WPPI... my mind has been blown wide open!

Imagine...
10,000 wedding photographers in 1 hotel for 1 conference from all over the world...

How could one not be blown away by this!!

I was so thrilled (and nervous) to attend my first WPPI... it was all I had imagined... and WAY more. The people I met were amazing, helpful, and supportive beyond expectation. Everyone of us were there for the same reason, to support and celebrate each other in an industry we love!!

Too much entered my little brain this weekend to even try and filter it for you. Just know that I am so stoked, inspired, and ready to take my photography, my clients, and my passion to a whole new level.

There are a few people I want to throw out props out to for personally expanding my horizons beyond what they were a week ago...

You all rock in so many ways!!! Some of you I met personally ... others , I was one of many listening from the crowd taking notes as your words shifted my mind into new and exciting directions... thank you to...
Marcus Bell
Joe Bussink
Nancy Emmerich & Rose Coleman
Jim Garner
Justin & Mary Marantz
Frank Salas
JB & Deettee Sallee
And a special thanks to ... Mike Larson...
(dude, seriously... your "party of 4" and support for my business has inspired me to lead more and make a difference with my photography beyond my clients and myself.. and to Rachel... your brownies ROCKed girl!! It was such a pleasure to meet you both.)

Oh, one more very special thanks to ShootQ . . . the AWESOME new studio management program I'm using. All you guys and Jennifer are amazing. I am so stoked I got to meet you. Jonathan thanks again for answering all my questions... I can't wait to start utlizing everything ShootQ does. yippee... it actually makes me excited about the business side of photography...

May you all be inspired by those around you; be them peers, mentors, or strangers on the street... then take this inspiration and pay it forward! ...that's what I plan on doing!

Love,
A

I promise pics will be all over the next blog entry.... I just had to share about WPPI!!!

WPPI here I come....

I am just dropping a quick note before I hop on a plane to Vegas...

I am so excited to be attending my first WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) convention... I just know it is going to blow my mind to be surrounded by my peers and my mentors ... and all the latest and greatest "toys" in the industry!!

Not only am I going to be attending the convention . . . BUT I am also taking a "party of 4" workshop with the awesome Mike Larson . .. an all day seminar with only 4 people .. super intensive and super customized... . yippee



Can't wait to tell you all about it...

Happy President's Day . . .and Love Day...

May you all find love all around you this weekend

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

On the other side of the camera...

I figured since I just experimented with my hair (a first . . . almost blonde .. . yikes) and my mother (who is across the country) is dying to see what it looks like... it was time for me to step in front of the camera.

Every year I force myself from behind the lens to step in front of it for once. It really helps me remember what it's like to have a camera in your face. . .and how flippin' uncomfortable it can be . . . I don't like having my picture taken to begin with much less doing it with "experimental" hair... (and as every girl knows ... one's hair can say a lot.... and I am not quite sure what mine is saying right now) ... Okay enough about the hair...

I think often times photographers forget what its like to be the subject of a photo shoot. When your photographing brides and grooms who aren't used to being surrounded by the paparazzi its important to step into THEIR shoes once and a while. . . . Every time I do this (even if its only for a few minutes) it reminds me how important it is to make my couples and clients feel comfortable with me and almost forget that there's even a camera there. I try to chat with them, relax, put them in a general pose then let them be free and natural... its really up to me to catch the moment. . .not to create it!!

This is one reason I think an Engagement Shoot is important its kind of like a "practice run" before the big day... I get to hangout with my couple, without any nerves or schedule... its probably one of my favorite things to shoot!

So when looking at photographers. ... think about asking them how they handle formal shots, how they postion their subjects. . .and most importantly... TALK with them .. decide if you like their personality and if you want to hang out with them your entire wedding day (since you will be spending more time with your photographer than with anyone else)!!!

Hope this helps a bit. . .

Here's to stepping outside your comfort zone once in awhile!!

Love,
A

My favorite band... Michael Franti and Spearhead. . . Rocks!!

SO Last night I was soo excited to see my favorite band Michael Franti & Spearhead. Not only were they AMAZING as always BUT I went with two of my dearest and closest friends in the world. . . we danced our hearts out and sang to every song...
It was so wonderful, we hadn't been together to hear Spearhead in years... and the last time was a music festival a long time ago...

Hey girls. . .here we are. . .THEN. . .and NOW...

I love you both so much and had a blast last night

Love,
A

THEN... (the pic is a little beat up but you get the idea)

NOW...

... and now I'm off to LA.. to hear Spearhead AGAIN tonight ( I did say they were my favorite)!!

A place for Mackinac couples to chat with each other...

I just wanted to let all you Mackinac Island couples know that I just started a "thread" on Best Destination Wedding. . . .this is a great forum for all of you Mackinac couples to chat and communicate with each other about your past experiences and/or your future plans...

click on the image below to access the forum... just sign up ... and look under the "east coast" section of the "Mainland US" category

BDW... Best Destination Wedding Forum...

Two great wedding resources . . . Destinations & Mackinac

I just found two great new resources that I had to share with all of you...

Best Destination Wedding
(http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com)
This one is AWESOME for all things destination (my good photographer friend Nate Thompson told me about this forum) . .. I just joined and am really excited to start exploring it more. I know it has great reference information having to do with Trash the Dress, and destinations around the world. Its a wonderful place to talk with other brides... and not be bothered by vendors (they have very strict rules about vendor participation... which I love... I'm not much of a sales girl)

Mackinac Island Weddings.. the blog (http://www.mackinacislandweddings.blogspot.com)
and THIS one is awesome for all things Mackinac Wedding style. Its a great reference for planning an island wedding, have questions answered directly from professionals, and see who, what where, and especially WHY things are done the way they are on the island... Keep an eye on this one, I'll be a contributing writer in the future discussing photography related issues and what all couples should know about their wedding photos.

Hope this helps!!

Love,
A