Top That!
May 29, 2008 | Filed Under Fun Stuff! | 9 Comments
Planning a wedding isn’t always easy, and there are a zillion wedding related blogs out there. You can add them all to your Google Feed Reader, but what about finding that perfect wedding related blog that you might not otherwise know about?
That is where Weddings.Alltop.com comes in!
Alltop.com is a really cool site that has the goal of providing you with blog summaries from a variety of sites under different topics. When Guy Kawasaki, the owner of the site, visited Houston a few weeks ago to talk about marketing, he asked for feedback on the site. I pointed out that weddings were not listed. Such a huge thing - and it wasn’t represented on the site. I offered to make a list of some of my favorite blogs for them to use on the list, and sent it along.
I’ve been anxiously waiting for them to launch it ever since - and today, it is finally live!
So check out Weddings.alltop.com - where you can find all the top wedding blogs out there, in one place!
Jacque & Joe’s Wedding - Tomball, Texas
May 28, 2008 | Filed Under Wedding Photography, Weddings | 6 Comments
I started off the day meeting up with Jacque and the rest of the women at Natural Retreat Day Spa along 290 in Houston, Texas. This above photo was the very first shot of the day. The flowergirl had come over to show Jacque how she wanted her hair done. Of course, she had picked some of the craziest styles in the book - and she was not happy to be told no. I have to admit it - the whole thing made me laugh.
Eventually, she moved on to the makeup artists’s chair. I think I freaked the poor gal out when I went to get this shot. She was a bit unsettled by the fact that she didn’t have any makeup on herself, and she was in my photos.
Photograph by Elaine Mesker-Garcia.
Elaine met up with me at the salon and we moved on to the venue, Events, Etc. in Tomball, Texas. Elaine was upstairs with the flowergirls and Jacque as they were getting ready, and caught this moment of the final preparations for the flowergirls. They had a hard time keeping still while they waited for the rest of the wedding party to get ready!
Kelly Niemann also joined us for this wedding. We don’t normally have three photographers, but we had wanted to work together and Kelly was available to join us. It was so great to work with her! Thanks, Kelly!
Photograph by Elaine Mesker-Garcia.
One of the fun things about working with other photographers is getting to play with their gear! Kelly had these cool spot video lights, and used them to light this photograph for Elaine. I love the spotlight effect on the rings!
Eventually, it was time for the ceremony to begin! It was right as the sun was starting to set, and I love the warm glow that it gave us. We were lucky to have such a nice day for an outdoor wedding!
Joe, as he first sees Jacque coming down the aisle. His mother, daughter and sister are right there with him.
Jacque’s father, giving her away as her mother watches.
I got a moment to play with the rings and the macro lens while the guests were eating dinner. The handkerchief is a family heirloom.
Photograph by Kelly Niemann.
The First Dance - photograph by Kelly Niemann.
The Chicken Dance! I know a lot of people put this song - along with YMCA - on their “do not play” list for the DJ, but it is so much fun when everyone gets up and dances to them. They pretty much guarantee that people will get up and out on the dance floor - and the photo opportunities are such fun!
We couldn’t resist getting a shot of the empty bottle of Patron that had been enjoyed throughout the reception, along with the rings. Then the mini bobblehead Dallas Cowboy from the groom’s cake had to be brought out too. Both of these shots were a team effort - I took them, but Elaine & Kelly both played a part in setting them up.
It was a beautiful evening, and I know that Jacque & Joe looked forward to this day for so long. Thank you to both of them for allowing us to be a part of their wedding day!
Their wedding gallery can be viewed online - enjoy!
The New New Office!
May 27, 2008 | Filed Under Fun Stuff! | 6 Comments
A few weeks ago I posted about Caroline Collective, where my new office was scheduled to be this summer. Fate had other plans for me though. Funny how things work out sometimes.
Back in December, as Mike, Jason & I left 11th Street Cafe and headed down to Lights in the Heights, we passed a building on Studewood with a sign over the door that said “Clover”. I thought to myself that it would be an awesome location to be in someday. I dreamed of someday moving to The Heights here in Houston.
In February, I left my space at Two Be Wed as it wasn’t a good fit for my needs. I wanted a private space where I could meet with clients, work between meetings, and one with more flexible hours to better fit my schedule. Right as I made this decision, I learned of Caroline Collective. It was a perfect fit for every single one of those needs. I picked out a future room for myself and started making plans.
At the beginning of May, while Caroline was still being worked on, I received a call from Mitch, the coordinator of the Yale Street Market. I had told Mitch last year that if he ever knew of a space in the Heights that he thought would be a good fit, to let me know. He had found a space. I told him about Caroline, but then let him tell me about the space in the Heights. Then he told me the location and the name — and I realized it was the exact place I had spotted back in December.
The owner was out of town for a family emergency, but when she returned I had a chance to see the space. She is an interior designer, and the front room is set up as a showroom. Moving back into the space, she had several rooms she wanted to rent out - including two rooms in the back that were perfect for what I needed — and gave me something I didn’t even realize that I wanted before the opportunity was there - a space to shoot! With windows on both sides of the room, the light in there is awesome!
I signed the lease last Friday and picked up the keys. Saturday evening involved moving in furniture with the help of Mike, Kenny, Elaine & Tara. Sunday involved shopping for a small couch that would be a good fit for my meeting room. Yesterday involved putting the couch into the space, and then some more shopping with my Mom where we found a different rug for the room, throw pillows, a trunk for a coffee table, and other decorative goodies. Now I just need to put in a ceiling fan, end tables, lamps, and order canvas prints for the walls. Setting up the studio room will take place in June, but I have some great ideas!
The hardest part of the whole thing? Breaking the news to Matthew, who is heading up Caroline Collective, that I wouldn’t be there. I’m so very glad that they are bringing co-working to Houston, and I support them 127% (if not more) and look forward to dropping in from time to time. I am grateful for his support and understanding though that I had to make a business call and go with what I knew was ultimately the right decision for my needs and the future of my business.
I’m so excited about being a part of Clover location and being a part of the Heights community! I am there on an appointment only basis at this time, but feel free to contact me to set up a time to meet! The new address is 1024 Studewood - in the Heights!
Congratulations, Sarah & Sean! Wedding Photography in Houston, Texas
May 25, 2008 | Filed Under Wedding Photography, Weddings | 4 Comments
I just wanted to share a sneak peek of some of the photos from Sarah & Sean’s wedding day! They were married yesterday at Christchurch Baptist Fellowship in northwest Houston, Texas. It was an especially touching ceremony because Sean is the pastor’s son, and his father officiated the ceremony. It was so sweet hearing the story of how Sarah & Sean’s love began and grow in the church community, and to see the support of that community for them.
Thank you again to Sarah & Sean and both of their families for the opportunity to be a part of such a special day!
Sarah & Sean - Engagement Session, Downtown Houston, Texas
May 23, 2008 | Filed Under Engagement Sessions, Wedding Photography, Weddings | 4 Comments
Since tomorrow is their wedding day, I thought it was only fitting to post Sarah & Sean’s engagement session photos today! They are such an awesome & fun couple! They have dated for some time, and they are just one of those couples that when you’re around them, you know they belong together.
Sean is so funny - although I’m not sure Sarah would agree right at this moment? I think he was doing his Vogue pose for us.
Outside the Houston Public Library in downtown Houston.
It still amuses me that Sarah is the one that does ballet, but Sean looks much more graceful in this one shot!
I can’t wait to see them tomorrow! It is going to be an incredible day!
Accepted in the AGWPJA!
May 16, 2008 | Filed Under Wedding Photography | 8 Comments
Mauro & Mariely’s Wedding - November 23, 2007
I got the news early this morning that I have been accepted into the AGWPJA! I am already a member of the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA), but getting into the Artistic Guild is an additional step, and is not guaranteed just because you’re a member of the WPJA.
The Artistic Guild of the Wedding Photojournalist Association [AG]WPJA is a group of international wedding photojournalists, who capture unscripted wedding moments as they happen, and excel in the art of post-production image processing. The [AG]WPJA is a division within the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA); one which specifically promotes Fine Art Wedding Photojournalism.
The Artistic Guild of the Wedding Photojournalist Association [AG]WPJA is comprised of outstanding wedding photographers, who are at the forefront of the wedding photography industry when it comes to enhancing images. The chief objective of the [AG]WPJA is to provide members with a platform where the finest enhanced, manipulated and/or artistic wedding photojournalism in the world is spotlighted and promoted for the bride and groom.
The [AG]WPJA is a separate division of the Wedding Photojournalist Association(WPJA). Whereas the WPJA upholds strict guidelines that forbid excessive picture manipulation, the [AG]WPJA encourages and fosters creative image enhancement, with the vision of promoting Fine Art Wedding Photojournalists.
The [AG]WPJA establishes and upholds high standards that are taken into consideration during the judging process for our wedding photography contests. Using all artistic tools at their disposal, members skillfully enliven their work in post production processing.
The above image is one of several in my portfolio that they specifically mentioned in their email notification that I had been accepted. To say I am thrilled is not even adequate to describe it! Thank you to the AGWPJA! It is such an honor! Thank you!
