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Although I do not have a picture of Ina Neal, I would like to nominate her for your contest.

Yna is a legal secretary here at my office. Although I’ve only gotten to know her in the past few months, the little I know of her makes me very proud to be her friend. Yna is very recently divorced and is starting to appreciate her freedom. She is exploring getting to know herself and is looking forward to reacquainting herself with who she really is. She is extremely hardworking, smart, and beautiful.

I would like her to win this award, not only so she will have actual proof of how beautiful she is, but also so her sons will have images of their beautiful mom. One of the most touching stories I’ve heard in a while came from Yna. On Valentine’s Day, her son Mecca, 8, woke her up and asked her to go to the living room. In the living room, Eric, 4, and Mecca proceeded to serenade their beloved mom with a song they had prepared for her. After their heartfelt performance, they presented her with lovely plastic rings that I know Yna will forever cherish. On Mother’s Day, seeing how young her “men” are, I want to help Mecca and Eric celebrate their mom’s courage and strength by giving her an opportunity to have pictures that prove her beauty and her son’s immense love for her.

Thanks Matt + Angie. Btw, trust me on this, she is absolutely gorgeous.

Almira

Mother’s Day Contest Winner #2

Ok, seriously, my mom is the best! I know everyone says that. But imagine being a mom to 5 girls…5 prissy, sissy girls! (one of which is Danica’s…that you just did wedding pics for…her mom). My mom was the busiest lady in town. She not only took part in our high school activities…she was always in charge of them. I don’t remember her ever sleeping…well, except Sundays to rest up for the extra busy week ahead. She seriously spent a good 10 years going to at least 2 ball games or dance recitals or music recitals a week. She’s got a closet full of prom gowns from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. She has completely devoted her life to her girls….

Until these past 5 years where she has unknowingly devoted her life to us. She has spent the past 5 years with her mom, who has been alone and sick. She would sit there for hours and listen to her talk about people that were dead as if they were still alive and people that are alive as if they were dead. Some days mom would go visit her and get chewed out for nothing, but she stayed. Her mom died 2 weeks ago and even though us girls thought she looked like most dead people do…plasticy, all mom could say is, “doesn’t she look so beautiful”. She is the best mom, the best example of a daughter, wife, mom, grandma, and our best friend! Our mom is without a doubt the best mom out there!!!

Mother’s Day Contest Winner #3

Entry into Sloan Photographers’ Mothers’ Day Contest

A Song and a Smile

Someone once said, “Those who worry about their own salvation might not receive it, but those who worry about the salvation of others already holds it in their hand.” Whomever penned these eloquent, striking words must have known my mother. My mom is a burst of sunshine, a streak of confidence and a soul steeped with love. Not only did she labor to bring my sisters, brother and I into the world, she has aided into safely bringing countless others into this world as a labor and delivery nurse. She has worked at the same hospital for over twenty years and I never cease to be amazed at the very nature of what she does; bring new life into existence.

Perhaps the most amazing thing about my mom is the fact that while she dedicates herself to this miraculous work, she has never once made her role as a mother seem secondary. Honestly, it is obvious to us that she places the safety, well-being and joy of her children before any other thing. She always told me to be who I am regardless of what other people think. She taught me what it is to be confident, principled, strong and compassionate. She gave me my inner core, the will to persevere and the ability to get up and try harder when I don’t succeed. She has taught me to hold on when a storm is raging around you and to reach out and help anybody you can. She consoled my heartbreak and encouraged me to audition for my first school play. She never made my ideas seem silly or foolish, but instead gave me wings to fly and room to be creative. She made me love to laugh and passed down some dang good-lookin’ genes (thank you mom :-) ). She taught me the importance of giving of yourself as I watched her drop off dinners, pick up children, give anonymous Christmas packages and smile at someone who needed a friend more than anything. Most importantly, my mother truly taught me how to love. To really, deeply, unselfishly love.

My mother pretty much goes unrecognized. She isn’t a senator, Mother Theresa, or a world class athlete. All of the times she inserted an IV for a pregnant woman and made her own babies boo-boos better have been relatively thankless. But she is the embodiment of giving and loving and a smile to me and those who know her. She is better than Chipotle burritos, Wendy’s Frosties and Mcdonalds Big and Tasties all combined. She has given me the tools I need to succeed and the strength to be myself, unafraid and unabashedly. She is a nurse, a welfare worker, a sister, a friend and a song. But, perhaps most importantly, she will always be the lullaby in my head, guiding me and making everything alright.

p.s. Although my dad is also in the photo I sent, I used this one because it pretty much explains why my mom is the best. Can you imagine how great it would b to be around a laugh like that all the time?

We want to thank all of those who submitted their own mothers, or mothers they love. We can’t wait to shoot a session with all of them. We do though want to shoot these sessions before June because it is our busiest month and we will be out of town most of the it. Each mother gets to choose which session they want.

Pick One of these Sessions:
1. Rekindle the Fire Session
2. Family Session
3. Personal Mothers Portrait Session

Please email or call us with any questions.

Thanks!

Matt + Angie Sloan
www.sloanphotographers.com
(602) 614-3323
matt@sloanphotographers.com

p.s. I had a blast with my mom today and so did Angie with Maddux! We’ll try to get some photos up soon!!!