It was a beautiful weekend in Santa Barbara... one couldn't ask for a better day to do a sunset engagement shoot... and I think Emily & Chris especially enjoyed it since they were coming all the way from the frigid windy city of Chicago.
In order to get as much out of the California beach and background as we could I met them at one of my favorite portrait places, Miramar Beach in Montecito,CA. The beach is right there, as well as railroad tracks, palm trees, bougainvillea lined path, great stairs, rocks, gates... basically anything one could want.
It was so much fun to meet Emily & Chris... they found me through their gorgeous venue the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, they grew up in Michigan, live in Chicago, and just happen to be in Santa Barbara. How great is that!!! After spending a few hours with them taking pics, answering questions, and getting excited about their wedding (yes, me too!), I feel like I completely understand their vision, ideas, and what they want their wedding to be like ... and it is going to be awesome!!
Plus... come on... do you see how gorgeous this couple is... its a photographers dream.. and their super cool!! Anyone who's willing to get in the water gains bonus points with me!!
Emily & Chris, It was so much fun playing with you guys on the beach. I can't wait for your wedding. Just from the look of your save-the-date I just know it is going to be a blast!
Love,
A
In order to get as much out of the California beach and background as we could I met them at one of my favorite portrait places, Miramar Beach in Montecito,CA. The beach is right there, as well as railroad tracks, palm trees, bougainvillea lined path, great stairs, rocks, gates... basically anything one could want.
It was so much fun to meet Emily & Chris... they found me through their gorgeous venue the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, they grew up in Michigan, live in Chicago, and just happen to be in Santa Barbara. How great is that!!! After spending a few hours with them taking pics, answering questions, and getting excited about their wedding (yes, me too!), I feel like I completely understand their vision, ideas, and what they want their wedding to be like ... and it is going to be awesome!!
Plus... come on... do you see how gorgeous this couple is... its a photographers dream.. and their super cool!! Anyone who's willing to get in the water gains bonus points with me!!
Emily & Chris, It was so much fun playing with you guys on the beach. I can't wait for your wedding. Just from the look of your save-the-date I just know it is going to be a blast!
Love,
A
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Emily & Chris are engaged... from Chicago to CA
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A few years ago I was honored to be a part of TNT's "Wedding Day" television show. It was an awesome show that created a dream wedding for lucky couples who deserved it. It was kind of like Extreme Home Makeover meets a wedding. During that experience I got to know Jennifer and Shawn Locke... one of the happy couples!!
A few months ago, Jennifer asked me to photograph her maternity pictures. It was so wonderful to see this happy couple again.
Jennifer, Thank you so much for welcoming me into your home. It was such a fun afternoon!! I am so thrilled for you and Shawn and the little Tristan!!
Love,
A
A few months ago, Jennifer asked me to photograph her maternity pictures. It was so wonderful to see this happy couple again.
Jennifer, Thank you so much for welcoming me into your home. It was such a fun afternoon!! I am so thrilled for you and Shawn and the little Tristan!!
Love,
A
Jennifer:
What an amazing time we had with you! Thank you for capturing yet another magical event in our lives. You're the best!
Love, Jen
Nicole:
These pictures are all so beautiful!
(01.20.11 @ 07:14 PM)
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Jennifer is pregnant...
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While I was home for the holidays I had the chance to photograph a friend from college and her family. I hadn't seen Kendra in probably ten years. It was so much fun to reconnect, get to photograph her family and play with Cole (come on how adorable is this little one... and who doesn't love Lincoln Logs!!
As usual my normal portrait shoot can't just be standing around... there has to be a little fun..it's not surprise that after I forced the Bondie's to stand outside in the freezing cold... it was only a matter of time before snowballs started flying!!
Living in CA, I don't get to see.. .participate.. or photograph snowball fights very often... this was especially fun... so my camera was in the cross fire ... TOTALLY worth it!!
Thanks for the fun afternoon .. .and break from the drive home!
Love,
A
As usual my normal portrait shoot can't just be standing around... there has to be a little fun..it's not surprise that after I forced the Bondie's to stand outside in the freezing cold... it was only a matter of time before snowballs started flying!!
Living in CA, I don't get to see.. .participate.. or photograph snowball fights very often... this was especially fun... so my camera was in the cross fire ... TOTALLY worth it!!
Thanks for the fun afternoon .. .and break from the drive home!
Love,
A
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Bondie's at Christmas time...
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My last few weeks in Cali before heading to the cold for the holidays I squeezed in a few portrait shoots...
take a look...
My first weekend back was Leo's 1st birthday party on a beach in Montecito. Then the next week it was off to San Fran for Dylan's first portrait shoot and Aoibheann's (pronounced Aveen) time in front of the camera. Finally back to Santa Barbara to photograph Ulrike and her fun family for their holiday cards.
I've said this before... it is so fun to watch families grow.. from weddings to babies to toddlers...
In case you are trying to keep track of my travels... I am currently a bit colder then usual in Michigan... just came back from the island... heading to Ohio tomorrow then back to the island for New Years... as the usual my whirlwind midwest tour in snow..
If anyone is interested in a portrait shoot I'll be around for a bit and am offering a free brag book with any standard portrait shoot.
Have a wonderful week!
Love
A
take a look...
My first weekend back was Leo's 1st birthday party on a beach in Montecito. Then the next week it was off to San Fran for Dylan's first portrait shoot and Aoibheann's (pronounced Aveen) time in front of the camera. Finally back to Santa Barbara to photograph Ulrike and her fun family for their holiday cards.
I've said this before... it is so fun to watch families grow.. from weddings to babies to toddlers...
In case you are trying to keep track of my travels... I am currently a bit colder then usual in Michigan... just came back from the island... heading to Ohio tomorrow then back to the island for New Years... as the usual my whirlwind midwest tour in snow..
If anyone is interested in a portrait shoot I'll be around for a bit and am offering a free brag book with any standard portrait shoot.
Have a wonderful week!
Love
A
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A few portraits for the end of 2010
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I am starting to get kind of excited already for next summer... I've already had the best time photographing couples that will be getting married next year... from Katie & Tom in Chicago to Stevi & Bryant in Santa Barbara... I just love engagement shoots...
Here are a few pics from both sessions...
I met Stevi & Bryant last spring at a wedding event in SB ... since then we've met up a few times already. This past Halloween we decided it would be fun to go into the Santa Ynez valley and take some engagement pics while the vineyards were changing colors. It was a beautiful fall day... and even though Bryant...was a bit hesitant to be in t he camera... I think he even had fun by the end... can't wait for your gorgeous ranch wedding next summer at Orella Ranch
Also in October... (I had mentioned Katie & Tom earlier)... I took a little road trip in Chicago... one of my FAVORITE cities. I love that I am getting more and more Chicago clients... it gives plenty more excuses to visit this awesome city. I met Katie & Tom on Mackinac a few months ago. We hit it off instantly... I loved them and both of their families. We decided that instead of doing an island engagement shoot it would be fun to bring a little of their home into the wedding by doing a photo shoot in Chicago.. I of course... was stoked to shoot in the city again...
Here are a few pics from both sessions...
I met Stevi & Bryant last spring at a wedding event in SB ... since then we've met up a few times already. This past Halloween we decided it would be fun to go into the Santa Ynez valley and take some engagement pics while the vineyards were changing colors. It was a beautiful fall day... and even though Bryant...was a bit hesitant to be in t he camera... I think he even had fun by the end... can't wait for your gorgeous ranch wedding next summer at Orella Ranch
Also in October... (I had mentioned Katie & Tom earlier)... I took a little road trip in Chicago... one of my FAVORITE cities. I love that I am getting more and more Chicago clients... it gives plenty more excuses to visit this awesome city. I met Katie & Tom on Mackinac a few months ago. We hit it off instantly... I loved them and both of their families. We decided that instead of doing an island engagement shoot it would be fun to bring a little of their home into the wedding by doing a photo shoot in Chicago.. I of course... was stoked to shoot in the city again...
So, I also thought I would take this time... as an Engagement season is upon us .. .to chat about engagement photo sessions... many couples are on the fence when it comes to engagement photos... so just briefly I thought I would make a quick list of some reason to include this in your wedding photography packages...
1) "Dress Rehearsal" many times people aren't used to having a camera in their face... this gives you the opportunity to get to know your photographer... learn to ignore & relax in front of the camera (so day of... you don't notice it)... as a the person behind the camera, it gives us the chance to see what helps you relax.. .if your a"blinker" .. favor one side... etc.. .and this is worked out before the "big day"
2) Having pics of in your dress and tux are beautiful ... but often times it much nice to have relaxed everyday pics that are professionally taken framed around the house.
3) NOT RUSHED... during a wedding there is a schedule with an engagement shoots... all the time in the world... and youcan talk with your photog beforehand about planning to do one of your favorite things.... go to a favorite place... etc... "a piece of life" type of lifestyle shoot
4) USES... . there are a million ways to use these images with your wedding... from save the dates... thank yous.. guest book... name cards... centerpieces... etc
5) and most importantly.. the are FUN!!!
*often times photographers include enagagement shoots in their package for a minimum cost (as opposed to doing a la carte) because THEY like them... I know I do. SO ask if there is a discoutn or what the additional cost would be.
Hope this helps a bit in all your planning!
Best
A
1) "Dress Rehearsal" many times people aren't used to having a camera in their face... this gives you the opportunity to get to know your photographer... learn to ignore & relax in front of the camera (so day of... you don't notice it)... as a the person behind the camera, it gives us the chance to see what helps you relax.. .if your a"blinker" .. favor one side... etc.. .and this is worked out before the "big day"
2) Having pics of in your dress and tux are beautiful ... but often times it much nice to have relaxed everyday pics that are professionally taken framed around the house.
3) NOT RUSHED... during a wedding there is a schedule with an engagement shoots... all the time in the world... and youcan talk with your photog beforehand about planning to do one of your favorite things.... go to a favorite place... etc... "a piece of life" type of lifestyle shoot
4) USES... . there are a million ways to use these images with your wedding... from save the dates... thank yous.. guest book... name cards... centerpieces... etc
5) and most importantly.. the are FUN!!!
*often times photographers include enagagement shoots in their package for a minimum cost (as opposed to doing a la carte) because THEY like them... I know I do. SO ask if there is a discoutn or what the additional cost would be.
Hope this helps a bit in all your planning!
Best
A
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Engagements: Chicago... California.. and a little advice
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