Today was beautiful.

Today was inspiring.

The air felt full of creative vapor.

I took a deep breath and gave it my all.

Here’s a sneak peek from today’s engagement shoot with Chris and Chelsea…. more to come….

I saw this one movie one time where the father of the main character tells her that everyone has the exact love life they want. I watched that movie like 5 years ago… and I’m still not sure what I think about that statement. But something I do know is that life is made up of a series of choices. We have the choice to love instead of be cynical. We have the choice to take a risk, knowing fully that we might get really hurt. We have the choice to pick ourselves up after a major disappointment or tragedy and keep going with hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel. We have the choice to defy everything we know and feel comfort in for the chance at something greater. We have the chance to live fully and love greatly. We just have to choose it. If these choices were easy, everyone would be a superhero. Life goes by so quick. Love is a choice… but one good love is worth risking everything for. There’s some food for thought…

Here’s a sneak peek of the engagement shoot I did with Billy Jack and Alissa yesterday in San Diego. More to come!

January was full of new and exciting things. It was the first month of the 2010, thus serving as a perfect starting place for improvements and ideas. And although January isn’t prime wedding season, it’s definitely a big wedding planning and booking month…. which is exactly what’s been keeping me busy lately. In talking with my brides for this year, I’ve noticed a common point of frustration… there’s just SO much out there, it’s hard to choose what… and where …and how …and what colors …and what music …and what venue… etc. There’s invitations to write and design, there’s venues and vendors to book, there’s dresses and tuxes to pick, and then there’s the smaller details like whether or not to include RSVP cards with return stamps… or not. And even though I’m not a bride yet, I sympathize with their frustrations and feeling overwhelmed…. there really is a LOT out there.

So this year, I’m excited to offer something that eases just a little of the frustration and overwhelmed feelings my brides have voiced. This year, I’m offering personalized wedding websites for every wedding I shoot this year! Wooohoo!!!

Wedding Websites are a great way to hit several birds with one stone….

* Save money on paper RSVP cards and postage…. and request that all your guests RSVP directly on the site.

* Have a centralized location where your guests can view directions, view wedding details, and your engagement/wedding pictures

* Direct people to a Registry page on your website where your guests can see where you’re registered, click on the link, and start online shopping right then and there

*  Create a cool and super fun way to share your love story and excitement with your family and friends

Pretty much the best idea since sliced bread, if you ask me…

Here’s a few pages from a site I just finished for Billy Jack and Alissa, whose wedding in May is going to be super fun It features their wedding colors, their story, picture galleries, their wedding, registry, and vendor details, directions, times, and addresses, a place to find them on the internet, and a place to RSVP…. basically everything they could want in one stop! Check it out…

You can view more here.

Like I said before, It seems like there’s a million possible ways I could make myself and my business better… the trick is finding what fits who I am and what my business is about. I could offer infinite possibilities to my clients and become something like a Walmart style wedding photographer…. something for every common man… but I’ve chosen not to, for the sake of creating a “one of a kind” type of experience. And today, I’d like to show you yet another tremendous product I’ll be offering this year…. Renaissance Albums.

What do you think of when you hear the word “Renaissance”? Classic…. high class… romantic… with an artistic flare. That’s what I think at least. And really, truly, that is what this Renaissance Album is. All that in one beautiful experience. Renaissance blends a high class album experience with a modern, romantic, and artsy overtone. The unique high point of choosing this album is that it’s completely customizable…. to make an wedding album that is…

Truly Yours….

Upon opening the box, you will find this high class beautiful black leather box. Such a great way to store your treasured memories!

Once you slide the lid off the box, the first thing you see is the Renaissance slip cover…. another very cool way to keep your album fresh and new looking through the years…

And Voila! How cool is the customized cover? I absolutely love it…

What’s cool about the cover, is it’s got a modern spin on the concept of a timeless heirloom. There’s no leather cover… it’s Acrylic (so it’s super durable and easy to clean)… and I have the creative ability to design it however I want. I like that…

The cover is held together by a black silk brocade (you have different choices of color and style)….

And this album has the “layflat” binding with premium pages for enhanced book structure.

Another cool thing about this book, is it opens to the first page spread instead of leaving a blank first page…

The photo prints in this book are 2 pages wide, and there is no break in the page… which gives Ahhh-mazing full panoramic page spreads.

You can see the middle of the book here…. the print is seamless…. and the paper they print on is resistance to fading and wear/tear.

Like I mentioned in the other Album post, print quality is a huge factor for me… it makes or breaks the album (in my opinion). And I’m proud to say that these prints are beautiful… and immaculate. Top notch print quality if you ask me…

Basically I’m in love with this wedding book… and I think you will be too! If you’d like to view the entire album design, I included it below… enjoy!

And if you’re interested in a custom designed album, email Kate here.