"Most images that make us go "wow" were taken from the heart"-Joe Buissink
I woke up this morning to the sun shining in my window and the birds chirping... and instead of jumping out of bed running to the gym and starting my day... I stayed.. right there... and started reading a new favorite book... "Wedding Photography From the Heart"...
Now this book instantly grabbed me for two reasons... one... its my philosophy on life...I TRY to make it my goal to live and WORK "from the heart" (be it dancing at home or writing on my blog) ... so the title was perfect for me... and two... it's written by my favorite wedding photographer.. a man I greatly respect and admire.
First... a little about its author... Joe Buissink seems to do everything "from the heart"... his lectures, his photography, his philanthropic work... and the love he has for his family shines through in everything he does. He is a man who openly shares his knowledge with the photography world without an ego or an agenda except to make this industry and the people in it better!!
So this book.... is inspiring to say the least... it just reaffirms what my goal has always been... to stop focusing so much on creating a perfect moment with the right lighting, background, pose, etc . . but instead to wait and feel when that perfect moment arrives in front of me... natural and real true emotion... and really... how can I shoot from the heart if I don't know the hearts of my couples... which means we become friends... and plus then its not work for me... its me getting to attend a friends' big party... and who doesn't like parties!!
A few quotes from the book:
"Twenty years from now, when the couple looks at the album, they should remember what they were feeling at the time. I want them to really remember what they were actually thinking"
"Look for the moments that are unplanned, when your subjects allow themselves to relax, step away from being the center of attention, and simply be themselves"
"If you stay relaxed and enjoy the "race," you'll realize its not a race at all. You're there to enjoy the moment as much as your clients, and by doing so you will be using two sets of eyes: the ones in your head, to identify the moment and the ones in your heart, to capture it."
"Look for the moments that are unplanned, when your subjects allow themselves to relax, step away from being the center of attention, and simply be themselves"
"If you stay relaxed and enjoy the "race," you'll realize its not a race at all. You're there to enjoy the moment as much as your clients, and by doing so you will be using two sets of eyes: the ones in your head, to identify the moment and the ones in your heart, to capture it."
May you read a few of these quotes and get inspired... its not just for photography... it can be in life! Its not always easy to let go of the structure and rules but in those few times that you can work and live from the heart it feels sooo good!
Love,
A
...geez.. I just re-read what I just wrote... I should really take my own advice sometime... a special thanks to those who support me and encourage my heart when my mind starts to take over.. you know who you are and I love you all for it
Love,
A
...geez.. I just re-read what I just wrote... I should really take my own advice sometime... a special thanks to those who support me and encourage my heart when my mind starts to take over.. you know who you are and I love you all for it
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Wedding Photography from the HEART!!
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I know I have been off the radar a bit... but its pretty hard to keep up with the blog when I am hopping from family to friend to family to friend all over the northeastern part of the US...
But I have a quick break from my niece and nephew (who are tired from ice skating... actually I think I'M more tired then they are) to hop on the computer and upload a few pics from New Years on the island... and this past week with my adorable niece and nephew...
I'll be hopping on a plane late tonight ... and finally back to my routine in my office Monday morning... in sunny California... (finally my feet with defrost)!!
Hope you are all enjoying the first week of 2010...
Love,
A
Here's some of a Wintry Mackinac....
And here a few of my favorite 4 and 8 year olds...
But I have a quick break from my niece and nephew (who are tired from ice skating... actually I think I'M more tired then they are) to hop on the computer and upload a few pics from New Years on the island... and this past week with my adorable niece and nephew...
I'll be hopping on a plane late tonight ... and finally back to my routine in my office Monday morning... in sunny California... (finally my feet with defrost)!!
Hope you are all enjoying the first week of 2010...
Love,
A
Here's some of a Wintry Mackinac....
And here a few of my favorite 4 and 8 year olds...
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A few pics from my holidays...
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This morning I was so excited to reconnect with one of my very first couples. It's been a few years since their wedding... and now they just had a beautiful baby girl Maria 6 months ago. I absolutely LOVE seeing my favorite couples grow. And can you blame me... take a look at how adorable Maria is... and such a character... as the sneak peak at the pics show. You can tell she is a baby FULL of personality... just take a look!!
Gina & Chris, I am so happy and thrilled to have been a part of Maria's first photo shoot... first of many I'm sure... she's such a little model!! It thrills me to see you three together. May this year bring you much laughter and joy as you play with your little angel and watch her grow!!
Sooo.. I thought what better blog to end the year as one with a new beginning! May you all have a wonderful New Years (I will try and do another entry but who knows... with all this traveling I'm never sure when I'll have internet)... I am off to Mackinac to ring in the New Year!
REMEMBER... have fun on New Years Day... my mother always said "What you do on New Years Day .. you do all year long"... which is why she refused to ever clean on January 1st!!
May your new year be filled with fullfilling your goals (even though they may shift)... reaching for your dreams (no matter how big and huge they may be)... realizing the love around you (whether it be your closest companion or a stranger on the street)... and OF COURSE LAUGHTER!!
I love you all! Happy New Year!
ANDREJKA!!
Gina & Chris, I am so happy and thrilled to have been a part of Maria's first photo shoot... first of many I'm sure... she's such a little model!! It thrills me to see you three together. May this year bring you much laughter and joy as you play with your little angel and watch her grow!!
Sooo.. I thought what better blog to end the year as one with a new beginning! May you all have a wonderful New Years (I will try and do another entry but who knows... with all this traveling I'm never sure when I'll have internet)... I am off to Mackinac to ring in the New Year!
REMEMBER... have fun on New Years Day... my mother always said "What you do on New Years Day .. you do all year long"... which is why she refused to ever clean on January 1st!!
May your new year be filled with fullfilling your goals (even though they may shift)... reaching for your dreams (no matter how big and huge they may be)... realizing the love around you (whether it be your closest companion or a stranger on the street)... and OF COURSE LAUGHTER!!
I love you all! Happy New Year!
ANDREJKA!!
Gina:
These are beyond awesome! I think they are the cutest baby photos I've ever seen, but I could be slightly biased. Thanks Andrejka, you're the best!
(12.31.09 @ 05:22 AM)
Susan Hydzik:
What beautiful baby photographs! They are so natural and original compared to a lot of what's out there! Absolutely adorable, awesome images!
(01.09.10 @ 11:05 AM)
Susan Hydzik:
What beautiful baby photographs! They are so natural and original compared to a lot of what's out there! Absolutely adorable, awesome images!
(01.09.10 @ 11:06 AM)
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A New Year... a new baby!!
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A walk in the snow... some mulled wine... meeting with old friends... wrapping presents... holiday music... and a little work too!! Gotta love the holidays.
I arrived in Detroit on Friday and was instantly whisked away to Greenfield Village for some hot cider, caroling, Model T rides... and shivering while watching fireworks!! Followed by an evening of reconnecting with friends from college.
And now, just prepping for the annual Sushi Stroll in the Snow... a tradition my friends and I do every December... who doesn't walk to a sushi dinner in the middle of winter in Detroit.
Below is a map of my travels for the next few weeks. If your in any of these areas... just let me know and we can meet up for some holiday cheer or even a photo shoot (I of course have my camera with me)!!!
Happy Holidays to everyone... stay warm... have fun!!
Love,
A
Oh BTW... here's a link to what I've been working on today. Jenny & Simon's slideshow...
CLICK HERE for the Slideshow!!!
I arrived in Detroit on Friday and was instantly whisked away to Greenfield Village for some hot cider, caroling, Model T rides... and shivering while watching fireworks!! Followed by an evening of reconnecting with friends from college.
And now, just prepping for the annual Sushi Stroll in the Snow... a tradition my friends and I do every December... who doesn't walk to a sushi dinner in the middle of winter in Detroit.
Below is a map of my travels for the next few weeks. If your in any of these areas... just let me know and we can meet up for some holiday cheer or even a photo shoot (I of course have my camera with me)!!!
Happy Holidays to everyone... stay warm... have fun!!
Love,
A
Oh BTW... here's a link to what I've been working on today. Jenny & Simon's slideshow...
CLICK HERE for the Slideshow!!!
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Back to the cold... and loving it!
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This past Thanksgiving I was a part of one of the most romantic love stories I have ever heard!! Here's a quick version... Jenny & Simon met their senior year in college (almost 10 years ago)... Jenny a California sweetheart... Simon an English gentleman... separated by an ocean... and a lot of land... they never really dated... for years they would just go on trips around the world together... Europe, New York, the Caribbean, Mexico.. etc... still never dating just friends rendezvousing... well... and then they finally realized their love for each other and said what are we doing... lets get married... so... after a lot of paperwork... many long distance phone calls.... a ton of frequent flier miles.. and countless letters... they are together... and it seems sooo right!!
** (I have to apologize for my storytelling... Jenny & Simon and all of their friends can explain this story much better than I can)... lets just say it's been a long time coming... ever since that fateful night they met on State Street their senior year!!
Jenny & Simon, it was SUCH an honor and a privilege to be a part of your celebration. You two exude a comfortably and joy that is truly contagious!! May you two continue to laugh and love stronger and stronger every year!
Love,
A
You two are soooo flpping cute and fun!!
** (I have to apologize for my storytelling... Jenny & Simon and all of their friends can explain this story much better than I can)... lets just say it's been a long time coming... ever since that fateful night they met on State Street their senior year!!
Jenny & Simon, it was SUCH an honor and a privilege to be a part of your celebration. You two exude a comfortably and joy that is truly contagious!! May you two continue to laugh and love stronger and stronger every year!
Love,
A
You two are soooo flpping cute and fun!!
Jenny:
I LOVE the pics! You are so talented and we are really lucky that you were able to hold our very tentative wedding date for us! Thank you so much! Can't wait to see the rest!
(12.22.09 @ 09:17 AM)
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Long Distance Love... Jenny & Simon are married!!!
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