Yesterday we had the pleasure of spending the morning with Tomeika and Aron for some engagement pictures in Buckhead. We started around the Chastian Horse Park area, running into the middle of a busy beautiful street, and then finished at the W Hotel in Buckhead.

To say Tomeika and Aron may just be our “dream” clients is putting it lightly. I told her this week, please can all of my future 2011 clients be just like you two?? Tomeika is the kind of girl that knows what she wants, communicates it well, and goes for it. She (thankfully) was the bride that chased me down when my web host re-booted the old (non-working) website to find out why she could not get in touch with me to book us for her wedding next year! We are both debt-dominatrixes in spirit, drive old Honda cars, appreciate great decor and lovely details, and have “sweet bears” of a mate.

It was wonderful finally meeting her fiance Aron yesterday. Everything Tomeika told us about him was confirmed – he had us cracking up the entire shoot taking her cues for poses and recalling stories about the time he was assigned a smart car rental – and this guy is like 7 feet tall!

The camera loves Tomeika too – I can’t wait to photograph this lovely lady in her wedding dress!!

It was REALLY tough narrowing down these pictures. Here are some of my favorites…

Thanks for an amazing session Tomeika & Aron – we can’t wait for your wedding next year!!

I have a bunch of pics to share of adorable newborn baby Davis who was born in late June… but have to share these two first that are just so stinking cute! To me, these look like he’s jamming out… (and at only 12 days old!!!)

This morning is a beautiful one here in NYC. Not only did the clouds roll in, cooling off the hot city streets, but it brought refreshing rain and an opportunity to meet Joel, his beautiful wife Sury, and their beautiful newborn baby girl!

Joel Meisels (or as I like to say the “face of Adorama“) and I have been online friends for a while but had not managed to connect at the conventions and industry events until now! We joked about not knowing when to meet up with Joel because they were expecting any minute, and sure enough the hospital ended up being the best meeting place!

Born yesterday afternoon just after 4:30PM EST, she weighed in at 6 lbs 13 oz and will be given her name on the coming Sabbath.

This was my first hospital newborn session, and also the youngest baby I’ve ever had the honor to photograph! She’s not yet 1 day old!

Proud parents!

I was amazed how bright-eyed and alert she was! Love this one!

Love the baby-details (dad’s hands)

(mom’s)

Pretty in Pink

Time to get bundled up to go back to the nursery…

All smiles again!

Dad bringing baby girl back to the nursery…

Congratulations and many blessings Joel and Sury!!

Last week I photographed Sophie’s baby newborn brother and couldn’t help but capture a few quick shots of Sophie too!

Last night I completed # 30 of my 101 in 1001 days challenge Attend the midnight premiere or pre-release viewing of a movie.

The movie just happened to be Twilight Eclipse, which is being released today to the general public.

Atlanta Occasions Magazine held a fab party to celebrate their latest issue and also the release of Twilight Eclipse. The party was held at Twelve Atlantic Station and then we all walked across Atlantic Station to the Regal Cinema where they had two theaters reserved especially for our group of wedding industry profession, friends, and family.

Everything at the party was Twilight-themed including blood-red roses, smoke, pizza laden with garlic, sweets from A Tasty Pastry filled with oozing red creams, “Twilitini” drinks of both the blue and red variety, and even a candy display with red candy-covered popcorn.

I had a stomach ache by the time the movie started from all the sweets, junk food, and popcorn. We managed to grab decent seats and I filled Kimberly in on what I could remember from the first two movies. I saw the first on on a long flight to NZ or Australia then the second one on DVD just recently.

Above, at the end we managed to pick up plenty of Twilight memorabilia which we’re reserving for my sister and Susan who are FANATICS and that’s using the word lightly for my sister. I think my sister and her friend went to the movies 20 times when the first one came out and nearly have the books and soundtracks memorized.

I, on the other hand, have never even picked up a Twilight book, so what happens in the movies is a surprise for me. This movie I believe was much better than the first too. There is much more action – and it’s pretty gory. If you don’t mind watching heads and body parts get ripped off, you’ll love the end fight scenes! They also dive a bit deeper into the characters than they do in the first two movies. We get a glimpse of a few of the stories from the Collins family, as well as the back-story to Jacob’s clan. Bella even says at the end why she wants to become a Vampire beyond just wanting to live forever with Edward.

Then there are some pretty humorous scenes with the wolfs. At one point we were trying not to bust out laughing while Bella stood “petting” Jacob (in wolf form) on the head. I think we even heard some snorts form the die-hard Twilight fans behind us.

I’ll refrain from revealing much more for those who are going to go see the movie soon (or eventually on DVD) who are also like me and don’t read the books.

In the end, it was a fun silly evening. A pretty good movie too. My little sister will be proud of me for taking advantage of the opportunity to go (and super excited about her Twilight poster and crown paper hat!) But we’re just silly like that….

I had a blast yesterday (while covering 50th Anniversary party) taking some fun pics of the kids in front of the “wind tunnel” (aka outdoor air conditioning unit on each end of the tent!) This little fashionista and her brother were especially fond of the “wind tunnel” pics. My favorite is this video!

Today we photographed a beautiful 50th Anniversary party at Barnsley Garden’s. Pictures coming soon, in the meantime I wanted to share a pic of their cake topper. The figurines were from their original wedding cake! Love it!

I know, I must be crazy right? Giving myself a haircut!

To be completely honest, I really just don’t like going to the hair salon. I have no idea why. It’s usually a half a year between cuts so my hair gets really long and I end up wearing it up. The last time I got a cut I really liked was on our honeymoon in New Zealand, and I obviously can’t just hop over there every time I need a trim!

So today I decided it was time again for a cut (it’s been about six months since) and I didn’t feel like going out, so I did it myself!

I watched about 10 videos on YouTube, grabbed a pair of sharp scissors, a comb, brush, hair tie, and hand mirror. I started with the technique from this video (also in this one explains even more), then did it again with the top half of my hair for more layers, and then ended with some long bangs by watching this video.

It took all of 5-10 minutes. Then I washed, dried, and spritzed. I usually wear my hair air-dried (it’s naturally wavy a bit) or in big curls that take about 5 minutes, but I decided to blow it straight so you can see the cut better.

Mikey approves and says “now YOU can do your own hair AND my hair to save us money.” Haha. I actually learned how to help him with his hair when we got married. He keeps it really short and was going every 2 weeks and it was costing $80-100 per month to get it done! So I learned to help him with the back and he makes a grand old mess all over our bathroom every other week buzzing it short again.

I had Mike shoot a few pics of my new cut (we totally should have done “before” pictures but didn’t think of that until it was too late!)

I only took of about 2 inches from both the long and middle layers (and bangs), but I feel like I have a weight off my shoulders. Who knows if I’ll make this a regular thing or what but I was pleasantly surprised with the results!

Introducing our first Save the Date Engagement Video!

We did Kelli and Brian’s engagement session recently and also put together a fusion Save the Date Video for them. These videos can be added on to any of our standard or extended engagement sessions!

Mike did the video, production, and editing. I was responsible for the photography, a little bit of video, and art direction.

Earlier this month I got to watch my husband get Lasik surgery!!

We’ve been talking about it for quite some time, did the initial research, then said we could start saving for it.  Then, a few months later, we saw that Groupon.com had a special discount (more than HALF off) for custom Lasik surgery with one of the best Lasik surgeons in Atlanta - or the world for that matter.  We did our due-diligence:  lots or research on the doctor, BBB records, checking with what others experienced with him, etc.

We ended not finding a single thing to worry about and went for it!  Mike had his consult on a Wednesday and went in the following day for his Lasik Surgery.  We were in there a few hours waiting, going through the consults and exams.  The surgery itself took all of 5-10 minutes though!

I drove him home that evening around 6pm (he slept during the 40 minute car ride), went to bed for about an hour, then got up and watched TV with me.  He could already tell then his vision was better than with contacts or glasses.

On Saturday, less than 48 hours later, Mike photographed a wedding with me at Chateau Elan.

For the first two weeks there a bunch of restrictions on what you can and cannot do, mainly so you don’t get stuff in your eyes while the eyes are “healing.”

It’s been three weeks since his surgery and he’s now safe to go swimming, exercise, etc.    He initially had seen halos at night around lights (normal for Lasik patients) and had dry eyes but now even those symptoms are gone.  He went into the office for a checkup the day after Lasik and had better than 20/20 vision! We will find out soon what his vision is at now.

Now for the pics.  I had no intentions of watching him get Lasik – didn’t think it was even allowed.  Turns out it’s the patient’s decision so I ended up sticking around from start to finish.  Here’s where I REALLY wish I’d brought a camera.  All I had was my first generation iPhone so please excuse the quality of these pics.