Friday, November 30, 2007

Friday favorites: Christmas

Today marks the start of a new blog series - Friday faves! Call it a self-indulgent brain dump if you will, but I love reading other people's blogs and finding new "things", whether it be a product, a band, a book... or a really expensive camera lens to lust after. You get the idea!

And since tomorrow is the first day of December, what better topic to start with than Christmas!

Hear
How can you go wrong with Mannheim Steamroller? It's Christmas music that's guaranteed not to grate on my nerves by December 24.

Smell
With all my allergies, I'm pretty sensitive to smells and for the most part, avoid things like perfumes and scented lotions. But when I do indulge, I prefer food smells over flowery ones. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Philosophy's The Gingerbread Man!

Watch
How can you not get nostalgic over A Charlie Brown Christmas? Without fail it's my absolute favorite holiday show.

Though, since we've been married, my husband and I have started the tradition of watching A Christmas Story on Christmas night once we get home from visiting the relatives. Fortunately TNT indulges freaks like us and airs it for 24 continuous hours starting on Christmas Eve!

Watch it, or you'll shoot your eye out, kid.


Taste
Best. Cookies. Ever. At least that's what my husband tells me (and believe me, he'd tell me if he didn't like 'em!) This oatmeal cookie recipe is a favorite in our house and it's so simple that even you non-bakers out there can whip up a batch!

3 cups of butter, softened
3 cups packed brown sugar (I used an equal mix of light and dark)
3 cups of flour
1 tablespoon of baking soda
6 cups of quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup of sugar

Cream the butter and brown sugar. In a separate bowl mix all the other ingredients except the oatmeal. Mix the dry ingredients into the butter/sugar mixture then slowly incorporate the oatmeal (it gets thick and sticky!). Roll into 1 1/2 inch balls and flatten on the cookie sheet with the bottom of a glass. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees.

Those are my Christmas faves. Drop off a comment and tell me some of yours!

Monday, November 26, 2007

2007: That's all she wrote!

That's right gang, there's no more availability for the rest of 2007! As I mentioned earlier, session fees for portraits (which includes engagement sessions, bridal portraits, and trash the dress) are increasing January 1, 2008, but if you reserve your 2008 session prior to December 15, 2008, I'll honor the 2007 price!

Also worth noting is that there's one space left for the January 12, 2008 boudoir bash.

M-I-C...

I was thrilled when Nikki asked if I'd spend the day photographing her family over at Disney World! They trekked all the way from Minnesota and this was a very special vacation for them!

We spent the afternoon at the Magic Kingdom.

It'll be weeks before I get the Small World song out of my head.


Goofy's Barnstormer. Shortest. Rollercoaster. Ever. Seriously 20 seconds long. Not bad for shooting blindly over my shoulder, eh?



And after a quick stop at the Animal Kingdom Lodge to freshen up, we wrapped up the night at MGM enjoying the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (say that 5 times fast!) If you haven't see it, get yourself over there this holiday season - it's incredible!





Uh oh! Looks likes someone's after my job!


I had a blast photographing you guys - thanks for making me feel like part of your family!

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Thankful Thursday

One of these years, I will learn how to make a *good* pan gravy. I've been cooking turkeys for years (and years and years!) and I still can't master a simple pan gravy! This year was perhaps my worst attempt ever! Ah well, there's always next year. So this year, I'm especially thankful for the can of back-up turkey gravy I bought.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it's about two things - appreciating the people I love and food. I'm so blessed to have a fantastic, supportive husband and two crazy cats who bring me joy on a daily basis. I have a wonderful mother who raised me right and continues to be an inspiration. As if that isn't enough to be thankful for, I have amazing friends who enrich my life with their presence and incredible clients who bring a new level of joy to my work each and every day.

I hope that you are all as blessed as I am and are enjoying your turkey comas as we speak!

Monday, November 19, 2007

Maggie & Chris Trashed the Dress!

I had the pleasure of photographing Maggie & Chris' engagement photos last spring and was thrilled when Maggie contacted saying they wanted to do a trash the dress session. We headed over to beautiful Wekiwa Springs (where Chris had proposed) and spent the morning splashing around.

First we did a few quick dry shots on land...



I love this one!


then the real fun started...everyone knows you just gotta jump right in!



It was a little chilly, but they were troopers!



Thanks for a great shoot you two! Your gallery will be posted soon.

Friday, November 16, 2007

You're either in or you're out.

Thank you Heidi Klum!

I can't tell you how excited I am that Project Runway is finally back! Is it wrong that hearing Tim Gunn tell the designers to "Carry on" made my night?

There were some fantastic designs though and I think it's going to be a fantastic season. Some of my favorites...









I'll have some new photos for your early next week, but in the meantime, have a fantastic weekend and stay warm (What is it with this cold weather? Brr!)

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

My new favorite site!

A good friend of mine sent me the link to this site a few weeks back and I'm obsessed. I check it daily for new fun images. It's called I can has cheezburger and it's full of cute animals with funny captions, like this one:

funny pictures

The only think I'm lukewarm about is the fact that they use LOLspeak, which can be a bit tough to decipher at times. Check it out - and don't blame me if you become obsessed!

Friday, November 9, 2007

And the winner is...

Melanie R. from Sanford, who guessed 5 years! Congrats Melanie and check your email for info about your iTunes gift certificate! Thanks to everyone who entered.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Last chance to enter!

The guess how long I've been married contest ends at midnight EST tonight. Send me your guess now for a chance to win a $10 iTunes gift certificate.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Think Pink!

I'm excited to announce a new partnership with Think Pink Photography. Founded in October 2007 by Ohio Photographer, Tennille King, Think Pink Photography strives to help breast cancer survivors and their families celebrate life with charitable photography sessions. This is a cause that's near and dear to my heart as my grandmother passed away from breast cancer related complications back in 1993.

Individuals may choose to document their fight against the disease before or during treatment, or prefer to capture their victory with a session after treatment is completed. Photographers world-wide are now available to donate time and talent to celebrate life and support the cause. Any individual that has been diagnosed with breast cancer or completed treatment within the past 12 months qualifies for a Think Pink session. There is no cost or obligation to the breast cancer patient.

Clients participating in a Think Pink Session will receive a complimentary photo session, as well as 20 finished prints from the session. They will also receive a discount off of any additional portraits they wish to purchase, although there is absolutely no purchase required at any time.

Think Pink Photography is a non-profit organization. Any profits Think Pink Photography receives through donations or various fund raising efforts are donated to the Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation - a foundation dedicated to promoting education, increasing awareness, and providing support and assistance to families that have been touched by breast cancer.

I am very proud to be one of the first photographers with Think Pink Photography, and am eager to get the word out about this amazing program. For more information, you can contact me, or you can visit the Think Pink Photography website.

A celebration and a contest

Today is our wedding anniversary! In celebration, I'm giving away a $10 iTunes gift card to the person who guess how many years my wonderful husband and I have been married! Click here to email your guess.


Photo by Gary Fox

The fine print:
•Contest ends 11/08/07 at midnight EST and I'll post the winner's name on 11/9/07!
•If more than one person guesses correctly, I'll draw the winning name out of a hat containing all the names of the people who've guessed correctly.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

They did! Are you?



Getting married in 2008? My '08 calendar is starting to fill up. To ensure the best possible quality and service, I only take a limited number of weddings each year, so if you want to get your date on the books, call or email soon so you don't miss out!

This weekend I had the pleasure of second shooting for Jaime Smith of JS Photography. I love second shooting for other photographers since it gives me the opportunity to "play" a bit more and come up with some ultra creative images! We couldn't have asked for a nicer day - or a sweeter, happier bride and groom!

The stunning bride
Orlando wedding photography

Getting ready with a little help from her friends
Orlando wedding photography

In those last anxious moments before the walk down the aisle
Orlando wedding photography

A different perspective on the ceremony
Orlando wedding photography

Some fun post-ceremony portraits
Orlando wedding photography

Orlando wedding photography

The details:

Orlando wedding photography

Orlando wedding photography


Orlando wedding photography

Their first dance
Orlando wedding photography

The toss


The big exit!
Orlando wedding photography

Best wishes for a long and happy life you two!

Friday, November 2, 2007

Boudoir Portrait Bash - Second date added!

November's Boudoir Bash is now officially sold out! Due to the overwhelming response, we've added a second date!

Saturday, January 12, 2008 - we've already got 2 of the 5 slots reserved for this date, so book now to hold your space!

Albums from this session will be delivered in time for Valentine's Day!