Wedding Decisions: Photographer, Part 2

Okay, it would have ruined my previous, brilliantly-written dramatic post (ha!) to include this, but I would be extremely remiss to leave out our engagement photos.

In the interest of time, money, etc., and plain love of her photos, we DID hire Carla Gates (http://carlagatesphotography.com/) to take our engagement photos.

And wow.

They are everything I wanted and more.

You can see them for yourself here. And to preempt your question: Yes, our life together really is that beautiful. ;)

Wedding Decisions: Photographer

Our wedding photographer was probably the most important category for me when we began our planning. I had been following this photography blog forever, and knew I wanted awesome engagement and wedding photos.

Like many people (I think), I have a hard time putting my artistic visions into words. As we went along in the process, I learned that I like "photojournalistic" style mixed with "classic" style, etc. I learned a lot, is what I'm saying. And bless the photographers who put up with me.

Just to give you an idea of my likes, here are some photos that I've had saved on my hard drive since we became engaged (!):

Love the angle

Love the concept of holding baby photos during the engagement shoot

Think I saved this to remember the stair shot

Love them kissing while everyone cheers

Cute sunglasses/artsy vibe

So, here are the photographers we met with...

1. Jeff Gaines: http://www.jeffgainesphotography.com/

Two very memorable things about this meeting: his fedora, like so:

Dramatic re-enactment

(Jeff rocked it way better)
Photo Source

Also, apparently it was the first day of football season, and RightHand giggled with excitement whined the whole way. (He will protest, but he will be wrong). And yet, when we got there, zounds! The photographic ideas poured out of RightHand. He was into all the examples and knew exactly what he wanted, from having Jeff pretend to be a bird in the woods behind the venue (oh yes) to re-creating movie scene with his groomsmen. It was a thing to behold. Love my groom. :)

2. Next (I think...my how time flies!) we met with Carrie Tabb: http://www.carrietabbphotography.com/

When we first got engaged and I dragged (yes, I admit it) RightHand to a bridal show, a serendipitous thing occurred. I was checking out a photographers booth, and recognized someone in her photos! Erin Guthman, my childhood best friend:

She's married?
Wasn't it just yesterday that we were jumping over tape in doorways, pretending to be horses...?

Adorable engagement photo!

It was awesome.

3. Next we met with the lovely Alison Church: http://www.alisonchurch.com/

She has a journalism background and takes some killer photos. (Sorry, to dramatic story or photos for her).

4. Next (SERIOUSLY), we met with Carla Gates: http://carlagatesphotography.com/

And yes, this photo is whimsical, brilliant, and beautiful:


And yes, we walked in, and she exclaimed, "RightHand!" (Okay, she used his real name... :) They went to the same high school. Small world, as always.

And no, this does not lead to an exciting guessing game, for it would be impossible.

In the end, we went with none of these photographers.

!

.

.

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Oh yes, this budget-conscious, eco-friendly couple is flying in my sister's wedding photographer from Connecticut!!

Trust us, it's worth it. (And actually not even more expensive than some Atlanta-area photographers!)

Here is the preview of my sister's wedding photos...

...And here is my sister's Trash-the-Dress session. It's incredible.

I mean, come on.

Paired with her gorgeous blog, incredible love of family, and the way she speaks about photography, we had to have her.

And we can't wait for her to capture The Big Day. :)

Happy Bunday!

As much as she eats our cords/carpet/furniture and enjoys nipping when she wants attnetion, Daisy is still a great bun. :) And she's a good friend to the cats... (whens he's not chasing them, biting them, or generally harrassing them...)

Hanging with Royal

Please excuse the ridiculous shedding lines

And again... Okay, so she has favorites
(Aka Royal's the only one who will tolerate her!)

Perhaps bonding with Latte and Royal?
Looks a bit like an outcast- poor bun!

Hope you had a friendly Bunday! :)

Belated Happy Caturday!

The many sides of Royal...

Really just wanted an excuse to revisit his "poof" haircut from summer... ;)
(Almost time for another!)

Surely he would want you to see this photo, of him in his full, hairy, regal glory

Runs around like a crazy man, then sleeps hard

With his buddies

ALWAYS inspects the plant after I water it
(He is obsessed with water, especially the bathtub and the kitchen drain)
(What the heck? It sounds like I'm making notes in a baby book! lol)

Looking like a kitten again and makin' his mama melt!

And a nice rest with his big brother. Awwww.

Hope you had a precious, dynamic Caturday!

Belated Friday Fotos

Oh, shocking- posting this on a Sunday night! :-0

Here are my faves from the week, go here to find yours:

Oh, this takes me back to some college memories...

::big mischievous grin::

I think I featured a photo of this drill before.
But what a modern marvel!

Wow.
Amazing photo, amazing force of nature.

Wow- right near the barbed wire, too!

I'll admit to not knowing enough about this conflict,
but this seems like a beautiful moment, pregnant with so much meaning.

Man- Jews have all the fun!
(And yes, I say this a bit tongue-in-check,
with full awareness of the irony and distastefulness)

Snow. Jeesh. Just what Japan needed... :(

Apologies- Guess I'm feelin' a bit chatty tonight!
'Til next time...

Belated Happy Bunday!

Man, this weekend trifecta blogging is a bit ambitious. When I get behind, I really get behind!

And what can I say? Another day, another overload of cuteness:

Pwease? More banana chips?

Okay!

Hope you had many treats this Bunday.

Belated Happy Caturday!

In going through my photos of the furkids (feline variety) on this frantic weekday night, these called out to me:






Why does Gatsby always get to do what I want to do?!

I'm so proud though; he gets his art of sleeping from his mother. ::beams::

Here's hoping your Caturday was as restful!

Belated Friday Fotos

Sheesh! When were you guys going to tell me that a new job and wedding planning and life and all of that would take up so much time? And we are nearing a deadline at work and are going to ten-hour days and weekends. THANK YOU! I truly had too much spare time on my hands.

Enough whining. (Wait, with me, have I ever done enough whining?? Methinks no, but I will not bore you any further.) Here are my favorite photos from the past week (go here to pick yours):

Oh, glorious!

I know my mom will love this one!

This captures how I feel about the situation
The agony, the despair... it's hard to put into words or images,
but this photo does a great job.


I was really obsessed with finding photos that gave a good perspective of the tsunami,
and this one is great

O.M.G.
Another photo offering great perspective

Ink truck crash!

Nearly loved every photo this week! 'Til next time...

Ask and Ye Shall Receive

There are so many images and videos of the earthquake out there, but this is by far the best collection I've come across that really helps you understand the impact:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/events/japan-quake-2011/beforeafter.htm

Those people, animals, and land are in my thoughts.

So True, So True...

The Placebo Effect

Have I ever led you astray? Perhaps. ;) But this short video is worth a quick watch:

Happy Bunday!

In honor of my fantastic massage (and sauna and eucalyptus steam room reveling, done here) this weekend, I must agrees with Daisy:

There is nothin'...

Like a good ear-rubbin' :)

Hope you had a relaxing weekend!

Happy Belated Caturday!

Sometimes you get pictures of cats at funny moments:


And sometimes you (purposely-- RightHand!) get pictures that are downright inappropriate:

(Complete with lurking bunny)

You're welcome.

'Til next time!

Belated Friday Fotos

Oh, if only it were Friday! Instead, I went on an exhausting but rewarding fitness retreat this weekend, and here we are on Sunday night.

You know the drill: The following are my fave photos from the week, and you can go here to pick yours.

What an interesting, crazy perspective.

So much going on in space exploration that I can only try to begin to comprehend.

Wow, Carnival is nuts!

And so is Mardi Gras!
Millions of dead sardines, and I'm not really buying the explanation...

What an interesting week! I'm sure there will be pictures of the earthquake and tsunami in next week's batch. :( Kind of nice to avoid it right now.

'Til next time...

J-O-B!

The recession is over! YES- I GOT A JOB!!!! And yes, my employment status is the single most important economic indicator :)

Today was full of orientation, pampering, and the requisite somewhat-funny sexual harassment video.

A big law firm downtown, extremely low-on-the-totem-pole kind of work. Great pay, no benefits (but I am on RightHand's insurance, so no bother! (for now)).

Life has certainly changed a lot. But RightHand has not. I received this e-mail when I accepted the offer last Wednesday:


I mean, honestly!!

No matter. It is time to celebrate, and in accordance:


YAY!!!! So happy and full of hope! :)