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City of Infinite Calories
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T he alarm blared at an ungodly hour this morning. It was pitch black in our bedroom, but I peeled myself from under the warm comforter and hopped into the shower for what I hoped was a much needed pick-me-up. I woke JD at 5:15am and we prepared for our flight to San Francisco. He moaned he couldn’t open his eyes, but I promised a day full of fun along the city streets…and I think I lived up to the promise!
I had the absolute pleasure of shooting an Anytime session with a fabulous couple from Atlanta—which I’ll be blogging later this week—but JD and I enjoyed the day shopping, eating, people-watching, and eating. Did I mention eating? We’ve realized there’s just not enough time in the day to eat at all the amazing restaurants in the city, but we’re sure trying to! As a matter of fact, we’ve even arranged tomorrow’s schedule according to our brunch reservation. I just feel my pants fitting tighter already. Fabulous.
And as a note to my fitness instructor, Christy, I just want to let you know I’ll be in class on Monday ready to pay petinance for all my caloric transgressions…you better make me work it out! :)
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| JD took this horrific picture of me as we shared a cream puff...just look at the powdered sugar on my lips...I'm a mess! :) |
    
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Happy 14th Birthday, Zoe!
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S he’ll always be four years old in my mind. When I think back to my younger sister, Zoe Belle, I picture her curly hair as she balanced herself between my two legs, as if hiding between two trees. I distinctly remember her doing this as I made my way to Winter Formal my sophomore year of high school. Zoë squeezed herself in between my legs and pushed her back into the black velvet of my dress (gimme a break, Internet, velvet was cool in the mid-nineties!). I can’t figure out why, exactly, that is the image I think of when I think of my baby sister, but it is. And I love it.
Ten years later, the little girl with curly hair celebrated her 14th birthday yesterday. It made me so happy to see her jump in the massive bounce-house with her friends and swim the afternoon away, only to be followed by coconut cake and brightly colored cupcakes.
Zoe, happy birthday and I love you. I know I can be hard on you—Let’s go running…Why don’t you have straight A’s…Walk uprightly—but please know I simply adore you and I’m proud to call you my sister. I hope to forever hold your hand, squeeze you tightly, and kiss you on your forehead! Love, me.
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| Per Zoe's request, she wanted a collage of birthday details posted on my blog. Geesh...I think I've created a monster! :) |
T he most frequently asked question by photographers is: How Can I Book More Weddings?. I’m definitely not a marketing sage, but I wrote an article for Pro Photo Resource this month dealing with the importance of creating vital relationships with industry peers. Here’s a snippet of the article…
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So I have this obsession. And it comes in the form of athletic wear called, LuLuLemon. I can’t ever get enough of the reversible pants, lycra tops, and, yes, even the sweat bands. I practically live in these clothes and I’m afraid my husband thinks I’ve made a solemn oath to don nothing else. Indefinitely.
A couple days ago, my husband asked me to stop the burning hole I’ve created in our savings account and stop shopping. Riiiiiight. We went back and forth about my expenditures and in exasperation, I said, “It’s because of the bag, alright?! I just love that darn bag!” |
You see, LuLuLemon packs your purchases in a red and white bag covered with motivating quotes, and I simply love it. I tried explaining this notion to my husband and he told me he’d print the same quotes and tape them around our home if I wanted to be inspired. Riiiight.
One of the quotes printed on the bag is: Successful people replace the words ‘wish’, ‘should’, and ‘try’ with ‘I Will’. Ineffective people don’t.
When I first started my business, I knew this to be true. Of all the photographers I admired, a common thread was their ability to take action. To DO whatever it is they set out to. It made me proud and simultaneously jealous because I was sitting in an office at a 9-5 job with a packed lunch secured at the bottom of my purse. After getting home from a long day, the only action I took was in the form of pizza delivery and remote control clicking. I definitely wanted to take action, I just didn’t know how.
The key, I later discovered, was getting to know successful peers. I called a few new photographers in my area and gathered us for lunch one afternoon. We were all at the same point in our business and looked for ways to grow...
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To read the rest of the article and learn the best way to create a network of referrers, be sure to visit Pro Photo Resource! Also, if you have suggestions for what next month’s article should address, leave your ideas in the comment box…I’m running out of things to write about! ;)
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Pinching Cheeks and Pennies
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T he house stood majestically at the end of a row of cottages. Yes, cottages in Orange County. I didn’t even know such a community existed until our realtor walked us through the English-inspired streets. We toured a few homes, but one caught JD’s eye and though we stopped to examine the beautiful landscaping, we noticed it was vacant and a padlock rested on the front knob. Through the front windows I saw hardwood floors, French doors, and the mother of all staircases…it was then when I asked JD for CPR because I couldn’t breathe.
We opened the side gate and ventured into the backyard and sat in the shade of the grapevine-covered veranda. It was then when I pointed to my lips and asked JD for CPR again. Breathing becomes laborious when you find something you love.
I begged the agent to work some magic and offer a bid before the house officially hit the market and the price skyrocketed. So she offered.
Last night, I received a phone call from the broker stating we weren’t the only people who saw the padlock and made a quiet offer. We, however, were entirely misaligned with our offer. Like North and South Pole off. Summer and Winter off. Left and Right off. I felt like the broker tossed me a dime and pinched my cheek. Here ya go, sweetie…go buy yourself a bottle of pop! Apparently, JD and I are kids in the Orange County real estate market.
I woke this morning in a total funk. I’m usually an upbeat and happy person, but today I was as exciting as wet socks. In Winter.
I debated posting this entry (there have been MANY posts that have never seen the light of day), but I want to remember how I’m feeling at this very moment. A little sad, a lot frustrated, and a sprinkle of blech. I don’t seem to have a hard time blogging about the good and happy, but when it comes to the aches, I want to hide them. Tuck them away in a dark corner until I can control their mangled arms. But today I’m blogging the Real in hopes that when our new home buying day arrives, I’ll look back and be extra thankful. To remember how blech feels and to know—just like most things in life—it was worth the wait.
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And, really, how can I be THAT bummed when I have this face staring back at me?!?
**EDITED TO ADD**
Friends, thank you SO much for all your kind words of encouragement!! Today is brighter and I'm back at feeling hopeful...with many thanks to you! I appreciate y'all rockin' my world! :) |
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Kara and Jason : Engagement
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T hey met at a homeless shelter. Jason and Kara volunteered and crossed paths on more than one occasion that fateful day a few years ago. Kara instantly felt a spark whenever Jason was around, so she tried reeling him in with her large, brown eyes. But where Kara felt chemistry, Jason felt the urge to focus on his studies and involvement with church. Kara sent him long, heartfelt emails and Jason couldn’t seem to get past the salutation. He attributes this to long days of manual labor, but Kara attributes it to complete disinterest…but this didn’t stop her from caring deeply for Jason.
A short time later, surrounded by their closest friends, they went on the same camping trip. Perhaps it was the music, or the crisp air, or the simple fact that Kara loved him in her own long-email way, but Jason felt his heart open to Kara on no uncertain terms. They've been together and in love ever since.
Kara and Jason are two of the nicest and kindest people I know…and I’m quite sad I will not be their wedding photographer! Jason is the man behind Showit Software’s customer service and there couldn’t be a more perfect fit! He’s genuine and so wonderful that I just sometimes want to lean over and squeeze him! Jason and Kara will be getting married September 27, 2008 here in Orange County and if their wedding date didn’t land on my wedding anniversary, I would’ve been honored to document their special day. I wish them the best as they find a wonderful photographer for their wedding...and if you're interested in helping this deserving couple document their precious day, shoot Jason an email: jason@showitfast.com
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| To see more of their engagement session, CLICK HERE for a slideshow! |
2013
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