I played hookie (hooky?) today...

... at least for a couple hours

I decided that after being on my computer all weekend it was time for a little sun in the valley... Santa Ynez. If you haven't noticed it's my favorite place to go escape for just a little bit.

So I was off in my newly washed car (and if you know me well you know what a miracle that is) . . . with the windows down, wind blowing, 90 degree weather . . and country music blaring... I'm a seasonal country listener... when it's sunny and I'm driving into the country its perfect. . . there is a time and place for everything!!

This jaunt into the valley was meant to be for jam making. . .yup . . .what better to do on a ranch than attempt to make homemade jam with two of your best girlfriends... granted I was just around for the picking of the berries. . . my computer called long before the jarring began.

Hey girls. .. I still expect to get some of that jam!!!

May you all find time for those needed breaks from reality to just sit back relax. . . and pick berries!!

Love,
A

The camera turns on us...

So Nick's mom (of Daphne & Nick) . . .turned her camera on Brion and me a couple weeks ago . . . thought I'd share the pic... (man, what a fun wedding . . even if the waves were splashing over the break wall onto the cocktail reception . . . see how wet the walkway is in the background)



Just got off the red eye from Hawaii... wow those beaches are amazing. .. I can't wait to go back and explore more...

but for now ...must get sleep . . . must close eyes ... just for ... one minute... zzzzzz

Yet another flight . .. but where am I? Detroit? Hawaii? Timbucktu...

Well, last night I arrived at LAX at 10 pm ready to board yet another late night flight... although this time instead of heading east I headed west . . .

So at 2am when I landed... blurry eyed and tired I look outside . . . wait . .did they go the wrong way . . did I get my trips confused . . . it looks just like Detroit... it's funny how airports in the middle of the night really all do look exactly the same (how else could you explain a Detroit-Hawaii confusion)

Ahhhh . . but when I awoke just 5 hours later (thank you jet lag) and went for a walk on the beach . . . I realized. . .nope, it's a little different! (thank you iphone . . music & camera all in one)

Aloha . . .welcome to Hawaii . .. my first time here, I can't believe it and am sooo excited ... I've never seen anything like it. . .

and to be here... to shoot one of my best friends' wedding ... to the most amazing girl ever... on a Hawaiian beach. . . wow!!

Stay tuned. . .I'm sure I'll be shooting tons!

Have an amazing weekend!

Love,
A

My Midwest Nostaligia ... and tractors!!

I apologize in advance for how long winded this may be but it's been quite a 48 hours and I'm feeling a need to give props . . . (above pic: for those of you west of Ovid... my childhood driveway)

So, I'm not sure if I'm feeling overly nostalgic, emotional . . or just extremely sleep deprived (probably a mix) . . . but this past weekend truly made me feel blessed for the rainbow of people who have and are continuing to show up in my life. Not only am I continuing to meet amazing people with every event I shoot but I continue to have amazing people support me along the way, whether they came along my journey at the age of 10, 18, 25, or 30... this weekend I felt them all...

I came to fall in love with my friends from back home all over again.. be them from grade school, high school, or college... seeing these people I hadn't seen in over ten years.. and bonding as if no time had passed... I saw how we have all changed, and grown . . yet when it comes down to the root of it all... we are all the same and will no matter what have roots in each others lives... I have no doubt that no matter how much time passes, how many miles separate us, we will all be there for each other (this wedding showed me that). The strength of the small communities born in the Midwest is indescribable and have helped me become the person I am today.

It all started at Brownies Diner outside Detroit at 5am where one of my best friends from college drove 40 minutes to meet me (at 5am on a Saturday . . . wow, she must still like me) ..if you are looking for Flo from the 80's TV show Alice I found her...

Then the wedding . . . me as a bridesmaid at a childhood friend's wedding. . . a perfect mix of elegance with a hometown family community bbq . . . and hunting?!?!? (didn't think it was possible) . . . but somehow Jamie pulled it off... she and her parents drove up on the back of a tractor to cross the covered bridge her grandfather had built for her grandmother to begin the ceremony (that's where the tears started flowing) . . . then after that all 500 guests reconvened at the Oakley tractor club (yes... tractors) where the pavilion was beautifully decorated with gold silks, cat tales, wheat stalks, pine cones and . . . animal calls..duck, deer... you name it... oh and how could I forget the camo vests and flip flops... I loved it!!!

It's amazing how when you are away from home for so long the everyday things you saw growing up can all of a sudden become so unique (like barrels of hay . . don't laugh . . it's true)... I shot this pic because I thought "oh, how cool, look at all the hay rolled up in the corn fields".. my high school buddies couldn't hold back their laughter and just rolled their eyes... somethings never change "You never did know much about farming . . . you don't usually see HAY in CORN fields..."

After Saturday night's late night (early morning) catch up session at the "Little Bar" with High School friends... I was up and on my way to the airport... but not before two more stops to visit one of my best friends from childhood and her adorable little ones and then on to lunch with my "second parents" who have been there for me beyond explanation.

AND THEN . . .you would think it would end there. . .but nope... once I landed at LAX, I happened to get a hold of two friends from college... and we met up for an awesome dinner filled with laughter and sushi before heading back to SB and finally passing out from exhaustion...


One last thought . . . and this may be cheesy but it's true, the night before I left for this weekend; Sweet Home Alabama was on TV ... and there was a line I haven't been able to get out of my head... "You can have roots and wings too", that's exactly how I feel...

May you all rediscover and appreciate the roots that have made you who you are and continue to grow wings along your way...

Love,
A

(Please excuse the photos ... I didn't bring my camera, only the little point and shoot that wasn't working but I hope you all get the idea)

And away I go . . . Again

But THIS time. . . I am flying light. All I need is my dress (which is already there), and travel clothes (I'll only be there 24 hours . . yikes!!!)... and my laptop of course.

Off to my hometown of Ovid, for a hometown wedding. My dear friend is getting married tomorrow. . . and guess who's a bridesmaid . . .yup, ME! I'm even leaving my camera behind (don't worry I'll have my point and shoot to document). And to top it off it's a themed wedding... or so I hear, the guys are wearing hunting camo tuxedo vests. . . should be quite an affair. I have a feeling the whole town will be there...

I'm not sure what I'm most excited about, the wedding or flying without having to check luggage!!!

Stay tuned for some pics . . . have an awesome weekend!!

Love,
A

Check it out. . a purse and a laptop bag (my clothes fit IN the bag)... that's it (can you tell I'm stoked)

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

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

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)

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

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

What a day in the Valley!!

I must say after traveling just a short 30 minutes from home for one night, I feel like I've been in another world, another time, another paradise!!

I spent last night in the Santa Ynez Valley... a sunny land of ranches and wine, olive oil and art, . . and even miniature donkeys if you can believe it.

My mom is here for just one more day and so we traveled . .north or east . . .heck I don't know . . over the hills for a relaxing getaway. It was AMAZING. My only request for the day, to not have to look at my watch.

So as we took our time driving through the gorgeous twists and turns of the 154. Mom said to me . . hey by the way I used up all your olive oil . . well, good thing I had heard of this great little spot in Los Olivos (Global Gardens) that does olive oil tastings. Our whole day was like that ... unplanned from start to... well,almost finish . . .(I ALWAYS make a reservation for dinner). From there it was off to a sculpture garden and studio (where artist Blake Rankin tears away at chunks of stone to create beautiful pieces of art). Then is was time for a little "Sol" by the pool and relaxation around the ranch just before dinner . . . (my only planned event of the day) at my favorite favorite Italian restaurant Trattoria Grappolo (where you are always met with a smiling Italian and a kiss on each cheek).

Oh . . the donkeys you ask . . . just another one of the adorable charming parts that make up ranch land. . . take a look

I hope you all find mini adventures and relaxing paradises in your backyards!!

Love,
A

Slovenian Food, Girl Friends . . .and MOM

I may be thirty but one thing you never grow out of . . . mom's home cookin!!! I got home late Monday night from Mexico. . .walked into my house being met by my mom (visiting from Michigan) with a big gigantic warm hug . . . and a kitchen smelling of home-cooked yummy goodness!!

Tuesday I had planned for a special girls night dinner. You see my mom has kind of adopted all my friends here in SB. So when she is in town I have to schedule about ten different "play dates" so she can see all of her "California daughters"... so a couple years ago we started doing a girls dinner. . .mom cooks an amazing Slovenian meal for all of us. Its the perfect time for her to see all my old friends and new friends (don't worry Mom LOVES cooking for 15 people . . at least she says she does ;)

It was an amazing evening of love, laughter, sharing and fun! Plus who doesn't love momma's slovenian cooking.

Here are a few pics from the evening (granted photos don't do slovenian cooking justice)!!

some buttered noodles . . .cucumber salad. .. it may look scary but it is my favorite food on earth!!!!

To all my girls (Mom of course at the top of the list). . .you rock!! You are all my inspiration!!!

Love you all...
A

My new portraits . . of ME

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness... I am such a slacker!! I can't believe it has been over ten days since my last blog.... I deeply apologize to all those out there sick of reading the same story now ten times!!

Well.. I'm not much better today... here's a quick re-cap .. I've finished moving, threw a housewarming party, had a corporate photo shoot, attended and/or shot 1 rehearsal dinner, 1 wedding, 3 (yes THREE) bachelorette parties, 1 bridal shower, ... and this past weekend.. met with brides, and had an AMAZING photo shoot for a client (that must be kept secret for now .... shhhh ;) .. but I promise you'll see the pics in a couple months . . .. and then this weekend... it's off to Mexico for a quick trip of R&R before the craziness of summer begins...

BUT the thing I am MOST excited about today .... I had MY OWN photo shoot this past weekend with the AWESOME Mary Jane.

(check out her blog . . . I couldn't have written it better... so I'm not... I forgot we were shooting pics we were laughing so hard the entire time... We had so much fun . . .and that's really what it's all about!!
Janey . . .you rock . . .thank you soooo much!!
(BTW... Did Janey ask me to be cheesy aka jump and twirl ... nope, just me "dancing in the streets again")

(and the tree you ask? . . . just an example of how we'll do ANYTHING to get that shot... :)


I promise no more ten day disappearing acts!!

Love,
A

What Color am I???? . . hmmmm

So, after last weeks PUG meeting I was determined to figure out what color represents Andrejka Photography... boy, it was quite a stressful and emotional task. I went through every color of the rainbow.

At the very beginning of my color journey (when I thought I had it all figured out) I asked my ever-so-wise friend Kirsten what she thought... her answer, "color is a very personal thing and EVERYONE you ask is going to have an opinion" . . . boy was she right... everyone I asked DID have an opinion . . . and they were all different...

So the journey continued... after days of stress, my mom (worried about my lack of sleep) said "honey, just relax, be still and it will find you"... and you know as always it seems... Mom really does know best... again. Well, this morning while in the shower... it came to me... I figured it out what color I am!! I ran to my computer, started fidgeting with the colors and lo and behold ... they worked.

Now that things were ready to go, I decided I needed to check out the "meaning" behind my chosen colors to make sure I wasn't symbolically sabotaging my business (yup, I'm a bit superstitious) . . and yah know... the definition is PERFECT. . . exactly who I am, who I want to be, and how I want my clients to feel... ahhhhhh, what a relief, true validation. My search was over.. now for the fun part.

Check out this site for color info . . even if just for fun:

BRAND.CURVE Color Branding: The Meanings behind Colors

I am sooo excited to get the new and improved Andrejka up and launched so check back here in the next couple days and take a look.

Can you guess what my colors are?

Love,
A

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 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...