July 19th, 2010 | 
Author: My husband and I will be “moving” to Eau Claire Wisconsin at the end of this summer for 4 weeks to stay/live while he works at the hospital there. This is definitely a place that could become a permanent residence for us in less than a year, so I have decided to do some free photo shoots while there!
Here is the contest: I will be giving away 1 free photo shoot for every 20 people who enter the contest with a maximum of 5 photo shoots. If I get more than 100 people that enter, I might give extra prizes 
How you enter: Simply leave a comment in the section below with your name and who might be in a photo shoot with you if you won. Also tell me something you love about living in Eau Claire
If you have a fabulous field or barn that I could shoot at, please let me know in the comments
RULES: The photo shoot will take place in Eau Claire and I will pick the location. The session will be an hour or less. You will receive a CD of images. Expiration for the photo shoot is by September 14th.
The contest ends August 2nd. The winner will be chosen randomly
Hey Rachel,
I went to UWEC, so I lived there for 5 years!
What did I love about living in Eau Claire? I loved vanilla steamers and pita sandwiches at Acoustic Cafe, I loved Erbert & Gerberts and Quick Wok (which was just a quick walk from my house), I loved the mall, I loved climbing Mt. Simon, I loved the bike trails. But most of all, I loved…
My 5 fabulous college roommates. Since you’re doing photo shoots in EC, I’d choose them to be in my photo shoot. I’d just hope on all hopes that my red headed friend who lives in DC would be able to come up for it. If she couldn’t, I’d be bummed, but then I’d choose my family (husband and son).
NOT ENTERING the contest, but how cool! You’re going to have a great time up there–it’s GORGEOUS!
I need this shoot because I’m turning (*gasp*) 30 and I deserve some beautiful photos of myself, but more importantly, my adorable boys. What better way to celebrate what will be the most amazing year of my life…celebrate & rejoice: caught on photo.
Jill Eiselt
My photo session would include my triplets and husband! Rachel, I know of a few “barn” locations if you need them.
My favorite part of Eau Claire is all of their parks, especially along the river. They have great paths you can walk, run or bike along and its just so scenic.
Totally excited that you are coming to EC – Even if we don’t win a free photo shoot, my husband and I would definitely be interested in a scheduling a session
More then likely it would be myself, my husband, Adam and our two dogs, Legend and Fable. I wish we had a awesome feild to use, but unfortunately we live in a town house near the mall – However we do know of some nice parks and great back country roads that would be fabulous! My favorite thing about EC is actually getting up early in the morning and taking our dogs for a walk – The city is peaceful and quite and it’s oh so relaxing!
One of my favorite Eau Claire highlights is Mona Lisa’s restaurant. The menus changes with the seasons but there is always something delicious and unique.
If we were to win the shoot I would ask for a family portrait with my hubby and two boys – we have never had an official family portrait since Ryan and I were married 10 years ago… It might be time
What a great thing you are doing! My husband and I live out in the country on a wooded lot, so we definitely have the field, tree, stream combo going on. We have lived in Eau Claire for just over 2 years now and have made some great friends i.e. John and Jill Eiselt (above) She really does deserve this photo shoot. She is a great mom, wife and friend!
Unfortunately, we are moving out of Eau Claire soon and back to ND, where there are very few trees. Please help my husband and I remember our home in Eau Claire and all of our beautiful memories, as we venture on to a new start in ND and begin our family soon.
Either way thanks for the opportunity and enjoy the Eau Claire community- it is great and I miss it already!
Please tell me it worked right? I dont want to sumit it again if i do not have to! Either the blog glitced out or i am an idiot, the second option doesnt surprise me lol. thanks for a great blog!
Your contest is great! I am a friend of Jamie’s, and saw your link on FB. I have three adorable chilren and live in the country with lots of fabulous fields and old buildings. We’re renovating a 1920’s foursquare, so that might make for an interesting shoot as well!
I think Eau Claire is a great place for those who look beyond the surface. The Farmers Market is outstanding, and is my favorite EC thing right now! When you get here, pick up a copy of Volume One Magazine. You can find it at any grocery store (it’s free). The same magazine also produces a “Hot Spots” magazine as well. You’ll love both!
Best wishes as you make your move.
I would love to win a sitting for my family. It would consist of myself, my hubby, my 3-year old daughter and my 2-year old twin boys. My favorite part about Eau Claire is the Rannilas.
I think this is a great idea! I wish I was a little closer to Eau Claire (an hour or so north) I would be able to volunteer a place. I would love to win because we have not gotten family pictures taken yet and my son is almost 2. If I don’t win I would love to schedule with you anyway.
Though I don’t live in Eau Claire we go there often and there are great parks and plenty of activities to attend all of the time!
Rachel – First and foremost, your photos are fantastic! That said, if I were to win your contest, I would love the opportunity to have some amazing family photos taken of my daughter, husband and myself.
What’s great about Eau Claire is that there truly is something for everyone… Personally, my favorite part is the historic downtown area – it reminds me of home. There are tons of cute little shops, quaint restaurants, and cobblestone walkways. The river is also beautiful – the wooden walking bridge offers an amazing view of the river and downtown community, and the walking paths down by the riverbanks are beautifully accented with seasonal décor – flowers, lights, music and more. Downtown also plays host to a variety of shows and activities for the whole family to enjoy at the many parks and venues including the Children’s Museum, State Theater, and Civic Center.
And, there are a couple of fantastic wineries – River Bend Vineyard and Winery & Autumn Harvest Winery – within miles of the city. The orchards and berry farms are abundant, too.
All-in-all, I am certain you will love your time here in Eau Claire. With all there is to do, I guarantee you will never have to say you are bored. I’m sure the only problem will be finding the time to take it all in…
All the best to you and yours as you begin your new adventure…
I love your work and so glad to hear you’ll be gracing us with your presence here in Eau Claire (at least for a little while, for sure)!
My shoot would include my husband and I, with an emphasis on my 15-month old twin boys!
We love Eau Claire for the awesome parks, rivers and trails and the wonderful “family/community” life.
Welcome to Eau Claire!! Even if it is just a temporary move. I’ve lived here for 10 years now, and have come to love the area. It is a great place to raise a family. I have a few favorite things. The first is my neighborhood. It is full of young families (including your friends the Eiselts) and all you need to do is take a short walk and you end up hanging out with friends for hours. Second, the Thursday night music at Phoenix park is great, and lastly the Farmer’s Market!
As with many of the above entrants I also would do a family portrait session with my husband and 2 spunky daughters!
Enjoy your time here!
My husband and I met at UWEC and loved EC so much that we never left! We LOVE going to the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series at Phoenix Parks every Thursday in the summer! In the fall we head to all the amazing apple orchards. In the winter it’s up to Chippewa Falls to Irvine Park for the Christmas lights, and in the spring we get ready for the Eau Claire half-marathon. All year long, we love the local restaurants like Mogie’s, Stella’s, The Nucleus and the Galloway Grill! We always check the local magazine (Volume One) for something to do. It’s website is volumeone.org.
I just had a baby 12 weeks ago, so if we won the contest then the photo shoot would be of my baby (Ellie…nicknamed Elliegator) and my husband and myself.
Good luck moving to EC!
I would love to win the contest for my 3 beautiful daughters. I haven’t gotten their 3 yr, 5 yr & 7 yr photo’s taken yet and would love to have you photograph them. My favorite part of Eau Claire is that there are lots of activities offered for kids. The shopping is good and Eau Claire is only an hour from the cities where you will find more shopping and activities for your kids. Rod & Gun park is a great place to take photo’s in Eau Claire.
What a creative, great contest:) My husband, Derek and I moved here over a year ago and love Eau Claire. I think that Eau Claire is amazing for its beauty-the nature: trees, lakes, rivers, wildlife always seem to make a great day! I think the people are as friendly and genuine as in my home state of ND. I appreciate the running/biking trails, quaint coffee shops, downtown, and growing community. If I were to win your contest, I would be taking maternity photos as I am due Nov. 2, 2010 and therefore, definitely showing now:) My husband may be in the photos with me. Thank you!
We love Phoenix Park, specifically the old bridge, and of course the farmers market. Our family loves biking the trails along the river. We had family photos taken 2 years ago and our kids have changed quite a bit since then…they are now 8,6, and 3.
If EC becomes your permanent home–you will love it!
I would include my 3 children in the photos. I enjoy living in Eau Claire because it is a great place to raise children.
My husband Paul and I both met while attending UWEC and now are proud to call it home 9+ years later! We enjoy Eau Claire as it has many of the big city amenities with a small and friendly town feel. If we were to win the contest the pictures would be of my husband, myself, and baby boy on the way. We are due with our first child at the end of September!!
welcome to eau claire!
you’re gonna love it.
i would have a photo taken with my husband and two kids.
e.c. rocks because you can go downtown and hang with people or you can drive out to the country and enjoy the quiet and admire the beauty.
We are friends with John and Jill through Young Life and have lived in Eau Claire our whole lives. If I were to do a shoot, I would include myself, my hubby and 2 kiddos. (3 year old Emma and 1 year old Ethan.) I think a really neat place is downtown at Banbury Place. Lots of rusty metal and huge old garage doors.
Welcome to Eau Claire!
Eau Claire is a great town… the Chippewa River running through it makes it beautiful as well as a great place to kayak, tube and fish. EC has great outdoor recreation… lots of trails, parks and water that our family enjoys. I would love to have a photo shoot of my husband and I and our 3 handsome little boys:) Welcome!
Hi Rachel. As most have commented already, EC is a fun place to live and a great place to raise little ones. I hope you and your family enjoy your time here!
My husband and I both came here for college, met at UWEC, married at Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls, and have been here since! (13 years–can that be right??)
We love Eau Claire probably most of all for our church — Valleybrook — which meets downtown in the Old Hollywood Theater. We also enjoy the parks and trails in the area, our neighborhood on the East Hill, and the extra-nice people here.
If you’d like the opportunity to photograph my wonderful family, I’d love for you to do so — my husband, myself, our 2-year-old son, and who could forget our beloved dog Daisy?
Thanks for considering it, and best of luck!
Hey Rachel! My husband and I moved here last year (May) and LOVE IT! We bought our home on the North-west side in late August, just five days after having my son, Keller! It was a whirlwind week as he was 7 weeks premature! So if I were to win, in my photo shoot I’d mostly have my son Keller, for his one-year photos but I’d love to get a few snapshots of him with my husband, Broghan, myself, and maybe include our 3-year old chocolate lab, Marvin.
What I’ve enjoyed most is the community feel of Eau Claire. Through the many public and free events hosted around the town, we’ve gotten to know quite a few people and enjoy running into all of the families with small children such as ourselves when we go! Particularly fun are the concerts in the park held each Thursday night at Phoenix Park during the summer months!
What a fun creative idea! Your photos are fabulous. What a great way to get to know Eau Claire. Welcome to the community! I think my two favorite things
In EC are the farmers market and music in the park on thursday’s at phoenix park. We are definitely interested in a photo shoot whether we win or not. I would have you shoot my two kids, Zoey and Grady ages 5 and 2. Thanks and have fun!
Welcome Rachel!!
My husband and I moved to the valley almost 4 years ago – and we love it here!! You will too! There is soooo much to do and see, it is a beautiful area.
In September, my husband and I are expecting our first child after trying for 7 years – we can’t wait!!
Our friend, Jill Eiselt, suggested that it would be nice to have some pregnancy photographs, to remember this wonderful time! I think that would be a very nice keepsake.
Welcome to the valley – enjoy taking it all in
Make sure to stop by the Farmer’s Market in Phoenix Park for some yummy food while you’re here – you’ll be inspired to photograph there too!
I would love some family portraits of our newly expanded family. My daughter is almost 3 and my son is almost 4 months. We could use a family pic with him in it!
Is the contest over? I saw the end date was August 2nd. I was just about to jump into a soliloquy (sp?) about my love for everything that is awesome in Eau Claire, how cute my almost 3 year-old son is, how I think your style fits our family perfectly, how it’s so sad that we haven’t had a family portrait yet, and now I’m pregnant with #2, and how I’m jealous of all the people with their very own fields, but I’ll save it I guess. Good luck to the rest of you!