**Share the Love Contest!!**

Announcing our first ever "Share the Love" Contest:
Its pretty easy~submit the name and a brief (short paragraph) statement and a photo about someone who deserves a complimentary package with Mary Hanson Photography!
I will accept unlimited entries and then we will have a blog vote as to who is most deserving. The winner gets a complimentary photo session plus a minimum of a $300 photo credit (thats a value of $550!) to be used for prints from the session.
(I'm a softie and might give more)
The person who submitted the winner gets a $100 photo credit, to be used towards a future session or prints.
FAQ:
Who can enter? Anyone can suggest a person for the contest, but the contest participant must be local to the Mpls/St. Paul metro area.
Who would be a good candidate? That's up to you: my blog readers. I had in mind someone who can't afford to have custom photos taken of their child(ren) but it could be also someone who has a special situation, or health issues or whatever. I've given a lot of pro-bono work away to needy people, but I'm putting it in YOUR hands to suggest my next project!
How to I enter someone? Simply email Mary their name, contact info, short paragraph and attach a small photo (quality doesn't matter a bit, just a snapshot or camera phone shot is fine!) and then wait for voting to begin.
If you have more questions, email Mary with them and I will answer them within this post!
Contest ends at 6pm Sun. April 6th, 2008.
Mary

Al Franken rally at the Capitol today...

I went to see one of my favorite people, Al Franken, speak at a rally today at the State Capitol. Al was announcing a whole slew of endorsements he received recently, and he gave a great speech as well. I am so excited to be a delegate to the state convention in June to help Al get the DFL endorsement. I firmly believe he is the best candidate to beat President Bush's lapdog, Norm Coleman and that Al will do all he can to fight hard to help get our country back on the right path in so many areas. I've read pretty much every book he has ever written, and I am so impressed with his understanding of the myriad of issues that he will face in Washington. If you have not read his books, I highly recommend them. And if you are also a delegate to the state DFL convention, I really hope you will help me in securing the endorsement for Al Franken! Feel free to email me if you want to know more. 

~Mary

Five years ago today...

The war in Iraq began five years ago today.
Half a decade.
One thousand eight hundred and 27 days.
Nearly 4000 US troop casualties, and as far as Iraqi deaths--estimates put the toll at between 100,000 and one million.
No matter your political leanings or beliefs, we can all come together and agree that this war has been a tragedy.
Please take a moment of silence today to pray for all the families affected.
I also want to thank the US soldiers who have served, and are serving, in a war that I fear has no end in sight.I hope our lawmakers in the US Capitol will keep us out of Iran, and bring home the troops in Iraq as soon as humanly possible.
Mary

spring snow...

I want spring.

Finally! Some photos

In random order, a bunch of photos that I've been saving up in my huge folder of "photos to be put on the blog"...yes, I'm a horrible procrastinator lately. My apologies... so, on to the photos:

still enjoying the underwater camera! :) (Olympus stylus 770sw)

doesn't every urban baby need an iPhone? ;)

very handsome senior guy...
teen girls: sorry to report he *does* have a girlfriend...

Our new kitty is now nearly as big as his big sister, both of whom love water...

Hope you enjoyed a small catchup of some of the photos I've been meaning to post. Check back soon, as I have a fabulous CONTEST COMING UP!
Mary

Pet Diaries...

I'm hoping to have some time this afternoon to update with recent photos on the blog. However, had to share this funny that I came across on another photographers blog.
Original writer unknown... but seriously talented and funny! :)

Pet's diary
Excerpts from a Dog's Daily Diary:
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing

12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!

7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!

11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!


Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary:

Day 683 of my captivity:

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the floor.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. The audacity!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow-- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded!

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.......
For now...

Loved this... :)
Mary

Great silent auction event!

Wanted to put this out there for all the local Twin-Citians...

Reach for the Stars is a non-profit that helps to fundraise to send several minneapolis kids to Space Camp each year. This year the fundraising has been less than "stellar" (yes, I meant to be that corny) so its extra important that their upcoming silent auction is a huge success. If you have a wonderful item to donate for their silent auction on Thursday March 27, 7-9pm @ Minneapolis Photo Co-op, email me and I'll put you in touch with them. You can also donate money directly on their website.  And if you could, go to the silent auction (click here for the PDF about the auction)  and help send a kid to camp! Full disclosure: I really want this great program around next year so my oldest child can go to Space Camp next year. I won't personally benefit right now, but I hate to see Space Camp die out for Minneapolis kids! 

Update on storage of images...

Hi!
I'm currently in the process of changing my storage system for digital files from past photography sessions. As many of you likely know, digital jpg's, digital "RAW format" files and photoshop files all take up enormous quantities of space and even after purchasing several back up external hard-drives and burning images to DVD's, I'm running out of both sufficient room for files and time to keep trying to store them indefinitely.
Because of this, I will be deleting many of the unordered files from sessions that took place prior to 2008. If any of my clients would like to place an order from any prior session, I'd appreciate if you could do so within the next 1-2 weeks. I will continue (as shown on my website posted policies in "about your session") to store ordered images for a minimum of 90 days, should you need to re-order. If you need your online gallery re-activated or reposted, or have any further questions, feel free to email or call if I can be of any help.
Thank you so much!
Mary Hanson

Mary Hanson Photography
mary@maryhansonphotography.com
612-991-8113

ps, I have many past sessions that I have not yet featured on the blog, and wanted to apologize to those of you I missed! I hope to show some past and recent work in a post soon... I have been so busy and I hope everyone understands! :)
~m