{weak} week

Bad emme. Bad blogging again. Argh. I'm trying. Really! I promise. I've had a whirlwind of a week so far and have just got the sneek peeks of M&N's wedding ready from Saturday. I had to cancel my meeting with the Chamber of Commerce since Pants got sick on Monday, I had to help "re-wardrobe" my sis B {stupid principal changed dress code with a month left in the school year}, meet up with my GF M, move sis B in and oh yeah...softball on Monday and Tuesday eves {ok, A's softball games} and I'm pretty sure I managed to chip my elbow. Again. Today....I'm sore. A bit crankified, but that's because I awoke with a tension headache I'm yoga-ing out. Other than that, I'm in a good mood.

Did I mention that I also brought our dresser up the stairs solo yesterday? And did a number on my toe? I didn't? Well, there it is. Spring fever has hit with even more fervor than in March and I need to mow the lawn. It's crazy green and long =D

Apparently I'm a bit ADD this AM, but I promised photo <3; so here they are! {If you want to see them in more glorious hugeness, please visit my flickr stream here} *I finally upgraded my flickr account to pro...they told me I had too many photos...WORTH IT!*

Like mommy...

So, I found my first digital camera while de-cluttering this past month. The battery contacts are bad, so it stays on for about 5 minutes then turns off. Perfect for some toddler-use. Pants loves her camera! {Ok, the flash more than anything} Keep in mind this is when 4mp was top-of-the-line for P&S cameras. I was still shooting film and just learning the digital aspect of it all...

And yet, over 9 years later, the thing still works! Go Kodak!

Namey & Steventh

It's been awhile again; I've been crazy busy with wedding season kicking off for me last week. So, not much to say, but here's some photo love for your morning.....

There's no place like home.

It's been a whirlwind over these last couple weeks. Engagement sessions, babies, workshops, and a wedding. Now don't get me wrong, I like being busy-but I did miss the fam and the dogs{and time to drink hot coffee before running out the door}. So this morning we had a bit of a chat on how to balance my weekend work schedule against A's weekday/evening schedule as well as making plans for my sister to move in this month. A's weekends are Friday/Saturday and since I was booked solid both days, he went to offer moral support to his sister{and visit his family} Friday to Saturday evening. Then, by some odd scheduling, I had scheduled an engagement shoot early on Sunday{missing church} and have been off-kilter this week. Monday rolled in and I was off to Camp David for some great seminars {and managed to snag a door prize even!} {Getting stuck in traffic was not my idea of fun and I was actually listening to Top 40 to stay alert...}

I was thrilled that A made fried chicken and onion rings for dinner, {from scratch...and no, not on a stick} and thought to invite one of our friends over since her husband works away from home 4 days&nights a week leaving her to work and take care of their 4 month old. She's an amazing gal. We chatted until the little guy dozed off about 8:30, all our eyes were getting heavy. Off to bed we went{and held hands almost all night long=D}

Whew.

Enough of the busy; at least for this weekend. It's Easter and I want to be with family. No computers, no editing. Bike rides and backyards. Naps and a bonfire. So forgive me for being behind on the blog. I promise I'll make it up to you soon.

<3
~e

New things!

I'm officially excited. No, that's an understatement. I'm ecstatic! After going through all the fun tax stuff...I get to invest in my new {dream} camera! It is amazing how, when you trust in yourself and God what comes around. Seriously folks. I'm not super-religious fanatic, but He's come through for me time and time again. So, there's a new giveaway to go along with my merriment: FREE session. {Not wedding, but any other session type is available} Entry is easy: comment here, Facebook, or email emily{at}emmephotodesign{dot}com with "I want to win!" in the subject line. Please leave your contact info {email, phone, etc} in the body of the message as well as the type of session you're hoping to win!

Fine print:
~One entry per person per email address
~Entries will be printed onto paper and pulled out of a hat {there'll be pictures to prove it}
~Fan on FB; send a message and earn an additional 1 entry {previous fans also get +1}
~Follow on twitter for another +1

So, if you email, fan and follow, you get 3 entries. 3 is the max # entries per person {have your friends/hubster/wifey fan/follow/email and they get up to 3 entries each too!}

Happy entries!

{reese's pieces}

Friday was a full day! I started out the day @ the Reese family's house for little Sean {aka Monkey} for Sean's 1-month photo session. He was a hungry lil' dude, but full of smiles! I can hardly wait for their next session!

Weekend of shoots coming up!

I've got a FULL weekend....and I'm ECSTATIC! I've been honing some skills in the tech dept {hence the constantly changing blog layout}, redesigning and relaunching the website, and trying to find the "perfect" logo/identity to use. {If you've got mad graphic design skills, contact me. I'd love to utilize the barter system and give you full credit for design work} So the blog has been designed, redesigned, re-redesigned and not posted on...{don't give me that look, I feel guilty already!} So here's the post and my humble explanation and apology.

I'm sorry.

Anyway, I've still got slots in the bridal "Give it to the people, Stick it to the Man" {little wordy, I know} promotion. $300 off any wedding package {prices on website}; and I've restructured the rates. Let's just say prices didn't go up... I want to be affordable and offer services to a lot of the couples out there that don't have a huge budget but still want that BANG for their bucks.


Tomorrow is usually Day 1 of Weekend; not this time! I have a family/newborn shoot and consults pretty much all day. {yay!} Then Saturday rolls in and off to a family century farm for a fun engagement shoot. {Don't worry, you'll get some peeks at the photos soon!} 


Did I mention that it's tax time? {oof!} Lots of extra paperwork {being my 1st official tax season as a business owner} but worth it {new equipment please Mr. Tax Man!}


I'll have to post a bunch of wedding tips/tricks for all budget-conscious couples in the next couple days too.  S---T---R---E---T---C---H that budget! =D

Wedding specials

For all of you out there just engaged over the holidays, congratulations! I know you have a lot to do to plan that special day {I've been there!} and things pile up fast. Invitations, venue, music, cake, THE DRESS, hair, makeup, jewelry, ceremony and on and on and on....

I have a few tips:

*NOTHING is as important as looking into your partner's eyes at "that moment"
*Something will always go wrong. Don't sweat it. No one will remember that little snafu
     anyway.
*Set a budget and stick to it. Things balloon as time gets nearer.
*Skip the "Big Name" bridal shops. Opt for the bridal outlets...same dresses at 30% below
     the big-name stores. {Yes, they have bridesmaid dresses too!}
*Buying a suit is about the same cost as renting a tuxedo. I recommend Knight's Chamber
     in the Crossroads Mall in Waite Park/Saint Cloud. Tell them its a wedding party and
     save. We got fresh fashions for a whopping $125 {including shirt, tie, and alterations}
     per groomsman. And they own it for future occasions.
*An off-season {Nov-March} or off-peak day {Any day other than Saturdays and holidays}
     is 10-15% cheaper {10% off of that $3000 venue=$300! Enough to hire a pro makeup
     artist like Brett Dorrian or get fantastic wedding jewelry from JealousCat}
*Time flies by! Seriously, a full day goes by in just hours!
*Don't be afraid to barter. Not all venues or vendors will accommodate fitting your budget,
     but most will have some "wiggle room".
*Cut costs by offering handmade favors. My favorite? Get some pretty envelopes and put
     some flower seeds inside{just a mix or hearty plants like marigolds or zinnias}. You
     can print labels {or directly onto the envelopes prior to filling} with sayings like "Grow
     in love with the Mr. & Mrs.", "Love Garden Seeds" etc.
*See if the church you are getting married in has a kitchen. Most times you can also use
     this space for your dinner {and decorate it for your needs} for no additional fees.
*Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! {That means water...at least until AFTER the ceremony}
*Outdoor tents are expensive! Opt for a park with a shelter. Check out the MN DNR park
     list here. {Most glass bottles are prohibited, check with park management for specifics}
*Keep a checklist of your goals and set a time line to accomplish them.
*Most guys don't think the world will end if you choose the wrong shade of white {ivory,
    eggshell, pearl, etc.} so don't stress out if he doesn't answer.
*Guys DO have an opinion, so ASK THEM!!!

There's a bit of the list. If you have any suggestions/comments, please feel free to leave feedback on the blog or email emily@emmephotodesign.com.