Machel and Maxime have one of those stories that make you believe in the power of love and serendipity!!
Machel, an amazing woman from San Digeo, was traveling in Paris with her best when they met Maxime, a lovely Parisian man. It was love at first site and they've been together ever since.
These two exude such warmth and tenderness with a huge batch of fun thrown in! I was so impressed with the importance they placed on their ceremony and keeping it intimate and special. They were in a circle surrounded by lavender bushes while their guests stood and watched from the perimeter. Even Jim (my incredible asst) and I stayed a distance away to keep the space solely about Machel and Maxime.
After the ceremony was finished ... the party began!! And boy was it a dance party full or laughter and some sweet moves.
Machel & Maxime, it was truly an honor to be a part of your special wedding. It was clear how important every guest was to you and you to them. Thank you for welcoming me into this circle for the evening. May you and Maxime continue to laugh together, and spread joy to the world. Your warmth and exuberance is contagious!!
Love
A
Special thanks to:
Jim Minics... my rockstar assistant
Saralee Franchi of XOXO Bride ... incredible event coordinator extraordinaire
Nico Cervantes... of NLC Productions...most amazing floral decor... I LOVE artichokes!!...
Ojai Valley Inn and Spa... for providing the breathtaking atmosphere and yummy food
Machel, an amazing woman from San Digeo, was traveling in Paris with her best when they met Maxime, a lovely Parisian man. It was love at first site and they've been together ever since.
These two exude such warmth and tenderness with a huge batch of fun thrown in! I was so impressed with the importance they placed on their ceremony and keeping it intimate and special. They were in a circle surrounded by lavender bushes while their guests stood and watched from the perimeter. Even Jim (my incredible asst) and I stayed a distance away to keep the space solely about Machel and Maxime.
After the ceremony was finished ... the party began!! And boy was it a dance party full or laughter and some sweet moves.
Machel & Maxime, it was truly an honor to be a part of your special wedding. It was clear how important every guest was to you and you to them. Thank you for welcoming me into this circle for the evening. May you and Maxime continue to laugh together, and spread joy to the world. Your warmth and exuberance is contagious!!
Love
A
Special thanks to:
Jim Minics... my rockstar assistant
Saralee Franchi of XOXO Bride ... incredible event coordinator extraordinaire
Nico Cervantes... of NLC Productions...most amazing floral decor... I LOVE artichokes!!...
Ojai Valley Inn and Spa... for providing the breathtaking atmosphere and yummy food
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Machel & Maxime.. what a story!
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November 28, 2011 //
Andrejka Photography
/
Mackinac
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Northern Michigan
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Santa Barbara
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Travel
/
Weddings
wifi.. check
skinny peppermint mocha cappuccino... check
plenty of time... check
Okay... so I've apologized now twice for not getting some new weddings up here... so Liz (and any other loyal followers that are starting to wonder if I got lost in cyber space).. I'm finally back home in beautiful SB and ready to sit down and get properly caught up...
Last I blogged about my weddings I was living on Mackinac... in the midst of wedding season mayhem... in fact I had just finished shooting 6 weddings in 9 days ... for those that don't know.. that's A LOT!!!! but.. I loved every second of it... we had some island, some California, some Chicago, and some Dayton Ohio... (see I'll go anywhere :-)
Here are a few from August and September...
Kim and Jonathan... were so much fun! They were hysterical... I mean look at this smile, you couldn't help but laugh and have fun being around these two. At one point they were both literally... falling over laughing so hard on the porch of the Grand. I'm still not sure if they were laughing at each other or at me... oh well!! Kim thank you so much for finding me and letting me be a part of your day... (and thanks for reading my blog... I promised I'd have you up here... better late then never right!)..I can't wait to see you two on the island again!!
I gotta give props to my girl Lily Porter for once again being my amazing assistant!!
(to see more of this wedding you can check out the SLIDESHOW HERE)
skinny peppermint mocha cappuccino... check
plenty of time... check
Okay... so I've apologized now twice for not getting some new weddings up here... so Liz (and any other loyal followers that are starting to wonder if I got lost in cyber space).. I'm finally back home in beautiful SB and ready to sit down and get properly caught up...
Last I blogged about my weddings I was living on Mackinac... in the midst of wedding season mayhem... in fact I had just finished shooting 6 weddings in 9 days ... for those that don't know.. that's A LOT!!!! but.. I loved every second of it... we had some island, some California, some Chicago, and some Dayton Ohio... (see I'll go anywhere :-)
Here are a few from August and September...
Kim and Jonathan... were so much fun! They were hysterical... I mean look at this smile, you couldn't help but laugh and have fun being around these two. At one point they were both literally... falling over laughing so hard on the porch of the Grand. I'm still not sure if they were laughing at each other or at me... oh well!! Kim thank you so much for finding me and letting me be a part of your day... (and thanks for reading my blog... I promised I'd have you up here... better late then never right!)..I can't wait to see you two on the island again!!
I gotta give props to my girl Lily Porter for once again being my amazing assistant!!
(to see more of this wedding you can check out the SLIDESHOW HERE)
Laura and James... elegant and sophisticated with a twist of spunk!! That would be the best way to describe these two. Laura and James had such a grace about them one minute... and then the next they were making goofy faces at each other! These two created a perfect balance. I love it when I can see this in a couple!!! Laura & James... you were a couple that reminded me of balance in life... (and I'm a Libra (the scales)... I love that) Thank you!!
Now with this wedding I brought in a last minute assistant/friend who ended up ROCKING it! Danielle, your my girl you got some of my favorite shots ... I am so stoked to work with you more next year... it was so much fun!!
(to see more of this wedding you can check out the SLIDESHOW HERE)
Now... Molly and Bill are a wonderful example of why I absolutely LOVE photographing weddings on Mackinac... there are no rules!! We can do whatever we want... whether it's getting married, going for a bike ride.. or stripping down and jumping in the water (well.. I didn't do that.. I had the camera!!). Thanks to the amazing Carole Erbel ( For the Love of Mackinac event planning) I was able to not only photograph Molly and Bill's elopement to Mackinac but I got to be a WITNESS... it is always such an honor to do this, it doesn't happen often, but when it does I hold it close to my heart (you'll even see the pic here of Carole and I signing). After the intimate ceremony by Rev Marx Molly, Bill and I went for a carriage ride around the island that ended at the incredible Iroquois Hotel . Now where the rule breaking comes in .. the next day I met back up with the newlyweds and we went for a bike ride and a stroll around the island that ended with Bill deciding it was time to jump in!! SOOO fun. This is what I love, creating any type of wedding package... you got an idea.. I'm in (as long as it doesn't put my camera in danger... hahaha). Molly and Bill... your exuberance for life is intoxicating!! I will always remember how much fun we had and how touched I was to not only be a aprt of your weekend but forever a witness to your love. Next time... I'll put the camera down and jump in the lake too!!
(to see more of this wedding you can check out the SLIDESHOW HERE)
And I'm back home in my lovely Santa Barbara....
Stevi and Bryant... where to start... I feel like I have been friends with these two for years... well, actually... I guess I have been. We met almost 2 years ago at an expo... then we met again over albums ... then we did an engagement shoot.. then we met again (this time over pineapple/jalapeno cocktails... yummy!)... then Stevi and I did a surprise Boudoir shoot for Bryant... (Ladies... its a great grooms gift... just ask Bryant)... then finally the wedding. I think by the time the wedding came along Stevi AND Bryant (who originally was pretty afraid of my camera) were super stars in front of the camera!! I'll admit when the wedding ... I was a little sad... thinking... this is it... now what.. what will we do next... Stevi & Bryant... I guess we'll just have to go have another pineapple smash!!
So, I am always stoked when I have the honor of having Jim (aka "The Average Jim") of Bella Luce Imagery shoot with me... I can't really call him my assistant as all I ever tell him is... go for it!! I know whatever he gets is going to be great!
(to see more of this wedding you can check out the SLIDESHOW HERE)
Lily and Mark... you two are a testament of strength, love and joy... no matter what life throws your way... you two stand strong, tender, and full of gratitude. Your wedding day was a day of miracles. To watch how the rain clouds cleared at the perfect time (TWICE) ... it was truly something higher. I know all of us involved with your beautiful day were touched on so many levels and reminded of what is important in life. Marty (from the Grand Hotel) as well as Kelly and Terry (from Mackinac Video) all spoke of how amazing your day was. May the two of you continue to dance your way through life...
(to see more of this wedding you can check out the SLIDESHOW HERE)
Well, I've now spent the last few hours re-living part of my summer... conclusion.. man am I lucky... I love what I do... I love my couples... I work with great people... and I shoot in some darn beautiful places.
You know, often times people ask me... does it get old... do all the weddings seem to blend together... my answer:: a big NO! ... and tonight just reminded me of that. When I sat down to start this blog... (3 hours ago).. I thought ...shoot.. what am I going to say... well... it came pretty easily the minute I started looking back at the pics!!
The minute it starts getting old is the minute I'll change professions... life is too short to have anything feel old, tired, and like work...
On a day when I have been reminded how short life can be... I say ... May you live it to the fullest, do what you love, take risks, aim high (someone will catch you if you fall) .. and appreciate the people in your life!!
Love,
A
Now with this wedding I brought in a last minute assistant/friend who ended up ROCKING it! Danielle, your my girl you got some of my favorite shots ... I am so stoked to work with you more next year... it was so much fun!!
(to see more of this wedding you can check out the SLIDESHOW HERE)
Now... Molly and Bill are a wonderful example of why I absolutely LOVE photographing weddings on Mackinac... there are no rules!! We can do whatever we want... whether it's getting married, going for a bike ride.. or stripping down and jumping in the water (well.. I didn't do that.. I had the camera!!). Thanks to the amazing Carole Erbel ( For the Love of Mackinac event planning) I was able to not only photograph Molly and Bill's elopement to Mackinac but I got to be a WITNESS... it is always such an honor to do this, it doesn't happen often, but when it does I hold it close to my heart (you'll even see the pic here of Carole and I signing). After the intimate ceremony by Rev Marx Molly, Bill and I went for a carriage ride around the island that ended at the incredible Iroquois Hotel . Now where the rule breaking comes in .. the next day I met back up with the newlyweds and we went for a bike ride and a stroll around the island that ended with Bill deciding it was time to jump in!! SOOO fun. This is what I love, creating any type of wedding package... you got an idea.. I'm in (as long as it doesn't put my camera in danger... hahaha). Molly and Bill... your exuberance for life is intoxicating!! I will always remember how much fun we had and how touched I was to not only be a aprt of your weekend but forever a witness to your love. Next time... I'll put the camera down and jump in the lake too!!
(to see more of this wedding you can check out the SLIDESHOW HERE)
And I'm back home in my lovely Santa Barbara....
Stevi and Bryant... where to start... I feel like I have been friends with these two for years... well, actually... I guess I have been. We met almost 2 years ago at an expo... then we met again over albums ... then we did an engagement shoot.. then we met again (this time over pineapple/jalapeno cocktails... yummy!)... then Stevi and I did a surprise Boudoir shoot for Bryant... (Ladies... its a great grooms gift... just ask Bryant)... then finally the wedding. I think by the time the wedding came along Stevi AND Bryant (who originally was pretty afraid of my camera) were super stars in front of the camera!! I'll admit when the wedding ... I was a little sad... thinking... this is it... now what.. what will we do next... Stevi & Bryant... I guess we'll just have to go have another pineapple smash!!
So, I am always stoked when I have the honor of having Jim (aka "The Average Jim") of Bella Luce Imagery shoot with me... I can't really call him my assistant as all I ever tell him is... go for it!! I know whatever he gets is going to be great!
(to see more of this wedding you can check out the SLIDESHOW HERE)
Lily and Mark... you two are a testament of strength, love and joy... no matter what life throws your way... you two stand strong, tender, and full of gratitude. Your wedding day was a day of miracles. To watch how the rain clouds cleared at the perfect time (TWICE) ... it was truly something higher. I know all of us involved with your beautiful day were touched on so many levels and reminded of what is important in life. Marty (from the Grand Hotel) as well as Kelly and Terry (from Mackinac Video) all spoke of how amazing your day was. May the two of you continue to dance your way through life...
(to see more of this wedding you can check out the SLIDESHOW HERE)
Well, I've now spent the last few hours re-living part of my summer... conclusion.. man am I lucky... I love what I do... I love my couples... I work with great people... and I shoot in some darn beautiful places.
You know, often times people ask me... does it get old... do all the weddings seem to blend together... my answer:: a big NO! ... and tonight just reminded me of that. When I sat down to start this blog... (3 hours ago).. I thought ...shoot.. what am I going to say... well... it came pretty easily the minute I started looking back at the pics!!
The minute it starts getting old is the minute I'll change professions... life is too short to have anything feel old, tired, and like work...
On a day when I have been reminded how short life can be... I say ... May you live it to the fullest, do what you love, take risks, aim high (someone will catch you if you fall) .. and appreciate the people in your life!!
Love,
A
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Warning: This may be the longest blog ever... but lots of pics!!
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As most of you know I am lucky enough to split my time between two beautiful locations and places I love... Southern California and Mackinac Island .. so when I have a couple that lives in LA and is getting married on Mackinac I am super excited. I know that they too must have the same weird connection to both places. There is something about these two places.. it takes a certain type of person to appreciate the craziness and beauty of say sunset late at night and also the serene sound of horses waking you up in the morning.
I loved watching the contagious smiles that would bounce between them. I'm not sure if they realized this but when one would smile the other would smile even larger (or laugh). This is a couple that was all about fun... from the wedding day.. to their day after "bars on bikes" tour ... and I'm assuming all went fine as I didn't hear anything about injuries or trips to the medical center!!
Amanda and Todd, I had so much fun laughing with you and getting to know you guys. I really hope we can meet up on our west side coast again soon. May you two continue to bring out the smiles in each other more and more every day.
Love,
A
I loved watching the contagious smiles that would bounce between them. I'm not sure if they realized this but when one would smile the other would smile even larger (or laugh). This is a couple that was all about fun... from the wedding day.. to their day after "bars on bikes" tour ... and I'm assuming all went fine as I didn't hear anything about injuries or trips to the medical center!!
Amanda and Todd, I had so much fun laughing with you and getting to know you guys. I really hope we can meet up on our west side coast again soon. May you two continue to bring out the smiles in each other more and more every day.
Love,
A
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Amanda and Todd are married!!
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Last month when I was back home in Santa Barbara I was asked by my dear friends Lisa & Mike to take 1 year portraits of their little baby boy Chase. I can't believe he is one already.
Originally we were going to go to a park... but I always love photographing families in their homes so much more. Its more natural... the baby is happy, the parents have every they need... and most importantly it captures what their lives actually look like at a time and space.
So... Mike might kill me for saying this... but our nickname for Mike is "model mike"... well... watching the way Chase works the camera... I see the apple didn't fall far from the tree... this boy knows how to work it like Zoolander.. every time I went to put my camera away... there he was looking adorable again. Mike you've got some competition on your hands... I just wonder if he can dance to Single Girls in the same way... hahahaha
Lisa & Mike... it was so much fun to hang out with you and be able to capture your lives with Chase. You two are such beautiful, caring and amazing parents. The joy and love you have for each other and Chase is so clear and evident in the pics. Can't wait to see you again very soon!
Love and miss you guys
A
Originally we were going to go to a park... but I always love photographing families in their homes so much more. Its more natural... the baby is happy, the parents have every they need... and most importantly it captures what their lives actually look like at a time and space.
So... Mike might kill me for saying this... but our nickname for Mike is "model mike"... well... watching the way Chase works the camera... I see the apple didn't fall far from the tree... this boy knows how to work it like Zoolander.. every time I went to put my camera away... there he was looking adorable again. Mike you've got some competition on your hands... I just wonder if he can dance to Single Girls in the same way... hahahaha
Lisa & Mike... it was so much fun to hang out with you and be able to capture your lives with Chase. You two are such beautiful, caring and amazing parents. The joy and love you have for each other and Chase is so clear and evident in the pics. Can't wait to see you again very soon!
Love and miss you guys
A
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Chase is ONE!!!
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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
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Emily & Chris are engaged... from Chicago to CA
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