This past June my husband and I celebrated our 15th anniversary and we wanted to do something special.  For those of you who don’t know I grew up with my parents owning a travel agency. ( Some of you may ask what is that but it was a place where people would help you plan a vacation and find great fares before the days of expedia and travelocity.)  So, the love of  travel comes very natural for me.  Fortunately, the love of my life loves to explore and experience the world as much as I do.  We didn’t know much about Turks and Caicos.  We had read about it in a magazine a couple of years back luring us with its beautiful photos, so we put on the to do list.  Well, the perfect timing came for us and we were fortunate that some of our dearest friends were able to celebrate with us.  We had wonderful time.

I know many of you have seen Turks and Caicos on House Hunters International because many of you have told me.  But this is an amazing and beautiful location. I swear so many places were probably filmed for the Pirates of the Caribbean.  It hasn’t been commercialized much and because of that it has an island quaintness to it.  In fact, hotels can’t build higher then 5 stories tall and most of the resorts keep quite small except for places like Sandals and Beaches.  If your in to total relaxation, great food, deserted  beaches,  and love the water it is a perfect place for you.  The diving and snorkeling was fantastic and we had such a great time we did two different boat tours.  The first one was a much more typical tourist tour but we had a blast.  The sea was a little rough that day (a tropical storm/hurricane was headed in that night) but we dove in and harvested our own conchs.  It was fun but a lot of work as you swam in swells of waves.  Thank goodness they gave us noodles so you could rest.  They even taught us how to take the conchs out and then they made us fresh conch salad right there on the beach.  I’m not a huge conch fan but it was really good. (My husband on the hand had a daily dilemma of conch fritters or fingers?). The beach we prepared it on was deserted except for all of the Iguanas that lived on the island.  On the way back we even got to drive the boat!

The second boat trip was a much calmer day and not your typical tourist ride.  We showed up to a beautiful sailboat with about 15 other people on it besides us.  Simply an amazing day as we snorkeled and sailed.  I swam with a shark, baracuddas, and sting rays.  I so wanted to swim with a turtle but none were around.  We explored beautiful reefs, a shipwreck, and more untouched beaches. Simply said,  “Breathtaking.”  This was a day that my husband got to sail the ship and I think he was in heaven.

I think part of us being married 15 years is that I’m not allowed to take my work camera unless we are there partially for a job(he’s not allowed to bring the work computer).  It’s good because it does make us relax and step away but I still have my little tourist camera.  How could I not capture some of these memories.  But I couldn’t help but inquire about weddings there.  It’s a phenomenal backdrop for a ceremony.  Beaches alone had over 106 wedding there in June.  So, I’d love to go back if your in need of a destination photographer.

I feel so blessed to of found the perfect man for me.  I can’t say we have the perfect marriage but who does?  But I can say is we are the  perfect match for each other. I’m looking so forward to spending many more adventures with him and can only hope that the couples I photograph will be blessed in the same way.  I’m a firm believer that it doesn’t matter if you’ve been married a year or 50 years it is good to spend some quality time with the one you love.  Thanks to my family for watching my kiddos.

This was just the beginning of a very fun, and action packed couple of weeks for me as I left California for three weeks to spend some quality time with my family.  The first event started off with my nephews wedding and it was a great way to start off this vacation/business trip.  Laura and Alex have been a couple for as long as anyone can remember and they finally made it a legal union.  They had a beautiful and very colorful summer wedding full of bright yellows, oranges, pinks, and green the grooms favorite color.  They exchanged vows at Emmanuel Baptist Church which has been the groom’s family church for generations and the reception was at the Northbank Center in Flint, Michigan. ( Funny enough that is where I had my high school prom and it was so surreal to be there-lets say a few years later.)  The day was filled with joy, laughter and a little joking.  In fact, Laura’s step dad started the day off with having his shotgun ready as the groomsmen drove up to the bride’s house for photos.  One of my favorite parts of the day is when I saw an old barn where I wanted to photograph the couple.  We pulled the limo on to the farm,( which I later found out had been in the same family for over 150 years) and just knocked on the door.  Good ole Frank was so excited but couldn’t figure out why we wanted to shoot with the barn when he had a lovely pond in the back. It was a great property and we were able to get some of my favorite shots of the day.  Besides the ones you see here we were even able to get Laura hanging laundry in her wedding dress.  A tease about her new wifely duties.  One of the more special memories was their first dance.  They did such a great job and it seemed so very natural and not contrived as they spun around the floor together.  I have to admit this was the best lift I’ve seen for a first dance.  It was very impressive. If you know them they are not a huge couple who shows a lot of affection in public.  But you couldn’t help but see the love and the special sweetness the two of them have for each other.   To see more of their day click here to view their slideshow and remember to leave them some love on the post below so they know you’ve been here.

Each year nearly 200,000 children are born with severe cleft conditions-often making them unable to eat, speak, socialize, or smile.  In some places they are even shunned and rejected. Life is hard enough as a child when  you look normal.  Maybe kids mad fun of your hair, freckles, braces, glasses, or weight.  Whatever the case can you imagine how it hard it would be with a facial deformity?  It breaks my heart and if your a parent how would you feel if you never saw your child smile.  A smile from my kids can make my whole day. You might be asking How can I help? You can help a child with their smile by commissioning me to capture the smile of your child.  In September a proceed from each sitting will be donated to Operation Smile, two smiles for the price of one.  Since 1982 Operation Smile is a great organization that helps heal thousands of children each year with facial deformities.   These medical professionals donate their time in over 50 countries world wide.  Many parents can’t afford to pay for the surgery themselves and that is where this organization is in much need.  Because of the dedicated medical teams free surgeries have been supplied so that children can live a better quality of life.  To find out more about Operation Smile click here and see what your donation can do to help these kids. You don’t have a child you want photographed that’s ok.  You can donate to Operation Smile by clicking here.

OK my neighbor came across this article and I had to share it.  I have to admit this is one of the weirdest things I’ve come across that a bride would need to wear.  In the article it says that it takes over 20 to take the dress off and on.  I”m sorry but I’d get a new dress before I put a diaper on for the day.  How uncomfortable and what are you going to change it.  Wouldn’t it take as long?  Why can’t you have your girlfriends take you in to the handicap stall and hold your dress up.  Women have been doing that for generations. I admit if you have a problem then that is understandable but because your dress is too big.  It just cracked me up and I hope it makes you chuckle.

http://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/fashionista-blog/bride-diapers

I can honestly say that the Hoyer family were troopers. From the time our day started and by the time we got to our shooting location I think the temperature went up 15 degrees. They did a great job since we ended up shooting on one of the hottest days this summer. I had a lot of fun photographing the kids in their house and in their rooms well Tia worked on hair, make up and warddrobe for mom and dad. We ended up with some wonderful images. To see more from their shoot check out their slideshow by clicking here.

I saw this balloon a while back and thought I have to photograph a kid’s portrait session with it.  We had so much fun and this session took less then a hour after we decided on wardrobe. Ray was perfect for it.  Isn’t he the cutest?

Thanks to so many of you who helped make Flamingo’s Food Drive for the Second Harvest Food Bank a success. Fun was held by all as we enjoyed a fantastic summer night and raised enough funds and food to help feed about 800 children in Santa Clara County and surrounding areas. Great music was supplied by Ron Grandia, A Different Kind of DJ, and dessert was by by Rachel Myers of Sweet Tooth Confections. I think her Red Velvet pops were devoured before I even knew they were there. Potluck was so much fun as we learned who likes to cook, who doesn’t, and well who was just lazy like me and brought Bucca’s . Bounce house, three legged races, and the sack race were just a few of the things that had people literally laughing on the ground. Meeting everyone’s spouses, kids, and dogs was so enjoyable. Many of us read about them all the time on blogs or facebook but great to meet them in person. I’m so blessed to have such great and FUN friends in the industry who knows how life is supposed to be enjoyed. People are already requesting we do it again next year. What do you think?

Still looking for a venue to your wedding?  Have one but still need some vendors?  Come tonight to The Hotel DeAnza downtown San Jose from 6-8pm to find out more about some wedding vendors and the beautiful hotel for a wedding destination.  Luke Goodman films and I will both be there and we would love to meet with you.  Here is a wedding that I did this past year at the Hotel DeAnza.

There are 120,524 children in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties who are at risk for experiencing hunger during the summer months.  Summer is the season of childhood hunger.   The Share Your Lunch campaign is committed to collecting food and raising funds that will be used to feed children during the summer months when they do not receive free or reduced-price meals at school.  The need is great.  The Summer of 2010 will be one of the most difficult seasons for local families to endure. Second Harvest is partnering with the community to help stave off hunger for thousands of children who don’t know where their next meal will come from.  Statistics along from summer of 2008 to summer of 2009  increased by 30% for the demand on the local food bank.   To meet the increased need, the Share Your Lunch campaign has a fund raising goal of $1 million and collection goal of 100,000 pounds of food. Reaching these goals will provide food to approximately 85,000 children each month this summer.

Flamingo and I will be hosting “Flamingos Family Food Drive and Potluck Mixer” along with some other talented and giving individuals in the wedding community.  The event will be on June 22 at Edith Morley Park in Campbell.  This will be a very laid back and family fun mixer with some of the greatest people in the wedding industry.  A potluck dinner/picnic and a lot of activites for adults and kids.  Yes, I said kids! We encourage you to bring your families and  your dogs as long as they are on their leash.  In fact, dress your dog up for the “hottest dog” contest.  It’s a picnic you have to have HOT DOGs.  They can literally be dressed up as hotdogs or as HOT DOGS your choice.

How can you help with the fundraiser

· Bring a minimum of 10 food items or a minnimum donation of $10. Each $10 feeds abut 20 kids.

· Bring a dish to pass for 6-8 people.(Salads, fried chicken, sandwiches, pastas, veggies, fruit, etc) (preferebly in a disposable tin so we don’t have to worry about them)

· BYOB Bring your own beverages (not allowed to sell anything there)

· Bring a blanket or chairs-some tables are provided.

· Gas grills are allowed but no charcol grills

·Below is a great video where you can learn more about how Second Harvest Food Bank and how they help children and schools.  There is also a link for food request that you can bring to the food drive.  If your not able to make it there a link and directions are so you can donate online to Flamingo’s Food drive.

Here is a link of most requested food items

http://www.shfb.org/ffdmostneededfoods

You can RSVP and let us know your coming a:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=134211689926484

If you can’t make it but would like to make a donation go to the following link.

https://donate.shareyourlunch.net/

Donor type: Family and Friends
Organization: Flamingos Food Drive

I’ve been talking about doing a promo video forever so it feels great to have this little project wrapped up.  I’m so excited to show you what makes our engagements a little different from most, and yes it really is an experience.  The technical term is a production style shoot,  I just like to call it a whole lot of fun. When everything finally just fell in to place I couldn’t help but jump on board with a wonderful couple and team.  I had to admit I was in a little bit of a daze because I couldn’t believe the project was really on its way.  Now that it is finished I can’t wait to start on the wedding photography promo.

Jeff and Sam’s engagement session was great and when the talents of Stylist, Tia Reagan and videographer Luke Goodman of Luke Goodman films came along beside me it became fabulous! It was really important to me to show you how wacky, yet romantic and beautiful can all be wrapped in to one day.  I really do love doing engagement sessions. They are one of my favorite photo sessions because I get to spend quality time with my bride and groom and spend a beautiful day along the Santa Cruz coast (or wherever the shoot leads us ) doing what I love SHOOTING! Call me selfish but it is fun to have the couple all to myself for a day.

Besides doing a great promo video for me Luke did a wonderful film fusing together the video and stills together. It makes a great save the date video or just a small movie to show guest at the cocktail hour as they wait for you. There is so many possibilities with it and we would love to talk the possibilities over with you.  But for know enjoy your fly on the wall view of how we work and take a peak at how an engagement, creative portrait, or boudoir might go.  We would love to hear what you think.

Jill Johnson Promo Video Final from Luke Goodman on Vimeo.