"Most images that make us go "wow" were taken from the heart"-Joe Buissink
I woke up this morning to the sun shining in my window and the birds chirping... and instead of jumping out of bed running to the gym and starting my day... I stayed.. right there... and started reading a new favorite book... "Wedding Photography From the Heart"...
Now this book instantly grabbed me for two reasons... one... its my philosophy on life...I TRY to make it my goal to live and WORK "from the heart" (be it dancing at home or writing on my blog) ... so the title was perfect for me... and two... it's written by my favorite wedding photographer.. a man I greatly respect and admire.
First... a little about its author... Joe Buissink seems to do everything "from the heart"... his lectures, his photography, his philanthropic work... and the love he has for his family shines through in everything he does. He is a man who openly shares his knowledge with the photography world without an ego or an agenda except to make this industry and the people in it better!!
So this book.... is inspiring to say the least... it just reaffirms what my goal has always been... to stop focusing so much on creating a perfect moment with the right lighting, background, pose, etc . . but instead to wait and feel when that perfect moment arrives in front of me... natural and real true emotion... and really... how can I shoot from the heart if I don't know the hearts of my couples... which means we become friends... and plus then its not work for me... its me getting to attend a friends' big party... and who doesn't like parties!!
A few quotes from the book:
"Twenty years from now, when the couple looks at the album, they should remember what they were feeling at the time. I want them to really remember what they were actually thinking"
"Look for the moments that are unplanned, when your subjects allow themselves to relax, step away from being the center of attention, and simply be themselves"
"If you stay relaxed and enjoy the "race," you'll realize its not a race at all. You're there to enjoy the moment as much as your clients, and by doing so you will be using two sets of eyes: the ones in your head, to identify the moment and the ones in your heart, to capture it."
"Look for the moments that are unplanned, when your subjects allow themselves to relax, step away from being the center of attention, and simply be themselves"
"If you stay relaxed and enjoy the "race," you'll realize its not a race at all. You're there to enjoy the moment as much as your clients, and by doing so you will be using two sets of eyes: the ones in your head, to identify the moment and the ones in your heart, to capture it."
May you read a few of these quotes and get inspired... its not just for photography... it can be in life! Its not always easy to let go of the structure and rules but in those few times that you can work and live from the heart it feels sooo good!
Love,
A
...geez.. I just re-read what I just wrote... I should really take my own advice sometime... a special thanks to those who support me and encourage my heart when my mind starts to take over.. you know who you are and I love you all for it
Love,
A
...geez.. I just re-read what I just wrote... I should really take my own advice sometime... a special thanks to those who support me and encourage my heart when my mind starts to take over.. you know who you are and I love you all for it
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Wedding Photography from the HEART!!
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://andrejkaphotographyblog.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/103
Man I love this city... I can't believe I've only been home a week... I miss the city already... and can't wait to go back.
Okay ... but next time... I'll fly both ways... none of this driving 30 hours... no offense Kelly & Jim (it was definitely fun ... and not half as bad as one would think to be in the car for 30 hours).. but I would much rather have that 30 hours spent listening to jazz and hanging out in the city...
SO, once we arrived in NOLA... did the AMAZING French Quarter photo shoot (see previous blog... soo cool) on Monday... THEN it was finally time for the reason we went... Pictage Partnercon... WOOO HOOO!!
All I have to say is ... WOW... it totally blew my mind and was so much fun. I loved that there were less than 500 photographers... it gave the whole conference such a small intimate feeling.. and that all the meals were included... every time I talked into the ballroom I met a new photographer. I made so many new friends from all over the country .. .I can't wait to keep in touch and share!!
And the lectures.. .amazing... I found myself crying everyday at how touching and heartfelt the lecturers were... and how they touched me in the heart. I always like to think that when I tear up hearing something its the sign of Passion and Truth!!... boy was there a lot of passion and truth going on!!
Some of my favorites...
Mike Colon: "Defining your style"
Justin & Mary Marantz: "How to be a Rainmaker".. Mary had me crying like a baby
Joe Buissink: "Are you in a rut?"... tears galore again!!
Tasra Dawson: Women Only.. a super cool session for us girls only with an awesome panel
And Jim Collins (CEO of Pictage... had an awesome opening speach... "Dream, Create, Inspire"... I definitely did all three!
And I also cannot let this entry go without mentioning my new favorite LOVES....
Livebooks!!
-keep your eye open for a whole new look for Andrejka.. I am so excited to start working on a brand new customized website... just for Andrejka Photography.. woohoo... thanks Deano and Jay for putting up with all my questions...
Couture Books!!
--I am soooo excited to start offering these GORGEOUS BOOKS... Seriously.. .I have seen nothing like these... I am in LOVE... (is it sad... I'm in love with a book)... but wait till you see them!! Imagine the most beautiful art book from your favorite bookstore... with your favorite artist... now imagine that book is your life!! Dave you rock and thank you for letting me sit there and drool over your books day after day!!
Okay... just a few pics of the city...
But hold on .. I still have one more NOLA entry... of a super cool lifestyle shoot I did with a dear friend of mine. Just a little peak into the window of his New Orleans life...
May you all DREAM-CREATE-INSPIRE your own individual passions, truths, and joy!
Love,
A
P.S. next time I am going to shoot more city pics... pathetic... only 3!!
Okay ... but next time... I'll fly both ways... none of this driving 30 hours... no offense Kelly & Jim (it was definitely fun ... and not half as bad as one would think to be in the car for 30 hours).. but I would much rather have that 30 hours spent listening to jazz and hanging out in the city...
SO, once we arrived in NOLA... did the AMAZING French Quarter photo shoot (see previous blog... soo cool) on Monday... THEN it was finally time for the reason we went... Pictage Partnercon... WOOO HOOO!!
All I have to say is ... WOW... it totally blew my mind and was so much fun. I loved that there were less than 500 photographers... it gave the whole conference such a small intimate feeling.. and that all the meals were included... every time I talked into the ballroom I met a new photographer. I made so many new friends from all over the country .. .I can't wait to keep in touch and share!!
And the lectures.. .amazing... I found myself crying everyday at how touching and heartfelt the lecturers were... and how they touched me in the heart. I always like to think that when I tear up hearing something its the sign of Passion and Truth!!... boy was there a lot of passion and truth going on!!
Some of my favorites...
Mike Colon: "Defining your style"
Justin & Mary Marantz: "How to be a Rainmaker".. Mary had me crying like a baby
Joe Buissink: "Are you in a rut?"... tears galore again!!
Tasra Dawson: Women Only.. a super cool session for us girls only with an awesome panel
And Jim Collins (CEO of Pictage... had an awesome opening speach... "Dream, Create, Inspire"... I definitely did all three!
And I also cannot let this entry go without mentioning my new favorite LOVES....
Livebooks!!
-keep your eye open for a whole new look for Andrejka.. I am so excited to start working on a brand new customized website... just for Andrejka Photography.. woohoo... thanks Deano and Jay for putting up with all my questions...
Couture Books!!
--I am soooo excited to start offering these GORGEOUS BOOKS... Seriously.. .I have seen nothing like these... I am in LOVE... (is it sad... I'm in love with a book)... but wait till you see them!! Imagine the most beautiful art book from your favorite bookstore... with your favorite artist... now imagine that book is your life!! Dave you rock and thank you for letting me sit there and drool over your books day after day!!
Okay... just a few pics of the city...
But hold on .. I still have one more NOLA entry... of a super cool lifestyle shoot I did with a dear friend of mine. Just a little peak into the window of his New Orleans life...
May you all DREAM-CREATE-INSPIRE your own individual passions, truths, and joy!
Love,
A
P.S. next time I am going to shoot more city pics... pathetic... only 3!!
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
New Orleans.. Part TWO... I'm in love!!
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://andrejkaphotographyblog.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/92
I just finished designing a cute little card (it is even printed on cool watercolor paper) that is going to be sold in Little Luxuries of Mackinac in a couple weeks... take a look.. I think it is such a cute little reminder of how life is on the island whether you are there for a day, a week, a month or a year (granted in winter its with a bit more snow ;-)
So when you come to the island... check out the store... and check out the card... (and don't forget my postcards that are there too)
May you all having a week that makes you feel relaxed and content with life... even if your working!!
Love,
A
PS ... just a reminder to mark your calendars and plan your trips for the island Labor Day Weekend... when I'll be having a show there.. September 5th!
PSS... Check out Nicole's new blog for Little Luxuries too... its great and full of fun information about the store and the daily happenings on the Island... fun fun fun... today (Yacht Race time)!!
So when you come to the island... check out the store... and check out the card... (and don't forget my postcards that are there too)
May you all having a week that makes you feel relaxed and content with life... even if your working!!
Love,
A
PS ... just a reminder to mark your calendars and plan your trips for the island Labor Day Weekend... when I'll be having a show there.. September 5th!
PSS... Check out Nicole's new blog for Little Luxuries too... its great and full of fun information about the store and the daily happenings on the Island... fun fun fun... today (Yacht Race time)!!
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
A Cute Little Card.. for Mackinac and Little Luxuries
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://andrejkaphotographyblog.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/67