I am back on the island after the most amazing trip back home to Santa Barbara. It was probably the most relaxing, fun week I'd had in almost a year... thanks to all my friends for making my visit home so awesome!!
Now that I'm back to Home #2 .. .I thought it would be fun to start doing more island portraits AND vacation shoots... last year I had a blast photographing my brother and his family at the beach and it gave me the idea.. how cool would it be to have your family vacation documented every year... have a book made.. .and then over the years you begin to see how your family has grown up and multiplied all while on vacation... laughing, smiling, doing things you don't necessarily get to do everyday!!
Another thought I had was this... just think it's November... all of a sudden the year has gotten away from you and you think.. "OH SHOOT... holiday cards... darn it and we don't have an updated family picture"... well, again ... why not do it while on vacation...
so if you are headed to the island at all this summer and are interested in having some pics taken look me up!
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Mackinac Island Portrait Special*
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I am back in Cali but thinking about the awesome weekend of weddings I had a couple weeks ago. I really feel blessed by the couples I've photographed so far this year and this weekend was unbelievable... its started on Thursday with a vow renewal between Kristin and Joachim, then a surprising turn of events with Jennifer and Matt... and the weekend of weddings ended with me tearing up (no.. straight up crying) over Kristin and Ian's thoughtfulness!!
First up ... Kristin and Joachim... Kristin and I met up in NYC when I was there a little over a month ago and TOTALLY hit is off... we were talking all sorts of girl talk as if we'd been BFF's forever... and then when we met up again on the island a month later for her wedding.. we just continued (Kristin, I still can't believe everything we talked about you.. YOU ROCK). I had such a good time hanging out with Kristin and Joachim. They had a beautiful wedding at Little Stone Church then dinner up at the Woods Restaurant. While there, Joachim (who is Swedish) led the group in a traditional shot of some traditional liquor (which really smelled more like lighter fluid).. Kristen & Joachim, I can't get over how perfectly your timing was and I'm so glad I was able to be a part of it. Thank you!! You two crack me up and I have no doubt that you two will be having fun the rest of your lives together!!!
Then Jennifer and Matt and I had a blast!! I don't always get the chance to hang out with my couples too much prior to the wedding... but this time I did... after photographing them biking around the island the day before the wedding I was surprised they were still talking to me. I had them running, jumping, and RACING around the island... easy for me I was on my 21 speed bike... they, on the other hand were on their single speed cruisers... well... not only did they talk with me the next day... but after their beautiful ceremony at the Mission Point Gazebo they took me on a little adventure to Sinclairs Irish Pub in the middle of their recpetion (leaving everyone behind) to go do Irish Car Bombs (a specialty of the establishment with Mackinac Fudge Stout)... it was something I'd never experienced before... they were my first "runaway couple".... Jennifer & Matt... Thanks for including me on your adventure... it was so much fun and goes down in the record books!!! You two have such a connection that it transcends everything you do... on a bike, at a wedding... and in the bar... it was a blast to be witness to it ALL!!
And then .. .to finish off my crazy weeks of weddings... Kristin and Ian... now this couple and I have been chatting for years.. no joke I met them both at the Mackinac Island Wedding Expo in 2008 if you can believe it.. .I felt honored... Kristin walked in .. saw my logo gift box and started jumping up and down that "she's the one"... (seriously I think she was just excited to see a pretty package ;-) none the less... I was very complimented and we instantly bonded in fact I feel like I became part of the family (and the planning process) for the last two years. It was almost sad when the wedding was over knowing that I no longer had any reason to "bother" her for photo stuff. Kristin and Ian, I feel like I've known you forever, that I wasn't just a photographer, that I was truly a guest at your wedding. Kristin, your genuineness and pure heart is clear to everyone that meets you,,, and your jumping-up-and-down-excitement-dance is contagious. Ian your love for Kristin and pure gentleman nature is something all men should strive for. You two have a balance of tenderness, joy, and fun that is awesome!! And the necklace you two gave me (still right now.. makes me tear up)... it was so incredibly thoughtful... it will from now on be a part of my permanent shooting jewelery...
To all my couples... you all are so amazing in so many ways.. each of you is different and touches my heart in a different way. I feel so lucky to have met you all!!
Love,
A
btw... I'm back in cali.. adjusting to mainland life for a week before the island calls again...
First up ... Kristin and Joachim... Kristin and I met up in NYC when I was there a little over a month ago and TOTALLY hit is off... we were talking all sorts of girl talk as if we'd been BFF's forever... and then when we met up again on the island a month later for her wedding.. we just continued (Kristin, I still can't believe everything we talked about you.. YOU ROCK). I had such a good time hanging out with Kristin and Joachim. They had a beautiful wedding at Little Stone Church then dinner up at the Woods Restaurant. While there, Joachim (who is Swedish) led the group in a traditional shot of some traditional liquor (which really smelled more like lighter fluid).. Kristen & Joachim, I can't get over how perfectly your timing was and I'm so glad I was able to be a part of it. Thank you!! You two crack me up and I have no doubt that you two will be having fun the rest of your lives together!!!
Then Jennifer and Matt and I had a blast!! I don't always get the chance to hang out with my couples too much prior to the wedding... but this time I did... after photographing them biking around the island the day before the wedding I was surprised they were still talking to me. I had them running, jumping, and RACING around the island... easy for me I was on my 21 speed bike... they, on the other hand were on their single speed cruisers... well... not only did they talk with me the next day... but after their beautiful ceremony at the Mission Point Gazebo they took me on a little adventure to Sinclairs Irish Pub in the middle of their recpetion (leaving everyone behind) to go do Irish Car Bombs (a specialty of the establishment with Mackinac Fudge Stout)... it was something I'd never experienced before... they were my first "runaway couple".... Jennifer & Matt... Thanks for including me on your adventure... it was so much fun and goes down in the record books!!! You two have such a connection that it transcends everything you do... on a bike, at a wedding... and in the bar... it was a blast to be witness to it ALL!!
And then .. .to finish off my crazy weeks of weddings... Kristin and Ian... now this couple and I have been chatting for years.. no joke I met them both at the Mackinac Island Wedding Expo in 2008 if you can believe it.. .I felt honored... Kristin walked in .. saw my logo gift box and started jumping up and down that "she's the one"... (seriously I think she was just excited to see a pretty package ;-) none the less... I was very complimented and we instantly bonded in fact I feel like I became part of the family (and the planning process) for the last two years. It was almost sad when the wedding was over knowing that I no longer had any reason to "bother" her for photo stuff. Kristin and Ian, I feel like I've known you forever, that I wasn't just a photographer, that I was truly a guest at your wedding. Kristin, your genuineness and pure heart is clear to everyone that meets you,,, and your jumping-up-and-down-excitement-dance is contagious. Ian your love for Kristin and pure gentleman nature is something all men should strive for. You two have a balance of tenderness, joy, and fun that is awesome!! And the necklace you two gave me (still right now.. makes me tear up)... it was so incredibly thoughtful... it will from now on be a part of my permanent shooting jewelery...
To all my couples... you all are so amazing in so many ways.. each of you is different and touches my heart in a different way. I feel so lucky to have met you all!!
Love,
A
btw... I'm back in cali.. adjusting to mainland life for a week before the island calls again...
Kristin:
Yay! We are on your blog and the preview of pics are so cool!!!
(06.18.10 @ 01:27 PM)
Terry:
Beautiful work! I love them. Thanks!
(06.18.10 @ 03:09 PM)
Cathy:
Fabulous, fabulous pictures, We can't wait to see more, Cathy and Glenn Hollis
(06.21.10 @ 12:51 PM)
Heather & Michael:
Judging by these pictures ... you had a wonderful day
(06.27.10 @ 01:29 PM)
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Another weekend of Island weddings...
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but not really... just heading home to SB for a bit... see my place... do some shoots... and drive a car (its amazing how novelty that can be when your other home is an island with horses and bikes ;-)
If anyone is interested in a quick photo shoot or consultation or if you just want to catch up and chat.. I'm around... just let me know...
Here are a couple pics of the island from the last few days... bye by Mackinac, I'll be back again soon!!
Love,
A
If anyone is interested in a quick photo shoot or consultation or if you just want to catch up and chat.. I'm around... just let me know...
Here are a couple pics of the island from the last few days... bye by Mackinac, I'll be back again soon!!
Love,
A
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And off I go again...
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So along with the 6 weddings in one week... I also handed the reigns over for a few wedding s to my new associate Lily Porter!!
I am so excited to be offering this summer associate packages on Mackinac. Lily is going to help me out this summer and help me to offer smaller and more economical wedding options for those couples that are doing smaller weddings on Mackinac who would still like to have my style of photography. Basically Lily (who is AMAZING) will be shooting the wedding but I will still be doing all of the final post production to make sure that it still has a little Andrejka-ness to it. We still have some dates available this year if you or anyone you know is having small weddings on Mackinac this summer!!
So here we are two weddings from Mackinac... the first of the season... and I was the assistant. These were Lily's weddings... I just happened to be on the island and thought I would sit back and play a bit.. Nice job Lily... you rock!!
First we had Christian and Jen ... oh boy .. .what a couple... these two had me at "hello".. well actually they had me with their HYSTERICAL answers to their questionnaire. How could I not make a package work with these two... they said they wanted to make "Mackinac their playground".. well it was definitely unique... after Lily and I shot the wedding and the two of them around a bit they said... go away and come back for the pub crawl.. . "THE WHAT?!?!?!".. yup... they hired us to shoot the pub crawl... Sorry Lily... this second was all mine... how often do I get to follow 20 people around the island.. hitting every bar and dancing... quite a fun experience... Did I mention these two would do anything we told them... jumping off benches riding bikes... I even almost had them jumping in the water... (sooo close) ... These two are the perfect example of super fun love, joy and passion... you two rock... and yes I miss you guys too and am going through withdrawal for sure!!!
Then the very next day.. Lily had another wedding that I again had to go to in order to assist. Shannon and I had been chatting for months and I was so looking forward to meeting her, Jeremi, and the two cutest girls. These 4 brought tears to my eyes like crazy... I don't know what it was ... but during their entire ceremony I was crying like a baby. The whole day was so touching and all about becoming a family. The joy in Jeremi's eyes as Shannon walked down the aisle and the way he couldn't take her eyes off her reminded me what love is all about. I was truly touched by their whole ceremony from the vows to the necklaces they gave the girls... it was amazing! Shannon & Jeremi... thank you so much for letting Lily and I be witness to such love. You two without many words at all exude what "it's" all about!!
Overall it was an amazing week to kick off summer 2010... MAN I love my job!!!
Feeling blessed that I get to do what I love today... (even though today it was sitting in front of my computer for hours... that still aint bad.. it just lets me revisit all these awesome couples again)... geez I sounds cheesy sometimes... but ya know... I warned you I write how I think and how I talk (so I might be a bit cheesy... I'm a wedding photographer.. if I can't be ... who can)!!
May you all discover a little bit of love today!
Love
A
I am so excited to be offering this summer associate packages on Mackinac. Lily is going to help me out this summer and help me to offer smaller and more economical wedding options for those couples that are doing smaller weddings on Mackinac who would still like to have my style of photography. Basically Lily (who is AMAZING) will be shooting the wedding but I will still be doing all of the final post production to make sure that it still has a little Andrejka-ness to it. We still have some dates available this year if you or anyone you know is having small weddings on Mackinac this summer!!
So here we are two weddings from Mackinac... the first of the season... and I was the assistant. These were Lily's weddings... I just happened to be on the island and thought I would sit back and play a bit.. Nice job Lily... you rock!!
First we had Christian and Jen ... oh boy .. .what a couple... these two had me at "hello".. well actually they had me with their HYSTERICAL answers to their questionnaire. How could I not make a package work with these two... they said they wanted to make "Mackinac their playground".. well it was definitely unique... after Lily and I shot the wedding and the two of them around a bit they said... go away and come back for the pub crawl.. . "THE WHAT?!?!?!".. yup... they hired us to shoot the pub crawl... Sorry Lily... this second was all mine... how often do I get to follow 20 people around the island.. hitting every bar and dancing... quite a fun experience... Did I mention these two would do anything we told them... jumping off benches riding bikes... I even almost had them jumping in the water... (sooo close) ... These two are the perfect example of super fun love, joy and passion... you two rock... and yes I miss you guys too and am going through withdrawal for sure!!!
Then the very next day.. Lily had another wedding that I again had to go to in order to assist. Shannon and I had been chatting for months and I was so looking forward to meeting her, Jeremi, and the two cutest girls. These 4 brought tears to my eyes like crazy... I don't know what it was ... but during their entire ceremony I was crying like a baby. The whole day was so touching and all about becoming a family. The joy in Jeremi's eyes as Shannon walked down the aisle and the way he couldn't take her eyes off her reminded me what love is all about. I was truly touched by their whole ceremony from the vows to the necklaces they gave the girls... it was amazing! Shannon & Jeremi... thank you so much for letting Lily and I be witness to such love. You two without many words at all exude what "it's" all about!!
Overall it was an amazing week to kick off summer 2010... MAN I love my job!!!
Feeling blessed that I get to do what I love today... (even though today it was sitting in front of my computer for hours... that still aint bad.. it just lets me revisit all these awesome couples again)... geez I sounds cheesy sometimes... but ya know... I warned you I write how I think and how I talk (so I might be a bit cheesy... I'm a wedding photographer.. if I can't be ... who can)!!
May you all discover a little bit of love today!
Love
A
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Introducing Lily... my new awesome associate!!
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I would have to call the last week in May my "transition week"... from a touching small ceremony in the hills over looking Santa Barbara... to a crazy wedding pub crawl down the streets of Mackinac Island... such is my life.. me ... my camera . .and whatever happens to be taking place around me!!
My last wedding in Santa Barbara.. a day before I headed to the island to begin the summer was the perfect way to kick off the summer. Megan and Jeremiah are an amazing and sweet couple from Minnesota who decided to bring out their closest family and friends out to SB for a California wedding. I loved it... mid-westerners in Cali... my favorite... again... such is my life. And to top it off Megan and her mother are both wedding photographers. I felt incredibly complimented that out of all the amazing SB photogs they wanted me to document the special day. I loved watching Megan and Jeremiah together.. one would look at them and think.. what a sweet nice couple... which they definitely were but behind this sweetness was a bit of mischief ... a little eye rolling here and there, sneaking goofy faces, and some jumping up and down anytime they could ... I felt quite privy to be witness to this.... it helped me really see what makes these two click! Megan and Jeremiah, may your goofiness and laughter intensify with every passing year!!
My last wedding in Santa Barbara.. a day before I headed to the island to begin the summer was the perfect way to kick off the summer. Megan and Jeremiah are an amazing and sweet couple from Minnesota who decided to bring out their closest family and friends out to SB for a California wedding. I loved it... mid-westerners in Cali... my favorite... again... such is my life. And to top it off Megan and her mother are both wedding photographers. I felt incredibly complimented that out of all the amazing SB photogs they wanted me to document the special day. I loved watching Megan and Jeremiah together.. one would look at them and think.. what a sweet nice couple... which they definitely were but behind this sweetness was a bit of mischief ... a little eye rolling here and there, sneaking goofy faces, and some jumping up and down anytime they could ... I felt quite privy to be witness to this.... it helped me really see what makes these two click! Megan and Jeremiah, may your goofiness and laughter intensify with every passing year!!
I did it... day 2... blog 2... and I just might do another one later!!
Love
A
Love
A
Jared:
Andrejka!!! NEAT photos! Can't wait to shoot along side you sometime, hiopefully soon :) Keep it up, and keep in touch.
Jared
Jared:
Andrejka!!! NEAT photos! Can't wait to shoot along side you sometime, hiopefully soon :) Keep it up, and keep in touch.
Jared
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My perfect transition wedding... Megan & Jeremiah!!
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