Eyes open or shut

While we were in Charlotte, we were having lunch with my cousins downtown on their lunch break. On our way back, Chris stopped me quick to get the camera out of my oversized purse. I stopped looking around to see what he might have seen to take a picture of. Immediately I saw what he had in mind. I absolutely love what he had in mind and the image that he quickly captured before having his own shoes shined. This is a timeless image that seems to have no connection to the twenty-first century. I'm sure this man has been sitting here for years shinning shoes and staying warm with his heater and cardboard barrier that blocks the cold wind coming in the door. Many business men walked by telling him hi and making comments to him. He was a man of little words. We are living with our eyes open, stretching to keep aware of the history around us.

Grady Family

Our next stop in North Carolina was to my cousin Toby and his wife Katie's home. They have Jacob who is three and the new addition of three month old Sarah Grace. We just loved our time spent with them and enjoying some fun healthy food and good times with the kids. Thank you Toby and Katie for all your love and support!

How beautiful is this little lady? I love how vibrant her eyes and lips are.












Jacob cracked us up with all the little things he said while we were there. He is such a fun little three year old.

Katie's Favorites

We are in North Carolina seeing family still, but I didn't want to forget about telling you what this weeks favorite. This week I wanted to highlight one of my favorite restaurants. It's called Wasabi. It has some great sushi and is close to us and makes it easy for us to enjoy their amazing dishes. Be sure to check them out and enjoy all this great little restaurant has to offer. Our favorite two rolls are the Bubble Gum and the Bulls Eye. I know they have crazy names, but I assure you that it won't let you down! Enjoy a roll and call us if you are going. We'd love to join you.

Dardens

We are in North Carolina right now. We've been visiting some family and loving catching up. We were with the Dardens when we first arrived to Charlotte. I loved seeing these kids. They are my cousins and are getting so big!

Here is Katherine. She loves reading and writing, so we caught some pictures of her doing her thing.












Will is getting so big. I remember coming to see him when he was a baby! He's now in 9th grade and loves to play his guitar.












John is the baby of the family and loves to cuddle. He was so much fun to love on.












Thomas just received a bass for Christmas and is enjoying learning. He also loves to play basketball.









The four kids together.



We loved seeing you guys and being able to catch up. Thanks for such a great trip.

Tamara & Terald - Foundry at Puritan Mill

January 20th, 2008 marked our first beautiful wedding of the New Year. We had a fun time with Tamara and Terald in downtown Atlanta doing their engagement session. We witness a love that was understanding and sweet mixed with an air of elegance. The venue of this fine wedding and reception was at The Foundry at Puritan Mill. Her gorgeous dress was from Pricilla of Boston Tamara worked along side with Nicky Graham with Sugar Sweet Events to help design and coordinate the beautiful details of this day. It was definitely a day where simplicity met sophistication. From the moment the ceremony started to the reception, guests loved every moment. We had the pleasure and of working again with Carla On Occasions of Atlanta to provide fresh array of flora. We also had the pleasure of having Adam Linke to work with us in capturing great moments. Thank you to everyone for making such an amazing day.


Enjoy their slideshow by clicking here.













































I love this shot that Adam captured of the bride after the wedding.

For all you photographers...

We wanted to give a huge shout out to our friend Emilie who is putting on a workshop that deserves some attention.

It's called Roots: a photojournalism workshop. So if any of you have 7/13-7/17 open, you need to get some more info.



Here is a run down of the workshop:

Wedding photojournalism is a popular buzz word in our industry. But few know that photojournalism actually refers to news photography. Instead of just adopting the trendy style, invest the time to truly learn the craft.

Roots Workshop is an introduction to photojournalism for already-established wedding photographers interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the roots of this chosen genre. Taught by some of the best photographers and photo editors in the country (including visual editors from National Geographic and Newsday) and wedding photographers with a background in news photography (including Greg Gibson, Jennifer Domenick and Emilie Sommer), Roots is different than other wedding photography workshops because it blends students with staff who have actual experience in the editorial photography, all living together under the same roof.

Students will be divided into two teams, each with a leader and shooting mentors. Each day, students will work on an assigned picture story unique to Cape Cod. Assignments range in topic with a traditional Cape Cod theme including the historic Cape Cod Baseball League to the Kennedy Compound. Each night back at the house, team leaders will conduct group editing sessions.

The workshop's final night will include a sunset harbor cruise with live music and a clambake not to be missed! There will also be a slideshow of student work and newspaper mock-ups of each picture story designed by a graphic designer. This is the only wedding photography workshop that begins with an assignment and ends with a finished layout suitable for publication.

While Roots is designed to provide an amazing experience on Cape Cod and the extreme fun that comes when a group of passionate, creative minds come together (imagine the 3a photography discussions around the kitchen table with coffee and pjs), it is most definitely not a fluff workshop. Students will work hard and be critiqued hard. The opportunity for personal growth is enormous given our small student-to-staff ratio (2-1). Participants who maximize these resources and engage in the experience to the fullest can immediately apply their newly learned photojournalism skills to their wedding photography.

The staff line-up includes Greg Gibson, Arnold and Andrea Miller, Kevin Eans, Jennifer Domenick, Tyler Wirken, Vince DeWitt and Emilie Sommer. Roots is sponsored by Adobe, News Wedding Photographers, liveBooks and ShootQ. For more information, please visit http://www.rootsworkshop.com or email info@rootsworkshop.com.

Published in Brides Atlanta

Katie and Matt's wedding from last summer was published in Brides Atlanta that just hit stands. We just adored our time spent with Katie and Matt. We could not be happier that all of their fun plans were displayed in this new issue. Congrats to Matt and Katie once again on a great union and marriage!

Simplicity

Sometimes the simplicity of an image makes it powerful. People and expressions are normally what we seek to make our images strong. They are the ones who are the most important to you and their love is written on their faces. Sometimes it's just in the solitude of an heirloom that will be just as important one day. We try to capture a balance of these images that you will want to remember. Here is another image from the wedding we did with Brandy and Sticky. Brandy and I tried to find the perfect spot for this dress. I think she did an amazing job. We were so happy with the outcome. Great eye Brandy! The other strong point to this image is the repetition of the chairs and how the dress breaks it up. The dreamy light coming through the Sunday School room only perfects the image. This eye is what you need to seek as you are choosing your wedding photographer.

Details

Most people know that I love details. I love all the little thoughts and plans that a bride puts into her day. It gives me insight into their style and their personality. Over New Years we were with Brandy and Sticky up in Ohio for a wedding. The bride put a lot of thought into her colors and at every turn there were more fun details. The bouquets were absolutely stunning. I thought I might share with you a collage of images of just the details.

Katie's Favorites

Yea! It's Monday and time for another of my favorite items in the world! Etsy is a GREAT place for unique items. It is an ebay for artists of sorts. Chris always goes to this site when it comes time for my birthday or Christmas. It has unique jewelry that no one else will be wearing. It stands out and most pieces are made by hand instead of being mass produced, giving an exceptional uniqueness to this find. Since we are artists, we value those who also create art. This is why I always find myself coming back to this site.

Here is my current favorite item. Is it not just gorgeous? So, I pose the question...what do you love and what sets you apart?

Charlie and Maggie

I put up a little post last month about my brother getting married. Jerrod Brown out of Alabama did the pictures. So I am going to post a few for you to enjoy. It was incredibly hard to choose which ones to post, so I just took a sampling of the portrait time. Maggie and Charlie are extremely special to Chris and I. We are so happy for you both! Thanks to Jerrod for doing such an amazing job!

Her bouquet was very delicate and soft.



The Bride:



Maggie, her sister Annie and me.



Maggie



A fun detail.



All the Bergen boys. : )




Isabella, one of the flower girls.



I loved this one Jerrod captured in the bride's room.



Father and Daughter as they get ready to walk down the isle.



The Bride and Groom!



Their get away. It was just beautiful.

Dinner with Friends

Last night we had dinner with some friends who came from all over the United States! After we had a fun time letting them see our studio, we headed over to No Mas! Nathan, Shyla, Sara, Liana and Mike were all able to make it. Thank you all for driving down to the city on such a chilly night. We had a great time!

Snow Day

This afternoon snow came to visit Atlanta. Since Asia is a Colorado native, she misses the white fluffy goodness. Chris and I took a break from work and went and played with her. She "loved" it. Actually she howled at it most of the time. Trying to catch some in the air too. It was so funny. The construction workers across the street were laughing at our poor girl.

Enjoy the pictures of us playing. We hope you were able to take a break as well!


Daddy trying to calm the little lady down.




We are not the only ones who like to catch snow on our tongues.




Detail of the snow.



I simply love this one of her ears flying in the cold wind with the snow falling on her head.



Me and my baby.



One more lovely detail. Check out those colors in the background.

Chris the Giver

As long as I have known Chris, there is one thing that stands true. He is a giver. He's always willing to help. Today when we went to give blood, they "hooked" me up first. Then Chris comes in and is talking to the nurses. Then he goes back in the back again and he comes out smiling. Not only is he giving red blood cells twice, but he is also giving platelets. (over achiever) : ) He is such a good guy. I was the one who gave a little too fast and nearly fainted twice. Chris just had his crackers and juice and was ready to go.

We are blogging about this subject that might turn some of your stomachs for a few reasons. We think it's important to give and we also know the blood banks are in need. If you have some time, get out there and try to help.

Breakfast of Champions

So today we are giving blood. No fun, but I try to take extra care of us when we do. I made us smoothies made of: pineapple, raspberry, banana, orange juice, vanilla yogurt, flax seed oil and fresh mint. (all ingredients were organic) Then I made us a multigrain bagel with organic flaxseed peanut butter on it.

Truly a well rounded breakfast. I hope the complexity of the elements will keep me from passing out later today. : )

Katie's Favorites

I gain inspiration from many different textiles and forms of art. It stretches my vision for our company and our branding. I thought it would be fun to share with you something that I love every Monday. I'll search the internet and our favorite shops to bring you fresh and innovative items for your home, gifts and ideas for your business (if you are a photographer).

I thought I would start out bringing you one site that I have been watching and ordering from for about three years now.

It's called Lovely Design and I must say that the name is right on target. I love letters and the hand written word. If you want some unique stationary, definitely check them out. We even used their "take me too books" as our guest book at our wedding. Too fun.



Enjoy the website and all of their hand made and found papers.

** Also anyone that has been to our studio would know how much I love her color scheme on this site.

Terald and Tamara

In just a short time Terald and Tamara will be getting married. We are really looking forward to their wedding. It will prove to be an amazing wedding. Can't you just imagine Tamara in a bird cage veil? Gorgeous! We had some fun with them last week with a casual portrait session. They were great in the cold going in and out of their jackets. Thanks to you both and we can't wait for your wedding!

I just love how sweet they look together.









Many of these images were Chris' but this one is by far our favorite. He waited for this image and it was nice that this man was walking by at just the right time.

A Positive

American Red Cross has been calling me frequently to tell me of their need for blood. Since we've been traveling we were not able to give. We've been hard at work the last couple of days with hardly having time to think about anything other than work. They called again today and I was able set up our appointment for both of us to give next week. We are both A Positive and I thought it was the most generic blood and thus the least needed; or so I told myself to feel better about not giving. I am not a fan of giving. I am light headed just writing this blog, but I know it is something we all need to do. I know I will be hoping others give when I am the one in need. The woman on the phone told me that our blood type can be given to cancer patients and newborns, no matter what their blood type. This was news to me. Just thought I might encourage you all to get out there and give. It's been a busy couple of months for everyone and the blood banks are feeling it.

On the topic of giving, we will have some very exciting news to be sharing about plans that we have in action. Stay tuned!!!



On a side note: if blood makes you light headed never do the following...google the word blood for stock images to use on your blog. : )

ImagingUSA in Tampa, FL

We were really busy since Saturday. We shot a wedding with Ben and then flew right down Tampa that evening. We were at a photography convention and learned about some more great products and companies. We always love learning and growing so that we can pass on great products and service to our clients.


Here is the tradeshow floor.



The NIKON booth!



Chris taking care of business, listening to messages.



Dinner with some friends: Timco, David Christensen, Ben, us, in the next booth over there is Robin Knight, Carrie Viohl and Nathan Holritz.



On the last day we were walking to classes and Ben took a picture of us with Tampa in the background. It was such a beautiful morning.



We are happy to say that we are back home and in the office working away!

New Years Day in Ohio

Having lived in Colorado, i miss the snow. I miss how much it slows the pace of life and renews the landscape with a fresh start. On New Years we drove from Columbus to Van Wert. Sticky delivered us all home safe and sound at around 3:30 am. Then we talked a bit and headed to bed. It had already started snowing. When we woke it was beautiful and white and continued snowing all day. We sat around talking, cooking, laughing, watching games and playing them. It was a good relaxing day that was much needed.

Brandy is quite the cook! It was fun discussing food and seeing her make us yummy meals all day.





Their adorable home! I just loved it. Living in a loft, we understand and appreciate older architecture with it's personality.



Our time came to an end in Van Wert and we headed to Dayton for the airport. Here we are just after lunch.



An image that was all too familiar to Brandy and I this week. :) Thanks guys!



And now an image that is very familiar to Chris and I here lately!



We hope your New Years was wonderful!

Happy New Year!

This post is a few days past due! : ) We've been traveling and just now able to really blog. We were in Columbus, Ohio for New Years shooting a wedding with Brandy and Sticky.

Many more pictures from all the fun coming soon!

For now we just wanted to wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year!