Teaser shots {wedding photography}

I was editing away on images from the wedding I shot this weekend {Nicole & Tommy's}... and I just couldn't resist posting these teasers... I won't be blogging until next week since my husband & I are off to San Diego!! Until next time.... ciao!

weddings

weddings,detail shots

they had a beautiful wedding... cannot wait to share more =)

{iheartfaces} photo challenge

I wanted to join the fun at {iheartfaces}com...my photographer friend sarah introduced me last week to this awesome photography resource when she posted her entry... so, why not? I've actually never entered any photo contest, so I thought I'd get my feet wet... just for fun =)


the photo challenge this week is "dramatic b&w"... and for my entry, I'm going back to an image I captured a year ago... and for some reason, it's one of my favorites... I love how simple it is -- and yet, quite striking all at once... I like the saying "less--is more"... and when we're looking for a composition, it doesn't always have to be something extravagant or a crazy setting... it could simply be the look in the person's eye... or a simple gate in the background... that makes an image... unforgettable......


If you're a newbie or a "Newcomer" (ahem) to {iheartfaces}like me, check out their site for endless photography resources and weekly challenges =)

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thoughts on beautiful rachel's image?



Remembering Dad...

Two years ago yesterday {March 28, 2008}, my Dad passed away.  My Mom held a memorial service on Saturday, which Dave and I flew up for (among other friends & family that joined us)... as I was thinking about posting this in bed this morning, I cried while a flood of memories came... losing somebody is never easy... and though years do make it bearable, the wound always feels fresh when missing that person... I want to keep this simple by just simply remembering my dad with some fond memories & pictures...


- Dad combing and blow drying my sister & and my hair while we ate breakfast....
- At home during the winter months, while I was getting ready for school, Dad would always warm the car up for me... turn the car on, crank the heat, then wipe the snow off the car so it was ready for me...
- He loved listening to me play the piano... at my wedding, I opted out of the traditional wedding march for a piano piece my late sister taught me -- one of my Dad's favorite pieces he loved to listen to....
- My dad could read all day everyday... he always borrowed at least 20 books a week from the library...
- He liked to joke around and make people laugh...
- He loved listening to classical music... we bought him many CD players and boom boxes along with many classical cds for birthdays and holidays...
- Their dog, Midnight, was daddy's little girl... after me, that is...


He was incredibly intelligent, generous, loving, funny, and loved...... and missed very much...

Mom & Dad...
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very old pictures of Mom & Dad...
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old pictures of Dad with my step brother and his family...
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our family... the picture on the bottom right is the last Thanksgiving we spent with him...
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miss you, Dad...

Baby Jackson {Newborn Photography}

A week ago, I had the pleasure of capturing (2 1/2 weeks old) baby Jackson and proud parents Sharron & Luke... They came right on time for their session with blankets, clothes, and props in tote... Sharron looked amazing, and didn't even look like she just had a baby... and Luke was always there for Jackson and momma's needs, a good dad and husband... they were a photographer's dream: open to ideas & took direction very well (and it didn't hurt that they were such a gorgeous family)...

Once again, there were too many favorites too choose from... so I decided to post my favorite black & white images for part 1 of their previews... hope you enjoy!


newborn

newborn

newborn

newborn

newborn

newborn

DIY: Unity Candles

Part II of my DIY projects = unity candles... I'm usually on top of everything, especially with my "wedding to do list" that never seemed to end... this minor detail was overlooked until a week and half before the wedding, when I realized that we didn't have this checked off the list... so Dave and I searched hi and low for a nice set, that wasn't too chintzy and something that would actually be functional after the wedding... since most of the candles had "love" or "forever" inscribed on them -- we weren't feeling them so much... so I decided -- to make them =)

Dave and I went to Michael's & Joann Fabrics
in search of candles that would soon become our unity candles... ... and finally found what we needed at World Market (a favorite of mine) in Wellington... we bought two (ivory, shimmery) pillar candles; one big pillar candle, and then candle holders for all three... we then went back to Joann's and purchased accessories and such for the candles: more orange ribbon, metal pins, glue gun, and some self-adhesive crystals (for some bling)... two hours later & one trip back to World Market to replace a broken pillar candle --- Dave and I had our unity candles... CHECK! =)

I was so proud of my unity candles... I loved how they came out -- and I'm not embarrassed to display them... the big pillar candle is displayed on a shelf, while the two smaller candles rest on top of my piano... every anniversary, we will light them -- in celebration of our love & each other =)

Now here are images that show the journey of our unity candles... enjoy =)




this set below is by our wedding photographer: Sarah =) of BrightHouse Photography...






this is totally unrelated... I couldn't help but to give you a sneak peak of baby Jackson (from my newborn/family session)... here's an outtake photo with his binky... isn't he adorable?? more of him soon!

DIY Wedding Invitations {mine}

So I've been wanting to share some of my DIY details from my wedding that were all hand made... after all the hard work, you betcha I'm gonna talk about them =) Plus, I thought it might help my upcoming brides come up with some ideas for their own wedding...

When we started the whole adventure of planning our wedding, I admit -- it was a bit overwhelming... where to start? what theme to choose? what wedding colors?... the only thing I knew right away was that it had to be orange! My favorite color! Dave was totally cool with it. My sisters -- not so much... but, it didn't matter =) the decision was made!

Back to my projects... the first project that we endeavored were the wedding invitations... we being: my sister Farida, Charmaine, Dave, and myself... I couldn't justify spending $600 or more on invitations! Why buy them when you can make them? These weren't totally made from scratch... I purchased an invitation kit from Michael's and added my own embellishments and personal touch... it required lots of ribbon, a wicked printer, lots of ink for the printer, helping hands, 2 sided foam tape, paper cutter, pandora radio, and lots of patience! I honestly didn't know what I was thinking when I thought I could spit these out in a day! Nope -- it took a week! My suggestion: print everything (every-little-thing) before assembling... that way, you have everything laid out ready for your own sweet assembly line...

Also, I made a sample of everything! Being a visual person, I just had to physically see everything before we made the final product. This helped with ribbon cutting and being able to estimate how much glue, ribbon, or paper we needed. Plus, if you're a perfectionist (like me) -- it helps to know the measurements of everything, as we measured and cut everything with precision... that's where Dave came in, he was my paper cutter =)

I used orange ribbon: a thin one for the inside of the invitation and a thicker one to seal the outside. I used the same ribbon (orange ink & font) throughout the wedding details to really carry out the orange theme, and to bring everything together... the end product, was amazing!! I was incredibly happy with how it all came together =)

and that's only one of many DIY projects from my wedding =) hope that helped some of my brides... or entertained you a bit... more to come! have a great Friday!




that's my sissy on the left and Charmaine on the right... see the precision in that ribbon cutting?!

Gavriella Maliha....

this tiny, sweet girl is my beautiful niece, Gavriella Maliha... or just, Maliha...she's almost 4 months old, and already wearing 12 month old clothes... because she's the youngest sibling with 3 older brothers -- her favorite outfits around the house are her brothers' hand me downs (pants & t-shirts)... but I think my sister is finally getting the hang of having a baby girl, and is dressing her in more pinks, dresses, and girlie outfits =)

when my family came down for the wedding, Maliha spent the night at our house... when I took over babysitting duty--tutu and camera in hand... I was desperately wanting to capture her in this tutu, so we had an impromptu photo shoot... although it was a bit difficult trying to capture a baby without a helper to spot and hold the baby, I managed a few shots before she got too fussy... for that, Maliha, I thank you =) here's my niece..... enjoy!












I ordered the tutu from Etsy (one of my addictions) =/ thank you Tutu Cute by Mini M for this adorable tutu!

First weekend getaway as husband & wife =)

Dave and I originally planned on a mini getaway immediately after our wedding (since our Hawaii honeymoon won't be until June)... but once family started arriving and knowing our family would be around a few days after the wedding -- neither of us really wanted to leave =) so we stayed and got to spend some quality time with both sides of the family... this past weekend we finally got to escape the hectic, craziness of what had overwhelmed us this past year in planning and preparing for our wedding...

this weekend, we finally just got to be....... husband and wife...here are some images from Sanibel Island... enjoy!

had to stop on the side of the road to capture this image...


our hotel was right on the gulf...


and we got to witness this incredible sunset...


after dinner... we sat on the beach... in complete darkness... underneath millions of stars...


we rode our bikes around the island...


stopped along the way...


we picked shells... took cheesy pictures... and simply relaxed......


and enjoyed each other's company...


thank you mr. stranger for taking this picture of us =) and thanks to my husband for the romantic getaway....

Madelyn & Andrew:Part II {Children Portrait Photography}

I was going to wait to post Part II this weekend, but Dave and I will be at Sanibel Island for a little weekend getaway =) so, why wait?

Here's part II of Maddy & Drew's previews... enjoy the deliciousness of their smiles and sweetness =) Have a great weekend, everyone!




















Madelyn & Andrew {Children Portrait Photography}

If you've followed my journey on this blog, you may remember this cutie patootie -- Maddy! ... she was one of my first little clients... well fast forward a year later, and now you can meet her baby brother Andrew (aka Drew)! These adorable babies are my friend's (Dena & Mike's) children... and yes, shooting Maddy still makes me want a little girl of my own one day...

There were too many sweet pictures to choose from, so here's part one oozing with cuteness and adorableness with Maddy & Drew's delicious pictures =) Enjoy!

{I posted the Easter-ish pictures first, since I have my Easter Special...Tell your friends!}

sooo cute =)






had to re-post this... just so cute...




she was stretching and I told her to freeze... she took direction very well... thanks Maddy!!




Told you they were cute! Wait for part II though =)