Category Archives: PUG

New Orleans | Pictage Partnercon 2010

Posted in Community/organization awareness, Personal, PUG on

I had the pleasure of attending Pictage’s Partnercon held in New Orleans this year.  I was so excited since I missed it last year.  This is always a great time to meet up with friends from around the country, make new ones, and to talk with others about the photography industry.  It is usually one of the highlights of my year.  This year I was able to take part in the free family portraits for victims of Hurricane Katrina, where many of these people lost all of their photographs.  I wish I could of stayed longer but what a site to see 100′s of photographers unload with cameras ready to go. In an odd since they looked like a bunch of commandos ready for battle. It was an amazing feeling that so many wanted to help and give of their talents freely.

The city is so full of wonder especially the French quarter where we stayed.  It truly the personality of Jekyll and Hyde.  By day it is filled with history, quietness, beauty, and a true feeling of nostalgia with the scents of chickory coffee and beignets fill the air.  At night it is loud, neon colors everywhere, wild (an understatement), and the smell of alcohol pours out of everywhere.  The two things that stay true both day and night are the amazing food and the sounds of jazz.  My favorite thing was walking the streets and finding the treasures of the city. We laughed as we left the city we came along this sign at the airport.  I travel a lot and this was the first time I ever saw this.  They must sell a lot of snow globes.

Flamingo’s Food Drive and Mixer was a success

Posted in Community/organization awareness, events, Family, Flamingo, For Photographers, Kids, PUG, Vendors on

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?

Flamingo’s Food Drive Fundraiser and Potluck Mixer| Second Harvest Food Bank San Jose

Posted in Baby/Maternity, Community/organization awareness, events, Family, Flamingo, For Photographers, Kids, Misc., PUG, Vendors on

partyflamingo12 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




Stacie Tamaki of “The Flirty Guide” makes an appearance at PUG

Posted in Engagements, PUG, Weddings on

We have been blessed with so many great speakers over the past year or so.  This month Stacie Tamaki of The Flirty Guide was our guest speaker.  She was so great to have and had so many wonderful and helpful hints on blogging.  She really knows her stuff.  When I first asked her to speak she was all excited because she thought I was asking her to come and speak about PUG dogs.  You see besides weddings Stacie just loves her dog.  You can check him out on his own site www.cutestdogever.com.

So for those of you who don’t know about The Flirty Guide you need to check it out.  Its a great site for wedding inspiration and remember to keep up with Stacie’s blog.  She always has tons of tidbits to share.  In fact, if your looking for someone to make minature cranes, custom cake toppers, or bridal accessories or where there’s a good place to eat  check out her other blogs and sites.  She is a very busy and talented girl.  It was so much fun having her out.  Here she is below bottom front right corner with the wonderful group of photographers.

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Behind the scenes, special thank you’s, and just stuff from WPPI 2009

Posted in Flamingo, For Photographers, Misc., PUG on

Like I mentioned earlier we had a fantastic time and here are just some of the behind the scenes stuff.  Andrew Hsu of MSV Studios hung out with us crazy girls for the week and was an intricate team member. He did a fantastic job on all the videos for the presentation.  To see some of them about Dork energy check out his blog.  These were just funny silly stuff and if he can make this look good then you know he can do it all.   He does amazing work so if your looking for a videographer check out his website.  You’ll love working with him

Andrews Hsu of MSV Studio’s Video Recap of WPPI!  Click here for some behind the scenes fun and to watch the video.

Andrew was just one of the amazing sponsors we had for this talk.  Besides Andrew the main sponsors were Richard’s Photo lab and YWD Magazine.  A special thank you to Richards because they really encouraged Tanja to do this.  YWD provided beautiful magazines for everyone attending the talk.  Plus, we had some wonderful give aways from some very special companies!  Special thanks to:  Big Folio, Gigbooks, Gross National Product, Carlos Baez “Seeing the Light”, Fast Track Photographer, Fuji Film, and Waxworks.  In fact here I am with Leah the super talented artist behind waxworks.(We’re in the right hand corner of the collage).   I’ll be talking about them later. :)

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