=selizabeth

Alright, I'm ready to spill my guts a bit. Bit of happiness, bit o' sadness.

This morning the winners of the Forbidden Gaze contest were announced, and I was not one of them. I did however receive an honorary mention and will be getting a dA key chain (woot!). I really really felt mixed about this all day - and I haven't even told anyone I got an honorary mention OR an awesome key chain (till now).
When I first got the note my heart sank a little and I am not ashamed to say that a few tears squirmed their way out of my eyes because I really was honestly disappointed that I did not win the people's choice even though I saw it coming for a few days and knew it was pretty much out of the question yesterday. So I am on the one hand sad that I "lost" when I felt my piece embodied the concept of the contest very well, but on the other I really am sincerely honored to be an honorary mention! In fact I was quite pleased to make it to the final three of the people's choice at all. In other words - you like me. You really like me.

So in that end I would like to thank a few people - first my co-model and boyfriend, ~tomthefirst, for widening his comfort zone and allowing himself to be captured nude on camera. It takes a strong person to get in front of a camera, and an even stronger one to do it without the shield of clothing.
I'd also like to thank my mother, *romansgirl, for being amazingly supportive and understanding of my nude work. She really sees the message and meaning that I tried to convey and has been great about it.
Of course I thank ^Helewidis for being so available to talk about everything nude or dA or chat, for hosting this contest, and for being the best gallery director EVAR. She is my favorite mime
And of course everyone who commented, faved, or featured Mine, and naturally those who voted for it. The support means worlds to me, and is worth a billion dA key chains.

In the big scheme, I accomplished a lot. 'Mine' was my first nude piece I ever did, and the Forbidden Gaze was the first contest I ever entered. So to have gone up against all the amazing entries in an official dA contest and actually make it to be mentioned in the final judging and WIN something is incredible.

So now I just need some keys for this key chain.

that I do traditional work as well as photography?