A new Storybook Album arrived!
I told Jessica she will have to pry it out of my hands when she comes by tomorrow to pick it up!!! It is just absolutely fabulous.
That's the Sage Green cover-- pretty sharp!



This is the first album that has a collage page. And be sure to check out the cake page- I love the background. See all the fun here.

July is open!
I originally crossed off the whole month because we were going to go on an family vacation including Steve, the boys, my brother and his family and my mom. Well now that has been moved to a cruise in December. (Yay!)

I actually don't want to fill July because I will be so busy designing albums for all my June brides. 2-3 weddings would be nice. I imagine I will book 7-7-07, don't you think?

Posting comments on the blog
When I started blogging a year ago, I got some spam so I turned commenting off except to subscribers. Well, I think the spam filters are better today so it is back ON!!! Feel free to post comments (as long as they are nice!).

The Becker Workshop

In case you can't tell from this picture, Becker is a wild-and-crazy photographer from California who is the go-to guru for running a successful wedding photography business. Many people (including me) look up to him. After only 10 years in the business, he's able to command up to $21,000 per wedding. He was very generous in sharing his tips, tricks and secrets and I look forward to putting his ideas into action in the coming months. Besides stressing the importance of providing fabulous customer service, he gave some great time-saving advice. All the changes I plan to make will make my clients even happier. Stay tuned!

The Photography Convention
I am in Covington tonight in preparation for a kppa seminar tomorrow. This is the view of Cincinnati from my window. I really wanted to get the light trails from the cars on the bridge, but I didn't bring my tripod. So...I scrounged around my room and made one!!!


That's my camera supported by towels, on top of a serving tray, on top of an overturned trash can, on top of an ironing board. See? When there's a will, there's a way!

Happy Anniversary to Tara & Froman!
Since today is officially their anniversary, I thought I would show you their Storybook Album. They were the very first couple to get the Storybook, which I made as a complete surprise to them since they didn't know I could do this. Well, they were thrilled and I went on to make them for all my 2006 couples. Now I am booking 2007 like crazy because of it!

My designs have really changed since that first one, I rarely do black or white backgrounds now, but I like the classic feel of their design. And it's good to know that I am not stuck in one certain style or look.



See the rest of Tara & Froman's design here.

See a Storybook Album design from six months later.

Tara & Froman's Anniversary Party
They decided to throw a one-year anniversary party and invite everyone that attended their wedding-- including their photographer! How cool is that? They are still so very much in love and I'm sure many (like me) are inspired by their joy in just being together. Steve & I went and danced for a little bit . I took some photos of the event and will give them to the happy couple as my gift. Pinkie & Dani took a few pics, too.

Since they met on the dance floor, I just had to get a good shot of them together.














That's me, Tara, Pinkie & Dani.





And here's a favorite pic from their wedding day.

Something different to do on a Friday night....
We saw 24 plays in an elevator! That's right, Steve (my handsome hubby) and I went to see the debut of Specific Gravity tonight. They performed one very short play in an elevator to 6 people at a time while going up 15 floors, and then another play on the way down. We lined up in front of 4 elevators and ended up seeing all 24 plays. It was a mix of good, bad, 'out there', funny, and serious. They play again in February.

I took this photo while in line. That's an actor leaving an elevator immediately after his performance.

I took this photo during a play, at a point where I would not be a distraction. He's having a claustrophia attack and is down on the floor of the elevator. And those feet are audience members. Imagine having to act in such a small place so very close to attendees!

This was all done in the beautiful Starks Building, an elegant place for wedding receptions, too!

This made my day!
Another nice email from one of my recent brides. Carrie just got married last month:

Thank you for everything you have done. There are so many wonderful pictures to choose from it has taken me awhile to decide what I want. I am also in the process of deciding what other pictures I want to buy and what sizes I want. You have done such amazing work I couldn't have asked for anything better on my wedding day.

Carrie

Went to Proof on Main tonight

This is the second time I've been to Proof-- everything was yummy. Check out the cotton candy that arrives with the check! And yes, that IS a penguin next to me!!!

A different Storybook Album each time...
I really put my heart into these designs so that each one is as unique as the day itself. And yet...every single album I've designed contains a two-page spread of the bride coming down the aisle and the groom's expression. I looked back at my past designs and somehow I've managed to keep them fresh each time. I'm really proud of that. So here is a look at those 2-page spreads from the past 5 album designs:

See Jessica & Jason's album here.

See Aleisa & Josh's album here.

See Jessica & Eric's album here.

See Carrie & Craig's album here.

See Sarah & Craig's album here.

Carrie & Craig's Storybook Album
Carrie & her mom came over last week to finalize the album. She made very few changes: we neatened up the bride & groom gift page so you could see the background more, changed the background from Craig throwing the garter to him getting the garter, and swapped out a few pictures. This is the shot they are going to use on the cover, enjoying their First Dance. Don't they look good together? I will post pics from the actual Storybook Album as soon as I receive it. Meanwhile, here is their finished design.

New Year's Resolution to get fit?
Want to look fabulous on your wedding day? Sensational on your honeymoon? Steve, my hunky husband, is a personal trainer and can get you where you want to be. Short and long term programs are available. Call him at 296-2244 or email at flexwriter@aol.com.

Nice email from a newlywed!
I love the pictures, all of them, and I can't thank you enough for truly capturing the moments of a spectacular day. You are the best.

Thanks,

Jessica

To see her album, click here.

And...actually it is my clients who are the best! I couldn't do it without each and every one of you. Thank you so much for the continued feedback, compliments and referrals!!!

Another Storybook Album design!!!
I had so much designing Sarah & Craig's album. They've only been married less than 3 weeks, so I bet they are so excited to have this already. All albums are completely custom-designed from the ground up, with the couple's day in mind:


This is the first two-page spread and I really wanted to emphasize the wedding dress in the background. She is wearing her grandmother's wedding gown (50 years old!) and so I know that is very important to her.

I like having Craig's boutonniere in the background and I've got Sarah's flowers in the background for her page.

Romantic new layout: I think it is so sweet to have them holding hands in the background!

Fun! I think every album should have some of the dance party shots!

Click here to see their whole album.

A favorite photo
One of the many things I LOVE about being a wedding photographer is that I get to do so many different kinds of shooting. In a typical wedding day I will do candids, photojournalism, portrait, action, still-life, and macro. Macro means extreme close-up, and also refers to a special type of lens that will see larger than life. This is one of my favorite shots, and is shot with the macro.

Sarah & Craig's Wedding Photos
They just returned from their honeymoon and here is their collage! I am now working on their Storybook Album design and expect to present it to them this week. It's great that I am able to show my newlyweds their pictures so fast-- it sure makes for happy clients!!! Keep checking the blog to see the latest Storybook albums~~~

More behind-the-scenes photos!
My 2006 brides tell me how much they treasure their Getting Ready photos. The 'getting ready' room is often filled with so much emotion- laughter, joy, anticipation, nervousness and excitement. Here are some from a recent wedding:

Scenes from behind-the-scenes
Here are some more images from the getting-ready part of the day.

Booked another wedding for 2007!
I would like to welcome Jennifer & Jeff to my Liz Images family. I so enjoyed meeting with Jennifer today and talking about the beautiful outdoor wedding she and her fiance are planning for this summer. We talked dresses and flowers and now I'm nearly as excited about the Big Day as she is!

Carrie & Craig's Storybook Album!
They've only been married a few weeks and here is their album design! I picked out some pages that really show off their special day-- and the custom design.

I like being able to show the church- and also the guys arriving. That's Craig's son, Jordon, getting out of the limo as well.


I think it is SO romantic when a couple exchanges gifts before the ceremony. Just based on what he got her -- I'd say Craig is a "keeper!" He gave her a diamond necklace along with a VERY sweet card about how he expects their love to grow (awwww!!!) and a photo album entitled 'our journey'.

Here's another page that captures the uniqueness of their day-- the reception locale and all the details.

A fun page!

Carrie called me yesterday and is THRILLED with the design. I cannot wait to see it all in print. I will post pics of it here for sure. Meanwhile, go here to see the rest of the design.