To commemorate 2009, I’m hosting a 2009 “Image of the Year” Contest. I have absolute favorites from each and every session, so narrowing hundreds down to less than 50 was impossible for me. I have special memories of every single session,  so I asked for a little unbiased help from a few friends in scaling my favorites down to 28. The images below were selected for a variety of reasons and each conveys its own unique emotion, sense of texture, composition or color.

Now it’s up to you to choose who gets the title of “2009 Image of the Year” at Kami Brady Photography and the fabulous prize that goes with it. Happy voting and best of luck to everyone!

UPDATE 1/17/10: Voting is closed, but you still have a chance to win a free signature session and/or get a $50 gift card (see #4 and 5 below):

1) Select your favorite from the list below and click on the “Vote” button at the bottom of the entire list to submit your vote. Voting ends at Midnight, Central time on Saturday,  January 16, and I will announce the winners on the blog by Sunday, January 17. Please keep things fair and vote once per household for one image only; multiple votes from the same IP address will be discarded.

2) The image with the most votes wins. The winner will receive a 16×20 gallery-wrapped canvas of the winning image AND a $500 Gift Card to be used toward a 2010 Signature Session with me.

3) The first runner up will receive a mounted 11×14 linen art print of the voted image AND a $200 Gift Card to be used toward a 2010 Signature Session with me.

4) Enter to win a $500 Gift Card toward a 2010 Signature Session with me: As a thank you to all the blog readers, past clients and future clients I just haven’t met yet, you have the opportunity to win a $500 gift card to be used toward a 2010 Signature Session with me simply by becoming a fan of Kami Brady Photography on Facebook or subscribing here to the blog. One Fan/Subscriber will be chosen at random on January 31 as the winner of this gift card.

5) Added bonus: If  you reserve a session to take place in 2010 by the end of this month, you’ll receive a $50 Gift Card to be used toward prints/products following your session.

6) Spread the word! There is a “Share” link at the bottom of the poll or you can simply post a link to the voting post on your own blogs, Twitter pages,  Facebook pages or via email. Encourage your friends and family to get in on the voting action.

Some fine print:

The Gift Cards, Sessions and Products/Prints awarded as part of this contest and promotion carry no cash value and may not be exchanged or refunded for cash. They must be used as specified. All sessions will take place in the Greater Kansas City area and must be scheduled in 2010. I reserve the right to cancel or modify the promotion at any time if necessary.

It’s the busiest and often, most stressful season for a child/family photographer. Lots of late, late nights and jam-packed days spent designing holiday cards, editing fall sessions and placing holiday orders. But today I answered the door to the most awesome surprise. She was picking up her images and arrived with a gift for me. It was a reminder of why this is such an amazing career … and a definite cause to stop and smile.  And be very thankful. I have the best clients who truly “get” the art in custom photography, the most supportive family and friends and the opportunity to keep growing this business. And despite being super tired right about now, I am incredibly thankful.

So, Melissa, you made my day with your heartfelt note and beautiful flowers! Thank you!