Contest Reminder!!

First I just wanted to remind everyone that my contest for FREE engagement photography ends in 2 weeks!! Make sure to skip down a few posts or click here for the details and enter as soon as possible! Spread the word!

Just a few favorites from recent shoots (click to enlarge):

New blog layout...website teaser!

2009 is such an exciting year for me...I've got weddings, engagements, random events, boudoir marathon, contests and surprises lined up! To celebrate what promises to be a great year, I'm working with my amazing web designer on a massive website update! In the mean time, I came up with this new blog layout...what do you think?

Below are a couple of teasers that will give you an idea of what to expect from my new site. I'm so excited and can not wait to see how it comes out!!



And just a reminder...Don't forget to skip down a few posts for info on my engagement session contest! One lucky winner will receive a FREE engagement photo session!! Runners up will win prizes as well!!! This is one contest where everyone who enters will win something!!! Enter by 11:59pm on February 13th...winners will be announced on Valentine's Day. Good Luck!!!!!

Time for a New Contest!

I know it's hard to believe, but Valentine's day is less than a month away! With it being my favorite holiday, I figured I'd celebrate with a contest! The grand prize? A FREE engagement session with yours truly!

The details:

Do you know someone deserving of a free engagement session? Do you think YOU deserve one? Tell me why! Send me an email at PiconePictures@gmail.com nominating a couple (and yes, the couple can be you and your fiance!). Let me know why this couple deserves the shoot, what the ideal location would be for the shoot, any creative ideas you may have, or whatever you think is best! Feel free to tell me about the couple, what they like to do, how they met, when the wedding is...anything goes! There is no limit to what you can include. Make it fun and be creative! You don't have to include a photo, but feel free if you want to. Also, make sure to include your address (or the couple's address if nominating someone else) in case you win! My favorite stories may just end up on the blog!

Judging:

I will be judging this one all on my own! Location for shoot will be discussed with winner, some restrictions do apply. Winners of past contests, as well as anyone who has received a free shoot from me in the past, are not eligible. But don't worry, there will be more contests in the future!

Prizes:

The prizes will be announced on Valentine's Day! The winning couples will be sent gift certificates via USPS for their prizes!

Grand Prize:
-One 2-hour long engagement session with Amanda Picone, and a DVD of all images (edited as needed)

First Prize:
-One $100 gift certificate good toward an engagement session with Amanda Picone

Second Prize:
-One $75 gift certificate good toward an engagement session with Amanda Picone

Third Prize:
-One $50 gift certificate good toward an engagement session with Amanda Picone


And one final note..............

I am now taking bookings for Spring and Summer 2009 engagement sessions!!! And I'm feeling rather generous today...SO...

For all sessions booked before March 1st, 2009 (session can occur ANY TIME in 2009, you just need to reserve a date by 3/1/09), I am offering special pricing!!

2 hour session with DVD of all images: $200
4 hour session with DVD of all images: $350
-Add on a 20 page custom hardcover photo book for an additional $100
-Inquire about special pricing on all add-ons (save the dates, sign in posters, guest books, table numbers, etc...)

Effective March 1st the price of these sessions will be:
2 hour session with DVD of all images: $250
4 hour session with DVD of all images: $400

So book early for the best deals, and to secure the best dates!!

GOOD LUCK to everyone entering! Can't wait to read your stories!

Well, the submissions are in!

I'm having SO much fun reading through these entries for FREE wedding photography! GREAT job by everyone!

Now for the judging portion...The first part of the judging will consist of a poll. I'll be uploading the photos, and writing a little blurb about each couple. I'll also announce an email address where everyone can send their vote to.

For round two, I've teamed up with Jennifer Long, Senior Editor of beyondbeautybasics.com (which is an awesome site, if you haven't checked it out yet). Jennifer and I will be reviewing the top 3 vote-getters to decide who will win the top prizes!

Best of luck to everyone who entered! More details will be up tomorrow!!

Getting married soon? No photographer? How does FREE sound?

***edited: please note eligible dates have changed***

Well, I warned you....my wedding photography contest is here!! And no, the title isn't a joke! I am giving away free wedding photography to one lucky couple AND some other great deals!

If you are getting married between November 1st, 2008 and November 15, 2009, and haven't booked a photographer yet, this contest is for you!

What you win:
Grand Prize (one)
-A full day of shooting. From the bride (or groom!) getting ready until the party is over, I'll be there!
-In-person pre-wedding and album design consultations
-DVD of 4x6 digital proofs of your images (edited as needed)
-Online hosting and ordering capabilities for all of your images
-A YouTube slideshow set to the song of your choice
-Discounted album, prints, and canvas prints, with free editing and design
-Discounts on all add-on options (2nd shooter, engagement, post-wedding, and boudoir photo shoots, etc...)

Second Prize (two)
-The same package as above at the much discounted rate of $600
-$100 print credit toward your album and/or prints and enlargements

Third Prize(two)
-Discounted rate on the photo package of your choice (details available upon request)
-$300 print credit toward your album and/or prints and enlargements

Additional prizes will be awarded to all runners up, including print credits and/or discounts. Prizes and judging will vary based on total number of entries.

Eligibility and How To Enter

To be eligible, you must be getting married in New York or New Jersey between 11/1/2008 and 11/15/2009. Travel fees may apply for locations in excess of 40 miles from Staten Island, NY. You must not have booked a wedding photographer yet.

To enter, simply send an email to me at PiconePictures@gmail.com containing the following:
-A photo of you two together
-Some info about your wedding, including when, where, and the number of guests expected.
-Tell me why you want to win, and why you want me as your photographer.

All entries must be received by 12:00pm on 9/12/2008. All winners will be notified on or before October 1st, 2008.

Best of luck!!!

Note to all: it has come to my attention that a few brides who wanted to enter the contest would be missing the cut off by a couple of days...in light of this I have decided to extend the deadline through to the end of the popular wedding season! If you look, you'll see that I've also upped the number of second and third prize awards. Keep the entries coming!