I'm super-excited to announce that I'll be hosting JVS's one-day speedlight seminar at my Ann Arbor studio! 

What better way to jump-start wedding season than with a full day of hands-on learning and shooting with one of the best in the biz?  Seriously, JVS knows his stuff - check out this gorgeous bridal session he just shot with photography superstar jessica claire.

Some more deets on the workshop:

"The Speedlites Workshop is a long, 12 hour day that will be jammed packed full of learning, eating, shooting and more eating:)  By the end of the day you'll be beyond excited about shooting with your Speedlites.  You'll learn to shape your Speedlites with grids, para reflectors, umbrellas, snoots, gels, soft boxes and a beauty dish made specifically for Speedlites." 

Tuition is $500, and includes all meals, snacks, drinks, and a full day of learning.  Attendance is capped at 15 photographers - so hurry up and sign up!  To register, please visit http://www.jvspictures.com/Workshops and click on "Register".  Also check out his workshop blog for some more great info and inspiration. 

Hope to see you there!  

I'm super-excited to finally have some great photos of myself!  I met up earlier this week with my pal Kristen Taylor, who also needed some photos, for a little shoot-off (one of the benefits of having photographer friends, HA!).  Kristen was actually one of the first friends I made in the biz when I was just getting started, and I must say, it's pretty awesome to see us both doing so fabulous all these years later.

Here's a few of my faves

If you're a fan on facebook, you've already seen this, but figured I should post here, too ;-)

I was so excited to get the results of ISPWPs latest contest.  ISPWP is one of the most prestigious organizations out there in the world of wedding photography.  I was invited to join a couple years ago, after I placed in PDN's top knots competition .  I've really enjoyed participating in their contests through the years, and have always done pretty well, but this last time I had a first place - and did well enough to place 14th overall - like, in the whole country.  Kind of a big deal, if I do say so myself! ;-) 

So much of what we do as photographers is subjective.  But it is really gratifying to get such positive feedback from a community of respected peers.  One of the things I like most about ISPWP is that it's not a big popularity contest, like so much else in the world of wedding photography.  It's not about who has the hippest blog, or hosts the best WPPI party.  It's just real, working photographers, creating amazing imagery.  It's also not something you can just buy your way into, like a lot of other "professional" organizations out there.  Members are vetted carefully by a panel of pros. 

Here is my 1st place winner, the lovely Deb:

So Tommy and I are really kicking our planning into high gear this month and I am getting super excited!  I am finally ready to reveal our location - which is just awesome.  We are getting married at (drumroll please)....the Palmer House!  It is Ann Arbor's only Frank Lloyd Wright designed home, and truly a gem.  Ours will be one of the first weddings held there, as it's only recently been made available as a rental for small events.  It will be a perfect fit for the intimate dinner-party wedding we are planning.

Here are some cool pics of the house (by Chris Arace)












and here's an interesting video with a little more background




I'll be rockin' a custom dolly couture dress (which my mom thinks is weird - sorry mom!), Tommy is on the hunt for the perfect vintage suit, and we've just hired wedding planner extraordinaire Laura Davis to help us make our vision a reality.  We're also building up our collection of vintage radios for a special surprise ;-)  if you have one to contribute let me know!!  I will say, this whole process has really helped me to see weddings in a new light, and to relate to my clients in way I'm not sure I was able to before.  We are so excited, and will be sure to share more as it all comes together.  Happy weekend!      

I seriously am so lucky to have some of the coolest, kindest people on earth as my clients ;-)

I've gotten so many thoughtful gifts this year - from gift cards to coffee cakes, spa gift certificates, even a mezuzah! 

Just yesterday, Deb swung by the studio with a prezzie so cool I had to share it!  Deb is a hugely talented ceramics artist - you may remember her wedding from October, where she gifted her wedding party with custom mugs.  Well, now I have one of my very own!  Check this out:

Thanks Deb!

To everyone else who helped make 2009 such a great year - THANK YOU!  Here's to an even bigger and better 2010 ;-)

tommy and I are headed to Cleveland to spend the holiday with my family.  And (gasp!) I don't know that my folks currently have internet (not because they live in the stone age, lol - they're waiting to move into their new home and staying somewhere temporary).  Anyhow - this means I might not be as reachable as normal through Friday. 

happy thanksgiving!  and look for LOTS of fun falltime portraits, and another rockin' bat mitzvah coming to the blog next week ;-) 

I can't believe my favorite little peanut has started kindergarten!  I was lured out of bed last week at an ungodly hour to help see him off - the promise of chocolate chip pancakes may have also played a role in getting me over there ;-)

But so glad I made it!  here's a few snaps I took:

Owen practicing his lightsaber moves
nina being....nina.....

i'm starting to get excited!!  thought I would share the scoop on my dress with all my loyal blog readers ;-)

I am LOVING dolly couture - her dresses are exactly what I had in mind - so darling, and delightfully affordable as well!


she has an entire line of ready-to-wear, and also takes on custom projects.  I haven't decided on an exact design yet - but I am really digging this one, 'the beverlywood':

So....I think some of you were beginning to wonder if Tommy and I were ever actually going to get married!  We are definitely taking our time, but we have finally found the absolute perfect spot.  It's not finalized yet, so I don't want to jinx anything.  But a little hint:  it's in Ann Arbor, and it's a structure with no 90 degree angles...

those who know me and my design aesthetic will probably not be surprised by this choice ;-) 

Any guesses?!

keep your fingers crossed for us everyone!

and because what's a blog post without a photo - here's a cute one of us my friend mary ann sent over after sara and alex's wedding

Tommy and I are both big believers in the idea of eating as locally as possible.  And it doesn't get much more local than your own backyard!  Since we moved into our home, we've had a blast with our backyard container garden.  Here's some of the latest goods!

yummy heirloom tomatoes
snap peas
green peppers
little baby cucumbers!

these beauties went into my morning omelette - YUM!

sadly, our bok choy and arugula got savaged by some unknown critters this year ;-(  but overall our garden has been a smashing success!  I still haven't given up my dream of someday having chickens - maybe next year!