Category Archives: volunteer

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Megan and Rob: A Preview

October 27, 2009 – 2:41 PM

I met with Megan and Rob to photograph their engagement session on Sunday. The weather we had was some of the most beautiful we have had in Buffalo, NY in some time. Megan and Rob smiled with ease throughout the entire engagement session and made photographing them so much fun. Check out some of the photos in this preview and check back next week for more. Enjoy!

Megan & RobMegan told me how much she enjoys Fall and Winter. Megan came up with a wonderful idea for her ring shot. I love the brilliant colors in this shot. It’s these colors that also bring the warmth of Fall closer to my heart.

Megan & RobThis shot was taken in the lot of one of the newer schools in Niagara Falls. I had previously driven by this schoolyard and fell in love with these sculptures. They mean many things to me but enough for now. The rest of the post will be up early next week. Check back next week and see more photos from this fun photo session.

Megan & Rob

By Christopher | Also posted in Clients, Engagement Session | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (2)

Back to my passion.

October 15, 2009 – 8:40 AM

Wedding season is winding down, at least here in Western New York. Football season is winding down and moving toward the playoffs. As we progress toward Winter my posts will also return to a more specific focus of wedding and engagements. 

I hope everyone has enjoyed my posts. I know some of you were struggling to see football related posts on a wedding photography blog but for me photography and football go together. Football is my son’s passion and photography is mine. It is wonderful when I have an opportunity to mix both passions and reward my son with memories he will cherish forever. I write football posts in the same fashion as I write posts related to weddings and engagements, with a high degree of passion and the goal being telling a story through my photography. 

It’s important for me to reach out and say ’Thank you” to those clients who have hired me throughout the year. Without all of you my ability to follow my passion and work toward turning it into full-time employment would be much more difficult. Thank you!

As most of my readers are aware, I have and continue to spend a significant amount of time giving back to my community. Giving back is not so much a part of me as who I am. 

It’s myvolunteer work especially with Make-A-Wish which helps me to remain grounded and focused. I enjoy sharing my photography with others and especially enjoy seeing the smiling faces of family’s who now have photographs to adorn the walls within their homes. I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to do something that I truly love and to give back.

To say “Thank you” I’ll be giving away a family portrait session to one lucky family. What I would like my readers to do is nominate one family who you believe to be deserving of such a gift. The one thing I ask is that you nominate a family who for whatever reason cannot afford the cost of a portrait session. From those submissions I will pick a winner. There is one important qualifier: The family must reside in Western New York. The nomination process will close by December 1, 2009 so I have an opportunity to photograph the family so they can receive their prints before Christmas.

If you know of someone who would love to have a free photo session completed, please send your nomination to me at christopherkijowskiphotography@gmail.com.

Sarah and Jason

By Christopher | Also posted in Engagement Session, Misc., Personal Development, Wedding | Comments (0)

Images for a Cure

October 1, 2009 – 12:31 PM

Welcome aboard and help me celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

A few weeks ago what was only an idea in a photographers heart quickly became a reality as Kristen Weaver created the Images for a Cure national fundraising event.

Images for a Cure is a one day event where hundreds of participating photographers will be shooting portrait sessions for a discounted session fee of $100.  All the session fees from the event will be donated directly to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.  This day in age it seems virtually impossible to find someone who has not been touched by breast or other forms of cancer.  A few  years ago Bradford’s aunt was quickly taken by the disease in a matter of months.  We are so honored to take part in such an incredible event that allows us to use our talents and bring something beautiful to an ugly disease.  Join us on October 11, 2009 as photographers across the country will be shooting portraits to help raise funding to further breast cancer research.  Christopher Kijowski Photography is proud to be offering mini sessions on Sunday the 11th for $100 each.  Our mini sessions are perfect for family photos, holiday photos for Christmas cards, or just because.  Please contact us at christopherkijowskiphotography@gmail.com or go directly to our website at www.christopherkijowskiphotography.com if you are interested in booking your session.  Book soon as only a limited number of sessions are available.

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*Session fee does not include prints or a disc of images.  All products can be purchased separately.

By Christopher | Also posted in Clients, Giving Back, Promotions, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Andrea and Brian’s Surprise Baby Shower

September 16, 2009 – 7:04 AM

I have known Andrea and Bryan for a long time. We won’t get into the exact amount of time because that would reveal how old I am and might lead to my depression. Seriously, it’s been a long time. Nancy  and I were invited to attend the couple’s”surprise baby shower.” WOW! I didn’t know how much fun could be had at one of these events. Thank God I had my camera with me. Brian seriously loved all of the gifts but was most excited by the plethora of diapers the couple received, that is until I explained to him they might only last a month.

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Andrea's Baby Shower-90I think this is my favorite shot. Andrea’s sister Sarah came up with idea for a contest for door prizes. Baby diapers with a spot of melted chocolate. The guests had to smell and visualize the type of “diaper filler”. The correct answer won a door prize. I just couldn’t participate and I more than likely won’t ever look at chocolate the same way again! I can’t wait for the “real” shower in October.

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By Christopher | Also posted in Family, Fun Stuff, Misc., Personal, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

7th Annual Carly’s Crossing

August 17, 2009 – 2:54 PM

On October 19, 1999, just a few weeks after complaining of headaches, 8-year-old Carly Collard Cottone was diagnosed with medulloblastoma – an aggressive form of brain cancer. Three days later, the tumor was removed. Carly began radiation treatment at Roswell Park Cancer Institute soon after.

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Unfortunately, this was not the first time Carly was touched by cancer. She lost both of her biological parents–Tony and Judie Cottone–to cancer during the first seven years of her life. But Carly faced her own battle with cancer with amazing courage and optimism. After all, she had goals and dreams–to go to a Backstreet Boys concert and grow up to become an interior decorator. Nothing was going to slow down this little girl who had so much living to do.

Throughout her fight, Carly was very appreciative of the support she received from her family members and friends. As a way of showing her appreciation, she decided early on in her treatment that she wanted to help other kids who were also battling cancer. Thus, Carly’s Club was born. With the love and support of her adoptive parents, Chuck and Carole Ann Collard, Carly was able to fulfill her dream of helping other families touched by the disease.

Sadly, Carly lost her hard-fought struggle with the disease in August of 2002. Little did she know the positive impact that Carly’s Club would have on the lives of the thousands of children diagnosed with cancer each year.

Carly created a beautiful legacy – and you can help us continue it for all children diagnosed with cancer, and to offer support to families across Western New York. Thank you for your generosity to help find cures and save lives!

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Many thanks to the hundreds of swimmers, volunteers and supporters who made Carly’s Crossing 2009 another successful year! More than 300 swimmers turned out to Gallagher Beach on Sunday, August 16, to dive in and show their support for pediatric cancer research and patient care at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Special thanks to Olympic swimmer Kara Lynn Joyce, who swam in the 600-yard course with our top fundraisers, cheered on our swimmers and made the day extra special! Read more about Carly’s Crossing 2009 in this article from The Buffalo News.

By Christopher | Also posted in Family, Fun Stuff, Giving Back, Misc., Personal, Personal Development | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)