November 28, 2011 //
Andrejka Photography
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Mackinac
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Northern Michigan
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Santa Barbara
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Travel
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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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Okay... my blogging marathon is almost done... I just had one last thing to add... that I am sooo excited about.
Last fall I was asked to step in and photograph a kayaking article for Traverse Magazine. It was honestly one of the best days of shooting I've ever had... me in a kayak with crystal clear waters... gorgeous blue skies.. and my camera... and even better Jeff (the editor and also writer) doing all the work from the back of the kayak!!!
Well... I had totally forgot about the actual article as the day of shooting was just so much fun... I just got off the phone with them and it turns out it hit the stands in May ... AND I got the cover... how cool is that!!!
An awesome day.. an incredible article... AND the cover... can you tell I'm kind of excited.
On top of this, I just got off the phone with them and it looks like I'll be working with them again this summer... only this time I'll be shooting.. AND writing. YEAH!!!! I love it... keep your eyes peeled.
Have a beautiful day ... full of surprises and joy!
Love
A
Last fall I was asked to step in and photograph a kayaking article for Traverse Magazine. It was honestly one of the best days of shooting I've ever had... me in a kayak with crystal clear waters... gorgeous blue skies.. and my camera... and even better Jeff (the editor and also writer) doing all the work from the back of the kayak!!!
Well... I had totally forgot about the actual article as the day of shooting was just so much fun... I just got off the phone with them and it turns out it hit the stands in May ... AND I got the cover... how cool is that!!!
An awesome day.. an incredible article... AND the cover... can you tell I'm kind of excited.
On top of this, I just got off the phone with them and it looks like I'll be working with them again this summer... only this time I'll be shooting.. AND writing. YEAH!!!! I love it... keep your eyes peeled.
Have a beautiful day ... full of surprises and joy!
Love
A
Jenni Paradise:
Ummmmm......pretty fantastic....the pictures AND the news. How neat, the direction life sometimes takes you in. So happy for you.
(07.14.11 @ 03:51 PM)
Tahnee:
Crazy awesome!!! I'm so excited for you. What a fantastic opportunity. You're an inspiration to all us fellow photogs. Love the pics!
(08.02.11 @ 10:28 AM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Traverse Magazine... photographer... writer?!?!?!
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Hey there!
I don't have much time to write... I'm in the middle of editing the three photo shoots I had over the last couple weeks in Chicago, Detroit, and Bronson (Michigan... not Missouri)!
So until I can get these three shoots finished I thought I would leave you with just a few pics from one of my favorite cities.. .Chicago!! I'm really starting to like this place... even when its cold!
Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend... off to another busy week tomorrow, but I don't mind when I get to take beach breaks looking at the Pacific... ahhhhh so nice to be home!
Love
A
I don't have much time to write... I'm in the middle of editing the three photo shoots I had over the last couple weeks in Chicago, Detroit, and Bronson (Michigan... not Missouri)!
So until I can get these three shoots finished I thought I would leave you with just a few pics from one of my favorite cities.. .Chicago!! I'm really starting to like this place... even when its cold!
Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend... off to another busy week tomorrow, but I don't mind when I get to take beach breaks looking at the Pacific... ahhhhh so nice to be home!
Love
A
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Just a few pics from Chicago
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About a year ago... I got a new camera to play with ... in an age with iphone, ipads, apps this and apps that... .the HOLGA is the inspiration for many of these apps. Don't get me wrong I have about 10 of these apps on my phone... but I thought it would be fun to go back and experiment with the old school fun and excitement of the original film camera
This film camera ... created in 1981 takes you back in time... the grain... the color... everything. It reminds you of the excitement again of film. Here is a camera that has only a few settings... your never quite sure what is going to turn out... and when you get the 12 images (yes only 12) from each roll there is a thrill and excitement.. what worked and what didn't
So here are a few experiments from the last 12 months...
from Hawaii... to Spain... to Chicago... to London ... to Italy... to of course California and Mackinac...
It's a mix of weddings... travel... and just my friends and I playing with the new camera!!
Can't wait to see what my next round of HOLGA images will turn out like...
May you all find time to play with your passion... to let go of control and see the excitement of what might come out of it!!
Love
A
This film camera ... created in 1981 takes you back in time... the grain... the color... everything. It reminds you of the excitement again of film. Here is a camera that has only a few settings... your never quite sure what is going to turn out... and when you get the 12 images (yes only 12) from each roll there is a thrill and excitement.. what worked and what didn't
So here are a few experiments from the last 12 months...
from Hawaii... to Spain... to Chicago... to London ... to Italy... to of course California and Mackinac...
It's a mix of weddings... travel... and just my friends and I playing with the new camera!!
Can't wait to see what my next round of HOLGA images will turn out like...
May you all find time to play with your passion... to let go of control and see the excitement of what might come out of it!!
Love
A
rob:
these are great! i think the dude on the lake view porch is creepy. go Holga & film!
(04.19.11 @ 04:33 PM)
markrackow:
cool picks Andrejka
(05.17.11 @ 12:36 PM)
ahirschegger:
Thanks Mark can't wait to see the whole gang on the island over Memorial Day!!
(05.17.11 @ 04:49 PM)
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A little fun with film...
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One would think my favorite time on the island is in the middle of July... gorgeous sun, warm weather, boating, biking, flowers... all that fun summer stuff.. HECK NO!
You might think I'm crazy but my favorite time of year here is February. Its quiet, peaceful, serene (except for the sounds of snowmobiles everywhere). When in the summer there are so many people, everyone is working so hard it becomes difficult to find time to sit, relax , visit and truly enjoy the people and place around you. Right now is a time when you can cozy around a fireplace, make dinner for one another, play games and just live.
This year was particularly exciting for me. I rode across the ice bridge for the first time!! Last weekend my dear friend picked me up in St. Ignace with a cutter on the back of his snowmobile (aka sled)... and rode me across the frozen lake. Mackinac Island residents save their Christmas trees every year in hopes that the lake will freeze thick enough to create a path to the mainland. Then these trees are then placed as markers to show the ice bridge. I have been hearing about this thing for years but never experienced it... all I can say is that one minute I was terrified the next completely mesmerized. I've never experienced anything like it.
Its always fun to see the different community activities on the island this time of year. Euchre one night, trivia the next, and then there's always bingo and great live music with local singers. Last week was the Village Inn's annual chili cookoff.... and now (since I'm a bit trapped till tomorrow because of a supposed storm coming in) its off to the Mustang to watch a bunch of guys pretend to have a golf tournament in the middle of winter... ahhh "Golden Tee"
Its amazing how the island (and ice) can change minute to minute... from last week with a frozen lake to this week having to fly over open water. After ten years this place still never ceases to amaze me.
Here are some pics... I hope you enjoy them... they are probably some of my favorite island pics..
Stay warm... and may you all continue to find amazement and wonder in the world around you!!
Love
A
You might think I'm crazy but my favorite time of year here is February. Its quiet, peaceful, serene (except for the sounds of snowmobiles everywhere). When in the summer there are so many people, everyone is working so hard it becomes difficult to find time to sit, relax , visit and truly enjoy the people and place around you. Right now is a time when you can cozy around a fireplace, make dinner for one another, play games and just live.
This year was particularly exciting for me. I rode across the ice bridge for the first time!! Last weekend my dear friend picked me up in St. Ignace with a cutter on the back of his snowmobile (aka sled)... and rode me across the frozen lake. Mackinac Island residents save their Christmas trees every year in hopes that the lake will freeze thick enough to create a path to the mainland. Then these trees are then placed as markers to show the ice bridge. I have been hearing about this thing for years but never experienced it... all I can say is that one minute I was terrified the next completely mesmerized. I've never experienced anything like it.
Its always fun to see the different community activities on the island this time of year. Euchre one night, trivia the next, and then there's always bingo and great live music with local singers. Last week was the Village Inn's annual chili cookoff.... and now (since I'm a bit trapped till tomorrow because of a supposed storm coming in) its off to the Mustang to watch a bunch of guys pretend to have a golf tournament in the middle of winter... ahhh "Golden Tee"
Its amazing how the island (and ice) can change minute to minute... from last week with a frozen lake to this week having to fly over open water. After ten years this place still never ceases to amaze me.
Here are some pics... I hope you enjoy them... they are probably some of my favorite island pics..
Stay warm... and may you all continue to find amazement and wonder in the world around you!!
Love
A
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
February on Mackinac Island... chili, ice, and golf?
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