Janine & Chris (and the winner from yesterday) Tue. January 29, 2008 i do
I have a very scientific way of choosing the winner of the contest when I ask people to write in with comments (I can't believe how many of you did, by the way!!). I put the comments all up on their own page and then I close my eyes and scroll up and down for a minute, until I land on one. Then I open my eyes. So today's winner of the shootsac giveaway is Terri from Terri Z Photo! Terri, I'll be getting in touch with you today!
Anyway, I want to share a couple of photos from a small, intimate little wedding that Becker and I shot in Vegas last week. The wedding was for Janine and Chris who are also wedding photographers. I'm never one to pass up an opportunity to go to Vegas, so although two photographers is probably overkill for a wedding of a dozen people, we had a blast with Chris and Janine, and a great time in Vegas! They were married at one of my favorite hotels, THEhotel at Mandalay Bay at THEwedding Chapel. So fun!
Here's a few of my shots from the day:
Janine's dress was beautiful on her:
A little detail:
Chris played florist. He did such a good job!!
Janine looked gorgeous, as always:
Chris with his cuffs:
And helping his dad out:
On the way to get married! We didn't shoot much from this point because the chapel comes with it's own photographer, so we tried to stay out of the way as much as possible:
But we did manage to snag the couple for a few shots at the Vegas sign, despite the COLD!
Heading back to Vegas for PMA tomorrow! Anyone going to be there?
I love ya a million! Sat. January 26, 2008 my life
Some of you may know that I am an avid stat checker, that is to say, I love to check the statistics on this blog and see how many people are here, where they're coming from, and what they're looking at. That information helps me to figure out what to post about and when. For example, Mondays and Tuesdays are the highest traffic days of the week, so when I have a really good post, I want to post it late Sunday night or Monday morning for maximum exposure.
My dad pointed out to me today that I just hit 1,000,000 hits on this blog yesterday!
I launched this blog right about this time last year (I think we're a week or two shy of a year to the date), which is so cool! You can see the hits at the very bottom of the blog.
I think it's so cool, in fact, that I want to give away a little something--a SHOOTSAC and one of our brand new, not even on the website yet new covers (or an old cover if you've been lusting after one for awhile). All you have to do is leave a comment with who you are and where you're checking in from, and you're eligible! I'll pick a winner sometime on Monday. Make sure you enter your email address so I can get in touch with you!
Free Wedding Contest Winner Announcement!! Mon. January 21, 2008 gossip
Here we go everyone! Thanks so much to my team of voters and to Dane Sanders for doing this video for me!
I am completely humbled and shocked by the sheer volume of photographers who have stepped in to help out with the three weddings I can't shoot. I will be sending emails to the three couples tomorrow or the next day to hook you up with your photographers!
All three of the couples are totally lucky that they didn't win this contest, because every one of them is getting a better photographer than I am! Anna & Chris, sorry you just get me! If it's any consolation, you also get ELYSIUM, videographer extraordinaire, who are also paying for their own travel and costs to produce something amazing for them. Wow. I can't even believe this!!!
To sweeten the deal even more, Wendee Robbins, head coordinator of Lucie's Events has VERY graciously offered her services to Anna and Chris free of charge. Travel too. I let her know that they may not have much to spend on typical coordinator related details, and she told me that she not only has some tricks for them, but also has some things from past events! Hopefully this will help to make their wedding even more unique.
Kelli & Matt's wedding will be shot by my unbelievably amazing friend, Laura Novak. She is so talented and kind, and I can't wait to be a bridesmaid in her wedding in about two weeks!
Catherine & Steve's wedding will be shot by Rae & Chris Barnes This duo (who happen to live right near Catherine and Steve!) are such a wonderful couple to be around. Their photography is awesome, which is really just a reflection on who they are.
Finally, Jessica and Drew are the ones who have REALLY lucked out here. The photographer shooting their wedding is a TOP photographer who has chosen to do this anonymously. He's one of the most talented people I've ever met, and for sure has the biggest heart.
Here's what a couple of my judges had to say about Anna & Chris:
My mother said:
"As part of life is enduring the tough times which can mean illness, death, loss of parent, etc. although very heart-wrenching is still part of life. With the support these couples have with each other, and their families, they will all do just fine in the end.
I thought the tribute the sisters wrote to their youngest sister was fantastic. For me with such a strong sense of family and closeness, nothing can ever take that place. Although thank goodness they have not had to endure a real tragedy, the love and warmth this family shares is truly evident. Having a sister myself I know the bonds of sisterhood and for that I think this couple deserves your gift.
It's a tough decision and I will support whichever one you choose."
One of my best friends, Beth Auciello said:
Anna & Chris
"First, that her sisters who've all been married and had the same weddings but that wholeheartedly and selflessly desire that Anna make hers unique says a lot about the kind of family she comes from. Evidently, a very giving, loving and genuine family. It seems possible that they've faced many challenges and hardships growing up in a large family in a town like Monroe where the median income is around $30,000 and trying to support themselves on small income. And even in the way that her sisters tell the story, not trying to gain pity by focusing on how challenging it may have been for their parents to support them by working full time jobs to sustain a large family, rather focusing the story on Anna and her will and effort to help by working hard, earning money, being a good steward of it and an example for others her age. A positive history of their family rather than just trying to gain sympathy or drawing out a "woe is us" account of family life. It seems Anna has humbly and steadfastly worked hard to earn the things that she was able to have and all throughout her adolescence has remained humble and has continued to serve others sincerely. I can only imagine how she may have felt through the years being a middle child and apparently, rather than complain about things she may have been deprived of, she worked hard, sacrificed other things in order to work hard and help her family out by not expecting them to help her pay for things and instead taking up that responsibility for herself. In this way, she is serving as an example to her siblings and evidently to all around her without being boastful or prideful about it. She is clearly being a good steward of her own abilities and gifts as is Chris. Although not much is said of Chris and his personal life (ie. work, ambitions, etc), it seems they've worked together as a team, supported one another in their efforts to work hard and make sacrifices."
I can't wait to meet you both, and photograph your wedding on October 11th! Thank you so much to everyone who wrote in with support or well wishes for all of the couples, and I can't wait to see photos from all of their beautiful weddings!
Guess who I shot today? Sat. January 19, 2008 people
I've talked about this a bit here on the blog before, but I'm always very flattered and a little nervous when other photographers hire me. There's a added pressure because a photographer knows when you have an off day, or if you messed up the light a little bit, and that sort of thing. It's gotten easier over time, but I'll admit I still do get butterflies!
Today I shot a session for the gorgeous miss Jasmine Star! She has some super special projects in the works for the near future, and when she's ready I can show you more images, but for now, a little sneak peek:
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