Favorite Things continued....

I love shoes....  the stereotypical woman, I do have several pairs of shoes in my closet.  At last count, I do believe we got up to almost 50 pairs - winter and summer both included.  I don't know why shoes are like a drug for me - I was not always like this...  in fact, it's probably been only the last 10 years or so that I've started collecting.  Heels are my favorites above all, and ironically they are the ones I wear the least!  Living on the lake, there are not many occasions to wear sexy 4 inch heels - not even to our parties where we live in bathing suits and sandals (or flip flops).  For those occasions I have started a small collection of cute summer shoes - but of course, I do not have nearly enough yet! 

It feels amazing to put on a pair of shoes you know look good and walk around like a queen.  Even if the outfit you have on is not inspiring your feelings of nobility, a great pair of shoes will do wonders for even the humblest of clothing.  The right pair of shoes will also transform a ho-hum outfit into a dynamite going out ensemble paired with some great jewelry and the right makeup.  Shoes say alot about our personalities too...  you know a woman walking down the street in boots and a short skirt has bold confidence, whereas a woman in sandals and a short skirt has a more quiet confidence in herself and does not need people's attention to feel good about who she is.   

Men truly puzzle over the woman's desire for shoes.... I can personally vouch for my man's frustration each time I buy a new pair, and in fact we have a new rule in the house:  I buy a pair, I have to donate an existing pair to Goodwill.  This seems harsh, but in a home where we are extremely limited on storage, my shoes do take up valuable real estate!  My dream is to one day have a closet big enough for all my shoes (and more) and all my clothes (a subject for another day!).  It is baffling that men only need four or five pairs of shoes at a time - and almost seems unfair at times.  Dressing to go out, I sometimes cannot find a pair of shoes among all 50 pairs I own to work with an outfit I've chosen, however my man has no problem choosing from his meager five pairs...  and he always looks good!  So unfair that men's clothing is easier to coordinate - women have so many choices it's a wonder we don't all go crazy shopping for our wardrobes.

I photograph alot of shoes as a wedding photographer.  The shoe a bride chooses for her dress is often as big a deal as the dress itself.  These days, brides will have more than one pair:  a pair for the ceremony and beginning of the reception, and another for dancing and running out as they leave.  I have seen so many exquisite shoes over the years...  I love being a woman photographer!

In retrospect, shoes are a luxury many cannot afford in abundance....  and truthfully I have to admit I do not buy as often as I used to.  Every time I see a cute pair I think I cannot live without, I ask myself if I truly need them and if I really want to spend the money.  Many times the answer is no... but every so often, the answer is..... yes!    

Dream Jobs.... Part One

I know it sounds a bit crazy, but one of my dream jobs is to own a bed and breakfast someday.  Living on the lake now, my location is just about perfect to draw people to me.  I love to entertain, and I LOVE BREAKFAST!!!  My favorite meal of the day - and I couldn't tell you why - I not only enjoy eating breakfast foods, I also enjoy making them. 

I am known for excellent pancakes, french toast, and blueberry muffins ( the kind with the brown sugar topping - yummmm ).  I have terrific recipes for hashbrown casserole, eggs benedict ( a light version that does NOT taste light! ), stuffed french toast, a pasta breakfast dish that is out of this world with pancetta, asparagus, and smoked gouda mixed in with orzo pasta, pumpkin biscuits with honey butter....  wow, my stomach is growling now! 

My fiance is a whiz with omeletts, breakfast calzones, cinnamon rolls, shrimp with grits, and so much more - together we would satisfy even the most picky of eaters while offering the grace of our home and giving them a warm welcome to our lake.

One day...  maybe this dream will be realized.  We have such a long way to go on our renovations, but slowly the dream is coming to life.  

Dogs

My absolute favorite pet is the dog....  I have grown up with dogs - having never lived without one except for the first few years of college.  I cannot imagine a house empty of a dog's life force; their ability to have a presence without having to speak or draw attention to themselves.  Dogs are the ulitmate unselfish creature - only wanting to please their owners and always happy to see them.  The wag of a tail, the tongue hanging out in greeting, and the jump up and down in excitement (depending on the dog, of course) - we can't help but smile at the sight of a creature whose only care in life is to belong to a "pack" of humans and be accepted. 

There are several types of dog owners, but I'm going to keep it simple for the purposes of this blog.  I categorize dog owners into the Family Dog Owner and just the Dog Owner.  The Family Dog Owner is someone, or someones who welcome a dog into their home as another member of the family.  They love and cherish the life of their dog and give them a place in the house to call their own.  Depending on the owners, the dog may have their own chair to sleep in, or have cute clothes to wear, several toys to play with, are taken on errands in the car, are bathed and taken to the vet on a regular basis, and may even have their very own birthday parties.  The Dog Owner is someone or someones who still see dogs as just dogs. They don't give them any credit for having feelings or intelligence - the dog is either brought into the home for a young child who eventually grows tired of the new "play toy", or they are inherited, or they are obtained for guard duty only.  They are often abused, or disciplined harshly and are usually not allowed in the house.  For me, I am a Family Dog Owner....  I cannot fathom why anyone could not recognize the intelligence in a dog's eyes.  It upsets me to see dog owners who chain their dogs up all day out in the yard - this is not what dogs were bred for.  Dogs are pack animals - their ancestors and wild dogs today travel in packs with a definitive heirarchy establishing who is Alpha and who is not.  Dogs need the pack to have a sense of identity - to know their place in the world.  The alpha in the dog's human family is normally the one who trains the dog what is accepted and what isn't.  Dogs also have a strong sense of loyalty and protection for their pack - and in the family, that is any member of the household.  Any time you hear a dog bark at the doorbell or someone knocking or a strange noise - it is a warning to it's pack members - it is protecting the pack.  It is amazing the subtle and often missed body language of dogs - if you have one, just watch it one day among other dogs or people.  Watch the tail, watch the ears and tongue, watch the entire body.....  I'll bet you notice things you hadn't before. 

To better understand dogs, you need to educate yourself on what they are all about.  I recently took a class on how to read a dog's body language - it was fascinating!  So many dog owners would benefit from this knowledge - from any knowledge really.  Taking the time to learn how dogs think and react to their environment would help a great many dog owners go from just a Dog Owner, to a Family Dog Owner.  Realizing that dogs are not just dumb creatures that belong on a chain outside would save many from the thousands of shelters and humane societies in our country.

I will leave you with a memory that I have never been able to shake.  On my first trip to Italy, we visited the ancient city of Pompeii.  Surrounded by history, the only thing I could focus on were the hundreds of homeless dogs living within the city itself.  These creatures were malnourished and often injured in some form or fashion.... so sad and forever imprinted in my heart.  Please, if you love or even like dogs....  take the time to learn about one before taking one into your home.  It is almost like having a child - they take care and responsibility, and as with parents of a newborn baby, not just anyone can be a dog owner.  Make sure having a dog in your home is the right choice.

More Favorite Things....

I love the beach!  Growing up we used to go every summer to the beaches of Panama City, and when we would visit Texas we'd go to Galveston, (a much different type of beach, but when you're young, a beach is a beach!). 

Today I still love going to the beach, but my reasons for enjoying it are so much different....  just feeling the sand between my toes (with no shoes on, of course) and the water on my legs takes me back to my childhood when I would build sand castles and bury my legs beneath the sand.  I also enjoy walks along the shoreline - looking for shells, or other small surprises like sea glass or interesting shapes in driftwood.  Sunsets are almost a religious experience on a beach - when the sun sinks to the water line on the horizon, and you can see the multitude of colors in the sky...  who but God can produce such wondrous beauty? 

Nighttime walks on the beach are fun...  you are usually fairly alone and can take your time strolling along the moonlit water's edge... sometimes seeing crabs that come out at night scurrying ahead of your path.  I also love eating at local restaurants that serve locally caught seafood.  Nothing compares to fresh seafood when it is prepared well, and I make a goal to enjoy as much of it as possible when at any beach or island.  When you live in a landlocked state like I do, the lure of fresh seafood is irresistable, and there are many times I will buy some before I leave the Florida beaches to take home and enjoy later. 

More than anything, I just love the ocean.  I love the sight of it, the sounds of it, and the feel of it.  I am not a fan of going too deep, as swimming in the ocean fills me with dread, (I was attacked by jellyfish one summer vacation many years ago, and ever since then am a bit wary of being in the water above my waist), but I love walking in the water's edge and jumping with the waves or looking for fish under the water.  The first sight of the ocean when you arrive is like glimpsing the perfect painting in an art gallery.  It is timeless and never changes - it is mysterious and inspirational - it is constant and will always be there to enjoy. 

The beach is a favorite destination during the summer...  now if only I could get the perfect tan to go with it!

Artistic Freedom

Children are the culmination of freedom - free from worry and cynicism.  They have all the innocence and positivity that most of us lose as we get older once we start experiencing all the challenges life throws at us.  It is the inherent need to survive that makes us this way - our cavemen ancestors would not have survived a world full of dangerous creatures if they did not have the instinct to distrust everything surrounding them.  It is in our nature to be wary and cautious....  but boy would it be nice to live through the eyes of a child again.  For those of us with an artistic nature, it is easier to live life a little less "realistically" because we gain inspiration from everything around us.  We interpret events and objects with eyes that try to change the nature of what is front of us.  We never really lose what makes being a child so special - our ability to retain part of our wonder.  Even the most hardcore, starving, chip on the shoulder artist has wonder in their heart - there is no other way to look at the world and create something from deep inside. 

Every artist is putting themselves out there for the world to see when they create their art.  For this reason, criticism is a devastating evil in the art world - critics are not just tearing apart a person's work, they are also tearing apart the artist....  each piece of art is an extension of an artist's soul... it is a part of them... a look inside their minds and a peek inside their hearts.  Art is so personal to the creator, no matter the medium:  painters, sculptors, photographers, chefs, fashion designers, hair stylists....  anyone who creates something new for the world to consume or enjoy visually.  And in this way, artists are like children - continually looking for attention and appreciation.  Always seeking approval from our peers - needing the constant affirmation that we are doing the right thing with our lives.  All artists are only as good as their last creation - we live in the present because we create in the present.  Like children, we are in the moment - living with freedom.        

Advice

Every once in a while I will post advice on here to those of you looking for wedding photographers.  Today's market is confusing, overwhelming, and oversaturated - it is no wonder couples are stressed when planning weddings.  Photography is probably the hardest item to book because it is the most intangible - meaning, most couples know nothing about it and do not have the tools to make informed decisions.  Additionally, it is one of the few services that does not have a delivery time until AFTER the wedding day - a real risk to anyone wanting to ensure they are getting what they pay for.  And that is really what it boils down to for most couples these days - budget.  It is unfortunate that money has to be the main deciding factor in almost 80% of bookings because in the photography industry you truly get what you pay for almost 100% of the time. 

I truly understand what it's like to be on a budget - I shop at Walmart and Aldi, I clip coupons, and I try to never buy anything unless it's on sale.  However, when it comes to weddings, there should be a priority list....  and if photography is at the top of your list, then it should get a good chunk of your budget.  (If it's not at the top of your list, then ask yourself why....  the photographs are the memories of your wedding day - don't you want images that truly tell the story and are good quality?)  In today's market there are many options offered by photographers to give you the opportunity to choose packages that will fit your budget and ensure you end up with the products desired, but be careful of those deals that seem too good to be true - they probably are.  You should also be wary of photographers that do not photograph weddings full time - the weekend photographer is usually someone in this business only for the extra cash and will not have the dedication and drive to give you the best experience and product possible.  Their reputation in the industry is not as critical as those photographers who only do weddings and rely on referrals for work, plus they do not have the same level of customer service because during the week they have another full time job.  (I understand there are many serious photographers out there just starting out and need a second job to make ends meet until their business can support them - and this is not the photographer I'm talking about.  Be careful of those who have another full time job and have no intention of quitting - get referrals and request to see an extensive portfolio of work.)

Budget is a hard motivator to ignore, but if possible try not to get too caught up in what photography costs.  Booking a photographer should be about their work and their personality - if you walk away and have a WOW! on your lips, then that is probably the photographer for you.  I know it's tempting to want to get the most bang for your buck, but in reality it is about the images and having a great relationship with the person behind the camera.  These two things will be what you remember most.  If trying to decide between a photographer that offers all day coverage, an album, a DVD, portrait sessions, and parent albums vs. one that offers all day coverage, an album, and portrait sessions PLUS has the better personality and slightly better quality images - please consider the second choice.  Walking away with more products means nothing if the images are not as good and your relationship with the photographer created stress on the wedding day.

This is just advice....  but with 12 years experience in the industry, I've heard enough horror stories to fill ten books.  It's my turn to give back and try to help couples find the right photographer and give them the tools to do so.... 

July 4th

I love holidays... any excuse to have people over and entertain. I'm not sure where I get it from - maybe because I'm Italian and just love seeing people happy. We had friends at our home all weekend - some were with us the entire time, and others came and went over the three day holiday. Spending time with people you enjoy is priceless - making them happy is even better. Knowing I had a part in giving them a fantastic memory this July 4th means more to me than going to someone else's party and being the ones entertained. I love being the hostess - especially in our fabulous home by the lake and with a fiance that loves to cook as much as I do. We planned out what meals we would provide: omlettes made to order with homemade blueberry muffins and chocolate muffins, grilled pizzas made to order - you pick your own toppings, potatoe casserole and pancakes made to order with toppings like blueberries, walnutes, bananas, and chocolate chips, fajitas with homemade refried beans and spanish rice, french toast and breakfast calzones, and finally grilled chicken and brats with corn on the cob and mac n cheese with bacon. And believe it or not, we didn't spend as much money as you might think - many of our meals had overlapping ingredients and we were able to buy fewer items because of this trick to planning meals. When we weren't eating, we took our guests out on the lake for fun in the sun - there is a local cove where the water is only two feet deep - it's a hangout for boats on the weekends and July 4th was busy, busy, busy! That is where we spent our afternoons playing volleyball and just hanging with all the other folks having fun out there. The nights were late - bedtime normally around 3 to 4 in the morning!!! but fun just the same. I don't think I've laughed so much in such a short amount of time in years! A couple of nights were spent taking a night time ride in the boat - a fabulous experience when the water is clear and calm and the boat traffic is not so heavy - just make sure to take a jacket! And of course, fireworks at our local marina were spectacular! The marina is located in our own cove and we get first class seats to the show - many of us just sat in the grass at a neighbors house and watched lakeside, while some of us stayed behind and watched from the front deck of our home. Either way, the lights in the sky were awesome.

All in all, the weekend was perfect in my eyes. My fiance and I had so much fun, and are now recovering from a memorable weekend with our closest friends. It's tough getting back to reality when you wish your reality was more like your fun time. Sometimes I wish I could open a bed and breakfast - entertaining and cooking all the time sounds like something I could sink my teeth into....

Someday maybe.....