oh man has it been hard to pick a winner in the Give Back contest. I mean, really hard. Hence the reason why I waited until late Friday night to post this.
There were so many incredible ideas, and so many things I wanted to do, but in the end I realize there is only one of me, and only so much time I have to give.
After much deliberation, and narrowing, and narrowing again, I was finally able to pick a winner. (Or, uh, two.)
The winner of the Cowbelly Give Back contest is:
Robin Burkett of Washington DC!
Woohoo Robin!
Robin had two different answers, both of which I want to do. And this is where it starts to get complicated (it gets more complicated later).
Bear with me for a minute here folks.
The 2nd runner up is Stephanie Smith, of Tampa Florida! Go Stephanie!
Now that everyone is completely confused, I’ll share the winning comments with you.
Robin’s:
“With all of your contacts, I’d think globally and get pet photographers from all over the world involved in participating. It could be a month where every pet photographer that signs up donates a certain dollar amount per session they do - whatever makes the most sense for them. I think the charity should help people who can’t afford to spay and neuter their dogs and cats. Alternatively, the money could go towards cancer research in animals. OR, instead of picking a charity right now, you could set up a Cowbelly Foundation (or a Fergie Foundation) where animal-related charities could request funds.
Another idea: find a really cute stuffed dog (or cat) and have it travel around the world. You’d do this by sending it to various pet photographers in cities all over the world and they would photograph it on or near a local monument that shows where it really is. Then, they send the stuffed animal to the next person on the list. Oh, it could be a stuffed animal that looks like Fergie - by the woman who makes wonderful look- alike stuffed animals. So, it could be Fergie traveling around the world being photographed in cool and unique places. All the images could be compiled into a book. Blog updates would be fun as well - kind of like “Where in the World is Fergie?”
I LOVE these ideas!!
Robin you win the new Product Red iPod Nano with video! Woohoo!
Yes, absolutely I would love to create a Cowbelly Foundation or Fergie Foundation, and get all of the pet photographers I can find around the world on board. The money we raise will either go toward cancer research, or to terminally ill pets (my idea), or toward needy shelters, or, my top choice would be all of the above, rotating every year as determined by the foundation’s board.
The foundation would have multiple parts to it, and not be limited in terms of it’s scope and ways it can both raise money and give back.
Here is the definition of foundation:
‘A foundation is an entity that is established as a nonprofit corporation or a charitable trust, with a principal purpose of making grants to unrelated organizations or institutions or to individuals for scientific, educational, cultural, religious, or other charitable purposes.’
And once I read Robin’s idea of sending a stuffed Fergie around the world to do a “Where in the World is Fergie?” you can bet that filled my mind with all kinds of ideas. LOVE. THIS.
That will be the strategy used to promote the foundation, a marketing ‘hook’ if you will. A way to draw people in and raise visibility. I need to determine a way to monetize this process, but I already have ideas on how to do this.
Here is what the Fergie doll might look like:
photo copyright Amelia Santiago, of Amelia Makes Art
Now, since the Fergie doll will be traveling around the world, I would like to hear from pet photographers around the world about shelters and rescue groups in their area that are really in need of visibility and help.
This is where Stephanie comes in.
Here is Stephanie’s idea:
“Yeah for giving back! Okay so I think we should incorporate all your loves. Travel, pets, and photography. Therefore I think one week out of the year ( or more if you can take more time) you should travel to an international shelter and photograph some of the adoptable pets. I don’t think the shoot should take place in the shelter but rather in a gorgeous setting that encompasses your location. I think that creating a number of gorgeous images from the shelter and then selling the prints or creating a calendar where the proceeds will benefit that specific shelter would be awesome. Not to mention you will totally enjoy traveling and challenging yourself in a different location and environment. I also think that you would most likely need an assistant while traveling, and since Christina will probably have to watch Fergie, I volunteer myself Here are a few international shelter links. Viva Mexico! http://www.cwob.org/about.html Island Fever! http://www.islanddog.org/dogsforadoption.html”
Ahh, Stephanie knows me all too well, lol. Stephanie’s comment also raises a very good point. Shelters and rescue groups in the US are ‘in general’ in far better shape than shelters and rescues outside the US. I think we as Americans have the power to shed light on animal crises outside of our country, and if I can play a small role in doing that I feel it will be immensely satisfying. I’d also ultimately like to get involved in a very serious animal abuse issue in Korea, one so painful that I can’t even talk about it here, but that has been in my heart since I learned about it over a year ago.
SO, (whew), here is how this will work:
1. Set up the foundation. Pick a name.
2. Determine what kind of help I will need setting up the foundation (the hard part).
3. Have the Fergie doll made (already on order from Amelia Makes Art! thanks Leesia for the idea there, and Robin for suggesting it in the first place)
3. Get pet photographers involved around the world.
4. Start the fundraising. Monetize Fergie’s travels (her doll that is).
5. Select the national charities to receive funds.
6. Request submissions from international pet photographers on charities they would like to nominate. Request that they photograph the Fergie doll at the shelter, and at another local area that gives us the look and feel of what the area is like.
7. Select the neediest international charities to travel to.
8. 1-2 times per year, travel to the international shelters/rescue groups and photograph their animals, get information on their organizations and do shoots in areas that would make for great book images.
9. Create books and/or calendars of the images from international shelters. Raise money to give back to those shelters through the foundation.
That’s it in a nutshell. So far. I’ve had, literally less than 24 hours to formulate my thoughts on this, so please don’t expect me to have all of the answers here. Doing this will mean being very flexible, and open-minded, and keeping the greater good of animals in mind at all times.
Ok, so now you’re wondering, if Robin wins the iPod, but Stephanie’s idea will be incorporated, what does Stephanie win?
She wins the chance to come with me on my international travels! For those who don’t know, Stephanie attended my first workshop a year ago in Seattle. Steph was one of a few women who knocked back glasses of champagne with me until the wee hours of the morning the final night of the workshop. Stephanie is definitely a friend, and I can see us having a fantastic time on our journeys. Oh, and I’ll send her a pack of greeting cards or something too, lol. (love ya Steph!)
And ironically, Robin, first place winner, is a friend too. Robin and I met about a year and a half ago when she came through Seattle. Robin is a super talented pet photographer in Washington DC, a very good person, and a pet photographer friend.
But please know folks, these gals’ professions had nothing to do with my choices. I picked the ideas I liked the best, that were the best fit with my life and ideals. Please believe me when I say I had no biases for, or against, anyone or their ideas. I feel honored that everyone took the time to participate.
I want to thank everyone sincerely for helping me out on this, and this contest is proof that two (or 40) heads are better than one!
Expect more blog posts from me on this, including requests for help, and quite possibly, more ideas needed. This is only but the very beginning.
Off to go email the gals!
Thanks again! 
