Big news- it snowed in Fortuna!

I know that snow isn't a big deal to many of you, but here in Fortuna, it only snows every 5 or 6 years. The kids were so excited. I will post some pictures of them playing later.

WPPI ~ Las Vegas

Andy and I got back from the WPPI Convention (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) in Las Vegas last weekend. What an amazing event! I will be writing more blog posts about the things I learned and some of the new products that I found at the trade show that I think my clients will LOVE! Here are a few photos taken with my phone...

From the bridge connecting the MGM Grand (where we stayed) to the New York New York... looking down the Vegas strip.



Vegas has some great people watching.... this guy was getting lots of attention from the people walking by...



Andy and I walked to M&M World to get a couple things for the kids....



More to come this week....

Branding time! 1st one done!

Yesterday was our first branding of the season and things went very well. We let the kids get out of school early to be a part of things and they had a great time!

J.T. wanted to be right in the middle of everything....

And a few action shots....



J.T. was not thrilled to have to sit on the fence for awhile when the pen got a little wild...


More action....


Can you see how much he just loves this?

And the whole crew... well except for me because I am always behind the camera!

Abigail finally got a job and helped give shots...


One down, three to go...

Basketball has started!

J.T. started park and rec basketball on Saturday. It is always quite entertaining to watch the kids play. For some reason, he ended up with a size large shirt so it is a little big. I need to see what I can do about that this week before the next game...

Above average

I recently read on a photography blog that the average bride and groom spend only 10% of their wedding budget on wedding photography. Of course, everyone has their own priorities when it comes to wedding spending but I am going to share my opinion as a photographer.

It is so difficult when planning a wedding to figure out how to stretch the budget to cover everything, but I believe photography should be near the top of the list. It is what the couple will have when everything is over to help them remember their wonderful day. I think every bridal couple should give serious consideration to making photography a bigger item in terms of their budget. This being said, an expensive photographer doesn't guarantee beautiful images. It is something that needs to be researched... one of the best way to do this is by asking friends or family members who have recently been married. In addition to seeing their images, you can ask questions about the photographer's personality, interaction with bridal party, and overall opinion of how the photographer contributed to the day.

I don't photograph too many weddings, usually only a few each year, so I am not writing any of this information to get you to hire me as your wedding photographer. No matter which photographer a bride and groom decide to hire, please make sure you are getting what you are looking for, even if it costs a few extra dollars. You will not be sorry....

Kids Birthday Club

If you have a child with a January birthday and want to participate in the Birthday Club special, it is still available in February. Contact me to make an appointment.

We love books!

Aren't my nieces so adorable? And I am sure their former librarian grandma is loving these pictures of the girls enjoying books...