I’ve had the hardest time paring down the entries (almost 60 of them) for the camera giveaway.  But I brought it down to eight worthy causes for you to vote on.  What I focused on when selecting the nominees was someone that would make a “positive impact for a good cause”.  I had a lot of people who were interested in getting a camera to become a better photographer or start a business and I honestly overlooked those entries to the ones that were selfless and had a true “cause” behind them.  I hope that doesn’t sound rude, but I want to see a great cause get this camera and use it for something awesome.

We have everything from photo students who are traveling on missions trips, high school photo classes, a young man serving in Afghanistan, an art program that allows underprivileged youth in Oakland to experience photography, etc.  Whoever gets the camera, I’m sure will be stoked and will put it to good use.  I cannot wait to see the photographs made by the winner!

Please vote here and encourage your friends on Twitter and Facebook to vote as well! I’m photographing a wedding in Punta Mita, Mexico this weekend so I’ll leave the poll open for a week.  The poll will close on Tuesday, March 2nd and the winner will be announced the next day.

Here are the entries in order received:

Scott, this is truly a great idea and a unique way not only to give back, but spring someone further.I am not only a wedding/portrait photographer, but a high school photography teacher in Chesterfield, VA. A suburb of Richmond, VA.We are still a 100% wet lab, teaching film and learning the techniques many take for granted in the digital world we live. Instead of nominating my classes or a specific class, I’d like to nominate a single student of my 107 that I teach, and 143 that are in our photography classes.I currently teach (2) Photography I, (2) Photography II, and (1) Photography III class at Cosby High School. Last year I was lucky enough to teach an AP Level of photography in which my kids blew me away with the work they produced. It’s hard selecting just one student, but along with the other visual art teachers at my school who often teach the same students I do, have made a great decision.We are nominating Danya S. Danya is a Junior, in Art IV (Will be taking AP next year), a Photography I student of mine, and an active member in the National Arts Honor Society (I’m a co-sponsor)Danya has an unbelievable talent when it comes to drawing, and painting. Her dedication to art is something you don’t see in too many students, whether in school, or at home, she is always working on something. I was happy to find out that Danya would be in my photography class this year, I knew of her and knew of her work from fellow teachers. I was eager to see how she could incorporate her artistic eye and understanding of composition with photography. She has nailed it! From the technical side of things, 35mm in a wet lab used by 100+ students a day is not easy! Dust, enlarger issues, chemical woes but Danya has mastered it. Her prints are clean, and just well done. She doesn’t have “an eye for it”, she actually understands the elements of art, and the principles of design, carrying it into all of her work.This camera will be useful for her in continuing her photography at home, where she doesn’t have access to the darkroom. While also serving as a tool where she can paint from her own images she takes, and to document paintings she completes.I felt like I wrote a novel, sorry about that! Take Care
James Linkowitz

What a wonderful thing you are doing. I would love to nominate a friend of mine, Gwenn. She had a very difficult upbringing and never really had much for herself. She worked from the age of 15 and used the money to purchase eyeglasses and shampoo for herself because those things were just not provided to her. Her mother was uncaring and she never knew her father. Her stepfather would often steal her money if he knew she had it. She has overcome her upbringing only to become the most excellent mother and one of the most giving people I know. She is sympathetic and everything her mother wasn’t to her. Even now, money is a struggle for her family, but you wouldn’t know it. She is constantly doing for her children and rarely does anything for herself. I happen to know that her children have not had professional pictures taken in over 3 years and her youngest has never had a pro picture taken. The point and shoot camera she is currently using is out of date and on its last leg. She shows me pictures of her children and she is so proud of them. Unfortunately, all of these special moments and memories are blurry, foggy, and do not give these moments the justice they deserve. She has very few pictures of herself growing up and it tears her apart that she is not able to provide her children with pictures of their lives. She definitely deserves something good in her life and I know she would appreciate this more than anyone else I know. I know she would study and learn how to use this camera appropriately. I live too far from her to take her children’s portraits. She is a hard worker and would monumentally reap the benefits of this wonderful gift. Mothers love nothing more than pictures of their children and Gwenn deserves this pleasure just as much as anyone else.Thank you so much for this wonderful thing you are doing. Thank you in advance for considering my friend, Gwenn, for this wonderful honor.
Sandi

my name is rodger. I work with YOUTH WITH A MISSION (YWAM) in Tyler TX where Bobby and Lindsey were. I saw on Bobbys page you were giving away a camera. I am a aspiring photographer. My wife KAtrina and I travel alot of places doing really rad things. I have been teaching myself to use media as a way to raise awarness for injustices,people groups, and culture. I currently have a Rebel XTi which is ok but i am in need of a upgrade babdly. I would like to submit myself.
http://www.kistlersphotography.com
Rodger Kistler

Can I nominate my husband please??He is currently deployed to Afghanistan and just got appointed to be ‘the guy’ who puts together a yearbook for 1-503 BN in Operation Enduring Freedom X.
 God bless!!

Jenn LeBron

hi im aimee newman..:]
i nominate myself..i am about to graduate highschool and finishing up my first photography class..i am loving film and excited about digital!! i want to take photos as a part of my profession i want to travel and go on third world relief missions. i am about to head to germany for a decipleship school which will provide many opportunities for such things and i have wanted a digital camera for so long that i could call my own!! i have no money to spend on buying one since i am spending all my money on my tuition for school. this camera would recieve much love and i cant even describe how much this would mean to me!! i love photography and having a camera of my own would excel me in my passion for photography and doing what i believe i am called to do.. it is so hard competing with all these deserving people so may the Lord guide your decision to who deserves it!!:]] God bless

Aimee Newman

I would like to nominate a friend’s ministry, Wordsower International, at http://www.wordsower.org. They have orphanages around the world that they start and support. They work in some of the poorest parts of the world, Africa, Haiti, etc. I went to Haiti to see and photograph their work in January and experienced the earthquake. They have over 250 kids in their orphan homes in Haiti right now and more coming daily due to the quake. A good camera would be a great blessing to their work.

Robert Lavallee

My husband has taught photography at a public high school in Fresno for 19 years. He teaches both digital and film and has over 100 students who share 10 very old dslrs for class assignments. A 20d (or any old film or dslr cameras) would be a well-appreciated and well-utilized. His students are not ones who can afford their own cameras or lab supplies.

Cindy Stafford

I’d like to nominate the summer art program I teach at here in Oakland. It’s called Oakland Fine Art Summer School (OFASS). Inner-city 4th and 5th graders who wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity to learn the craft will have a better chance of becoming the next Scott Andrew if this camera is donated to the program. holla!

Rob Her