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

So last night at 9:45 p.m.  I officially decided to hop in the car with two AWESOME photographer firends (Kelly Segre & Jim Minics) and drive to New Orleans... for Pictage's Partnercon.  I have been wanting to go to this conference for years... and when this opportunity arose I had to go.

Not only will I be in the midst of thousands of fellow photographers learning about the latest in greatest... but Kelly, has set up an amazing photo shoot in the french quarter that I will be a part of.  Can't wait to share all the pics and all the new ideas!!

YEAH!!  off for a 30 hour car ride....  yikes! At least they have an outlet in their car and I'll have plenty of time for editing... and shooting out the window!

Along with this amazing photography opportunity I'm also going to be able to explore a city I've never been to.. .AND see friends I haven't seen in YEARS!!

Keep an eye out for pics to come.

I hope this blog inspires a little spontaneity in your life... I sure am testing mine!!!

Have a wonderful weekend... Happy Halloween!!

Love,
A

BTW... I'll still be reachable by phone and email (it's not like I'm heading to Macedonia or anything ;-)

So the other day I received an invitation to a joint baby shower for not one... but  TWO of my past brides... now this got me thinking... OH MY GOODNESS.. I have so many former brides who are about to expand their families just a bit and a couple who already have (congrats Sara & Gina)!!

Well.. I realized I not only want to see these pretty little things in person ... but I also would love to be a part of their first photo shoot!!

SO... I am offering 25% off any maternity or portrait session to any of my past couples. (and when I say portraits... they can be your grown up babies too).  Just email me to let me know if you would be interested in scheduling a session I'll be all over the country (maybe even Europe... Susannah).. over the next 6 months.

I am sooo exited for all of my happy couples as their families begin to grow!!  Congratulations to all of you... my love goes out to you and your cute little bellies!!

Love,
A

After working late into the night Wednesday knowing that I would be out of the office all day on Thursday.. I awoke early . . braved the crazy 405 traffic... and had AN AWESOME day in LA!!!

So after meeting with possible new clients... and before my meeting with an awesome couple I will be photographing on Saturday in Malibu (Calamigos Ranch) ... (sidenote: can't wait for Rachael & Jordan's wedding... it is going to be GORGEOUS.. keep an eye out!!!).. I GOT SOOOOOO INSPIRED!!

I had such a blast... my very very dear friend Rob (another sidenote: I photographed he and Nat's wedding in July at Casa del Mar)...  we decided to go check out the new exhibits at this cool little artists/gallery space in Santa Monica called Bergamot Station.. it's an old train station transformed into art galleries (very Jack Kerouac meets...  Warhol's The Factory)... LOVED IT!

And I was sooooooo inspired (have I said that yet).  It was awesome to be surronded by amazing black & white film images ... the texture of the paper... the sturdy feel of everything... I'VE MISSED IT... not to mention the awesome discussions about the balance between concept and skill Rob and I had... and it was so cool to see the two of us were drawn towards our own styles...  I am ready to go back to my film camera...  in fact I am going to make Rob hold me accountable so that I don't get caught behind my computer everyday and I get out there and shoot outside the box more often ... go back to my original photo roots... many of you probably don't know this... but ten years ago all I did was shoot weddings in black & white film!!...  but these little adventures are going to be strictly conceptual...  and funky and fun . .pushing my artistic side. . .and even getting a cool little Holga... maybe even a class through adult-ed to get me in a darkroom... who knows anything could happen.

A few of the exhibits we checked out...

The Face of Fashion and Women by Lillian Bassman at the Peter Fetterman Gallery
Koo, Sung Soo Han-Il HIgh and other Stories  at Sarah Lee Artworks & Projects

May you all get inspired to think outside the box, get creative... and get excited like you want to jump up and down!!

Love,
A

 

Rob (www.robkalmbach.com) is an amazing photographer himself.... check out his work on his website.. .and keep your eye's open... he may be having a show in the near future in the LA area!! WOO HOOO go ROB!!!

 

P.S. I fell in love with 2 gorgeous framed prints ... and they were a mere $20,000 each .. maybe next year for my birthday!!  ;-).. but its free to go visit it!!!  Both of these are by Horst P.Horst...  one in Paris in 1939 and the other in NYC in 1987 (can you tell which is which??)

I just finished the Mackinac wedding Expo weekend yesterday.. and it was soooo much fun!!!

I've been fighting off a bit of a cold... so to be honest was kind of dreading last night... I was a little nervous I would not be able to talk to anyone.. and that I would just sit in the corner and hide...  well NOPE!!  There were soo many cool brides and grooms... and parents... and grandparents... etc.  I swear I never stopped laughing!!  How often does an expo .. talking to strangers... make you laugh. 

Mission Point  (and Zoe!!!) did such an amazing job for the closing night event. It was a lovely dinner party with Dancehall Dj's  (James & Amy) playing the tunes...  Kim & Lisa from Bella e Dolce providing yummy cake... and Jay at Webers doing absolutely gorgeous centerpieces...

And a very special thank you and props to Mary and Chris with the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau for organizing and hosting the whole weekend... it is SUCH an awesome event!! 

I can't stress how much fun it was... I even forgot I had a cold!!!!

To all you brides out there who made it... THANKS!!  You really did MAKE the whole weekend.  I hope to hear from some of you...  feel free to email or call me anytime with any questions...

and by  the way ..LEAVE A COMMENT HERE ... (I was shocked to see how many of you actually follow my blog... thats awesome... thanks!!)

Have a great week!  I'll be MIA for a bit...  my computer is being shipping away tomorrow... and I'll be heading back west to my sunny Cali on Friday!!  yeah ... time to go home .. just before the snow hits!!

Love,
A