. 🙂
**Please read STEP THREE of the giveaway, it’s the MOST important step!
I was introduced to Marissa’s actions a few weeks ago and fell head over heels!
She has produced some amazing actions that do NOT make your images look overly processed.
The set includes:
32 Actions – 2 Workflow Actions (Clean Workflow & Warm Matte Workflow), 3 Black & White Actions (Elemental B/W, Lifestyle B/W & Moody B/W), 11 Helper Actions (Lighter/Darker, Warmer/Cooler, Extra Pop, Simple Matte, Dramatic Matte, Basic Skin Smoother, Basic Vignette, Green Tamer, Green Tamer 2, Final Sharpen & Convert to sRGB), 16 Hazes/Tones (Bluebells, Cafe Au Lait, Creamy Skin, Deep Autumn, Desert Sunset, Lifestyle Color, Pink Dusk, Plum Velvet, Porcelain Skin, Rich Color, Rich Sunset, Soft Brighten, Soft & Earthy, Street Scene, Summer Peach Haze, Wispy Blues).
I love the matte actions, but if they are too hazy you can easily adjust the matte tone OR run a “pop” action to balance it out.
She also has a lovely “basic vignette” to add some contrast on the outer edge of the image.
PLUS she includes and awesome detailed PDF to explain her actions and examples of some recipes!
I asked her if I could host a giveaway on my blog, to share the LOVE!
I am very picky about my action sets – if you follow me on Facebook, you know I don’t just rave about everyone and their dog… I have my favorites!
Marissa’s signature set is now one of those favorites! 🙂
I wanted to include some examples of her actions on some photos of my children.
These are three very different images and you can see how the actions are subtle, yet add a beautiful and unique look to the original!
The cool thing is, none of them look bad, they all look gorgeous and different from the one before… how do you choose a favorite?! 🙂
The giveaway is simple and easy… there are three steps, but ONE entry.
*Contest ends tomorrow (THURSDAY – FEBRUARY 7th at 8pm central time)
JUST ONE COMMENT ONLY to qualify, please wait to see if it loads… do not comment more than once!!!
THREE SIMPLE STEPS:
1. Go to Marissa Gifford Photography’s FB Page and LIKE HER… love her… and feel free to say “hello.” 🙂
2. Visit her site and look at her examples using the signature set. Take a look around, get comfy, enjoy!
3. {THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP} Write a comment under this post stating ONE WAY you can PAY IT FORWARD with your business or as a human.
*Marissa and I both firmly believe in keeping things positive and happy, we’d love to hear how each one of you can PAY ANYTHING FORWARD… and something realistic, that you can do soon. Whether it’s something regarding your business, your neighbor, a stranger, or a distant friend or loved one… Share something that will make us smile and feel all warm and fuzzy inside!
We are not asking you to share anything anywhere, but if you feel called to… go for it! 🙂
ALSO Marissa has generously offered a 30% discount to all APP fans!
Just enter the code “ARDEN” at the check out… Her first born son’s name is ARDEN so it fits perfectly!!!! 🙂
Promo code ends TOMORROW at midnight!!!
Oh hey Arden, just me, your stalker! lol I actually bought these actions because of your “endorsement”, per say, and I’m absolutely obsessed with them. THE BEST set I’ve ever used. That being said, since I already own them, I think that’s how I would pay it forward! Share them with someone who would love them just as much as myself!! I can’t rave about these enough.
I love all the actions =) very good work!
Photography has always been a way that I can give back, what I want to do more than anything is go on a missions trip with the church and photograph everything…..every detail, all the emotion. This opportunity isn’t coming my way yet, so I’m donating all my session fees from my Angel Mini sessions to my dear friend in Iowa who lost her daughter in the most tragic way. There is a fundraiser going on right now to raise money to fix up the park Elizabeth Collins and her cousin Lyric Cook were last seen alive. The park is being renamed Angel’s Park and in honor of the girls they are wanting to make the park beautiful. I’ll do what I can to support them from so far away.
Just took pics today for my Angel Mini’s……would love to use these actions for the final edits 🙂
Hi Arden! I’m so excited for this giveaway… I’ve been drooling over her actions since you began talking about them!
We recently lost our beloved 14 year old yellow lab, Autumn. She was the best friend a family could ever have and she was there for me personally through the deaths of my mom. grandma and stepdad, divorce, births of children… she was just a constant comforting presence in my life.
To pay it forward and to honor Autumn, I’ve contacted our local animal shelter about doing free photography for their website or ads. Though I’m not ready to adopt a new dog yet, I’m hoping this will help some sweet fur babies to find their forever families!
As always, I love your recommendations & once again I am every impressed. These are beautiful actions & I plan on introducing my fellow photographer friends to these & sharing the love all over the inland nw. My hubby is from Vancouver, WA so it’s easy for me to market her name & talent statewide =). Cheers to you both!
As always, I love your recommendations & once again I am every impressed. These are beautiful actions & I plan on introducing my fellow photographer friends to these & sharing the love all over the inland nw. My hubby is from Vancouver, WA so it’s easy for me to rave about her talent statewide =). Cheers to you both!
I strongly believe in giving bak to the community that has done so much so me and my business. My way of doing that is doing lots of give aways. and if i get an email with a compelling story from a person that cant afford professionals pictures done I try to help the best I can. Just this past weekend I did a free photo shoot for a family that just beat cancer, and have one this coming weekend for a family that wants to give their mother-in-law with a terminal illness a family portrait that she can put on her bedside table. The expression on their face when they see the pictures makes what I do so rewarding, and is the reason I could never stop.
I wish I had a better camera when my children were born to capture their very first moments. I would love to pay it forward and offer a free birth or newborn session to an expectant mommy.
My way of paying it forward it is my own giveaways. I’m constantly doing them and have several free sessions for families who otherwise may not have been able to afford them. It’s just may way of showing my appreciation to everyone that supports my work 🙂 Would absolutely LOVE to win these gorgeous actions! Thanks for such a great opportunity!
LOVE her actions! And LOVE that she is from the NW. Will definitely be purchasing some very soon. 🙂
Eeeks! I forgot the most important part; PAY IT FORWARD. When I was considering becoming a professional photographer, I stalked many different photographers, but one I paid special attention to was Jen Thompson. I loved her work and loved that she was an Oregon girl like myself. I recently found out that she lost her battle with ovarian cancer last October. When I first started stalking her and for awhile after, I didn’t realize she was going through chemo. I wished I would have paid more attention. Although I never meet her, I am very touched by her strength spirit and love for her boys. I have been thinking about what I could do to raise awareness for ovarian cancer. She has two sons that a foundation was started to pay for their college education. I am going to donate a percent of my profits to their college fund every month this year.
I have been eyeing these actions up ever since I saw a few of my favorite photogs using them! If I don’t win these, I might just have to snag them up anyways 🙂
I live in Wisconsin, and we’ve been getting lots of snow lately. So the next time that it snows, I’ll put the extra work in and shovel my neighbor’s sidewalks too! That’s a pay it forward for them AND the mailman 😉
These actions look fantastic! I have never used these actions, but I may have to look into buying them! As a person I enjoy to pay it forward in simple ways like buying coffee for the person behind me in the drive-thu.
“We’re blessed to be a blessing”. I think we should always bless one another! I LOVE photography and just started my own little business (really little, but it’s a start!). I believe I received my skills to share with others. Therefore I recently have surprised a special person to photograph her 4 children as she earns it big time!! Share the love, bless one another and PAY IT FORWARD (sorry for my English!).
P.s. I would love to receive the actions! It would help me so much!! As I am struggling to create my own! Thanks keep doing what you’re doing I love your work (both!)
Oh how I;d love to have these presets! They look awesome I can always use a few more tricks up my sleeve. As for paying it forward, I have and continue to do so in many forms locally. I’ve donated free sessions for silent auctions and given frames as doorprizes…..these are things I do in my everyday life and I am so happy to be able to do so.
I’m a newbie to actions so I’m still learning all the cool stuff, but I’d love to have these actions. I’d like to Pay it Forward with my photography obsession with donating my time to our local PAWS animal shelter. Anything I can do to help the little guys (or girls) get adopted would be awesome 🙂
Thanks for the opportunity! I would love these actions and I would pay it forward by sharing more of my time serving those around me. 🙂
As a business I like to help others learn about photography or even editing in PS. I had to learn a lot by myself and it would have been so much easier if someone had said hey let me show you a few easy tricks. I love helping people grow and I have so much to learn myself. As a human I know I can do better (and will) at serving others and looking for that person who needs a pick me up.
I really think that photography is a beautiful gift, and an amazing way to capture the precious, chaotic, crazy, lovely moments in life! Those captured moments are something small that we are able to pay forward every time we snap a picture. These actions would be a beautiful addition to any photo! Thanks for your reccomendations and awesome give away
First of all, I love seeing your posts in our little DFW group (I’m swear, I’m not a creeper!!) and I’m so glad you shared this! These actions are SO lovely!! Usually I don’t like actions because, well… they are too “action-y” (is that even a word?! If not, it totally is now). I love how subtle these are! Beautiful, beautiful work!
Paying it forward is something I try to do on a regular basis. Having lost several family members way too early in their lives, I know just how important it is to seize every moment, cherish the good & the bad, love like there’s no tomorrow and say goodbye as if it were your last. I’ve involved myself in several organizations to give back and have a session coming up shortly as a way to “pay it forward”. I’ll be photographing a young boy (5 years old) who has won his fight against cancer and has been kicking cancer’s butt for 2 years now! We are doing a session to celebrate his victory – all at no charge for his darling family. Whether I win the actions or not, I’ll still be out there doing my part in making this world a little better, a little happier & a little friendlier every day. 🙂
Hi Arden! I think the best way photographers can pay it forward is to share knowledge/tips/tricks with other photographers. We are all learning, all the time!
One way i pay it forward it through Inspiration Through Art. Its a group of Photographers who give their times and talents to bless families with children with special needs. I love it!!
Hi Arden. My answer to your ‘paying it forward’ inquiry is quick and straight to the point. I want to see every homeless animal safe, not scared, hungry or living on the streets….and to find their fur-ever home in the arms of someone who will give them all the love they deserve. I will pay it forward by helping local shelters take very ‘becoming’ pictures (with the help of Marissa’s actions) of these beauties to go on their adoption web pages. Thank you for considering me. God Bless.
Ahh I love these! I am so glad you are sharing info about other talented photographers. When I first got into photography I told myself I would be affordable to people that couldn’t afford pictures. But now I realize I would pay it forward to other photographers. Plenty of times I have asked other photographers questions about everything from business to exposure. Some have gladly responded (thank you Arden) when there were times of stress or just not getting it right!!! I will remember to always be that person to help when someone has a question!
How I pay it forward is that I never turn anyone away because they can’t afford my work. I remember being a new mom and wishing I had beautiful photographs of my babies. I guess that where my deep rooted desire came from in wanting to be a photographer. I saved my money and bought the best camera I could. I take pictures o children and dogs. I’ve become very fond of the furry companion. They always smile and sit so nicely for the camera. 🙂 wherever photography leads me in life the one thing that I will always keep in the front of my mind is that my gift gives others the storybook of life. It’s what makes what I do so special and rewarding 🙂
Hi there! I love these gorgeous actions! I am just starting out and I admire you and your work Arden. I would love to pay it forward by doing a mini-session give away once I’m ready to unveil the new and improved business (I’ve been on a hiatus since pregnant with my 6 month old). Thanks for the opportuniity!
oh my goodness… I’m so excited for these amazing actions! They look fantastic!! *i hope i win*
Paying it forward is so important! I know it’s not the most “business smart” decision but I often offer my services at a discount or all out free for many of my clients. Photography is something I love to do and it will always be a passion first and a business second to me. I don’t want anyone to miss out on precious family pictures because they are low on funds. 🙂 I’m all about the good Karma!!
I teach special education and know the difficult situations families with children with special needs are faced with–including family pictures. I will be offering free/discounted session for a family in need. 🙂
Hi! My name is Amanda. As a surgical nurse, I give back to the community by helping my patients ‘heal’ through their surgical journey. I also do photography, and want to give back with these skills also. Next month I am doing a free ‘survivor’ photoshoot for a little boy who is in leukemia remission. I am helping him and his family to ‘heal’ and celebrate life! I am going to photograph his surgical scars, him with his family, and capture his vibrancy. I hope this gift will be treasured.
If his shoot is successful, I would love to continue to give free ‘survivor’ sessions.
And I would LOVE this action set 🙂 🙂
Xoxo
Amanda Woolverton
@Amma Jill Photography
I like to help out at our church, whether filling in as a Sunday school teacher, pianist, or kids’ club….bringing meals to people home from hospital, or just being a listenerto someone.
I believe that there shouldn’t be just a day or a season in which one focuses on paying it forward. Paying it forward should be done daily in one’s daily work (I am sure a lot of people pay it forward and don’t even realize). I truly believe that we all have a purpose on this earth and that is to do God’s work and love one another. It can be simple gestures showing compassion and love. Examples of this include letting someone know that you notice the small details; saying thank you; holding a door for a stranger; buying a cup of coffee for the patron in line behind you, etc.
I am not a professional photographer but I do have a passion for photography and capturing those “special moments”. I am a teacher and throughout the year I take pictures of the students. At the end of the year I compile the pictures and place them in an “end of the year video”. The students love seeing this and it’s just a small way that I show-case them and all of their hard work throughout the year.
I can pay it forward in so many ways! Even just a simple smile and hello to a stranger can do wonders.
Hi Arden! 🙂 I want to pay it forward to families I know by taking their family photos, especially one brand new family – a couple who just had a baby in October and who was in the NICU for 10+ weeks and may have cerebral palsy. When my husband’s grandmother got sick last year, I was determined to make sure that he had a photo with her, because once our loved ones are gone, all we have is photos. I want to make a small impact on families through my photography, who might not otherwise be able to have a photo to cherish. Thanks for the giveaway, girlie! 🙂
What lovely actions and your work, Arden, is gorgeous!!!!! I am going to pay it forward this weekend by doing a photo session for a woman fighting cancer with her friends!!!
One reason I have always been interested in photography is because I like to catch those every day sweet moments that can go unnoticed in life. So my way to pay it forward is to get my business started and catch those so people have them to cherish!
These actions are amazing, and Marissa is such a sweet person … I’m so happy to see her work being loved as it is! Thanks for sharing, and providing such beautiful examples, Arden! 🙂
I’ve tried a couple different action workflows from 1-2 photographers and have yet to find one I’m happy with. I would love to give this a try. 🙂
Oooppsss! I do believe I’m missing something here…Paying it forward!
First, let me say I recently started following your work Arden and it’s simply inspiring! When I first started photography back in 08/09 I wish I would have found someone who was as open as you when sharing your knowledge. I have always been open to sharing what I know and learn, so after playing with these awesome actions I would gladly share my experience and before/afters!!
This might sound silly but the biggest way I pay it back is being the best parent to my son, he is already 13 (yes the feared 13) But when I think of all the things he will impact I know I have to make him one heck of an awesome man! (times are hard) I will say this, as these days we all have phones (even 13 year olds) I have literally read text messages where my son is helping talk fellow kids in school how to deal with peer pressure, bulling and just plain hating life and he sounds just like me when I am talking to and helping him! I have read and seen many kids thank him over and over for his help and I feel so blessed to have a son who really cares about other people, can you imagine how amazing he will be when he grows up!
I also help my friends learn how to use their camera’s and take amazing images of their pretty little babies!
Thanks for sharing! This is pretty fun…I never do these!
I would love to try these actions and one way I would love to pay it forward is to photograph families with foster kids for free to give them something to place in their home to help the kids feel like they belong.
If there has ever been a time in my life when I’m dealing with pain, I’ve learned that the best way to start healing is to extend my hand to someone who is hurting more. It has never failed to generate a renewed sense of hope and purpose. One way of paying it forward for me, could be to be diligent and intentional about noticing someone who is struggling and doing something, anything, to lighten their load. It could be as simple as a smile, hug and “I know how you feel,” or as involved as committing to walk through a tough season with someone. Thanks for the inspiration, Arden.
I love how subtle/natural these actions are!! I’ve been on the hunt and its getting more and more difficult to find!
I enjoy paying it forward by helping families who are in the adopting process by taking the family photos that they have to attach to their application. The application process is so expensive, so I enjoy being able to help them have something free in their expensive journey to bringing home a child they love! I also offer a substantial discount on the flip side… when they bring their new family member home!! That’s the best part, to see these families united after all the waiting, praying, fundraising, etc.
I am a high school teacher and a wedding photographer on the weekends. I work for a photographer that edits all of the pictures that I take. I am now branching out in my own life and trying to learn photoshop and how to edit photos without overediting them.
One way that I would love to be able to “Pay It Forward” would be at school. We have many special ed and regular ed students that can not afford to have senior pictures taken. I would love to be able to have the tools to edit some senior pictures for some of these students in need. I know that students really don’t NEED senior pictures, but it gives these kids a way to fit in. Not being able to afford pictures and not handing them out makes them stand out in another way. If I won the contest I would dedicate my time and skills to continue to take pictures for these kids and edit them like a professional photographer.
already a fan!! Love both of your work 🙂
I am a very PAY IT FORWARD person. Whether its in the line at Dunkin Donuts paying for the person behind me or giving away portrait sessions to those who have had bumps in the road. I believe its important to think of others. It warms my heart when I can make someone else’s day. LOVE that feeling 🙂
xx
Catara
LOVE these actions! those are some beautiful kiddos!!
This week a dear family in our church city group is moving away .. after an abrupt change in the husband’s work assignment. Although I selfishly want them to stay in Fort Worth, I know they will be a blessing to so many new people as they embark on the next leg of their journey. To send them off with some extra love, I took them a tasty roast with some veggies for dinner last night. Albeit a small gesture, I think feeding people is one of the greatest ways I pay it forward.
I love paying forward shoots to people with special needs. Each time I do it, I realize there is no amount of money that could ever make the person being photographed or I feel more rewarded. To capture their beauty and their value in hopes of inspiring acceptance and love is worth it all! I plan on selecting and shooting another person soon to share their story through photographs and video.
Hi! First off I must say these are beautiful actions! It is ironic that this entry has to do with Paying It Forward as this is something that is not only has become very important to me it is also at the top of my business plan! I am trying to help those who are going through a difficult time in their life where money is tight but and extras are not within budget for whatever reason (mostly do to sickness and cost of medical expenses) I am still in the planning stage but my goal is to offer free sessions to these people – I am just working out details of how many I can realistically take on as I work another job also. I am also coming up with a fame plan of how to do it most efficiently! These beautiful actions would be a blessing in this new endeavour I am taking on for sure! Wonderful contest idea!
I think it is so important to “pay it forward.” We have no idea what people go through in their personal lives. We all struggle and it is such a blessing to serve others and have others serve you. I believe that is why God put us on this earth.
So how do I try to pay it forward? Any way I can. Taking lunch to a friend, calling my mom just to say I love you, folding the socks in the laundry so my husband doesn’t have to, telling a client that they owe me nothing, smiling at someone, letting someone know I care…. I could seriously go on and on. I might not win this, but a big thank you to you guys for allowing me to sit and think about all the wonderful people who have paid it forward to me in my life. You are all so incredibly talented and I wish the very best for you and your families.
Always,
Becka
I am just getting started with my photography business after years of taking photos for friends when I was asked to. I have learned so much from other photographers who are willing to share their wealth of knowledge that I would love to be able to do the same for others. As I improve and learn, I plan to make educating others and answering their questions a priority. It is most important to me to grow as a person and help others recognize their own potential. Thanks for the fun giveaway and the opportunity to participate!
Thank you so much for the chance to win. I love the “pay it forward” idea and I love being part of something positive! I would love to offer newborn sessions to families of deployed military members at no charge. Those daddies need to be able to see there precious newborn even if they can’t physically be here to hold them. My husband was deployed when I gave birth to our first son and I wish I would have had someone do this for me at that time. 🙂
These actions look awesome! I am seriously about to purchase them! One way I would pay it forward would be to gift this set to a photographer friend if I were to win! Or even a “momtographer” who just wants to take her pictures of her sweet babies to the next level. One way I am already paying it forward, is photographing military homecomings in my area for free! I feel it is so important to capture loved ones reuniting! Our military does such an awesome thing for our country, and it’s a small way for me to give my thanks! Thanks for this giveaway, Arden! 🙂
Hey Arden! Love, love, love your work and love these actions! I try to pay it forward as much as I can with my business. Recently I did a complimentary family session and disc for a mom who just found out she had cancer and wanted to get some pictures done before treatment. I will pay it forward again in a few weeks by offering a complimentary lifestyle session for a family who hasn’t been able to afford family pictures. Thanks so much to you and Marissa Gifford for the opportunity to win these actions! Thanks so much!
Thank you so much for giving everyone the opportunity to win =) I absolutely love to pay it forward and it is something I try and do every year. Here are a couple of ways that I try and do this. On June 5th 2011 my Mom passed away from a brain tumour, I was… and am still devastated from losing her. In Oct of 2011, I decided to do a fundraising mini session, I would have 2 full weekends ( 20-25 sessions depending on weather ) of mini sessions, I made sure my prices was super affordable ($40) and I didn’t limit the amount of images they would get. I donate 100% of the proceeds to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada in my Mom’s name. I also volunteer with them. This July/August will be my 3rd year doing it and it is something that means the world to me. The response I get every year is amazing, I have people tell me that it’s amazing that I do this in memory of my Mom every year, but I also get Thanked for making it so affordable so that their family could get professional images done and that makes me smile.
The second thing that I try and do every year is give sessions to families/people that wouldn’t normally afford it, or because they are going through something in their life, and I just want to make them smile. This year I have 5 full 2 hour sessions that I have given away to some wonderful families and I can’t wait for those either.
These are some of the things that I love to use my profession to help others, I love my job and I love that I can do these things to make even the smallest difference in someone’s life.
Nikki =)
Hi Arden & Marissa!!
First, these are lovely actions. They are subtle and not overwhelming. I love that. I think they’d work great for any age level being photographed including children.
Which brings me to my pay it forward. I am a mom. Bought my first DSLR when my twins were born 5 years ago. I loved it from the moment I bought and wanted to learn more. I started using Manual within 6 months and that is ALL I use now.
Last Spring… I took the plunge to start doing photography professionally. My cliental has grown via word of mouth. I feel like I have found something that I am good at that I LOVE. One day, with more training and such, I hope to be GREAT.
One day, another local photographer contacted me about The Gold Hope Project. A non-profit organization made up of photographers who photograph children with Cancer. It is a special cause to me and I feel these actions with their hint of golden haze could really add to my gifts to these parents.
Thank you for this opportunity. May you both be showered in love and success
K
My church recently landed in some rough times. I’ve been doing some design work for free. We are trying to have a fresh start and I believe some fresh new designs are a building block for moving forward.
I’ve always been interested in photography and just recently upgraded my camera (yay!)! Even though I don’t see myself ever being a professional photographer, I would love to pay it forward by teaching others what I know already. I know I wouldn’t even begin to know how to shoot in manuel mode or use photoshop actions/presets if it weren’t for photographers like you and others who are so willing to share their knowledge via blogs, forums, etc. Cameras and photography in general can be incredibly intimidating and just figuring out how to start taking better pictures can be a challenge! I would “pay it forward” by sharing what I know, with whoever I can. Even some of the smallest tips can be eye opening! (at least they were to me)
I am a week into being a full-time work from home photographer and I am eager to pay it forward in a huge way! I haven’t figured out exactly how I want to do that, but in the meantime I just want to be a light to my clients and show them kindness in a way they have never experienced. Being patient and understanding in circumstances that may make me feel uneasy. I have experienced a few situations already that aren’t ideal and I think the way in which I handle them will make an impact on my clients and hopefully bring them back as well as with a few others! I love your work and these actions and would love to win this giveaway!
We can all pay it forward in so many ways…my husband and I volunteered with our local Special Olympics. At some point, when I become more proficient in photography, I’d love to take photos of the animals in shelters who are in need of a forever home, because I have a shelter dog who is the best dog in the world. Even the smallest things add up.
These actions look wonderful!!! I’ve always desired taking the profits from my photography and gifting it to different charities and helping kids in need. Or maybe I could earn enough to sponsor another child. I do photography because I love it and it brings me joy. And I love to bring other people joy and happiness and a memory (or 2) that would last them a lifetime. If I received these actions, it would help me in making their photos that much more memorable. All glory to Him who blessed us with the gifts we can make memories with.
I LOVE your work, and from the moment you started using these actions it gave your images a unique look. I would “pay it forward” by offering some free sessions in order to experiment and try new techniques, posing, then using these actions while editing. These would give my photos a fresh, new look that will capture the natural beauty that the images represent. Love the actions and the idea of a giveaway!
I am a amateur photographer and mom who volunteers at a local animal shelter, photographing dogs and cats for adoption and I’d love to pay it forward by teaching other photographers in the area how to get the best shots that get more dogs and cats adopted to save more lives.
These look fantastic! Thanks for the giveaway. Already planning to pay it forward by taking senior pictures for a friend who wouldn’t otherwise be able to do it.
Thank you so much for the opportunity! I gift sessions, but my current favorite is doing random acts of kindness. Like putting away the shopping cart for a mom with small kids, so she doesn’t have to walk away from her kids in the car! Or, my daughter and I make baskets and ding dong ditch them on people’s porches – for Christmas we filled it with Christmas Coffee Mugs, hot cocoa/apple cider packets, candy canes, and children’s books about Christmas!
Hi there, Arden. I love your work, your website and I think you have just about the cutest logo ever. I hope to one day meet you in person, as I love to meet other mommies who have lots of kiddos (more than two or three!). Good luck with your new baby! I am a huge believer in pay it forward. Our family has been hit hard by unimaginable illness and suffering for what seems like forever (its been 6 years since my daughter had a lifesaving liver transplant at age one.) I have worked with a local nonprofit (Volley 4 A Cure) to donate time and photography to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer. I want to do the same for Type I diabetes because I am fighting a personal battle with this very ugly disease (no one ever guesses I’m sick because I look like the picture of health)
Thank you for doing something nice for others.
One thing I am doing this year that I have never been able to do in the past is take a few months to work on personal projects. I have a friend of mine who has possibly the worst support system at home, ever. She was involved in a serious car accident a few years ago and she has had one bad thing after another keep going on in her life….I am doing a full out queen for a day session for her. full hair/makeup and going to a vintage clothing store for a fun spin on a traditional glamour session. her text to me last night was that she has to pinch herself because no one has ever taken the time to do something like this for her and she honestly thought she was going to have to use her drivers license photo at her funeral because she has absolutely no pictures of herself.
Hi! Thank you so much for this opportunity! A way I plan on paying it forward this spring is photographing my friend’s baby shower! Her little girl was born last fall at 24 weeks and was born before her shower took place- in fact, before the invites were even sent out. She recently came home after being in the NICU for 3+ months and is doing well. She’s going to be AT the shower and so I plan on documenting this joyous event and giving her an album with the photos to remember it by 🙂 I’m so excited to do this and it would be awesome to have some beautiful actions to use!
PS Love reading everyone’s P-I-F ideas, such inspiration here!
Hi Arden! I have been following you for a couple years now and I really admire your work and love how everything turns out! Someone mentioned above about going on a church missions trip and photographing the experience for everyone. Our church is looking into going to Kenya sometime in the coming year and it would be so neat to be able to document that trip for all those going. We’ll see 🙂 Thanks for all your tips and tricks and for your beautiful work! I’m a big fan…
I’m a huge fan of both of you! I love this idea of paying it forward. I already have it in plans to take some pics for a couple of people this year at no cost because of hard times. I love being able to give back in capturing the look on little ones faces, they are immune to problems. In other terms of paying it forward, I plan to surprise my friends and take their kids so they can have a date night. They never get a chance to go out with 2 kids and I feel that would give them a well deserved break-they are so good to my family. Win or loose this is a great idea to share and give others ideas!
Thank you for offering this contest! I put together an 18 gallon tote for a family that couldn’t afford to have a Thanksgivng. I’m always looking for ways to pay it forward whether it be paying for the coffee for the person behind me or grabbing a lunch/dinner for a homeless person on the street.
Hi! Excited to discover these new actions and follow another great photographer as I am learning! I try to pay it forward by keeping my prices low so mommies can get frequent pictures of their beloved children as I so desired when I had children and was then inspired to go into business. I also offer services for free when prompted by the holy spirit. Sometimes you just know its a blessing you can provide and you do it!
Hi there! I’m so thankful for the opportunity to win these actions. I have been engrossed with photography as long as I can remember, but have just recently made the move to make it a career. I am in a 6 month photography course right now & trying to build my portfolio. I plan on focusing on maternity, birth & newborn photography. I follow both of you on Facebook & love your work! I feel like these actions would really help to boost my editing skills:-)
One way that I know I could pay it forward is to help a total stranger. I have actually been thinking about it for a while. You see, we have this old lady (I’m thinking late 60’s for sure, or early 70’s) who lives in her car on our block. I see her walking and riding her bike all the time; where she goes, I don’t know. She always moves her car from one place to another every couple of days, but always stays on one particular side of the block. When she moves her car, it screeches so loud, I don’t know how it is still running:-( We live in San Diego, so it doesn’t get too cold here, but we have had some nights that it’s gotten down in the 30’s. I feel so blessed that I am able to live in a house & sleep in a warm bed every night; I think about her a lot in her car, cold, and by herself. I have been thinking about it for so long how I could help her. I smile and wave to her every time I see her. Some days she seems friendly, and others, not so much at all. I don’t know if she would like or appreciate the help. But I have been thinking that maybe my husband could help her work on her car, or maybe I could leave her some money by her car. We can’t afford to give much, as we struggle ourselves, but I would love to help her in any way that we could!
Again, thank you for this great opportunity!
Hi,
What an awesome giveaway! Being newer with my business I would love to one day be able to volunteer and do newborn pictures for babies that are in the NICU. This is such a heartbreaking and difficult time for parents. This would be so amazing to do like once a month and give them the pictures for free.
Arden!! Thank you so much offering such a sweet giveaway!! I have fallen in love with Marissa’s action set… they are so subtle and beautiful!!
One of my favorite ways to “pay it forward” in my own personal life is to purchase a candy bar/treat for the checkers at the grocery store as I’m checking out. I scan the snack stand and ask them what they would get if they were buying candy for a friend. After it’s paid for, I hand it to them and tell them that I hope the rest of their shift goes by quickly so that they can get home and relax. I know that it’s simple and doesn’t really compare with some of the other examples listed above, but I *love* doing this! Seeing the facial expressions of those receiving the treat is just priceless!
Thanks again for the opportunity to win this set!! I appreciate YOU paying it forward… not just with this giveaway, but also with all of the advice that you share!!
I love her actions! My PIF would to teach some of friends how to work their DLSR. Everyone should be able to have wonderful images of their kiddos, not just when they pay someone to do it for then.
I think these actions are just GORGEOUS. I recently saved all of my extra pennies to upgrade from a Sony to a Canon Mark ii. I am learning so much and am lucky to have a friend willing to teach and share things with me, for free. I plan on doing the same for others, I think there is nothing wrong with being an open book. I also have been doing free shoots for church, like taking pictures of baptisms and those special moments that people just don’t want to miss. I sure enjoy capturing people’s special moments, even if not for a fee! Besides this, I find that my day job is constantly paying it forward. I work with dementia patients on a psych unit – and it’s very taxing on a person. I believe they deserve that special care at the end of their lives and will go out of my way to make sure they feel loved/enjoy their stay through different mediums/hobbies.
LOVE all the actions! I really like how that are not overdone but perfect touches of edits.
My heart tells me when to donate my time to a family and give them their photos free of charge.
I am learning a lot about actions from you, thank you. I pay it forward to anyone who asks for help.
These actions are beautiful and I would love the chance to use them to continue to produce images that make people smile and cherish their memories in life. I am 30 years old and living with incurable Stage IV breast cancer. I have been through more in the last year and a half than I ever imagine. But, through it all I decided to follow my passion and start a photography business so that I could capture the pure joy and love in life – despite the hardships that we all face. I would love to give back by photographing children/adults/families while they battle disease in order to capture that time in their life and the love they share with eachother. Because through good times and bad, it is our family and friends that are by our side and get us through it. And no matter how bad life gets, it’s important to remember that each day is a blessing – a gift that we need to be grateful for…to cherish…to document.
Love following your work, Arden – always so beautiful and inspiring!
Love your inspiration! I pay it forward by leaving a free session certificate to families I see would benefit. Waitresses,store clerks, ect . I love to see the joy in their eyes!
I love all the actions! The way I would pay it forward is to take pictures of families and children that have disabilities. I grew with a sister that had Downs and its my goal to give back to them any way I can.
I love these actions! They look lovely!!
When I started my business 3 months ago, I wanted to pay it forward as part of my business goals. I work with our local pregnancy center that is funded by the local churches in my community… the girls who come here are hurting financially, emotionally, physically, etc.. and they need support and they need God and that is what this center does. They do amazing things for these babies and their families! Anyways, the way that I give back is by offering free newborn sessions to any of their clients that want to use the service! I give them their images on a disc for them to keep, and if the budget allows, I try to throw in some free quality prints! It’s heartwarming and wonderful that I can give these girls who are going through so much pain, something so happy that they can remember there newborn baby with for years to come! I just love the center and the girls I get to work with. God does great things threw us when we are open to him!
What an awesome giveaway. I would like to pay it forward by taking of my husbands units family pictures before they deploy!!
These actions are just beautiful! There are so many ways that we can make a difference in this world. I am fairly new to having a photography business and still tend to do a lot of freebie sessions… to continue to build my portfolio and because I just love taking pictures. We are military and about to move again and when I establish my business there, I’d like to choose a family each month that has been nominated by others for a freebie session and give them my favorite images from the session (either digital or print). Pictures mean so much to me and I know how much I treasure photos of my family and those I love. I would love to make this happen for a family that wouldn’t be able to have pictures taken for them.
First of all I LOVE these actions and they would be a great addition to my business. I have just started my photography business and have found that it is much more costly than I could have ever imagined but I love my job and couldn’t be any more grateful.
Giving it forward is a huge deal to me. I traveled to Rwanda in 2009 with a group of Baylor University students and we helped the orphans, widows, and with helping individuals starting their own businesses through micro finance. I can not stress how big giving back is. I now am sponsoring a child in Rwanda and am in the process of working with a dear friend of mine in helping a school of orphans in Rwanda and building water wells there. I used to think that giving back would allow me to teach others but I am humbled by the Lord that it is others that have taught me and I learn daily from others. I am forever grateful to the Lord for that.
I look forward to seeing who wins, kuddos to whoever wins!!
I don’t know if i made it on time, but I love your work! You inspire me to be better at what I do. I would totally use my business to help women feel beautiful not as society states it, but as they really are, to make them proud to look at themselves in the mirror and say This is me and I love it!
Im paying it forward this year by starting to do complimentary sessions for families that adopt children into their families. I hope to be able to do so when I’m at the right place in my life and admire the hell out off everyone that takes on this commitment.
I have joined The Gold Hope Project in order to use my talent to pay it forward to those who could use some positive and uplifting moments in their life. Sometimes life takes it out of you…I hope to give it back <3