Kutting for Kids 2009 - What an Awesome Event!

This year marks the 10th Anniversary of Kutting for Kids, an annual First Coast event started by Jeannie Blalock of First Coast News, as a drive to get donations for Locks of Love. The hair collected is crafted into custom wigs for children who do not have hair due to medical reasons. It takes six to ten donated ponytails to make just one hairpiece and each ponytail must be at least 10-inches long!

This year again, I had the incredible opportunity to photograph this amazing event at the Orange Park Mall. Seeing all the wonderful people who selflessly donate their beautiful locks. Last I heard, the total amount of hair collected was 7,004 INCHES! WOW!!! This year I was especially proud because my beautiful daughter also donated her hair, although she had it cut a few weeks ago because she wouldn't be in town this week. Her donation put the total over 7,000. Way to go Mikaela!!

A lot of people who donated last year brought back their spouses and children to donate this year! Next year, the last year crowd will be ready to donate again!

I captured over 450 smiles, tears, cuts, styles and expressions this year. These, along with those photographs from the other volunteer photographers, will be posted to the First Coast News website in a few days, as will the before and after shots! Until then, here are just a few I selected to share and a few short stories about some of these wonderful people!

First let's meet some of the beautiful children that these wigs may one day help!



Dorian is shown below with the wig that he already received!

And just a few of those who donated!
First is my little guy. He didn't donate his hair, but he was excited to turn in his sister's hair!




As soon as she saw her ponytail, she had an ear to ear smile. I think she was just a little bit nervous!






I had a blast watching this guy and his buddies. They all came in together and they all donated their hair. They were so funny as they all were taking photos of each other in multiple ponytails! In the second image, you can see the three buddies standing behind their friend whose turn it was to have his hair cut. And, yes, they even measured the one guy's beard - but it wasn't quite long enough! Way to go guys! You're awesome!


Isn't this little guy such a cutie! His mom said he was 4 years old and the stylist cut his hair as mom and his brother looked on. As soon as his first ponytail was cut, the stylist handed it to him and he kept saying over and over again with a HUGE grin, "This is my hair. That's MY hair. Look at my hair." :) What a cutie pie!


This little girl was definitely not sure about her new haircut!

This next three images are from the same family. Mom came out and brought her two daughters. Both the girls got their hair cut first, then when they were done, mom got hers cut. The stylist could sense that mom was a little nervous so she asked the girls to come hold mom's ponytail as she cut it. Mom's tears came right after the cut so I suggested to the girls each give mom a hug. They did and mom held them tight. Shortly after, I asked them to all get together for a family moment with their new "do's".



Mom brought this 3 year old little guy in to get his hair cut. Can you see how long it was? He wanted to have nothing to do with it and the tears were just flowing from his eyes. Poor little man. The stylist finally got his hair into a ponytail and started cutting as mom was keeping him still in the chair - although he was fighting it. After she snipped off the ponytail and showed it to him, he reached back to where his long locks were no longer and realized it was gone - he got quite upset.He then put both his hands on the back of his head and held them there to tell the stylist not to cut anymore. He was fine after a few minutes and the stylist was able to finish the styling. By the end of it all, he was trying to sneak a tiny little smile.


This gentleman was the very last cut of the day. Yeah, the guys look a little funny when they have their hair cut, but they're so proud and we're proud of them, too!

We had some amazingly talented musicians for everyone's listening enjoyment.


Everyone was also entertained by dancers from the Step by Step Dance Studio of Argyle. From little ones like the ones below to the big kids - they all did a fantastic job!

And, of course, the event couldn't be complete with out some extra special fun for the kids! Several clowns entertained the young ones with balloon animals and face painting!

Model Search! Time to Vote!

We are excited to currently have four BEAUTIFUL children entered into the National Charity Model Search and we need everyone's help to vote for them as Jacksonville's Cutest Kid (and America's Cutest Kid) and to raise money for an awesome organization.

In just a few short weeks, this National Contest has raised more than $13,000 for the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep organization.

I know each of these children's parents would appreciate any votes you would like to give them and feel good knowing that each dollar goes directly to the charity! Please click each of their names below to go to their entry.

Miss Kelsey
Miss DarienBrianna
Mr. AlecZander
Mr. Keyan

To see how each child is currently doing in the contest, please click here.

Click the graphic below to enlarge:

Operation Love Reunited Information

The word is getting out about Operation: Love Reunited and we've been receiving an increased number of calls from military families wanting to take part in an OpLove session. That's awesome news! It's such a wonderful organization and I know that I can speak for all OpLove photographer volunteers, that it is our honor to photograph these sessions for our military.

Scheduling

As of this post, there are currently six local photographers who are volunteers for OpLove. Most of us run full-time studios so we can only accept a limited number of OpLove sessions a month. As soon as you think you may want an OpLove session for pre-deployment or mid-deployment, please contact our studio or any of the others for the greater Jacksonville area and we will accommodate you as soon as we are able to schedule you in. If there is a homecoming coming up soon, please call our studio or visit the OpLove website to find the other photographers in our area as soon as as you have finalized dates. Unfortunately, we need to accommodate our paying clients and it isn't possible if we're on a holding pattern for the span of a week. Having been a Navy wife myself, I know dates can change, so when you believe you have actual dates, please contact us!

Number of Sessions Per Year

Since OpLove is still gaining recognition, this may be something that many military families are not aware of.

OpLove only permits two sessions a year for each family - (1) session pre-deployment OR (1) session while deployed of family AND (1) Homecoming session when soldier returns from deployment, upon photographers availability. Using the same photographer for both types of sessions is not required.

If you have called and scheduled a pre-deployment or mid-deployment session with one OpLove photographer OR you have scheduled a homecoming session when the ship or squadron arrives, please don't also call the other photographers unless the photographer you first contacted is unable to accommodate you. We have found that some families have contacted two or more of the area OpLove photographers and we have all put you into our schedule.

Each session that we are contacted for, goes into a database at the time session is scheduled. Taking the time to sort through the confusion when multiple photographers are called means fewer families that can be accommodated. If one photographer commits to photographing your family or homecoming, then they have committed to it. The other photographers are then available to photograph these special moments for the other families. With this being such a huge military city, and a limited number of OpLove photographers, this is of great importance! So, please help us help as many families as possible by only scheduling with one photographer.

If you or your family are in pre-deployment, mid-deployment or have a homecoming in the near future, please contact our studio at 904-403-9553 for more information or visit the OpLove website for other OpLove photographers in our area.

Casting Continues for Jacksonville AND America's Cutest Kid! :: Jacksonville Children's Photographer

We all know that each one of us has the cutest kid ever! Now's the time to show it! We're still casting for the title of Jacksonville's Cutest Kid and America's Cutest Kid and raising money for Charity!

Contest details are in the post below!

Don't wait much longer, time is running out! Schedule your child's 30-minute model session today with the greater Jacksonville area Child Photographer, Keely Deuschle.

What an AWESOME Day at Kutting for Kids

Today I had the incredible opportunity to help photograph the Kutting for Kids event at the Orange Park Mall. All I can say is WOW! So many wonderful people showed up to donate their hair to Locks of Love -- from all ages, all walks of life, it was just amazing! If I remember correctly, the last update I read on the sign that the Orange Park Girl Scouts were updating said 400 donations with the longest single ponytail being 28-inches long -- that was towards the end of the 4 hour event.

Kutting for Kids was first started nine years ago by Jeannie Blalock and First Coast News to help get donations for Locks of Love who take the donations and make custom wigs for children who do not have hair due to medical reasons. It takes Six to 10 donated ponytails to make just one hairpiece.

As I was walking around today to the different stylist stations, I had the opportunity to talk to some of the individuals who were donating their hair. What incredible stories they have. From one man who began growing his hair several years ago after his wife's father died from cancer. He received a lot of grief from people about having long hair until he told them of his reason for growing it. His wife donated her ponytail a few weeks ago and he brought her here today so he could donate his.

One little six year old girl came in with incredibly long, beautiful hair. She had never had a haircut but wanted more than anything to donate her hair so another child could have it. The stylist cut 18 inches. I don't know who was more nervous - she or her mom, but she looked just beautiful and dad even bought her a princess tiara for after her hair was cut. She didn't know what to think at first when she was checking out her ponytail that mom was holding.


These were just a few of the many amazing stories I was told today.

It was definitely a day filled with emotion. Watching the questionable expressions on the faces of some of the little ones when mom came back after getting her hair cut was priceless - they didn't really know what to think. There were many who were ecstatic to have the extra weight off their head, and there were some who were nervous and a few that shed a tear or two. And there were a few who had their hair cut recently and saved their ponytail so that they could give it to Jeannie, like this young lady.


While everyone was celebrating the day, some very talented musicians played some pretty awesome music for everyone to enjoy! The Simon Mall Kidgits also had a table where the little girls who got their hair cut could decorate and personalize a hairband with some pretty cool stickers! A clown painted faces and Batman even made an appearance!

To EVERYONE who came out today, THANK YOU you so very much for making such a great turnout to such an amazing event.

To see more images, please log on to the First Coast News website, click the View Videos and Photos link and select the Kutting for Kids gallery. Here are just a few of the many images taken today!

Kutting for Kids - Orange Park Mall - Sunday, July 20

One of the most rewarding things in life is to selflessly give of yourself unto others. This Sunday, July 20 from noon to 4pm at the Orange Park Mall outside the JC Penney court, you have the opportunity to do just that. You can stop by and donate your hair at Kutting for Kids - in its 9th year thanks to Jeannie Blaylock and First Coast News.

If you have at least ten inches of hair to donate, then stop on by and the professional stylists will cut and style your hair at no charge.

All of the hair donations will be donated to Locks of Love which is a non-profit organization that uses the hair donations to create custom hairpieces for children who do not have hair due to medical reasons.

It's summertime, it's Florida,and it's hot outside. Treat yourself to a cool new "do" while helping a wonderful organization help some pretty amazing kids. Make this a special event for the whole family.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Operation: Love ReUnited

Mikkean Photography proudly announces their support and involvement with Operation: Love ReUnited. Jacksonville and it's surrounding areas is home to many military families who are attached to either NAS Jacksonville, NS Mayport and NSB Kings Bay, GA and this is our way of saying Thank You to the military. A limited number of sessions are available.

If you have ever been through a military deployment, there are no words to explain how hard it is to send the father or mother of your children off to some foreign, dangerous land, leaving you all behind…. Alone. It’s indescribable to watch their faces light up as their mother or father comes up the stairs of the airport after months, possibly a year or more, of not hugging each other. Emotions fly through the main lobby, it’s so very good to have them home. Your base’s Family Support Squadron will help you with your deployment. But the last thing on your mind when your wife or husband arrives home after a 4 to 18 month tour, is capturing all this love– on film. Most people are so overwhelmed with emotions they forget to simply point and shoot the camera they are grasping of their child’s first hug, or that single tear of relief from a mother being able to hold her twenty year old son again. With the help of Operation: Love ReUnited and local photographers near your base, you can.

The Operation helps those long months go by a little faster. It’s designed to capture moments that you will never remember. It’s art. It’s love. And it’s all made possible by artists wanting to give something back to those who make the United States what it is, and ask for nothing in return- but to come home.

If you are a member of the United States Military, and are interested in having very special and touching images with a patriotic edge taken of you and/or your family before a deployment or during, and at your reunion, please contact Mikkean Photography now.

In addition to the complementary session, you will receive one (1) 4x6 album of pre-deployment images, such as a child’s hand clasped in his parent’s with the faint glimpse of a BDU sleeve, a marine in dress with his family, a salior with his parents right before departure, or a child playing dress up in combat boots and a helmet. The album will be sent directly to the deployed soldier by our studio.

About Pre-Deployment & Deployment Sessions:
OpLove Pre-Deployment & Deployment sessions help you say goodbye and cope with being away. Anyone who has had to see their husband or wife, son, daughter, sister or brother off to war knows how hard it is to watch them walk away from you. Our studio volunteers to capture these emotions. We feel your pain, having been a military spouse and family member myself. We want to listen, help ease your worries, and want to do what we can to help you through this deployment, and we do that with our photography. Your initial session will be either with the your spouse before he or she deploys dressed in their dress uniform or BDUs for most of the session, or if you find OpLove after your loved one has deployed, your session will be done without your loved one keeping a patriotic theme that could include dress, hats, BDUs, boots and other military gear, but they will still experience all the love & benefits that OpLove has to offer.

About Returning Sessions:
When your loved one comes home from a deployment, the last thought on your mind will be your camera. Most people are so overwhelmed with emotions, they simply forget they are holding it in their hand. Once you find out about the time your loved one is to return from his or her deployment, please let Mikkean Photography know. We will want to accompany your family to the welcoming home of your spouse or loved one, and capture that first glimpse, that first embrace, and all the love that surrounds every person who walks off that plane, into their families arms.

**Please note that orders may be requested. Pre-deployment sessions in which the deploying spouse is participating, should include their military uniform, dress or BDUs, being worn for most of the session. Some images may be taken in civilian clothes but please understand that this program does not focus on traditional family portraiture. If an OpLove session takes place and the spouse has already been deployed, the session should keep a patriotic theme including military gear such as hats, uniforms, boots, etc. A model release must be completed at the time of the session.

No purchase is required. If you would like images in addition to the complementary 4x6 album for the deployed soldier, they will be available for purchase.

If you have additional questions, please contact Mikkean Photography or visit www.oplove.org

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

A few days ago, I was blessed with an incredible opportunity. I was notified that I was accepted to be an affiliate photographer for the "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep" Foundation.

A little about the Foundation:

When we learn that we are expecting a baby - whether it be a first or sixth - we have a range of emotions - from happiness, to excitement, joy, and sometimes fear and uncertainty. For some families, the fears become a reality when they find out that their baby may have have a life-threatening condition through pre-natal tests. Most of these families will take the journey through the entire pregnancy not knowing what lies ahead for their precious child. Some parents may not find out about a life threatening condition until their baby is born and some will know immediately because their baby was born still. These families aren't thinking about the outfit they will bring their baby home in, or of the future events that will be recorded in scrapbooks. They are forced to think about the very worst because they are told that they must do so.

This is where the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS) Foundation can help with the healing process when a precious baby passes on. The thought of having photographs made of the baby may not be at the forefront of the family's mind when facing all of the decisions that they have to make, but soft, gentle heirloom photographs of these beautiful babies are an important part of the healing process. They allow families to honor and cherish their babies, and share the spirits of their lives.

At the request of a family, myself or another local affiliate photographer will go to the hospital or hospice location and provide you with a private portrait session. This service is offered to any family suffering the loss of a child as early as 20 week gestation, as well as children as old as several months. The portraits are then retouched and provided to the family as a DVD slideshow as well as a CD that will allow them to print the portraits of their precious baby. All affiliated photographers graciously donate their time and talents to our families and are proud to offer this service at no cost.

I am honored and blessed to be one of their affiliated photographers. To be able to give these families professional photographs of the precious moments with their baby.

To learn more about the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation, contact an area coordinator, or make a much-needed donation, please visit www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org