Carla and Phil

Carla and Phil have their photos retouched and ready to go to the printer tomorrow. They had Julie photographing their wedding on the same cold rainy/snowy day that I did with Jen and Richard this summer. They got some photos inside the church and braved the weather for a few really cute outdoor photos. What fun they had at the reception with a traditional money dance! Thank you for having us participate is such special memories. I enjoyed working with your photos to make them the best they can be. I know that you will enjoy your wedding album for years to come.


Next on the retouching list is Jen and Rob. With shooting 33 weddings this past year, can you believe there are still brides that haven't come in to choose their photos yet? I hate to wait personally, I don't know how they do it. I glance through the photos the day after shooting for the most part to find my favorites...see no patience here LOL...

We had fun shooting the Santa photos for Top Co on the weekend. Let's Play had a nice little set up for our photos, I've shot this assignment before and the people at Let's Play always do a great job helping to coordinate the party. Of course much of the planning is done by Top Co's Executive Assistant and she does alot of extras - like picking out wonderful gifts for Santa to pass out to the kids. This is no little feat with 80 kids involved, some of the gifts were as big as the children trying to lug them away!! Now I need to transfer those kids pictures into the custom designed Christmas frames we created for printing.

Before that though, I need to finish retouching Niyi's Grad photos...

Congrats...

We were honored to spend the day with Mina and Kingsley yesterday. Although it was chilly outside we had many warm hearts gathered while they exchanged their marriage vows at the Citadel Theatre. After many photos opps. at that location Kingsley and Mina decided they wanted to brave the cold to do a few photos at the Grant Knotley Gazebo which holds special significance for them. I'm so glad that Mina brought along some boots to wear :) Then off to the hotel they were going to stay at for their first night as husband and wife where we did a few photos as well. Next was my first tea ceremony and really enjoyed documenting all the special traditions involved. This couple really put on a party afterward to celebrate with so many people invited that the room was literally packed out and such delectable food that we were pleasantly stuffed after the 2 hour extravaganza. Thank you for inviting us to participate in your special day it was an honor to spend this time with you. Congratulations you two and I wish you many blessings in your future together!


I have also finished retouching Lane and Ronny's wedding. Unfortunately I do not have model releases for them so I will not post any of their photos. Up now is Carla and Phil...

Today I will spend the day photographing Santa and the kids of Top-Co during their annual kids Christmas Party. Back at the retouching again tomorrow...

Changes

I have finally got my accountant to help me clean up my finances and review my company with me. What a chore that was!! It is such a relief knowing that it is all into quickbooks properly though. After alot of consideration I have discovered that I will need to raise some of my pricing as of Jan 1, 2007. I have finally come to the point where this company pays all it's bills but I personally have yet to be paid :( This will hopefully change in the new year.
Another change is that Julie has decided not to take on any more weddings. She will finish out the ones we have booked for her and then I will be flying solo once again...with help from my wonderful assistant of course. So what does that mean for you? Because I only book one wedding a day, you will want to book early. Days will fill up quickly without the second photographer option. There are still plenty of free weekends for next summer available but I also do have 8 weddings already slotted in...just something to keep in mind if you are in the consideration process still.
I have gotten Michelle's family portraits into the printers and now I am 1/4 of the way through retouching Lane and Ronny's wedding.

Marilyn & Aaron

I have their wedding retouched and am sending it into the lab. I really enjoyed meeting these two, they were fun to work with and such a sweet couple. They got married at Fort Edmonton Park this summer in a small ceremony and we had a good time with their photos. Although we did most of the family photos before the ceremony I always prefer to save the couple's shots until afterward because the stress of the impending ceremony ALWAYS seems to show the on the brides face and it is soo hard to get the loving, fun shots that are so adored. The sense of relief after the ceremony is really felt and there is no longer the care of messing up the make-up during a kiss, getting the dress dirty, etc. It is all open for fun and love after that :)
I haven't heard back from the lab about being able to pick up Samantha & Matthew's pics so I will call them on Monday to see what is up.
Next up is Michelle's family photos then onto Lane and Ronny's wedding.
On Friday I had the Church on 99 crop. I love having the 6 hours of time to focus on scrapbooking with no kids to interupt. I am currently working on Michelle's wedding book and I think I'm about half way through at this point. It is turning out really well with her purple and butterfly theme. I'm trying not to make it too girly for the sake of her husband but am definitely keeping her focus in mind. We had a good group of ladies come and join me at the crop with just a few no shows. Next workshop is Friday December 15.

Samantha & Matthew

Yeah, another wedding done!! Samantha and Matthew's wedding will be put into the lab tomorrow. They had a nice, simple ceremony at Hawerlak Park and Julie was their photographer. They got some really great shots, what a cute couple they make.

I am soo happy to say that Amanda's storybook came in tonight, so now her package is complete and ready to go. I am soo impressed with how this book turned out, it looks better in person that it did when I created it on the computer, and I thought it looked great then...I can't wait to give it to her! Also in the same shipment was Melissa and Colin's guest/gift sign in book, that also looks fantastic. I love looking at these books and I'm sure that their friends and family will too.

So up next is Marilyn & Aaron...only 8 more weddings in the line up right now...

Thanks for your patience to all my brides and grooms who may be currently waiting for your package! With all these weddings in cue, plus a brag book, a storybook and a handmade scrapbook waiting to be completed, I feel really busy! Don't want to rush any of the packages along though cause I always like to work on each one like it was my own wedding - making each picture look as best as it can. My Dh keeps telling me that I need to get faster but I think I am just too picky to go any faster! I'm sure you all appreciate my thoroughness (otherwise you probably wouldn't have hired me, LOL)

Dylan's Entourage

Wow, last night was pretty wild and crazy. I will add a bunch of pictures down below to show some of the fun that was had. Of course near the end I was told I had to be in at least one photo so there I am too :) I'm sure Dylan had alot of fun although the entourage didn't really seem to take care of him as much as he took care of the entourage...
We started out gathering at The Bounce radio station, it was alot of fun putting faces to the titles that we had heard for people that would be joining us. In the photo of everyone outside the limo (above) L to R we have The Intern, The Athlete, The Manager, The Desperate Housewife, The guy who says he will be there but usually isn't "Pepper", The Male Model, The Hot Nurse, The Reason for the Entourage "Dylan", The Hot Chick, The Black Guy, The Chiropracter, The Farm Girl, The Gay Guy...missing The Photographer cause I was taking the photo LOL
Next we picked up some pizza from Funky Pickle to eat along the way, I tried a piece of one with peas and stuff on it, I can't remember the name of it but at first look I didn't want it and then I decided I would give it a go and it turned out to be really tastey. Yes, I know do not judge a book by its cover.
The new Casino is qute large and driving up it reminded me of a vegas style building with it's long driveway and decorations. It was dark and I was in the back of the limo so I really had no clue where we actually were in regards to location. Later I found out we are way in the West End of Edmonton on the Enoch Reserve, right at the end of Whitemud Drive approx 215 Street. We were to party at the Mystic Lounge and sadly DJ AM was turned away at the border. There were free drinks until 10 pm for this grand opening celebration. Needless to say the alchol was flowing and made the night seem alot later than it really was because the "party" got started so early.
I was almost not allowed to take my camera into the building - I knew the Casino would not allow it but luckily Dylan got the club manager and we got the go ahead for photos in the club. The place got pretty packed out for awhile and even had some go-go dancers show up later in the evening to dance on some of the tables. I had a good time people watching and dancing with our entourage members. Thanks for the outing Dylan! I hope we can hook it up again sometime.

Amanda & Valentin

I am done the retouching and sent the files into the lab. I know that Amanda will be happy to have her pics ready in time to take back to her new home in Mexico. Now I just hope that storybook comes in...
Next up is Samantha and Matthew, I plan to get started on those photos tomorrow.
I have a special assignment this evening - I am the official photographer for Dylan's Entourage on 91.7 the Bounce. Tonight we are going out to watch DJ AM and I'm sure it will be a good time. Hopefully I can get some model releases from the crew so that I can post pics on the blog to share the fun.