Wow.. in all the traveling I've done over the past few years I have never gone a whole week without wireless...  even in Macedonia I had it every night...  Florida really is a vacation spot (whether you mean for it to be or not).

Now I say "semi" vacation because I still have my computer and my camera and my iphone... AND MY FAVORITE WEDDING MAGAZINE... which means I'm still always working a bit...  but the whole emailing and blog thing.. I've got some catching up to do!!  SO ... here I am.

First... my favorite wedding mag... this one comes out once a year... its by Real Simple Weddings ... and it is AWESOME.  it covers everything... and has no ads. Beautiful design, easy layout, and fun to read!!  GO GET IT!!! 



Over the past week... I've flown from sunny California where the weather was a perfect 75 degrees  ... to Florida where it was 80 and humid... to Mackinac where I am currently sitting... freezing my batooty off with a temperature of about 1 degree!! 

So,  let me just take you back to the sunny beaches of Florida...  here are just a few pics:  (more to come)




Next week its off to Chicago, Detroit, and Lansing...  portraits tour around the state!

Have a wonderful weekend... and may you stay warm and cozy where ever you may be!

Love
A


Keep your eyes open I am going to be shooting a bunch of Island winter shots.. including THE ICE BRIDGE ... and writing all about that soon.

I just wanted to inform anyone and everyone about my dear friend Chris's new business he is bringing to the Straights of Mackinac...  The Black Prince!! 

I am sooo excited for him to start this new endeavor. He will be offering all sorts of tours, private and public, on the beautiful straights.  

This would be the perfect activity for a rehearsal dinner,  family reunion, or just the two of you getting out on the water with many of his different adventures. 

So spread the word...  The Black Prince is going to be such a wonderful and unique addition to this gorgeous area!!

Thanks Chris... can't wait for a fun 2011 summer!

Love,
A

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

The weekend before I left for the holidays I was honored and happy to be a part of Tina & Mike's wedding.  They contacted me just two days before and lucky for BOTH of us I was available.

I have to say that it was a little different for me. Most of the time I have the chance to meet, and at the very least chat, with the couple several times before their wedding... not this time... in fact I didn't even hear Tina's voice until we met face to face.  Poor thing... had laryngitis, and planned her entire wedding in just a week.

Tina and Mike,along with 4 of their friends, were so much fun... and so laid back. The whole wedding was absolutely perfect and beautiful. We started at the Biltmore Four Seasons (where they were spending the weekend) and did a photo shoot on the beach. We then went to the San Ysidro Ranch for a few more gorgeous pictures at sunset.  Then there was a small private ceremony in front of the fireplace followed by dinner in a private garden side room.

All and all it was incredibly touching, warm and funny. 

Tina & Mike, it was such a pleasure to meet you and your friends.  I hope that the next chapter of your lives are as beautiful as your wedding.  I hope that our paths may cross again.

Love,
A

I wasn't planning on blogging today... but I couldn't help it.  I was just working on an album for Laura & Dale (a Mackinac couple of mine from 2009 that I got to know quite well ...  I visited their home in Cincinnati... ate Skyline Chili ... and chatted camera stuff with them).  Well,  with all of their traveling (Africa, Asia, I think even Europe had to be in their somewhere too) we are just now getting to their album.

I tend to pick what photos I think are my favorites... play with them a bit... then make a
SLIDE SHOW(take a look)

So, its been awhile since I've sat  and looked at their pics... well, I just came across this photo while putting together their album... and I just love it! It made me miss them and remember how tender Dale was with Laura.  They had such a romantic love about them.  This photograph was taken when Dale saw Laura for the first time alone in the grotto.