So I think I did a similar blog post last year around this time... but its true and it happens every year...

I LOVE coming home from being gone for the holidays to a mailbox FULL of holiday cards... just when the buzz and joy of the holidays are over... I get one last burst of merriment as I sit and open all my holiday cards...  and one thing that makes this even more special is when I see that my clients include me on their holiday list (even though this year I slacked and never got cards out)...  AND even more amazing is when  they used my photography...   there's a special warmth that hits my heart when I see the faces I have photographed through out the year smiling back at me on their cards!!



May your 2012 be off to a wonderful start... and may this year bring you all much joy, laughter, happiness and success in all aspects of your life!

Love
A

You may be wondering ... hmmm.. where did she go... what is she doing... well I'm here... (but just for a quick note)

It has been a crazy-busy couple months from the California to Mackinac to Chicago and back again and again...  shooting traveling shooting traveling... and always a little fun too!!
 I promise to make up for not being on my blog... so expect a bombardment of wedding, portrait, and some travel images to peruse over in the next couple weeks. 

But...  as of now.. I am back in California.. but a bit south of home.  This year my favorite conference (Partnercon) held by my favorite company (Pictage) is being held in San Diego.  500 or so of the coolest best (in my opinion) photographers across the country get together share, learn, and have fun!!

I am currently sitting in my hotel room between sessions just trying to organize all the new plans I have for next year... and the conference just started!  I'm so stoked to see what comes of this...  believe me I got some ideas brewing :-)

Have a wonderful week! 

Love
A

Disclaimer:  I've realized something...  I've re-written this blog 5 times...  I have the hardest time writing about friends.. maybe because I'm attached and have seen them grow and in just a couple sentences I'm to express what I've seen over years ...  its just too hard... words can never express the emotion, joy, happiness, excitement, that I re-live as I go through these images... so I'm going to just stick to the story and hope that it comes through...

Okay... where to begin...  first off... last night I was supposed to be having dinner with these two before heading up to SB... but as I land at LAX  I get an interesting text from Erich with a lovely (but truly unnecessary picture of Rosalie's stitched up finger)... needless to say due to an unforeseen run in with a blender... dinner was to be rescheduled... soooo instead of dinner  I sat and worked on their photos in the Delta lounge ... I figured it was the least I could do to help Rosalie feel better...

To begin...  there's always something incredibly special (and stressful... self-inflicted) about photographing a friend's wedding!!! ... when the groom is your friend (almost like a brother) ... who also knows photography (and watched my business from day 1)...  and also has  4 other wedding guests playing with awesome cameras (check out the old school pic) ... and there also happens to be several groomsmen who remember you as a 17 year old freshmen wandering lost on campus...  its not surprising that wrangling this group caused me to lose my voice, have a couple sleepless nights, cry like a baby, and laugh like a hyena...   all in all the reason why I also LOVE photographing friends' weddings...

Rosalie and Erich's wedding was by far unlike any other wedding I have ever photographed or attended.  For being a 200 person affair it was UNBELIEVABLY personal... from the guests heckling the groom from their seats... to the tears falling down Rosalie's cheek... to the laughter as they forgot their INCREDIBLE handwritten vows.. to their unique readings ... and that was just the ceremony... 

Even the usual strangers (aka: wedding vendors) were friends...  from the photographer (cough cough) to the caterer (check out Ashley showing off his pralines to the bridesmaids), to the location... home.  Everything about this day felt like a personalized, hand written invitation into Rosalie and Erich's matrimony. 

The more I photograph weddings ... the more I discover my favorite part of each couples' day.  I usually don't realize this moment till I go back and look at the photos again.  As I sat and went over all of the images from Rosalie and Erich's wedding I had a hard time narrowing it down... there were so many moments that touched my heart.. that showed their joy... that I just couldn't choose.  One minute there would be tears the next laughter...

Rosalie & Erich,  Words (although I sure did write a lot)... really can't express how honored and happy I was to be witness to your beautiful day!  You two are a couple of deep connection... it is clear that there is a love that is one minute full of laughter, joy and ridiculousness and the next a sense of depth and seriousness that only you two can truly understand.  May this balance of laughter and depth continue to grow every day!

Thank you again.

Love
A  (aka Audrey H)

Okay... my blogging marathon is almost done... I just had one last thing to add... that I am sooo excited about.



Last fall I was asked to step in and photograph a kayaking article for Traverse Magazine.  It was honestly one of the best days of shooting I've ever had... me in a kayak with crystal clear waters... gorgeous blue skies.. and my camera...  and even better Jeff (the editor and also writer) doing all the work from the back of the kayak!!!

Well...  I had totally forgot about the actual article as the day of shooting was just so much fun... I just got off the phone with them and it turns out it hit the stands in May ... AND I got the cover... how cool is that!!!

An awesome day.. an incredible article...  AND the cover...  can you tell I'm kind of excited.

On top of this, I just got off the phone with them and it looks like I'll be working with them again this summer... only this time I'll be shooting.. AND writing.  YEAH!!!!  I love it...  keep your eyes peeled.

Have a beautiful day ... full of surprises and joy!

Love
A

Even though its officially summer and its our third day of gloomy rain on Mackinac  ...I don't really mind.. its a great day to edit... FINALLY catch up on blogging a bit... and drink my favorite tea...

French Blue Earl Grey... from Mariage in Paris... I picked this up last spring when traveling and doing a little work in Europe.

Since I'm never quite sure when I'll make it back there I savor every minute ... the smell is amazing like spicy earl grey mixed with the sweet and floral scent of lavender and violet... mmmmmmmmmm