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Fingerprints Make Me Proud
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I 'm sitting in my hotel room and it's much too early to be awake in Las Vegas. JD is breathing softly under his pillow (yes, he sleeps under his pillow) and the window shades are cracked in such a way where i can see nearby buildings reflect golden light and an occasional plane leave McCarran airport. In a few minutes, I'll be packing our bags and heading home, and this makes me happy. I miss Polo.
From the seminars I've attended at WPPI and the conversations I've had with peers over the past few days, I've become a better photographer. It's nice to see and hear what other people are doing and I'm excited to spruce up my business. One of the highlights, however, was seeing my dear friends launch their new website.
Some of my faithful blog readers will remember fabulous clients by the name of Gabriel and Carlie (you can see their photos here). A few months ago, we took them out to dinner and spoke about their new photography business. We spoke about branding and how important a website is to define who you are as an entrepreneur. I, of course, spoke about how my Showit Site changed my business in ways I could never dream. They were thrilled to work on their site, and we clicked our glasses in a toast to the future.
The Future.
Yesterday, Gabriel and Carlie sat in the Showit Suite in Las Vegas and launched their NEW WEBSITE, and I was beyond amazed. They've come so far, they're so humble, and they're people I trust will change the face of emerging photographers. When Carlie showed me their site, a little piece of me was proud. Perhaps I had nothing to do with their dream catching. But, perhaps, I did. And I was proud for this glimmer of hope that I might have made a difference in two amazing lives. |
Their website is a total reflection of them. As my website is a total reflection of me. Both sites are completely custom, unique, and have our smudgy fingerprints all over the sites. If you're a blog reader who fears your brand isn't adequately displayed, I challenge you to find ways to carve your path and start loving your business and brand!
Happy Thursday! |
    
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Excuses, Sleeplessness, and Happiness
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I t will sound like an excuse. Like, The Dog Ate My Homework...Promise. But, really, I blogged yesterday and when it was time to publish, the internet was down in our hotel. So then I banged my forehead on my keyboard. Repeatedly. It was the third time the internet failed, so I was a wee bit frustrated. Alas, today is a new day and I plan to recap the previous two days.
Hmmmm, now that I'm sitting in front of my computer, I'm having a hard time remembering what's happened. Oh, that's right. Around midnight on Sunday night, I took what I thought was a cold preventative, but when 4:30am rolled around and I was WIDE A.W.A.K.E, I read the label and discovered it may cause sleeplessness. Awesome. I nervously paced my hotel room. And then ordered a pizza. Because, really, what else was there to do?! I woke JD and we shared a margarita pizza overlooking the Las Vegas lights. After an hour of sleep, we woke and went to David Jay's 8am workshop. Around 11am, we hung out in the Showit Suite...and then I started seeing spots around noon. Yellow spots. Black spots. Purple spots. It was time for a nap. I woke in time for dinner (how convenient) and joined the The Boudoir Divas for a dinner to celebrate the launch of their new book. If you shoot boudoir photography, definitely check it out as I think it's such a great resource!
I had EVERY intention of joining my good friend Becker at his notorious party (I even wore a dress and the whole nine!), but I was feeling a little more than exhausted and overwhelmed, so I called it a night. And, yes, the coolness just oozes from me. It's hard being this fun.
On Tuesday morning, my alarm blared at 5:30am. The sun wasn't even awake yet, but I found myself nervously awaiting the morning shoot I had planned for 20 amazing photographers. Again, I found myself pacing my hotel room and praying I wouldn't let everyone down. At 6:30am, JD and I walked through the MGM Hotel and discovered most of the group was already assembled in the lobby. Then my stress level went into Code Red! Code Red! High Alert! High Alert! because I realized they came ready to shoot, learn, and have fun. AND WHAT IF I TOTALLY BOMBED?!? Thankfully, the group was nothing short of awesome...squared. We started the shoot in the hotel lobby, then made our way into the freezing city streets and had a fabulous morning. Here's a sneak peek from the shoot... |
At the end of the photo shoot, I left feeling so proud. Not of myself. But of this industry. I met 20 new peers yesterday and if that's what the wedding photography industry is made of, then I'm honored to be a part of it.
In the afternoon, I walked the tradeshow floor with my good friend Amy Wenzel, and we oohed and ahhed over new albums, prints, and canvas wraps. I had a few meetings in the late afternoon, and then joined a small group of friends for dinner. At the end of the night--as we walked down The Strip against the chilly wind--we stopped by The Bellagio watched the water show. With my body pressed again the cold concrete ledge, I watched water dance against the night sky. I leaned over to JD and whispered, In this moment, I'm happy. And I was. Life, right now, is simple and complex, but being surrounded with friends and the man I adore, life is happy. And I'm thankful. |
V iva Las Vegas! I'm on my way to the airport right now to experience a little networking, a little learning, and a whole lotta fun at WPPI. I'll be gone until Thursday, but I'll be blogging about my adventures. if you're a blog reader who'll be in Las Vegas, I'd love to meet you! If we're in the same elevator, walking past each other, or in the same line to buy a crepe, please say hello! I promise I don't bite.
I'll also be hanging out quite frequently in the Showit Suite. My good friend David Jay organized two suites for people to come and learn how to use Showit and they're be a team on-hand to help you build a website! Each session is 45-minutes and they're totally free. They'll also be snacks and drinks, so that's where you'll find me. Amongst the pretzels, Pellegrino, and M&Ms.
To register for a seat and get more information, check out David Jay's Blog...hope to see you there! :) |
I love Valentine's Day. And not for the obvious reasons of sugar consumption and kisses. I love what the day represents and how it makes me feel. I totally understand it's a commercialized holiday and relegates most guys to buy last minute boxes of chocolate and teddy bears, but I love LOVE, so any reason to celebrate it fine by me. I'm not into red and pink presents or anything over the top for that matter. But I do love thoughtfulness. JD's been giving me a gift-a-day leading to today and so far I've acquired new additions to my chick flick library (who doesn't love The Holiday?!), a home-cooked dinner, the latest copy of US Weekly (don't hate), and mole hills of my favorite candy. While quite simple, it's simply perfect.
This morning--after a brisk morning jog with JD and Polo--I was determined to make heart-shaped pancakes. You know, since I'm so domesticated and all. Most of them looked like UFOs, but I did manage a decent heart for JD's surprise breakfast. |
| I hope you have a fabulous Valentine's Day and you surround yourself with love! |
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Joanna and Cooper : Engagement
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T heir paths were supposed to cross. A few times to be exact. But they never did. Joanna lived in New York City--complete with her stiletto heels and jet-set lifestyle--but just couldn't muster the strength to go on a blind date. So she passed. A few times to be exact. Joanna was over dating and she'd let her friends know when she was ready to let her heart wander the taxi filled streets of the Big Apple.
Cooper was in the city for business and though she didn't want to, Joanna agreed to meet him per the suggestion of a friend. Their spark was instantaneous and through the conversation, they realized friends had intended to set them up many times before, but fate had other plans. On that particular night, the stars over New York City aligned for the pair and they've been together ever since.
The couple now lives in Montecito, California and are planning their wedding just outside Santa Barbara. Joanna and Cooper planned to have their engagement session on one of their vast properties in Santa Ynez, but the rain had other plans. Most girls might worry and fret, but Joanna asked if we'd be able to shoot at their home early the following morning to avoid the inclimate weather. When I told her we'd have to start shooting at 7am, I thought she might change her mind, but she simply laughed and agreed to our morning escapades. But that's just Joanna. Caring, free-flowing, and kind. And the best part of Joanna is, well, Cooper. He just makes her better. And vice versa.
I'm thrilled for their wedding this April and the I'm stoked to be working with one of my favorite Santa Barbara based wedding coordinators, Maren Parsons for their big day! Here are a few favorites from their shoot and their engagement slideshow... |
| While we wandered around their beautiful home, Cooper's dog roamed along with us and made cameos whenever he felt like it! :) |
| Once the sun poked her pretty head into the sky, we shot indoors and had some fun... |
| As the shoot progressed, Joanna mentioned she and Cooper were "foodies" so we hung out in their kitchen as they made breakfast.... |
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