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...this is my old blog...

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:27:29 GMT

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Thanks for stopping by! :)

Party of 2...!

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:15:26 GMT

I drove down to Orange Country yesterday for a day of motivation, inspiration and innovation! I spent the entire day with Becker - who willingly divulged the secrets to his wonderful success. It's always so humbling and inspiring to look at the business of photography through someone else's eyes.

I'm so grateful for the openness and genuine kindess that is so prevalent in the wedding photography industry. It's such an amazing vehicle that we can all use to make each other better. Lisa (a photographer from San Diego) and I had the best time and I know we both left with our heads completely bulging with ideas! I couldn't wait to get home and make a list of all the things I needed to do!

I'm always trying to broaden my horizons, improve my business and challenge my photographic eye. I don't think I'll EVER be satisfied with where I am - and I guess that's a good thing. :)

Here is a shot of the Becker himself...and then a shot of darling Lisa.

Laughter...

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:18:44 GMT

I am so excited that my new blog is close to being done! The other day I had so much fun shooting some blog headshots with my good friends and fellow photographers - Michael and Anna Costa. It is always a completely humbling experience to be on the other side of lens. They were asking me to do certain things, and I know I've asked my clients to do the same things - and I looked at them like they asked me to jump in front of train. It's was so funny! I think these shots capture my spirit and personality just perfectly.

Later that night we ventured out to Velvet Jones - which may sound like a swave night club, but it's really just your "run of the mill" college bar where one of our favorite bands of all time was playing. They are called Prom Band - they sport classic 80's garb, while we dance and scream and sing like it was our senior year in high school. They play all the songs that you really never want to admit that you like - but you also can't help but smile and dance when you hear them! Here is a shot of Gary displaying his ever so popular - shirt over the head move... WOW. Thanks Michael and Anna for this classic photo! And I don't know why I'm wearing a scarf on my head like that.

It's amazing the things you find...

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:32:23 GMT

I am starting to get all of my new photos ready for my new website and it's so fun going through all the weddings from the past year. This is a wedding I shot with Amy Nave and I originally went back to look through the wedding because I LOVED this girls dress. And I wanted to see it again - oh, the dress!!! It's so darn important. There are so many styles and googles of different designers! It's so fun, yet so overwhelming. Stay tuned as I search for the perfect dress... :)

But I came across these photos and I just loved them!!!!! So enjoy!

IT'S A NEW YEAR!!!!

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 17:44:40 GMT

I am so excited for all of the developments that are in store for Mary Jane Photography, Inc! My new blog is almost ready and my new website is in the works as well! The guys over at Reddoor Creative are the absolute best and they are re-creating my business brand as we speak! The site is really looking so amazing! They do incredible work and I couldn't have asked for more from them.

I can't wait to get back into blogging in a whole new way - and I know you've heard it all before, but I am going to be dedicating much more time to my NEW blog! It's going to be SOOOOO fun!!!!!! There is so much to share this year - I have some fabulous weddings lined up, I'm training for a triathalon and am planning my own wedding! I hope you come with me on this ride of a lifetime!

I'm sure there will be some bumps in the road (as well as a sore butt at times from that tiny little bike seat...) ...and I'm just sure there will be a slew of insignificant victories and monumnetal triumphs! That what life is all about and I ready to jump in!

Check out my new logo - I love it! It's so ME!

Ryan & Ray in Berkeley, Ca...

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 19:04:50 GMT

Ryan & Ray are two very special people. I met Ray and his family about 3 three years ago when I photographed his parents vow renewal. This family is so tight knit and just plain wonderful and I had always hoped I would see them again someday. I was beyond excited when I got a call that Ray was engaged.

The wedding was so intimate, with tons of personal touches and I have to admit that I teared up a few times. This couple is SOOO into each other and they share so much laughter - that they light up any room!

They were married at the grogeous Berkeley City Club. It was designed by the famous woman architect, Julia Morgan. It was so much fun playing with the intricate architecture and archways. BEAUTIFUL!

Some FUN shots from 2007!!!!

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:49:23 GMT

2007 was an incredible year!!!! I am so thankful for all of my wonderful clients! I am also joyously humbled at each and every wedding by the professionals that surround me - coordinators, caterers, florists, DJ's, etc. - I'm so glad we're in this together!

It was SOOOO hard to choose - so enjoy!

I'M ENGAGED!!!!!!

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 23:04:26 GMT

5,4,3,2,1...it's 2008 - will you marry me? O.K., so it didn't happen exactly like that...but close enough!

So as it turns out, I am one of those "horribly annoying" people that gets insurmountable amounts of joy out of figuring out surprises. I don't know why but it's just SOOOO fun! To tell you the truth, I get it from my mother. She is the worst.

The proposal was the most perfectly random, hilarious surprise that will top my list for a lifetime to come - I am just sure. To set the scene it was New Years Eve Day. Mark nonchalantly says, "So, what do you want to do tonight?" And I of course was thinking, "Hmmm, I guess we're not getting engaged tonight." I knew there was no way he would propose on a whim, without a methodically thought-out romantic evening planned, right? I mean that's the way it's always done, right? Wrong.

We decided to go to a cute little fish restaurant down by the water and then we went to the Santa Barbara Symphony. And let me tell you, that was the place to be! It was completely sold out and so entertaining and as weird as it sounds, it was humorous too! We kept looking over at each other and mouthing, I love you. Apparently, you have to be very quiet.

After the symphony we headed back to my place. I have to admit, I rarely make the countdown...I think it's kind of overrated....so, here I go...trying to ruin the engagement, as I definitively say, "I'm so tired, I think I'm just going to go get in bed and read." I wasn't really feeling a 100%, so bed down sounded like a good idea. At this point, it's like 11:35 p.m. The first thing that crosses Mark's mind is, well I really don't want to propose at 11:35 p.m., there's just nothing cool about that. So, he comes in around a quarter till midnight, I'm half asleep with an open book over my face (this is a usual sight when I'm reading). We talk for a bit, snuggle and read a little, then he looks over and says, "Is it midnight yet?" And right then the clock strikes midnight!

I was so stoked that I actually made it to midnight that I didn't even realize Mark was "kneeling" down on the side of the bed. I thought he had some profound thoughts to share with me or something. I still didn't get it.

Next thing I know, Mark is saying something perfectly sweet that is still jumbled in my memory because I finally caught on and then I saw the ring and then I screamed and then I cried and then I FINALLY got out of bed and ran around the house. I promised myself I'd never miss another countdown...EVER!

Then we texted everyone we knew (sorry Amy, you know I love you...) and turned our phones off. We had many fun messages awaiting us in the wee morning hours.

It was a night that I will NEVER forget. The ring is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. As he says, "It's insured!" WHEW.

It's kind of surreal when the sweetest, most loving, caring man in the world, kneels in front of you and asks you to spend the rest of your life with him. But, then you think, well, it just makes perfect sense - we're best friends and we just make each other better people. That's the way it should be. I just really couldn't ask for more.

Merry Christmas...XOXO

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 14:55:35 GMT

I know it's a day late but I figure it's really NEVER too late. I think we should celebrate Christmas every day anyway! :)

This was the first year that I wasn't home in Colorado for Christmas. I am used to snow, warm fires, lots of cousins, a huge tree, and most of all the incredible smells that come from my mom's kitchen. She is the best cook.

Well the Aufderheide's spent this Christmas in Santa Barbara! It was a completely different experience and we all kept saying, "It just doesn't feel like Christmas." It was 70 degrees and my brother, dad and I even went surfing one day. But, don't be fooled, just because it was a little warm outside - it does not mean that water was even close to being WARM! Ahhh, thank goodness for wet suits! WHEW!

We had a very relaxing time and enjoyed sunny California. I guess we realized even though Colorado feels more like Christmas to us, it was being together that made it perfect! We really missed my older brother and his wife, but I'll hopefully see them soon!

Oh, and Santa still found us, which is a miracle in itself.

The Martin Family

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:35:27 GMT

Last Saturday Mark and I shot a family portrait session at Fernando Point in Montecito. The spot was really breath-taking! Warm light and bright blue water are always a bonus in photography. The Martin's are a very sweet family and definitely have height on their side. They are all 5'11 except for their son, Japhet who was 6'7! I felt short and I NEVER feel short - ! So, it was fun to actually look up at people for a change.

Janice and David are one of those couples that you think fell in love yesterday. Although they've been married for over 20 years they are still sweetly affectionate and loving towards each other. They go to my church and he always has his arm around her and I always see them out of the corner of my eye just being so cute.

I have a theory that married couples should hold hands forever.... And they are a living example of it! :)

Mark took this one. I think I may keep him around. :)

Below are some pictures that Mark took of me being...well...myself. It was all before the Martin's arrived... (I don't usually talk on my cell phone while shooting!)
Although, I do have to say that Mark took some shots of me shooting - and I looked at some of them in absolute horror!!!!!!!
I asked him do I really look like when I'm chimping? I have this weird squinty look of disgust on my face. It's awful! I think it's just because I'm concentrating and trying to see the darn LCD screen in the blaring sun?!?!?!
But, I need to work on my face, not to mention I need to invest in a belt. :) (New Years Resolution 2008 - try to look pleasant while chimping...)