Just a reminder, it's not too late to send in your nomination(s) for the Big Christmas Giveaway, but you gotta hurry... deadline is midnight tonight to write in for a deserving person/family to receive a complimentary photography session including $1500 in custom photography products (prints, canvases, books/albums, DVDs, etc.), and if your nominee is selected you'll also receive a complimentary photography session with a $250 gift towards prints. For complete details, go here. Don't miss this opportunity to truly bless someone this Christmas season.

Not too long ago I noticed my little corner of the web was coming up on another milestone - 100,000 visits. I'm excited, bewildered & humbled. I've had these new digs since mid-May of this year, so to see the odometer turn over 100k already is pretty fun. To celebrate this otherwise meaningless milestone, I'm going to give away a little stocking stuffer this Christmas season in the form of a $25 iTunes Gift Card to the 15th person to leave a comment on the blog after the counter all the way at the bottom of this screen hits 100,000 (it's currently at 97k & change). Since I have no way that I'm aware of to actually know who the 100,000th visitor is, here's how it's going to work. After I see the milestone has occurred, I'll post an entry on the blog, and the 15th person to leave a comment for that post wins the free gift card to the Apple iTunes store. The comment has to be for that particular post (it will be obvious which one you need to comment on), and you need to include the words "I need some Manilow!" somewhere in your comment. If you're completely repulsed by the idea of admitting you need some Manilow, you may substitute Air Supply instead. To prevent anyone from posting 15 quick comments to steal the prize, you can only post a maximum of 2 comments for this post. If I see you've commented more than twice, you will be ineligible to take home the tunes. Thanks so much for stopping by the blog from time to time, and good luck!

Since Kristen Kalp first came up with the idea that she was going to give back this holiday season through her photography, I'm so excited to see her generosity has turned into a grass-roots effort among the photography community with a goal to give-away $1million in custom photography gifts to deserving individuals/families who have encountered unfortunate - and in many cases tragic - circumstances. I'm also thrilled to announce there is now a website for the cause where you can see daily updates to the number of photographers who have made a decision to give back this Christmas season. Visit www.givingisawesome.com to learn more and to find a photographer in your area to send your nomination to. It's awesome to see that in less than a week nearly a hundred photographers have agreed to join in, with more signing on each day. And if you're a photographer that wants to sign up for this, you can also do that on the website. Here's a cool map I picked off the website with the latest status.

I've received several amazing heartfelt stories and making a singular decision is going to be incredibly difficult. Please keep sending in your nominations. If this is the first time you're reading this, you can find the details of what I'm donating and how to submit a nomination here. Thanks so much for your help!

First off, I take no credit for coming up with the idea below. Kylie mentioned to me doing something similar to this a while back, and then Kristen Kalp at Essential Imagery announced this today on her blog and encouraged/challenged other photographers to help give back as well. Thanks to both of you for inspiration [read: allowing me to blatantly copy]. This is without question my favorite time of year. I love the hustle and bustle of the Christmas crowds, the anticipation of taking some time off in late December, the excitement about getting together with family and loved ones during the Christmas season, the brisk weather where I can finally break out the jackets and sweaters that have been collecting dust all year, the inevitable ritual of watching the most famous Christmas classic of all time, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation the list goes on and on. For many people, though, this season is more of a painful reminder than a celebration. We all know someone who is struggling to barely hang on each month just to make ends meet, let alone be able to purchase anything that’s more than a basic necessity. We all know someone who’s suffered a devastating set back and is having trouble getting back on their feet, someone that has day after day given selflessly, gone without, and sacrificed greatly for the benefit of others, or someone that just hasn’t been able to catch that break that’s gonna give them some financial margin in their life. Think about it, Who is that person that you know? Here’s where I need your help. Let’s face it – photography is a luxury item, it’s not a necessity. That being said, what is more important than our relationships and our memories? I would argue not much, which is one of the reasons I’m so passionate about photography. I am blessed beyond measure to be able to do what I do, and this Christmas season, I’d like to give that heroic person you know a chance to have the gift of custom photography. So, here’s the deal. I’m going to give away a $1500 photography gift that can be used for canvases, slideshows, prints, albums, gifts anything that I offer. And of course that includes a complimentary photography session. All I need is a deserving person who would cherish captured memories of their family, pet, and/or friends. You have the opportunity to make this a special Christmas gift for a special person, and as a bonus,, if you send in the nominee I select, you’ll also receive a complimentary photography session and a $250 print credit. The Details: You can’t nominate yourself, and the person you nominate should sincerely not be in a financial position to purchase custom photography for themselves. Someone who’s struggling to make the mortgage payment on their vacation home in the Florida keys or who just had the Porsche repossessed is not considered to be in legitimate financial need. The person you nominate needs to live in the north Texas area (or possibly southern Oklahoma). Please email me at matt@mattnicolosi.com telling me a little bit about the story of the person you feel should receive this gift. All nominations must be received by midnight, December 22nd, and the gift recipient will be announced (only with their permission) on the blog on Christmas Eve. Please include your email and or phone with your nomination as well as the best way to get in contact with your nominee. That’s it. So what are you waiting for? Break out your keyboard and start sending in your nomination. You can send in as many nominations as you want; just be sure to provide enough background to explain their circumstances. If all you say is “My neighbor Joe has had a rough year and would really enjoy your photography”, Joe’s prolly not gonna make it to the final round of nominees. Thanks for helping me to help that someone you’re thinking of. God bless.

And finally, in case you know of someone outside of north Texas who is deserving, here are some other photographers you can contact who are doing the same type of thing. Make sure to check their details, though, as each person may be offering something slightly different. Kaycee Dean, of Oklahoma The Selanders, of Iowa/Nebraska Alice Park Photography, of Georgia Charlene Chavez, of California Kimbrali Boyd, of Louisiana Rachel Logan, of Texas Surprise Photography, of New York Lauri Stumph, of Minnesota Laura Green, of Iowa Kimberly Ann Photography, of Wisconsin Peachyc Photography, of Manila (Yep, that's another country.) Photo Art by Suzi, of Michigan Krista Muskovin, of Michigan Kelly Holder, of Kansas Tiffany G, of Las Vegas Bamboo Photography, of Pennsylvania Mollie Kendall, of Texas Marlo Yoshimoto, of California Brandi DeLisi, of Tennessee HRG Photo, of Washington Josee Caza, of Toronto, Canada Dini Groner, of New York April Todd, of South Carolina Steven Parker, of New York Christine DeSavino, of New Jersey Kristen Kalp, of Pennsylvania