I love a good contest, as my Facebook fans know, but sometimes participating in something bigger is much more fulfilling. Normally "I Heart Faces Photography" hosts a weekly photo contest. It's always great to see so many photographers interpretations of the weekly themes. I rarely actually participate myself, but I love perusing the entries for inspiration.

This week, however, I Heart Faces is doing something a little different. They are doing a non-competitive challenge for a good cause. I happened to have the PERFECT photograph for this weeks theme and decided that not only could I share my photo I could spread the word about this great cause.

Here's a little blurb about Soles4Souls directly from the I Heart Faces Photography Blog Site:




About Soles 4 Souls: Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. The charity distributes these shoes free of charge to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 7 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently donating one pair every 9 seconds.) The shoes have been distributed to people in over 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States. Soles4Souls has been featured in Runner's World, Ladies’ Home Journal, National Geographic’s Green Guide, and The New York Times. It has appeared on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, BBC, CNN and thousands of regional news outlets across North America. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Anyone can join our cause, and we need your help.


This week's theme is BAREFOOT WEEK and is inspired by Soles4Souls. The photo I chose was one of my daughter when I took her to her first trip to the apple orchard. I plopped her down in the pumpkin patch and she had a blast- LOVING that I was letting her little feet dirty!




Visit the I Heart Faces Photography Blog to see other entries and to get more information about Soles4Souls!

The Results Are In!!

First of all I need to thank everyone again for the overwhelming response to this contest. I am blow away with the enthusiasm you all had for promoting your pictures! My fan base grew SIGNIFICANTLY and I owe it all to you all!! I hope everyone was able to have fun with the contest- I sure did!!

So now, what we've all been waiting for. The WINNER of the A. Hedges Photography FACEBOOK FAN APPRECIATION CONTEST, with over 200 votes, is this adorable duo- Quinn and Abigail!!!




They won a free photo shoot for their family!

And as promised I am also going to recognize some of the runners up for their HUGE number of votes! The following photos managed to get over 100 votes each!! They will be able to get a "full photo shoot" for their family at half the price!

Grace and Ashtyn


and Skylar and Xavior


And I really don't want to leave anyone out!! So, to thoroughly thank everyone who participated in the contest I would love to photograph your family as well. Just for entering, I will do a "full photo shoot" at a 25% discount. I hope you take me up on the offer- there are SO many adorable kids and families out there who I would love to work with!

I will try to contact all the participants ASAP individually, but as many of you know I'm WELL OVERDUE to give birth so if I don't get to you right away, please email me at amy@ahedgesphotography.com and I will return a message as soon as I can!!

If you would like to use the discount for a photo shoot we need to book by the end of June (we can do the actual photo shoot anytime over the summer, but we need to book the shoot by the end of June).

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!