Friday, December 23, 2011

Caitlin and Bo - Save The Date

How super cute are these photographs?  I've been going through a vintage phase these past six or so months and when Caitlin mentioned she wanted to do a vintage theme for her Save The Dates, I got so excited!!  I recommended Grape Day Park since they have a historic train station and caboose there, as well as some old structures from Escondido's golden times of past.

I guess I'm just one lucky lady working with some amazing clients and being able to turn ideas into art.  For all future couples, please let me know if you have any unique ideas for your session and I'll do everything I can to make it happen.  I can't wait...2012 is starting out to be an amazing year!







Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Vendor Showcase on Rancho Bernardo Inn Wedding Blog

I am so honored to be the first photographer showcased on the Rancho Bernardo Inn's Wedding Blog, authored by the talented Holly Nelson.  Since Holly has taken over the blog, it has blossomed into a fabulous website with great stories, amazing photographs, and wonderful information.  My hat is off to you Holly since I know how hard it is to keep a blog current and interesting.

If you would like to take a peek at the blog, you can visit it by going to "Rancho Bernardo Inn Wedding Blog".  It is a great way for couples to see how beautiful the site is for their wedding day.  Cheers everyone and have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Monday, July 25, 2011

$400 Album Credit for only $100!

This past weekend I had to take my cat Buster into the emergency vet center for an obstructed bladder. He was only hours away from his heart giving out and I am so grateful to the wonderful staff at Urgent Care in Escondido for taking such great care of him. He's home now and feeling much better!

So to help pay for his medical expenses, I am offering a great deal to couples that are planning on ordering an album through me in the next 11 months. You can purchase a $400 album credit for only $100, and this credit is good until June 30th, 2012. So if you've been wanting to do an album but were waiting for a great deal, now if your time!

You must purchase album credit by August 5th, 2011, and once paid, I will send you a certificate that you will return when you are ready to place your album order. It's that simple! Again, you must make your appointment to come in and start your album design process by June 30th of next year so even couples that are getting married later this year are eligible.

Buster and I would like to thank you for your help!

Monday, July 18, 2011

How To Make A Save The Date Flag Banner and Free Session Giveaway

I just love crafting! Whenever I have some time to myself, I go into my crafting room and sit at my jewelry design desk. I have container after container of Swarovski crystal beads, Bali sterling beads, and much much more. There is just something about using your creative mind and your hands to make something one of a kind. That is how I felt about the Save The Date Flag Banners when I first saw them. How fun to be able to make something cute for your engagement session and be able to use it after for sending out Save The Date Announcements. So in the spirit of sharing ideas, I decided to make one of these banners and give you step by step instructions on how to do one for yourself. And if you read to the bottom, you'll see where I'm giving away a free session and file to one lucky reader.

First, you will need the following items: crafting paper or vinyl sheets, a piece of cardboard (a file jacket works just great for this!), a ruler, scissors, peel and stick letters to spell out your message, a glue stick, pen and ribbon. I got all these supplies at Joann's Fabric Store. Try to buy two or three co-ordinating paper patterns that compliment each other, perhaps even colors that will match your wedding decor.



Then take a ruler and cut out a flag shape on the cardboard. After trial and error, I found that you don't want to go any wider than six inches for each flag. Four or five would probably be ideal. If you look at the photograph, you'll notice that I shaped it so that later I can fold over the flap to glue it shut. Now use this template on the back of each scrapbooking or vinyl sheet and use a pen or pencil to draw out this shape.



Cut out each flag and then fold the flap.











Use a glue stick only on the top half of the flap to glue it shut. You need to make sure to leave unglued area for the ribbon or twine to go through later.








Take your peel and stick letters and spell out your message on the table. Make sure you have enough letters before starting this phase. Peel off the backing and stick each letter centered on the front of each flag, making sure to alternate patterns as you go. Depending upon your skills, you may want to measure from the top of each flag so that your letters are even. Hey me, I'm a "wing it" kind of gal and I sometimes love imperfection in hand made items.


Now comes the part that measuring is a must. Count how many letters you have and times it by the width of each flag. For "Save The Date," there are 11 letters and I did a 6 inch width on my flags so that would be 11x6=66 inches. Now take this number and add 24 more inches, in my case 90 inches. That's how much ribbon or twine you'll need to string up your flags. Start stringing your flags one by one, one word at a time.



What I did also to make sure that there is a space between each word, I double knotted at the beginning and end of each word and then put about two inches between them.








So if you followed my directions, you should have something that looks like this. Use your judgment to make whatever changes you fancy because as you know, your unique style should show through everything you craft. I just loved the soft greens of the scrapbook paper patterns I chose and knew that future couples would find it a universal color to go with any outdoor session I photograph.

So here's how you can benefit from my labor of love. Just go to my A Slice of Life Photography - Escondido, CA Facebook Page and comment below my posting on this article with your names and wedding date. I will choose one lucky winner to receive a free Save The Date Engagement Session plus one retouched file to use for their Save The Dates. But hurry, this contest will end on August 10, 2011. And hey, even if you're not getting married, maybe you know someone who is so forward this article on to them. Happy crafting everyone!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Wow, We Won an Award at WeddingWire!

Thank you to all the wonderful clients who gave us such great feedback on WeddingWire! We are proud to announce that we have won the Bride's Choice Award for 2011! Yeah!!!

Weddings, Wedding Venues
2011 Bride's Choice Awards | Best Wedding Photographers, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Cakes, Wedding Florists, Wedding Planners & More

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Vendor Spotlight: Blue Pearl Productions

I'm always on the lookout for wedding vendors that I think brides should add to their list, and Blue Pearl Productions is definitely one of them. I am actually adding two different short video clips of their video work since one is more heartfelt and emotional, while the other has a campy and cute theme to it. What is so nice about a good video of your wedding day is that while you are watching it, you feel like you are there...you can relive your big day and see all those wonderful moments that breezed by you so quickly. I hope you agree that Blue Pearl Productions is a great find.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Vendor Spotlight: Luna Bazaar

If you didn't already know about this great company and you're looking for wedding decor, paper parasols, or just something really neat, you've got to visit Luna Bazaar. I actually own many of their parasols that I have used for both high school senior portraits and photographs with my brides & their attendants. Find an example below!


The best thing about Luna Bazaar is their prices. And keep on the lookout for promotions where can save even more. What a great way to add sparkle and color to your wedding day!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

When to Hire Your Vendors

One of the biggest mistakes I have seen with couples is waiting too long to hire vendors for their wedding day. Keep in mind that certain vendors can only do one wedding in a day so they really should be one of the first to hire. That category includes photographers, videographers, disc jockeys, and the actual site itself. Vendors such as florist and bakeries can fit in three to ten weddings in one day, so there is a little more leeway for them.

Also, if you plan on having your wedding during a three day holiday, think fast. Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends are very popular so don't be surprised if your favorite companies are already booked nine months to a year out. In fact, I have weddings on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Weekend this year. I know all of this sounds so simple but you won't believe how often I have received a phone call one month out from a wedding looking to book their date and being told that the photography was the last thing on their list.

That being said, make sure you get a contract from each and every one of your vendors. I have received several phone calls over the years from couples, and even friends & family who were calling for a friend, saying that they hired a photographer for their wedding and that person called them two weeks before the date and said they couldn't do it anymore. (I even once got a call from someone THE DAY OF the wedding because their photographer said something had come up.) Surprised, I asked about the contract and each time I was told there wasn't one. Without a contract, you really don't have a leg to stand on if someone backs out.

My best advice is to hire vendors as soon as possible. The good ones always go first, so if you really want to get the "pick of the litter," I would suggest booking your site 12-18 months in advance, vendors who can only do one event per day 12 months in advance, and the other vendors 6-9 months in advance. Oh, and one last piece of advice -- always ask for the funkiest flavors when you go cake tasting. You never know what you might like!!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Adorable Party Favors for your Wedding Reception!

I saw these adorable bottle openers and instantly thought, what a great party favor for weddings! The price is amazing and it has *free* shipping and handling! Thought I would share.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

A New Direction for My Blog!

For years I have been thinking about writing a book. Great, another book. Just what Barnes & Nobles really needs. But over the years, I have seen so many things go wrong at weddings -- and of course, some things go really right. But wouldn't it be nice to have a place to go and read all about the wedding "don'ts" so you wouldn't have to make any of the same mistakes?

I've decided to dedicate my Wedding Blog to those horrible and random things that many couples don't think of when planning their big day. I will never name names, but each week I will recall an event or mishap that could have been avoided if only they knew...

If nothing else, you will hopefully find at least one chuckle in my compilation of short stories and maybe it will brighten your day just a little. So stay tuned for my first story soon.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Do I Still Have Mojo??

Last year I was lucky enough to be the First Place Winner of the KFMB Channel 8 Mojo Awards for San Diego Wedding Photographer. Here's a link to view the standings: www.mojopages.com

2011 voting begins April 3rd, so I'm hopeful to do well again. If anyone reading this post is a present customer and you haven't voted for me yet, now would be a great time! Thanks again to everyone who helped me last year.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Fusion Photography is Here!

The new thing for photographers these days is "fusion photography," the fusion of both photographs and video in music slide shows that produces a product at a new level. I started doing fusion slide shows for my seniors, moved on to family portrait sessions, and now am offering them for engagement sessions. Here is a sample from a session I did with Jackie and Trevor at the Wild Animal Park:



I will be offering the fusion product for weddings starting sometime in 2011. Look for it on my Blog later this year. As one of the San Diego Wedding Photographers that stay on the pulse of what's new and exciting, we hope to constantly continue to do more exciting things each year!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Vendor Spotlight: Sweet Cheeks Baking Company

What can I say about a company that has been featured on the Food Network and TLC? How about YUMMY!!! From the moment you step into their bake shop, you feel a warmth coming from everyone that works there. Yup, it's not just the ovens that give off a warm feeling. To get a better feel for what Sweet Cheeks is all about, enjoy this video taken by Kyle Karges Films.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Vendor Spotlight: Kathy Wright & Company

Kathy is an AMAZING floral designer and this video gives you a peek into how she can transform a reception ballroom into a Cinderella Story Come True! And Kathy's personality is so wonderful that you will just love working with her. I know she makes my job so much easier in capturing beautiful images with her vision. Make sure to add Kathy to your list of fabulous vendors!



Saturday, January 1, 2011

Vendor Spotlight: Artistic Productions

Our good friends at Artistic Productions always do such a great job at weddings. They're fun, they know how to keep a party happy, and well, they're just good people! If you are looking for a great DJ for your wedding, please give Merrylin and Bob a call! Trust me, San Diego wedding photographers know the best companies in town!

Artistic Productions Promo Video La Valencia Wedding from nr3videoproductions on Vimeo.