I have a super wedding couple who are getting married in August and guess where the reception will be? Yep! Is that gorgeous or what? Check out the website here; http://www.prestigeyachtcharters.com/yacht_lexington.asp
This is going to be one awesome summer! :)
~Valeen
I have been having so much fun designing albums the past few weeks which is really crazy because I used to cringe even thinking about it. I think it was something along the line of 'writer's block', it can be overwhelming to decide the images, the design, what to keep, what not to include, wondering what the couple will like vs. what you like...whew! But then one of my brides told me to pick the images because she couldn't decide and when I was done, she loved it, no changes!! Oh yeah!!! Love that!! So I had a sample album delivered today and now have uploaded another, and another... this could get addicting! :)
Yesterday we were at Connecticut College in New London for an absolutely beautiful wedding. The weather couldn't have been better and Harkness Chapel is one of my favoritest places! Yes, that's a word, at least it is for me!! :)
More and more often, we are booking weddings without even meeting the couple! It's crazy and I never thought it would happen so much, but sometimes we don't even get to talk ahead of time. This was the case yesterday, and I just have to say that the trust of our couples have in those that refer us is wonderful, thank you so much!
So for Memorial Day weekend... meet Peter and Stacy! I will be blogging more but had to post one of my favorites!
~ Valeen
There is something magical about Harkness Park in Waterford. You can use a lot of words to describe it and never mind the fact that it has a mansion, a beach, endless perfect gardens, lighthouses, archways, ponds, frogs, trees, rocks, ivy, pillars, flowers.... but yesterday...it had something extra special. Fog. Yep, fog. Can I tell you how excited I was to wake up to fog yesterday morning and then just hope against hope that it didn't burn off by the time we got there?
Kasey and I met up with Lena and Gregg and just started shooting right there by the parking lot. They were so much fun and we had a blast with them, I can't wait for the wedding in November.
So... hundreds of shots later... with wet pant legs, sand and grass covered feet, and with a bit of a Wuthering Heights feeling, here's a little sneak preview.
Gregg thought it would be fun to get this shot, something about frogs and princes!
"The only real difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits."
Thanks to my niece Corrissa for posting this on Facebook, too funny!
Okay, it's supposed to be that old song, but I don't know how many "cha"s go before it, and no, I'm not taking dance classes either! Stop laughing!!! It's not that funny!!! :) Well, okay, maybe it is! LOL
Anyhow...as they say, without change there can be no butterflies. I love that quote, and it's true. Some changes are forced upon you, others you choose, but either way, it's an opportunity to go in new directions. We've been working on our BRAND and I'm totally excited. The new logo, direct from Scotland, is done! Now just the finishing touches on new website, some new packages, services and lots more.
This pic was taken outside in the garden. The butterfly is NOT "Photoshopped" into the image, it was very real. And I just planted more zinnias to attract them all back again this year too! :)
~ Valeen
So how does it happen that I don't read the blogs that I follow for a couple of days and now I have 398 to go through?? If you need me, I'll be at my computer for the next few hours. :)
I woke up this morning thinking about the pink dogwood that blooms outside my bedroom window. It is so pretty right now and I knew I wanted to take a photograph of it, more to play with ISO's and settings and all that 'stuff' (yeah, I know, I'm real technical!) So I got George (and you know that's my D3, right?) and a few lenses and went outside.
What a day!! Wow! I started shooting and as I looked around, I saw that there were so many perfectly gorgeous flowers and shrubs in bloom, well it was amazing! And it got me thinking about Mother's Day...
I see all the ads on TV to buy this and that for mom, like you can't show your love without spending a fortune. (Yes, those diamond studs ARE dazzling!) And all the arrangements and dozens of roses from the store are beautiful and thoughtful... but I really think the best gift you'll ever receive will be the bouquet that your little one picked by themselves in the backyard.
So for all the moms out there... I wish you all the joy and love in the world! Happy Mother's Day! :)
And let's not forget the all time favorite!
~ Valeen
A couple of things really bothered me this week and I had to write a little about them.
One was the closing of yet another bridal shop. Apparently the shop was in business 10 years and closed without warning leaving 18 brides without their dresses. Now, even taking into consideration that the news is sometimes not 100% accurate, even ONE bride left without her dress just days or weeks before the wedding is one too many. I think the worst part of this is that it happens so often. I've worked at a few different bridal shops in the past and even though they are now closed, not once was a bride's order not filled and delivered. Not Once. There is no excuse for this, not ever.
And the other rant... finding out just how badly couples have been treated by their wedding photographer. OMG! I am truly stunned at some of the tactics that are used and the complete lack of integrity. Worst part of hearing all this? Is that I've heard the identical stories from DIFFERENT couples and even from some venue staffers and DJ's I know. It's depressing and makes it difficult for all the wonderful, talented and awesome photographers out there.
Today was just Rants... so many Raves too and I'll post more, just needed to get that out there.
