2011 Wedding Photography Giveaway Finalists!!

** This post will be at the top of this blog until the voting is over. New posts will be underneath this one!

I am so excited to announce the finalists for the 2011 Wedding Photography Giveaway! I got a ton of entries and it was SOOO hard to decide who to pick to be finalists. I know that I said I would pick 4 finalists but that was pretty much impossible. So instead I have decided to choose 7. Yes 7 finalists! I think once you read their entries you’ll understand why I had  such a hard time choosing. So read all the entries and vote at the bottom. You will only be allowed to vote once so be sure to spread the word to friends, family, co-workers and whomever else to come here and vote! This poll will be up until Monday, August 2nd at midnight.

*Edited to add: Our great friends at Song 3:4 Weddings are adding something pretty awesome to the Grand Prize!

200 invitations of any design from the Song 3:4 Library Collection!

Package includes: Invitation Card, Response Card, and white Envelope. Visit song34.com or call 701.799.1765 for more details on your prize.

Invitation prize is for up to 200 invites from the Song 3:4 Library Collection. If a smaller quantity is desired, any balance may not be transferred to another product. Prize can only be used by the Katie Lewis Photography 2011 Wedding Photography Giveaway winner and may not be transferred to another person. If more than 200 invites are ordered or a custom design is desired, the normal listed price for the final order will be subtracted from the listed price for 200 library invitations

Here are the nominees:

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1. Krystal Gamache (22) + Justin Downey (25)

Wedding Date + Location: August 20th, 2011 in North Reading, Massachusetts

How the couple met + their love story: Justin and I are high school sweethearts. We met in November 2003 in the trainer’s room at our high school. Because we were both athletes, we would causally run into each other. Eye contact turned into playful flirting and playful flirting turned into a potential life long relationship. I never knew that those days in gym would change my whole life forever. I secretly would change around my route to class just so I could pass by him in the hall. Funny enough, he admitted to doing the same. A few months later we made our relationship official when he asked me to be his girlfriend the night of  my Junior Semi-Formal in 2004. Ever since then we have been inseparable. I couldn’t ask for a more loving and caring fiance.

Why does the couple deserve this prize? I feel as though we deserve this prize because I believe that I would appreciate the time and effort you put into taking the pictures a lot more than anyone else. Growing up, photography was always a passion of mine. I worked at a photography studio for a few years, and nothing beats the excitement on the parents’ faces when you capture the small moments in their children’s life. I know the feeling that you must get when you see the reactions on the families faces when you show them their pictures from their wedding. I have been looking hard for a certain photographer who can capture the moments that will last a lifetime and after seeing your style of photography, I would love to have you as our wedding photographer. Justin and I are at a tough time in our lives because we have just bought a house and are on a strict budget. After purchasing the house, we realize that maybe it could have waited because of the amount of work we need to put into it before we move in. It has been a month since we bought the house and we are still not even close to being able to live in it. It kills me that we have yet to book a photographer because of our budget. Having a photographer that can take unique, beautiful pictures is on of the most important parts of my wedding. Knowing that I can’t afford to spend thousands on a photographer that I am confident will do a great job is really stressing me out. I feel as though we deserve this prize because I will value your work and what you do more than any other  bride.

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2. Ashley Heitkamp (26) + Jeff “Wally” Wallgren (34)

Wedding Date + Location: July 16th, 2011 in Hankinson, ND

How the couple met + their love story: I met Wally through mutual friends in 2006. At that time, Wally was in Fargo on a temporary basis to be near his father who was battling cancer. After a long and hard fight, his father passed away in March of 2006. After spending a few months with his family, he began making plans to move back to Colorado. I was also in Fargo on a temporary basis. I was leaving for Milwaukee, WI to attend law school in August of 2006. Needless to say, the timing couldn’t have been worse! I decided that Wally was a fun summer boyfriend….someone to hang out with until we both went our separate ways. However, when August rolled around, Wally told me that he didn’t have any intention of being further away from me than he had to. So Wally took a permanent job in Fargo, I moved to Milwaukee, and we decided to start a long distance relationship…so much for the ‘fun summer boyfriend’!

Over the next two years (I moved back to fargo for my third year of law school in order to be closer), Wally and I made the long distance relationship work. We talked on the phone every night and texted every morning. We often met in Minneapolis and took turns driving in order to be with each other. Together we have been there for each other through some of the most trying times of our lives. Wally always knew how to cheer me up when law school got the best of me, and I did my best to help him through the pain of losing his father. What I learned is that love is not a fairytale. We don’t always show each other our best selves, but we take life as it comes and we handle the problems together.

Why does the couple deserve this prize? I believe that we deserve this prize because we are the kind of people that knows nothing, especially your wedding, turns out exactly the way you expect. However, the one thing we both know is that we want our wedding photos to capture as many ‘close-to-perfect’ moments as possible so that we will have something to remember as we begin tackling the next challenges in our lives together.

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3. Nicole Tremel (32) + Dana Pausch (28)

Wedding Date + Location: January 7th, 2011 in Fargo, ND

How the couple met + their love story: TMZ-ND is being bombarded with sources claiming that a January 7th, 2011 wedding date has been set for the beautiful Nichole Tremel and her main man, Dana Pausch. Sources go on to report that Pausch popped the question in early June with a mint-on-the-pillow style surprise.

Gossip followers will recall that Tremel, 32, and Pausch, 28, first met back in 2004 at a ‘den of love’ (aka – a bar) in Bloomington, MN. Pausch truly did spot her across a crowded room, but it was some time later when he finally asked for her digits. Insiders close to the couple say that Pausch was very shy at first and kept bringing friends along on their first dates.

Apparently that didn’t scare off Miss Tremel, who has called herself a ‘bit of a couger’ and has been heard referring to Pausch as, “the nicest man I’ve ever known. He’s also honest, fun, hard-working, kind, handsome, patient and a snappy dresser.”

Our source also says that Pausch was blown away by Tremel’s smile and personality and he knew he simply could not live without her.

A ‘tacky-chic’ theme is being planned as our star couple balances budget, creativity and fun.

Why does the couple deserve this prize? This celebrity couple news is being reported by Heather LeMoine, cousin of the groom-to-be who feels Nichole Tremel and Dana Pausch both deserve this prize and would be so honored and grateful to win it. “They have one of those special kinds of love, the kind that shows through support for one another, tender touches and laughter. The kind that’s timeless. And secondly, they would be a photographer’s dream – they are gorgeous, fun, spontaneous and true characters!”

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4. Annie Mitchell (25) + Ben Henriksen (25)

Wedding Date + Location: February 8th, 2011 in Barbados

How the couple met + their love story: Annie and Ben’s love story was right out of the movies; however it wasn’t your typical romance film. Their love story was based in the movie ‘Employee of the Month’. Two people from small towns, moving to the Fargo area to attend school. Ben was working at Sam’s Club when Annie first started. He had a crush on Annie the moment they met. He spent the next few months trying to impress Annie at work with his smooth moves and his great work ethic. In the end he won her over, and her heart.

Why does the couple deserve this prize? Annie and Ben have been together for over three years, and they have had their ups and downs. However, they have always been there for each other. Ben will be graduating from college in the fall and begin working in an IT department for a national company. Annie currently works at Innovis Health. They both work hard in their communities volunteering and are always there offering support and love for their families. We are so blessed and honored to call them apart of our family.

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5. Lindsey Tone (23) + Ryan Sharpe (24)

Wedding Date + Location: October 1st, 2011 in Winnipeg, Manitoba

How the couple met + their love story: Ryan and Lindsey first met in high school, during grade ten. Their love began as a friendship, when Ryan was introduced to Lindsey through a mutual friend. They had many common interests; both loved being active, playing sports, being with friends and family and just plain having fun. They remained only acquaintances however, until the second semester of their final high school year. It was at this point when the sparks started flying. Ryan and Lindsey went on several dates and together found a new church to attend, which brought them even closer together. They attended high school graduation together, just a few short months after becoming ‘official’. And together they began a new phase in their lives.

In the fall of 2004, they both began school at the University of Manitoba, Ryan studying geology and Lindsey linguistics. One thing that solidified their budding relationship was the fact that they were growing together, but in their own ways. Together they matured, leaning on one another through good times and bad.

Lindsey quickly realized that she wanted to pursue a Master’s degree in Speech- Language Pathology after her undergraduate, something that was not offered in Manitoba. So in 2008, she moved to Fargo, ND to attend school. This was an extremely hard transition, having never lived away from home (and Ryan) before. As much as Lindsey believed she did not have the strength or ability to flourish on her own, Ryan knew otherwise. He was a constant source of encouragement, pushing Lindsey to follow her dreams no matter what. Ryan’s chosen career path also took him away from home quite often, adding to the goodbyes. When Lindsey returned to Winnipeg in the summer-time, Ryan would be away once again, working as a geology student in the northern regions of the province. These two could never be in the same city at the same time!

This summer on June 5, 2010, Ryan popped the question. In keeping with the wedding theme, it was not just any engagement story. No, Ryan knew that after 6 years it would have to be one heck of a proposal! So he took Lindsey to Minneapolis on a surprise weekend trip. He kept her in the dark, driving there with a Google map to some mysterious destination while she anticipated the surprise with excitement. Next thing she knew, Ryan was pulling into the airport. He pulled up to a hanger and there it was, a surprise helicopter ride! Lindsey was so excited as she had never been in a helicopter before, and couldn’t wait for the tour above the city. Then halfway through the ride, Ryan distracted Lindsey a bit from the view! He took out the ring he had hidden in his pocket and proposed to his best friend that day. Although nerves prevented him from actually hearing the answer before he slid on the ring, she said yes! Flying through the air, sharing a wonderful, exciting day they began yet another phase in their lives!

Why does the couple deserve this prize? From nominator Jillian Leach -  I have known Lindsey and Ryan for the last year. The first time I saw these two together, the first thing I noticed was the way Ryan looked at Lindsey. He looks at her like no other girl is in the room. Even though they have been together for six years, Lindsey and Ryan still look like they are in the ‘honeymoon’ part of their relationship. They have both been focused on their academics over the past few years and that will soon be coming to an end and they will get to start their married life together. I believe they deserve BEAUTIFUL pictures to document their love on their special day, but I know coming out of graduate school, it is hard to afford a talented photographer that would give them the quality pictures they deserve.

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6. Kim Haught (28) + Jeremy Busch (32)

Wedding Date + Location: November 11th, 2011 in Fargo, ND

How the couple met + their love story: Jeremy and I met at work. We started out as friends and were involved in the same work book club (this sounds so nerdy!). We were out with a group of co-workers one night and I played the classic “I don’t know how to play pool” card. After ruffling his ego, I embarrassed myself by making a silly comment about us getting married and our last names. Needless to say, I must have done something right that night because he asked me out the next day and our first date was a double date with my parents (poor guy). We have been together since November 2009. I knew I was going to marry him about two months after we started dating.

Jeremy and I have very different hobbies and interests. I enjoy watching sports and being a homebody. Jeremy enjoys being outdoors and active. He would love to go camping or hiking, where my dream vacation is laying on a white sandy beach somewhere tropical. With all of our differences though, we make each other laugh and keep each other sane. Not to mention, he rubs my feet EVERY night. Yes, every night.

I have a son. Before we started dating, Jeremy did not think he wanted children. He is wonderful with Mauer and there is nothing more that I love than watching them play together. I didn’t know it was possible to have everything.

My mother suddenly passed away two months ago. She was my best friend. She would have been my Matron of Honor. My engagement ring is actually made with her diamond. Her and Jeremy also became close and she loved him dearly. Jeremy lost his mother when he was 13 years old. He has been such a comfort for me and my family. He understands the emotions and thoughts and at the same time, gives me my space to grieve by myself. Right after my mom passed away, we (me, Jeremy and my son) moved in with my father. I can’t even begin to describe the gratitude and love I have for Jeremy for this. He never questioned or hesitated our decision to move. He just knew it was the best decision. Every day is a struggle still but I am forever blessed.

Why does this couple deserve this prize? We deserve this prize because we represent “sweet love”. Who doesn’t want to see pictures of that?! You won’t find a happier couple. Jeremy is finishing his last year studying for his master’s degree and I am taking online courses for my bachelor’s degree. This prize will do wonders for our wedding budget! Plus, we are opening up our Vegas honeymoon to family and friends the weekend after the wedding. The more shopping money, the better!

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7. Katie Kilander (27) + Bill Egan (31)

Wedding Date + Location: August 13th, 2011 in Fargo, ND

How the couple met + their love story: We met at a mutual friends birthday party, when both of us were in other relationships. After our first conversation we both knew the relationships we were in weren’t the ones. Two months later we ran into each other again and have been falling more in love ever since…not that we don’t want to smack each other some days but the majority of days, I am so happy to have met my match!

Why does the couple deserve this prize? I don’t know how to answer this one. The rest of the questions have been easy to become a writer about but why we deserve anything is hard to say. I have looked through all of your pictures and love your honest and artistic approach to photography. Winner or not I would love to talk to you about shooting our wedding. As to us deserving this, we truly love each other and have so much fun being together. I can’t wait to become Katie Egan and look forward to having amazing pictures to look back at a major chapter in our lives. We have gone through highs and lows in our relationship and our ability to weather and celebrate all of these together has been integral to our relationship. I know on my side, I love that we can laugh at the stupidest of each other’s jokes, but will call each other on our bullshit at any point in time.

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