Holiday Mini Marathon 2011

This is very exciting for me! Last year I held a holiday mini marathon and it was fantastic! But this year, I think it will be even better because I am able to do it in my very own studio space!

And if you know me at all, you know that my house (studio) will be decked out for Christmas so there are many many photo ops!

I am running this for two days only! Dec. 2 - 3 . . .

Cost is $50

{Includes}: 15-20 minute shoot in studio, editing of all images, photo disc with release, a 5 x 7 print and 8 wallets, AND a DVD slideshow Christmas card.

Contact me today to book your spot as they will fill up quickly!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=191018774312761

BLACK FRIDAY SPECIALS 2011

Last year I ran some BLACK FRIDAY specials of my own. 

So this year, of course I'd do the same.

All specials include a 1 hour session, editing, disc with edited images and printing release.

Contact me if you'd like to take advantage of these specials!

Rustic Vintage Inspiration Board . . .

One of my friends is getting married. And I'm thrilled that she has asked me to help with the wedding preparations and decorating. Seriously. For any of you that do know me, you know that I am really really into this! Ha!

So yesterday I was finally able to go visit the park in which their ceremony and reception will take place. I've known about the wedding and the fact that I'll be helping for a while now, but it was hard for me to put together one of my inspiration boards because I had no idea what the space looked like. Well, now I do. 

So I'd like to present to you my rendition of a Vintage Rustic Wedding.

Description from top left: 1. Typewriter Guest Book 2. Handwritten Stone Place Cards 3. Hanging Ball Mason Jars with votives 4. Vintage camera/book centerpiece 5. Vintage Door Screen and Rustic Chandelier 6. Wine bottle candles 7. Lemonade 8. Vintage Suitcases 9. Ball Mason Jar Vase 10. Book covers with wedding date stencil 11. Vintage Camera/Book centerpiece 12. Vintage Doors used for ceremony entrance 13. Galvanized grated tin buffet wall with chalkboards 14. Stone Isle

1. Instead of the typical guest book, have a working, vintage typewriter with a roll of paper for your guests to write you a little note. A great keepsake.

2. An inexpensive but beautiful alternative for paper placecards. Collect (or buy) river stones. Use a paint pen to hand write your guests' names. Have them laid out in a old dresser drawer with moss or even a vintage suitcase.

3. Use canning jars for candles. Use twine or wire to hand them from rafters/ceiling or even just set them around the room for beautiful candlelight.

4. & 11. Use vintage cameras and books to make unique centerpiece displays. Stack hardcovered books and use candles, cameras and vases of fresh cut flowers. If you have a favorite animal such as a dinosaur (hehe) you could even add on of those next to the camera.

5. If you have any, even one vintage door around  . . . use it! It makes for a wonderful backdrop basically anywhere. You can hinge a few together to make a beautiful screen to hide things or to use for displays of photos. Also in this picture is an old chandelier. Make the "head table" special by hanging one with candles above.

6. How much wine will you drink between now and your wedding? Save the bottles and put candle sticks in them and place them in between all the food and deserts on the buffet. When the candles start to melt the wax will drip down the sides of the bottles and are actually very beautiful and romantic looking.

7. What more do I have to say. Any vintage looking drink dispenser is wonderful.

8. Vintage suitcase can be used for several things. Stack them up. Use the for a table at your ceremony or just to add different heights on your desert table or food table. Open one up and use it to hold your wedding ceremony programs and place it at the entrance of your ceremony. Remember those stone placecards? Cover bottom of open suitcase with moss and place all the stones inside. Great display.

9. Use ball mason canning jars as vases for centerpieces. You can also use ball mason jars for drinks too!

10. I love this idea and actually have never thought of it before. Books are a great filler for decoration and displays. Cover books with fabric or paper and use a stencil to write the wedding date on it. Layer them in order next to each other or stack them up. 

12. This is my favorite yet. Use two vintage doors at the entrance of your ceremony area. Lean them up against two trees if you are unable to get them to stand alone. But if, for instance, you have two doors that happen to be already on bases with casters, it would work perfectly! (Hint hint) You do not need to close the doors for a grand entrance, but I think it will designate the entrance for your guests.

13. So if you have unsightly things on the wall behind where your food buffet will be, think how to cover it. I'm not really sure if this is an expensive idea or not, but it looks cool. Use tin grates and secure them behind. Use chalkboards to write food labels on. OR for an inexpensive alternative use drywall sheets. Yes, drywall sheets. Use chalkboard paint (or even just black paint would be fine) and secure them behind. 

14. Go to a landscaping business and get one of those plastic storage containers filled with stones. Lay them in small grouping lines to show where the isle is. Then, when the wedding is over, you have a start on your landscaping border. Bonus.

{Bellin Run 2011}: Green Bay Event photography

101 Women Project by Kara Counard . . .

Last evening I had the privilege to photograph an event of one of my dear friends and fellow photographers. Kara Counard of Bloom Photography debuted her 101 Women Project at the Art Garage here in Green Bay. The night was wonderful, filled with nothing but joy and amazing and talented people. You could just feel the positive energy in the room as everyone "oooed and ahhhed" over Kara's brilliance. I was truly honored to be a part of such a great tribute to inspiring women. Thank you Kara for sharing your talent and beautiful spirit with us!

Ace of Cakes . . .

 . . . or should I say Trace of Cakes, as in, Cake Art by Tracy. I thought I would feature her today since she was so kind as to respond to one of my posts on facebook with nothing but support. So I will reciprocate. Not only because she supports me and my business, but because she is AMAZING at making cakes. And not only do they look beautiful, but they are very delicious too. So many times you pay "big bucks" for cakes and they end up tasting like mush. I speak from experience, that her cakes DO NOT! And she pretty much can do any flavor you want too!

One of my favorite things about Tracy and her cakes though is her ability and persistence to get exactly what you want! Every single one of these cakes she did for me. And every single one I had brought her a picture or even just explained in detail what I wanted and she made it happen! And FYI to all my Brides . . . she is very skilled in fondant! 

Photo credits from top: Miranda and Ben's Wedding - KS Photography, Maxim's 2nd Birthday - KS Photography, Maxim's 1st Birthday - Adam Koenig, Madden's 4th Birthday - Shaunae Teske

A picture is worth a thousand . . . birds?

My very wonderful and talented friend Bethany of Larky Park Clothing and Accessories shared this the other day after the first Broadway Farmer's Market on Wednesday night. And I found it such a sweet photo that I HAD to share it on my blog.

For those that live in Green Bay, you know how windy it was on Wednesday. Now, I unfortunately didn't make it down to the market that night due to my 2 year old, but normally I'd be there. It is a really great way to spend time with family and friends and the artistic and lively atmosphere is amazing! But the first market of the season would have blown me away apparently (Yes, I totally meant the play-on words) Tents were flying, merchandise unable to be put out and not to mention everyone's hair was a tangled mess. But through all the chaos Mother Nature likes to throw at us, this happened . . .

"Amidst the high winds, collapsing tents, and general cuckoo-ness of the season's first market - something very sweet happened. I had started to feel discouraged and a bit whipped - when out of the bluster landed a wee little bird who must have felt the same. It stayed for about 20 minutes, nestled in while I bustled about. Eventually i just stopped to take in the wonder of it's small little self - a real, live little bit. Oddly enough, that bird settled me down somehow. It was wonderful, precious and needed." Bethany Fuson of Larky Park

10 reasons to hire a photographer for your child's birthday party . . .

1. Its hard to take pictures while making sure the kids are ONLY hitting the pinata.
2. It prevents you from stressing even more.
3. You get to mingle with your guests.
4. Sitting down to eat with everyone won't be an added bonus.
5. A camera is one less thing you have to worry about bringing.
6. People aren't as reluctant to smile for a photographer.
7. Trust me . . . you will remember the party more.
8. 10 years from now your child won't question whether you were there because you weren't in any of the pictures.
9. Believe it or not, your child DOES want you to be a part of their party.
10. Other parents will envy you.

Some of you may have never thought to hire a photographer for your child's birthday party. But let me tell you, and I speak from experience, it is 100% worth it! Now I tend to go a little overboard with my children's parties, but ever since my son, Maxim's first birthday, I actually even hire a photographer. I kept feeling left out. I wasn't in ANY of the pictures and I never got to mingle with any of my guests because I was not only playing hostess, but trying to take pictures too. It was horrible. But now, hiring someone to be there to capture every moment of the party takes so much off of my shoulders and I actually get to enjoy myself.

My event photographer is $100 per hour. And then after the first hour I will pro-rate the price in 15 minute increments. And you will not regret it! I promise you that!

Vintage Event inspiration board . . .

This is NOT my work. So as much as I would love to take the credit for this amazing photography and decor, I sadly cannot. Although, a good friend of mine is getting married in September and this is right up her alley . . . and if she is reading this, she is nodding and smiling right now so I might be photographing my own recreation of this in the coming months.

Photo Sources (L to R): Jill Thomas Photography on Style Me Pretty; Photography by Jaclyn Simpson and Jennifer Kathryn on SMP; Oncewed.com; Alders Photography on SMP; SewnNatural on Sweetestoccasion.com; Leslee Mitchell Photography on SMP; Anda Marie Photography on SMP; Abigail Seymour Photography on SMP; Peter Izzard on SMP;Easytogrowblubs.com; Jackie Wonders on SMP; April Smith Photography on SMP

My reason behind posting this is that anyone planning a wedding, shower, engagement party or even just a "fancy smancy" dinner party NEEDS to think out of the box! Seriously people. You don't always need to go to a florist and get the same ol' roses and cali lilly bouquet. And sorry to say it, but the floating flower candles are old news. And don't even get me started on the bridesmaid dresses . . . trust me, you'll have a much happier wedding party if you just let your girls choose their own dress in the style they feel comfortable in. Matchy matchy is not matching the trends these days!

So if you ARE planning an event . . . ask someone in the event industry for help. And I don't mean hire them, unless of course you want to and have the money to do so, I just mean, if you are lucky enough to have a friend who IS in fact a photographer, caterer, etc., ask them what they have been seeing. What they like or don't like. What works well for photos and what doesn't. It will help tremendously to make your event stand out from the rest and make it an even more memorable experience. And if you HAVE in fact hired me for your wedding already, I will help you! Even though I haven't photographed 100 weddings like the photographer in my last post, I know what I'm talking about and do know a thing or two about party planning. (I know several of you will vouch for that!) So please please please do not hesitate to ask me for opinions or ideas!

And remember . . . sometimes, the best things to use for an event are things that are just lying around your house. And so you know what I am talking about, I've made a short list.

Everyday things make an event . . .

• Old wooden ladder - use for candles or in place of the "gift table"
• Your grandparents suitcases - different heights add depth and interest to any tablescape
• Canning jars - use for candles, drinking glasses, silverware storage, etc.
• Buttons - the new "old" confetti, or string them for garland
• Hard cover books - another item to use for depth and interest
• Firewood - stick it anywhere! Seriously, a great filler for around candles or flowers, etc.
• Vintage ANYTHING - cameras, phones, table fans, doors, door knobs, key holes, trunks, crystal, dining plates and serving platters, the list is endless but all are wonderful!
• Empty Picture Frames - lay them flat on table, layer them against a wall, hang them
• Print out food labels - so simple but makes any event look classy and sophisticated
• Branches - hang from ceiling, use in place of flowers, even just lay them across tables