In February, Polaroid announced that it would stop making its instant film in early 2009. By the end of 2009, the polaroid cameras will be obsolete. I’ve seen a few people hoarding up the instant films in my local drugstore. Polaroids cameras and photographs may soon become an old relic in a museum, thus making the photographs more priceless and memorable each time we look at it. With that said, here’s the first entry to our photo contest.

__________________________________________________

The interesting thing about this photo is that it is a rarity. I mean there are only about 30 actual photographs of me as a child from the age of birth until 10 years old. And more specifically, I have no photographs as an infant and only 1 as a toddler. But rather than use that solitary photo and end the story there, I chose this one.

My mother passed away when I was almost 3 years old. And from even before then, at around the age two, I was in foster care. The first home I stayed in was an awful experience. The days and nights were filled with trauma and abuse and It wasn’t too long before I was transferred to a second home. It was in this home that I had my first conscious and memorable experience of love between a child and a mother. Honestly it was a bit overwhelming at first, after what I had been through, to receive such a loving heart and loving place as this woman’s home.

Her name was Pat and she loved and cherished me as if I were her own. This photograph is one of about 29 (as I mentioned earlier the only other photo is that of me as a toddler) and it was taken on one of those old Polaroid cameras where the picture comes right out and needs to dry. And what I love about it, is the warmth I feel when I see myself, full of joy, in the arms of the only woman I ever really had in my life that held me and loved me as her own child would be held and loved. And the most difficult part of it all was she eventually, after almost 7 years of raising me, had to say goodbye when my biological father was able to take me back.

That experience, and Pat herself still have, to this day been an inspiration for me as an artist (musician ) and new father. In a song I’ve written about that experience and the sorrow I felt on the day I said my last goodbye to her I sing “I separate from your body, a passing smile wave my hand, there’s nothing left but a distance, and nothing more than a glance”.

And in the end what’s most memorable and inspirational to me is that she truly did love me unconditionally. As we recently were able to re-connect, after about 24 years of no contact, when she saw me, she grabbed me and hugged me for about a minute straight and in the midst of all the tears it all came back to me…… and it felt just the same,….. Just the same!

- Greg F.

It’s has been two weeks since the announcement of our first photo contest. Who’s going to be the first entrant? Don’t be camera shy and be the first!

Mother’s Day is around the corner. Surprise her with a Modern Lifestyle Portrait session. It’ll be an unforgettable experience that she’ll remember for years to come. Each time she looks at the photos she’ll relive the day. Email your photo story to WilliWongPhoto [at] yahoo [dot] com for the chance to win a free Modern Lifestyle Portrait session.

Starting next week I’m going to start a new feature, “Photography 101”. I’ve been assisting the Storyteller for 3 wedding seasons and not once held a professional camera.

A photographer’s assistant is another word for glorified equipment protector and transporter. It is about time that I learn how to shoot with a professional camera. I will chronicle and share with you my experience of each lesson. I’m not a technical writer; therefore I can only hope to entertain with each post.

I’m not going to beat around the bush. The reason for this photo contest is to get the viewership up.

You don’t have to subscribe to theBlog, but if you visit theBlog once in a while you may be rewarded.

The Rules:

• send us your favorite childhood photo
• tell us a little about the photo, what is the story behind the photo
• must be willing to appear on theBlog
• story must be true
• all can enter (yes, even friends and family, because I know they’re not groupies of theBlog yet)

The Prize:

• a Modern Lifestyle Portrait Session in New York City
• a private online gallery of images
• a custom designed photo collage
• a proof album with at least 30 images

The Details:

• send entries to WilliWongPhoto [at] yahoo [dot] com
• we will publish some entries that meet our requirements upon receipt
• we will publish the top 3 entries after we have received 25 entries

The Judging:

• the top 3 entries will be chosen by the Storyteller and his team of judges
• the winner will be chosen by viewers like you (details to come when poll opens)
• voting will go on for 7 days from the first day of posting
• the winner will be announced one week after the voting period ends

For inspiration and ideas please see the Storyteller’s childhood photo story.

Good luck!

P.S. the prize is not for an engagement photo session. Depending on the success of this contest another contest specifically for an engagement photo session will follow. So spread the word and participate. Your involvement will lead to more possible contests or the sad discontinuation.

Two new and exciting events to announce:

Firstly, starting next week we’re going to add a new feature to theBlog, “Gallery”.  The Gallery will showcase photographs capture by the Storyteller that he wants to share with us and he hopes you’ll be as drawn to them as he is.  I’ve seen some of them and they do evoke emotions and memories.

I thought about introducing the photos Sister Wendy style, but decided to let the photos speak for themselves and let the reviewers leave their comments instead.

Second, we’re still working out the details, but next month we’re going to announce our first contest.  It’s definitely photography related, so get your cameras and photos ready.  As soon as we have the details all sorted out, we’re going to publicize it.

Stay tuned!