My new fisheye lens came in this week. This is not an essential lens for weddings, but I wanted to have it for those one or two dramatic shots. Check back later-- I will post some fisheye shots from my wedding tomorrow-- can't wait!!!

Note the way it bends and distorts things:















(not a good lens for portraits!)

Great news: I now take credit cards!!!

I've had several brides ask for this-- and so now it is much easier to reserve your date or make a payment. You can even pay online! Click here to see my rates and services.

Imagine having someone come over to your house and admiring a fine art photograph on your wall-- and then discovering that photo is actually of you! I think it is so cool to have a photograph that is first seen as art, and few seconds later recognized as a personal photo. I guess I should I call it "personal art". Anyway, Laura and her mom came over today and we talked about doing that with this photo from her wedding last year. I envision this as a poster-size photo, white mat, black lacquered frame. What do you think?

Here it is straight from the camera:


And here it is with an arty spin to it. (click on image to enlarge)
By the way, the reception was at Kye's.

My new photos are up-- I re-did all my galleries. Here's what my web guy had to say about them:

The new galleries are now up! Let me know if all looks well.

I must say... WOW. I may be crazy but the photos you have chosen for these galleries are better than ever. I like your photography very very much.

Let me know if it all looks okay, talk to you later then. Louis.

That was SO nice of him. Click here to see the new photo galleries. And if you ever need web design work, email me for Louis contact info.

Michele came over to pick out a frame for a photo from her engagement shoot. Instead of a signature frame, another option is to frame and mat a big photo and display it at the reception. I even have an easel clients can borrow. So Michele chose to do just that and she will have a nice finished frame to display. She also ordered other photos from the shoot, here is one of my favorites.



We spent the rest of the time talking about her Big Day, which is coming up in less than a month. I have a worksheet we go over so I can learn about those Special People and Special Shots.... Now that I know all the important details, on the wedding day the bride and groom can totally enjoy their day and I can just capture the moments as they happen and tell the story as it unfolds....

Don't tell anyone, but sometimes I take Sunday appointments. When I have clients who live out of state, sometimes Sunday is the ONLY day they can meet me. I really really try not to do that as it is my only day off. Luckily, today I didn't mind as yesterday was a rare Saturday off.


So today Whitney came over to finalize her album design. (Remember, I designed the album as a surprise to them a couple weeks ago.) Most of the changes had to do with adding a few more of her favorite pictures and tweaking some of the images. Now her album design is completely finished and is just the way she wants it. I will keep it online for her permanently. That way whenever (and wherever) she wants to show someone her album, she can. Click here to see Brad & Whitney's Final Album.

Steve (my Handsome Hubby) and I went to Ferd's Italian Restaurant for dinner tonight. Everytime I eat there I get the feeling the restaurant has been running the same way for the past 30 years. There's something comforting about that tradition. The food is always good: I had lasagna and italian cream cake, and spumoni; Steve had battered grouper and chocolate torte. Ferd's is also where we had our Rehearsal Dinner. But our favorite thing about Ferd's is that we can walk to it!

In addition to picking out a frame, Shannon also picked up some photos they ordered from their session. Here is one of my favorites.

(Click on image to enlarge.)

What a busy week! The bridal show last Sunday was very nice. I had a new Storybook Album to show, plus another one on DVD that played to music the whole time. I added links to this page-- now the directions are here on the right column (please make an appointment first) and I have extra order forms as clients are always running out.

Here is a photo from one of my engagement shoots. Engagement sessions are so much fun-- we usually just go to the park and have a good time. I like capturing the unique chemistry that a couple shares. Anyway, this is Shannon & Gathan who are getting married in June. Tomorrow Shannon is coming over to pick out a custom frame for this image which is a 16x20. I will custom frame and mat it but leave the glass off so the guests can sign around it. Check out my site to learn more about engagement sessions. I will start booking outdoor sessions next month.

Whew! I finished Whitney's album today. It takes a LOT of time to design an album but I know my clients appreciate it. Here's what Whitney had to say:

Liz,

We looked at the album and it's absolutely gorgeous! We are really excited about seeing it in person. I especially love the pages that have pictures as the background.... Your pictures are amazing, and that background music almost made me cry from reliving the whole beautiful day. Our wedding day wouldn't have been the same if anyone else but you had been our photographer. We are so 100% pleased with all of your work.

Thanks,

Whitney :) (and Brad)

Click here to see for yourself

Here's the scoop on a wedding show I will be a part of this Sunday:

INVITATION-ONLY BRIDAL SHOW
Sunday, March 19th, 2006
12 noon - 3pm
at the Conrad-Caldwell House
1402 St. James Court
Sponsored by Complete Music & the Conrad-Caldwell House

Located in Old Louisville at the corner of St. James Court and Magnolia, the Conrad-Caldwell House has become a popular wedding venue due to its Victorian surroundings. This magnificent venue offers an incredible setting for those wedding photos. Please RSVP to rickh@cmusic.com or call him at 502.499-4878

My new "fast" lens arrived today! Fast lenses can provide better images as they allow in more natural light so less artificial light is needed. The down side is fast lenses are VERY expensive and heavy so not every photographer will use them. Lucky for me my husband is a personal trainer so I'm pumping iron every week so I can handle my cameras. Hee- hee.

And if you want to get in shape so you, too, can lift heavy equipment (or look good in your wedding dress, be buff for the beach or hunky for your honeymoon), contact Steve at 502.296.2244 or email him at flexwriter@aol.com.

Andrew's Bar Mitzvah was today. I'd never been to a Jewish temple before and found the service very interesting. The reading of the Torah was almost hypnotic. The evening festivities were held at Churchill Downs. They now have a new party room on the sixth floor. It has about 100 tvs in it and the videographer was able to plug into it so all the guests could watch the action on the dance floor. So cool!!! Can't wait to do a wedding reception there.

I talked careers with one of the guests who is a physician. He talked to me about being on call, and dealing with patients who have cancer and who are dying. Then he said MY job is stressful!!!

Sure I have to be on my toes on the Big Day. But the truth is I feel lucky to do what I do. I look forward to each wedding and often feel honored to be able to witness such special moments.

Here's a pic of Andrew on stage enjoying his special moment! Note the tvs in the background are broadcasting his moves to the whole room. Times that by 100 and it's a wonder anyone got up to dance!

Here's a sneak peak at Brad & Whitney's wedding photos! I'll have more to show later.

(click on image to enlarge)

When I do weddings, it’s not just a “job” to me—it’s a passion. My clients pick up on that and it’s nice to be appreciated for what I do. Here’s a note I just received from my newest bride:

Liz,

Brad and I wanted to let you know what a wonderful experience we had working with you on our wedding day. You and Dani were both so professional, creative, organized, and fun! You both really helped our day run so smoothly. We had a great time, and hopefully you both did as well. We are looking forward to seeing the pictures once they are ready. Thanks again for everything!

Whitney

I received a lot of inquiries while I was gone and the phone has been ringing all day. This morning I talked to two callers who have the same wedding date. I hate when that happens but truly the fairest policy I can come up with is "first come, first served". There is only one of me and I will only do one wedding in a day. (That way you don't have to worry about me rushing off-- or arriving late.) Anyway, March looks like it will be a busy month. Tomorrow I meet with a couple who are getting married at Hurstbourne Country Club. Here are some photos I'm going to show them.

Our one year anniversary!

It seems only yesterday that I was picking out flowers, tasting wedding cakes and planning my own wedding! We had SUCH a fabulous day—and it went by so fast…. And now it has been a year already! We celebrated by spending a long weekend in Florida. First stop was Roy’s – we saw an ad for the Hawaiian fusion restaurant and it sounded good- so here we are enjoying some great food in Jacksonville Beach.







We stayed in St. Augustine the first night and our room opened out to the pool, with the beach just beyond. We got some sun, checked out the St. Augustine lighthouse, and then went down to Palm Coast.


We spent the next couple nights at a resort in Hammock Beach. We basically relaxed and dreamed of owning a condo in the area some day….

Meanwhile back home, my phone was ringing off the hook! More later.

My blog is famous!!! Internationally-renowned wedding photographer Gary Fong blogged about me on his site. Here's some of what he wrote:

Liz came to my Nashville seminar, and obviously she left that room and hit the bricks running! It appears she did all of the homework items and QUICKLY put my method into place in her business.

Liz, you should be proud of you!

His blog must get a lot of traffic-- I've already received a couple emails about this!