CUTLINE: Marlene Gallant holds up a winning card that would have won her $1,000,000, while, from left, Steve Ippolito, assistant order writer for HCCSU, Larry Keller, father, and Katie Demoncourt, account director for NMA, look on, Saturday, Oct. 31 outside her home in Nashua. Gallant entered to win at the Hostess Halloween Instant Win Game & Chance, which she was awarded $10,000. She was given a chance to choose 2 of 15 cards of which both had to be a photo of a cupcake to win the grand prize. Gallant says she’s using the money to vacation with her family.
THOUGHTS: It was strange to find out Marlene Gallant does not like the media. She told me that she wanted to see the copy herself before it hit the presses. I explained to her that no newspaper in America let’s people see the story before its printing. She responded then, “Well you’ll just get it wrong.” I asked her, “I get the impression you don’t have faith in me.” A little dumbfounded she said, “No, it’s not you, it’s the media I don’t like.” I then told her, “The ‘media’ is people just like you and me. They are people trying to gain trust and tell the story accurately.” She got a little curt and said, “The media is not people.” Kinda made me tilt my head a little bit.
Anyhow, I like this quirky moment where she drew the cards of the winners just to see where they were. I like how the cupcake becomes her head. It’s the in-between moments of the obvious ones that piqe my interest. The odd quirkiness make scenes of everyday life become art and interesting.
I wrote on my hand 13 and 8 to see mentally if I could have chosen the correct cards, I was one off it was 13 and 9. Almost a potential millionaire, mentally 
Tags: $1, 000, cupcake, grand prize, hostess, Marlene Gallant, one million, sweepstakes
Camera data: 27mm, f/2.8, ISO 400, 1/2000 second
Date Taken: 31-Oct-2009 16:12:46
Corey,
I took the time today on my Saturday as I sit here resting my broken rib and separated shoulder. I like your website, some really nice images. But what I really enjoy is your blog. If I was to hire a photographer your blog would get my attention more quickly then your website . Even though I can read what your thought process was in making the picture, It is so much more when I hear your voice. Your voice gives me a much better idea what you were thinking. I can feel the emotion coming from you much more than from the words you write. I love this photo and I like your style. Like you Chip Litherland is one of my favorite photographers. I also really enjoy Brian Davies work. Keep up the great work and congrats on being POY for division 1 again.
Take Care,
Thomas Shea
http://www.tbsphotography.com
tbsphotography@yahoo.com
PS. I also learned form your website that I should be entering my portraits in illustration instead of features in the NPPA clip contest.
One question I am thinking of starting a blog myself. Any suggestions?