so many heroic women.

I knew when I decided to do this particular contest that it would be a very difficult decision for me to make about who should win.  I can't imagine going through what some of these strong, tender, caring, gracious, and giving women have been through.  For some of them, life hangs in the balance every day and for others they know all too intimately the value of the life that surrounds them.

Thank you all for your nominations.  The beauty and struggle of each of them is not unnoticed and I wish there were a way for me to give this gift to all the women that were nominated. Thank you for sharing with me the love and heartfelt words about the women that are in your life.

I was tempted to have all of you vote for the person that should win but couldn't do that.  I have no idea how any of you would be able to measure one of these women against another...I wanted you to vote so that I wouldn't have to choose.  And then I decided I couldn't do that to you or to these sweet women.

And so...I've been sitting and wondering who to give this gift.

...and a long time later...I still haven't published this post...

I decided to narrow the nominations to 4 women.  After going back and forth, I decided to put the four women in a hat and choose.

The winner is:

Jana Kofford.

I would like to nominate my friend Jana Kofford. Jana tragically lost her four year old son Cooper this summer, something that as a mother I cannot imagine experiencing. While going through the many difficulties that attended the tragedy of her son's death, Jana has been a beacon of hope, thoughtfulness and strength. Jana is a brilliant business owner, a thoughtful friend, a loving wife and a fantastic mother of six! If anyone needs a night of pampering it is Jana Kofford and her sweetheart Quinn.

Ashley, please send me an email at davina at davinafear dot com so that we can let Jana know she's won.

The other 3 women:

Rachael Schirano.

I nominate my beautiful wife Rachael Schirano who day in and day out, sacrifices her personal needs and sanity to ensure that our family of six (including teenage daughter and 2 yr old triplets) is happy and healthy. If that isn't enough, she has battled several large obstacles in pursuing her passion for photography, and I feel that she could use a little light at the end of the tunnel for all that she does for us.

Nancy.

I'd like to nominate my sister, Nancy. She has given of herself for a year and a half to take care of her daughter with leukemia, as well as be there for our dad who recently died of cancer. She has rarely had time for herself or alone time with her husband since this all began.

Ginger Coates.

I nominate my wife, Ginger Coates.  She has been working full-time as well as helping to care for my daughter (her step-daughter), Melinda that has the begining stages of MS.  In her spare time she has been volunteering her time at her church's girls group so we can spend more time with Melinda that has kept her very busy that she needs a break. 

To those who nominated the above  three women, please send me their mailing address.  I would like to send them a little something.

I've also decided to send a kit to Marta as a gift because of this nomination:

Marta.

I am nominating Marta, a woman I don't even know. She responded to my blog and this really tugged at my heart. These two sentences say it all:
"I recently started doing photography for experience and extra money, but it took off faster than I was prepared for. I was soon pulling all nighters (once I stayed up over 38 hours, skipped 2 classes just to get caught up) and booking up to 6 photo shoots a weekend.... it started interfering with my relationship with my husband real fast, my 3 year old daughter was going to bed at night crying that she missed me and she didn't want me to do pictures anymore."

*Marta, I feel the pain that you are going through and I want to say that things will get better….

Thank you to eveyone who participated in this contest.  I've been moved by the stories of these beautiful women and the lives that they are heroically living. 

beautiful. LIVES.

NOTE:  This contest has been extended until Tuesday, November 24th at 11am ET.  The winner will be announced on Tuesday afternoon right before we launch the Get your LIFE back kit!

a night away and a get your LIFE back kit.

The get your LIFE back kit is about helping women take a break and rethink the the chaos and overwheming aspects of their lives...it's time to breathe.  And breathe deeply.  SO this contest is going to help someone do just that!

I want to encourage women to live life fully and with awareness.  Stop the break neck speed that you're currently running at and notice the lovely view, the beautiful deep blue sky, the smell of bonfires in the air, the star filled sky, the crisp air, the smell of a warm child just up from a nap, the cuddle of a loved one, the blessing of good food...drink it in and love the moment.

THIS CONTEST:

What do I do?

Nominate a woman (or person) that you think deserves a night away at a bed and breakfast, where breakfast is made for her instead of by her.  In the comments section of this post (or send me an email at davina at davinafear dot com) name the person you nominate and in 2 sentences or less why she (or he) needs a night away.  Give as much detail as you can in the two sentences or less.

What will the winner win?

The winner will receive a night away at a bed and breakfast that she/he chooses (value $200) and a Get your LIFE back kit (value $120).  (Total value $320)

When does the contest end?

The contest ends tomorrow, Monday November 23rd, at 5pm ET (this contest has been extended until Tuesday, November 24th at 11am ET).  Make sure to be quick to get your nominations into the comments...this is going to be a fast contest!

 **See the winner of Contest #1 in the post below.**

sweet. LIFE.

WEDDING 101. kit.

This kit is different from the others that I've released because it's not just for photographers...it's for anyone who knows a bride, is a bride, or knows someone who will soon be a bride.

This kit has 101 ways a bride can make her wedding creative, fun, and infused with her style and personality. Included is a questionnaire that will help any bride to connect with the things that make her and her fiance unique. It also includes more than 10 tips to creating a different kind of wedding. A great bonus are the case study weddings of brides who have created weddings around their own style.

The WEDDING 101. kit. is the perfect gift for a newly engaged couple as they begin their wedding plans. It's also the perfect complement to a photographer's media kit for couples who have just booked.

$99

*this is a pdf

kits logo.

I'm excited about the new logo for Kits by Davina.

This was done by Brent Holloman.  Thanks Brent!

we're a little crazy. 

So...Millie and I were just being silly getting ready for this interview when we were at the Pictage Partnercon in Los Angeles back in September.  Little did we know that the tape was rolling and this is what they decided to keep...all of our silliness!  Hilarious.

HIRING. and anything else.

If you're in the market for hiring some help you need to come be part of Ask and Learn Wednesday tomorrow on the Pictage forum!  Millie and I are going to spill our secrets on hiring the perfect person to work for you, the perfect fit, the perfect studio manager or second shooter or associate photographer, or image editor...whatever you need.  ANd if you think you don't need this...guess again.  You'd be surprised at how this will benefit the vast majority of photographers.

If you're doing jobs that you aren't qualified to do or that you don't like or jobs that you wish you didn't have to do because you want to do something else in your business (ie accounting, editing, making spreadsheets, doing reports, marketing, and so many other things that we try to do that we're really not qualified to do...then you need to get on this Ask and Learn). 

**We'll talk about anything else you want to know as well...just log on and write us a question.  We'll be there for two hours to answer what you need to ask.**

Can't wait to see you on the forum tomorrow night (January 14th) from 7-9 eastern and 4-6pm west coast time!

What questions do you have that you want us to address in the Ask and Learn?  Tell me in the comments...

Listen to this podcast for a little snipet of what we discussed when we were out in Los Angeles.

learn. LIFE.