I just had write this quick little story...
My long lost high school friend sent me an email the other day asking if I would be available for a portrait shoot on the island next week. OF COURSE... so this is what she wrote me next...
"Your photo shoots look so fun! I told the kids that a friend of Mommy's might take pictures of them having fun in MI. My daughter asked, "so we don't just sit still and say "cheese"?"
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS!!!
Its exactly true... I don't want to photograph kids sitting still, uncomfortable, bored and unhappy... yet being forced to smile... I want to photograph them jumping around... having fun... acting their age... capturing this exact moment in their life!!
So, yippee... I love that a little girl gets this!!
.. so just to get into the spirit.. here are a few pics of fun kids... I just LOVE these two!!
My long lost high school friend sent me an email the other day asking if I would be available for a portrait shoot on the island next week. OF COURSE... so this is what she wrote me next...
"Your photo shoots look so fun! I told the kids that a friend of Mommy's might take pictures of them having fun in MI. My daughter asked, "so we don't just sit still and say "cheese"?"
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS!!!
Its exactly true... I don't want to photograph kids sitting still, uncomfortable, bored and unhappy... yet being forced to smile... I want to photograph them jumping around... having fun... acting their age... capturing this exact moment in their life!!
So, yippee... I love that a little girl gets this!!
.. so just to get into the spirit.. here are a few pics of fun kids... I just LOVE these two!!
And I had to add this pic... its of Lily and I at Angelina & Jerry's wedding last weekend... we were having so much fun!! I think this pic is soooo great... its sooo us!!!
Theme today.. HAVE FUN!!! (and turn the camera on yourself once and a while ;-)
Love
A
Theme today.. HAVE FUN!!! (and turn the camera on yourself once and a while ;-)
Love
A
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My Portrait goal...
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I am back in Cali but thinking about the awesome weekend of weddings I had a couple weeks ago. I really feel blessed by the couples I've photographed so far this year and this weekend was unbelievable... its started on Thursday with a vow renewal between Kristin and Joachim, then a surprising turn of events with Jennifer and Matt... and the weekend of weddings ended with me tearing up (no.. straight up crying) over Kristin and Ian's thoughtfulness!!
First up ... Kristin and Joachim... Kristin and I met up in NYC when I was there a little over a month ago and TOTALLY hit is off... we were talking all sorts of girl talk as if we'd been BFF's forever... and then when we met up again on the island a month later for her wedding.. we just continued (Kristin, I still can't believe everything we talked about you.. YOU ROCK). I had such a good time hanging out with Kristin and Joachim. They had a beautiful wedding at Little Stone Church then dinner up at the Woods Restaurant. While there, Joachim (who is Swedish) led the group in a traditional shot of some traditional liquor (which really smelled more like lighter fluid).. Kristen & Joachim, I can't get over how perfectly your timing was and I'm so glad I was able to be a part of it. Thank you!! You two crack me up and I have no doubt that you two will be having fun the rest of your lives together!!!
Then Jennifer and Matt and I had a blast!! I don't always get the chance to hang out with my couples too much prior to the wedding... but this time I did... after photographing them biking around the island the day before the wedding I was surprised they were still talking to me. I had them running, jumping, and RACING around the island... easy for me I was on my 21 speed bike... they, on the other hand were on their single speed cruisers... well... not only did they talk with me the next day... but after their beautiful ceremony at the Mission Point Gazebo they took me on a little adventure to Sinclairs Irish Pub in the middle of their recpetion (leaving everyone behind) to go do Irish Car Bombs (a specialty of the establishment with Mackinac Fudge Stout)... it was something I'd never experienced before... they were my first "runaway couple".... Jennifer & Matt... Thanks for including me on your adventure... it was so much fun and goes down in the record books!!! You two have such a connection that it transcends everything you do... on a bike, at a wedding... and in the bar... it was a blast to be witness to it ALL!!
And then .. .to finish off my crazy weeks of weddings... Kristin and Ian... now this couple and I have been chatting for years.. no joke I met them both at the Mackinac Island Wedding Expo in 2008 if you can believe it.. .I felt honored... Kristin walked in .. saw my logo gift box and started jumping up and down that "she's the one"... (seriously I think she was just excited to see a pretty package ;-) none the less... I was very complimented and we instantly bonded in fact I feel like I became part of the family (and the planning process) for the last two years. It was almost sad when the wedding was over knowing that I no longer had any reason to "bother" her for photo stuff. Kristin and Ian, I feel like I've known you forever, that I wasn't just a photographer, that I was truly a guest at your wedding. Kristin, your genuineness and pure heart is clear to everyone that meets you,,, and your jumping-up-and-down-excitement-dance is contagious. Ian your love for Kristin and pure gentleman nature is something all men should strive for. You two have a balance of tenderness, joy, and fun that is awesome!! And the necklace you two gave me (still right now.. makes me tear up)... it was so incredibly thoughtful... it will from now on be a part of my permanent shooting jewelery...
To all my couples... you all are so amazing in so many ways.. each of you is different and touches my heart in a different way. I feel so lucky to have met you all!!
Love,
A
btw... I'm back in cali.. adjusting to mainland life for a week before the island calls again...
First up ... Kristin and Joachim... Kristin and I met up in NYC when I was there a little over a month ago and TOTALLY hit is off... we were talking all sorts of girl talk as if we'd been BFF's forever... and then when we met up again on the island a month later for her wedding.. we just continued (Kristin, I still can't believe everything we talked about you.. YOU ROCK). I had such a good time hanging out with Kristin and Joachim. They had a beautiful wedding at Little Stone Church then dinner up at the Woods Restaurant. While there, Joachim (who is Swedish) led the group in a traditional shot of some traditional liquor (which really smelled more like lighter fluid).. Kristen & Joachim, I can't get over how perfectly your timing was and I'm so glad I was able to be a part of it. Thank you!! You two crack me up and I have no doubt that you two will be having fun the rest of your lives together!!!
Then Jennifer and Matt and I had a blast!! I don't always get the chance to hang out with my couples too much prior to the wedding... but this time I did... after photographing them biking around the island the day before the wedding I was surprised they were still talking to me. I had them running, jumping, and RACING around the island... easy for me I was on my 21 speed bike... they, on the other hand were on their single speed cruisers... well... not only did they talk with me the next day... but after their beautiful ceremony at the Mission Point Gazebo they took me on a little adventure to Sinclairs Irish Pub in the middle of their recpetion (leaving everyone behind) to go do Irish Car Bombs (a specialty of the establishment with Mackinac Fudge Stout)... it was something I'd never experienced before... they were my first "runaway couple".... Jennifer & Matt... Thanks for including me on your adventure... it was so much fun and goes down in the record books!!! You two have such a connection that it transcends everything you do... on a bike, at a wedding... and in the bar... it was a blast to be witness to it ALL!!
And then .. .to finish off my crazy weeks of weddings... Kristin and Ian... now this couple and I have been chatting for years.. no joke I met them both at the Mackinac Island Wedding Expo in 2008 if you can believe it.. .I felt honored... Kristin walked in .. saw my logo gift box and started jumping up and down that "she's the one"... (seriously I think she was just excited to see a pretty package ;-) none the less... I was very complimented and we instantly bonded in fact I feel like I became part of the family (and the planning process) for the last two years. It was almost sad when the wedding was over knowing that I no longer had any reason to "bother" her for photo stuff. Kristin and Ian, I feel like I've known you forever, that I wasn't just a photographer, that I was truly a guest at your wedding. Kristin, your genuineness and pure heart is clear to everyone that meets you,,, and your jumping-up-and-down-excitement-dance is contagious. Ian your love for Kristin and pure gentleman nature is something all men should strive for. You two have a balance of tenderness, joy, and fun that is awesome!! And the necklace you two gave me (still right now.. makes me tear up)... it was so incredibly thoughtful... it will from now on be a part of my permanent shooting jewelery...
To all my couples... you all are so amazing in so many ways.. each of you is different and touches my heart in a different way. I feel so lucky to have met you all!!
Love,
A
btw... I'm back in cali.. adjusting to mainland life for a week before the island calls again...
Kristin:
Yay! We are on your blog and the preview of pics are so cool!!!
(06.18.10 @ 01:27 PM)
Terry:
Beautiful work! I love them. Thanks!
(06.18.10 @ 03:09 PM)
Cathy:
Fabulous, fabulous pictures, We can't wait to see more, Cathy and Glenn Hollis
(06.21.10 @ 12:51 PM)
Heather & Michael:
Judging by these pictures ... you had a wonderful day
(06.27.10 @ 01:29 PM)
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Another weekend of Island weddings...
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but not really... just heading home to SB for a bit... see my place... do some shoots... and drive a car (its amazing how novelty that can be when your other home is an island with horses and bikes ;-)
If anyone is interested in a quick photo shoot or consultation or if you just want to catch up and chat.. I'm around... just let me know...
Here are a couple pics of the island from the last few days... bye by Mackinac, I'll be back again soon!!
Love,
A
If anyone is interested in a quick photo shoot or consultation or if you just want to catch up and chat.. I'm around... just let me know...
Here are a couple pics of the island from the last few days... bye by Mackinac, I'll be back again soon!!
Love,
A
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And off I go again...
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Wow have a I been a blogging slacker...
But for good reason I promise... I've been shooting like a mad woman and beginning my summer of duel citizenship... and it really is like two different countries... Santa Barbara California... and Mackinac Island... this should prove to be interesting.
So since last I wrote... I've moved into my summer place on Mackinac... been here for two weeks... photographed 6 weddings, placed my images in several stores, and of course tried to set up a house... and now on Tuesday I head back to Cali for a few shoots and a dose of home. But... my goal is to blog every day till then to get you all caught up with the photo shoots.
First a couple really cool engagement sessions I had prior to leaving for the island.
I met up with Erika and Brad in a gorgeous Chicago Park, on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon. Erika and I had been chatting via email for months and I just knew we would hit it off. We laughed so hard. I felt like Erika Brad and I had been friends for years. They were so much fun... and it was even neater to be able to meet them in their hometown for the shoot. I can't wait for their wedding later this year on the Island... if its anything like the engagement session I'm sure we'll be laughing the whole time!!
Then the second engagement session was with Heather and Evan. This is going to be one of coolest weddings I have this year... I am going to be all over the country photographing these two. I met them last October on Mackinac during the wedding expo... we instantly hit it off. Well ,of course we did, they are getting married in Mackinac but live in Cali... how perfect could it get. So after chatting all weekend in October, we then met up again in December for a bite to eat in San Jose ... which one hour meeting led to two... then just last month we met at this awesome dive restaurant in Pescadero (north of Santa Cruz). We were there to do their enagegement session. So we started to catch up when all of a sudden (an hour later) we realized the time had flown by again and we were about to miss the sunset on the beach.. luckily we were right on time... and it was a beautiful evening. Now to follow will be their wedding on Mackinac... and then their wedding party back in northern California... how fun will this be... by the time they are married I think I might be a part of their adopted family!!
Good luck with all the last minute details you two and as always call me with any questions!! Can't wait to see you back here on the island.
And now... to work on the rest of my blogging images for the next 3 days... 7 weddings... pheww... wish me luck (I figure if I put it up here I HAVE to do it)!
Have a beautiful day and may you all feel at home where ever you are. As my home is constantly changing these days .. I've started to realize that as long as I have the amazing people for whom I care about and care about me nearby ... that's what makes a home.. . it is possible to have more then one home... I've decided it's allowed to not be able to answer the question "where do you live" easily!!
Love
A
But for good reason I promise... I've been shooting like a mad woman and beginning my summer of duel citizenship... and it really is like two different countries... Santa Barbara California... and Mackinac Island... this should prove to be interesting.
So since last I wrote... I've moved into my summer place on Mackinac... been here for two weeks... photographed 6 weddings, placed my images in several stores, and of course tried to set up a house... and now on Tuesday I head back to Cali for a few shoots and a dose of home. But... my goal is to blog every day till then to get you all caught up with the photo shoots.
First a couple really cool engagement sessions I had prior to leaving for the island.
I met up with Erika and Brad in a gorgeous Chicago Park, on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon. Erika and I had been chatting via email for months and I just knew we would hit it off. We laughed so hard. I felt like Erika Brad and I had been friends for years. They were so much fun... and it was even neater to be able to meet them in their hometown for the shoot. I can't wait for their wedding later this year on the Island... if its anything like the engagement session I'm sure we'll be laughing the whole time!!
Then the second engagement session was with Heather and Evan. This is going to be one of coolest weddings I have this year... I am going to be all over the country photographing these two. I met them last October on Mackinac during the wedding expo... we instantly hit it off. Well ,of course we did, they are getting married in Mackinac but live in Cali... how perfect could it get. So after chatting all weekend in October, we then met up again in December for a bite to eat in San Jose ... which one hour meeting led to two... then just last month we met at this awesome dive restaurant in Pescadero (north of Santa Cruz). We were there to do their enagegement session. So we started to catch up when all of a sudden (an hour later) we realized the time had flown by again and we were about to miss the sunset on the beach.. luckily we were right on time... and it was a beautiful evening. Now to follow will be their wedding on Mackinac... and then their wedding party back in northern California... how fun will this be... by the time they are married I think I might be a part of their adopted family!!
Good luck with all the last minute details you two and as always call me with any questions!! Can't wait to see you back here on the island.
And now... to work on the rest of my blogging images for the next 3 days... 7 weddings... pheww... wish me luck (I figure if I put it up here I HAVE to do it)!
Have a beautiful day and may you all feel at home where ever you are. As my home is constantly changing these days .. I've started to realize that as long as I have the amazing people for whom I care about and care about me nearby ... that's what makes a home.. . it is possible to have more then one home... I've decided it's allowed to not be able to answer the question "where do you live" easily!!
Love
A
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Engagements around... Erika & Brad, Heather & Evan... yeah!!
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(geez I hope my Italian is right)... "bo?!?"
Okay ... where to begin.. I really can't put into words what a life experience this wedding was. First (before the mushy stuff) the back-story... how the heck did I end up shooting an Italian Wedding in Ibiza Spain...
Well, the bride, Nadia, and I met over 12 years ago while I was studying art in Firenze. We instantly became friends (especially since I loved her nose ring and HAD to have one... so we were forever bonded when at the age of 20 she took me to a 75 yr old pharmacist to have my nose pierced.. she even drew the dot on my nose where the future hole would go)... so... fast forward 10 years... I'm back in Firenze ... and we re-connect over a coffee... then last year when I was back in Italy she tells me... "I'm not engaged.... YET... but when I am ... be ready to be there"... so less then a year later... there I was...
...40 Italians over taking a small Spanish Island.. with an Italian Couple... a Spanish Priest and an American photographer... "madonna". It was AMAZING... the longer I was with my new Italian friends the more I realized how universal weddings are... language really doesn't matter. What is going on between two people who love each other... and their family and friends that are their to celebrate them... is the same... whether its Italian, Spanish, or English. Granted... listening to these wedding speeches in Italian was MUCH MORE entertaining than any other wedding I've ever been too.. and I don't even know what they were saying... all I know is hands were flying... laughter was echoing... and it was like watching a tv show unfold... I was just waiting for the food fight to begin (but the cake was really way to good to be wasted on a fight... so instead "mange mange")
I honestly felt so honored to have been a part of this small intimate weekend. The minute I saw Nadia and how beautiful she was in her dress moments before walking down the aisle...I couldn't help but tear up... it was definitely a weekend of touching moments and TONS of laughter... geez those Italians know how to laugh smile and have fun (no wonder I love them so much)!!
The four very fast days I had in Ibiza will forever stay with me...thinking about how our lives take shape... how friendships can last longer than one would ever think across oceans, language, and cultures ... and how the world really is a small community when we focus on our similarities...
THANK YOU ... Nadia and Filippo for giving me the opportunity to be a part of your amazing weekend. Even from this "American girls" perspective its clear to see the joy between the two of you... how much fun you have together... and the clear love!! To see how all your family and friends are caring, funny, and incredibly loving is a clear sign of the two of you!!! I am so excited to have a new group of "amici de Florentina"... am I making up Italian again? (u get the idea)...
Baci
A
Okay ... where to begin.. I really can't put into words what a life experience this wedding was. First (before the mushy stuff) the back-story... how the heck did I end up shooting an Italian Wedding in Ibiza Spain...
Well, the bride, Nadia, and I met over 12 years ago while I was studying art in Firenze. We instantly became friends (especially since I loved her nose ring and HAD to have one... so we were forever bonded when at the age of 20 she took me to a 75 yr old pharmacist to have my nose pierced.. she even drew the dot on my nose where the future hole would go)... so... fast forward 10 years... I'm back in Firenze ... and we re-connect over a coffee... then last year when I was back in Italy she tells me... "I'm not engaged.... YET... but when I am ... be ready to be there"... so less then a year later... there I was...
...40 Italians over taking a small Spanish Island.. with an Italian Couple... a Spanish Priest and an American photographer... "madonna". It was AMAZING... the longer I was with my new Italian friends the more I realized how universal weddings are... language really doesn't matter. What is going on between two people who love each other... and their family and friends that are their to celebrate them... is the same... whether its Italian, Spanish, or English. Granted... listening to these wedding speeches in Italian was MUCH MORE entertaining than any other wedding I've ever been too.. and I don't even know what they were saying... all I know is hands were flying... laughter was echoing... and it was like watching a tv show unfold... I was just waiting for the food fight to begin (but the cake was really way to good to be wasted on a fight... so instead "mange mange")
I honestly felt so honored to have been a part of this small intimate weekend. The minute I saw Nadia and how beautiful she was in her dress moments before walking down the aisle...I couldn't help but tear up... it was definitely a weekend of touching moments and TONS of laughter... geez those Italians know how to laugh smile and have fun (no wonder I love them so much)!!
The four very fast days I had in Ibiza will forever stay with me...thinking about how our lives take shape... how friendships can last longer than one would ever think across oceans, language, and cultures ... and how the world really is a small community when we focus on our similarities...
THANK YOU ... Nadia and Filippo for giving me the opportunity to be a part of your amazing weekend. Even from this "American girls" perspective its clear to see the joy between the two of you... how much fun you have together... and the clear love!! To see how all your family and friends are caring, funny, and incredibly loving is a clear sign of the two of you!!! I am so excited to have a new group of "amici de Florentina"... am I making up Italian again? (u get the idea)...
Baci
A
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Nadia e Filippo... "Esposa e Esposo"... MARRIED!!!
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So glad to hear you two were having a great time! So were we :o)
(07.01.10 @ 06:31 PM)Totally looking forward to it! The kids are too! :)
(07.07.10 @ 04:18 PM)