Giveaway with...my Dad! :O) And a heartfelt request.

My dad takes pictures.
He has as long as I can remember. In fact, for years I knew Costco as "the place you drop off all the film". (film! remember that?) He hasn't ever gone to school or taken classes, he just has an eye and a passion and I've always admired it. When I was about 12 or so I started looking out the window during car trips and taking pictures of the scenery with my mind. Sometimes I would see something so beautiful that I wanted to make my mother stop the car just so that I could look at it longer. I love my dad for helping me to see how beautiful the world is. I'm not sure if I would have noticed if not for him.

My dad is generous.

See this blog? You can thank my dad for a large part of it. Not only do I share pictures with you because he passed down his love for photography, but also because he passed down countless pieces of equipment. Cameras body upgrades, lenses (if you don't think that's generous, have a google and check the price of a lens real quick!) tripods, bags, and oodles and oodles of valuable knowledge. All I have to do is casually mention a problem I'm having with my pictures and he's planning a trip from Yakima to drop something off to save the day. By the way, he's also my generous benefactor in the computer/iphone equipment as well. His kids are quite spoiled that way. :o) All my life I've seen him give of himself and his possessions so generously, even when he really can't afford to. His example to me is absolutely priceless.

My dad is positive.
He has a worldview that I don't see very often in the adult world. He has a faith in humanity and people that is downright inspiring. Sometimes talking with him makes me want to jump off the couch and start a campaign to make everyone hug each other! Or, you know, something like that. With all the negativity in the world that assaults my mind at every turn I really cherish his positive influence.

all photos: Michael Wardrip

It's mostly that third point that I wanted to talk about a bit today. I'd mentioned to my dad that I wanted to somehow add some more inspirational content here for you all and it just so happened that he was working on something along the same lines! I wanted to share it with you all and humbly ask for your support for him. He (along with some help from my two older brothers) has put together an ebook for itunes (with more to come) marrying his gorgeous photography with lovely and inspiring quotes and thoughts to get people thinking in a more positive and communal way. It's called "Inspiration of the Water: Volume Two, Thoughts from Our Oceans" and I love it. It took my breath away! You can see more about each e-book on his website: inspirationofthewater.com  You can purchase the book in itunes, here!

So, how can you help? Well, buying the ebook of course would be helpful! And it's only $1.99, so you wouldn't even have to skip your english toffee mocha today! :O) But since he's just getting things off the ground, we were really hoping to find some lovely volunteers to leave a quick and honest review for the book on itunes. I have ten promotional codes to give away for "Thoughts from our oceans" so if you'd like to help with a review(or just want a free copy!), just leave a comment on this post and I'll pick ten of you to get a free copy! And if you don't win and would still like to leave a review I could probably swing something. You know, since I know the author, wink wink.
 He also has two other ebooks which, while not specifically focused on inspiration, are absolutely stunning photos he's taken of the pacific northwest.
Secrets of Columbia Gorge
Dialogs With Water & Earth: Volume One

To view/download the book, you must have an ipad or mac with OS X 10.9 or later.

With my dad supporting my blog so much for the past few years, it would really mean the world to me if you would take a few minutes to support him as well. He really deserves it. :O) Thanks in advance!

To enter to win a copy, just leave a comment here! Thank you guys!! I really appreciate it.

Love,

Disney