Rachael and Jordan may look a little familiar... I photographed their wedding back in October... because the sunset a little early that day I decided it would be fun to do another photo shoot with this happy couple in their backyard... Santa Monica pier... so I headed south
Well, it turned out to be quite a little adventure... after being kicked out the carousel... almost kicked out of the arcade... and then taken into security... (note to self... make nice with the Santa Monica Pier security guards) ... we were on our way... and what a beautiful afternoon.. .the lighting was perfect. I had such a blast with Rachael and Jordan. One minute they look like supermodels... the next their hysterically laughing... and then all of a sudden there would be an incredible tender moment.
Rachael & Jordan, I'm so excited to have been able to spend time with you guys not once but twice!! How fun!! So glad we've become friends!!
Love,
A
Well, it turned out to be quite a little adventure... after being kicked out the carousel... almost kicked out of the arcade... and then taken into security... (note to self... make nice with the Santa Monica Pier security guards) ... we were on our way... and what a beautiful afternoon.. .the lighting was perfect. I had such a blast with Rachael and Jordan. One minute they look like supermodels... the next their hysterically laughing... and then all of a sudden there would be an incredible tender moment.
Rachael & Jordan, I'm so excited to have been able to spend time with you guys not once but twice!! How fun!! So glad we've become friends!!
Love,
A
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Rachael & Jordan.. again on the beach!!
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"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
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This morning I was so excited to reconnect with one of my very first couples. It's been a few years since their wedding... and now they just had a beautiful baby girl Maria 6 months ago. I absolutely LOVE seeing my favorite couples grow. And can you blame me... take a look at how adorable Maria is... and such a character... as the sneak peak at the pics show. You can tell she is a baby FULL of personality... just take a look!!
Gina & Chris, I am so happy and thrilled to have been a part of Maria's first photo shoot... first of many I'm sure... she's such a little model!! It thrills me to see you three together. May this year bring you much laughter and joy as you play with your little angel and watch her grow!!
Sooo.. I thought what better blog to end the year as one with a new beginning! May you all have a wonderful New Years (I will try and do another entry but who knows... with all this traveling I'm never sure when I'll have internet)... I am off to Mackinac to ring in the New Year!
REMEMBER... have fun on New Years Day... my mother always said "What you do on New Years Day .. you do all year long"... which is why she refused to ever clean on January 1st!!
May your new year be filled with fullfilling your goals (even though they may shift)... reaching for your dreams (no matter how big and huge they may be)... realizing the love around you (whether it be your closest companion or a stranger on the street)... and OF COURSE LAUGHTER!!
I love you all! Happy New Year!
ANDREJKA!!
Gina & Chris, I am so happy and thrilled to have been a part of Maria's first photo shoot... first of many I'm sure... she's such a little model!! It thrills me to see you three together. May this year bring you much laughter and joy as you play with your little angel and watch her grow!!
Sooo.. I thought what better blog to end the year as one with a new beginning! May you all have a wonderful New Years (I will try and do another entry but who knows... with all this traveling I'm never sure when I'll have internet)... I am off to Mackinac to ring in the New Year!
REMEMBER... have fun on New Years Day... my mother always said "What you do on New Years Day .. you do all year long"... which is why she refused to ever clean on January 1st!!
May your new year be filled with fullfilling your goals (even though they may shift)... reaching for your dreams (no matter how big and huge they may be)... realizing the love around you (whether it be your closest companion or a stranger on the street)... and OF COURSE LAUGHTER!!
I love you all! Happy New Year!
ANDREJKA!!
Gina:
These are beyond awesome! I think they are the cutest baby photos I've ever seen, but I could be slightly biased. Thanks Andrejka, you're the best!
(12.31.09 @ 05:22 AM)
Susan Hydzik:
What beautiful baby photographs! They are so natural and original compared to a lot of what's out there! Absolutely adorable, awesome images!
(01.09.10 @ 11:05 AM)
Susan Hydzik:
What beautiful baby photographs! They are so natural and original compared to a lot of what's out there! Absolutely adorable, awesome images!
(01.09.10 @ 11:06 AM)
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A New Year... a new baby!!
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A walk in the snow... some mulled wine... meeting with old friends... wrapping presents... holiday music... and a little work too!! Gotta love the holidays.
I arrived in Detroit on Friday and was instantly whisked away to Greenfield Village for some hot cider, caroling, Model T rides... and shivering while watching fireworks!! Followed by an evening of reconnecting with friends from college.
And now, just prepping for the annual Sushi Stroll in the Snow... a tradition my friends and I do every December... who doesn't walk to a sushi dinner in the middle of winter in Detroit.
Below is a map of my travels for the next few weeks. If your in any of these areas... just let me know and we can meet up for some holiday cheer or even a photo shoot (I of course have my camera with me)!!!
Happy Holidays to everyone... stay warm... have fun!!
Love,
A
Oh BTW... here's a link to what I've been working on today. Jenny & Simon's slideshow...
CLICK HERE for the Slideshow!!!
I arrived in Detroit on Friday and was instantly whisked away to Greenfield Village for some hot cider, caroling, Model T rides... and shivering while watching fireworks!! Followed by an evening of reconnecting with friends from college.
And now, just prepping for the annual Sushi Stroll in the Snow... a tradition my friends and I do every December... who doesn't walk to a sushi dinner in the middle of winter in Detroit.
Below is a map of my travels for the next few weeks. If your in any of these areas... just let me know and we can meet up for some holiday cheer or even a photo shoot (I of course have my camera with me)!!!
Happy Holidays to everyone... stay warm... have fun!!
Love,
A
Oh BTW... here's a link to what I've been working on today. Jenny & Simon's slideshow...
CLICK HERE for the Slideshow!!!
Emily :
Andrejka, These photos are amazing!! I absolutley love each and every single one of them :) Can't wait to see the ones from Hawaii, all that talking about your wedding made me want to see pictures!!
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Back to the cold... and loving it!
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In the spirit of the season I am offering a FREE 5x5 hardcover brag book ( a $200 value) with any wedding package booked by January 1st... okay... we'll make it January 2nd so you can regroup after New Years Eve!!
Now there is ONE little request for this... I'd love to see a comment ANYWHERE on my blog... but that's it!!!
I hope you are all having a WONDERFUL December and holiday season so far... I'm just prepping myself for the cold weather... as in one week I will be heading back to the Midwest and east coast... oh, which reminds me... if anyone is interested in a photo session (portraits, engagement, boudoir... whatever) or... just want to meet up for tea... let me know. I'll be hitting basically the entire state of Michigan, northern Ohio, and the greater NYC area between Dec 20th and January 11th... would love to see any and all of you!
Happy holidays... thus far!
Love,
A
mark:
our brag book is going to be awesome! we already know :) thanks A
(12.16.09 @ 09:37 AM)
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In the spirit of the season... a little gift from me!
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I love these! Especially the second to last one in the gazebo-like structure... good job! =)
(03.04.10 @ 12:01 PM)I love these! Especially the second to last one in the gazebo-like structure... good job! =)
(03.04.10 @ 12:02 PM)