A sweet ride on your wedding day...

So if you are looking for a sweet ride on your wedding day (or any day for that matter)... check these beautiful and unique cars out...

... and what AWESOME photo ops!!

Bentley - $225 pr hr with a 2 hr minimum Each Additional hr is $175

“Gentle Ben”

English right-hand drive 1957 Bentley Silver Cloud
1. Colors are latté over mocha, with beige leather interior, burl wood trim and wool carpeting. Ben is perfect as a gentleman’s touring car or elegant wedding coach, making every moment of your special occasion most memorable. Seats 3 in the rear passenger compartment, plus 2 passengers up front with the driver.

Rolls Royce - $295 pr hr with a 2 hr minimum Each Additional hr is $245

“Cinderella”

English right-hand drive 1938 Rolls Royce Wraith.
Pearl white is the color, the perfect compliment to any wedding theme. Burl wood trim and accents remind one of old world elegance. Seats 3 in the rear passenger compartment, plus 1 passenger up front with the driver.

...And of course there are also the usual gorgeous sedans and limos!

Give Brian a call... he'll totally help you out. He's the best!

Brian Rajkovich
R&R Transportation, LLC
PO Box 30792 Santa Barbara Ca.
93105 888-RIDE-805 / 805-569-5400
SantaBarbaraLimoRR.com

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

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

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

Cevin & Peter's Royal Ball

It was a beautiful Santa Barbara evening. . . and all sorts of royalty were arriving for the Anniversary Ball of Queen Cevin and her King Peter...

Lillet was being poured, a beautiful array of cheeses were being paired with wine... it was a true evening of elegance... and goofiness... and laughter all rolled into to one!! The PERFECT kind of Ball.

Congratulations Cevin & Peter... it was such a lovely affair and I was so happy to be a part of it!

Season's Catering did an amazing job...

Love,
A

The King & QueenThe youngest member of the Royal Court
(who's crown just did not make her happy, so she left it at her castle)

Kali & Carey's Engagement...

A couple of days ago I was thrilled to meet up with Kali & Carey to photograph their engagement pictures. I will be shooting their wedding in May . .. and I can't wait.

As I was saying yesterday, I love to shoot engagement pictures. They are wonderful opportunities to get to know my couples, have fun, and figure out how to help them relax in front of the camera before the big day.

Kali and Carey were no exception. We laughed and laughed. It was hard to miss the way they looked at each other. Out of nowhere Carey would just pick Kali up and hold her tight. I love it when I see such joy between two people. To see more pics, take a look at the slide show below.

Congrats again Kali & Carey!! I can't wait to be a part of your beautiful day!

Love,
A

Click here for the slide show

Wishing you a happy weekend!

I just wanted to wish you all a happy weekend...

Here are a couple pics I took with my phone when I went for a run this week... man I love a Santa Barbara sunset.

Love,
A

One more thing. . . I am so excited.. .I just decided to go to WPPI in a month... yeah! Can't wait to share everything I learn.

Just like the movies...

Last night I witnessed the most unique, creative and thoughtful proposal ever...

Brent (an amazing filmmaker) has been working for months to organize the perfect proposal for Polly. He rented a theater, invited their closest family and friends under the guise of a going away party (Polly is headed to Africa for 6 weeks), and then here's the kicker... he created his own personal movie all about how to propose to Polly fully cast with the people closest in their lives.

It started with what looked like a documentary about Africa... then next thing you see is Brent on screen with all his buddies at the bar giving him the worst advice. It was hilariously funny... and perfectly them. Polly had no idea . . .and was definitely shocked!

After the film was finished he pulled her in front and got down on one knee.... AMAZING!!!

and after all that, at the "real" going away/engagement party, all he kept saying was "I can't believe she said yes... I can't believe she is going to be my wife..." ... how sweet is that, was there really any doubt...

Brent has definitely set a high precedent for all men to follow... and Polly truly deserves it!!

Congratulations Polly & Brent!!!

Love,
A

Click here for the slide show

Michele & Jeff... a wedding with Holiday flare

The first week in December I photographed the lovely wedding between Michele and Jeff. It was the beginning of the season that is now upon us. The tables were covered with evergreens and red accents.

After watching this slide show you'll have to agree.. what warms my heart most about this couple... Michele's laughter and the obvious look of joy in Jeff's eyes as he watches his bride's pure happiness expressed. There were so many moments that evening of this love that it makes me tear up just thinking about it... (yet again).

To Michele & Jeff, wishing you the most magical holiday as you spend your first Christmas together. Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your special occasion.

Again I have to give a special props out to Janey for second shooting with me, and to the Crowne Plaza, and the Ventura Mission for helping to create such a beautiful event.

Love,
A

Click here to view slide show

The Holiday Party...

Tuesday night I had the opportunity to attend this wonderful party. It was the 5th annual "Holiday Party" hosted by Armando of Alegria by Design. It was a fabulous party with a 1920's Hollywood Glamour theme held at the University Club here in SB.

What a wonderful idea. It was a party thrown by event professionals FOR event professionals. It was such a fun opportunity to reconnect with friends in the industry now that the wedding season is starting to slow down a bit . . . for some (I've got a great wedding coming up this weekend that I will for sure be blogging about next week). I'm constantly amazed by the support all of us industry peeps give each other... there is such a genuine sense of friendship. How lucky!

Who better to party with than professionals... and how often are WE the guests!

Thanks Armando... it was great!

Love,
A

Brothers will be brothers...

So the other day I had the pleasure of shooting portraits of Derick and Miles. . .brothers through and through. One minute they were laughing with each other. . .the next they were putting each other in headlocks. Well, the pics are definitely candid... and captured their different personalities. Whether or not any of them Mom can use for a holiday card is up to them (I think so)... I did capture a couple quick ones here and there when they were smiling and looking like they loved each other... if nothing else it was fun to wander around the Santa Barbara Courthouse on a beautiful afternoon.

And Guys... remember beware of ledges without glass... this ain't Chicago!! Isn't mom a little daredevil!!

Rodrigo's Engagment...

As I eluded to yesterday . .I had the pleasure of taking part in the sweetest photo shoot. Rodrigo contacted me about 6 weeks ago and asked me to photograph the moment he proposed to his sweet Emily!! I of course jumped at the chance... how often do you get to have a front row seat to a moment like that...

But man I must admit I was a bit nervous ... you only get one chance to catch that moment ... I was shaking (seriously) ...partly because I was nervous for Rodrigo . . .and partly because I was nervous for myself... Do you know how hard it is to hold a 200 mm lens steady when you are excited and nervous and shaking all at the same time... luckily all went well . . SHE SAID YES. . . and the pictures turned out adorably sweet and touching.

A note to all you men out there... take a lesson from Rodrigo... notice the knee... the smiles... and of course the ring (nice job buddy.. and without any help no less) ... and how smart to hire a photographer to capture that once in a lifetime moment!!

Congratulations you two . . .I truly feel honored that you would allow me to share in that moment!!
I don't even have to ask how the rest of your weekend went. . . I'm sure you were both on cloud 9

Love,
A

Just check out the slide show and you can see the play by play...

Click here for Slide Show

My Birthday... 2nd Annual 30th... 1920's style

Okay... so during my one month hiatus from my blog last month . .I did have a lot going on.. but to be honest I've been waiting for friends to give me pics . . . guess that's what happens when the photographer leaves her camera at home for once...
So back in mid-October I celebrated my 2nd Annual 30th birthday... not because I have some issue with being 31 (that came the following week when I found my first grey hair-did I really just share that--yikes)... but because last year I threw a wonderful and amazing 30th Murder Mystery party on the island but seeing that it was on an island in northern Michigan most of my California family couldn't make it. SO this year I decided to do it again . . . only Cali style...

It was an awesome night of Murder Mystery and Mayhem ... with a lot of laughter thrown in. We had Chief Carl the cross dressing chief of police. .. Drama Tessa . . .actually Drama Kevin the very "manly" looking Flapper... there were gangs of mobsters. . . groups of scandalous flappers... all visiting . .. my ("Rosie Marie's") little known speakeasy... The Juice Joint

It was an amazing night that I will never forget... and will always hold dear to my heart... thank you to all of you who came!! (now send me those darn pictures) ;)

To all the people in my life... those that made it to the first round... and those who were there for the second annual... you all create my life... you support me, love me, help me. . . and even scold me when I need it. . . and for all these things I love you forever . .. you all make me who I am. And for that I am forever thankful!

Love,
A

(And to Aubrei . . . it's sad that you posted this before I did... and even worse that I stole your collage off your blog (check it out it's pretty great) . . so THANK YOU . . .and again . . .where are my pics?

Oh and I must pay special props to Felicia & Matt... the night wold not have been able to happen without Bougainvillea and Statemynt!!! You guys rock!!

Tea Fire Aftermath...

So one week ago the "Tea Fire" came barreling over the hills surrounding Santa Barbara.

I went out yesterday to shoot some of the devastation... what I realized... there is a reason I am a wedding photographer. I couldn't bring myself to shoot images of someone else's heartbreak... what right do I have to make art out of some else's pain when I can go home to my house which was untouched and my office (which was close . . .sooo close . . . 400 feet close) but still untouched. My heart ached for these neighbors as they stood in the middle of a pile of rubble which once was their home. I drove up one street and was shocked by the indiscriminate path the fire took... one house would be burned to the ground... and the next door neighbors' untouched.

I was also moved by the sense of camaraderie on the streets. . .as I stood on a eerily quite ledge photographing the canyon... a truck stopped and with a heavy heart asked what my relation to the fire was... turns out he had built most of the homes in the area and was driving to see how many were detstroyed... his eyes teared up as he told me his very favorite was now just a chimney and ash. As I drove down a street that was once a normal neighborhood I saw people helping out everywhere. . .I saw a group of kids sitting on a sidewalk taking a break from helping a teacher pick up the pieces. It was these images that I couldn't photograph but will forever be etched in my mind.

I think yesterday just solidified more that I will stick to the happy moments in peoples' lives. . . the joy, the laughter, the moments that people really want to have captured. The images that in times of sorrow can serve as a reminder of what's important in life... the joy they once felt and will most likely feel again.

Love,
A

(here are just a few images... they really don't it justice this is just the sight... but there was also the the warmth of the air, the smell of the smoke... the sound of the firetrucks all still hanging on in the area from last week...