Happy Monday! This past weekend I had the pleasure of shooting at the Canary Hotel in Santa Barbara and you can see below for a quick sneak peek of the gorgeous view from the rooftop.
But first...I am thinking of holding a contest on my blog. You know, I just love contests. In the photography industry there's always multiple contests going on..."want a free website?" and I'm there doing backflips as a prerequisite, "want to win a brand new 5d mark ii?" and I'm right there capturing video of why I think I deserve one. So, I just love contests...who doesn't love to win free things!?!
What is this contest about, you ask? THE HOLIDAYS! For some unknown reason I am super pumped about it this year...despite the current 90 degree weather and the fact that I haven't worn a sweater in over a year...but needless to say, I'm excited. The other day Mike and I were swapping our favorite holiday time stories and I'm telling you, if he would let me, I would put a tree up TODAY! But Mike did reason that with the dry and hot weather we've been having, our tree probably wouldn't make it til Thanksgiving and it would be the biggest fire hazard of the season...so I'm waiting somewhat unpatiently, but I thought a little holiday contest might get everyone in the mood. What do you think??!
While you're contemplating here is a sneak peek from Saturday....
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
{sneak peek} and maybe a contest?
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/116
Everyone starts their own business for different reasons. Some people do it because they are passionate. Some people do it for the money. Some people do it to meet familial obligations and expectations that they will never be able to fulfill.
I did it for happiness.
My clients often tell me how much they love the emotion captured in my images. I tell them it's a team effort because you can feel my excitement and happiness in their moment. It's so exciting to not only witness love unfold in front of your eyes but to able to document it for someone to cherish the rest of their lives, but it's also incredible...it's actually quite an honor.
I realized last night that I hadn't accomplished anything this past week that made me happy. That's not because I haven't "done" anything per se, but more or less, I have super high expectations of myself. My dad used to tell me that I am the biggest critic of myself and sometimes I have to remember that I am mortal and not a superwoman possessed with "get it all done today" powers...although that would be pretty cool!
So I decided this morning to start doing something that I used to do every morning....and it makes me very happy :)
It's not just that it's the beach...there's something almost magical about walking along these bluffs...you can hear the seals yelping and the waves rushing in and the surf pounding the sand and the seagulls chirping away and this soothing beach music is a reminder to enjoy each day without regrets and each day without anger and to just be happy.
I think Bear would agree, too
Carol says:
You said it all.....Just be happy and what better way to be happy than looking at these marvelous views that you have so magically captured through the lens of your camera.....and who could forget "man's best friend" - your loyal and loving companion - Bear!! Very, very insightful and lovely words.
(10.26.09 @ 07:32 AM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
the business of doing pleasure
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/115
You know those kind of days...where the dog doesn't want to go out because it's pouring and you have to hunt for a decent (and preferably cute!) umbrella only to realize that you left it at some coffee shop four months ago...I had to whip out the rain boots/wellies/galoshes or what-have-you this morning as it is raining cats and dogs in Santa Barbara today...which is kind of a big deal around here since it only rains like once a year :)
It's nice to hear the pitter-patter of the rain beating on the roof and see it bead up on the leaves of our plants...a refreshing feeling of a new start the next day...
dottie says:
okay, so love the galoshes!!!!
(10.14.09 @ 04:45 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
rainy days {Charlotte wedding photographer}
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/109
I'm still hanging out in Monterey this week, working and doing the tourist thing, and thoroughly enjoying it all! Monterey and Pacific Grove are just so stinkin' cute! I love that Monterey is very dog friendly (Santa Barbara is too, but we're always pleasantly surprised when other cities are). Monday we lunched at an outdoor mall where everyone just made the biggest fuss over Bear (oh, you know he enjoyed it!). To get to the delicious little cafe we wanted to try out, we had to take an escalator...being the proud parents we are, I had the camera ready for Bear's first escalator ride! And then we dined on clam chowder and sandwiches...I love me some clam chowder!
Bear was hesitant at first...
And then he balked at the idea...
And then he decided "now or never!"
Whew! He got on :)
I love this place...it's called Archie's American Diner and they put American flags on all the sandwiches :)
heidi says:
You never fail to make me laugh, Whitney...glad Bear got on the escalator so you guys could have a great lunch!
(10.07.09 @ 12:32 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
there's a first time for everything...
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/105
Well, it's not really summer any more...in fact it's beginning to get quite chilly at night along the central coast, but whatever, that's another blog post!
So I'll just come out and say it: I am obsessed with major league baseball. Since.like.FOREVER! I constantly check stats on my phone, I edit while listening to SportsCenter...it's a sickness, really. Growing up, we were a painstakingly four hour drive from Turner Field where the Atlanta Braves play, but now that Mike and I live anywhere between 1 1/2 to 4 hours away (depending on the traffic!) from Dodgers Stadium, we make it a point to go to as many games as we can---which is basically whenever I'm in town! You could even go as far to say that October is my favorite month...no, not because of the pretty fall leaves and pumpkin lattes, etc, but because of the postseason and world series!
I'm not quite sure why I love baseball so much. I like to think that my Nana had something to do with it. My Nana was an amazing woman (I could write an entire blog about her) and she just loved college basketball and major leage baseball. I used to spend the night with her with I was little and I remember her pulling rocking chairs in front of the television so we could watch the Braves. She was a HUGE Braves fan and it was much to her dismay when I started pulling for the Yankees (Joe Torre y'all, enough said!). Nana used to tell me stories about when she was a little girl and would listen to the Boston Braves on the radio (no TV's!). Pretty cool story :)
This past weekend was the last of the regular season games and we went down to LA to see them play one last for this year (can you see my tears of sorrow on your computer screen?!) All I have to say is that if the Dodgers go to the World Series I am SO.THERE. I'm not sure what I will pawn off to buy tickets, but I'll find something ;)
Here are a few pictures from this past weekend...we had such a great time...seriously, is there anything better than a good ball game and some greasy food? :)
I remember when Rafael Furcal was a rookie with the Braves...wow, I feel old for knowing that!
Also, I cannot believe that this is my 100th blog post!!!!! How exciting! I didn't even realize it until my last blog post, when it reminded me that I was at 99 posts. This little blog has come a long way since February when Into The Darkroom launched it for me (thanks, guys!). Several readers of my blog are photographers and I just wanted to take a quick second and mention how awesome ITDR is. If you're in the market for a new photo blog they have stellar customer service and their designs, well, they just rock!
I want to thank everyone for reading along this far and I hope that you will continue following my journey as a photographer for the next 100 posts! :) I think I'm going to go celebrate with a cupcake!
Happy Monday!!!
Annemarie says:
How fun!!! If they go, let us know, we might be up for joining you for a game!! Btw, did you get your hair cut? Looks cute. Love the hat! :)
(10.05.09 @ 04:15 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
the boys of summer {and my 100th blog post!!!}
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/104
What a breathtaking photo! I love how you captured the trees up close, the buildings and then the mountain range in the rear of this shot. It's beautiful!!
(10.27.09 @ 09:07 AM)Oh, you know I'm all about contests too!! And I LOVE winning free thing!
(10.27.09 @ 03:10 PM)