November 23, 2009 //
Andrejka Photography
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Weddings
Last week I was so excited to meet up with three of my couples from years past who all happen to live in SF... (my favorite city!!... even more than New Orleans... but if NOLA were in Cali... it might be a toss up)
My weekend started Friday night with Amy & Michael... an incredible couple that lives in SF and Australia... but travels all the time in Asia... and had their wedding on Mackinac ... can you believe it. I was able to photograph their wedding in Fall of 2008... it is was so much fun to reconnect .. they've now convinced me I need to start shooting in Australia and China... sounds awesome!!
Then it was a Saturday lunch with Michelle & Jeff at the classic SF joint Tadich Grill... I met up with these two a year and a half ago at a coffee shop in SF... then months later I was photographing their touching wedding in Ventura... I had such a great time I could have sat and chatted with them forever (even if they are PC/Nikon users... I won't hold that against them)!!
Then it was on to an amazing dinner with Missy & Christian. I was honored to photograph this couple just a few months ago on Mackinac. We had so much fun chatting about the island... AND California... I just love it when my two worlds join together.
It was soo wonderful to be able to meet up with everyone... I can't wait to see them again. Man... I love that I can keep in touch and become friends with my couples... no matter where they live!
THEN on Sunday ... was all for me... a day of photography .. a day to be inspired by my favorite city... by the people... the food... the sounds... everything!! I even ended the day by catching the Richard Avedon exhibition at the SF MOMA.. he is amazing... it totally started me thinking about my own photography. If you are in the bay area this week check it out... it ends Sunday Nov. 29th.
Here are a few pics from my favorite places in SF... Chinatown (and my dim sum... yummy.. no I didn't eat it ALL... my eyes were a little bigger than my stomach)... then on to City Lights Bookstore and the Vesuvio (in North Beach).. home of the beatnik poets... Kerouac, Ginsberg... etc... now THESE guys are awesome... just being in the bookstore makes mind open up and reminds me how much I love 20th century literature... (yup, that literature degree comes in handy once in awhile)
I hope you all have a wonderful happy joyous Thanksgiving... I'm off to go pick up my mom from the airport... first time she's in Cali for Turkey day... then... your not going to belive this but her and I back up to my fav. city... SF yet again.. I just didn't get enough last time!
May you all find gratitude in the smallest of things... and through that find joy in the world around you!!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Love,
A
My weekend started Friday night with Amy & Michael... an incredible couple that lives in SF and Australia... but travels all the time in Asia... and had their wedding on Mackinac ... can you believe it. I was able to photograph their wedding in Fall of 2008... it is was so much fun to reconnect .. they've now convinced me I need to start shooting in Australia and China... sounds awesome!!
Then it was a Saturday lunch with Michelle & Jeff at the classic SF joint Tadich Grill... I met up with these two a year and a half ago at a coffee shop in SF... then months later I was photographing their touching wedding in Ventura... I had such a great time I could have sat and chatted with them forever (even if they are PC/Nikon users... I won't hold that against them)!!
Then it was on to an amazing dinner with Missy & Christian. I was honored to photograph this couple just a few months ago on Mackinac. We had so much fun chatting about the island... AND California... I just love it when my two worlds join together.
It was soo wonderful to be able to meet up with everyone... I can't wait to see them again. Man... I love that I can keep in touch and become friends with my couples... no matter where they live!
THEN on Sunday ... was all for me... a day of photography .. a day to be inspired by my favorite city... by the people... the food... the sounds... everything!! I even ended the day by catching the Richard Avedon exhibition at the SF MOMA.. he is amazing... it totally started me thinking about my own photography. If you are in the bay area this week check it out... it ends Sunday Nov. 29th.
Here are a few pics from my favorite places in SF... Chinatown (and my dim sum... yummy.. no I didn't eat it ALL... my eyes were a little bigger than my stomach)... then on to City Lights Bookstore and the Vesuvio (in North Beach).. home of the beatnik poets... Kerouac, Ginsberg... etc... now THESE guys are awesome... just being in the bookstore makes mind open up and reminds me how much I love 20th century literature... (yup, that literature degree comes in handy once in awhile)
I hope you all have a wonderful happy joyous Thanksgiving... I'm off to go pick up my mom from the airport... first time she's in Cali for Turkey day... then... your not going to belive this but her and I back up to my fav. city... SF yet again.. I just didn't get enough last time!
May you all find gratitude in the smallest of things... and through that find joy in the world around you!!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Love,
A
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
I love my San Francisco. .the people, the food, the art... and my couples!!
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://andrejkaphotographyblog.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/95
So this blog is a little late... as it is the end of November and these weddings were back in October... but.. better late than never!!
First we have Heather & Chris... these two have been very close friends of mine for years and to see the two of them marry warmed my heart... it was like watching everything right in the world come together. As I stood in the church watching people arrive I have NEVER felt such pure excitement from everyone waiting for Heather & Chris. Words can't explain the feeling in this church... and it was 100% for this amazing couple. It got me excited too... I loved it... and then, AFTER the ceremony, we went on a carriage ride only this time... instead of chasing them on my bike (as is the norm) Chris & Heather wanted me riding up front with Bobby Roach (our carriage driver.. love that guy!!)... needless to say the pics were so fun from that angle.. .and the day was magical. From there, was an afternoon reception at The Iroquois Hotel (Becki and the staff did an impeccable and gorgeous job as ALWAYS... I highly recommend this place)...
Heather & Chris... I can't put into words what a pure joy it was to be a part of your wedding. I thought I knew the two of you before hand... but witnessing this magical day I love you guys even more, you two are an example by which many people should look to, and I am proud to say I am your friend!!
Love,
A
Here's CHRIS & HEATHER's slideshow (click here)
And now... couple number 2.. Stephanie & Adam... they have re-inspired me.. .and reminded me again why I love what I do... I first met this couple... two days before their wedding... in a TORRENTIAL STORM... I mean it was raining sideways... and it was FREEZING... I could tell they were a little concerned about their upcoming outdoor ceremony and carriage ride... (and to be honest.. so was I... but I didn't tell them that (sorry S & A... now the truth comes out... I really was a little concerned)... well the sun broke through by noon and stayed all day. I think one of the coolest things about this couple was that their wedding was all about THEM and who THEY were... for example on the carriage ride... we stopped at Starbucks (yes there's a Starbucks on the island... but its owned by a local so its okay ;-)... obviously these two (well, Stephanie) LOVES their Starbucks... this was just one example of how they made their day so unique and touching!
So I have to share with you a few emails... and why they have reminded me how I love what I do . ..and I love when others are happy!!
I finished their slideshow late last night... and this is the email I woke up to this morning (needless to say it was an amazing way to start the day)
Hi,
Oh, Andrejka! We just had a good cry watching the slideshow! It is absolutely amazing! It is way better than any expectations I had. We both just said how thankful we were that you were our photographer! We know our families will love it too! Thank you so much! We can't wait to see the rest! You truly do have a gift!
Thanks again!!
Adam and Stephanie
So, I of course wanted to share this with you all... and I wrote back...
Oh my goodness!! You are so nice... I am soo glad you love your pics... would you mind if I used this email on my blog? It is just so touching.. and reminds me why I love shooting weddings!
AND then... another amazing email.. by now I HAD tears in my eyes ...
You definitely can use the email. I would recommend you to everyone! :-) Our families did see the slideshow and our moms both cried! Jami loves the picture of Benjamin and Natalie hugging! Everyone has a favorite...well, many favorites! :-) I love how you captured so many special moments throughout the day! I guess that's why you call it photojournalistic! And, the starbucks pictures are so cool! :-) My co-workers love them! They say it's so me! I am going to have a hard time choosing which ones to frame! :-) I have a feeling we will be looking at these pictures everyday for a very LONG time! :-)
Thanks again!
Stephanie
HERE'S Stephanie & Adam's SLIDESHOW (click here)
I couldn't make these up if I tried...
Thank you so much S&A.. I so appreciate from the bottom of my heart all of your kind words. It truly was such a pleasure to meet you and share in your day. It is so clear to see the love you two have for each other and the joy in your eyes when your with each other. Thank YOU... I wish you both years and years of true joy and happiness.
Love,
A
First we have Heather & Chris... these two have been very close friends of mine for years and to see the two of them marry warmed my heart... it was like watching everything right in the world come together. As I stood in the church watching people arrive I have NEVER felt such pure excitement from everyone waiting for Heather & Chris. Words can't explain the feeling in this church... and it was 100% for this amazing couple. It got me excited too... I loved it... and then, AFTER the ceremony, we went on a carriage ride only this time... instead of chasing them on my bike (as is the norm) Chris & Heather wanted me riding up front with Bobby Roach (our carriage driver.. love that guy!!)... needless to say the pics were so fun from that angle.. .and the day was magical. From there, was an afternoon reception at The Iroquois Hotel (Becki and the staff did an impeccable and gorgeous job as ALWAYS... I highly recommend this place)...
Heather & Chris... I can't put into words what a pure joy it was to be a part of your wedding. I thought I knew the two of you before hand... but witnessing this magical day I love you guys even more, you two are an example by which many people should look to, and I am proud to say I am your friend!!
Love,
A
Here's CHRIS & HEATHER's slideshow (click here)
And now... couple number 2.. Stephanie & Adam... they have re-inspired me.. .and reminded me again why I love what I do... I first met this couple... two days before their wedding... in a TORRENTIAL STORM... I mean it was raining sideways... and it was FREEZING... I could tell they were a little concerned about their upcoming outdoor ceremony and carriage ride... (and to be honest.. so was I... but I didn't tell them that (sorry S & A... now the truth comes out... I really was a little concerned)... well the sun broke through by noon and stayed all day. I think one of the coolest things about this couple was that their wedding was all about THEM and who THEY were... for example on the carriage ride... we stopped at Starbucks (yes there's a Starbucks on the island... but its owned by a local so its okay ;-)... obviously these two (well, Stephanie) LOVES their Starbucks... this was just one example of how they made their day so unique and touching!
So I have to share with you a few emails... and why they have reminded me how I love what I do . ..and I love when others are happy!!
I finished their slideshow late last night... and this is the email I woke up to this morning (needless to say it was an amazing way to start the day)
Hi,
Oh, Andrejka! We just had a good cry watching the slideshow! It is absolutely amazing! It is way better than any expectations I had. We both just said how thankful we were that you were our photographer! We know our families will love it too! Thank you so much! We can't wait to see the rest! You truly do have a gift!
Thanks again!!
Adam and Stephanie
So, I of course wanted to share this with you all... and I wrote back...
Oh my goodness!! You are so nice... I am soo glad you love your pics... would you mind if I used this email on my blog? It is just so touching.. and reminds me why I love shooting weddings!
AND then... another amazing email.. by now I HAD tears in my eyes ...
You definitely can use the email. I would recommend you to everyone! :-) Our families did see the slideshow and our moms both cried! Jami loves the picture of Benjamin and Natalie hugging! Everyone has a favorite...well, many favorites! :-) I love how you captured so many special moments throughout the day! I guess that's why you call it photojournalistic! And, the starbucks pictures are so cool! :-) My co-workers love them! They say it's so me! I am going to have a hard time choosing which ones to frame! :-) I have a feeling we will be looking at these pictures everyday for a very LONG time! :-)
Thanks again!
Stephanie
HERE'S Stephanie & Adam's SLIDESHOW (click here)
I couldn't make these up if I tried...
Thank you so much S&A.. I so appreciate from the bottom of my heart all of your kind words. It truly was such a pleasure to meet you and share in your day. It is so clear to see the love you two have for each other and the joy in your eyes when your with each other. Thank YOU... I wish you both years and years of true joy and happiness.
Love,
A
Missy:
I LOVE the picture of the coffee cups.....especially since it says caution: very hot.
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
My last two weddings on Mackinac... and why I love my job!!
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://andrejkaphotographyblog.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/94
So I promise this will be the last time I babble on about New Orleans (especially because this weekend I am off to my favorite city.. well prior to being in NOLA.. San Francisco... the jury is out and will let you know next week . . will it be NOLA or SF!!).
Well... along with a life changing 30 hour car ride... amazing photo shoot... inspiring photo conference.. NOLA was also sooo much fun because I got the chance to see .. not 1.. not 2... but THREE very dear friends I hadn't seen in years that all live in NOLA... I was so stoked to hang out these peeps in their city and each one had different things to show me... I LOVED IT!! I had FRESH deep fried Cajun shrimp one night at 3 in the morning from a tiny little grocery store... I watched the Saints break a record while listening to live jazz in the background... I saw a group of peeps jitterbug like crazy... and I even saw an extremely raunchy 80 year old Jazz Singer flirt with the crowd while singing and dancing his heart out (at 2 in the morning)... just to reiterate again... I LOVE THIS CITY!!
Well.. .the very last photo shoot I did... was especially cool... my friend Joe (who I grew up with in our tiny little cow town in the middle of a corn field) let me capture a window into his New Orleans life... Joe in the privacy of his home... with his books and notes strewn all over (he's a writer... as you might be able to tell from the pics)... imagine NOLA meets the Sun Also Rises...
I absolutely LOVE doing lifestyle shoots... no posing... no thinking... no purpose .. just me capturing someones everyday life ... in the place where they can be most comfortable... their home... I really hope to do more of these... what a fun way to capture a chapter in one's life!
Hey Buddy... thank you again so much for letting me see a glimpse of your life.. .and capture it!! This city has definitely adopted you... and you it!
Okay... bye bye New Orleans ... until next time!
May you all discover new places of joy... be it in your back yard... or half way across the world!
Love,
A
Well... along with a life changing 30 hour car ride... amazing photo shoot... inspiring photo conference.. NOLA was also sooo much fun because I got the chance to see .. not 1.. not 2... but THREE very dear friends I hadn't seen in years that all live in NOLA... I was so stoked to hang out these peeps in their city and each one had different things to show me... I LOVED IT!! I had FRESH deep fried Cajun shrimp one night at 3 in the morning from a tiny little grocery store... I watched the Saints break a record while listening to live jazz in the background... I saw a group of peeps jitterbug like crazy... and I even saw an extremely raunchy 80 year old Jazz Singer flirt with the crowd while singing and dancing his heart out (at 2 in the morning)... just to reiterate again... I LOVE THIS CITY!!
Well.. .the very last photo shoot I did... was especially cool... my friend Joe (who I grew up with in our tiny little cow town in the middle of a corn field) let me capture a window into his New Orleans life... Joe in the privacy of his home... with his books and notes strewn all over (he's a writer... as you might be able to tell from the pics)... imagine NOLA meets the Sun Also Rises...
I absolutely LOVE doing lifestyle shoots... no posing... no thinking... no purpose .. just me capturing someones everyday life ... in the place where they can be most comfortable... their home... I really hope to do more of these... what a fun way to capture a chapter in one's life!
Hey Buddy... thank you again so much for letting me see a glimpse of your life.. .and capture it!! This city has definitely adopted you... and you it!
Okay... bye bye New Orleans ... until next time!
May you all discover new places of joy... be it in your back yard... or half way across the world!
Love,
A
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
New Orleans.. Part THREE... the final entry... I promise!
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://andrejkaphotographyblog.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/93
Man I love this city... I can't believe I've only been home a week... I miss the city already... and can't wait to go back.
Okay ... but next time... I'll fly both ways... none of this driving 30 hours... no offense Kelly & Jim (it was definitely fun ... and not half as bad as one would think to be in the car for 30 hours).. but I would much rather have that 30 hours spent listening to jazz and hanging out in the city...
SO, once we arrived in NOLA... did the AMAZING French Quarter photo shoot (see previous blog... soo cool) on Monday... THEN it was finally time for the reason we went... Pictage Partnercon... WOOO HOOO!!
All I have to say is ... WOW... it totally blew my mind and was so much fun. I loved that there were less than 500 photographers... it gave the whole conference such a small intimate feeling.. and that all the meals were included... every time I talked into the ballroom I met a new photographer. I made so many new friends from all over the country .. .I can't wait to keep in touch and share!!
And the lectures.. .amazing... I found myself crying everyday at how touching and heartfelt the lecturers were... and how they touched me in the heart. I always like to think that when I tear up hearing something its the sign of Passion and Truth!!... boy was there a lot of passion and truth going on!!
Some of my favorites...
Mike Colon: "Defining your style"
Justin & Mary Marantz: "How to be a Rainmaker".. Mary had me crying like a baby
Joe Buissink: "Are you in a rut?"... tears galore again!!
Tasra Dawson: Women Only.. a super cool session for us girls only with an awesome panel
And Jim Collins (CEO of Pictage... had an awesome opening speach... "Dream, Create, Inspire"... I definitely did all three!
And I also cannot let this entry go without mentioning my new favorite LOVES....
Livebooks!!
-keep your eye open for a whole new look for Andrejka.. I am so excited to start working on a brand new customized website... just for Andrejka Photography.. woohoo... thanks Deano and Jay for putting up with all my questions...
Couture Books!!
--I am soooo excited to start offering these GORGEOUS BOOKS... Seriously.. .I have seen nothing like these... I am in LOVE... (is it sad... I'm in love with a book)... but wait till you see them!! Imagine the most beautiful art book from your favorite bookstore... with your favorite artist... now imagine that book is your life!! Dave you rock and thank you for letting me sit there and drool over your books day after day!!
Okay... just a few pics of the city...
But hold on .. I still have one more NOLA entry... of a super cool lifestyle shoot I did with a dear friend of mine. Just a little peak into the window of his New Orleans life...
May you all DREAM-CREATE-INSPIRE your own individual passions, truths, and joy!
Love,
A
P.S. next time I am going to shoot more city pics... pathetic... only 3!!
Okay ... but next time... I'll fly both ways... none of this driving 30 hours... no offense Kelly & Jim (it was definitely fun ... and not half as bad as one would think to be in the car for 30 hours).. but I would much rather have that 30 hours spent listening to jazz and hanging out in the city...
SO, once we arrived in NOLA... did the AMAZING French Quarter photo shoot (see previous blog... soo cool) on Monday... THEN it was finally time for the reason we went... Pictage Partnercon... WOOO HOOO!!
All I have to say is ... WOW... it totally blew my mind and was so much fun. I loved that there were less than 500 photographers... it gave the whole conference such a small intimate feeling.. and that all the meals were included... every time I talked into the ballroom I met a new photographer. I made so many new friends from all over the country .. .I can't wait to keep in touch and share!!
And the lectures.. .amazing... I found myself crying everyday at how touching and heartfelt the lecturers were... and how they touched me in the heart. I always like to think that when I tear up hearing something its the sign of Passion and Truth!!... boy was there a lot of passion and truth going on!!
Some of my favorites...
Mike Colon: "Defining your style"
Justin & Mary Marantz: "How to be a Rainmaker".. Mary had me crying like a baby
Joe Buissink: "Are you in a rut?"... tears galore again!!
Tasra Dawson: Women Only.. a super cool session for us girls only with an awesome panel
And Jim Collins (CEO of Pictage... had an awesome opening speach... "Dream, Create, Inspire"... I definitely did all three!
And I also cannot let this entry go without mentioning my new favorite LOVES....
Livebooks!!
-keep your eye open for a whole new look for Andrejka.. I am so excited to start working on a brand new customized website... just for Andrejka Photography.. woohoo... thanks Deano and Jay for putting up with all my questions...
Couture Books!!
--I am soooo excited to start offering these GORGEOUS BOOKS... Seriously.. .I have seen nothing like these... I am in LOVE... (is it sad... I'm in love with a book)... but wait till you see them!! Imagine the most beautiful art book from your favorite bookstore... with your favorite artist... now imagine that book is your life!! Dave you rock and thank you for letting me sit there and drool over your books day after day!!
Okay... just a few pics of the city...
But hold on .. I still have one more NOLA entry... of a super cool lifestyle shoot I did with a dear friend of mine. Just a little peak into the window of his New Orleans life...
May you all DREAM-CREATE-INSPIRE your own individual passions, truths, and joy!
Love,
A
P.S. next time I am going to shoot more city pics... pathetic... only 3!!
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
New Orleans.. Part TWO... I'm in love!!
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://andrejkaphotographyblog.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/92
Oh my goodness!! Words cannot express how much fun I had in NOLA (like the locals call it)!!
In fact it was such an amazing week . . .that the blog for New Orleans and Pictage's Partnercon... is going to take 2 maybe even THREE to cover it...
So to begin... I'm going to skip past the 30 hour drive... skip past the actual conference... skip past all the cool people I visited with.. .and go straight to the AWESOME photo shoot Kelly Segre & Jim Minics had set up in the French Quarter!!
Now first I have to blame these two for convincing me on this crazy little adventure... and of course THANK them!! Not only would I not have attended the conference but I wouldn't have been able to tag along on this super fun shoot. Kelly had arranged for a local model and makeup artist to help out... and I have to add.. the model is wearing Kelly's wedding dress... how crazy cool is this dress... and how perfect for the French Quarter.
So Monday afternoon the three of us, as well as the entourage of people who would just watch and stare, wandered through the streets of NOLA... taking in the gorgeous scenery and using it for the sweetest backdrop ever... we even had the opportunity to shoot off the balcony of one of the oldest buildings over looking the promenade... classic French Quarter style
This isn't my usual style... but I loved doing it and it always helps to think in a different way... so fun to get creative in a different city!!
Check out the pics... at the end there's even a few funny ones of the K & J!!! GOTCHA!!
Thanks again K&J... it was amazing...
Stay tuned for... "the rest of the story"...
Love,
A
In fact it was such an amazing week . . .that the blog for New Orleans and Pictage's Partnercon... is going to take 2 maybe even THREE to cover it...
So to begin... I'm going to skip past the 30 hour drive... skip past the actual conference... skip past all the cool people I visited with.. .and go straight to the AWESOME photo shoot Kelly Segre & Jim Minics had set up in the French Quarter!!
Now first I have to blame these two for convincing me on this crazy little adventure... and of course THANK them!! Not only would I not have attended the conference but I wouldn't have been able to tag along on this super fun shoot. Kelly had arranged for a local model and makeup artist to help out... and I have to add.. the model is wearing Kelly's wedding dress... how crazy cool is this dress... and how perfect for the French Quarter.
So Monday afternoon the three of us, as well as the entourage of people who would just watch and stare, wandered through the streets of NOLA... taking in the gorgeous scenery and using it for the sweetest backdrop ever... we even had the opportunity to shoot off the balcony of one of the oldest buildings over looking the promenade... classic French Quarter style
This isn't my usual style... but I loved doing it and it always helps to think in a different way... so fun to get creative in a different city!!
Check out the pics... at the end there's even a few funny ones of the K & J!!! GOTCHA!!
Thanks again K&J... it was amazing...
Stay tuned for... "the rest of the story"...
Love,
A
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
New Orleans.. Part ONE... the shoot...
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://andrejkaphotographyblog.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/91