How would you like to get most of your holiday shopping done without even having to leave the comfort of your PJs (and in less than a week!)?  At 32 weeks pregnant that sounds fabulous to me right now.  How would you like it if your purchases helped an amazing cause supporting children?  I have a solution for you  that will satisfy both of those desires!  This morning kicks off the 31st annual 98.3LNH Children’s Auction!

If you live in and around the Laconia and Lakes Region of New Hampshire then you are very familiar with the annual auction that raises money for local children’s charities.  The money raised is used year round – not just at the holidays, so it is important that we raise as much money as possible!

I’m excited to announce that not only am I sponsoring the auction bid board tomorrow (Wednesday) morning from 8am – 2pm, but over the course of the week, three (3) Carey Hough Photography Portrait Packages will be auctioned off (value of $180)!  These would be a great present for a family member, close friend or even yourself!!!

The auction is running this morning right through Saturday morning and you can listen on FM 98.3 WLNH, Metrocast LRPA-TV 25 and online at http://www.childrensauction.com.  There have already been some great items up for bid, and if you get in on bidding early in the week you have a chance of getting a great deal.  But it’s for the kids, so bid high and bid often!

This is all about helping out the kids – tune in, bid what you can, when you can or show your support by buying an Auction Support decal from Hannaford in Gilford, Meredith, Alton, Plymouth or Tilton.

Also  if you have a local business (I’m looking at you mamas!) or are a local resident who has some items you can donate – 98.3LNH NEEDS THEM!  It’s not a joke or a ploy – they do not have enough items to make it through the week and they need your help.  You can drop items off at the Conference Center at the Lake Opechee Inn and Spa in Laconia or contact me and I’ll arrange to pick up your items!

Let’s work together and make this year even more successful than last year!

I’ve got a secret for you.  Are you ready?  I love to photograph kids!  Alright – worst kept secret ever I know.  There’s just something so special about how their spirits just absolutely sparkle.  Sometimes they give it to you very easily…

…and sometimes they make you really work for it.  But even in those moments, they are just so genuinely…them!Luckily for me, during this recent family photography session the kids were just full of spirit and more than willing to share it!This little guy just turned 3, and he is just a heartbreaker!  He was very happy to cuddle up and give kisses to his family.  I was pretty sure I was going to have to tear his hands from Mom’s cheeks at one point!This one image just absolutely gets me every time I see it on my screen.  The love.  Sigh.This little girl is six months and had personality to spare!Mom and Dad are just full of happiness and love!Happy family!Mom and I dubbed this one “the Wrangler Ad”.  Gotta love Dad and his little guy!Yep, he definitely has something special.  Shine on little man, shine on!

So not only is it beginning to feel like Christmas around here – due to an annual and unfortunate chest cold that is wreaking havoc on my system – but I woke up this morning to some freshly fallen snow!  Granted it was just a dusting, but it’s enough to get me feeling really in the spirit of the season!  I can’t wait for these mountains to be all white and snowcapped very very soon!

TONIGHT FRIDAY (5:30pm-8:30pm) AND TOMORROW SATURDAY (10AM-12:30PM)!!!

If you are free this weekend and in the Lakes Region, the Gilford Youth Center on Potter Hill Rd in Gilford, NH is having their annual Christmas Fair and Santa Land.  There will be lots of interactive stations including face painting, cookie decorating, arts and crafts, games, bounces houses, and a giant inflatable slide.  Santa will be there to meet with the kiddos and there will be a cookie walk, toy raffle and also the Festival of Trees where you can walk past and view trees decorated by local families, volunteers, and groups including Carey Hough Photography!  My good friend Allison and I put up our tree yesterday with a fun photo theme and lots of camera decorations.  And if you stop by, be sure to pick up your present from the display – a certificate good for $25 off a regular session booked in 2013 (find it in the wicker basket on top of the present)!  And if you’re local you may know some of the faces on the tree!

Apologies for the fuzzy, unbalanced, and frankly crappy iPhone photo.  I was concentrating so much on getting the tree, decorations and goodies out the door that I didn’t grab my actual camera.  I plan to get some better photos tomorrow!

Tomorrow from 9am-3pm is also the big craft fair at Gilford High School down the road – make a big weekend of it and get some of your holiday shopping done locally by supporting a local crafter/artist/creative!  I know a few fantastic people will be there including Liz from With Love and Luck and Mallory from “Naked” Vegan Lip Balms and Soaps.  Let them know I said hi!  And check back for some very exciting announcements for some very exciting things happening next week!!!

I was just going through some personal photos from the past month and came across this adorable cutie!  I quickly snapped this while we were at an apple picking play date in Gilford, NH.  This was a super cool find because the barn was BLUE!  The grounds here were amazing and I’d love to shoot a family or children’s session here again.