When I look back on this year, I am just so overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for each of my friends and clients who chose me to capture important moments in their lives during my first year of business…I would not be where I am with my little business if it weren’t for each and every one of you!!! Technically I wasnt an official business owner when I took some of the pictures below, but all of these couples contributed to my growth.

Over the course of this year i’ve learned just how exhausting and overwhelming it is to be a small business owner and also how difficult it is to learn to take good pictures…It is definitely one of the most humbling experiences I have ever had…It’s so hard to willingly put yourself and your name out there  and to ask for people to support you knowing that you might not succeed and learning to be okay with that but striving to put your heart into it anyway…I don’t know how to express my gratitude towards my friends, clients, and the other photographers who have been so supportive of me this year as I’ve been figuring out what running this business should look like and as I’ve been growing in my photography skills.THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. Seriously. I’m so thankful for each and every person who has supported my business by liking my Facebook page, liking a photo, or by leaving an encouraging comment on Facebook or the blog.

To some people trying to get Facebook users to “like” your pictures or page might seem silly, but to a small business owner who operates on mostly word of mouth and organic Facebook marketing, it can make such a HUGE difference and can help us reach more potential clients and customers so that our little businesses can continue to grow!

As a small attempt to say a big THANK YOU and in order for me to continue gaining support for my small business, I’m giving away a FREE 20 x 30 canvas to one of the couples who helped make my first year of starting my business so great! I am already so excited to work with a lot of wonderful couples in 2013!!

Here are the Contest Rules!:

1. The contest starts NOW and will end at midnight on Christmas Day!!

2. First “Like” the Annamarie Akins Photography Facebook business page

3. Then find the Christmas Canvas Giveaway album and “Like” your favorite picture or couple!

4. ***The winner can choose ANY picture they want for their canvas! It doesn’t have to be the one I chose and doesn’t even have to be a picture I took! If you win you can literally have me put any picture on the canvas that you want! I just chose my personal favorites!***

The couple or person with the most “likes” at midnight on Christmas will win the free canvas!!! I’m so excited about this!! And again I’m so so thankful for each of you who helped to make this year so great!!

Here are all of the contestants! THANK YOU to ALL of you!!!!! Head on over to Facebook and start voting!

 

 

SEVEN days until Christmas!!!!!!!!! Go VOTE and share!!:)