I just had to do a quick blog post in memory of my amazing, strong willed, loving grandmother (aka Stara Mama)... who passed away yesterday afternoon at the age of 104... yup... I said it ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR YEARS Young.

I was so blessed to have been in Cleveland visiting her the day before she passed and was able to say goodbye  She no doubt knew it was time... and she was ready... Stara Mama used to joke that "God had forgotten about her down here on earth and that's why she was so old"...

Growing up I always thought my childhood was fairly normal... doesn't everybody have a grandmother that is pushing 100 and doesn't speak English?!?!?  I grew up hearing the normal things that all grandchildren do... be good, go to chuch, I pray for you...  find a Good Slovenian Catholic Husband... right...  only I heard all this in Slovenian (which to be honest I didn't really understand)... which might be why I still haven't found that Slovenian husband... hmmmm

Although there was always a bit of a language barrier... there was/is no barrier between the love I had and always will have for this remarkable woman. 

As my mother and I were leaving she said to us... "Now, we'll all  be together on the otherside" ... After 104 years on this earth, after burying her parents, her siblings, her husband and her son she is now together with them all.

Sending all of you much love and appreciation for being a part of my world!!

Love,
A

OH... and the very last thing she said to me... was "Find a Good Husband"... gotta love Stara Mama...  she dropped the Slovenian Catholic after 30 years...

I love you Stara Mama!

Hey everyone... here is article in this month's Bridal Guide regarding destination weddings and honeymoon islands around the U.S.... and OF COURSE.. Mackinac made their top list. 

As did quite a few of my pics... including the main picture of the article. 

Okay.. so after ten years of coming to the island... last Sunday ... I became (or acted) like  a "fudgie"  (tourist for those not in the know)...  my SB photo friend Janey came with me to shoot a wedding (see entry below). 

I thought... HECK, this is the perfect time to be a fudgie and show Janey the island.  We biked all around, visited the Pink Pony, and EVEN ate fudge (still couldn't bring my self to buy a whole half pound (by the way do you have any idea how many calories are in a half pound of fudge.... you REALLY don't want to know).

Now do you know what the coolest thing was... I've been photographing the island for years (collecting for my book that will hopefully be put together after this upcoming winter ;)...  BUT having another photo pro with me, TOTALLY inspired me to  see the island in a different way.

May you all be inspired by those around you!!

Love,
A

For the past week, after leaving the island on Sunday, I've been hopping between Long Island and NYC...  all I have to say is man I love the bagels here.. only in New York... okay I have a little more to say too.

The coolest thing, that I'm quite excited about, is that I met up with a few of the editors from Bridal Guide a couple times...  they were SOOO incredibly nice. I really can't express how wonderful they were.  AND.. they are going to be publishing me in not ONE... but TWO of their next issues.  A few of my Mackinac images are going to be in the destination wedding guide out next week... and then one of my favorite weddings is going to be the featured wedding in their issue that comes out in November..

Along with my visit to the magaizine... I was also able to catch up with friends I hadn't seen in YEARS...  who can beat a gorgeous sunny day, old friends, new friends, and a little photography along the way (and I really do mean a little... I was so busy chatting I didn't have time to shoot much... but here are a few!

Today is my last day in NY... off to the beach with the fam...  pictures for sure will be taken of my adorable neice and nephew!

Have a beautiful Thursday!

Love,
A

My favorite professor in college gave me a mini assignment years and years ago.. he knew I was getting pretty serious about photography and came up to me one day after class.. .handed me a book and said... read chapter 11...  (and then said... "I'm serious... just that chapter... you can do it" ... he knew I was a slacker when it came to finishing reading assignments).  In this chapter a professional photographer was so excited to be on a rare whaling expedition, they'd spent hours on the water, waiting to just catch one glance of this rare and beautiful sight... well, just as the whale was starting to appear this photographer went for his camera... messed with his settings, got everything perfect... and had MISSED THE MOMENT... not only as an image but in his life.  This story has stuck with me ...as a photographer I  find myself sometimes missing moments in life while they are happening because I am trying to "capture" it... its a lesson I think all photogs should take to heart...  what's more important shooting the moment.. or living the moment.. its up to each of us to make a conscious decision...

I tell you this little story because last night... the 4th of July, I'm on an amazing boat (the Mackinac Breeze) in the straights of Mackinac.. just yards away from the fireworks... a most surreal and beautiful moment.. I, then of course... naturally went to grab my camera... but I stopped.. and decided NO this is a moment I want to remember in my mind and completely enjoy it... and I must say it was THE MOST amazing and beautiful display of fireworks I have ever seen!!  All of my senses were engulfed by the awe of what was taking place around me...

Below is a quote I wear on a beautiful bracelet (thanks Kuz :)  every time I shoot a wedding...  may you all take this to heart and live every moment fully!!

"Teach us...that we may feel the importance of every day and every hour as it passes" (Jane Austen)...

BUT.. I won't leave you hangin'... I did shoot off a few pics before the show began...

 So...  there are a few pics..  this is "Duck, quack quack" ... heir to the Chief of Mackinac who was just inducted into the Smithsonian for his Native American walking sticks (He is definitely an Islander through and through).  He kicked off the fireworks from the back of the firetruck (a sight not seen too often on the island with no cars)...  again.. no fireworks... maybe next year!

Happy Holiday!
Love,
A