When I was little we went around the Thanksgiving table and shared what we were thankful for. My brothers and cousins are all older now, married, engaged, career building, and for Thanksgiving we decided to open a bottle of wine and go around the table again. As each family member took their turn sharing what they were thankful for, I noticed that in some way each person was thankful for another person in their life, a relationship that has changed them, an act of kindness that haunts their heart. I found this to be true in many of your contest photo submissions. What would we do without the people who inspire us? May these finalists inspire you today.
Finalist #1 by Amy
“This image is from the Little Rock National Cemetery on July 4th of this year. On a day when you would expect many to be paying their respects and gratitude for the sacrifices these men and women made, I only met one soul meandering through the lives laid to rest. I’m thankful for lives lost and lives serving across our world so we can celebrate with our families a day of thanksgiving.”
Finalist #2 by Sheetal
“I am attaching a picture of my friend and her the sweet little baby boy she recently adopted. I chose this picture because I am thankful that there are amazing people like my friend who put themselves out there and step up to help others, and I am also thankful that this sweet boy is going to have such a fantastic life with her!”
Finalist #3 by Liliana
“A manger. A baby. A King. For Him, we are thankful.
When we had a hard time conceiving our first baby and after a scary third pregnancy, I made a promise to God that my children would know about Him. Every year, before Christmas, we celebrate and re-enact the story of the nativity. This photograph reminds me of three beautiful reasons to be very thankful.”
Finalist #4 by Michelle
“I’m thankful for girlies, playing outside between raindrops, smiles, and always knowing your sisters have your back (literally and figuratively).”
Finalist #5 by Anne
“I am thankful for love that transcends 60 years of marriage. I am thankful for the choice and commitment made by two people to have that type of relationship. I am thankful for the 5 kids, 11 grandkids, and 2 great grandkids that came as a result of their commitment.”
***I wanted to thank you ALL for sending your beautiful images to us! I wish I could share all of them on the blog, but that would be one very long post. 
It was so hard to narrow these down to five finalists. First I narrowed down to 12, then to 8, then to six, it was so tough. Thank you for trusting us with your beautiful images and being willing to share them with Brian and I. Keep shooting! You are capturing wonderful things (and I know you feel it inside!). ***
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Vote and Win 2 Different Ways!!
Vote for your favorite finalist by posting your vote as a comment! The best part of your vote is when you tell us why you like the image so much. (You have no idea how much this encourages every finalists, whether they win or not.)
We’ll be taking votes until Sunday night at 5pm PST,.
You can only vote for one finalist, and you can only vote once. So call your family and friends and make sure they vote!
The winning finalist will receive their own copy of DVD 2, Beyond the Green Box: Understanding Your Digital Camera. AND a random voter will be selected to win their own copy as a gift for themselves or a stocking stuffer for some lucky friend!
Here is Amanda! She won the Sony camera last month in the Pumpkin Photo Contest! Thanks for the pic Amanda! You are so great! And your photo was wonderful!
Her winning photo!
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To learn more about me visit About Me Ra.
To order our new DVD series, Refuse to Say Cheese: Capture the Story and Beyond the Green Box: Understanding Your Digital SLR, click the titles!!
For information on Me Ra’s popular photography workshops visit “2008 City Tour of Women’s Photography Workshops.”
To see our day job, visit our website. 
I have to vote for #4. I’m a mama, and there is nothing I am more thankful for than my daughter.
What a beautiful shot of these little girls.
I can’t tell you how surprised I was to see my picture as one of the finalists. I remember the day I captured it so well. It was so humid that day and thunder showers came on and off. I almost didn’t go to the cemetery, but it kept drawing me. All the way there it rained and I kept praying that God would give me just a few moments of sunshine. And He did exactly that. This picture (and several others from that day) mean more than just remembrance. Both my grandfathers served in WWII. Several dear friends are now serving in Iraq, so the sacrifices are more real and I understand them more now than ever.
All the images are incredible and I’m humbled to be in such great company of artists. (But I have to vote for #1.)
All these photo’s draw emotion from different parts of my heart. It took me several days to decide on a favorite.
I love all of them but #2 gets my vote. The tenderness between mother and child gently whispers gratitude. I can only image how thankful this mother is to be holding her newly adopted child. This moment will be treasured as this little life grows to understand the love he has in the arms of a mother that God hand chose just for him.
Number four was my favorite because no matter who you are, that photo WILL make you smile! Their little faces beaming as they hold onto one another and slide down the BIG SCARY 2 foot slide… it’s ADORABLE!!
All of them were wonderful though. Number one really dug deep and thought about the theme. Good Job everyone!
I know I’ve missed the voting deadline, but I couldn’t help but weigh in to praise all five photographers. Thank you so much for sharing your images and the inspiration behind them. Each message was so moving in its own way.
I have many family members who have been or are part of the armed services, so image 1 is especially moving to me. The gravity of the sacrifice made is so evident in the composition. I’m overwhelmed as my eye meanders through the rows and rows of tombstones that lie in the shadow of the tree. It’s breathetaking.
Image #3 brought me chills! I myself became a Christian at a Candlelight X-mas service when I was not much older than the children in this picture. I was young, but I knew without a doubt that I believed with all my heart. This picture reminded me of that moment in my life; thank you so much for sharing it. Beyond that, Leah’s comments couldn’t have said it any better. All I can say is ditto.
I also found image 5 very moving. I am fortuante enough to say I have four grandparents still, one set whose been married 62 years and one that’s been married 60 years. Their example is truely inspiring; the love, trust, and support they’ve honed through the years is nothing short of amazing! Thank you for sharing your grandparents image, its an example we should all aspire towards.
I really don’t know how I’d vote for just one image, but if foreced to I think I’d go with image 3.
I’d like to vote for #3. The photo is absolutely gorgeous…and I love the Dixie paper cups they are using for the flame protector! May we truly celebrate Jesus Christ and the life that He brings this Christmas.
I realize that I missed the deadline, but I loved #3. The caption and the picture are equally touching.
I vote for number 1. Just sitting here for a few moments looking at this scene brought tears rolling down my cheeks. I also think of the many men who are serving our country right now and laying down their lives for our freedom.
Karen