BIG NEWS: A new home for Andrejka Photography...

Over the past few weeks I've been tossing around the idea of finding a new office space... a place that is different...and fun, ... a great place to work and play . . and share with clients too. Well... the perfect opportunity fell into my lap.

Viva Space... It's exactly what I was looking for. A space on the more creative side then the corporate side... a place where I can be inspired and productive. A place I can shoot, a place I can type, and a place I can escape into my world of photos (yet not be a hermit)!!

Viva Space has got a hip urban funky feel ... yet only blocks away from the relaxed laid back California beaches. I'll be sharing this open gallery/office with 4 other talented artists (fashion designer: Denice Roe, painter: Kelly Ann Campbell, web designer: Ryan Gantz, and the brains behind this "factory": Ulrike Kerber owner of Viva Design).

I can't wait to share this with everyone and watch how my business can flourish and grow along sinde other creative types!! What a fun new adventure...

If you are around please come by an open house next week... hope to see you there!
(123-125 East Carrillo Street... Santa Barbara, CA ... back house... bright orange door)

Love,
A

Little Luxuries of Mackinac Island...

I've had a couple people ask me about this gem of a store that will be opening this May on Mackinac. YES... it will be open for the season ... and the website is in the works.

Just wait!!!... I've been in cahoots with the owner about some really really cool things for brides, guests, and basically anyone looking for super fun high-end luxury gifts of all shapes and sizes...(confused yet... you'll see... wink wink).

Also, I'll be exclusively selling some great high-end postcards and maybe even greeting cards here to.

Have a fun day and enjoy the smell of spring jsut around the corner!!

Love,
A

Overcoming ridiculous fears... with an Italian Dinner!

First off I am not afraid of Italian dinners... not even close... BUT... many people would never guess it but I am COMPLETELY intimidated by any social gathering which involves meeting new people ... (surprising since I shoot weddings for a living)

Well, last night I ignored this little fear and went to my dear friend's house for a wonderful Italian potluck dinner... I walked into a room full of new faces...YIKES! Took a deep breath ... and within minutes we were all laughing and bonding over a meal brought together by each of us (gotta love potlucks)... as a side note one guest was from MI and knew of the "island"...phew something I can always talk about.

Plus it always inspires me to be around people who have taken the leap, followed their passions, and started their own businesses... my friend Gabe is an amazing graphic designer who has built a successful business from the ground up... check out Insights Design To Gabe and everyone else last night, thanks again for a great dinner, encouragement, and inspiration!

May you all realize your ridiculous fears... and face them . .. sometimes they can turn out to be fun.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Love,
A

The face of a writer...

This past weekend I did a quick head shot for one of the most amazingly talented up & coming writers.. she's funny, witty, intelligent, and can make you feel any emotion with just a few choice words. Her writing can make you cry one minute. . .and pee your pants laughing the next...

Check out her blog to see what I am talking about... The Lucky Paw

Kuz, I am so proud of everything you are and how amazing your writing is... you rock!!

Love,
A

Cool little gift...

So as I was perusing Etsy* looking for neat things I came across this little gem and had to share it...

Ego Award Ring
How cool is this ring . . .AND, you can get it engraved with anything you want. It's hand made in Argentina and costs $20 ($6 shipping anywhere). How awesome would these be as bridesmaids gifts, thank yous... heck even just a simple "Love"...

As a side note I have to pay props to my friend Nicole who is in the process of opening an AWESOME store on Mackinac this year... called "Little Luxuries of Mackinac Island".. once her website is up I'll let you all know... this place is going to be THE place to by not only great little Mackinac things but little gifts that can be incorporated into your weddings... she is the one who got me turned on to Etsy (an awesome shopping site for all things handmade and special... some really really cool and unique things here... check it all out)

Have a fun day!

Love,
A

Jane & Glen's slideshow...

Here's a little more of Jane and Glen's beautiful and touching wedding in Oregon. Take a look at their slide show...

Click here for the slide show

I LOVED their first dance song so much that I had to use it in their slide show... a little ode to Billy Idol & Adam Sandler

Love, A

Wedding Magazines...

So... this morning I wandered into Borders to look for Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Magazine.. and this is what I saw...
My goodness... when did the newstands all of a sudden become flooded with Bridal Magazines... not that I'm complaining... I LOVE wedding magazines (as I should...).. but a bride must be a little afraid (although EXCITED) every time she comes near the rack... or at least her fiance should be as she walks to the checkout with EIGHTEEN magazines to peruse... talk about making your head spin...

Just to help sort out a few ... below is a list of my fav's...

Grace Ormonde (which by they way was already sold out this morning)
Your Wedding Day (and awesome national mag... located right here in So Cal)
The Knot
Brides
Real Simple Weddings
Martha Stewart Weddings

Have fun reading this weekend!!

Love,
A

Jane & Glen are married!!

This past weekend I was so touched and honored to be a part of a very special ceremony between Jane & Glen. They asked that I meet them in Portland for the beautiful wedding.

This couple exudes joy, happiness, laughter and love to the extreme. Glen's eyes sparkled everytime he stole a little side glance at his new bride and Jane laughed with the biggest smile I've ever seen. It was truly an evening full of touching moments and belly laughs!!

Now, I've been to quite a few weddings and I must say that NEVER have I been to one that had EVERY SINGLE person dancing... sure usually you've got the small kids sliding across the dancefloor, the college friends dancing to LoveShack, the parents slowly dancing in the corner, and maybe once in awhile the grandparents will take their turn too... but THIS was something else, the bride's aunt was being swirled around the dancfloor by the bestman as both sets of parents boogied down with the couple, everyone else boogied in a circle... even the amazing caterers from Fresh Palate Cafe were dragged out there. I'm telling you... not a single person was sitting down (no exaggeration)... I was truly impressed!!

... and did I mention the whole affair was planned and executed in a month... without missing a single detail... it was a beautiful and elegant evening from beginning to end.

Jane & Glen... You two warm my heart every time I see you... thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your special day!

Love, A Here are the amazing vendors who made the affair such a success:
Venue: Zenith Winery (the most AMAZING bridal room EVER)
Caterer: Fresh Palate Cafe (So accommodating and the food was awesome) & dancers too
DJ: Ryan Hein from Perfect Memory DJ (obviously he must have been doing an out of this world job to get the ENTIRE wedding out on the dancefloor)

Style Me Pretty... my newest favorite online find...

I am so excited to explore this blog more... it is the perfect little place to get advice on all things beautiful and wedding (from color palettes to vendors and everything in between) ... Abby has done an amazing job at creating a site that is all-inclusive, user friendly, and

To all my brides... check this out... ASAP... Style Me Pretty http://www.stylemepretty.com

Have fun exploring...

Love,
A

A great gift for winery weddings

The wedding I shot this weekend had the cutest little gifts for each guest. We were at Zenith Winery outside Portland... so what perfect gift then wine bottle stoppers... and the glass was hand etched by a relative... and what a beautiful presentation (Everyone loves opening a present)Another GREAT option for winery gifts, is a local Santa Barbara company, Santa Barbara Wine Corks and you don't just have to be from SB, Greg will work with people worldwide. I met the owner Greg Orlando at the SB Sunday Artwalk a few weeks ago and was so impressed that I had to write about it. In fact I already have a shop owner talking with him back on Mackinac.
Just a little inspiration for this rainy Monday afternoon...

Love,
A