Wow . . . I usually post about weddings within days of the event... but this specific wedding ceremony is beyond words. I've tried to write this entry several times now and can't seem to come up with what to say. So... I'll just post a few pics...
CM... I feel so incredibly blessed beyond words to have been a part of your beautiful day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!
Love,
A
and . . .man could they dance...
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
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
First let me just explain this couple in my eyes. . .
Nick: The little brother I never asked for but am so glad I've discovered (he's my best friend's little bro therefore he's my bro too by association and ten years of history. . . )
Daphne: The beautiful, warm, and extremely intelligent woman that has melted his heart and caused that big huge grin all over his face . . . I love her for that
I knew Nick long before Daphne came into the picture, and I've only known her for a short amount of time... but in that time, it is clear to see that these two truly complete each other. They compliment each others' differences and enhance each others' likenesses. If ever a couple exemplified what it means to complement each other it's Nick and Daphne. With all the craziness of the wedding spinning around them the minute the two were insight of each other there was an instant sense of calmness and peace. You couldn't help but see the softness appear in both of their eyes.
Nick and Daphne, I am so incredibly happy for the two of you from the bottom of my heart. I am so glad to see the joy in both of you and to have gained a new sister...
My deepest love and respect,
A
P.S. . . . had to put the goofy pic of you, Nick... tee hee. . . that's what you get for having me shoot the day!!
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
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. . .
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
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)
This past weekend I had the great honor to photograph my dear friends Emily & Gerry as they tied the knot at the Fess Parker Double Tree Resort. These two amazing people have been a special part of my life for years and to watch them pledge their love for each other in front of 150 friends and family was simply beautiful. The minute Emily stepped out into the rotunda with her father, I began to tear up... it was such a special moment. The entire wedding was a perfect mix of heartfelt emotion and absolute ridiculousness . . . just like Emily and Gerry themselves!!
Let me paint a quick picture for you... imagine Gerry's Irish relatives mixed with Emily's Chinese family, now take their very hilarious friend Greg (the officiant) attempting to speak both Gaelic and Mandarin . . . (sweet and funny all at the same time)... throw in a mish mash of crazy friends (myself included), some dim sum, some BBQ, .. and the feeling of a fiesta...
. . and did I mention the height difference... Emily at 5'6" , Gerry a little bit taller at 6'11".. and yet they fit perfectly together!!
Emily and Gerry, my heart became a little bigger watching the two of you on Saturday... thank you...
May you love and laugh more and more with every passing year... (and Emily we all know you can Laugh)
Love you both,
A
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...
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!!!
So about a month ago, I promised myself that I would start actively submitting to magazines, competitions, and anything else I could think of. In order to keep this goal fresh in my mind I challenged myself to do this once a month. .. last month was the National Geographic competition through PDN . . . this month The Knot.
I was inspired by my dear friends and fellow photographers Michael & Anna Costa who told me . .. just keep submitting, it may not happen right away but it will get your name out there and people recognizing you. So . . . here I am... ready to show the world . . . yikes!
I probably shouldn't be writing about this right after doing it (might jinx it) but it's not about winning... its about pushing myself outside my comfort zone, putting my work out there for all to see and taking my photography business to another level.. right? 
Plus I kind of wanted to give props out to these special brides of mine from last year who took so much time and effort to meticulously plan each detail of their wedding by themselves. Gina, Emily and Christine . . .you girls rock . .thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of it all!
May all of you step outside your comfort zone once in awhile. . . it's kind of exhilarating!
Happy Monday!
Love,
A
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