New Toy

The last couple of days my 17" laptop has been acting a bit weird and today it really frustrated me so I went to the Apple store and replaced it. My old one is 3 years old and I sent it in for a check-up. It's still going to be a great computer for someone but with the demands I put on my computers, I need to update them every three years anyhow. So it was time and today I was just pushed over the edge.

I'm excited about my new toy. I need something reliable because I'm going out of town next week to shoot a wedding in SC. I'm a loyal Mac user and I love the 17" screen because I use my laptop to show a slideshow at each wedding reception of some of my favorite shots from that day. So the bigger the display the better!

If anyone is in the market for a 17" 1.5GHz Powerbook G4 for cheap, let me know. My old baby will be out of the shop soon and looking for a caring home :).

Tyler & Kelly's Album Design

We are getting caught up on albums this week and just finished Tyler & Kelly's initial album design. I think it turned out great! Tyler & Kelly got married on December 30th and it was a great wedding. Click here to view their album design. Keep in mind that the finished album is 14x10 inches in size so the photos are MUCH bigger.

Blog Recognition

Liene Stevens, a cool wedding consultant that I've gotten to know recently, just let me know that I was mentioned on The Wedding Bee site as having a good blog. I checked out the post and they talk about reasons why wedding photographer blogs are great and list a bunch of great ones to check out. Many of the blogs listed are those I look at often myself and I'm honored to be listed there. I'm not sure how I ended up on the list but I'm excited! It's amazing how word-of-mouse spreads. Check out the post here and feel free to leave a quick plug in the comments about how much you adore my blog :).

Thanks!!

#50....check!

50. Solve the Rubik's Cube

When I was around 6 or 7 years old, I had a Rubik's cube and was in awe of my older cousin who could solve it. It blew my mind. It's always been one of those challenges that seemed impossible. So I thought it would be fun to figure out the mystery... and I have conquered! I know--I'm a big nerd for spending my time on this. I've always been a little nerdy--got a minor in math in college. But it's fun to be able to solve it and have that sense of accomplishment.

#38....check!

38. Spend a whole day with Jess out at her place


So today I was supposed to have an engagement shoot but the couple had to postpone last minute so I took my whole Saturday off to spend time with my good friend Jessica which just so happened to be on my list. Now you may wonder why spending time with a friend would be considered a legitimate goal. Jessica has been my friend for a long time. She has two kids--Sydney is 8 and Grant is 5. I've been friends with Jess long before she had Sydney and we've been through a lot together. Last year she got remarried and she now lives out in the boonies beyond the limits of Queen Creek -- about a 45 minute drive from me. And our relationship has changed a bit this year. I don't get to see her nearly as much and have only made the trip out to her house once. Isn't that sad? So I decided I needed some quality time with her and would make the effort to go her way.

But we didn't spend the whole day out at her house. We started the day at Grant's little league game. Which was a lot of fun. Here's a great shot I got of one of the little leaguers at bat:


Here's Sydney playing with her most cherished toy--an American Girl Doll. I haven't seen Sydney in months and she is getting so big and seriously talks like a grown up.


This little guy is playing the outfield and is totally prepared for any fly ball that may come his way:


I love this shot of the team as they wait their turn up to bat:


After the game and lunch we made the trek back to Jess & Daniel's house. They live off a dirt road and burn their own trash and they don't even really have a city name to call their own. Right now they're "borrowing" "Queen Creek" for their address even though their house is 10 miles beyond the edge of town. I give them a hard time for living so far out. Here's their house:


We went next door to my friend Lindsay's house. Lindsay is also Jessica's sister-in-law. She is pregnant and I got this great shot of her:


She was watching some cute dogs. Check out these ears:


We hung out for awhile working on a school project with Syndey. Here's Sydney--I can't believe how gorgeous she is!


To wrap up the fun-filled day, we went ice skating! Sydney made the honor roll so this was her reward. It was the first time ever skating for both Sydney & Grant!

Getting laced up:


The whole fam:


Now mind you, all of the following shots were taken while I myself was on skates on the ice. Pretty impressive, I know :).

Grant was really tentative at first and either held onto mom or the side:




But then he got this walker-looking-thing that helped him not fall and gain confidence. It was really cute:


I caught this action shot of him wiping it even with the walker:


But then he got rid of the walker and was wizzing around the rink on his own. He had a blast!


I got some cute shots of Jess & Daniel as well--still newlyweds :).






What a fun day! Thanks guys for hanging out! I hope it's not too long before we do it again :).

Paula & Brian's Album

We just got done with another great album design. Paula & Brian got married in November at The Wrigley Mansion. It was a beautiful wedding and it's fun to re-live it in album form. Click here to see the album design. Keep in mind that the finished album is 14x10 in size so all the photos are MUCH larger.

Grant to Phoenix Firefighters

Today I covered a short check receiving ceremony where the Phoenix Fire Department was given a grant. It's not something I usually do but I enjoy covering any type of event where I am just free to be creative and shoot what is happening. Here's a few images.






We were setting up for a group shot at the end and everyone thought it would be great to have two ambulances in the back. But then they noticed they were a little dirty so all the firefighters started washing them. It was a fun scene that reminded me of fund-raising car washes I've been a part of in the past:




Short and sweet. I didn't know what to do with myself after shooting for just under 2 hours :).

February Newsletter Out!

I just sent out my February newsletter! I've been sending out monthly newsletters using Constant Contact since September. It's been a great thing for my business--a vehicle to stay in touch with past clients and other vendors in the industy. If you read my blog regularly, there won't be anything new in the newsletter--it basically reiterates what is in my blog and links to it to keep everyone in the loop who doesn't look at my blog regularly. But if you are interested in receiving my monthly newsletters, just type your email address into the box on the right side of my blog and you will be added to the list!

Hazel & Elias

Hazel & Elias got married Saturday at Seville Golf & Country Club. It was an unusually warm February day and the wedding was beautiful. Around 230 of Hazel and Elias's family and friends surrounded them to celebrate--including their two Yorkshire Terriers: Zazz and Mimi. They were a big part of the wedding. So I apologize ahead of time for showing more pictures of the dogs than the groom but I can't help it -- they stole the show and were SO cute.

Anyhow, the day started out with hair and make-up at Changes Salon in Scottsdale:


Hazel was peaceful and glowing:



Then we progressed to Seville for the final steps of preparation. Getting in the dress is always a challenging task. I love this shot of Hazel's mom helping her put on her gown:


Two hands help speed the lacing up of the back:


Hazel was an amazingly gorgeous and photogenic bride. I couldn't pick between all of these shots of her. If you want, comment below and let me know which one you prefer. Number 1:


#2:


#3:


#4:


The ceremony setting was beautiful with the mountains in the background. But I was nearly blinded by the sun reflecting off of all the white chairs:


Zazz was dressed in a doggie tux and bow tie:


Mimi was outfitted in a cute pink dress. Here she is chilling before her job of being wheeled down the isle in a wagon by one of the ring bearers:


Zazz and Mimi in the wagon:


Elias as Hazel said her vows:


I love this shot of Hazel shortly after walking down the isle:


This next shot has to be my favorite of the whole day.


Hazel giving Mimi some love (I warned you--lots of cute dog shots):


A sweet shot of Hazel and Elias after the ceremony:


The harsh sunlight is good for some things:


The cakes:


The first dance:


What a great wedding! Thanks Hazel & Elias for allowing me to be a part of it!

Click here if you would like to view the slideshow. It ends with the most violent bouquet toss I think I've ever witnessed, so you'll want to see it!