Weddings–I love them!  The fashion, the love story, the time I get to spend with awesome families…its all so much fun.  We get to create timeless heirlooms of the beginning of her life with the man of her dreams…how cool is that?  At each wedding, Chris and I pour our heart and soul into every image we create, and its definitely a passion for us.  And this year, we’re going to do something fun…something big…something different–we’re going to photograph a wedding for FREE!

 what exactly does the winner get?

~ TWO certified professional photographers at your wedding (only 42 in NC!)
~ Up to 6 hours of wedding day coverage
~ Your choice of a bridal or engagement session
~ Online photo gallery for sharing with friends and family
~ $250 album credit

why is this different than other free photography contests?

Because you get TWO Certified Professional Photographers at YOUR wedding, for FREE; no other studio in North Carolina can say that.  What happens if your main photographer breaks his/her leg?  You have another CPP to cover the wedding, not just an assistant.  What happens if the power goes out during the middle of your reception?  We are trained to light anything, anywhere.  Being a CPP tackles all of these things, taking the “what if…” out of your wedding day, while creating the most beautiful, emotion-filled, dramatic photos you can dream of.

 the rules:

1. Couples must be getting married within a 50 mile radius of Catawba and Burke Counties.  We will definitely travel anywhere, but locations 50 miles or more away will be subject to travel fees of $0.55/mile.  Accommodations must be provided for any location outside 150 miles of Catawba and/or Burke Counties.  Eligible wedding dates must occur between January 2012 and December 2012 and have a set date and location. The wedding date must be available; contact us to check on your date.

2. If you are a bride or groom who has already booked us for your 2012 wedding, you can enter too! If you win, $2000 will be paid toward your wedding contract balance. There will be no refunds on retainers.

3. The bride or groom must be a Facebook fan of both photography companies’ fan pages.

4. To enter, submit your story via email to cathy@seizethephoto.com and put “We want Cathy and Chris to photograph our wedding!” in the subject line and title.  Let me know your story in 300 words or less; it should include both of your names, your story about how you met and got engaged, wedding details, date, and location, and why you deserve to win.  The more creative, the better!  You must also include a recent NON-PROFESSIONAL photo of you and your fiance.  Parents, friends and family may also nominate a couple.

5. Entries are due by January 16, 2012 at 10PM.  The voting period will occur from January 17-21, 2012 and all entries will be posted on both company fan pages on Facebook.  Those entries will be narrowed down to five semi-finalists, determined by the top five vote-getters on Facebook.  Semi-finalists will be judged by a panel of fellow wedding professionals (non-photographers) and narrowed down to one lucky couple.  The winning couple will be announced at the Carolina Elite Events’ Winter Wedding Showcase on January 29 and MUST be present to win.

6. FINE PRINT: No changes or substitutions can be made to prizes and/or packages.  Prizes cannot be redeemed for cash and are non-transferable.  All taxes must be paid by the winner.  Winners must sign a model release (so that we can use your photos and story on our blog and in advertising) and wedding contract to redeem prize.

Chris and I wish you all good luck and can’t wait to award one lucky and very deserving couple some awesome wedding photography!