Wednesday Wonderings: Open Dialogues with Real Brides

I'm working on Rosemarie & Terry's wedding today. Isn't Rosie pretty? :)

 

Today, I want to talk about faith. YOUR faith. Your partner's faith. Or your lack of faith. How much has religion played a part in both your lives as a couple, and as a part of your ceremony? What role will it play in your marriage, if at all?

Were you married in a church or other religious structure? Were you married by someone of religious authority? Do you and your significant other share the same denomination of faith? If you do, were there any conflicts regarding who the ceremony would be performed by or where, even though you share the exact religion? If you don't share the same faith, how did you come to find peaceful ground between you? How will you raise your children? What if one partner was an atheist or agnostic and the other a devout Catholic? Have you been in that place before, in another relationship, or in the one you are in now? Was that a deal breaker or manageable? How do two people, raised in different families, with different faiths, even if they are similar- Baptist and Lutheran for instance- both Christian, and yet, different... How do two people find peace over these hot-button topics both in planning their wedding, and their marriage, and for some of you, in the raising of your children?

For me, I go back and forth and side to side on this issue constantly. My religious beliefs have ebbed and flowed drastically over the years and I'm still trying to find my "place," and what I want both for myself and my children. I do tend to be unwilling in raising a child in something other than what I was raised in (Lutheran), although I'm not sure why. It may be familiarity and the comfort in that, but I don't really know.  Maybe I just want to "win," that one. For ceremony, I've at times wished my childhood pastor to travel to wherever I got married and preside over the union. Other times I have reflected on positive officiants I've encountered in this business. Particularly Rachel & Will's officiant: it was a British woman with a heavy accent- the way she said everything just sounded magical. She was solemn, but happy and pleasant. She just seemed to be the perfect balance of everything. She also included a CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE exchange during the ceremony- the bride and groom fed each other bites of their favorite truffles. Mmmm, now that's a service I can really get behind and support! And other times I have thought of the value of having someone, a close friend or family member performing the ceremony. There is no one that knows you better than someone that is in your daily life. Could you consent to participating in a ceremony which is not of your religion, but is your mate's? (For example, a Catholic groom and his "spiritual" fiance marrying in a full service Catholic mass, promising to raise their children Catholic... )

Ladies & Gents?

Sheesh

This whole week is going to be SO busy. I can already feel the water going over my head! Someone remind me to yank myself out of this bathtub before I drown... (Yes, I need a lifeguard for the bathtub.)

I am pounding away at my edits as usual, zeroing in on closing up Rosie & Terry's e-session, which means I can move along to their wedding, which is half done already (ahead of the game-YES!- fist pump!) leaving three sessions on my list, which of course, each take forever to process, but this means that I am so, so close to being on top of things this year! Yay! Wouldn't it be so awesome if I was only (GASP) working on one thing at a time this year? :-O  (I know, try not to pee your pants with excitement.)

The biggest goal on my list is to get these durn master discs out. I got the cover letters printed tonight for about ten or so, and those are going to go out as soon as I can smush it into my day. I also mixed up the labels so I have some backtracking to do to make sure they are still correct!

Total bummer, I lost my car registration form, forgot about it, found it and RATS I have to get my practically brand new (it's only 6 years old, come on! It's an infant!) car SMOGGED, like NOW. I can go to any old place to get it done, but it's been so long since I've had a junker that needed to be smogged I don't remember how to do this. Hmmph. I also have to go down to the DMV or AAA and scream at somebody because they added the cost of a ticket THAT I ALREADY PAID FOR more than SIX months ago- almost SEVEN now! for being a dollar short going over the Golden Gate Bridge (still kicking myself over that one. But who carries cash anymore?). I paid by check so I have the canceled check in my bank account scanned whatevers thing, so I can prove I paid it. Hope this isn't more complicated than I am thinking it is probably going to be.

...Even MORE fun, I just went to print off a copy of the check that the state cashed, and it's not in my checking account anymore because it happened more than 120 days ago. So now I have to deal with bank customer service. THUMBS DOWN!

Here's something to cheer you folks up, since I'm a Debbie Downer today.

Say "Hi" to Cassie, Jakey, Jakey again, Angelina, Matilda, Tank, Clarence and Amelia and Amelia again. :)

Now who doesn't feel better now? :)

These are their "school pictures" from last year. They need new ones done soon.

Good Morning, Monday. (Previews: Aaron & Christina)

It's Monday, and we're in the after-throws of a busy wedding weekend. I spent Saturday floating around on a beautiful yacht on San Francisco Bay watching Aaron & Christina commit their lives to each other. It was not a bad way to spend a beautiful Saturday afternoon! Not bad at all....

Color? (I loove the tones...)


Or Black & white?



Post a comment and tell me what you think! (I like both.) :)


I know it's been awhile, but here is my updated work order list. I finished ALL of my 2009 work (GASP!) And am now totally in 2010. YAY! Without further ado:

Terry & Rosemarie's Engagement
Terry & Rosemarie's Wedding
Carrie & Richard's Engagement
Miki & Sean's Maternity
Aaron & Christina's Wedding

(Say "Hi" to Rosie & Terr! =)  )




Don't forget....

And please sign up to be a follower over on the right hand side of your screen! It makes me feel special. (Squeal.) ...(I know you all wish I was kidding, but I was so not.)

With love and admiration...

I just received this note from one of my Fall 2009 brides and I have to share because it made me weepy. :) You haven't seen this wedding yet, but you will! I have so many wonderful events and sessions to share with you guys- I'm going to be able to keep you all entertained for a very long time!

Okay, so I've been going through my pictures so much lately trying to choose which one's I'd like to have on display in my house and to fill my frames. I had to write and tell you how incredibly HARD it is.  You truly have a gift, my friend.  I adore all of them so much.  You were the reason I enjoyed my wedding day.  I look back on that day and forget (or at least lessen the effect) how stressful certain aspects were of that day.  You were the person I asked for advice.  You were the person that encouraged me to ignore the cranky people and focus on my husband and how happy he made me.  You were the person that ran interference. You were the person that knew the RIGHT answers to questions without even having to ask me.  You were the person that encouraged us to take "just a few more pictures" as you said we wouldn't regret it.  I'm here to tell you I don't regret one minute of making people wait. 

You captured everything I hoped for in the pictures when I searched for a photographer.  Even though I know this is not the last set of pictures you will take for me, the dedication you put into doing what I needed you to do will not be forgotten.  Cody and I both thank you sincerely.  I'll still write you every now and then and comment the blog but I really felt like I should write this email.

With love and admiration,
Amanda

Wednesday Wonderings: (Happy Birthday to ME)

Happy Birthday to me!

Happy Birthday to me!

Happy Birthday dear meeeeeeee,

Happy Birthday to me!

Yay!!! (Claps hands) Yay!! I turned 25 again this year (yes I said AGAIN, I've been turning 25 again every year for awhile now.) and am celebrating with dinner and cake at my sister's house tonight. I was a bad little photographer and didn't take my birthday picture this year, so please enjoy this portrait of another birthday girl named Emily. :)

Oh.. what's that you say? Our Wednesday Wondering? Oh, yes, I suppose we can still do our big talk, since that is the title of this post. Let's see... Since we are having a Birthday party on the blog today, let's talk about PRESENTS.

I've had quite a few very sweet moments with brides who were sent over sweet little gifts, sometimes jewlery, sometimes a love letter, right before the ceremony from their husbands-to-be. Did you exchange gifts with your spouseon your wedding day? What was that experience like for you? Are you planning on doing it? What do you think are some good gifts ideas to commemorate the occasion? And lastly, do you think exchanging gifts with your spouse on your wedding day is silly because the rings and the ceremony should be the gift you give each other?

For me, I would adore to receive a heartfelt note or love letter before seeing my sweetie. It would really just put the mood on the whole day... a reminder that it isn't about the party, or the decorations, or even the fancy clothes. That this day is celebrating our relationship and the future of our relationship and nothing else. I would love that. As far as gifts? Well if my hubby-to-be wanted to give me earrings or a necklace or something other gorgeous piece of jewlery, who am I to stop him? Just don't give me a toaster dear.

Before & After (And a little FAQ...)

I did some Q &A's a few weeks back and had a few questions come in late, so I am sprinkling them around in some posts so everyone still gets their questions answered!

How did you develop your editing style?

Well... it just sort of happened. It was an evolution of tastes, and an evolution of skill. As my mental formulation of how an image should look post-processing became more sophisticated... my ability to achieve that mental image became more possible. Everything I do or have done is self taught. I've bought a few books here and there but I have found the internet to be a much more resourceful tool.

When I started out, I was always annoyed by low-contrast black and white images. (So much of how I get into things is because I am annoyed how others do things... LOL Control freak? Hmmm, not sure, but I know I am somewhere on the road to Crazyville. [And if you have any doubts, just review all my posts about my cats; particular the one where I took them to see Santa "Claws" at PetSmart...]) Anyway, by just pittling around with the photo software my computer came with, I learned how to adjust the contrast. And with that, the editing freak was born.

I didn't invest in PhotoShop until the summer of 2008 if you can believe it. Before then I used some random software, which again, came with the computer I used. I thnk it was called Microsoft Picture It! Premium Pro 10... or something. Anyway, it worked great and I had a difficult time unclentching my fingers from the totally outdated program when I replaced my computer. I eased myself into PS by first working with PS Elements, which is where I learned about layers... which if you know anything about PS, is like a revolutionary lightbulb exploding in your mind when you realize all that you can do with layers! I downloaded actions here and there, made some of my own, and as always, fiddled with my contrast, as well as just experimenting with random things. Just like how I learned to use a camera, I learned to edit by pushing buttons and seeing what would happen. Now I can "drive" PS just like a stick shift... (Of course, I'm crappy at driving stick, I'm pretty much guaranteed to kill the motor at 70% of all intersections, but you know what I mean!)

Here's a couple of Before & After examples. The first is from Miki & Sean's maternity session just from this Sunday, and then next is a totally anicent example from early 2008 I think... Things have changed, but they also have stayed the same. I like bright colors, sharp focus and honing in on tiny details... There is consistency in the chaos... Just gotta put your bifocals on to see it. :)

On with the pics!

Miki & Sean, SOOC and PP:

and my 2008 bride, Before & After:

PS: What do you think of my new logo-stamps on the top two pictures of Miki & Sean?
I'm working on writing my own PS Action to resize and stamp my pictures for the blog... I think it looks super cute and professional, don't you think? Like a REAL grown up! :-O I just worry it's too easy to crop out if somebody tried to steal it... (Constant issue in this industry...SIGH!)

Sean & Miki are having a BABY! (Previews)

Sean & Miki and I all met at their house and then drove out to Pleasant Grove today where I think we all got just a bit of sun!  Miki is 30 weeks pregnant with little baby Cash and everybody seems excited for him to get here- even if his nursery isn't ready yet! lol I might have the opportunity to be there when Cash is BORN which would be so awesome! I've been dying to do birth photography for as long as I have done this- fingers crossed it all works out! Enjoy your previews guys!  :)

Tipsta Tuesday! (Updated with more pics!!)

Ok, so maybe it is Saturday instead of Tuesday, but I liked my title and the whole alliteration thingee and so I went there. "Stupid Saturday Sales Pitch" didn't quite have the same ring to it. Don't you agree? (innocent eyelash batting)

(Ok, maybe not so innocent.)

So, this isn't actually about me at all. But, I was just typing up and sending out my standard little Clothing Reccomendation email to a client and it made me think about these really great clothing companies that I just ADORE that are really not that expensive, but which are currently out of my budget. Sadly, the pursestrings are just about glued shut at this point at the Heizer Household and I am doing lots of "upcycling" rather than buying clothes, even thought I really, really need clothes! That fit! (I have lots of clothes that don't fit! But that doesn't help much now does it? lol)

So, in a moment of weakness (woe is me) I window shopped online. (I know you all do it!) And I decided, nice person that I am, that I wanted to bless your eyes with the most fabulous wardobe providers IN THE WORLD!

So here are your super top secret insider tips on the best, cutest to die for online clothing retailers, in no particular order.

Shabby Apple

I LOVE this place. I haven't purchased anything from them, but to gaze your adoring eyes on their designs is to love... Look at this stuff! They also have kids clothes peeps... just sayin'... I might like some short people adorned in some really cool wardrobes the next time I pick up my camera. You know. Maybe.

I'm really bummed, I can't post samples from their website, so here are some direct links to some dresses I loved:

Blue Secretary Dress: http://www.shabbyapple.com/p-93-90-words-per-minute.aspx
Coney Island: http://www.shabbyapple.com/p-438-coney-island.aspx
My absolute fav: Black and White Houndstooth: http://www.shabbyapple.com/p-384-madison-ave.aspx

They have WAY more than those tho, and those are random picks, not the cream of the crop!

PSST! I found pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Down East Basics

Another awesome company.. lots of basics, as it says, but with so much flair!

Maurice's

They are based pretty much only in tiny little towns. In California, I know there is one in Redding and one in Tracey. Not exactly the big city. I have also been to the one in Provo, which is where I was first introduced to the store- loved it. ALSO this is a great bonus. One half of their store and stock is fully dedicated to plus-size clothing, size 14 and up. Specially design to fit the full figured woman's curvy body and everything. Sometimes that stuff is so friggin cute I'm bummed I can't fit in it anymore..!

Note- their website is very new, and looks like it is designed for the very young- like teenagers? But the store is not like that, just a side note...

ModCloth

Retro inspired modern fashion.. with some vintage clothing and accessories thrown into the mix! Their stock changes DAILY and stuff sells out REALLY fast on here, so don't bookmark something and think it'll be there in a week when you go to buy it...

Would this little red and blue number above not be freaking ADORABLE for a saucy little maternity session?!
How cute would that be!!!

I swear, they have something for everybody, so even if you didn't see anything you liked in my eccessive sampling here, go look anyway. They are so great!

I hope you enjoyed my textile lusting and that's it for today!