Happy Anniversary

Today exemplifies the reward I receive through my life's work of photography. I met Pam & Dan almost five years ago. They hired me to shoot their wedding and I have stayed in touch and became pretty good friends with them over the years. I admire this darling couple...They were living in New York and have since moved back to St. Louis where their families live. Today, they celebrate their three year anniversary. Pam is also EXPECTING their first little boy in a few weeks!
As I processed theses photos I could not help but realize how rewarding my job really is fulfilling comes to mind as I smile :) I see couples go through the engagement process, get married, party on the happiest night of their life! Buy their first home together and get their first dog! And finally, watch them start a family. I love photographing weddings however, I find much reward in being a couples photographer along the milestones in life!
Happy Anniversary to one of the most special couples I have met. I can't wait to meet Nathan and watch you become the best parents. You deserve all the best. Cheers!

The best book you'll own

(Above) Acrylic Cover with a brown leather. 10" Flush Mount design. *Rachel & Jason...Cascade Mountain Wedding in Carlton, Washington

(Above) Cream Leather Cover. 10" Flush Mount design. *Katie & Josh...Kansas City, Missouri

(Above) Japanese Silk Album. 10" Crease print album design. *Brooke & Jim...Austin Texas. Wedding location: Lady Bird Wildflower Sanctuary.

So it's 2011 and I'm tired of DVD's - here is a new devise that offers accessibility to your wedding images via USB. Seen below is an 8GB USB drive that comes custom made in a "ring" box. It is 3" by 3" and holds all the wedding day images that have been processed and touched up. This devise can be plugged directly into your PlayStation, Wi and your finance's new flat screen tv. It is a great way to watch your images on the big screen or easily copy them to your laptop, IPad and whatever other fancy gadgets you own :)

Before I was a photographer...I was a graphic designer. I had no idea what I wanted to be when I "grew up"! It was my sophomore year in college and the only certain thing I felt was that I just loved golf. I played everyday and got to travel. It was my everything...
One spring day it was time to declare a major in school...so I thought; art = my passion & computers = money. So I signed up for graphic design. Being a professional photographer was not yet on my mind but I found a niche for design.
I now realized that the best kind of design is what you create for yourself.
Today, I am glad all the my puzzle pieces fell together, design, art, photography and now weddings. I love keeping a part of my graphic design present in my life through creating wedding albums for my clients. It's the best book a couple will ever own. If created the right way your wedding pictures go from photos to art...the design, layout and seamlessness of the new albums on the market today make the concept of tradition be a thing of the past. My books tell a story and of course the couples look amazing.
Here are a few images of some recent books I have made for my studio. These are my personal fav's!

Thursday in Aruba

It's no wonder they call this place, "the island of happiness."

It's Thursday and I am in one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. Aruba feels like it sits on top of the equator with its southwest feel and mild temperatures making me see why vacation seekers from all over South America and the US flock here...it's small dot on the map, located near Venezuela and a part of the ABC Islands and it's rare landscape and vast exploration of caves, beaches and culture make it my new favorite.

(Above) Lisa + Mike sitting in the Peace Labyrinth in Alto Vista.

I must say, yesterday was one of the best days of my life!...I found a tiki hut on the beach here at the hotel where the wedding is this evening at sunset, the Marriott Aruba Resort & Stellaris Casino Of course I fond a pina colada and a good magazine to compliment my desire to truly unwind and prep for todays shoot. I began to read on the beach after relaxing from our pre-wedding shoot at the Alto Vista, a little church which was actually the very first built in Aruba. It was pretty spectacular! It was my first time photographing Lisa and Mike. As we walked down toward the ocean, I couldn't help but admire the nature, the beauty of the desert and the two of them for getting married in such an amazing destination.

I wanted to post a few pictures today because while I was reading my magazine, under my tiki I was re-inspired. As I read a story by Emilio Estefan..he expressed his passion, inspiration and drive to follow his dreams, he stated, "The most important part is doing things with love. If you like what you are doing and make an effort, everything goes well. Success is defined by what makes you happy."

There just is nothing better than meeting amazing couples like Lisa and Mike from Boston, getting to know their amazing friends and genuine family. I love traveling to new places and keeping my inspiration fresh...although sometimes I have to search for it, when it comes, it is so rewarding. I can't wait to document these two on one of the happiest days of their lives. I will witness the dedication, excitement and fun they and their 80 guests are going to have tonight at the wedding on this tropical island.