NUMBER 6!

The James family has won this year’s photo contest with 80 votes and will receive the photo printed on an 11×16 stretched canvas.

This photo was taken during our Day In The Life shoot. I spent the day with Austin and Scarlett documenting their everyday routine back in April. Austin is a big fan of chess. He dragged Scarlett over for a quick game right after they both woke up, pre-breakfast. I love how enthusiastic he is, lying the pieces out one by one while Scarlett is rubbing her eyes, struggling to wake up. She’s trying to be the supportive sister but I remember her sitting their half asleep. They have such a sweet relationship that I’ve had the honor of documenting for the last 4 years.

All winners of our 8 giveaways have been selected by the random number generator and will be contacted by email. Thank you to everyone who participated and for making this year’s contest a huge success!

Happy New Year to everyone. I will be back this week with quite a few posts about our holiday, the new year and what we’ve got in store for 2011.

The year is coming to an end and because it was such a great year, I’ve decided our Photo of the Year contest should resume. We have a few new things in store this time around such as several amazing giveaways to chosen-at-random voters, including a photo shoot with yours truly! Please make sure to vote and spread the word.

Please follow the simple rules below:

1. Cast your votes by clicking on the comment button directly below photo 12. Clearly indicate which number (listed at the top of each photo) is your favorite.

2. Please encourage your friends and family to vote for your photo if you have been selected in the 12 photos of the year. Even if haven’t been selected, encourage your friends and family to vote because well, the more the merrier and for the chance to win one of our giveaways.

3. Voting deadline is December 31, 2010 at 11:59 PM, EST.

4. All winners will be announced the morning of January 3rd, 2011.

5. The owner of the winning photo will receive the photo printed on an 11×16 stretched photo canvas.

6. No cheating, you can only vote once!

Our giveaways include:

1. COCOA CRAYON is offering a $50.00 gift certificate to one lucky voter to apply to any of the amazing items sold on her website. Lisa has great taste and a great eye for finding unique items any family can use, all of which have been tested by herself and her two daughters. The best part is she gift wraps and ships to anywhere in the world and therefore is my go-to for baby gifts.

2. KENT, as many of know is my favorite gift store in town. They are giving away one of my favorite candles, Votivo’s Red Current, to one lucky voter. If you’re a Westchester resident stop in to see Kent’s wide variety of great gift items, home accessories and furniture.

3. LAVENDER & PLUM is a very talented NYC based interior designer who is giving away a design consultation by phone and follow up by email. Michele Kamali will work on layout, paint colors, sourcing furniture or anything you need to either start from scratch or spruce up a room in your home. Dining room, living room, office, bedroom, child’s room or playroom – she can assist you with any room you choose!

4. One of my favorite designers MARC JACOBS is donating an Marc by Marc Jacobs enamel bangle bracelet to a lucky voter!

5. PIPO PRESS is one of the few stationers I recommend to my clients. Photo cards, notecards, invitations or gift stickers can be found at Pipo all of which are fun, modern and drenched in color. They are giving away a set of 24 personal notecards (choose from over 100 designs) to one lucky voter.

6. Patricia van Essche is a new friend of mine who has generously donated a gift certificate towards a work of art - a custom illustration of your home, pet or keepsake. Visit the PVE DESIGN website and blog and to view her gorgeous portfolio.

7. The ZHUSH is a favorite interior design/stylish obsession blog of mine who also has a retail companion site featuring a variety of chic and stylish gift items. Sue has appropriately donated a Jonathan Adler picture frame to one lucky voter.

8. A BENTLEY WATERS PHOTOGRAPHY photo shoot, in NYC or Westchester only. Must be scheduled and shot before June 15, 2011. No exceptions! The shoot is transferable so if you are the chosen-at-random voter who wins the shoot, but don’t live in the area, you can gift the shoot to a friend who does live in the area.

And now for the photos of the year. We have chosen 12 images, one for each month and here they are.

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

Today is my wedding anniversary. Seven years with Brendan, married that is. We’ve been together for a total of 12. That’s a third of my life. Jeez.

I remember the first time I met him I was not a big fan. He was a real charmer and I was not charmed. Not in the slightest. That was in 1996, our junior year of college.

Fast forward to 1997 when we became friends. In 1998 I was charmed. I knew the moment we kissed for the first time I would marry him.

Here we are. December 13, 2010. Ten years in the city, one house in the burbs and two crazy adorable boys later. I’m still charmed.

His music makes we want to get in my car and drive with my windows and sunroof down, shades on, headed down a straight road to who cares where. Citizen Cope. He gives me the goose bumps.

And another favorite: Ozomatli. This song calls for a beach and Corona.

NYC Spring Mini Shoots, April 17th – Tribeca and Central Park. Click on the link for all the details.

March Newsletter

This sums up my feelings towards the Olympics. Jerry Seinfeld’s I’m Telling You For The Last Time came out when I was in college. My roommate and I used to sit and listen to the CD over and over. Brendan and I also saw him in Vegas a few years ago. Absolutely hilarious.

to lie beachside
to soak in MANY rays of sunshine
to spend QT with my family
to relax
to sleep with the windows open
to abott kinney
to run on the beach
to eat at rose cafe
to clear our heads
to forget about the snow in ny
to hang with the boys in san diego
to take our first trip as a family of 4

we’re going back to cali. see you in a week.

One of the many things on my To-Do list for after the New Year was to update my website. I can cross that off now. Phew. There are new photos, a “Hamptons” portfolio plus an “Intimate Affairs” portfolio. I’m looking to book a few well, intimate affairs this year. Take a look and enjoy!

www.bentleywaters.com

We are only 5 days into 2010 and I think I’m already behind. I’m trying to focus on all the things I put off over the last couple weeks. I usually spend January and February catching up on my own family photos, updating my website, Photo of the Year (which I’m debating on) and just getting organized. In the last week we celebrated my father’s birthday, Christmas, NYE, my birthday and then to top it off, held Tyler’s baptism on Sunday. Right now I’m trying to recover. Conner and Bren were both off for more than a week. Yesterday we all returned to work/school and everything went back to normal. Last night was also the first night where Ty woke up ONLY ONCE. He has been sick for nearly a month and I think we are finally out of the woods. Acid reflux, stomach bug, cold…

Have you all set your New Year resolutions? I have too many to list all of which are based around the theme of leading a healthy, balanced and fulfilling life. 2009 was one of the busiest and stressful years we’ve had so far. I’m hoping not to repeat some of 09′s craziness. One word I like to live by – simplify. It will help that we aren’t welcoming a baby into our lives this year.

I’ll leave you with a few photos of Conner playing in one of our many recent snow storms. Stay warm!

We wish you all VERY MERRY Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hope you are filled with warmth, peace, happiness and love this holiday season. Thank you to all of you who are part of this blog, Bentley Waters Photography and our lives.

Love,

Bentley, Brendan, Conner and Tyler