*photo by Blue Lily Photography
Last week I was checking out my google reader and kept coming across the story of Stephanie and Christian (you can see all about it HERE and HERE). They are the parents of 4 beautiful kids ranging from age 1-6. They were recently involved in a plane crash and are in critical condition with burns on 80% of their body. I have never met this family, but my heart goes out to them. My wife and I have 4 little ones as well, and as a husband and father I can't imagine what their entire family is experiencing. As soon as I saw their story I wanted to do something to help. I'm a little late to be joining in on this. So I came up with something else. And along with your participation we can all help this family in a what could be a really big way.
ANNOUNCEMENT
For the month of Sept, all proceeds from every family session booked and all reprint orders from the sessions will be donated to the Nie Nie foundation which helps with the family's medical bills and recovery. Again, 100% of all proceeds will be donated to this family.
Here is the 411.
Family sessions are $250 which includes the sitting for up to 6 people. It is $25 per additional person. The session lasts 1 hour. It includes online hosting of all the images for 9 months along with a custom 8x10 print. All prints after the session are ordered a la carte. AGAIN, ALL REPRINT SALES ARE DONATED TO THIS FAMILY AS WELL.
This is a great opportunity to get that family pict you have been putting off AND at the same time be able to help this family in a big way. And for your tax guy, every penny you spend is completely deductible as a charitable contribution.
To book your session, please call me at 801.358.3151 or email me at jonathan{at}jonathancanlasphotography{dot}com.
***UPDATE***
I've had some inquiries for out of state sessions. I am available for travel to do these session on a limited basis. First, it would have to be mid-week as I have weddings every weekend in Sept. There also must be at least 4 families lined up for sessions. Travel fees apply.
I will be in Denver/Fort Collins on the 15th/16th and in Chico/Sacramento on the 26th-28th.
How many sessions am I doing? I do have 5 weddings in Sept but other than that it is completely up to you. The goal is to raise 10k for this family (crazy I know but totally attainable). And the good news is, if that goal is reached, each participating family receives a disc of their session.
Again, this promotion goes for the whole month of September. Now, lets get crackin at some family picts!
If you don't need a family picture and still want to help, you can donate directly by clicking the icon below.
71 comments:
I'm really really impressed by this addition to the cause. I wish I had a family, and I wish I lived in Utah. I would book with you in a heartbeat :)
Jonathan ... This is amazing and so generous of you! I would love to be a part of this, but I live an 8 hr drive away in CO. If I could get a certain number of families to commit here, would you consider traveling for a fee???
I will be in Denver/Fort Collins on Sept 15th/16th. And if that does not work out, if we can get a handful of people together, I'll go anywhere as long as the travel fee is covered. Drop me a line!
What a lovely, generous contribution!!!
Now it's time for me to organize the troops so we can book a session!
I don't know this family either, but I get huge goose bumps whenever I hear about them. I'm happy to hear about their family here. I'm also very happy to see families everywhere working to help this family. I'll do what I can to spread the word.
Great idea Jon. You are a good dude.
Jon,
I have been following this family too and am so thrilled that you are doing this. I don't think you will ever know how many lives you touch with your generosity and love.
Thanks for being such a rock star.
I will spread the word.
Hannah
awesome, jon. i hope you get lots of bookings and meet your goal. a session for us is out of the question, as we are off to barbados again in two weeks, but i'll donate via the link. thanks for spreading the word.
Jonathan...I have to say I am completely overcome with emotion right now. I don't know the family either but have become quite consumed with their story. Your willingness to do this is so much more than generous. I have wanted a photoshoot with you for years...now that I can have that (after talking to my husband...of course :)) and help with this cause...I am over the moon. You are an amazing person.
What a generous thing to do, very cool. If you find yourself in Ireland let me know, I'd fill a spot!
You're an amazing photographer and an amazing person. What a combo. If I wasn't out of the country right now I'd be setting something up! :)
Jon you never cease to amaze us! Deboro and I are expecting at the end of Sept and would love to have you take our first family portrait and contribute to this cause. We'll shoot you an email to set something up.
Deboro say's to tell you that you are "the bomb.com" for doing this.
Are you kidding me Jonathan? I know I've said it before, but this just seals the deal... you are my hero!!!
I'm linking you through my blog for family sessions in September when I have my baby.
you are awesome- so generous and a great example! I'm thrilled that you are doing this.
Wendy from blue lily photography (who took that pic you are using!)
I am amazed at how generous this offer is. I hope you get to your goal, what a difference that could make for the Nielsons!
(I thought I'd let you know where the family portrait came from so you can give credit to Blue Lily.)
photo credit appropriately given (sorry about that!!!)
and an update...
this post has been online for a little over 24 hours. right now, we have 4 families signed up with a handful of others getting times/dates lined up to make it work. Leo will be helping out as well if this gets as crazy busy as I think it will become.
thank you all for wanting to help this wonderful family.
10k is TOTALLY attainable especially since your photography is worth SO MUCH MORE and with 100% of PROCEEDS (instead of profits, which are less)!!! YOU ROCK!!!
i am so touched by your AMAZING generosity - wow!!! thank you so much for offering your extreme talent - i know you'll be able to raise so much money to help their family!!!
can you come to NYC/Brooklyn?
PLEASE?
That is AWESOME Jonathan! I love your work and we are totally in need of a new family pic since our newest addition. I will be in touch!
Jonathan! Send font! We need to badge this up!
Just heard about this through Design Mom. I am totally impressed by your work and generosity!! Way to be.
Will I come to Brooklyn NYC? Will I go to Budapest? The answer is YES.
I do have limited availability but it is completely possible. You can check availability HERE.
However, we need at least 4 families lined up and the travel fee must be split over the 4 families to get me out there. AND the shoot MUST happen in the month of Sept.
I hope this helps!!!
so freaking awesome that you're doing this...
Done....I'm in...Let's book it. I will email you shortly!
Here are some answers to some questions I have received recently:
Can I use the shoot for a later date?
Yes, and no. The shoots must be booked this month and used this month. Thus the promotion for the whole month of Sept. HOWEVER, there are exceptions for military families. Please contact me directly.
Will you travel to (X) to do the session?
YES. However, there must be at least 4 families lined up to do the shoot. ALSO, the sessions must all take place in the same vicinity. In other words, if I head out to San Fran, the shoots must be in the same city, not in Oakland. There is a travel fee involved to cover my travel to each city. The total of the travel will be billed separately from the sessions.
Can I hire you to do a wedding/bridal/engagement/any other random shoot for a donation?
This is insanely generous of you but at this time, this promotion is for family sessions only that are booked in and shot in the month of Sept. Again, you can donate directly to the family HERE.
The response so far is OVERWHELMING. Leo Patrone has also offered to step in and help with sessions in the case that there is not enough of me to go around.
I live in Chicago and noticed you'd be here for a wedding in Oct. Any way you could squeeze my little family in then? How much would travel fees be?
John- how amazing of you! It's been a long time since we last ran into you and your wife. We still love the wedding photos you did for us and one day we will have to hire you again when you aren't so booked! Hello for the Calls
Very cool, Jonathan. Very cool!
wow... i love that you are doing this! so generous.
Anyone else from NYC? I'm totally in. emaial me if you are interested.
eryka_glover@hotmail.com
Jon - Drew Glover says hi!
We are in SF.. anyone else want in??? I will see what I can find out, otherwise, we will drive to Sacramento.....
I e-mailed-ed you...book us dood. You are an amazing person. So proud to know you.
We're also in San Francisco Bek and are definitely interested. How can we wrangle up at least 2 more families?
Hey I'm definitely interested in a San Francisco photo shoot as well! Lets find one more fam to make this happen!
Ok, San Fran folks!
Sept 22nd/23rd can work if we can get one more family!
Please email me and we can talk details.
The response so far has been overwhelming to say the least...
what an awesome idea! i would book you if i had a family! but we're not there yet.
What a wonderful way to contribute. My mom's been trying to organize a family photo for a while, maybe this will be the push she needs to actually get it done. Thank you.
I plan weddings - I am far away, but have a bride in June that I am working on who is interested in a film shot wedding. I cannot see how to email you though.
ann, you can reach me at:
801.358.3151
or
jonathan(at)jonathancanlasphotography(dot)com
hope that helps!
Wow, how generous of you! I'm sure the family is touched and humbled by your donation of time, talent, and financial gifts. God bless!
I am so impressed with your generousity. This family (extended as well) has touched the hearts of many. I cannot imagine where this story will go, but we are all blessed to learn of them. God bless you too! I wish I was closer (Boston) I would so want a pic!!
Absolutely amazing.
I am absolutely in for SW Idaho if we can find more families.
-Crissie
thefieldsfab5@aol.com
Another San Francisco-er here who wants in!
Please let me know if you come out East. Wash. DC area.
what a lovely and selfless thing for you to do...
dani (ky)
go jonathan!
i'm inspired by all that is happening to rally around this family in their time of need.
come to canada? someday? please?
Any one in the Dallas/Fort Worth area interested? Please :)
I just wanted to say this is a great thing you are doing! :o)
I live in the Denver area and would be interested while you are here on the weekend of the 16th. I can try to rally other families if it is necessary - if you don't already have enough families. You can email me at calcarlston@hotmail.com with more details or times that you have available while you are here.
Thank you for your generosity to the Nielson family
What a generous and kind sould you are.
You are awesome!
I'm in SC, so unfortunately I can't have you do our portraits, but I just wanted to say that I think it is AMAZING what you are doing!
What happened to this family is such a tragic thing. I have been keeping them in my thoughts and prayers daily. What an answer to prayers you are by being so generous and doing this. I can't even begin to imagine the endless amount of hospital bills there are and let alone the other daily finacial obligations that have been picked up by family. What a great way to help this family out!!! Your a great man for doing this!! :) Thank you!!!
Do you still have openings for the weekend you will be in Denver? I am interested in you shooting our family that weekend if there is availability still. Please let me know -- rachelamiller@hotmail.com.
Thanks.
Unbelievable - your generosity - it is TRULY overwhelming! I can't even properly type my message to you thru my tears.
I wish each and every day that those darling babies could have their momma back to tuck them in at night and whisper love stories in their precious little ears.
My heart just breaks for this lovely family. Thanks to YOU for doing this for them. How selfless and right.
Karen at lulufish.com
hi callie and jonathan!! i wish that we still lived in utah...i would snag your services in a heartbeat! i have been wanting to use you forever...now that my family is complete i would love to get some pics done. so if you are ever in austin, tx, let me know! we are in desperate need of a great family photo!
what a beautiful thing that you are doing...may you be blessed!!
I have been keeping up with this story and LOVE that you are doing this...beyond awesome! I will be checking your site daily to see if you will be close to central Texas anytimein Sept. If so I will book something!
The world needs more people like you!
Jonathan, Thank you soooooo much for being so willing to dedicate your time and energy to helping the Nielsen family. Also please thank your wife and children for being willing to have you gone for so long to do all these beautiful photo sessions. Bless you and your family!! :)
Your donation brings tears to my eyes!
I don't know the family either, but I do have a family member that does. My heart ached when I heard of the accident and what the poor kids must be feeling during this time.
You have a heart of gold. I pray that if something were to happen like this to anyone in my family that someone out there would be as generous as you.
May your heart be blessed today and evermore.
I added your link to one of my blogs.
alliebrownslayouts.blogspot.com
(check top right sidebar)
wow! really, wow!
dude. i need to call you and have pics of my cutest kids in the world taken anyway. and laura said you need to bring your brazilian photographer friend because i need a date ;)
email me or i'll try to call you.
tfeltenberger at hotmail dot com
love your guts!
Jon, you are following in your father's footsteps with your generosity and service. He would be very proud of the man that you are. I am too! It is a wonderful opportunity you have to give to a family in need. I love you, son.
Love you,
Mom
John- I saw your blog off following the Stephanie/Christian story. You are such a great guy anyway, but you are definitely a giver! Looks like you are still doing great. Good to see business is thriving! I may have to look you up to do family pics some day.
Kate Winsor (Kate Church...from the Colony days).
John-
You are such a great guy (and for doing this). That is so sweet to help out a family in need. I'll have to look you up for family pics some day.
Kate (Kate Church from the Colony days)
You Rock Jon.
Kudos to your parents on doing such a fine job...I want my sons to want do something like this one day.
bless you
anyone else in near lake michigan interested? (we live in northern Indiana, but can go to the chicago area or into michigan) the last family picture we had was three kids ago. would love to participate in this.
superbly generous of you.
Jon, when I get home would you consider letting Leo do a family portrait of your family while I pay for it?
Please?
Love,
Mom
Blue Lilly is from Temecula! I live in Temecula! Cool!
This is a great idea BTW!
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