Man, these PUGs are great...

So last night was yet another amazing and informative PUG (for those of you not in the know this is a Pictage User Group.. I was confused at first too... thought it was the about dog).

Last night Kacie Jean arranged for two incredibly awesome photographers from the East Coast to share with us their business model. Mary and Justin Marantz are two photographers who have taken the idea of loving their clients to a whole other level... it was truly inspiring!! They, like so many other photographers I have come to know, were so open and giving with how they have created their successful business. Their lecture really hit home for me... as some of you may know, I really have two passions in life: one is obviously photography . . . but the other.... Goodie Bags and surprise themed gifts... and last night was the first time I realized I could incorporate BOTH!! I just love the surprise on someone's face when they open a thoughtful little gift they weren't expecting . .especially if it is specific to a moment or theme!! This is going to get me thinking outside the box a little bit more...

Thanks again to Kacie Jean, Mary and Justin (hope you are feeling better)!! You guys rock!

Love,
A

Facing Fears . .. YIKES...

So my blog today is a little bit random... and maybe a bit personal... but I faced one of my biggest fears in life today. . . and although it is COMPLETELY unrelated to photography, I am just so relieved that I had to say something... 

What did I do you ask? ... I survived the DENTIST... now some of you may be thinking what's the big deal everyone does that, well for those of you who feel my pain when the dentist is one of your biggest fears. . . going can be quite traumatic (there's even an organization:  Dental Fear Central:  I'm not making this up)... which is why I hadn't gone in a very long time (so long I am not going to embarrass myself by telling you an exact time)... needless to say my mouth is quite clean albeit a bit sore ... but I DID IT, I survived . .. and may I add without any cavities (woohoo) ... I just may try this whole dentist thing again... 

 

My lesson in it all, once you face your fears it is such a RELIEF... the stories you make up in your head are much worse then reality ... the Dr cleared up so many falsehoods I had conjured up by anxiety ridden mind (like my teeth were crumbling... ick) ... Well,   I can rest easy tonight --but not till after I floss...  

Hope this helps a few of you face a fear or two...  I did it,  now the next one:  snakes... maybe next year ;)

Love,

A

I Can't Believe I Won!!!

I am sooo excited!!! I just found out last night that one of the photo contests I entered last month just won!! I can't believe it...

A few months ago I promised myself that I would start actively entering my photography into contests and submissions every month. One of the first one's I tried was Open Photo Contest. This idea was started by an amazing and wonderful photographer, David Jay... he is not only extremely talented, a genius when it comes to business, but incredibly generous and nice... I barely know him and yet he has welcomed myself and other photographers into his home on several occasions just to have fun and share!! I feel blessed (yet again) to have such talent right in my backyard.

So, the coolest thing about this contest, and why I feel overwhelmingly honored that my photograph is recognized... it is judged by hundreds of fellow photographers. The fact that my peers, with incredibly skilled eyes, would choose my image warms my heart and encourages me beyond belief.

Thank you so much!!!.. I guess I'll keep entering ;)

Love,
A

Here's the pic... It was taken at an amazing villa, Monte Poni, in the Chianti Region of Italia.

I LOVE PEOPLE!!!! I really do ...

... and I love it even more when people impress me!! So I have to give props out to not one . . but TWO local Santa Barbara photographers.

First, to my dear friend Janey (Mary Jane photography). She has decided to take her gift and give . . . she is starting a program through her photography business called "operation: i love you". She will be offering free photo shoots to any man or woman who is being deployed for 6 months or longer. It is such an awesome idea... what's the best thing to have when you miss someone... PHOTOS... I hope to be helping her with it in Santa Barbara as well as on Mackinac Island. So please checkout more information on her blog (www.maryjaneweddings.com/blog/). And if any of you know of people who might be interested in volunteering or wanting to take part send them the information.
... And the second photog I want to pay props to is Ricky Mia... a brand new friend. He is the epitome of joy for his job... I met up with him last night to talk about this great project he's working on. He is in the process of publishing an extensive magazine quality Wedding Guide that will be covering Santa Barbara County... surprisingly enough there isn't one here. I think it's awesome that he is pulling this together, it not only helps all of us vendors but our clients as well.

I just have to say that every week I am more and more impressed with the community of photographers located in Santa Barbara. They are the most welcoming, and generous group of professionals I've ever met... I feel truly blessed to be a part of this group... you guys all rock!!!

May you all find a group that supports, loves, and encourages you to chase after your passions!

Love,
A

Colors and light and a walk at night... plus a little poetry too

Maybe its the photographer in me, maybe its that as I get older I am starting to notice the little things ... or maybe it's just plain unmistakable beauty... but have you ever noticed that light can make such a difference on everything around you, it can set a mood, it can evoke emotions, it can even make you trip and fall (when its not there)...

So ... last night I went for the most amazing walk it started around 6:45 just as the sun was barely starting to go down and lasted till dark. We started at the new place and headed towards the beach (for Nite Moves: this awesome summer activity here in SB) ... We thought this would be a great way to get a feel for the new hood...

As we winded our way down the hills... every passing minute the light changed... now obviously I'd noticed beautiful sunsets before but what I noticed this time was that the feel for the neighborhood and the look of the streets changed as each shade of blue slowly turned to pinks purples and oranges and finally to dark. This may seem like such a simple concept but for some reason last night it opened my eyes and took my breath away... it was so amazing to be walking the same streets and feel like I was in a completely different place.
I think I've just come up with a new little goal for myself . . . everyday take a conscious moment to see my world through fresh eyes... hmmm, keep life exciting and push my creative thinking... this could be good

One of my favorite movie scenes is from Dead Poets Society, Robin Williams has his class stand on top of the desk and see the room from a different view while... "Sounding ... barbaric yawps from the rooftops of the world..." (a quote from my favorite poem: Leaves of Grasses by Walt Whitman) ... I think it's time to do this more often... maybe not sounding the yawps... that might scare a few people...

Well, this started out as a short little blurb about a sunset walk . . . oops, guess I blabbered on a bit...

May you all see your world through fresh eyes and find excitement in the everyday things!!

Love,
A

Milestones . . . and mini milestones

So I was just on my very favorite photography forum "Photo for the People" (PFTP for short).. this forum is an incredible source of information for all things photo related. I just love it. It was started by local photographers (and awesome peeps in general). . . Michael & Anna Costa (who I've mentioned before).

Anyways, I was just catching up with my photo peeps, when I read a post Anna had written about mini-milestones... it really got me thinking. We all reach for amazing milestones, and work towards these huge goals, but we forget to pay credit to the "mini" ones that really get us there. We forget to congratulate ourselves on the little things we do everyday . . when it really takes these little steps to achieve our ultimate goals... like I've mentioned before I try to do something that scares me everyday...

I realized today ... pushing outside your comfort zones... that's where the milestones begin!!

My mini-milestone today: started to unpack my new office, and organize my files (seems simple but I've been avoiding it for months)...

What is your mini-milestone this week?...

May you all discover the little accomplishments you do every day... and celebrate!!

Love,
A

Oh oh ... I just thought of another mini-milestone I accomplished . . . I FINALLY ordered a brochure to give to clients... we'll see how they turn out...

Spring blooms and so does Mackinac...

So here I am at 8am in the morning (Eastern time) after yesterday's two hour drive, 5 hour red-eye, another 4.5 hour drive, and half hour boat ride... I hit "The Island"... (yah!!) .. but then instead of taking a nap like any normal human being would do.. I hit the streets with my camera...

Man I love this place... every season has its reason... and for spring.. its being fresh and new and ready for what's next, whether it's a fresh coat of paint, a new baby flower popping through the ground, or the good ol' local joint opening up from a winter season of hibernation... even the people (my dear dear Mackinac friends) have a new and fresh energy about them... ready for the new possibilities and faces of the upcoming summer..

Over the past year I have officially been on this magical island all four seasons (from 80 degrees of humidity to freezing 7 degrees and everything in between). It is amazing to see how not only the island changes with each degree of difference but so does the wonderful community that makes up this place. Many people only visit this island on a day pass. They see the pretty sites, take the pretty tour, and eat the fudge... but there is so much more... After coming here for almost ten years and having now experienced the middle of winter and the first of spring I see... it's not just the pretty sites and history that make this place so amazing its the people and their hearts that make Mackinac so magical.

To all my dear friends here on the island and to all the residents who make up this place... thank you...

Mackinac is and always will hold a very special place in my heart that always makes me smile...

May all of you find that special place in your hearts as well...

Have a beautiful weekend!

Love,
A

Here are a few of yesterdays' pics of the island getting ready to bloom...
And of course I brought Mom up here for Mother's Day...

New weddings... new friends...

So this morning I had such a great breakfast with an amazing event planner, Robin Sonner. She and I are going to be working together this summer out at Crossroads in the wine country for a very special wedding. My dear friends' Marisa & Nic are getting married in July. I can't wait. Especially now that I've finally met Robin. Marisa has been telling me about her for months and how perfectly we will get along. .. well . . . she was right! This morning we had the best meeting, I could have stayed for hours and chatted.

It's mornings like this that get me so excited about wedding photography. I love meeting new people and creating a team. Every person works their own unique special talent, and together we create a beautiful masterpiece for the couple. Man this photography thing is great... the awesome couples I get to meet, the talented vendors I get to work with, traveling to amazing places... and the coolest part... doing my creative thang... this rocks!!

So great to meet you this morning Robin... can't wait for July!!

Below are a few pics I shot for Marisa & Nic's engagement a couple months ago... aren't they the cutest (little secret: they can't keep their hands off each other ;)... I love it!!!

Cinco de Mayo...

Just a quick note wishing everyone a Happy Cinco de Mayo... here's a shot off my iphone from yesterday's celebration in De La Guerra Plaza... I love the way Santa Barbarians love to celebrate . . . make a big mess with lots of colored paper . . any excuse to eat good food, hear good music, meet new people, and make a big mess!!!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!

Love,
A

My Awesome . . PUG...

Nope... not the dog. MY PUG stands the "Pictage User Group".

I just had to talk about this amazing group of photographers here in Santa Barbara. Pictage is an awesome company that many professional photographers (myself included) use for their online viewing and ordering galleries. They not only serve a purpose to each photographer individually but they encourage us to build a community.

A little over a year ago I hesitantly attended my first PUG (to be honest it was because they were offering a free album). I was nervous to be in a room with all these SB photographers that were my "competition". How would these people REALLY react to each other... well, words cannot explain how I felt walking out of that first meeting. I had never felt such support, encouragement, and willingness to share. I can honestly say that throughout the past year the friends I've made,the connections I've formed, and the lessons I've learned have not only improved my photography exponentially but improved my life. It's a true community of photographers that meets once a month in order to encourage, inspire, and uplift each other in our business and in our lives!!

Anyways, last night Kacie Jean (fabulous photo friend) organized an incredible meeting that revolved around branding and logos. Danielle Siano gave us such an amazing presentation. I can't wait to implement everything I learned.

May you all find a community that inspires, uplifts, and encourages your passion!!

Love,
A

Sorry... no pics from last night so I thought I would just show you a long lost pic I found recently that I've decided I love... it's an artichoke if you can believe it!! How cool is that!!!