Akelis Studios Photography

Honeybees, Rainy Trees, & a Sleepy Newborn

2014-05-29T19:42:00.001-07:00

Awkward Things You Might Hear Me Say

2014-05-20T10:32:00.001-07:00

"I wish the flowers would stop trying to involve me in their love lives."

Actually, I'm usually a bit more graphic about it when I've been sneezing for a few hours, but for today there is rain and the damp keeps the pollen from attacking my face. Even so, I have been spending the day cleaning cameras like crazy and trying not to feed my Pinterest addiction with yet more frilly wedding photography. I need to stop drooling over barn and beach weddings until later this spring when I can start shooting them more often, for now I am just focused on building ideas.

I've changed editing programs after my favorite publisher/printer stated hey would no longer be supporting the previous one. I don't normally use third party "actions" for editing, but there are a few unique ones I adore for this set so it may be a change for the better. Also, it allows me to reduce the time spent fighting with individual tools because I am obsessive over getting skin, hair and eyes to look ideal in my photography.

On the up-side, I've managed to hear from a number of weddings and our June and July dates are filling up again. Couples still looking should request their day soon, and those thinking about a 2015 date will get fresh new images in the next few weeks to give them some ideas for their day.

When the Cat's Away...

2014-05-16T07:56:00.001-07:00

No, just no.

I am a little annoyed this morning to find out that while focused on my pregnancy concerns and newborn, my kindness has been taken advantage of and it has reflected poorly on our photography here at Akelis Studios.

Why is this such an issue? Because I love every one of my photos for the story they tell, the success for each model as their portfolio grows, and the happy couple who can share those memories for years. This means when somebody disrespects the subject of a shoot it is a reflection of how they feel about that person, that story, or that couple.

Life is messy and imperfect at times. We learn from making those mistakes and it makes us better people in the end. Splashing around in a pond or a pool is the only way to really learn to swim. Scribbling is how we start learning to draw, even our greatest artists started with just a box of crayons and some free time to color.

Unfortunately, mistakes in business can ruin chances of working with a great client or getting recommendations for future work. I will be emailing and calling all impacted by the recent issues personally and take this time to apologize for the behavior and comments of an unprofessional nature.

Brothers

2014-05-08T13:34:00.001-07:00

$99 Infant & Child Photography Special Offer
May - August 2014

Professional infant and newborn photography taken in your own home by a local artist. Avoid the hassle of the mall's studios with restricting time limits, pose requirements, package gimmicks, and unfamiliar settings that disturb baby. We come to your home or favorite location and capture precious moments for you. Show off your little boy splashing in a puddle or capture those miss matched socks your little girl insists on wearing now that she can dress herself. Perhaps you too have a new addition and want to share not just the cute little fingers and toes, but all the beauty of your nursery. We can work in any room to tell your story. Great for newborns, shy children, family photos with pets, and cake smash images for first birthday celebrations!

No hidden fees or re-order archival charges, and no need to call back for extra prints. all the edited images come to you on one DVD. Collages, birth announcements, and other items can be ordered through our collections or build your own with your favorite website and no need to worry about coming back for a release every time you want more.

The Baby Hobbit Adventures

2014-05-06T14:51:00.003-07:00

As most of you will know, baby watch has been on for a while now. On May 1st our family here at Akelis Studios Photography grew by one tiny little baby. Named for her favorite little fantasy novel hero, this is our first look at one of the many adorable newborn shots Jeannine is sharing with us here at Akelis Studios.

Puddles Are Fun!

2014-04-08T12:15:00.001-07:00

Spring Time Means Splashing in the Puddles

2014-04-07T13:03:00.001-07:00

Some days you just need to jump in the puddles.

On Friday my husband lost his job. That job is our steady income so I can continue taking weddings as they come rather than need to contract out for other work or raise our prices and make it more difficult for clients to budget for quality work. If you are familiar with the job market in the United States you'll understand why this is a frightening thing for my family. Compound it with the impending birth of our new baby and the fact that it was his company which provides our insurance... we're in a tough position to say the least.

SO... how does one cope with all this stress? I take my son outside in his cute little rain boots and let him enjoy the warm spring day while jumping in muddy puddles. I'm still cleaning dirt off the camera, but I also promise the photos are worth it. His smile makes the stressful moments fade and reminds me that so long as we have a roof over him, food in his belly, and can afford to do the same for our newborn... that means it will be alright.

Keep an eye out after I play with some new color editing programs and you'll get to see my handsome little man and his classic "playing in the puddles".

Budgets Are My Bag

2014-03-18T09:35:00.001-07:00

So many lovely brides contacting us for late summer and early fall weddings! Tanya and I are working hard to answer emails and keep planning the shoot for the fall line while I wait for the impending baby to decide they are ready to join us "on the outside". Add in that the poor husband and I are still looking for a larger place closer to where he is working, and I feel like I have plenty of reasons to "pop" any day now.

Prices have been updated and I need to plug them in this week so you can see the new price lists for all our services. We're keeping in mind budgets and trying to offer the best over all results based on what has been popular for the last year or two. My biggest aim is to offer digital galleries and options to allow more clients to share their images with friends and family even if they do not feel an album is part of their needs.

Once again I am sticking to my guns on affordable packages and quality images being the goals, meaning I have taken on the challenge to find ways to keep everything in-house for editing and sourced local printing to keep cost down. I am proud that for the third year in a row we are set to do everything under $2000 for even our most elaborate package and longest day.

Crossing Fingers and Toes

2014-03-07T09:49:00.001-08:00

The new camera has arrived and I am playing with it constantly. Hopefully the results from tomorrow's appointment will provide good news and there will be either a new member of our family or I will get word that the extreme rest is not needed and there will be new landscape photos while I sneak out for walks with the toddler. Winter is still doing her level best to hold us prisoner here so I hope you all enjoy the snowy glow of sunsets over ice lakes as that is what I can see from our bay window at the moment.

For those always anxious for updates on the spring bridal line, those are coming soon. This year seems to be another big dose of addictive lace for my obsession. Keep an eye out for shoots featuring our MUA and Hair portfolio as well as those long lace cathedral trains in the near future, we'll be doing early detail image work this weekend. I'm happy I can still poke and play with the lace in the sewing rooms at times because it feeds my girlie side.

And while I wait on all those dresses, bursts of spring, and being sprung from rest orders... BABIES! I have been quietly building up some ideas for new things to try with newborns and infants. With any luck there will soon be some cuddly babies in bright colored tutus splashed all over the blog. Check in soon for updates on that idea and remember to follow us on Pinterest so you can see where I am periodically pulling new inspiration along the way.

Keep thinking spring, I know I am so ready for the snow to be over and beach weddings to start again!

The "Friendor" Problem

2014-02-25T16:07:00.004-08:00

Every wedding has something that goes wrong. Unfortunately, it seems a good deal of this is from well meaning friends offering to help out with the planning and having it go very, very wrong. This month has been all about crisis handling for brides here at the office; with girls calling because they paid a deposit and suddenly a florist is not responding, or a friend who was supposed to bake their cake has had a falling out with their bridesmaid and now there wont be a desert at the wedding because of personal drama. I've seen some of the "friendor" drama before, and been a vendor to many a friend's wedding myself, so this kind of thing really does strike a cord with how I feel and work. Below I'll discuss some ways to curb the drama and avoid stepping on toes by just refusing some budget friendly offers that could make your day complete.

Weddings bring out the best and the worst in our relationships. From family members that want you to wear Great Aunt Hilda's wedding gown from 1940 to the sunshine friend that offers you wedding photography via their iPhone... we all have those times when it is a clear "No, thank you." But what about the times when a genuine offer comes in from somebody we know who does this as a side-business or really has a genuine skill they would like to offer?

Consider ALL your options. Weddings are only ever getting more expensive, and even the most freely budgeting bride might be tempted to go with a friend for a service if she knows it will please in-laws or friends. Never assume just because an offer is made by a friend that it is the best offer or the worst, just take the time to weigh the pros and cons. What should be considered here is how much you need the item they are supplying to be perfect, or if you could sacrifice if something was to go wrong.
Understand their interest level. Is the friend a professional or part-timer offering you discounted services or priority in booking because they genuinely know it is something they do well or a person with a hobby who really wants to be involved and means well? Not all friends are professionals in what they are offering, and this can bring some problems when you are counting on somebody not used to working under pressure or in a time limit.
Research is your best friend. No bride would just jump into signing a contract with the first vendor that they saw if that person's work stunk and the price was too high. Treat your friend's offer like any bid by a professional. Compare their work, perhaps ask if they have or could give you a portfolio so you can share it with the people involved in planning and compare it to the vendors you find are favorites for both quality and price.
Always offer to pay. Gifting a service or a product for your wedding might sound like a great gesture, but there are problems with that which might not be so obvious. Free can be costly when it means the well meaning friend suddenly is facing their own financial hardship or sees exactly how much time will be involved in everything promised. Save yourself some heartache by offering to foot the cost of supplies for baking the wedding cake, or to purchase the flowers so they can make the center pieces.
Ask for a contract. Protect your interests and your friend's name from drama with a contract spelling out the costs, expectations, and time-line for the services they offer. Even a friend who is just in it as a hobby can find a sample contract in a quick Google search or write up a basic outline to protect you both. While nobody wants to end up with the drama of broken promises or failure to produce what was promised, if money exchanges hands that contract is the best way to ensure that what you get will not be a surprise.
You have the right to say no. Just because something was offered does not mean you are obligated to say yes. Often we feel there is an unfair expectation on the bride that she must accept every offer from her new family or from "his friends" just to make everybody happy. Not once is it written that by getting married you are obliged to take the advice of Great Aunt Claire if her advice is to have the kind of event you never wanted.

These are things I have done for my own events or for friends who I have been a vendor for in some way. From offering discounted photography to doing the fittings on wedding gowns, this is advice not just from my heart, but from my head as well.

Pinterest Ate My Soul

2014-02-18T14:53:00.000-08:00

Oh the horror!

I have avoided joining Pinterest in a non-business aspect for as long as I could. I'm obsessed with looking up wedding gowns if I'm not in the studio or at a wedding, so I've taken care to avoid the easy way to feed that need for flowing girly gowns.

Unfortunately, I am once again on bedrest after giving my doctors a heart attack by almost having a heart attack while in for what should have been a routine exam. A friend sent me a note suggesting I check out "that site with the pictures" because I was fretting over how to plan a combined nursery for the toddler and newborn... and so I have fallen into the void of Pinterest.

I promise to come up for air and share things now and again, including the super cool news that we have a new camera on the way! (this is almost as exciting to me as the new baby) I have had to admit my poor darling has outlived her use as a primary shooter for weddings, and so she is being retired to the hands of my second shooter to live out her days as a studio and occasional wedding clicker if something goes wrong.

I am also happy to be the one back at the keys doing the emailing. When you request info or contact us for a consultation, it is now "Akelis" herself answering the emails. Normally it is Tanya doing this while I am out in the studio or running off to photograph a bride, but when all I have to do all day is edit images and play on Pinterest, it makes sense I be the one you hear from.

Models and local brides looking to perhaps do something a little different should check back at the end of this month for an open casting call. I will be updating and creating new gallery displays for images in the near future. Boudoir subjects can expect to hear from me soon if we want to share your lovely shots and had not previously obtained approval. Couples booking for the up coming season of weddings can expect to be splashed all over the web as I find new ways to get your lovely mug out there. And as always, recommendations from friends about using a photographer are always welcome as brides have so much to plan and do!

-Jeannine-

Cupcake Catastrophy

2014-01-31T09:58:00.003-08:00

While discussing the baby shower plans for tomorrow a memory popped up that made me wish I had my back-up drive handy today. I'm working from the laptop while on some doctor ordered bedrest at the moment, so I'll have to pry the pictures out a little later.

Some of the most hilariously perfect photos happen when you are "there for set-up". I often pop in to the venue on the day of an event and take a look around to get a fast mental image of the where-and-what to expect when we arrive at a reception. On this particular day I arrived at the same time as the baker and the desert delivery and the ever so cute flower-girl in her sparkly pink and white dress.

Yep... anyone with babysitting or parenting experience can see where this is going...

Part of the delivery of deserts was a tower of beautiful cupcakes and lady-finger treats, all delicately frosted with an array of soft pinks, spring greens, and cheerful blues. I saw the colors and made a mental note to get some good images of the colors before the reception turned them to crumbs, then headed upstairs to see the bride.

The bride was lovely and already most of the way through dressing and hair so we had a chance to play with images of the bridesmaids. We did some lovely images in front of the dressing room mirror and the window to catch the pristine white of her gown. Just as we were ready to head down to the ceremony site outside, the bride asked where her flower girl was and a frantic search ensued as nobody had kept track. Like any concerned mom I had a momentary "if that was my kid what would I do" then remembered the last time I had spotted the flower girl and where.

Yes, as you can guess she was mostly safe, though I'm not sure how long it took for her to work off the sugar rush. Only about ten total cupcakes and cookies were mangled, but the results were slightly hilarious to behold. Thankfully, the flowergirl, bride, and nervous mom (a bridesmaid so the girl was supposed to be under grandma's watch) were all fine though nothing could be done to save the pretty toddler dress from some very large stains. What I did get for images were actually quite cute. Covered in crumbs and frosting, the big grin on that messy little face made an appearance in the wedding album and I remember the bride asking for prints to share with her friend later.

So what does all this mean to me? Well, when life gives you cupcakes... MAKE A MESS!

Hotel Shenanigans

2014-01-20T08:05:00.002-08:00

As Valentine's Day creeps ever closer I keep wanting to do one big day of shooting to get in as many bookings as possible in a single push to help limit how often I am over extending as the due date for this baby crawls ever closer. Thankfully, the ever beautiful Tanya has thrown her hat in the ring to pull an event out for all our sultry brides to be and sexy ladies in lingerie!

While I am gearing up with new lens orders for the 2014 wedding season, we are going to do a big day of shooting at a local hotel as well. The goal will be to book a fancy room that has all those picture perfect elements you know and love about great boudoir. So girls, are you ready? Bring your favorite something sexy, have your make-up and hair done by our team, and get your very own session of seductive images to share with your Valentine or yourself.

Dates and location to follow soon. And a big bonus for one lovely bride to be may just be in the works too!

Props and Baby Bumps

2014-01-14T10:49:00.001-08:00

New goodies and props are popping up in my prop collection and I simply could not be happier.

I've been browsing the shelves at our local dollar store as they begin to pull out the Valentine's Day and even some very early Easter items. This is when I can always find things like strings of huge chunky faux pearls to use for a finishing touch over a soft lingerie look for boudoir. I'm most proud of a collection of lace fans that I found a few days after Christmas as they were ditching the "last minute gifts" that did not sell. Score six for a dollar in different colors and no worries if they break or rip.

Soon I'll be going back, this time to look for items to use at my up-coming baby celebration and of course I'll be keeping an eye out for props. One of my all time favorites came from a friend's baby shower where she used flowers in clear crystal slides (made to look like flowers pressed in glass). Placing this just off center and shooting through it focused on a posing child or baby gives a lovely dual image without having to fuss with layers that may not line up in post process. This also lets me have a reminder of that party as a paper weight on my desk when meeting with clients or editing in the evenings.

Colors are a big deal for me this year. I've found that my tastes always seems to float to soft teals, greens, yellows and blues with toddlers and young kids, and deep jewel tones of burgundy, violet, and jade when it comes to adults. I love a classing pin-up girl touch of red for boudoir, but it has started to land in the overkill zone lately with Rockabilly influence seeming to forget that there are color choices beyond black, white and red. I'm a sucker for a bold blue because it does such good in the right light, making even simple images floaty and full of an ethereal sense of heavenly beauty.

I'm going to do some color study images soon for sharing, something to take my mind off how much the pregnancy is slowing down my desire to get out there and shoot. I also have another shoot in the works with a fellow boudoir photographer as part of celebrating my pregnancy and trying to reclaim some of the strength and drive this has sapped over the last month. I'm obsessed with doing a henna belly shoot, so I'll be having a ball with sharing those shots in the near future.

Back to Booking

2014-01-09T19:26:00.002-08:00

For those who we did have come in before the holidays or have been friendly stalking our facebook updates, yes, I really am back for the moment. For anyone not caught up via the social media circuit... I recently had extensive testing and prenatal surgery to deal with some threatening complications to my current pregnancy.

I am not back to 100% just yet, but have returned to work editing and creating new collections of artistic prints to offer for sale and perhaps even a line of custom art wedding and baby shower invitations. Working behind the scenes for the moment means that there will be new fun things to share as we come along toward Valentine's Day and then the start of spring's annual wedding season insanity.

According to my doctors I will be due around Mother's Day, but the chances of having a preemie are high. This means from March - mid-May I will not take any bookings myself, but have enlisted the aid of other photographers who would be willing to take boudoir or wedding bookings and may even be ready to hand over the first shoots to my talented assistant photographer.

But first, VALENTINE'S DAY IS COMING!

I expect that by Sunday I will have time to fully flesh out the details of the packages for boudoir shoots for any and all interested in doing something sweet and sexy for their significant other. I am keeping it all super simple and I can promise prices under $75 for those on a budget.

Until those are available, here is a snapshot of my adorable old doggie relaxing over the holidays.

Cyber Monday

2013-12-02T08:08:00.002-08:00

I do about 90% of my holiday shopping online. I work and edited images from home and spend a good part of my day here at the computer desk while enjoying the chance to be a work-from-home-mother. This means Cyber Monday and Small Business Saturday are big on my "save money by shopping this way" list of budgeting tricks. So why should you forget to save money on what is already one of the most expensive days of your life? Yes... I offer Cyber Monday Wedding Deals!

This year I am focused on small weddings and elopements. They are near and dear to my heart and budget brides should get the chance to be sale loving on every day of the year. This means my Cyber Monday Special is for small events with deals available on larger bookings. Note that this can be purchased any time Monday 12/02 - Friday 12/06.

As part of Cyber Monday we are offering a $350 total package for small events and elopements. Couples interested in this type of booking will have three hours of shooting, the top 100 images edited to their personal taste and finished on CD, and a simple press-print album and credit for another edited image CD on a future family photo shoot (ideal if planning on starting a family or interested in having photos with fur babies at the holidays).

Those who need a longer time, are looking to include a boudoir sitting, or want to investigate our other packages now offered at 30% off, should continue over to our weddings page.

Winter is Coming

2013-11-25T08:36:00.001-08:00

Actually, winter is always coming in this area. Just about the time the last snow melts, we start doing our job to prepare for next year's storms. This somehow never manages to dampen my love for snow. It can be a love/hate relationship at times, but nothing quite compares to watching children and pets play in the pretty white flakes.

Duke is getting older now, he is less about frolicking in the snowbanks and more about finding a soft pile to flop down for a nap, and yet manages to look adorable the whole time. He reminds me how lovely it can be to enjoy the little things, and with a fair sized storm slated for Wednesday, I am trying to focus on how lovely it will look and not how little I enjoy driving through it for our trip to visit family.

Next comes the fun of winter weddings. So many brides skip over this season because they cannot see how beautiful it can look or forget that often they will save money because of the off-peak booking which can go into a larger reception or upgrade in honeymoon.

If you are a winter wonderland bride, congratulations on picking an uncommon season and making the most of the snowy white world! Jewel tones against fresh snow can look amazing in photos, and I am a sucker for the look of a classic wool pea-coat over a wedding gown. And don't forget that you can keep that dress off the ground by going with a knee length design and adding some super cute fashionable boots to warm your toes outside and slip on your dancing shoes at the reception.

As always, winter is slow season for many wedding businesses, so you can save with "End of Season Sales" and booking for the year ahead well in advance. Small business Saturday is on the way too, so keep an eye out for all those discounts and deals where you can. Because there are fewer events, this is a good time to research and contact vendors if you are the kind to ask a ton of questions, take notes and make use of the time wisely, doing everything in a rush can lead to impulse choices that cost you in the end.

As always, enjoy the snow and the holidays!

The Word You Are Looking For Is Perfect!

2013-11-11T11:45:00.003-08:00

Part of being willing to pose for fantastic photography is being comfortable with your body. This is as true for a new bride celebrating in a fantastic white dress as it is for a "heavy" girl doing her first boudoir shoot as a gift for a special somebody. And trust me, it only gets harder when you are battling body image issues and a growing baby bump before a day you know you cannot avoid the camera's flash.

I am pregnant. Some years ago now, I was a pregnant bride. Both times I have been keenly aware of the dirty looks that leaving the house being confident and proud of my belly can earn. The inconsiderate whispers of other brides and shoppers stabbed like knives as I did my best to enjoy planning a wedding and getting the opportunity to have a child.

So why does it bother me when I hear or see people commenting about a woman "looking pregnant"? Because pregnancy requires so much bravery and selflessness. Being heavy after a baby is something we shame women into thinking is a flaw, being thick without having a big round belly is rough and we ALL need to remember that healthy and happy people come in more than one size.

I have this shocking theory that the words "She looks pregnant" should never be used when talking about a woman's clothing choices. It may well be one of the most insulting things ever said about a person's appearance for how it defines both body image and maternity. And as a woman who deals with both fashion and nude figures, it is something that irks me beyond belief when I see those comments on a photo of any strong, smart, sassy lady brave enough to not fall into the fear of photos that comes with wearing a dress size beyond single digits.

Stay tuned for a few fun images I have been keeping up my sleeve that prove that "perfect" is a far better word than "pregnant". Beautiful is defined in our minds, not in our media.

Great Causes We Love

2013-10-31T14:07:00.002-07:00

Things have gone rather off track around here at the moment. What should have been happy news of expecting a new baby in May has lead to some serious health concerns and partial bed-rest orders. To make up for the lost time this is creating, I have been doing some work promoting local and national charities and great causes dear to my heart. Today I'll be sharing those here before heading out to catch some photos of my little boy on his way to do his first real Trick-or-Treat.

EXTRA LIFE

Video game lovers around the country will be donating their time, energy, love, and dignity this weekend in a 25 hour marathon gaming event known as Extra Life. A dear friend and former co-worker of mine is doing her part yet again and can be followed here as she sells her soul to the gamer gods to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

My husband and I are avid gamers with a deep love of zombies and Skyrim, so this is a cause we can both get behind and open-hearted nerds who have seen the wonderful and terrifying side of children's hospitals. Please take a moment to consider donating to this cause and show the world what a little love and an X-Box can do when used the right way!

NILMDTS

More years ago than I care to think of, I was introduced to the program Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS) when a friend lost her baby in an unexpected twist of fate at the end of a healthy pregnancy. The love in those images helped their family begin to heal by having a way to say goodbye. These photographers are such loving and kind people who donate their time and work to grieving parents having to say goodbye just as they whisper hello.

As I mentioned, I am facing a difficult and high risk pregnancy at the moment. Perhaps it is knowing that there is such a fragile balance with a new life that makes this all the more dear to my heart today. Please take the time to see what an amazing gift these people do. Someday I hope to join them in their work to bring a little less hurt to a time no family should be forced to face.

And now, I have a cuddly little race car driver (we are big BBC America fans and TopGear is always popular in our house) waiting to go collect some goodies. Good night and Happy Halloween to you all!

2013 Return to my Roots

2013-10-01T10:50:00.003-07:00

ONE MONTH

I can hardly believe we've been out of our condo a full month. It has driven me crazy at times, trying to adjust to our new location, but I believe things are finally back to normal.

With people around seeing the reality of hard times on their budget, weddings have been fewer and my work has shifted to more artistic images again. I am back to working through the changes on the site, contacting brides for 2014, and enjoying planning events with a few friends.

Saturday was a return to working my second family business, one begun in 2003 by my mother and grandmother and the place that I first learned what it takes to endure through a labor of love and get a small business off the ground. So often, I see those who have risen out of the start-up phase looking down on others, and it makes me sad. Take time to go back to your roots and refocus. You might just quell that ego long enough to learn something grand from somebody quite small.

Naps Are Sexy

2013-09-04T15:05:00.002-07:00

It feels like we've been moving forever. I know really we are done with most of the work, but all I want to do tonight is take a very long nap. Things in the new space are about 70% settled and I'll have time to test out the lighting and such by Friday, but for now you can enjoy something a tad different.

These are test shots from when I set up my first home studio and had to replace bulbs in the studio stands. I was working solo, so I just placed the camera on my tripod stool and used the timer to capture a few different things so I could see how much I needed to raise or lower the exposure.

The image of my hips and heels is a personal favorite as it was an accident that turned out to be one of the best from that test. Anyway, hope you enjoy these while I go take a nap!

Wedding Day Details

2013-08-28T17:58:00.001-07:00

Last weekend my high school best friend had a small, informal wedding to celebrate her marriage with a great guy. It was lovely to see her and her bridesmaids in the gowns from our shop, and I am proud I could be a part of helping them celebrate the day. I have been busy training a new assistant and preparing the final stages of moving out of our "too little" condo so editing has taken a while, but here are some of the cute little details and moments from that day.

New Beginnings

2013-08-24T16:38:00.001-07:00

Gowns provided by:
Weddings By Armando

Congratulations to Steven & Lorina Gray.

It was a beautiful wedding,
and we all wish you a wonderful married life.

So Close and So Far

2013-08-17T22:09:00.002-07:00

Next weekend I have a small wedding of a high school friend and that will be my first chance this month to do much photography. It's not for lack of offered bookings really, just lack of time after medical needs for the toddler and moving needs for my whole family.

Photofreak Photography: Shameless Plug Time

2013-08-13T21:55:00.001-07:00

Recently I began working on the other end of the lens and staging my return to work as a model. This has been rough at times and while I miss the thin body I had in college, I am getting more comfortable day by day. In the works are at least two more shoots with other local photographers, but I wanted to share a few favorites from my first time back in the role of model.

To see more work from Photofreak Photography or to book your own shoot, please check him out here.