Wakeboard Session

So I live on the CA Delta and it's pretty awesome if I do say so myself, especially in summer. I went out wakeboarding one day with my brother and his friends and thought I should bring my camera. Hey why not right? They are pretty darn good wakeboarders too, so no harm no foul.  Juan is the first awesome wakeboarder I met about 10 years ago and as you see by the sequence shot, he still has it! Trevor (guy in the 3rd photo) took us all out on his boat and he is just the happiest of boarders! Always has a smile on his face. The next gentleman is my lovely brother Billy, or as many people say Mr. Cook. He is an English teacher at our local high school. Just because you are a teacher doesn't mean you don't have skills! He killed it! This is my first sports session, and I had a blast! Enjoy some Summer Love!! 

Olivia

About a month ago I held a facebook contest to win a free mini shoot. www.facebook.com/AVinyardImage It was to coolest thing I think I have done. Tons of people visited and "liked" my page, and the winner was an old friend Tai, and she wanted to have photos taken of her little girl Olivia.

This little girl was SO much fun. She just loves her parents, and life. She was such a natural, that my job was easy. Such a well behaved little girl! Here are some of the pictures of the adorable Olivia

Jessica's City Hall Wedding

April 11, 2012, the day that Jessica and Ben tied the knot at the historic San Francisco city hall. It was storming all week, but for the hour and 15 minutes we were at city hall the sun parted the clouds, and gave us an incredible day!

Jessica and Ben got engaged, decided they didn't want to wait forever, or after the baby was born to tie the knot. They called the people that meant most to them and decided to do it. I admire those who just know it! Who cares, if you aren't in the best shape of your life, or don't have the extreme wedding budget that you and your parents have been religiously putting money into for the last couple of years? Jessica and Ben kept what was important at the center of their wedding, family and love. When you have those two things, you can't go wrong!

Congratulations Jessica and Ben, and best of luck!

Lindsey's Maternity Shoot

I couldn't have been more honored when Lindsey asked me to do her maternity photos for her second child Brielle! Some of you may know that I work for an incredible floral company called Heaven Scent Florals ( www.hsflorals.com ) and a handful of years ago we did the flowers for Lindsey and Brandon's wedding. Then they had a little boy, Tyler, who I had the honor of taking his 5 year old pictures. He was my VERY first children's shoot, and he did AWESOME. I feel like I am growing as a photographer, and business woman with this family supporting me the whole way! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! It is an honor to see your family grow and to be the person documenting it : )

Here are a few of the images from Brielle's first shoot : )

Part 2 "Budget: Who pays for What?"

"R" For Rachel's wedding. We made these using a coupon for silk
flowers found online at Michael's. We made these months before
the wedding. 

Weddings are not cheap, and I don't think anyone wants to have a wedding that looks cheap. There are people out there that say "get a free venue like a park". With that you need to check into sound ordinances, permits, curfews, outside caterers, insurance, and I personally think that is a headache. "Just do appetizers", um maybe, but not for anyone that I know. Yes, appetizers are cheaper than a full dinner, but isn't your wedding a way to thank all those wonderful people in your life for all they have done for you, believed in your love, watched you grow up, and now are celebrating in a milestone in your life? Do you want them to feel that all they are worth are a few appetizers? I don't think so. Part 2 of the wedding series is dedicated to your Budget, and ways to realistically cut costs without sacrificing etiquette! 

     

       According to The Knot this is an example of a budget breakdown:

48-50% of your total budget goes to Reception

Ceremony= 2-3%

Attire= 8-10%

Flowers= 8-10%

Music= 8-10%

Photography/Videography= 10-12%

Stationary= 2-3%

Rings= 2-3%

Transportation= 2-3%

Gifts= 2-3%

Miscellaneous= 8%

This is obviously just one of the many ways to break up your budget. For instance, my parents paid for my wedding so I was NOT going to have them pay for my husbands ring, or mine, and I was not going to have them pay for gifts. Their gift to me was wedding, so I was not going to have them also pay for gifts for family, and bridal party. Therefore, about 5% was allotted to something else. It's all up to you, but this is an idea.

        Like I said earlier, my parents paid for my wedding. Nowadays, that isn't the norm. Many Bride and Grooms pay for their own wedding, or it is broken up into many different ways amongst the family. However, traditionally the family of the Bride pays for pretty much everything, but the Groom's family does help out in a few areas. And they are as follows:

The Officiants fee, and gratuity

Groom's Attire

Groom's cake (if you are doing one)

Bride's bouquet

Family members corsages

Bride's going away corsage (very old school)

Bride's Wedding Gift

Usher and Groomsman's Gifts

Rehearsal Dinner

Marriage License

Prenuptial Agreement

*These can be paid by either the Groom or his family if you are going the traditional route

I have just decided that Budget is such an important part of the Wedding that I am dedicating 2 articles to it. You just read Part 1 " Who pays for what?"

Part 2, "Realistic ways to cut costs without sacrificing etiquette is coming up"