Leaving Again

Ok, so I'm off today to another seminar/workshop. Let me tell you this one is going to be hard. I am going to be taken out of my comfort zone so far that I may not make it back. I'm sad to be leaving my baby again so soon. This is what I had waiting for me when I came home last time. The flowers and the note. Aren't my guys great. Ok so the workshop I'm going to is called Foundation Workshop 4. I will be instructed by some of the best in the business. If your interested there is a FW4
Blog that you can check and maybe we'll be posting to it, not sure. But you can see a bit of what it's about.

Feel free to call or e-mail. I will return them if I get a chance while in TX, if not I'll do it as soon as I get home.
CA

Posting Comments

Ok so I'm taking some time to respond back to comments. Does anyone else think that the jarbled letters are hard to get sometimes? I keep these on here because when I took them off I got spam comments.. man they are everywhere. But yeah. They are tough, or maybe I just can't see straight with out a camera... No wait, yeah they are still tough.
CA

Ayden to the doctor

Yesterday we took Ayden to the doctor for his 3 year check-up. Yep we're a little late, but he's a healthy little boy and we didn't need vaccines yet.

Of course he needed to bring one toy with him, this time is was the brachiosaurus (spelling?) He was happy and excited to go, until it came time to step on the scale and to get measured and bam he turned into crabby boy (his words, it's so cute when he says this). We were lucky and got the dinosaur room so he had fun looking at the glow in the dark one hanging from the ceiling and the poster on the wall. Doc. Mailloux was great with him and said see you in a year, he's happy and healthy.

I'm glad I've got a camera to remember all these things.

Tate's One Year 02.13.06

Yesterday Mitch, Alysia and Tate came up for Tate's one year portrait session. He turned one today. I have photographed this little man since before he was born I guess that's the perk of having a godmother who is a photographer. Anyway he is so funny with his expressions and everything. He seems to change so much from one shoot to the next. It will be interesting to see his first year book when I'm finished designing it and you can see how he has grown.

I think these images really capture him at this time. He is now walking and likes to interact and talk with us and is developing such a personality. It think he gets it from dad... look at him looking at me like what are you doing woman.

Happy #1 little man!

Black Tie Bridal Showcase

This Sunday will be the first Black Tie Bridal Showcase. This show is supposed to be better than the last two I did. You may have seen the ads on TV and in the paper. Featuring images and sometimes designs by yours truely. While I did not design the commercial I did design the following ad which is appearing in the Argus Leader with my image of Jake & Aletha Erpenbach I also did the version of the logo that you see here.

When you arrive at the bridal show you will receive a vendor directory. On the cover is also an image and layout again by me. The image is Jill & Preston Forsberg on the front and Mirna Fitzloff and her farther on the reverse. Look for all of these images in my display.

This show my booth will be manned by Erin and Candace and maybe Lynsay. Erin will be assisting me at many weddings this summer so feel free to stop by and introduce yourself. Candace will be the bridesmaid in Lynsay's wedding which I will be shooting in July. Candace is also starting her own floral and event design company named Stem Designs. So feel free to stop and ask her about that too.

I love to hear feedback on the booth and the shows in general so since I can't make it to this one I would really appreciate anyone who goes letting me know both good and bad. And in case your wondering I will not be able to be there because I will be at a workshop in Texas learning all kinds of new stuff to make me a better photographer for all of you. Feel free to e-mail or leave messages for me. I will hopefully have some time to answer them in the evenings.

Edited to Add: Sarah and Justin from my Jan. 7, 2006 wedding will be at the booth during a portion of the day for you to talk to. So if anyone is interested in speaking with one of my past couples they will be there for you to pick their brains. Thank you Sarah and Justin for doing this. CA

Tate turns One

Today was Tate's One Year party, his birthday is on Tuesday. I don't know how long it's been since I've seen the little man. But too long. This was a good reminder that I need to step away from this screen more often. Since I've last seen him he has learned to walk and he even waved goodbye to me. Man I've missed so much. He's still as cute as ever and has an infectious smile.

He didn't know what to think of his cake and didn't tear into it like we thought he would. He just waited patiently for someone to feed it to him. He got some new and old toys, including a trik from grandma and grandpa.

Here is the little man and tomorrow we do his one year shoot. Hmmm I need to hurry and think of something to do.
Happy Birthday Tate!

Caliente! (Recap)

Well we made it back alive and with our checkbooks still in tact, barely.

This was totally cool. They did an amazing job of decorating the Old Sanctuary. The food was very good and the serving size actually rather large. There were beautiful flowers all about and some wonderful items on auction. Music and dancing filled the time when the live auction took a break. The guys were real fond of the dancing. See Brett here.

Now the cakes, mmmm. We won the Hearts of Fire cake made by the fabulous Kayla at Hagman's Bakery. This thing was so rich and yummy!

One of my favorite design was this cake made to replicated breasts in a bra also by Hagman'sBakery. And as Andy said anatomically correct with areola and everything. (Shaking my head at my biology major husband).

We were joined by Jody, Joni & Brett (pictured) and Candace and Dustin (pictured) it's always good to have good company.

Enjoy the images and be sure to go next year. It was fun.

Prairie Queen

While away, I stayed at the most fabulous Bed & Breakfast called Prairie Queen in Leavenworth, KS. The hosts Jan and Bob were great. I had yummy breakfast every morning and this grand old house to admire. My bathroom was the best with this super cool shower that covers you from three sides as water hits you from probably hundreds of little holes in the pipes. The tub was so big I almost couldn't sit up enough to read a book. It was only a couple of inches shorter than me. Notice the radiator right behind the towels. It was perfect to have warm towels when I stepped out of the shower.

The room was the carousel room and had little things all over to reflect it's theme. With a huge comfy bed I had all to myself I felt like a priness and was treated like a queen.

The room with all the blue is where I had breakfast every morning. So many neat things and craftmanship to admire while I ate. My breakfast was typically juice a fresh fruit salad and then an egg dish. The veggie eggs with cheese were my favorite. Mmmm Jan is a good cook.

The green room is a lounging/sitting type of room. WIth a marvelous fireplace. I sat there and talked with David (from the seminar post below) on my first night. We had some wonderful conversation and some merlot.

There were some wonderful others spaces I didn't take advantage of like the hottub outside on the patio type area. And another sitting room that would be perfect for reading.

The whole place had tall about 12' or so ceilings and grand spacious places. Wonderful place that I would love to stay at again.

I'm back, did you miss me?

I just had the most amazing week in KC with the master David Williams (see here on the left). All other seminars and people I have been to see I have been disappointed in. I really didn't care for their way of speaking, them or their work. But with David, wow. He did everything right. An amazing person, photographer and instructor. I learned so much. You will be seeing many changes and improvements as I start to implement everything that I have learned from this man. Truely amazing.

Another wonderful by product is that I got to met so many wonderful people while I was there. The other photographers in this group were amazing. I had so much fun swapping stories, sharing images and products and just plain hanging out. To all my new friends... see you soon in Vegas and on the boards!

CA

Seminar Season

Well I'm outa here. I'm off to KC to go to my first educational experience of the year. I'm going to a workshop with David Williams a wonderful photographer from Australia. I'm hoping to come back with some new ideas and motivation for the new year. I will be gone until Thursday, so if you call, e-mail or read nothing new on the blog that is why. I will try to update the blog and answer e-mails and phone messages from the road. If you don't hear back from me right away I promise to get in touch with your as soon as I get a chance. Have a great week!
CA

Kaleb turns 9

Yesterday Kaleb turned 9. He had a pool party with his friends, his cousins and his brother. Ayden was excited to see Kaleb and play in the pool. He had fun chasing Kaleb's fly wheel. Which is apperantly "the" gift for that age right now. He got two and was excited. So here he is with his cupcake and candle.... everyone was singing too loud. And then opening presents. He was so animated. That always makes for good images.

Heidi & Marty 02.04.06

Yesterday I met Heidi and Marty in downtown Sioux Falls. Let me tell you, don't try to park down there on a Sat. unless you expect to walk. Ok that aside we walked around the alleys and then took a pit stop at Mama's Lada (a yummy enchilada place you have just got to try!). And then we headed down to falls park. It was beautiful, but still a bit chilly outside. These two surprised me with their ability to look into the sun with out squinting or flinching. That was a first. Looking forward to their wedding in May.
CA

Out on the town

Ayden and I went out on the town and ran some errands. On the way we had to get lunch at the yummy Hagman's Bakery. Then we had a little picnic on the studio floor.

Playing with my baby

I love my little man. Hugs and kisses all around. Do you see him cheesing it up for the camera... What am I going to do with him?

MS Bridal Show (recap)

Last Sunday I had the MS Bridal Show. I would say it was another successful show. And now there will only be one more this year. On Feb 19 at the Ramkota Exhibit Hall will be the Black Tie Bridal Showcase. Have any of you seen yours truely's images on the commercials? I haven't seen them yet, but I hear they're there. Tell how they look would you?

Anyway the show went well. Thank you to all the wonderful future AC Ellis brides and grooms who stopped by. Let's see we had Heidi with Kerigan (the flower girl to be), Dawn, Elizabeth and Evan who got to play with the D200, Chelsea who just became one of my newest brides, Allie and her whole crew and Lynsey. I think that's all of you.

I was all the way in the back again so I didn't get to see the fashion show at all and didn't really have a chance to see many others. I did meet 3 new photographers who seemed really nice and I hope I get to know them better. I was very impressed with Betty's cakes and with the bed brought in by Linen N Things. See you thought my settee was cool - they had a bed.

O well here's the booth one more time. Rearranged just a little bit. I started a trend and took down the outer rail. I like it much better not blocked off. Thank you for the help Candace before during and after the show and Andy and Dustin for helping with set-up and teardown. And of course the wonderful Dan Elliot who after taking down his booth help with mine cause everyone ditched me, Thank you.
CA

Caliente!

Will be a design, art and chocolate auction sponsored by DVAGI (Design and Visual Arts Group Inc. Doesn't that sound fun? I'm going and Andy's going too. We get to dress up all nice and everything. The tickets are $50 and include your catered meal of delicacies from around the globe. The proceeds from the auction benefit the Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design; Horticulture, Forestry, Landscape and Parks ;and Visual Arts Departments at SDSU.

There will be some wonderful things in the auction. You can see them here www.calienteauction.blogspot.com I'm not listed on there, but have donated 2 certificates. Both are for a portrait session and an 11x14 print.

If you are interested in going call Amy Einspahr for tickets and information at : 605.693.4688 or Cindy Harms at 605.697.6977.

Saturday Feb. 11, 2006
Old Sanctuary, Brookings, SD
Social Begins at 5:30pm

Hope to see you there!