About four years ago, we replaced our HTML website with an all-Flash website, and then later added in some very important directional elements that helped people “find their way” in our complex website structure.
On Monday, March 12, we are changing the entire look of our website. It will encompass all of the elements of our existing three sites (main, seniors and workshops) as well as making the links to client galleries and Diana’s nature photography easier to get to.
We invite you to visit our new site, which is a hybrid design that incorporates both HTML and Flash with a very strict database structure that makes everything seem more common across all platforms. It’s even mobile friendly!
We’ve added all the basics, including all new galleries (pictures never before seen on our website), and intend to add much more for you to look at. This will include some behind-the-scenes photos and video, instructional videos that complement our workshops, and some great announcements for specials that go hand in hand with our social network pages and our blog.
Enjoy! To see it, go to www.tlcphotography.com.
In order to appreciate the magnitude of this contest, you had to be on the receiving end. When we started out, there were 51 new likes on the page on the very first day. What we expected was maybe a couple of hundred votes among the four contestants. What we got was quite different, but also very welcome.
There were 831 votes cast across four images… the Like button got pressed that many times on those photos. Impressive. The number of likes on the gallery alone was 128. Unfortunately, there were a LOT of people who liked the gallery, but did not like a photo as well. There were also over 150 people who voted in the contest by Liking a picture, but who never also pressed Like on the TLC Photography page.
I’m telling you all of this because you need to appreciate that there was a lot to review after the fact, and that for two of our contestants, the bidding was fast and furious right up until midnight on Saturday night. To ensure that no additional votes filtered in while we were counting, we closed the entire page (Facebook has a nice little “Unpublish” feature).
Without going into anymore details, let’s get to the results.
Here’s the honorable mention for the online contest. Little Mister Bennett was a virtual force of nature during his session. Combining his love of music along with his sister’s debut in the judged version of the contest, he made quite a splash with us.
Our second runner up (third place) is a friend of a family who has been a good client for awhile now. This little girl has been through a lot in her life, and we hope that these pictures reflect how wonderful a person she will soon become.
The first runner up comes to us from a long-time client, and a second-time entry into the contest. She has a very sweet disposition and we are sure to see more of her in the coming years. Miss Calissa.
We first met the winner of the contest a couple of years ago. Life has been an up and down rollercoaster for his family, and we were grateful to see him entered into the contest. He comes from a generous and wonderful family that has been a blessing to our area for so many. Meet our winner, Mister Aidric.
Afterthought… you should also know that between first and second places, there was only a difference of six little votes. They were practically co-winners. The difference was so small that they were both winners to us.
Congratulations to all, and we thank everyone again who voted and committed themselves to the effort.
Important note: This post is about the judged contest, which is for six to thirty month old children. The online contest will be announced separately.
We were so pleased to meet so many new children this year. It was great fun meeting them all. We had a couple of repeats this year, which probably made the difference in how things went with the judging.
But you’d probably just rather know who won, huh?
Okay. But we have to also tell you that there were five winners.
First, the honorable mentions.
Our first is little Miss Bennett. She is a first-time client and took to us immediately, at times climbing onto Tony to get the best photo angle. We dubbed her a dead ringer for Cindy Lou Who.
The other honorable mention is little Miss Mohr. Her mom is a long-time friend and former employee. She grew up right before our eyes, and this little bundle of joy is something that has given her whole family great joy.
So, now for our third place winner. Also a first-time client, little Miss Rinaldi was quite to warm up with her happy little smile. Her mom is a co-worker of one of our long-time clients.
And now for the runner-up. That would be second place to those of you who aren’t familiar with the terminology. Little Mister Lawlor was something of a mystery at first, being a first-time client and all. But he rapidly came out of his shell when he started realizing that our camera room is just a big playground.
That leaves only the top spot. It’s important to note that the winner of this year’s contest got a vote from all FIVE of our judges. So there’s little doubt that this was the winning entry. Our judges this year are a diverse lot, hailing from New York, Texas, Virginia, Canada, and Maryland. And not a single one said “this was easy,” because it never is. They’re all just too adorable.
But here’s your winner… Mister Bean.
Thanks again to all those who participated. Winners are being contacted individually with their prizes. I hope to be able to show you more pictures in the near future of our contestants from their contest sessions and other sessions to come.