After three days of intense voting, including one vote from Australia (!), we have a winner in the first-ever Laurie Heath Studio Blog FREEDOM! Photo Contest ... insert drum roll ...

photo by Melissa & Mark Davenport

I run in the path of Your commands,

for You have set my heart free. Psalm 119:32

This photo received 42% of the 107 total votes cast, with Entries #5 and #6 making especially heroic showings as well. I'm so grateful for all of the photos entered in the contest -- they helped us more deeply value the freedom we enjoy. And thanks to everyone who stopped by to vote! It made my day to hear from so many old and new friends.

Congratulations to Mia, Melissa and Mark! I can't wait to create new portraits with some of my favorite subjects!

And now here are a few more pics that came in after the entry deadline. Our first little guy is apparently enjoying his freedom NOT to roam freely:

This fellow is sailing freely down a snowy hill:
The next two photos feature young people who are rejoicing in the freedom to achieve things others thought might never happen:

And our final trio of guys are just all kinds of free, aren't they?
Have a blast this Independence Day -- and remember the Source of our freedom!