I’m kind of at a loss as to where to even start this post. For those blog readers who don’t know, we live on Long Island NY. And you’ve seen the devastation from this storm on the news, or some of you first hand. We were lucky enough to sustain no real damage from Sandy and only lost power for about 2hrs during the storm. Being that we were so lucky, we’ve made our home available to any and all friends and family to come here- for a charge of their electronics, a hot meal, a shower, laundry, a place to hang out and even stay over on a couch. We’ve probably had around 30-40 visitors here since Monday (it’s slowed down a bunch since most of our town now has electric back) and while exhausting, it felt great to help out where I could.

One story of devastation is worst than the next. I have many friends who have lost everything- entire homes and everything in them, cars, jobs.  Friends in Breezy Point, Long Beach, Island Park, Baldwin Harbor, East Rockaway, Bay Park, the Jersey shore, Massapequa, the Rockaways, Oceanside, Wantagh. I’m sure there are more that I just haven’t heard from yet. In the past watching the effects of Katrina and other storms or natural disasters I always felt terrible for everyone affected and donated some money thru Red Cross. But it is so different when you see it in places you actually hang out or have been to. It’s nothing less than surreal. And so, so heartbreaking.

In order to do something to try to help (because it’s pretty easy and painless to open up your home and clean out some closets to donate clothing) I’ve decided to donate $25 from every shoot I have left in 2012 toward some kind of Sandy relief. I’ll be putting the money toward gift cards or direct purchases of supplies that are needed. I’ll make sure the supplies or gift cards (to Home Depot, CVS, PC Richards, Ace Hardware- things like that) get directly into the hands of people that need them. I have a few friends who live in the most effected local areas (or have summer homes there) so they are in and out daily cleaning up- they will let me know what is needed most and will bring it with them back into those areas. That $25 is coming out of my pocket, so no added costs to any bsquared client will occur. However, if you are a bsquared client (past, present or future) and would like to donate ANY amount toward the gift card or supply purchases, please feel free to donate anything you can. You can use the paypal link on the side of my blog if you’re so inclined (click the “donate” button for bsquared sandy relief), or send a check.

And if you aren’t sick of me yet, I’d like to ask for your help for one last matter. A friend/bsquared client’s home has been completely flooded and their family of 7 has lost so much. (By the way, this is the family who’s stroller got stolen off of the Pt. Lookout beach during their shoot last year). They are currently staying scattered throughout 2 states, so they aren’t even together. If you know of anyone who has a house or an apartment for them to rent while their house is repaired in the Wantagh area (they need to be able to bring their kids to school and the parents need to get to work), please let me know. Their friend/another bsquared client has been doing all their laundry and been able to salvage a lot of their clothing, but the girls could use new backpacks for school since their’s were beyond fixing with a wash. Any help would be greatly appreciated, especially on the housing situation!

(picture posted with permission) This is the family. They are amazingly nice and good people.  On a beach that probably doesn’t even exist anymore.

If any other bsquared blog stalkers (you know I love my stalkers) have a story you’d like me to share with my readers, please let me know and I’ll get you posted to the blog. I’m hoping all of my fabulous bsquared clients can come together and help each other. It’s like the zombie apocalypse out there (except without the zombies. so far.) with the gas shortage and no power and getting scarier by the day. My heart just breaks for those out there with no place to sleep and get warm as the temperature drops. Wish I could help them all.

Please feel free to share this post on your Facebook wall, or copy to your friends. The more people we reach, the better. Thank you all so much!!

First, congrats to Kim the winner from the last giveaway for the set of 3 mini books! We have her shoot this weekend so that will come in really handy!

We’ve reached our last giveaway. Thanks to all of you for liking my bsquared Facebook page! We’ve exceeded 1050 likes over there, and growing!

Speaking of Facebook, I’ve noticed over the last week or two that the posts on the bsquared page aren’t being seen by everyone who likes the page anymore. Facebook is getting “interesting” and is lessening some business pages “reach” as it seems they’re planning on starting to charge to promote your posts, or fewer and fewer people are going to see them. While I have no problem doing that, when I experimented with the pay to keep your post higher in the news feed a few months ago, it really made no difference as to how many people saw the post. My feeling is that if you’re going to charge to promote, at least be sure your promotion actually works!! So if you’re among the people who aren’t seeing some of the bsquared Facebook page posts, just jump over here to the blog every day to check them out.

And here’s the last giveaway… a whole mini session- for free!

1. to enter to win this prize, all you have to do is leave a comment here ON THIS BLOG POST. Just scroll down to where it says comments and then add yours. Tell me your favorite bsquared session story (or if you haven’t had one yet, what you’d like your session to be like when you do have one) It can be from the session itself, or from the pictures afterward.  Don’t forget to include your email address (which will not be published on the blog, but so I can contact you if you win!)

2. The mini session will be held on a date and at a location of your choosing (pending my availability) and will be of your immediate family only. Travel fees outside of Nassau County are NOT included. You can find out more about what a mini session includes on the pricing & packages page (link above in header).

3. I’ll announce the winner next week, so enter as soon as you can.

4. One comment/entry per person, please.

5. The winner will be chosen using Random.org. I’ll assign each comment a number starting with #1, and whatever number comes up from Random will be the winner. I’ll announce the winner here on the blog and the winner will also receive an email.

6. You can enter in every single giveaway. So if you entered to win the previous giveaways, you can still enter in any/all future “i like you too” giveaways.

7. There will be one winner per each giveaway.

Good luck!

Yeah, cannot even believe that’s the title of this post- but it is getting to be that time of year, especially for photography! So here goes…

1. I’m happy to let you know that the 2012 bsquared holiday card collection is now available. I’m working with a new designer this year to bring you some different card templates. You can still choose from 2010 and 2011’s collections as well.  You can find all the holiday card details on the blog here. Please note that the last day to order your holiday cards is Monday, December 3rd. Sorry, no exceptions.

2. Organic Bloom framing- if you’re considering ordering an (or several!) Organic Bloom frame(s) in time for the holidays for a gift for someone or for yourself, please note that Organic Bloom has let me know that their last day to place an order for guaranteed holiday delivery is currently Tuesday, November 6th. This date is subject to change based on their review of orders as the date approaches. So, my best advice to you is to place your Organic Bloom frame orders as soon as possible if you need them for the holidays. I’m happy to come to your home or offer a Skype consult free of charge if you need assistance in choosing frame styles, colors, sizes or where to hang them in your home. And don’t forget, if you would like help hanging your frames by a professional, bsquared photography offers that service, too.

3. Luxe albums- if you’re thinking of ordering a Luxe Album with photos from your bsquared session or event, my album vendor has set their date for guaranteed holiday delivery as December 1st. The albums are gorgeous and make a beautiful keepsake for years to come. So don’t hesitate on getting your order in for your album so you’ll have it in time for the holidays.

4. bsquared prints and discs- in order to ensure that I have all of your orders for guaranteed holiday delivery, please email me with your orders as soon as possible after receiving your gallery so there isn’t a last minute backlog. All orders placed by December 3, 2012 will be guaranteed for holiday delivery. Orders placed after December 3rd will be ready in mid January.

Okay, I think that’s everything. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, uh, I mean a great 3 day Columbus Day weekend! Please email me or leave a comment below with any questions.