{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!*

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

Rustic wedding bliss

I have an engagement session coming up for a rustic themed wedding. This has me daydreaming like crazy...and then etsy.com's daily pick was all woodland and rustic themed making me want a reason to throw a rustic party. Here are some of my favorites of recent:

 

Photo courtesy pompandplumage

LOVE NEST BOUTONNIERE: by pompandplumage

Bird nest, moss, feather and pearl boutonniere

   

Photo courtesy blockpartypress

Wood You Love Me Cufflinks: blockpartypress

Photo courtesy of sweeteverythings

midnight sparkle:sweeteverythings

Hair accessory 

Well, the shoot is on Saturday AM and has two Chinese-Cresteds starring alongside the couple. Stay tuned for peeks....

Congratulations lovebirds {and love-elephants, love-otters, and love-{insert animal here}}

Today is Sunday...and it's been a very long week! I had a sick little P for 10 days or so and she's been very demanding. We've got a run of RSV and some other upper-respiratory bugs flying around and she caught one =( After a week of nebulizer treatments she's feeling better and running around like a monster again =D

Oh, and did I mention that I got a bunch of new gear on Friday? It's amazing {and I'm super excited} that this one bag is now worth more than my car {yes, and I have an '03 Alero}. Perspective there, right?

Another exciting thing: I now have second shooters for ALL weddings for 2010...and am able to keep all the rates the same. YAY for staying on budget! Having seconds that are amazingly talented and fun is going to make for more wonderful wedding images from your big day.

And...I'm now an official member of the Professional Photographers of America {PPA}. I'm an "Associate Member" since the business is relatively new {even though I've been working in photography for 7-8 years} and it isn't listed in their "Find A Photographer" section. Rest assured, I can prove membership...I'm just not personally ready for tons of national/international bookings. Sure, I'd take 1-2 {wink wink...nudge nudge} if you're planning a destination wedding or are from another state and are in L-O-V-E with my work, email me emily{at}emmephotodesign{dot}com; tweet me emmazing; or write on my Facebook wall.

So, here's the budget tips, courtesy of the Star Tribune. The Wall Street Journal also posted some money tips for couples getting engaged or getting hitched. You can read the Star Tribune article here.

And a happy heart day to all!

~e

Cupid's around the corner....

That's it. January's gone...and so are most of those resolutions so many of us made! On the brighter side; we're one month closer to spring! Although it IS snowing outside right now...gotta love MN!

Now's the time to start booking your venues, caterers, photographers and get those invitations finalized {La Bella Couture Design asked me to draw a mountain laurel for a bride...I'm excited to help out a fellow creative businesswoman in MN!}

There are lots of offerings on craigslist for the savvy bride; from vases to wedding day jewelry to small business ads {I advertise there A LOT!}. Oh, and you should have your gown narrowed down {if not already chosen} as well.

And I'm hiring a second shooter for the 2010 wedding season as well! If you've stumbled here and have the knack, skills, and passion for wedding photography, feel free to email me emily{at}emmephotodesign{dot}com.

I'm a bit tapped out for ideas today...but have been scheming a lovely engagement session featuring a childhood favorite...now just to find a couple!

Happy Monday!
~e

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.

Ok. Here's the inaugural post of the blog! I thought I'd feature a few shots of the gorgeous wedding of Frank & Robin. So bear with me, I'm new at hoisting here!

~e