"Dialed In" . . . Sara & Dan

In honor of my brand new friends. . . Sara & Dan (my couple with amazing teeth from last weekend... as they should they met in dental school) . . . I am "dialed in" . . . to everything

So I came to notice as the day went by that "dialed in" was the saying of the day.. . everything was dialed in this... dialed in that ... as Dan said at one point "Sara is definitely dialed in ... with a look of amazement, awe and pure joy he laughed into her eyes...

I was starting to get "dialed in" myself . . . until I heard them use it in a context that threw me off... "this storm is dialed in for sure" (i thought dialed in was a good thing,this storm not such a good thing) . . . I finally said (with a true Princess Bride reference). . .I do not think that word means what you think it means. . . (ala Inigo Montoya) they picked up instantly and started laughing and explained "Dialed in" to me in all it's references and terms...

(BTW there was so many laughters and smiles this day that my stomach was sore the next... along with my legs from biking 8 miles to keep up with them around the island...note to self must train better for next island wedding)


Hey Sara & Dan . . . Your California photo girl from OE is officially "dialed in" . .and takin' it cross country... You two are awesome! I had such a blast with you guys. And the double rainbow at the end of your beautiful day was just as rare and amazing as the two of you. Thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your wedding!!
I can't wait to keep in touch and hear how everything is dialed in from here on out...

Love, A

Here are just a few pics... more to come..

my new little assistant Lucas and his photo . . . we have a genius on our hands

how sweet are these locket cuff links (just had to share)... Sara's gift to her dad
ok, so this pic just makes me laugh the priest is completely giving Dan the look... hmmmm

The island follows me home. . .

I just had to write about this... so I am sitting at my desk this morning. . . and in walks a friend and throws the paper at me... you and that island . . .

Now, look closely .. . yup the LA Times . . yippeee (now my Cali friends will believe that this magical place really does exist)

This past Sunday the Times did a cover story for their travel section on the island. Guess I'm not the only girl in California who loves this place!! I knew it was just a matter of time before Mackinac Fever would be sweeping the nation.

You can read the whole article right here: LA Times Mackinac Island

And for more info on the island: Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau

Check it out!!

Love,
A

You know your in Michigan when...

So I am now back home in Santa Barbara after ten days in Northern Michigan (my island of course... Mackinac)that included too much to talk about ...so here's just a list and a few pics...

Just a quick overview of my trip...
Over 400 yachts invading Mackinac (100th Anniversary of the Chicago to Mac Race)
2 AMAZING weddings
Fireworks
Several Power outages
Lightening Storms
Gorgeous Rainbows
Sunny days on boats (I just noticed a lot about weather. . . figures that's Michigan)
Biking 8 miles DURING a wedding
Exploring new islands (Drummond) and wedding locations
Shooting one of my favorite hotels (Iroquois Hotel)
A drive over the Mighty Mac (Mackinac Bridge)
A fly over the Mighty Mac (shooting aerial shots... in a very very small plane)
Meeting new people
And spending time with old friends and plenty more...

Here are just a few pics... man I will never stop seeing this place in new and wonderful ways!!

Love,
A

Marisa & Nic (part 2): Here's the slideshow

Click here to the slideshow

So a little over a week ago as I had mentioned I was in Santa Ynez shooting an Amazing wedding at the Firestone Crossroads Vineyard. Marisa and Nic did such an amazing job with every single detail. They had such a great group of people making their dream vision a reality.

Their planner: Robin Sonner (is AWESOME . . . I can't wait to work with you again)

The food: Pure Joy (amazing . . . and incredibly yummy . . . can't wait till this weekend) (and isn't that just the best darn name ever)

The Flowers: Kaleidoscope (simple, elegant, perfection)

And of course . . . my amazing second shooter (once again) Brion Hopkins (you rock as always)!!

M & N . . you know how much I love you two . . .can't wait to hear all about your honeymoon . . . enjoy this little tid bit of pics . . .

Love, A

Melissa & Andrew: Tears of Joy, Laughter . .and just about everything..

Did my mascara run . . .oh shoot . . . occupational hazard. . .but who would of thought this bride and groom (and all of their guests) would bring me to tears ... I had only just met Melissa and Andrew the night before and yet still as she stood beautifully sillouetted by the tall Michigan trees and her hansome groom gripped her hand as she said her vows . . . tears started flowing down my face . . . (and hers . . . and their guests . . .and even a few groomsmen were biting their lips to hold back their emotions).

I have never witnessed such a tender ceremony that brought so many to tears. Although I may not have known the couple for long or their friends and family, it was impossible not to feel the love and happiness that surrounded Melissa & Andrew. It was truly beautiful, as if the entire chapel secluded by woods, decorated by two simple ferns and an unimaginable amount of natural beauty was glowing not only by the rays of sunlight peaking through the trees but the love that these two obviously have for each other.
Oh . . . and it wasn't long before these tears of joy and tenderness turned into joys of extreme laughter as these peeps hit the dance floor. . .

I'm outta here . . .

Well, it's now almost 1 am (geez I am starting to forget the days when I went to bed at a decent hour). . . I've been packing (or should I say repacking over and over) now for almost 3 hours. . .I guess I have a tendency to over pack . . .but cut a girl some slack . .I'm going to an island with no cars in the middle of Northern Michigan to shoot 2 weddings, yacht races and a hotel . . . plus meetings, bike riding, horseback riding. . .and who knows what else. . . I must plan for everything. . .

So that said. . .there is my luggage (falling forward due to the wieght... I hope the people at the airport are friendly) ... and that doesn't even include my camera equipment... wish me luck through security... ;)

Off to my little piece of island heaven...

(don't worry I'll still be around . . . I have lots to blog about my last couple shoots still)

Ciao ciao,
A

It's the little things... Marisa & Nic (part 1)

For now I just have to quickly mention the one thing I noticed and love most about Marisa & Nic this weekend . . . and as long as we've been friends...

If you ever spend time with these two love birds... you don't see them next to each other the whole time, you don't see them with their arms all over each other... you don't see the obvious signs of a couple... if you take the time to stop and watch you see something even better... you see the signs of love that fly across a room high above the world . . . be it a glimmer in the eye ... a flash of a grin like they are the only two in the room... or a soft touch on a shoulder as they pass ... and what gets me every time ... (right up to the rehearsal dinner Friday night and even down the aisle)... is the way Nic will gently touch, not Marisa's hand and hold on tightly .. but be it a for a moment or an hour... he lightly lifts her ring finger...



I love you two soo much... Friday and Saturday were amazing. Thank you for being such a support and inspiration not only to me, but your family, friends and each other... You are pillars of strength yet soft in your support.

Love,
A

A Sunday morning of picking plums...

After last night's beautiful wedding between Marisa & Nic in the Santa Ynez Valley (...much more to come). I decided to take the morning off and spend the night in the valley.

I woke up this morning at 6:00 a.m. (YIKES) to birds singing and a view of gorgeous rolling hillsides of golden yellow and green. I said this a few weeks ago and I'll say it again . . .man I love this place. As G said this morning (as I played with her adorable little boy) . . . you can't help but slow down your speed of life out here . . .

After a lovely breakfast, some girl time (+Leo), petting the miniature donkeys . . .and picking plums... it's back to reality . . .

Thanks G for my mini vacation . . . I needed that!!

Love,
A

(nap time. . . getting up at 6am is just not right . . . THEN. . .it's back to work)

A Wedding made by Love: Stephanie & Matt

Click here to view a slideshow

So, as I mentioned earlier this week I shot the most amazing and heart warming wedding. Tonight the bride, Stephanie aka "Birdie", came by my place for a sneak peak at a few pics. Just as I had mentioned previously (and as always) . . . her smile was completely contagious warmed the place (and even more so when she saw a glimpse of the pics). She was still glowing the minute she mentioned Matt and the wedding (but mostly Matt).

One thing I didn't say about what made this wedding so special was the love that went into it. Most every aspect was covered by a friend . . from the catering, to the flowers, to the location, . . and of course the photography... when you have that much heart going into an event it's bound to turn out as beautiful as the hearts of this amazing couple...

Here are just a few of the people that made this event so amazing...

First: A huge thanks to my awesome 2nd Shooter: Brion Hopkins (you rock!!)

Location and event planners:

The Montecito Country Club:

Claire & Nick (you made things so easy and gorgeous)

The Flowers:

Denise (more info to come about this miracle worker) . . .

Speechless, words cannot express what you accomplished . . . WOW

The Cake . . . you ask . . . done by the Bride herself and her best friend Thorpe

(Awesome, Awesome, Awesome)

I've heard that in the past, weddings weren't planned by the bride or done by strangers ... every detail and every chore was picked up and done by a loved one. This just proves it can still be done today...

Love,

A

btw . . .I know this is cheesy but I am STILL tearing up thinking about this couple and looking at the pics -- I've been getting teased non stop . . .I should be better at this by now... guess it shows how much I love all this wedding stuff!!

Me . . . Money .... Bookkeeping. . . ?!?!?!

So . . last night was a pivotal moment in the life span of Andrejka Photography... I finally met with my brand new amazing book keeper Jen. She totally rocks and will hopefully educate this completely financial phobe of a photographer . . . what do you mean I have to know numbers to run a business. . .I have a camera. . .I got some skills. . .I love my clients. . .and I have fun . . .you mean there's more . . .there's NUMBERS . . . yikes!!

Thank goodness for Jen . . . I've decided she is going to be my financial trainer (keeping me in "financial shape"--actually keeping track of deposits) just like Marisa keeps me in physical shape (it's a darn heavy camera. . . you'd be surprised) . . .

Thanks Jen . . .you rock (I hope my books... and I say that hesitantly .. didn't scare you off)!


May you all surround yourselves with people who share their passions and keep you in "shape" ... whatever and however shape that is!!

Love,
A

Birdie & Dirty (Stephanie & Matt)

It's Sunday morning... and the world can feel a little happier today. Two of the most beautiful people in the world were married last night (and sure they're pretty) ... but when I say "Beautiful" I mean inside... and ya know... I think this saying is said far too often about far too many people that it begins to lose its power... there needs to be another way . .. for Stephanie and Matt are beyond explanation and definition for their warmth and love for each other and everyone they meet. As Ben Harper sings. . . they are "Diamonds on the Inside"....

One thing that was said over and over last night by family, friends, no matter how close or distant... was they always make you feel like their best friends' in the world... they had 200 people there. . . and EVERYONE was their best friend!!

I know I feel that way. I've known these two for years... and feel so incredibly blessed that I was able to be a part of this AMAZING moment. I sure woke this morning feeling a little happier about the world!!

Birdie & Dirty, . . . your smiles not only warm the hearts of each other, of your families, your friends, but even the strangers you meet on the street... and this is what really sets you apart... you two make a change in the world just by being yourselves and not even trying...

I love you both!!

May you two continue to inspire each other... and the world!

Love,
A


Here's just a quick glimpse into their love... (more to come. stay tuned)

Happy Fourth of July!!!

Hi Everyone... Just thought I'd share a couple pics I took this morning on my day off. . . 4th of July . .. run to the beach . .. perfectly Santa Barbara.. some surfers, some dogs, and lots of friendly smiles!! Have a wonderful holiday! Happy 4th... off to BBQ hop (and hopefully a little beach volleyball too)

Love, A