Saying We Do...

Photograph weddings?!?!...

We love weddings!  They are beautiful and special and there are so many wonderful opportunities to get creative with photos!  But…we made a conscious decision not to photograph them.   The decision was for a lot of reasons – we didn’t have pricing in place, they are a lot of work and take a lot of time - and we both have other jobs!  And….let’s just put it out there!  We weren’t willing to risk providing anything less than perfect images of a once in a lifetime day.  There are lots of “what ifs” involved!  It’s not like if the pictures don’t turn out you can go back and have a “do over”!

All that changed on January 29!  Change is good!  So is stepping out of your comfort zone.  We took wedding photos for some very special people on their very special day and we were actually pretty pleased with the results.

So why did we do it?  As I said, these are two very special people and we have some pretty special connections.  The bride is my co-grandma (to Hailey).  She is Tiffany’s mom and she has done an absolutely amazing job as a single mom raising two smart, independent and all-around awesome young women.  And the groom has done a pretty great job raising his four kids too.  And now they have a big, blended family that is going to change the face of everything they do from now on…birthdays, holidays, parties, you name it!

We did it because we wanted to!  We did it because we wanted to be part of all that was special about these two people finding each other and deciding to spend the rest of their lives together.  We did it because we thought maybe we were ready to take a baby step into the world of wedding photography.  I don’t know when we’ll do another but when we do, we’ll have just a little more confidence about it.   Thanks, J & G, for stepping out there with us and trusting us to capture your wedding day with images that we hope will bring lots of good memories each time you look at them. 

Take a look and see what you think…

Couldn't resist adding this one...Three generations, the littlest bridesmaid - Miss Hailey

"Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts."
~William Shakespeare 

I'd like to raise my glass and make a toast the happy couple all over again! 
I couldn't do it before...I had my camera in my hands!

Happy Valentines Day to you and the ones you love...

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."

~Helen Keller

We ♥ Baby Props

We are picking up baby and children's props left and right and can't wait to use them.  Today we entered a giveaway from from Inspire Me Baby Me Baby to win some adorable headbands from Sprinkles for Sprouts.  We can't wait to photograph your baby/child.  Give us a call to schedule your session soon and spread the word...

                           XOXO, 
                               Tina

Putting with the Pros

I haven’t blogged in over two months, but today was like the breath of fresh air that I needed, literally and figuratively speaking!  Getting out in the sunshine and attending the CBS Outdoor Special Olympics Putting Contest at the Waste Management Phoenix Open with Ryan as a participant, breathed a dash of hope, and sprinkle of optimism into my mournful soul!  



In a time when all we hear from the media are tragic and devastating stories I am here to tell you the paparazzi were there in droves to capture the opposite side of humanity.



Lots of media attention with
Coach Whisenhut as his partner

Just get involved in Special Olympics and goodness will present itself at every turn.  The world is full of good people (many of whom are near and dear to us) who give of their time, their energy, and their money to make opportunities happen for those they feel are deserving of a time to shine!  Were Louis Gonzales, Mark Grace, Tom Chambers, Ken Whisenhut, the Phoenix Suns Dancers, and countless other pro-golfers and community leaders there for the face time, the money, to sign autographs for their fans, or other self-serving reasons?



Tips from "Coach Whis"

It’s doubtful. Because, you see, generally speaking those kinds of things are not important to the Special Olympic Athletes.  They don’t judge people by their fame or money or status…they take things at face value and like and love people unconditionally.  They were there because they took time out of their busy days, schedules, and lives to make a very special event take place for some very special athletes. 

  

This was one of Ryan's favorite things about
his day...the Phoenix Suns Dancers
were the scorekeepers.....S C O R E ! ! ! 

It appears that it took a village to put the event on today, but there wasn’t a face in the crowd without a smile.  It’s just a feel good kind of event for everyone involved on the giving and on the receiving end.  So thank you to all of you who continue to support Ryan and us in our ongoing involvement and participation in Special Olympics Arizona!  You just made my day!  



Good friends in the gallery



Until next time,

     Tina

"No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted" ~Aesop