A few weeks ago I twittered… Who wants to shoot our next cover? After a overwhelming response, we decided to open this opportunity up. I wrote this post asking for photographers and designers to submit proposals for our next cover. Well, little did I know that my inbox (and mailbox … wow, y’all are creative!) would completely explode shortly after. Huge thanks to everyone who took the time to submit their creatives. We were completely blown away by the vision and passion that went into each submission. Seriously, I had the hardest time narrowing this down (as you can tell by how long it has taken me to choose!). I had a lot of help taking this from 200+ to an handfull and discovered some new talent that took my breath away.
Each of these finalists is guaranteed to be published either in print or in an exclusive online series after the issue debuts. Flosites is working hard on Southern Weddings 2.0 and we can’t wait to have these shoots featured on its brand spakin’ new pages! We expect that many of the images produced from these shoots will be chosen as legacy images- permanent fixtures on the new SW site. Our deadline for final image selection is fast-approaching, so we expect not everyone will be able to complete this assignment. We do have a very long alternate list if one of these photographers is unable to produce their shoot. Details and deadlines will be emailed out this week. Without further ado, congratulations to the following photographers and designers who will be given an all-access pass to our team for help with styling tips and inside info on what we are looking for.
In no particular order:
Christine Farah
Kristen Weaver
Josh Malahy and Christopher Confero
Victor Sizemore
Anna Kim
Melissa Schollaert
Brooke Courtney
Mandy & Me
Gina Zeidler
Marie Labbancz
Joey and Jessica
Paul Johnson
Skip Hopkins
Vue Photography
Cameron Powell
Congratulations! We’ll be emailing you all the details you’ll need this week. And to everyone else who submitted proposals: do not let this stop you from doing those shoots. If you produce your shoot, we’ll give your images top consideration for the online exclusive, so get to it! Remember: you miss 100% of the shots you never take.
xo
Lara (and Emily, Katharine + Whitney)
header :: (left to right) A Bryan Photo, unknown, Dewey Nicks, Aran Goya
Congrats to the last post’s Hawaii giveaway winners (chosen at random): Vari Avilla, Laura Brooks, and the newly-independent-from-cubicles-forever Dana aka The Broke-Ass Bride. Email me to claim your prizes, ladies.
Apparently I really like giveaways. This one is just because you don’t have to be a pro to have fun with film. Leave a comment here telling me what motivates you the most in life and win a Fujifilm Instax Mini! I love mine and am excited to see what the winner cooks up with theirs.
keep reading
125 Comments
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Holy GORGEOUSNESS! Im drooling over all of these. Its going to be spectacular.
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The desire to continually grow and better myself is what motivates me most. If I can be the best person I can be, it affects those around me in a positive way.
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What motivates me the most?
1. An early morning with a cup of my favorite coffee roast in hand.
2. Love. Love from the boy, love from the friends, love from the family.
3. Dance. I feel most alive when I’m dancing.
4. Creativity. Whether it is a piece of music or a breath-taking photograph, creativity inspires me to be more, to see more, to love more. -
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Well, nothing impacts my mood and can lift me up fast and higher than my favorite music. Right now, that includes the Glee soundtrack, Weezer, Journey, Bon Jovi, the Dixie Chicks to name a few. But I don’t think that is the type of response you are looking for, so here it really is: I need to get out of my 3rd floor condo and get a house with a yard so I can rescue more dogs. I can’t stand knowing dogs are euthanized every day because they have no home. It just destroys me. And so a home with a yard full of dogs is the end goal for me.
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Sweet!!! I can’t wait to start shooting!
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what motivates me the most in life is knowing no matter how hard I try (and a lot of times fail) I have the love of God and my (very soon to be) husband to keep me safe as I’m pushing toward my goals. although times are tough and my dreams aren’t in reach yet, I know that no one can take the love of either of them away from me!
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Can’t wait to see these shoots in print!
What motivates me most in life: big dreams and knowing that they are reachable. My Momma always told me that I can do anything with enough hard work and I’ve been working hard ever since.
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What motivates me most in life: family. My entire family motivates me to succeed in everything that I do. Can’t beat that kind of support.
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There are three things that most motivate me, 1. doing everything for the glory of God, 2. impressing my wife, 3. making my family proud.
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I am in LOVE with the simplicity and elegance of Kristen Weaver’s design!! It’s honestly creative people like these that motivate me!
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What motivates me most is adventure. Any time something feels like an adventure, I am in. I have learned to find and use small adventures in daily life as my motivators. What amazing creativity here, and an exciting give away! Thanks for the opportunity! XO
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What motivates me the most is a great piece of Scripture. The Word is always full of encouragement and purpose for me!
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More than anything, I am motivated by my future (currently non-existent) kids–to provide the best life possible I can for them one day. That drives me to do my best now and to push myself to be the very best version of myself I can be every single day.
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Thank you gals so much we are so beyond honored! This is huge!! Xoxo
-V -
What motivates me most has to be my surroundings. If I am feeling like I need a boost all I have to do is look to Mother Nature or a local ice cream stand or a thrift store or the farmers market. Wherever I am I find the most colorful, exciting, brilliant spot and immediately my mood will brighten and my motivation will out shine my lazy/unmotivated self.
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What motivates me the most is the lovely weather like we have been having recently up here in NYC! When the sun is shining and the temp is just right, I can’t help but want to get up early and go seize the day!
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I’m general I’m motivated by things I’m focused on at any given time.
Right now, these are my motivations:
My students motivate me.
Paint motivates me.
My wedding motivates me.
The 60 blogs I follow motivate me. -
Wow, what motivates me?
1. The love of God
2. The love of my family
3. The excitement and anticipation of what will happen today!
4. Asking myself “What’s next?”
5. The thrill of life – the ultimate “adventure”! -
What motivates me is to wake up each morning and realize how blessed and lucky I am. I work in the hospital part-time and I know only too well how very short life can be. I also realize that God has blessed me with talents that are special to me. I’m motivated to not waste them and to use them for good and for my life to mean something, no matter how hard it may be. I’m motivated to leave the world more beautiful and with more hope than before I entered it.
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What motivate me?? ….well knowing that you have “never never to give up hope”, and everything that is a “labour of love”!!
Paola
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What motivates me the most is myself and those around me. I like to surround myself with people that are accomplishing great things, not so I measure myself against them, but so I am motivated to find what I’m great at and share it with them.
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What motivates me is the prescence of the Lord in all I do. Then my 4 wonderful grandchildren who are the love of my life. In fact today is the 2nd grandsons birthday…Happy birthday Griffin……..and of course the chance to win this fun camera…I so love instant pics!!!
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I guess I need to get on the ball to get my stuff in next time…. in the meantime, Id love the instax… too fun!
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I’m SOOO bummed I didn’t do a submission now! I totally overthought it and assumed I had to put in photos that I had taken…as opposed to collecting photos and collaging them for a concept. Wow, I guess I don’t follow directions! 🙂 SOOO stoked to see what you ladies do with these fantastic talents! 🙂 Oh, and what motivates me? My hatred for my desk job. I want to be freeeeee! 🙂
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I am motivated most by choice. The fact that I can be whoever I want to be. Go where I want. Do what I want. Change my vision for life and the world. That I have the choice to be who I want to be…and I’m ok with the fact that I am always evolving, changing, morphing.
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Making people happy makes me happy 😉 I love to make people smile because I feel like I made their day just a little bit better. I am always up for helping someone. Helping them motivates me to help both myself and lots more people… it’s a never-ending cycle 😉
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What motivates me?
1) Love!,
2) To be a positive person and make a difference in the world,
3) Dancing, and
4) As far as photography goes, textures and sunsets. -
What motivates me most in life is the beating of my heart, of knowing I’m alive, of knowing I’m in life, of knowing when I’m healthy and feel good. My heart tells me everything and it motivates me daily to be true to myself and be kind of others and have compassion for the earth and all my surroundings. My heart is a very good person and and a very good motivator and I hope I can live up to it’s standards! <3
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What motivates me? 1) my kids 2) colors 3) morning run and 4) MUSIC!!!! Sounds fun to me 🙂 P.S. I could use an extra instax.. the kids keep stealing mine
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What motivates me? Accepting that “life is but a vapor.” Remembering that I must cherish each day, here and now — believing that only what is done for Christ will last. Continually learning and growing while loving deeply, from the heart. And lastly, treasuring humanity and the good that remains.
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Being happpppy is what motivates me. Doing what I love, being with people I love, eating good food, enjoying the outdoors. That’s what makes me happy 🙂
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Opportunity. Each day holds something new and I can’t wait to see what unfolds.
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Overall…what motivates me most is my faith in Jesus. I have faith He leading me through this life. Period. He has provided me with meaningful relationships and a great job which also motivate me.
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It’s hard to say what really motivates me. I’m so content with life, I keep myself motivated from within, so that I can maintain that balance of peace & happiness I have now.
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excited to see what all these talented photographers create!
what inspires me the most? ::: dreaming with my husband. thinking about what our lives will look like in 5,10,50 years from now… xo! nancy -
My biggest motivation is life is taking care of my hubbie.
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What motivates me the most is the legacy of my creative Mom! Every time I come to a crossroads in my business I find myself listening to her voice about following my dreams and accomplishing my goals. Uber motivating and amazingly emotional! 🙂
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My dreams motivate me. I want so much out of life. When I set a goal for myself, it motivates me to get it done!
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I’m motivated by the fact that God gave me a talent, a healthy body, a wonderful spouse, and a supportive family. To waste these blessings would be a travesty.
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God. He completely motivates me in every way. 🙂
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Ah! I have been swooning over this camera from some time now. Crossing fingers it will be mine! To answer the question, my faith in God and my desire to not let things conquer me are my motivators. God + hard work = greatness.
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Tough question because so much motivates me! I’d have to say helping others though, even if it sounds corny! I’m motivated to run, for instance so I can show others they can run too! Great giveaway! My fingers are crossed!!
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What motivates me the most is… myself! My family and friends may support my dreams a little, but they can never see the big picture like I do. They don’t completely understand what I want, where I want to be, and what it will take to make me happy. I want to change the world, travel far, and love people nonstop. I constantly have to remind myself that it IS possible. That I can do whatever I want. I refuse to let anyone get in the way of my dreams. They can’t stop me. I’m my on motivation.
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My children motivate me. They are the driving force behind so much that I do and a tremendous source of joy and inspiration. All that I do, I do for them. Giving them a life filled with new experiences and praying that their life is one filled with purpose, laughter, and great love drives all that I do.
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lara, how will you guys ever choose just one?!! can’t wait to see the end result! would love for you guys to go with more of a new/undiscovered photographer!!
what motivates me!? to be honest, knowing that life is short. too short. everyday is an opportunity to tackle something new, build better relationships and not stress over the daily drama in life. xo -
I’m very competitive, though not the least bit athletic, so I’ve always been motivated by the desire to ‘WIN.’ I want to be successful in my job, or whatever position I’m in, for both my own personal satisfaction and for all parties involved.
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I am motivated by the desire to be the best person I can.
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Love motivates me daily. Love for life itself, love for my fiance, love for my family, love for my friends, love for adventure…I could go on forever! ( My fiance always laughs because I’m constantly saying “I love that!!”)
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I’m most motivated by nice people. There is something about nice people, especially my love. Niceness always motivates me to go above and beyond. It is amazing what a courteous greeting and a smile can get you.
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I am most motivated by my husband who is so wonderful that he inspires me to try to be better everyday.
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I can not wait to see how all of these delightful inspirations come to life!
What motivates me most is the abundance of the world. There is so much to see and discover and create. There is such endless, unimaginable beauty and goodness in the world. I just want to pick little pieces of it every day, to stuff my pockets full of happy moments and then go out and press them into the palms of everyone I meet. It’s as though the wonder of the world expands every single day and I can not get enough. 🙂 -
What motivates me the most: Knowing that in a few years, I will have a college degree!
Also, the hope that God will someday give me a loving family of my own! 🙂 -
I am most motivated by the endless possibilities that await each of us every day. We all have the choice to take whatever path we want and I am overwhelming motivated by the amazing lives we all lead and the great choices others make every day to make life better for others. These choices, possibilities and people are what motivate me continuously.
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So super excited about your new cover! I’m having a little Panhandle pride as VUE Photography and Paul Johnson made it into the finalists!
Nothing motivates me more than feeling inspired and creative!
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knowing i have the love of an amazing man…
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What motivates me. My wife who supports me. My daughter who loves me. The fact that I’m alive and breathing motivates me. The fact that I was given this talent motivates me.
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Vacation motivates me. It revitalizes me and makes me feel like I can do anything!
What a fab giveaway. Thanks for the opportunity 🙂
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I love love love Southern Weddings and can’t wait to see all the creativity from the cover finalists!
What motivates me? The sacrifices made by parents, their parents, and beyond to afford me the opportunities I have today. The work of teachers who pushed me to do more. My soon-to-be husband who loves unconditionally and reminds me that he still thinks I’m the best even when I think I’m at my worst.
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I want to do and know it all…I want to be great…and only I can make that happen.
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I am motivated by my 2 little girls – I want them to love big and to never settle for average. I try to live it everyday, in the hope that they will be inspired by what I do.
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the visual world motivates me.
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I read this post yesterday and have been wracking my brain to try and figure out what exactly motivates me and try to understand why I do what I do and then it hit me. Being a photographer it is hard to narrow my motivation down to a simple thing. However, it is a simple thing that truly motivates me to strive and work hard to master my craft.
There are actually two things that I truly love about photography, The first is Making people appreciate themselves for who they are, I can barely contain myself when a client looks at their images whether its from a wedding, engagement, portrait session, anything and truly loves the way they look and feel in their images, I love it when an image provokes them to reminisce and re experience those moments because in photography you truly can study an image to give you that feeling, from the way their feet sit naturally to the slight hand holding all the details are there for them to notice down the road. The second thing that I cherish about what I do and this is my main motivation is teling other peoples stories through my vision. No matter who it is, an editorial piece on a family in a rough patch or a full day wedding from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. I strive to shoot it as if the viewer is there watching the events unfold, Capturing people and their weakest and strongest moments all within a single day nearly kills me every single time but what brings me back is the experience, I am in the moment with whoever I am shooting, I am going through the same gamut of emotions, I am apart of their day, I am an honorary member of the family even if its just for that day, This to me is the single greatest feeling on earth both in the good times and bad times bringing people together and building a connection with a total stranger all through a camera. This is what motivates me. -
Progress motivates me. Hindsight. Being able to look back on how far I’ve come and visualize where I can propel myself to in the future.
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I am motivated the most by a quiet house, a good thunderstorm, and a Starbucks peppermint mocha!
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Whether carving out a niche at work or going for a run…i’m motivated by adventuring down a new trail with a fresh playlist and that jittery uncertainty of what’s coming next!
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how exciting for all the nominees! so fun.
Jesus and my family motivate me most. I want to be my very best for my husband and kiddos and I can only be my best through Christ, so I guess they go hand in hand.
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What motivates me??
My zeal and love for something more than what this world has to offer. The zeal for the joy and peace only the One who created me can give. Knowing there is something amazing in store for me motivates me, daily.
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What motivates me?
-Time. It’s a constant ticking clock that reminds me to keep moving and never stand still.
-Ben and Jerry’s, Phish Food ice cream. The taste of melting chocolate fish within a caramal marshmallow glaze gives me joy (especially after a long run).
– Goal Setting. There is no greater personal accomplishment than being able to check something off and say “I reached my goal.”
-L<3ve between my closest family and friends. -
what motivates me? the newness i sense every morning i wake up. the endless beauty that is worthy of capturing in which way i can. and most of all the seemingly meaningless things i can do for others that seem to really change their world. yes!
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I am motivated by the number 21.
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What motivates me most is my boyfriend 🙂 He works so hard and if it weren’t for him I would have never been able to start my wedding photography business… he bought my super awesome full frame camera!
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What motivates me most is my God, my husband and my sons. No matter how many times I let myself down or “get kicked off the horse”, my family gives me reason to put both feet on the floor each morning and God allows me to let the world know that I’m still in the business of living. : )
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I saw your tweet about motivation. Nothing is more motivating to me than, especially when I am feeling like I am worthless, to look at my two daughters. Their 100% trust in me to care and provide for them, without a second thought, is so inspiring… if only we all believed in ourselves like our children do! Every day is like a challenge to live up to that superhero pedestal they put you on, and wow, that puts a fire under me!!
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What motivates me the most is the continual challenge and quest to be able to completely understand light.
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Daily: the incredibly clear twinkle in my baby boy Jedidiah’s eyes when he looks at his older brother JK (that freakin rocks my world) – such adoration and love, and I can only hope to somehow convey that same authenticity to my friends, clients and everyone I meet.
Overall: the passion of Jesus for ME motivates me to be passionate in all that I do!
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Hands down Paul and Mecheal Johnson! The photos they take capture the essence of weddings. Their “life” snapshots epitomize vibrant color and those unexpected moments that with other photographers may just be lost in time.
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God.
Family & friends.
Books.
Chocolate! 🙂 -
I’m motivated by the desire to never have to depend on anyone else by myself to keep a roof over my head and food in my belly.
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I am motivated by my dreams and the possibility of achieving them. The beau motivates and inspires me to be a better person and the puggle motivates me to love more freely!
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I’m motivated by the idea that I can make my world and the world around me incrementally better and more beautiful with just a little bit of effort every day.
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What motivates me is the same thing that inspires me…the chance to always be GREAT and do something for the greater GOOD.
Great giveaway BTW!!!
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So many things motivate me, especially this year. I started off by attending MTH2010, which was a HUGE motivator! My family, friends, husband and those closest to me motivate me on a daily basis. I have also found ways to motivate myself with inspiring photos, stories and conversations. Motivation is EVERYWHERE, you just have to find what works best for you. 🙂
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I am a huge lover of beautiful things! They motivate me to capture their essence as best I can; people, places, animals.. their own individual beauty motivates me to continue to find beauty in everything 🙂
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where I live (Hawaii), Grace Coddington’s editorials (Vogue), fashion magazines, other photographers, my kids
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What motivates me most is my husband. He is my biggest fan and with him by my side I know I can conquer the world. I wouldn’t be in this business or pursuing my passion if it weren’t for him.
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What motivates me everyday pure and simply is life and being able to wake up another day to experience the good, the bad, the sometimes difficult but always challenging and equally rewarding thing that I call my life. I go to bed everyday thankful that I was able to live another day and I wake up with the motivation to do it again and be inspired by everyday things and all the people I will encounter and will touch a part of my life in any single moment. The Instax will just help me capture some of those inspiring and motivating things, remember them as well as be able to hand a picture to a complete stranger or friend to make them smile. I am motivated everyday because this is the only life I got, one day it will end…who knows when, so I am going to enjoy every possible second of it because there is someone, somewhere who is unable to get out of that bed like I do everyday. So to sum it up my motivation is pure and simple living 🙂
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What motivates me:
1.)A crisp cool morning with the sun just rising…sitting out on my back deck just hearing God’s creation waking. Sipping on coffee and taking in all the sounds and sights around me.
2.) My love for God
3.) The desire to be the best husband to my wife and the best father to my daughter. -
I am motivated by seeing hard work pay off, especially when that work is something I am passionate about!
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I take it one day at a time and am motivated by the sheer will to live my dream.
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Freedom motivates me. Freedom to dream, be inspired, inspire others… Freedom to love and be loved. Life is so beautiful when you have freedom and allow yourself to be who you are and deserve to be.
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when I other people kicking butt at what they do… that is what motivates me to be better!
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What motivates me is knowing I was made by a Creator God, and wanting to honor Him by using the creativity He’s given me.
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I’m super clumsy, so the more I trip, fall or ruin my clothes from the coffee I spill, the more I need motivation. laughing at myself does that, and it certainty carries into other aspects of my life.
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1. wanting to make the most of all the big and little gifts God has given me
2. being the best example of living life to the fullest that I can be for my 2 little babies
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Things that motivate me: Beautiful things! Eye candy! I get so inspired just by looking at what’s around me. My husband motivates me with his creativity and his intense drive to create. And also, I am motivated by a need for work- aka money! I don’t think it’s wrong to be motivated by survival, as long as you’re passionate about what you do in the first place! ha. 🙂
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I’m motivated by picturing positive result in my head
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I am motivated by my God, my family, and my COMPETITIVE spirit!! The latter can get the best of me sometimes!!! Haha =)
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Can’t wait til this issue is out! All these photos are dee-licious!
What motivates is that fire that passion brings, my husband and of course my parents who left me always wanting more!
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I used to be immobilized by fear. Then I woke up and realized that it was robbing me from experiencing life. I vowed then to live and if that meant falling on my face at least I tried! The passion for life is what motivates to try again and again! If I fail I fail but I can lay my head on my pillow knowing I failed with gusto!
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Great picks! I am motivated by laughter. To laugh each day for the rest of my life and to share that laughter with everyone around me. The world is healed with a laugh and a smile. 🙂
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My son is the light of my life and my motivation. He keeps me grounded and makes me want to be a better person so I can be a good example for him when he grows up.
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I’m motivated by the little one growing in my belly right now! I have been unhappy at my day job and wanting to expand my blog into doing something I love to do, and I’m more motivated than ever to do that now that I’m bringing a little one into this world. That and love. Baby and hubby. Those are my motivations.
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The hope of what’s to come is what motivates me. Faith that I’m safe and life is merely practice for eternity.
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i am totally a results-motivated gal. when i see what i want starting to work…it helps me work even harder. by, i’m also motivated by relationships. those are what keep me going in the right direction when the results are slow to come.
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i am motivated by exploring new cities, locations and places. there is nothing like the invigorating feeling of walking down a new street and soaking up all of its beauty! translating this to my photography, i’m sure you can see the clear connection! it’s so exciting <3
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Knowing that I can live the best life possible is a powerful motivator for me. I believe that God has given me the power to create the life I want. I life full of joy, fulfillment and love. Things are not always easy and right now they are not exactly the way I want but I know that if I keep going that better times are coming. I love to experience new things and to see others experience new things. This is a life source for me.
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Survival. Survival motivates me because if I don’t make my wedding photography business work, then I have to go back to a 9-5 job that I hate and I know will make me miserable the rest of my life. My life right now is at a crossroads, and I really live paycheck to paycheck (or wedding to wedding). The day I have no money because of no jobs, will mean that I have to go back to “work.” That reality, motivates me every day to work my business, meet new people and work on my craft.
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I am motivated by Joy… Joy of being with family and friends and the Joy of being content today where I am right now and the Joy the future will bring!
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My relationship with my fiance, my relationship with my little sisters and my parents are all huge motivators for me. As the oldest, I am devoted to showing my family that you can do everything you want and be happy.
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My biggest motivation is my family, nothing makes me happier than when they are proud of me!
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Living the life I have dreamed of since I was a young girl, happiness and love-true love, I know it’s out there because I have seen it firsthand.
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My biggest and greatest motivation is my family. Family I have now and family I will have in the future. Pushing myself to ensure that I will be able to provide for my family and give them a strong sense of security is such a huge motivation. I don’t even have kids yet, but I want to start taking care of them now and make sure they live a healthy, fun life and go onto college or whatever they dream to do and make something great come of it. For as long as I live, I will be motivated by my family.
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if i am being honest. coffee.
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Honestly, what motivates me is when I see someone else accomplish something amazing!!!! Not out of jealousy at all, but sometimes it takes inspiration from other to realize I CAN do this! I LOVE seeing what other people do and then drawing ideas and motivation from it! Even if it’s not in my line of work. (Prime example – Lara Casey! You go girl!)
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How awesome! I just love the cover finalists 🙂 I wanted to ask if you know where that blue ring in the very top photo is from. Its gorgeous!! I’ve been looking for something just like it 🙂
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Bummer! I was really hoping you’d know 🙂 haha. Oh well. Thank you anyway!
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What motivates me is knowing that everything I do and say impacts others, so I live with the notion that by being positive and uplifting, my actions and words can help others!