♥ {giving back} ♥

♥ The Olivia Act ♥

“Take a picture it lasts longer” is a phrase people use to say when they see others staring at them.  Well, those words, sarcastic words, sometimes can take on a whole new meaning, a heartfelt meaning.  Those words now ring true for many as on December 14, 2012 an unfortunate tragedy shook many families, a town, a state, a country.  Feelings of helplessness stir up hearts as the reality that nothing we can do will bring those innocent lives back.  But even with this ill feeling in our hearts, we can do something to continue to make a difference in the lives that are still with us, a life whose heart needs to feel the love we still can give.

One of the little girls who lost her life at Sandy Hook Elementary School that morning of December 14, 2012 was Olivia Engel. Olivia’s family had taken professional family pictures not long before the tragedy happened.  Little did they know that those family photos will now have a forever lasting memory for them as the last photos they will be able to embrace of Olivia, a priceless treasure they will now cherish.

 

A photographer whose heart was touched after hearing about Olivia and the cherished gift her parents now have was moved to give back with what she could, using her skills to make a difference by giving away a 30 minute family photo shoot to a family that might not otherwise have images made.  Other photographers when hearing about this were also moved so this photographer created The Olivia Act, challenging other photographers to do the same, using their talents to bless a family with a session. 

There are many families out there who do not have the resources or funds to have professional family portraits taken. My heart is to share the gifts and talents that God has blessed me with to share His love with others so I too am participating in the Olivia Act.  I would love to gift a family with a treasured gift. If you know of a family in San Antonio or surrounding area who would appreciate this gift, please nominate them. Nominations will be accepted through January 14, 2013.

How to nominate a family:

1)   email your nominations to: summie@summieroachphotography.com

2)   subject line: the Olivia Act

3)   include in the email:

a)    family’s name

b)    contact info

c)     why you have chosen to nominate them

I will contact the family who will receive the session on January 16, 2013.

Please share this message! I am very blessed to be able to have the opportunity to do this, giving back the way I know how and sharing and spreading God’s love with others in our community!  

To read more about the Olivia Act and for those who would like to spread the word, please click on the link below to go to the blog site for The Olivia Act.  You can find a list of other photographers in other areas who are also participating in the Olivia Act on the blog.

 The Olivia Act

Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

{much} hugs,

Summie

♥ When the unknown {dream} becomes reality...♥

"Each new day brings new opportunities for us to soar as high as we can go and as far as we can see..."

Have you ever looked back over the past week, month, year or even years and thought about the “what if's”?  Have you ever looked at your life now and realized how much you are blessed with a reality that was never really a {dream} to begin with? That is me! The past two years, I have been blessed to see a {passion} embedded deep in my heart turn into something I never even dreamed about.  Photography has been a part of life since before high school but my discovery a little over two years ago has taken it to a whole new level.   

The past several months, that {passion} has been budding into something so much more, more than I could have ever imaged it to be!  A story in itself, where do I begin...where do I start...how do I share about this wonderful story that is filled with so much excitement and awesome opportunities?  

Summer of 2010, a facebook status I posted unexpectedly led me to a spot at a Me Ra Koh workshop thanks to an {incredible} person in my life.  If you do not know who Me Ra is, click here for her {amazing} story of when photography found her, click here to see this {awesome} interview with clickinmom and click here to see where this photography {journey} has taken her!

my sister-in-law lindsay, me ra and i at the confidence workshop. photographed by an attendee, edited by summie roach

Little did I know that this workshop that I was so {blessed} to be at was not going to be just about photography. It helped me to realize "my why" and "my story behind the lens".

photographed by joy neville-edited by summie roach

Now let's fast forward 2 years later, to now.  WOW! Who would have known that a {simple} facebook post expressing my thoughts would later lead me to this, an opportunity to share with 13 other women across the country to be a Certified Confidence Teacher! Yep, there are 14 of us who will be teaching a Me Ra Koh Photography Workshop! Check out our store here to see {who} we are and {where} you can go to one of these workshops. Here we all are below {including Me Ra and Brian}

photographed by stephen robertson

I am so {excited} to use the talents and gifts that God has {blessed} me with to help woman and moms, empowering them to grow their confidence with their camera to capture the lives of their loved ones and to inspire them to find their “why” and their “story”.  Read about “my story” here and to reserve your spot at the San Antonio workshop! 

photographed by quentin pennington

{Big} Hugs,  
Summie  

 

♥ A Bride and her Boots ♥

♥ something old ♥ something new ♥ something borrowed ♥ something blue ♥

There is something beautiful seeing a bride in her wedding dress and hair pulled back in an up~do, but when you can see the love in her eyes, the happiness in her smile, you know it comes from her heart! 

I was blessed to capture some wonderful memories for Michelle during her Bridal Session.  We laughed, laughed and laughed some more! From critters coming down from the ceiling as she was getting dressed to caterpillars crawling up the wall near her...this session did not have a dull moment and lots of fun memories were made! (I mean seriously, how can you not have fun...check out them boots!) God blessed us with the perfect weather and a beautiful sunset to end our {fun-filled} session.

Thank you Michelle for trusting me and allowing me to capture your memories created that day.  Looking forward to sharing the start of your and Frankie's new life together ♥