Miss K’s Mama, Amanda, answered a model call on my Facebook page for newborn models (still need some, by the way – check the Facebook page to see if you have a kiddo that would qualify. It’s a few posts down). What I’m doing is trying out all of the props that I’ve bought over the years and have never used. I’m trying to see if they’d really be good props, or if I need to have a massive garage sale of home decor sometime soon.
Anywhoozles, Miss K is a doll baby and was very understanding as we tried her in several different set ups. I got a few keepers and had to share!
Time to give some of our voters some love! All of these voters will receive gift packages from BeeSilk Naturals! Also, if you voted, be sure to check your e-mail later tonight. I’m giving a lucky batch of voters a gift from Deena Riley Photography as well… trust me, you’ll want to get that e-mail!
Here’s the numbers that Random.org chose for winners. If your name is on the list below, please e-mail deena@deenariley.com with your address so I can send you your goodies!

- 212 – Christine (voted for #8)
- 13 – Chris Slaughter (voted for #16)
- 37 – Denise (voted for #13)
- 48 – Martha Hanna (voted for #16)
- 10 – Rachael (voted for #16)
- 130 – Holly Edwards (voted for herself
– #11) - 51 – Amy Dinger (voted for #2)
- 84 – Tasha (voted for & mommy of #8)
- 185 – Toni Miller (voted for #4)
- 121 – Nancy (voted for #8)
- 22 – Barbara Reed (voted for #16)
Congrats to all of you! If you’re a friend of the winner, please help me let them know that they have won! Not everyone left a valid e-mail address *ahem* so it’s hard for me to get ahold of everyone!
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I am so excited to share all of the goodness and fun with you with The Best of 2011. First of all, let me say thank you to all of you! It was an amazing (and close!!) race and I appreciate all of the enthusiasm you had for this year’s contest. It just gets bigger and better each year!
Next, a big THANK YOU to our 2 prize donors, BeeSilk Naturals and Cutie Pie Couture! Jen & Abbie are amazing moms & business women who happen to be clients of mine (they both had kiddos in the running for Best of 2011 this year!). Let me tell you a little about their companies… (and excuse my product shots… they’re not my specialty!)

Jen of BeeSilk Naturals is a chemist who is brilliantly using those talents to create awesome bath, beauty, and body products! I purchased some of her products recently and had the most decadent bath ever! I tried the Nite Cap Bath Tabs (the Bath Cubes of the same flavor are seen front and center above) – they made the water silky without being oily and the scents were so relaxing. I also tried her Rosemary Mint Scrub… amazing as well! I used it to smooth rough elbows and knees… I think this was the first time in my marriage I told my hubby to rub my elbow because it was so smooth afterwards! Ha! I also tried her Whipped Body Frosting in Buttery Cocoa… ultra moisturizing and I went to bed smelling like a brownie. Score! Needless to say, I’m hooked and can’t wait to try more of her products (she sent a ton for me to share, and it’s taken a lot of self control not to keep it all for myself!)

Next up:

Abbie made Bella’s super cute 1st birthday photos dress… remember it (it’s the yellow/purple one)? Abbie was just starting to go into business then, and now she has all kinds of cute stuff for sale for both BOYS and girls. I bold the boys because I know it can be hard to find cute stuff for boys, or so my boy mamas tell me! She’s donated some super cute stuff you’ll see throughout the post… like this dress & bow combo:

“So…” you say… “who’s THE Best of 2011?” Well…
Don’t you want to know what they’re winning? ![]()
They’re getting the session + disc from me, a super cute dress / bow combo from Cutie Pie Couture and some amazing goodies from BeeSilk Naturals:

So… who is it? Well the dress tells you it’s probably a girl… and you’re right… Congrats to our Best of 2011!

Miss B! Our bear! Congrats Mama Chelsea… I’ll have prizes to you ASAP!
Now, this year was closely contested… so much so, I want to give our second place finisher an amazing prize as well! Second place will receive a disc from me for their next session, the pink dress and bow you saw above with the Cutie Pie Couture info, and some BeeSilk Naturals goodies… congrats to…

Miss E and her precious piggies! Mama Meredith, we’ll get your goods to you soon!
Now for some randomly chosen prizes for our nominees…
Winner of this cute shirt by Cutie Pie and some BeeSilk goodies:


#5 – Miss L (sorry Miss L, it may fit your little sister better…) ![]()
And winner of this adorbs shirt and some BeeSilk goodies:


Mr. D and his cake face! Congrats!
Now, the prize-love is not done! I have 11 prize packs from BeeSilk Naturals to give out to voters… tomorrow.
Come back and visit again and I’ll have bunches more to hand out! Congrats to the winners!
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Yay!! Congrats to everyone!

Voting is now CLOSED! Stay tuned for the winners – announcements to come this week!
Here we go, folks! Time to call in a favor to your neighbor and grab your partners and… well, you get the idea! The Best of 2011 voting is now open! I tried to narrow the field to 10, but just couldn’t quite get there. I will say this: it was incredibly tough to narrow it down. If you don’t have an image here from your 2011 session it’s not because I don’t love you! Promise! These are just *some* of my favorites – some for expression or the moment captured or the technical side of things… there’s no rhyme or reason. I just like them!
Here are the rules:
- To vote, leave a comment with your favorite image’s number (the number is ABOVE the image!)
- Only one comment per e-mail, please. Duplicate votes will not count.
- Please be patient as I have moderation enabled on comments. I will get your comments approved ASAP!
- Voting will be open until Sunday, 1/15/2012 at 7:00 PM. At that time I will close down the comments and start to weed out the doubles, etc.
- Winners to be announced here next week!
Winners mean prizes… and the prizes are:
Grand Prize: Free 2012 Session + Disc from yours truly + some other goodies to be named later…![]()
2 Random Best Of’s: Free Disc with your next session + maybe some other goodies as well
For the voters (yes, if you vote you’re eligible): all kinds of goodies to be given at random… sessions, discs, gift cards for the out of towners… fun stuff ahead!
So, here they are… the Best of 2011!
#1 – Miss L + Miss K:

#2 – Miss T:

#3 – Mr. C:

#4 – Miss E’s piggie toes:

#5 – Miss L:

#6 – The G Family:

#7 – Miss C:

#8 – Miss M:

#9 - J + K:

#10 – Mr. Z:

#11 – K+H:

#12 – Mr. G:

#13 – Miss B:

#14 – Miss A:

#15 - Mr. K:

#16 – Mr. D:

That’s it! Those are the nominees! Oh, and while you’re in a voting mood… after you comment for you favorite here, would you mind clicking below and voting for me?
Thanks!
222 comments
I of course vote for #15. He was so sick that day and still cooperated with you
We of course vote for #3 -Mr. C. The love of our life!
I vote for #15, doing his best Mini Me pose!
I vote for #16 Mr. D! My cake smashing baby will be 2 soon!!
I vote for #15 – Mr K. Too cute!!
Love that grandson #16 Mr. D
Hi,
I really like Mr. K, #15. Love the pensive expression with the hand at his mouth and his legs crossed.
Ruth
Definitely, #16.
They’re all great! No. 16 Mr. D gets my vote.
#16 takes the cake in my vote
#16 Smashed cake always is a winner
I cast my vote for #16. What a cutie patootie!
An awesome photographer you are!
My vote is for #16 Mr. D aka Mr. Cakeface
#15 – Mr. K: Best Dr. Evil impression.
My vote goes to #6. They’re the the best family and I love them all dearly.
Vote G family 6
I vote for # 15. Don’t you just love the eyebrow!
I vote for #15.
I would like to vote for#15 Mr k. Too cute!
wonderful web site…very fun, colorful and beautiful. #16 has my vote.
I love no.6. Fantastic picture with beautiful family.
Dillon #16 is a real cutie. Great picture
#16. He is so cute and reminds us all of what our children looked like eating cake.
#16. So cute and brings back memories of my children.
My vote is cast for #16…looks like Mr. D had quite the celebration on his 1st birthday!
#16 for sure! Pure joy on that child’s face!
#3 Mr. C
No. 6
I vote for #15. He is such a cutie
I%20vote%20for%20%2315.%20He%20is%20such%20a%20cutie
I vote for #13
Cutie pie #13!!
#13 for Miss Blaire Bear!!
)
#13 Miss B.—- Beautiful happy baby girl
I love #13, Blaire!
I vote for #13!! My little Blaire Bear!
#13 – Miss Blaire Bear has my vote! Cutest girl in the world!
I vote for my cutest little 2nd cousin in the world!!!! #13 all the way!!!!
#13 should win for sure!!!!!!
#13 – the bear is too cute!
I vote for #13. She is adorable.
My vote is for #13! Miss B the bear!
I vote #13. Adorable!!
#13!!!
I vote for #13.
My vote goes for number 13. Cutie putootie BLair BEAr!
I envey your job they are all so cute but I have to vote for Mr K and his blue eyes number 15. Besides I’m his Mimi and so proud of our little guy.
I vote for #13 because she’s adorable!
#16 The D-Man is most definitely the best!!!
I have to vote for #2 with the bunny!!!
I vote for miss t!#2 TOOOOOO CUTE!!!!!!!
#2 miss t too cute!
Number 13 lucky miss Blaire Addison
Image #2
Unconditional love is absolutely expressed betweenthese two!
#6 is my dear sweet niece and her dear family and you captured their love in a special beautiful profound way……our love to you and them ……………..Dick and Barbara Robie
#1!
#2
#16 for sure
I like #12,what a cutie
#16 — HANDS DOWN!
#6 the G family
Miss B #13!!!!!!!!!!
#13 Ms B is a cutie!
Conner is listed as #3 – Mr. C
#3 – Mr. C:
#3
I want to vote for #3, the little boy is so cute and this is a great photo.
#16 – cutest little fella!
#10—a very handsome young man!
#12
Love #16 adorable and so in the moment
#3 – Mr. C
I would like to vote for number 12 – Grayson.
i vote for miss B #13
Love No. 12. Absolutely adoreable.
Love%20No.%2012.%20%20Absolutely%20adoreable.
I vote for #12- G
Adore!
Mr. D!! # 16 is the cutest!!!
#12 gets my vote…what a great face!!
I vote for Grayson, #12! Look at that precious smile!!!!
#12 is the cutest in my opinion
I vote for #16. Adorable first cake pic!
# 12 Mr. G!!!!
I vote for my sweet little Meli girl – #8!
#12 He’s too cute!
number 12 – he is too cute!
#13 My Grandbaby Miss B!
#13 Miss B!!!
I vote for #8 sweet Miss M!
#8 should be in a magazine. That shot is amazing.
I vote for # 8 Miss M. Beautiful little girl!!!
I vote for #8! Love it!
Love Little Miss # 13! Such a sweetheart!
I like the last one w/the topless kid covered in cake, #16, although I still think last years Z-Family was the best!
#13 Blaire-bear
Awww, I just had to vote for Lily # 5. I know, I know it probably won’t count
# 13 Cutest!
Love, love, love #5
Love #5
#8 for sure.
I vote for #13, what a cutie!
I would like to vote for #13….I love this picture.
You do wonderful work!
Camy
I vote for #8. Miss M is BEAUTIFUL!
#8, our friend Miss M!
#13 Precious!
Number #13, Miss B. Love the hat, reminds me of Ewoks. What a precious, tiny perfect picture.
Although every picture is fantastic, #13 gets my vote. This is a beautiful site!
I’m voting for Mr. C…..#3….what a look of pure joy you’ve captured!
#13 – just too cute!!!
#13 – so sweet!
I vote for Miss Blaire #13…the sky’s the limit for that one, her Grama told me so
My vote is for #8!
I’m voting for #8, Miss M!! Love that girl!
I vote for #13! What a little beauty!!
# 2 please!!!
#2 please
#8!
I vote for Miss B #13
#13! Miss B
I vote for #8
#8 please. Too cute.
Number 8!
#5 – Miss L!!
#3 of course! Such a cutie!!
I vote for #5… Miss L.
I vote for #5… too cute!
#1. Beautiful picture of beautiful girls!
I vote for #13 Ms. Blaire. She’s so precious
I vote for #13 Ms. Blaire~that is an adorable baby girl!
I vote for #11.
Of course I vote for 11!!
I vote for #8, she is so adorable
#8 all the way!
#4
I vote for #15, what a cutie!
I vote for #4!!!!
#13!
#4 is my vote – Ten little fingers, Ten tiny toes, The sweetest of smiles And a cute little nose. All these add up To a very special thing — A BABY The greatest of gifts That life can bring. Miss E has my vote
#15 is showing his intellectual side. He’s a big thinker. Smart like his parents!
#4 ((: i love this picture.! <3
I would like to vote for #12.
#8 – Miss M – easily the sweetest of the bunch! Love her so much!
I’m a *little* biased. But #1 is my fav.
With out a doubt I vote for #4 – Miss E’s piggie toes as the BEST picture of 2011! Love you guys!
Mr. C is the best of best….Grandma’s have the right to make this comment!!
#3 – Mr. C:
#4!!
I love #4!
#15 for sure!
Vote: #4 Miss E’s piggie toes. Such as sweet photo
I vote #4 – Miss E’s sweet little feet!
#8 Miss M
Very sweet.
I vote for #4
#4!!! Such a precious picture of a beautiful blessing and family!
#4 Miss E is fabulous!
Love #4 . Miss e’s piggie toes.
Love%20%234%20.%20%20Miss%20e’s%20piggie%20toes.
Gotta go with 15!
#13= Simply precious
Number 4! Precious baby with precious little feet!
I think you do absolutely great work, but #13 is my favorite!!
Love #4 Miss E’s piggie toes.
I vote for Miss E, #4!! That sweet baby has two of the sweetest parents. They have such a precious family!!!
Putting my vote in for beautiful #13.
# 4 picture, Miss E’s piggie toes for sure <3 God Bless!
Defintely #11 K-H! They are a beautiful couple and look so happy and in love!!
We vote for #4. Miss E is truly a special gift from God and those little feet and toes will leave footprint in the sand
I vote #4….so cute!
I vote #4!! Truly a gift from God and we love her!
4!
#15 – Mr. K!
Go go baby E! #4!!!!!
Love the pic of #11 has my vote!
# 8 Miss M.
# 8 Ms. M. My beautiful Great Grandaughter.
#15 – Mr K’s gigi
#15
#4 Miss E’s Piggie Toes is so precious <3
Voting for #4 Miss E piggie toes!
Number 4 = )
#4!!! CUTE LITTLE TOES!
4!
#4 is the BEST!
Picture number 4
I vote for #4! So cute!
#4!!
I vote for no. 13…Blaire….I am her aunt but she is the cutest…no bias implied
My vote is for #4! Absolutely beautiful!!!
My vote is for number 4. Great picture of a wonderful new addition.
Vote for #8!!
#15
I vote for #15 = Mr K
#4 – Miss E’s piggie toes:
#13 Miss B – Love the hat!!
Mr. C Number #3
I vote for #13 Miss B-nothing sweeter than a newborn
#8!!!!!
My vote is for the ever cute and precious Blaire. #13
#13 for sure! SUCH a cutie pie!!!
I VOTE #13, PRECIOUS BLAIRE BEAR! CUTEST BABY EVERRRRRRRR! SHANNON BURCH
#13 blaire is too cute!!!
My votes for adorable Miss B. #13 :^)
I vote for #13! Such a cute, sweet picture!
#13 is too cute for words – precious
I’m voting for #13 Miss B!!!! This is the ONLY picture I’ve ever seen of this child not smiling……and she’s still absolutely adorable!!!! Plus she’s my daughter’s BFF
I vote for #13 – Miss B
I vote for #8 miss m
My vote is for #13, a precious little baby bear!
#13
Ms. E’s little piggies are the cute things I seen! How adorable!
Ms.%20E’s%20little%20piggies%20are%20the%20cute%20things%20I%20seen!%20How%20adorable!
Vote for number 8! Thanks
I vote for #8 very cute!!
#13 Miss B
I vote for # 8 Miss M beautiful girl of extended family.
I vote for #8 please and thank you
I vote for #8.
#8 Ms M is too cute!!
I HAVE to vote for my precious granddaughter Melissa – #8 – Miss M!
# 8
#13 Miss B
I voted for #1. It perfectly captures sisterly love!
3! Too cute!

Shoot an e-mail to Deena@deenariley.com to book a party or mini! Hope to see you soon!
7 comments
#16 is adorable
I vote for cute Tess #2 with the bunny.
I vote for #3 – Mr. C!
#4 Miss E.
4 Ms. E
#3 – very excited!
Loving the little boy, he has such a fun expression on his face. Plus, look at those long eye lashes he has – WOW!
My vote is for Mr. C #3



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