This morning I woke up and I thought I was in a garden. A luscious, beautifully smelling garden of roses. A garden where the birds chirp and the honeybees buzz along happily, and the sun pours through the trees like golden rays of joy…
Alright, maybe I didn’t actually think those words, but it definitely smelled good when I woke up. All thanks to the b-e-a-utiful bouquet of roses that Jake sent me! As I sat munching on my bowl of cereal this morning, enjoying the pretty flowers next to my desk and sun shining through the window, I wondered why I wasn’t sad. After all, this will be the 4th year in a row that I haven’t been able to spend Valentine’s Day with my valentine. As I thought about it, I realized two things. First, this will be the.very.last time ever that Jake and I will be apart on Valentine’s Day. And that is definitely something to be happy about.
Second, I really just love LOVE. Even if I can’t be with the one I love today, it seriously makes me happy to look around and see everyone else so smitten and loving life. Slightly jealous, maybe, but mostly happy. I truly believe that love is the most moving, the most powerful, and the most beautiful thing in the world. I’m not just talking about romantic love, either. The love between a child and a parent, between friends that become family, shoot even between man and man’s best friend. If there is one day a year for you to put aside your differences, come together and share some love, today is that day.
So, in the name of love, I’ve decided to hold my first ever contest!!! Woo hooooo get excited!! Here are the details:
How to enter: Super easy!! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post stating what you consider to be the best love song ever. Just make sure to fill in your name and your email address (PLEASE make sure you type this in correctly because if you don’t I won’t have any way of contacting you!) and we’ll be good to go. Bring on the love!
The Prize: There are actually two prizes you can choose from! Awesome, right? First is a FREE PHOTO SHOOT :) for you and someone you love. Whether you just got engaged or you’ve been married 50 years, whether you want a mother/daughter shoot or pictures with your best friend, as long as its you and someone you love, you will receive a free shoot with a disc of the digital negatives. Score! Second option, if we are unable to meet up due to distance, timing, or any other unfortunate circumstances, don’t lose heart! You will recieve a FREE 8 x 10 PRINT of any of my Italy pictures! You can choose one from over 100 pictures from my time in Florence and Venice last year.
The Rules: There aren’t really any rules, except that you can only enter once. This contest will end in one week, February 21st, at midnight. On the 22nd I will randomly select from all the entries and announce the winner :) (A little extra incentive: if you refer people to this post and have them mention you when they enter, the person with the most referrals will also recieve a 5 x 7 Italy print :) So share the love!)
Alright I think that’s everything. Can’t wait to hear what songs you guys come up with! Here a few of my favorites from Italy, in case you hadn’t seen them… HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!!!!
(Best cappuccino I’ve ever tasted…)
30 Comments
Carissa, I just have to say that I love reading your thoughts! I think the best love song is Aerosmith’s “Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” (Haha remember the time we all sang this to Brian playing it? Good times, good times!)
That’s kind of hard… Hmm… It’s kind of a toss up between “Someone to Watch Over Me” sung by Frank Sinatra and “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning” from Frank Sinatra.
I’m going to submit A Melody, The Memory by Mae. Music has always been a huge part of my relationship with Julie. This song is about how music takes us back to times and moments that are rich in romance and love. Photography accomplishes the very same thing. :)
That’s a tough one…there are so many wonderful love songs.
a Little More of You by Ashley Chambliss. ‘Laughed enough with you to know just how I want to feel, I’ve been with you enough to know just why I need you’
What a wonderful idea, Carissa!
I think the best love song is REM’s At My Most Beautiful:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdd6_0SJBWU
I’m not really wanting to enter the contest, but I just think it’s the greatest love song, ever.
I have a hard time saying “greatest of all time”, but here are a couple of my favorites that come to mind. One is Sarah McLachlan’s “I Love You” (espec. love it on her Mirrorball album). The other is Ben Fold’s “The Luckiest”. Very evocative songs for me.
(And thanks Rob for reminding me about Mae… Had one or 2 of their CDs, but not their most recent. Good stuff.)
My fiance and I just just got engaged, and we’re thinking about playing Bob Dylan’s “If Not For You” as our first dance song. It’s sweet and sentimental without being cloying or cliche, and upbeat and easy to dance to while remaining sincere.
I don’t know if there’s a single greatest, but I know that All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera, The Luckiest by Ben Folds, and Indiana by John McLaughlin are up there.
Dearest Carrissa,
Your Mom shared your blog with me. Your pictures are amazing. They capture beauty in all Gods creations from your tiny fish and pLants to the individual faces. I look forward to watching your work in the future.
My favorite Love song is by Barbara Steisand- the Title: Draw Me a circle. It is short and simple but gives a description of being in love and the way it reflects on your face.
Thanks for sharing your gifts. Janet
Heard about this from Leah Engelbert-Fenton… a few of my favorites:
“In My Life,” The Beatles
“Casimir Pulaski Day,” Sufjan Stevens
“The Shining,” Badly Drawn Boy
“Anyone Else But You,” The Moldy Peaches
I’m fully aware that the song I’m about to suggest was at one time, or may still be cheesy in the Christian music department, but it has really struck a chord with me lately. Steven Curtis Chapman’s “I Will Be Here” has a renewed romance to me after nearly 13 years of marriage and four kids. I’ve been reading the book “Sacred Marriage” and the first chapter tells about how marriage can become like a long interstate drive through Kansas – steady, monotonous, with an interesting “overpass” every now and then. SO TRUE! SCC’s song just encourages me that as the days pass and we get older, marriage is a safe place where I can be who I really am (which is hard to find in life).
I would love a chance to win a photo shoot! You have such a gift!
Carissa,
SO glad your mom told me about your blog. You are an amazing photographer! I called Rob in to the room while looking at this, and we came up with “The Promise” by Tracy Chapman. I LOVE this beautiful song! But if we are talking best song of “all time” then I will have to say “The Rose” by Barbara Streisand. Rob and I had a long distance relationship and engagement – I feel your pain!! Hang in there! You are close to being together – married! It is awesome! Email me soon so we can talk about getting together with you guys! LOVE your blog!
The Promise by Tracy Chapman
I love this for a contest, Riss :) Probably the best love song would either be “Prelude to Peace” by Z. Randall Stroope (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BeYrx5j0tk) or “Sing Me to Heaven” by Daniel Gawthrop (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CODZZPbLxg)
We are singing these two in choir right now, and they make me tear up every time we sing them. :)
Carissa! I hope everything is going well for you! I feel like maybe you Sara, Libby and I should get together again for dinner! Your pictures are just wonderful too! You certainly have a true gift!
The best love song is Fever. Originally done by Ella Fitzgerald, but recently remade by Michael Buble. Its a wonderfully sensual song about one persons love for another, and other famous figures love for one another!
“Strangers in the Night” by Frank Sinatra… moving, romantic, and full of love… and I am sure that everyone, at some point in their life will be able to relate to love at first sight…
Carissa,
You are phenomenal!!! The best love song ever is “Your Everything” by Keith Urban!!
Love you
Matthew West just put out some amazing love songs. They are called “Hold You Up” “When I Say I Do” and “Waiting for You”
Hi Carissa! I know we’ve never met- but through Sara I have fallen in love with your photography! Congrats on the engagement.. by the way!
I think the best love song is “Lets stay together” by Al Green. It just makes you want to dance- and love! :)
Oh… and If I win… I think i’ll die. Seriously! haha just kidding- but seriously your photography is incredible.
Hi Carissa! I’m so glad I found out about your great website/blog from your mom. You truly have a gift! Absolutely gorgeous photos. My favorite love song is “True Companion” by Marc Cohn, which was the song that played during our wedding reception slide show. Makes me cry every time.
Well, I am not sure dad’s can win, but if I did, I would do a photo shoot on the golf course out here in Utah, so you could capture my incredible swing. My favorite love song might well be, Sometimes When We Touch, by Dan Hill. I love you Carissa—-and I think you are a great photographer, even if I am slightly biased!
i would love to win either the photo shoot or one of your photos! they are absolutely beautiful chevy! i only wish that i could go to italy and take some of my own. anyway, that love song…
“she’s everything” by brad paisley. i love that man. or “come away with me” by norah jones. i’m on a norah kick right now.
oh and ps i miss you!
Thank you SO MUCH everyone!!! I seriously love hearing from all of you! These comments have made my day and your support means the world to me :)
Wow, Carissa, your work is beautiful. Makes me want to go to Italy! Your mom sent an email about your contest/blog so she’s probably in the running for the 5×7 photo. Our favorite love song is Alison Krauss’s “When You Say Nothing at All”, also our wedding song. Congrats on your engagement and upcoming wedding!!
These pictures are over the top awesome. I need some poster size prints.
Anyway, the absolute best love song ever written is “you are so beautiful” by Joe Cocker. Go ahead, google it.
Love
Uncle Gary
You are an amazing photographer – The girls and I have had a great time going through your pictures! You really do capture “the moment” and I love your music selection during the slide shows. For favorite love songs our house says “Unchained Melody” and “Hey there Delilah”. Take care and Happy Birthday! Your cousin, Chris
Riss,
Fun photos… fun idea. I just learned this morning in church about a sweet band called Band of Light (featuring some guy named Gary Fine). I assume they have the greatest love song of all time… but since I haven’t heard it, I’m going to go with the song ‘Crew’.
Here are the lyrics:
“Sweet baby Crew,
Your momma loves you!”
copyright Lauren Kimble 2010
Looking forward to you becoming a Utah resident again!
mk
My last name didn’t fit in the box . . . haha.
I’m not sure I could ever argue that they’re the best love songs in the world, but two that I love are “We Will Dance” and “I Will Be Here”, both by Steven Curtis Chapman.
Love your pics – as always. :)
Hello Carissa,
I am a friend of Leah Engelbert-Fenton from college. She asked that I submit something to you.
My favorite love song is “Your Song” by Elton John.
Congratulations on your engagement and best wishes for all of your future St. Valentine’s Days with Jake.
~Amanda
Hi! Leah is a good friend of mine, and she told me about your wedding – congrats!!! I’d have to say that, as cliche as it is, my favorite love song is My Heart Will Go On, the theme song from Titanic :). It’s just so moving!
Hi Carissa,
We have been to Venice and I LOVED how you captured the perspectives of the buildings and the brick streets….also the “hat” rather than the millions of pictures with the guy standing and rowing….
My favorite love song is “Only You” by the Platters….that really dates me….another is “HE” and I do not know who wrote it…
which is more about forgiveness…which is a great counterpart of Love.
You have a gift, Carissa….use it for HIS glory!
Blessings,
Sheila and Rog Shaw