Your Help = Free Fine Art Print

I need your help! So how about a little contest?

Hey gang - So I'm in the midst of beginning a new venture... No, it's not Amway :)

It's called WineCountryPictures.com and it's an online art gallery featuring fine art images. As the name suggests, many of the images are wine country inspired - beautiful landscapes of rolling hills, vineyards swathed in misty morning fog, close-ups and abstracts of delicate vines, and photojournalistic photos of harvest and wine making.

And in the vain of those late night infomercials..."Wait there's more!!!"

There is also a gallery of "Beyond Wine Country" photos. I do get out of town once and a while, and always take a camera to bring home some of the wonder found in this great big world of ours.

OK, here's where you come in...

I'm having a logo made for the website and other collateral and am having a hard time choosing a design. I only get to pick one, and whomever helps me pick the final version will get a print of their choosing. Each person who picks the same design as me will get a free fine art print**.

Here's how it works:

Check out the designs on my Facebook page and pick your one favorite design. You only get one shot at this, so choose wisely. Click the word "Like" or the "thumbs up" icon to indicate you like that design or leave a comment saying you like it. Remember, only vote on one design.

In a week, I'll make my final decision and you'll receive a print in the mail shortly after you pick a print you'd like. Good deal, huh?

Here's a preview of some designs (in no particular order of importance):

See all the designs here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=66581&id=633537179&l=47c4f

Thanks for reading and for your help!

Jason

** The fine print (no pun intended)

- If your choice is the winning design, I'll send you a free 11"x14" fine art print of your choosing. Visit www.WineCountryPictures.com to view the images and let me know which one you'd like.
- Multiple votes will be disqualify you. Only pick one design.
- Recipient is responsible for matting, framing and enjoying their print.
- This is a totally free contest. I don't want any money, unless you want to buy a print for someone you love. (They will love you more if you do!)
- This little contest is sponsored by me and none of your information will be shared with anyone. It'll be our little secret!
- You are welcome to send this to a friend.

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Too Cool...

Make that two cool – things to tell you about, that is. Sorry for the silliness, I’m just very excited to share a couple of new things with all of you.

First, I’m very excited about the opportunity to work with an organization called Flashes of Hope this October in San Francisco.

What is Flashes of Hope? Their website (http://www.flashesofhope.org/) says it best…

“Flashes of Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating powerful, uplifting portraits of children fighting cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. The portraits, taken by award-winning photographers, help children feel better about their changing appearance by celebrating it. For families of terminally ill children, it's especially important to have a portrait that preserves forever the beauty, grace and dignity of their child.

For a few moments, it doesn't seem like a hospital. Children who haven't wanted to get out of bed are suddenly laughing and smiling. And, nurses take a break from administering medicine to join in the fun.

Each month our volunteers transform hospital playrooms, waiting areas and even hallways into photography studios. Talented make-up artists help the children and their moms look and feel their best. Then each child is photographed individually and with their closest supporters - siblings, parents and often a favorite nurse.

Each family is presented with framed enlargements, proofs and a CD of all the images so they can make additional prints. Thanks to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers, all services are provided free of charge.

A Flashes of Hope portrait is much more than a picture on the wall. It's an indescribable treasure that forever preserves the grace, dignity and beauty of each child.”

I’m extremely excited to volunteer for this project. October won’t come soon enough! Check out some of the great portraits on the website – http://www.flashesofhope.org/ – they’re sure to warm your heart.

PS – If you are, or know of a makeup artist that feels like volunteering, please let me know.

Now for a completely unrelated item…

I’m in the Backseat of nearly every NYC Taxi!

That’s right I’m back in NY or at least my photography is. If you’ve been in a New York City cab lately, chances are you’ve seen some of my work! No, I’m not graffiting the backseat. The Napa Valley Vintners will be touring the Big Apple and tri-state area pouring world-renown Napa Valley wines. One promotion has been the following clip playing in taxis featuring my Napa Valley photographs.

Take a look:

Interested in attending one or more of the wine tasting events? Visit http://www.napavintners.com/ and follow the links to New York. You can also check out more of my work in their photo galleries.

Thanks for reading!

Jason