Too much to do!

Boy, I'm starting to really feel it! It's been a crazy last few days! To see photos from my last wedding visit Jason and Julie's blog here


Sunday I went down to Brighton with my parents. Living in Virginia Beach makes you appreciate the ocean and while it was cold, the beach is made of rock, and there were less waves than we get in Va Beach... I still really enjoyed my time spent at the oceanfront. We had lunch in a pub that overlooks the water... and I had an amazing BBQ Chicken dish... I never really thought of the UK being one for BBQ, but it was GOOD!

MONDAY! It was finally time to take a train 1.5hrs the OTHER side of London, North, to Birmingham for the FOCUS on Imaging 2008 show and conference. There I met up with a few of my contacts to see what's going on in the world of Photography in the UK and EU. This was actually the largest show in all of the EU! Spending the day with the contacts you don't get to see, ever, in person was a real pleasure. It's all about networking! I love getting to know other photographers.

Today, My mother and I did some more shopping before I went to their church here in London to help them out with some photos. The church is 150 years old and even has the original windows still! It's in need of some major cleaning and repair so I went and took photos of all the issues for their upcoming campaign. After that, we ran back to the flat, got freshened up, then ran out to meet my father for dinner at a local pub in the West End... and THEN we all went to see "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor coat." It was highly enjoyable and entertaining, and now here I am finally getting to blog, finished with editing for the church, and getting ready for bed... it's 1am :-)

Tomorrow, I'm meeting up with a contact of mine here to do some photo shoots. I'm really looking forward to it! Then, I need to pack because we're going to MALTA on Thursday!

Whew, Lots to do and see!

Cheers from LONDON!

And boy, does it feel good to be back! After a "mostly" smooth flight from DC I arrived bright... I mean, just plain early into London, Heathrow. Getting settled into my parents flat it was time to keep myself awake!

My "mum" and I headed out to Sloane Square for a little look around some shops, grabbed some lunch, headed back home, then after a small nap went to the grocery. London truly has become a second home for me and it's very good to be back!

As my dad works during the day my mother and I decided yesterday to go out to Wimbledon for the day. We hopped onto the tube and took it to the end of the line... Wimbledon, for a day of what any girl wants to do in Europe... SHOPPING! This was actually my first time to Wimbledon and I really want to go back and explore it more. My parents have already decided that if they ever leave their flat in Kensington, Wimbledon it is! They are calling for some 60 degree weather this week, perhaps if that becomes a reality we'll go back on a nice day.

Some interesting points so far?
-I was very surprised by the gentleman I met on the plane. As it turns out, he's a organic chemistry (which wasn't my favorite course in University) professor at a school in Saudi Arabia! He was in the States for his fathers unfortunate passing, however who would have thought that he was from the same area, in eastern Ohio, I went to school! Not many people know where Steubenville is, let alone the fact that not many people grow up there!

- The election is in full press here! The British are VERY, very intrigued by our politics and everyone asks me about the state of the election process, for my thoughts, any predictions, any news, anything they can get out of me! If only we Americans were so concerned about who gets elected.

- The dollar is a bit stronger right now... the conversion is only 1.91! We'll take what we can get... :-)

- It's 10am, stores are opening, time to fight the hustle of Oxford Street!

I'll try and get some pics soon for you! To view the latest wedding pics from Jason and Julies Valentines wedding visit this blog posting http://capturedforlife.blogspot.com/2008/02/jason-and-julie.html

Jason and Julie

This past Friday I shot a "valentines" wedding for Jason and Julie. I had so much fun working with the two of them! They have just this powerful attraction between the two of them as well that made their wedding even more fun to shoot! The wedding was held at the beautiful Freemason Street Baptist Church and was a small intimate affair. When I began to shoot both of them getting ready it became very evident to me where this beautiful love between them came from. Seeing each of them with their families really provided some very loving and tender moments... most of which were re-enacted when they became man and wife to begin their own new family.

After the ceremony we headed to brand new McCormick and Schmick's in the Virginia Beach Town Center where we were able to have even more fun in the brand new Westin, in front of the new Sandler Center, and even at the fountain. Virginia Beach is starting to remind me a lot of my hometown in The Woodlands, TX. Constantly growing and upscaling itself!

I promised to get this blog up before I leave the Country... After I finish this post it's off to hurry and finish packing, making sure I have my passport, and checking in online with British Airways to hopefully get a "good" seat... busy day!

Without further delay, Here are some highlights from Jason and Julie's wedding day! May your marriage be blessed!

John Hancock

Local emerging artist, John Hancock (yes, that's his REAL name ;-) and I went out today for a bit of fun. John is one talented musician. Whether it means rocking out on his guitar... or perhaps even his fiddle, this guy knows how to rock. We wanted some alternative grungy portraits so naturally, we went exploring in Norfolk. One of my favorite things to do is just walk around, hang out, and see what we discover. I have found the most beautiful dirty alley ever, and I refuse to divulge the exact location... :-)

One question I am asked by my bride and grooms is," what do you typically wear when shooting a wedding?" Today is a great day to answer that question. When I shoot I do whatever is needed to get a cool angle, get a shot that's different, and do what needs to be done. For this reason, to weddings, I always wear dressy trousers as I am consistently sitting/laying on the floor, in the grass, sand, dirt, wherever! Today however, Wow.

My beautiful dirty alley is exactly that. DIRTY! Home to many many pigeons so I'll give you one guess as to what (other than trash) fills the alley... Alley's are always grungy, but today I couldn't even start uploading till I washed my ARMS and cleaned up with a shower. It was right nasty laying in that stuff I tell ya... but I think I got some great shots out of it! I don't mind anyways... I was the child running through the woods and buiding forts...

It's hard to narrow down photos... I got so many great ones... I'm having fun playing with the different ways of processing them as well... Here's a sneak at some of the things I'm working on for John... Enjoy!

Engagements

I love Engagement sessions! It gives me a chance to work with the bride and groom before hand and we get to have so much fun! A few weeks ago I posted some from a session at Harbor Park, but while doing some more editing and conversions I found a few more... ok, there were TONS more that I wanted to share... but I picked just a few.... as I already posted zillilions below...




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New Wedding Albums!

As many of you know, I'll be showing my work and meeting with brides from all over the area at the Founders Inn tomorrow, Sunday January 13th. Quite a few weeks ago, a few weeks before the Christmas Holiday's in fact, I called my album supplier to make sure I could get new sample albums in for all of you to see in time for this show. They said there was no way to get an album to me that "fast." Needless to say, I was bummed. Not only to not be able to get new albums but that they didn't seem to care their turnaround time was so long!

As fate would have it, I was talking to many wedding photographer contacts of mine and I came across a newer album company getting rave reviews across the board... I checked them out... talked to those who use them... and fell in LOVE! As it turns out, they have awesome turnaround time... you can even rush an order and get it shipped within a WEEK! How awesome is that! I have to brag about this comapny a bit, because this is how every company should be!

When I ordered my albums it was all so last minute that I hit "send" at about 2:30am. While uploading all my files I noticed the invoice pop into my inbox. I looked at it and to my surprise, one of the albums had "tempt-me tan" and not "forbidden green" next to it for the album cover! Knowing I would be sleeping in as I still had work to do I called to leave a message hoping to get it to them before my rush order was begun. I was a bit shocked when I actually reached a LIVE person. They told me it wasn't a problem and it was changed no questions asked. I was already falling head over heels for the customer service! Thursday my albums arrived! How's that for turnaround! I took them out and oh my gosh, I fell in complete love! From the feel of the leather to the beauty of each page! Outstanding quality! While going over my new 12x12 sample album, as I quality check everything before presenting or giving, I found an unfortunate error in printing. It was a result of a file trasfer problem that actually looked like an element of design unless you knew the layout and that there was part of the design missing. It was unfourtunate, and I really can't blame them for not catching it... it seriously looked like a design element! But, this was Thursday, I needed these albums for Sunday!

I immeadiately called again, This time about 10:30am.... which is 7:30am on the West Coast. Once again I actually reached a person and described the issue. Of course they offered a re-print but I never thought they'd pull off the feat they did! Even though 12x12 books take longer to make and press (to prevent warping) they pulled off a miracle! TODAY, at 9:30am, I GOT THE REPRINT! They seriously worked long and hard to get it done and out to me, and they communicated with me the entire time letting me know the status and how we were looking to try and get it out by today. I'm beyond Amazed! They even send out emails throughout the entire process letting you know the status of the albums, analyzing files, sending to print, binding, shipping, etc... Amazing. Major props to Kiss Wedding Books! They even stamp the outside of the boxes with giant kissy lips!

I'm very excited to offer these albums. I actually presented them today to a potential 2009 bride and groom, both she and her fiance were loving them! (That's the real test!) They are of outstanding quality, not only in materials and workmanship, but as a company! I'm posting some photos but these don't do enough justice, you'll have to stop by my booth to come see them for yourself!

They don't let anything happen during shipping. I should have taken a photo of the bubble wrap... took me about 5 min. to unwrap it all. It's also sealed with a kiss!






They also come in really cool funky bags. Come to the show to check it out for yourself! Noon: Founders Inn and Spa on Indian River near I-64

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Jonathan and Megan

About a week ago I mentioned that I was going to be doing some Engagement portraits at a LARGE local venue. Well, Sorry for the delay, you have the wonderful Va Beach weather to thank for that. I called Megan on the 2nd and suggested postponing. The weather called for the day of the shoot was about 28 degrees and windy. I suggested Monday after checking the weather. Today turned out to be PERFECT! The weather couldn't be any better! (it was sunny and about 70)

I'm so excited to be shooting this couples wedding in 2009 and you'll soon see why I'm bummed that I have to wait that long to shoot this couple again. Every expression in every photo was just amazing, I had so much fun working with them today and look forward to when we can work together again.

So... Where exactly were we?


We had the awesome priveledge to have our run of Harbor Park, home of the Norfolk Tides! Jon is a collegiate baseball player so Megan wanted to do some baseball photos for him. Missy Christianson of Antonia Christianson Events was so great helping us get this. I also want to thank Ben Giancola, Asst. Gen Manager for allowing us to come and taking time out of his day to escort us around. We were able to go on the field (they even turned the sprinklers off just for us!) the bull pen, dug out, even the roof! It was so amazing! And I think they got some amazing photos out of them! Imagine just you, and Harbor Park... it's amazing!

So without further delay, An engagement session at Harbor Park, home of the Norfolk Tides














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