The Charity Model Search is the main fundraiser of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. The Charity Model Search (CMS) began in 2009, shortly after I had experienced my second loss.  Even as a grief-stricken mother losing two boys within a year of each other, I thought this fundraiser was a brilliant idea for NILMDTS.  When I first learnd of this fundraiser, I was not employed or part of NILMDTS in any way, except that they had provided images of my first son.

This fundraiser is vital to NILMDTS for a number of reasons.

1. CMS promotes an opportunity for volunteer photographers.  A number of the photographers who participate in CMS are also NILMDTS volunteer photographers.  They take numerous sessions for NILMDTS families.  Participating in CMS gives another opportunity for them to support NILMDTS in a different way.
2. CMS is a recruitment tool for new photographers to get involved with NILMDTS.  Many of the photographers who participate in CMS then become volunteers for NILMDTS.
3. CMS educates families who may have never needed NILMDTS or have heard of NILMDTS.  It is important the general public knows about NILMDTS.  Unfortunately, they may encounter someone who may need our services and they will be able to tell someone about NILMDTS.  It breaks my heart when I talk with a mom who says to me, “I found out about NILMDTS a week too late.”
4. CMS celebrates the beauty of all children.  We do keep the CMS website separate so if a parent does not want to see images of the participants, they do not have to see them.

The most IMPORTANT reason this fundraiser is vital to NILMDTS is that over the past four years of this fundraiser, we have raised a quarter of a million dollars.  This translates into an additional 2500 families we have served that may not have otherwise been served.

In order to manage thousands of volunteer photographers and have an extensive online search to find a photographer, it costs about $100 per session.  This does not take into account the generosity of the photographers who graciously give of their time, talent, and many out-of-pocket costs to provide the sessions.

If you are able to support CMS in any way, please help us!  You can become a sponsor, donate prizes, sign up as a photographer, or vote.  Please visit www.charitymodelsearch.org.

Thank you for your support!

Gina Harris

Executive Director

CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR 50 FINALISTS!!

Region 1

Sanford by Aneca Photography

Demers by Lilifoto

Smith by Gustavson

Maxwell by Julie Rhodes (Photo 978)

Vuicic by Lilifoto

Graham by Julie Rhodes

Amato by Julie Rhodes

DelaCruz by S Gustavson Photography

Chounard by Julie Rhodes

Maxwell by Julie Rhodes (Photo 977)

Region 2

Rogers by Artis Photography

Dos by Island Style Images

Kraemer by Johnstone Studios

Gallagher by Shutterbug Studio

Rego_Rathbun by MsJaxin

Streuli by Artis Photography

McClinton by Johnstone Studios

Kirby by Johnstone Studios

Giese by Artis Photography

Dichter by Artis Photography

Region 3

Sprowls by Shutter-Happy

Kunasek by Studio C41

Boivin by Trevon Baker

Robertson by Shutter-Happy

Noon by Shutter-Happy

Fries by Studio Innovations

Beatty by Rae of Light Photography

Yoder by Paula Lovelace

Case by Paula Lovelace

Etler by Antisdel. S Photography

Region 4

Norling by Kimberly Ann Photography

Ganos by Kimberly Ann Photography (Photo 402)

Crawford by Portrait Stories by Ginger

Ganos by Kimberly Ann Photography (Photo 403)

Bemus by Nicole Rollin Photography

Taylor by Kimberly Ann Photography

Goetsch by Photography by Tina

Stilson by Envisions Photography

Gordon by Tammy Leker

Wood by Sarah Moore Photography

Region 5

Erickson by Runyon Photography

Badger by Bella Photography

Hays by Runyon PHotography

Paul by Studio 757 Photography

Tedder by Runyon PHotography

Harden by Angel Eyes Photography

Gates by Runyon Photography

Eckels by Calla Photography

Nocerino by Roberto Falck Potography

Walters by Calla Photography

Congratulations again, and a BIG THANK YOU for your participation in this important fund raising event.  We hope you had fun, and wish all of the finalists luck as you move into the final judging round.  The Finalist Gallery has been released so be sure to take a moment to check it out. Thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout this fundraiser!

News you need to know….

As we move into the last few weeks of this exciting event, there are some important things we’d like to pass on to you:

To date, we have raised $19,115 through votes, and we are grateful for your support.  Unfortunately, we are significantly behind our prior years’ totals for this event which is our biggest fundraiser of the year.  Please encourage your participating families, and their friends to continue to vote for their “Cutest Kids”.

We have also heard from many of you that the late start for voting created an impact for your participating families, and requested we extend the voting deadline to allow additional participation.  We wanted you to know that in response to your request, we will extend the voting deadline by 5 days to April 10th at 11:59 pm Mountain Time.

Several of you have also contacted us about some “glitches” in the new “favorite points” process.  This was a new feature this year, and offered in response to feedback from prior years, but we know that there have been some challenges with the system.  Rest assured that we are working to ensure that point counts are accurate.  We will be verifying point totals for all entries to confirm that the points captured in our database are accurately reflected in the gallery and in the standings.  We will also be verifying all email addresses  used to award points for validity.  If you see an adjustment in point totals in the gallery, you can be confident that we have painstakingly verified all points awarded in our database.  To further guarantee accuracy, and make sure the children with the most points move into the final judging round, the points award process will close as originally scheduled on April 5th at 11:59 pm Mountain time.  Voting will remain open for 5 additional days, and we will utilize that time to finish verifying the validity of all points awarded.  Vote totals continue to be reflected accurately.  On April 11, 2011 the finalists will be announced.

Oh No!  Entries with no votes or points!
Time to Get the Word out to Vote.

Photographers:
If you did not enter the family email when you uploaded the image, then the email notification verifyng the acceptance of the image and the direct URL to the image was sent only to you.  Have you forwarded the link and the voting information to your clients?  Take some time today to connect with all of your clients who entered to make sure they know how to vote.

Families:
Don’t forget to take some time and contact your friends and family members, and ask them to vote for your child!  There are some fantastic prizes  to win (see the prize list below), and remember that this event benefits an International Charity providing services to families suffering an early infant loss.  This is a great way to help us continue to ofer our services to grieving families in need.

To vote, please visit the Charity Model Search Gallery.

Greetings Everyone!

First of all we want to thank everyone for their participation in the 2011 CMS! This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and it is possible because of you fabulous people!

Now, to the point. There are a few weeks left to vote so it is really important for all of our participants, whether you are a photographer or a contestant, to encourage your friends and families to vote, vote vote! We have valuable prize packages for the top 3 “Cutest Kids” and their photographer’s.

Utilizing social media is a great way to get the word out about this fundraiser! Update your status on Facebook and tweet often! If you have a blog continue to start new threads and post about the 2011 Charity Model Search benefiting Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.

Again, we thank you for your participation! Help us make this fundraiser a huge success by encouraging your friends and families to vote!

There are many contestants that have not received any points or votes! Please let your families/clients know when their images have moved into the galleries and encourage them to get involved in the 2011 Charity Model Search. If contestants have a high number of points AND votes it will increase their chances of making it into the finals! We have great prize packages for the top 3 winning photographers AND top 3 winning children. If you are a contestant, family member or photographer encourage your friends and families to vote, vote vote!

Each day we have more contestants entering into the galleries. Please be sure to notify your clients when their images are in the gallery so they can begin voting for their child!

Remember, there are two ways to win this year! The 5 contestants with the highest votes and points from EACH region move onto the final judging round to total 50 finalists! Encourage your clients cast votes and apply points to increase your chances of making it into the finals!

Marketing Tips

-Send a follow up eblast to all clients you have not heard from. They may have been busy after the holidays and just forgotten to book a session

-Refresh your blog and Facebook events. Let folds know that you are participating to benefit Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep and encourage them to look at the charity.

**A big thanks to all participating photographers and their clients! This fundraiser is possible because of you all! **

We have put together  very enticing prize packages for our top 3 “Cutest Kids” contestants

1st-The Grand Prize winning child will win a travel package valued at $2500, a $2500 savings bond, and a $100 gift card to Target, Nikon Cool Pix point and shoot digital camera

2nd- $500 Savings Bond, and a $100 gift card to Target, Nikon Cool Pix point and shoot digital camera

3rd-$500 Savings Bond, and a $100 gift card to Target, Nikon Cool Pix point and shoot digital camera

First, Second, and Third Place winners will also be featured in Professional Photographer Magazine in a Summer 2011 issue

ALL regional finalists will receive a commemoration of their Finalist placement

**Encourage all of your friends and families to vote for your contestants/children!!!**

**This is our biggest fundraiser of the year that allows us to continue funding our photographer training and retention program! Through photographer training and retention we are able to continue to provide grieving families with the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep gift free of charge!**

Please remember- the contestants with the top 5 highest votes and top 5 highest points from each region move onto the final judging round…that’s a total of 50 finalists!

*NOTE: All taxes, and fees must be paid by the winner.*

Thank you to everyone who has submitted their portraits!  There are so many cute kids we find ourselves anxiously waiting to approve more!!

We have entries from all Regions and by the looks of things the voting and competition are heating up!

Don’t forget to tell your families to check in regularly to see how their children are doing!

MARKETING TIP:

Create an eblast template with your studio information to help clients notify friends and family about the event. Please encourage them to use Facebook and Twitter to tell friends to vote for their child.

Offer families your Model Search photo packages that you designed for this event and offer them future discounts if they refer others.

Keep blogging about your event and keep your Facebook page updated!

NEW ADDITIONS TO THE  PRIZE PACKAGE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS:

• Alien Skin Software – 3 grand prizes and 12 other prizes – EVEN better?  The winners get to choose which software will be the most valuable to them
• Photoflex – for the winning photographer – Starlight HD/DSLR Video Kit and 42 multidisk with disk holder
• Full Color Ink -  1st Prize – 16×16 on a 20×20 sandOUT Metal (or equivalent Circle standOUT) with choice standard or float mount hanging kit.  2nd and 3rd place prizes as well from Full Color Ink

THANK YOU TO ALL PARTICIPATING FAMILIES, PHOTOGRAPHERS & SPONSORS

The 2011 Charity Model Search (CMS) is back and read to launch! Photographer registration begins Monday, October 4, 2011. Registration is $25 and includes unlimited entries into the CMS and a pre-designed fully customizable marketing kit to promote the event to your clients. This is a great business builder for your studio during the slow winter months from January to March. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS) foundation.

Early Bird Registration Special

Be one of the first 100 photographers to register and receive a $10 discount off of the $25 registration fee! When you register, enter coupon code FIRST100. If you are one of the first 100 to register then your discount will be reflected at checkout.