Welcome to my Blog! Hi there!!!

Welcome to the official Whitney Elizabeth Photography Blog!  I am so excited to finally have a gorgeous blog to showcase everything! Anddd, thank you for taking time out of your day to visit my blog!   


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Results tagged “charlotte wedding photographers” from Connecticut Wedding Photographer | New England Wedding Photographer | Whitney Elizabeth

Hello internet!  So much has happened since I last blogged (which began my internet hibernation period!).  A lot of great things to share and a lot of catching up, so let's start where I left off:

November 2011:  Nigeria

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I will have to devote an entire blog post to this...I joined NRI again for a medical trip to Ibadan, Nigeria...

December 2011:  Christmas in California

Took a trip to Mendocino...gorgeous!  A must see for sure :)


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Some fabulous weddings from the end of 2011:  More to come soon!


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March 2012:  Our 4th cross country trip, including some Canada time!

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Feels so good to blog again, check back again this week!!
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Melissa Avey says:

amazing

(05.08.12 @ 12:50 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Hibernation :: Charlotte Wedding Photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/272
Most of us grew up fortunate.  You know, like clothes-on-your-back, food-on-the-table fortunate. And most of us grew up very fortunate...playing sports, back-to-school clothes (kind of wish I was still in school for that!) and parents that would even move into a better school district so you could have a great education.  Enter:  Nikki and myself.  I grew up down the street from Nikki, as in, 3 houses down the street.  We were fortunate to live in a neighborhood where there were a few other girls who could play after school and borrow textbooks when you'd left yours at school and just a good, all around fun group of friends.  We rode bikes together and played cops and robbers, played on swingsets and occasionally enjoyed playing with Barbies and Legos.  Flash forward a certain number of years later and Nikki is getting married and asked me to photograph her wedding...yay!  It's so special for me to photograph a wedding like this...I always strive to get to know my clients as it helps me to tell their story in a much more close knit almost family-like way.  So it's exciting that I know Nikki's story and I get to help document another chapter of her life, with Vance  :)

A few weeks ago I met Nikki and Vance on a Sunday morning in downtown Charlotte for their engagement session.  After we spent some time in Charlotte, we headed up the road to Concord, where Vance's family has an awesome piece of property and my favorite:  cows! 

Nikki and Vance, thank you for allowing me to capture your engagement session and I cannot wait for your wedding!!!



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Happy Tuesday!
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Carol says:

Love the photo with the cows in the background!! Awesome! Wonderful way to capture their love story...........

(08.17.11 @ 06:29 AM)
tanya says:

very good job! Like this session

(05.17.12 @ 09:34 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: nikki + vance :: the green uptown charlotte . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/269
Happy Thursday!  

This week for the Resource Room I want to share one of my favorite websites, Etsy...but not just Etsy....Etsy weddings!  There are so many gorgeous accessories and wedding day must haves that you can get lost in there!  Go ahead and check it out, but I warn you, you should clear about 2 hours off your schedule today :)



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And because this is a photo blog, here is a sneak peek from Nikki and Vance's Charlotte engagement session!


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More to come soon...!
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Carol says:

Oh they look so happy!!! Can't wait to see more Whitney!!

(08.12.11 @ 05:07 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: 47th edition :: the resource room . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/268
Anna and Cody's story is a special one to me...Cody and I went to college together and he actually married Mike and I back in 2008 :)  So when Cody asked me to photograph their wedding I was beyond excited and honored!!  

Their beautiful wedding took place on July 16 in downtown Charlotte, NC with everyone getting ready at the historic Dunhill Hotel, the ceremony at historic St. Mary's Chapel and the reception following at RiRa's, which is such a fun bar and restaurant with a great atmosphere.  The day started out cloudy and it looked almost as if it could rain, but it didn't and the sun peeped out just after the ceremony, which I think is good luck :)  

Cody and Anna, thank you so much for allowing me to document your wedding day---it was beautiful and, just like you wanted, I'm pretty sure everyone had a great time :)

Anna's dress is gorgeous and she purchased it in Charlottesville, VA at West Main Bridal.

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Nothing more gorgeous than a radiant bride on her wedding day!  :)

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Bling!

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I love the getting ready photographs, almost as much as any other part of the wedding day...there is so much excitement and anticipation and you can feel it in the air...

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Cody doing his thing before the wedding...

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I love capturing the groom's expression as his future wife walks down the aisle  :)


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Anna is an only child and you could tell her Dad was happy for her but was also a little hesitant to let his little girl go...

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Actually, this might be my favorite part of the day...right after the bride and groom have exchanged vows and are pronounced husband and wife...!

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Oh! Y'all! Are! Too! Stinking! Adorable!

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Anna and Cody held their reception at RiRa's in downtown Charlotte and it was so much fun!  


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Delicious cake made by the chef at RiRa's...I'm talking rich, velvety dark chocolate with a rich, creamy, chocolate frosting with whip cream to boot!  Are you hungry yet?? :)

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Gotta wrap up the post with an awesome reception shot of Cody and all the guys singing "You've lost that lovin' feeling" to Anna  :)

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Happy Tuesday!
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Carol says:

What a lovely day.............Best wishes to Anna and Cody! I love the happiness that you caught with your beautiful photos!!

(08.10.11 @ 08:11 AM)
fotoclipping says:

Very innovative photography.

(04.17.12 @ 10:22 PM)
Baby Photography London says:

I am stunned by your style! Lovely pictures.
Congratulations on the great work!

(03.13.13 @ 04:14 AM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: cody + anna :: st marys chapel wedding, charlotte nc . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/267
A few weeks ago Mike and I traveled home for some business mixed with a little fun.  My family goes to the beach every year and this year was no exception.  The girls and the kids hang out on the beach all day, the guys go play golf and we eat lots of bad for you really good food!  As I'm wrapping up this busy week I'm looking through photos I took at the beach and kinda wishing I was back there!

This summer we went to Ocean Isle Beach...

A lot of people who live on the west coast don't realize what the Intracoastal Waterway is...it's pretty awesome!  It's a narrow strip of water that creates little islands off the coast of North Carolina and in the summer is always filled with jet skiiers and boaters, etc.

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Ah, so relaxing :)  Happy Thursday!



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Happy Tuesday!

Lots of shooting and editing going on over here and I wanted to share a quick sneak peek of Cody and Anna's Charlotte St. Mary's Chapel wedding...more to follow soon!  :)



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Carol says:

Cody looks so handsome and Anna is a beautiful bride!! Can't wait to see more!!!

(08.03.11 @ 07:01 AM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: teaser! :: st mary's chapel + anna and cody . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/265

It all started over a bottle of wine (good stories always do, right?!).  It was a lovely crisp white wine as the day had been warm (for Santa Barbara).  Mike and I were hanging out, being lazy, watching movies and perusing the internet on our laptops on a slow Sunday.  

That's when I saw the news article...Royal Couple Visiting Santa Barbara, or something to that affect.

"Eek, Ahh, OMGosh."  I swooned and carried on.  I insisted that we had to go.  Mike didn't seem too concerned that the Royal couple was visiting and that we could have a chance to see them in person.

I realized this would call for some great persuasion on my behalf.  Donning a ridiculous beach hat, I pranced around the house using a horrible, fake British accent, "Oh, Michael, we must go to the royal polo match.  It's a once in a lifetime opportunity.  I shall just die if I can't go.  All the stars will be there, it will be educational.  It's a historical event, one not to be missed.  Also, I can see Kate's clothes in person."

Unfortunately, the evening ended with "uh, let's talk about this later."  Whatever.

A few days later after my shameless, British begging expose, I arrived home late from a meeting, starving and just ready to go to bed.  Mike decided he wanted to run out for a late dinner..."Come with me," he asked.  "Oh, alright."  I agreed.  I met him at the front door, sans purse.  

"Where's your purse?" Mike asked a little alarmed.  
"It's taking a nap.  I'm not taking it."
"I think you should get your purse."
"Why?"
"I, uh, just think you should have it in case we need your driver's license or something."
"Oh, I already have that on me."
"I'll be right back..."  as Mike runs up the stairs.
"Take your purse!"  he says.

Sheesh, I'm thinking.  He must really like this new bag I bought.  Maybe I should get it in the white color as well.

I look into my bag and there's an invitation...in honor of my birthday to attend the Royal Polo Match!  

You would've have thought the man was proposing again the way I carried on.  Excitement and near fainting ensued.  

Anyway, onto the good part.  Such a cool event and it really was a once in a lifetime event to be able to see Kate and William (I like to think that we're on a first name basis).

The week leading up to the polo match, I was so excited...so excited in fact that I couldn't stop using my fake British accent.  I'm sure Mike loved it :)

We were permitted to bring cameras so I was loaded down with my camera and Mike brought his trusty point and shoot:

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The day started out foggy, but fortunately the fog burned off and the sun came out.  This is the infamous "June Gloom" of Santa Barbara that has spread into July.

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They're landing!  You could feel the excitement in the air from the crowd and there was a murmur going through the crowd, "They're here, they're here!"

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The sun came out shortly after Kate and William landed, and so did the Champagne :)

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Prince William warming up on the field!!

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Before the match, all the players rode around the field, were introduced and then the National Anthem played.  Prince William is #4.

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This little girl brought her Kate doll along...I may have to go pick one of those up  ;)

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Below is Melissa Ganzi, the only female player on the field.  She's an awesome and feisty player!

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Melissa and Prince William tearing down the field...

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Prince William is the player getting ready to hit the ball with his mallet...

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Prince William in pursuit of the ball!

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After the match, Kate presented the trophy to William's winning team and gifts to the other team.  Mike and I were standing behind the press and I'm pretty sure the guys in front of me were a little irritated that I was asking them to move for my shot :)

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A blurry close up from Mike's point and shoot, isn't she so pretty?!?

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I'm still culling through the gazillion photos I took.  All in all, it was a fabulous day and thank you Mike for the wonderful/awesome/so amazing birthday gift!

Cheers!
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jessi says:

omg i would have had a cow!!! i bet it was awesome!!!!

(07.14.11 @ 05:19 PM)
Toni Greenside says:

Hi Whitney! :) I Loved everything about this article! You and Mike are so adorable, and if ever there was a fairy tale marriage... You and Mike are it! Your pictures are exceptionally Beautiful too!
Love and Hugs to you both!
Toni :)

(07.15.11 @ 08:34 AM)
Carol says:

Absolutely without a doubt one of the sweetest husbands in the world (Mike not William!!!!!!!!!!!)........Spectacular photography Whitney!!! I felt as if I were at the polo match myself with all your beautiful photos and commentary!!

(07.15.11 @ 08:53 AM)
Sara Chidester says:

I'm so jealous you got to be there in person for this! What a great husband you have! :)

(07.15.11 @ 09:07 AM)
Dottie says:

Fantabulous!!! what an incredible experience! thanks so much for sharing the photos and story..tons love!

(07.15.11 @ 01:17 PM)
Robert says:

Gorgeous pics!

(10.12.11 @ 11:23 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: the royal polo match . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/264
I never thought I was the sentimental type until a friend pointed it out to me a few weeks ago.

Those who know me well know that I often purge things in my house or sell stuff online or load up a bunch of clothes and knickknacks and haul it off to Goodwill.  But there's this one shoebox that I keep around.  I place it on the top of my list of "stuff" to save if my house were burning down.  This shoebox is filled with what I usually consider junk...loose papers, random little knickknacks (like plastic sunglasses that light up and blink around the frames) and ribbons and bows and cards.  This is the kind of "stuff" that usually sends me looking for the shredder (OCD people unite!).  But this shoebox holds the most important memories to me, things that I want to keep around so that when I'm old and gray (well, the gray part is already happening, boo!) that I can remember all the sweet things Mike does for me.

It was around Sophomore year of college that I started keeping this box.  That was around the time that Mike and I started hanging out and he started inviting me to concerts, dinner, etc.  Mike would always give me a handmade invitation when he invited me to do something and it became the start of my shoebox.  

So, all these years later this box is about to bust...I need to get another shoebox for all the invitations.  I didn't think I was sentimental but I guess it turns out I am!  :)

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Check back soon...I have a fun post coming up about an invitation I recently received from Mike for my birthday...to a certain Polo Match :)

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jessi says:

i have a box that i started when john and i started dating too! and i hate crap sitting around, so i'm totally with you there :)

(07.11.11 @ 08:24 PM)
Carol says:

True Love...........need I say more?!!

(07.12.11 @ 07:41 AM)
Heidi says:

so sweet :) and i really, really hope there are pictures of a certain polo match!

(07.12.11 @ 12:50 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: sappy and sentimental :: charlotte wedding photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/263
Happy Thursday everyone!  Time for this weeks installment of The Resource Room!

I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July (yeah, I'm just a few days late on that...).  I had a fantastic 4th filled with lots of kayaking and beach going and eating and lots of reading  :)

Here are just two of the great books I read over the weekend:

In The Garden of Beasts, by Erik Larson.  This book is about a family that moves to Berlin during Hitler's ascent for their father's ambassador position...historical and suspenseful and sad.  But good...you should read it!

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, by Aimee Bender.  Great read and very different from most novels I read.  The main character of the book can taste people's feelings/emotions through the food they make.

OK, so now onto the resource room part of the post!  The blog I'm sharing today is one that I recently found and they actually have a dedicated blog for Charlotte and Charleston, but I'm sharing the Charlotte blog today.  Go check out the Wedding Row!


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I recently photographed Alexis, affectionately called Alex by her family and friends, in Santa Barbara in honor of her high school graduation!  I had so much fun photographing Alex, not only because she's a fun and cute and happy model but it was a cool reminder and rush of feelings of graduating from high school (freedom!), enjoying your last summer as a kid (freedom!) and preparing for college (again, freedom!)  :)

Alex decided to be photographed near the beautiful, historic mission of Santa Barbara and she introduced me to a few neat trails nearby.  Alex is currently in France on a mission trip, but when she's not saving the world, she's an A+ student, amazing artist (she regularly has paintings on display around town) and is preparing for the next exciting 4 years of her life at Westmont!

Congratulations Alex and have a blast in France!!


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I love them all, but oh, this is a fave!  :)  Rawr, Alex!

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And here's a slideshow of the rest of the images:  CLICK HERE TO ENJOY!

Happy Hump Day!

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Carol says:

Beautiful young lady and fabulous photography!!

(06.30.11 @ 10:18 AM)
Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers says:

Nice work, I love that sepia image!
Shaun David

(06.30.11 @ 01:47 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: alexis :: santa barbara high school senior photos . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/261
What what?!  I decided to bring this back, like white jeans from the 80's.  I actually had a few people ask why I don't do this anymore (thank you people for reading my blog!) so I thought I'd bring back The Resource Room :)

Before I dive into my share for the day, I just finished such an awesome book last night.  It's been on my Goodreads list for awhile and Mike just happened to receive it as a gift awhile back....The Art of Non-Conformity.  He received the book right before he left on a business trip...and here's how this went down:

Me:  Oh Mike, I'd really love to read that book!!
Mike:  Yeah, me too.  So amped.  Gonna take it with me to Minnesota.
Me:  What? (as if he had just told me Santa Claus doesn't exist!)  But I'd like to read it now.
Mike:  Um, it's my book.
Me:  Gasp!  But I always read.  I'm the reader in the family!  What if I read it now, I'll finish it today (this happens all the time) and I'll fedex  UPS (that's right, I'm a die hard UPS fan!) it to you in Minnesota.
Mike:  That's just silly.  I'm taking with me.

A few hours later...

Mike is preoccupied with something, so I steal (forgive me!) the book out of his suitcase.  Thief!  I smugly hide it amongst my other books thinking I'll start the book as soon as I get back from dropping him off at the airport.

A few hours later...

I return home from the airport, pour a glass of Cab and happily make my way towards my bookcase.  Only to find that The Art of Non-Conformity is not where I had left it.  I frantically search (geez, didn't I have anything better to do that night?) all over my bookcase and I don't see it.  Then it hits me.  I immediately text Mike...

Me:  I know you have it
Mike:  What are you talking about?  I have to turn my cell off, we're getting ready to take off...
Me:  You have the book!!  You sneaky thing, you!
Mike:  Oh that, ha, yeah I have it.  I'll let you know how it turns out.
Me:  I may just have to go buy my own copy!
 

Anyway, I finally got to read the book and I loved it :)  So check it out!

But I digress...on to the Resource Room part!  Most of my friends and several of my clients have their own blogs now, which is fun because everyone can stalk each other in their own private way by seeing who is up to what.  So I felt this would be a great post to share with anyone who has a blog or is thinking about starting one.

I love reading ProBlogger...there's always insightful information for any blogger out there.  If you haven't heard of it, then what are you waiting for, go over there right now and read about how to be a better blogger!


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Happy Thursday!

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Once upon a time, I posted about my favorite industry workshops, because I'm soo the photographer that goes to *almost* every workshop.  Why?  Because I love them!  I love meeting new people at workshops and learning new ways to hone my craft or streamline my operations or whatever that the workshop is teaching.

I have been wanting to attend The Simple Plan ever since it debuted over a year ago...every time it was offered I was unavailable or out of town, etc, etc.  But this time I made it happen and it was hands down, my favorite workshop of all time.  Maybe because I like crunching numbers and looking at the "back end" and inside of businesses or maybe because Michelle and Kelly are phenomenal teachers.  I recommend going to a Simple Plan the next time they plan one!  And even if you can't make the time, I highly suggest reading their blog, I think it's beneficial for any business owner.

And here's a quick sneak peek of a fun senior session I recently photographed :)


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Carol says:

Beautiful! Can't wait to see more of your photography!!!

(06.22.11 @ 06:39 AM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: workshop guru :: part two {charlotte wedding photography} . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/259
After taking a somewhat intentional social media (as in: blogging, facebook, twitter, pinterest, good reads and everything else out there!) break for the past few months, I'm enjoying being back on/around the internet :)

So what I have been up to?  Um, a lot!  Here's a quick rundown of all the personal, whitney-lately goings-on.  

Mike and I ran the Chardonnay 10 miler...lots of fun!  I pretty much signed him up about two weeks before the race so he didn't have much time for training, but we had a good, slow race:


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We've been going to the beach a lot with sweet Bear and Charlie:

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Having fun hiking the awesome trails (aka mountains!) of Santa Barbara:

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Kayaking!  Mike and I used to have a sailboat (that's a whole other blog post!) and we unfortunately had to sell it but we vowed we would get a kayak or some kind of water toy, and we finally did  :)

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We've had lots of fun family visits!

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Mike and I have been training for a triathlon...are we crazy or what?!

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I ran a half marathon with my dear friend Natalie....

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And we celebrated with Mimosa's afterwards!

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AND Mike and I celebrated our 3 year wedding anniversary...woohoo!  

Thanks for checking in, until next time!  :)


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Natalie says:

LOVED IT!!!!!! You are one busy lady! Looking forward to another Mimosa with you soon!

(06.20.11 @ 09:43 PM)
Carol says:

like I've said before, I want to be you when I grow up!!!! Lots of fun times!

(06.21.11 @ 09:53 AM)
Heidi says:

busy, busy, busy...thanks for having us a few weeks ago. and i thought that was the only way to celebrate finishing a half-marathon. no?

(06.21.11 @ 11:02 AM)
Julia says:

Glad you are back! Missed your blog updates and fabulous photos!!

(06.23.11 @ 09:59 AM)
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It's days like today, when it's 85 degrees out, when California proves me wrong.  I don't mind being proved wrong when it means I'm learning something new.  And who doesn't like learning?  I don't want to go through life ignorant.

When we first moved here, I naively assumed the weather would always be like this...hey, it's California.  But it's not.  And it made me angry, along with the ridiculous taxes, inflated rent, sky high mortgages and cold beaches.  But today I am proven wrong.  And I like it.



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Heidi says:

Ahh, nice. It's cold and rainy here. :(

(03.31.11 @ 05:06 PM)
Carol says:

Beautiful! Who couldn't smile and be happy with that view??!!

(04.01.11 @ 06:03 PM)
sara-anne says:

you really do take BEAUTIFUL landscape images...(your portraits are beautiful too) but I love seeing your landsacpes!

(05.12.11 @ 09:04 AM)
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Before I even started writing this post, I thought about warning my readers....this is about golf.  But I'm not going to because then you won't read the entire post and really, it's not about golf so much as it is about fabulous Pebble Beach and their annual Pro-Am tournament.

Mike's childhood friend, Scott Stallings, is now a pro golfer who plays for the PGA and we got to see him play back in February...it was so awesome to a) finally meet Scott and his wife b) go to a professional golf tournament and c) visit Pebble Beach when it was the warmest it's been in the past 20 years.  Yay for great weekends!  :)

As per usual, the golf tournament didn't allow pro cameras in unless you had a press pass so I had to settle for sneaking pictures of the players on my phone...Mike kept walking away pretending he didn't know me but I couldn't help it...we were around celebrities!  What's a girl to do?  

This is overlooking the green on the 8th hole...there were several seals in the bay that had a free birds eye view...

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During one of my favorite times of day...meal time!  

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Deer!  Some people are deer people, some aren't.  My mom is a deer person...as in, she freaks out and gets excited when she sees deer :)

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Me, in the bushes, taking secret photos of the golfers...  :)

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And this past weekend Scott played super well and made a hold-in-one!  So cool...visit his website here!  Check back soon and have a happy Tuesday :)
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Carol says:

You know you are a pro when you can take awesome pictures like these on your phone!! What a wonderful time you guys must have had, and love the photo of you hiding in the bushes taking your secret pics!!

(03.23.11 @ 07:00 AM)
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Everyone has photographs of themselves that they hate.  Everyone.  Right?  Right??

Some of us are guilty of trying to hide these photos from the light of day (untag on facebook: check, delete digital file: check, and so on) and I am just as guilty.

And the photograph below is one of those photos.  I should delete it.  My eyes are bloodshot and full of tears, my hair looks like it has been greased back with motor oil and don't even get me started on my teeth.  But I can't.  It makes me smile.

Four years ago today Mike proposed on the sandy pink beaches of Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda and I simultaneously laughed, cried and shrieked with joy.

I love you Mike-Sometimes I don't know what I did to deserve your love :)

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I also love this photograph because shortly after I finally got my own Canon 5D and started my journey as a wedding photographer :)

Happy Tuesday!
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Bryan says:

Great pic! That water sure looks inviting about now....

Hope you are feeling better.

(03.08.11 @ 05:06 PM)
Heidi says:

Fun day to remember! :) I think you look beautiful. Love to you both!

(03.08.11 @ 06:19 PM)
Katie says:

I think this photo is fantastic! You are adorable and the fact that your eyes are full of tears makes it even better! Hope you are doing well!

(03.09.11 @ 06:34 AM)
Anonymous says:

Whitney, I think you look adorable in this photo! How cute is Mike to have pulled something like this off!? Too cute!

(03.09.11 @ 09:06 AM)
Natalie Greenside says:

I think you look adorable in this photo! Mike, way to have pulled off the surprise! Too cute!

(03.09.11 @ 09:08 AM)
dottie says:

love this picture, and you for sharing! Every time you & Mike see it, you'll remember how you felt, and all that it represents, and all the plotting & planning ! love you both tons

(03.10.11 @ 04:32 AM)
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It's the title, isn't it?  The alluring title of this blog post that you brought you here?  Yeah, it does sound a little disgusting, but I like to warn my readers!  :)

It's been forever since my last blog post.  Mainly because I was super sick.  Not sick as in Oh-I-Need-Another-Cough-Drop-Yippee-I-Can-Catch-Up-On-All-My-Reality-TV-Shows sick but sick as in In-Bed-All-Day-With-103degree-Fevers-For-An-Entire-Week.  But I'm all better and since I'm not an octogenarian I will stop talking about my ailments and move on to other, more lovely, topics.

It's been raining here in Santa Barbara and that means it's snail time.  Well, at least in my neighborhood.  The giant snails of prehistoric times flood out of nowhere and bejewel the sidewalks with their tiny iridescent shells.  It's kinda hilarious actually because when I walk the dogs, their paws unknowingly kick the snails and they slide, bump and skid all over the sidewalk.  A friend of mine did a house swap with a family from another country a few years ago and the foreign family was so excited by all of the fabulous escargot they found for free in the yard.  I'll let you take a guess on where the family was from.

So, on to less disgusting topics.  Y'all know I read like a fiend so I wanted to share the last 3 books I read this past week.  Some good, some OK.  

A quickie snapshot courtesy of my blackberry: (Geez, that's a horrible shot.  Good thing this isn't a photoblog! ;) )


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Mennonite in A Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen
UM, hilarious!   Funny writer, as well as an excellent writer, who manages to laugh at herself during some not-so-happy situations in her life.  Highly recommend this memoir!

Perfection by Julie Metz
This one bummed me out.  I will say it was well written but I'm not really a fan of this memoir or infidelity stories in general.  I would still recommend it, though.

Falling Home by Karen White
If you liked loved Sweet Home Alabama with Reese Witherspoon you will probably like love this book because they're pretty much the same.  Obviously there are subtle differences, but very similar.  Easy read, good story.

Alrighty then folks, I'm signing off.  Happy Wednesday!  :)
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Bryan Jackson says:

I was not aware you were so sick. VERY glad you are feeling better! And thank you for reading bound books - I hate the thought of all books going electronic someday....

(03.02.11 @ 08:36 PM)
Dottie says:

so glad you're better, Whit.....must have been one powerful germ! where in the world did you pick up such a thing?? love ya !!

(03.03.11 @ 09:28 AM)
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homemade waffles, running, organizing closets, fresh squeezed oj, finished a novel, started another, made from scratch pasta, pouring rain, doggie hugs, bike rides, being lazy with mike


How was your weekend?  I'll leave you with this image, more details on that adventure soon :)



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Gina says:

sounds ah-mazing! :) always love your blog posts...it makes me feel warmer imaging your sunshine and green-ness! lots of snow here, but no less hikes :)

(02.21.11 @ 09:44 AM)
Natalie says:

My weekend was not as amazing because I didn't hang out with your hot face. Let's get together this week and run!

(02.27.11 @ 09:41 PM)
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Happy Valentine's Day to all.  Some love it, some hate it, I say love the one you're with all year long :)

I just had to share this newly launched website today for my clients (in case they haven't seen it!)...gorgeous-makes-your-eyes-pop-out-beautiful wedding dresses, details and inspiration:


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Happy Monday!  :)
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Fotografi matrimonio torino says:

Hi, Fantastic pictures in your blog, very compliments. I am an italian wedding photographer and I find your blog very inspiring,,,

(04.27.11 @ 02:12 AM)
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As I'm dashing off here and there today, I wanted to take a quick second to thank La Tavola and Donna Romani for featuring my images recently from Donna's recent San Ysidro Ranch soiree...check out the post here!




latavolablog_whitneyelizabeth_santabarbaraweddings.jpg

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Carol says:

Absolutely beautiful photography Whitney! You captured each detail to make us feel like we were there too!!

(02.08.11 @ 02:44 PM)
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Remember in elementary school, before they handed out A's and B's and so on...when teachers would mark your skills as Very Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory?  I've always had the drive to do well, so I would usually receive Satisfactory remarks...except in penmanship.  I would always rip open my quarterly report card so I could silently gloat about the usual nice remarks from my teachers: "pleasant, quiet and hard worker," "highly motivated," until my eye would roam and stop on a check mark, next to, gasp, an Unsatisfactory mark. 

I never understood it.  I always got my point across and I thought I had wonderful handwriting.  So what if the teacher thought my "W" was an "L"? (don't ask).   After admitting that fact, I guess it is possible that my handwriting is unattractive.  OK, actually it's horrible.  So horrible in fact, if you've ever received a handwritten note from me, I'm willing to wager I had to tear up the first version and rewrite again, maybe even a third time (somewhere Mike is cringing at the thought of me wasting paper).  Sometimes I leave Mike cute sticky notes around the house and half the time he'll smile and wonder "what on Earth did she mean this time?"  Both my sisters have very pretty handwriting, so much nicer than mine, that they actually addressed my wedding invitations for me because, let's face it, if I had written them the guests wouldn't have made it to the ceremony.  

But, after all these years, I've stopped caring about it.  Everyone types these days...texts, facebooks, blogs...you can practically go an entire lifetime without actually seeing someone's handwriting.  Unless you have a penpal.

I always loved the idea of penpals.  A few times during elementary school, our classroom would be chosen to have a penpal from another local school or sometimes from a different state.  One year I had a penpal from Japan...I thought I was so cool.  I even told people on the playground that I could speak Japanese.  Anyway, I digress.  I even convinced my Nana to be my penpal.  Even though she lived just 15 minutes away, I loved getting letters in the mail from her.  She would always type her letters on a fancy, old fashioned type writer and I would illegibly scrawl something back to her and usually include a newspaper clipping about how bad the Atlanta Braves played against the New York Yankees (with the former being her favorite team).

Paula has been my "grownup" penpal since we graduated high school (you know, before facebook was invented and blogging was in vogue).  I would always look forward to checking my dorm mailbox for letters from Paula, to see what was going on at her college and her dorm and what her major was like.  And now we still write letters back and forth and I love it because in the midst of the texting, the blogging and the facebooking, it's nice to know people still take time out of their day to think about you.  :)

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Happy Groundhog's Day!  I love little Punxsutawney Phil...and his irony of declaring an early spring in the midst of a blizzard.
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Carol says:

Awesome blog post Whitney!! So sad that the "written" word is falling by the wayside..........you have inspired me to pick up my pen and paper and write a note to someone special!!

(02.03.11 @ 09:06 AM)
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I recently posted a sneak peek of Cody and Anna's engagement session, so today I'm sharing the entire session and maybe a little back-story :)

Every couple, every session, every shoot is special to me in its own little way and this particular couple, this particular session, this particular shoot is no less.  Cody, Mike and I all went to college together (insert embarrassing photos here for another time and blog post! ;) ).  I met Mike and Cody during our first week at school together and from the start they both became very close friends to me.  Maybe because they were the "other major" crashing our honors Econ class or maybe because they had a balcony at their apartment and I didn't or maybe because they are the kind of people you meet in life that you count yourself fortunate to know.  Cody and I became even closer over Christmas one year (the pivotal Christmas that Mike and I became "an item," but I'm not going to hijack Anna and Cody's post!), chatting on AIM (how 2002 do I sound?!) as we talked about the crushes we had and how hard our classes were. 

Fast forward a few years later and Cody starts talking about this girl, Anna.  And he was talking very differently about this particular girl.  Mike and I would just smile because we knew, even though we hadn't met Anna yet, we knew this was it.

And that was it.  Everything since then has become a blur.  Mike and I got married, we moved but I begged to be kept in the loop.  Every trip home to Charlotte, I would meet up with Cody and we would talk about the future, more pointedly, his future with Anna.

Not too long ago, Mike and I were in Monterey (you know, only my favorite little town ever) eating at my favorite cafe when Cody called.  Mike and I usually don't take phone calls over dinner but when Mike said it was Cody, I impulsively said "pick up the phone!"  As we're sitting at our corner table, Mike's eyes become wider and wider, until he finally yells, "Duuuude, no way.  Duuuude, how exciting."  I snatched the phone out of Mike's hand..."tell me everything Cody!"  

Cody had called to tell us that he had bought the ring and was proposing in the next few weeks on their Caribbean cruise.  Oh.the.excitement!!!  I thought I was going to burst I was so excited.  And I texted/called/emailed/annoyed Cody no less than 45 times over the next two weeks before their cruise.  

So, what happened next?  Well, she said YES!


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To view more images from Anna and Cody's Dairy Barn engagement session, please CLICK HERE for a slideshow! 

I'm so excited for y'all...for your wedding and everything that's in store in your future :)  Can't wait til July!
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dottie says:

Whitney, with your usual superior talent, these are wonderful pictures! Miss you !!

(02.01.11 @ 04:18 AM)
Carol says:

Whitney - these images are undoubtably some of your most beautiful photography to date! Really stunning and Cody and Anna look so happy - Congratulations Cody and Anna!

(02.02.11 @ 03:04 PM)
Anonymous says:

Whitney, I love these photos... and her red shoes!
Love,
Natalie

(02.19.11 @ 12:47 PM)
Batemans Bay restaurants says:

Amazing photography… I really like it. Loves it- you can just see their happiness! You can tell they are really great dancers! What a lovely couple you look so pretty. I love One Lovely Day. It always has such gorgeous photos…. Congratulations to both of you. Couple! My feeling is for you that you are made for each other. , I love it! It’s a true resource for wedding inspiration. Thanks for sharing.

(02.25.11 @ 02:19 AM)
runa says:

Gorgeous shots these are!!

(07.04.11 @ 10:20 PM)
runa says:

Wow,what gorgeous pics these are!!!Couple is so beautiful.Best wishes for them!!!!!!!!

(07.13.11 @ 01:51 AM)
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around the neighborhood...












Such a great exercise for a 100+lb lab with copious amounts of energy :)  Happy Weekend!
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When Mike and I moved to Santa Barbara, we knew absolutely no one.  I mean, absolutely no one.  The only person I knew for the first two months of living in California was our mailman and I'm pretty sure he got tired of me loitering around the mailbox asking him how his day was going while I complained about unpacking and $5 gas prices.

Some of our friends who had recently experienced the same events in life: graduate college, get married, go on a blissful honeymoon, sadly return to the everyday norms of life (I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure I could live in the Caribbean full time) and move thousands of miles away from all family and friends...all within a matter of a month, or two, told us, "Oh, it's so great for your relationship, to be alone and depend on each other."  

Yes, yes, that was all fine and dandy but after a few months I started to go a little stir-crazy...I had to get out and meet people!

Enter the Greenside family.  This super-sweet family has become like a second family to us...our California family, if you will.  When those random little holidays pop up or it seems like everyone else is hanging out with their family and we're 2700 miles away from our family, they always invite us over  :)

So I was pretty excited to do something, such as, return the favor (without all the home cooked meals and board games!) so Nicky and Cara accompanied me to Firestone Winery for a fun shoot...Nicky started his own business when he was, like, a teenager and Cara is a talented equestrian and instructor  :) 

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Thanks guys!!  Happy Tuesday :)
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Toni Greenside says:

Whitney, these are so Beautiful! You are an amazing photographer! Aaaaaaaannnnnnd, how Blessed we are to be your "California Family"! We Love You and Mike!
Love, Toni

(01.18.11 @ 11:00 PM)
dottie says:

Hi Whitney...these are superb pictures!

(01.19.11 @ 10:19 AM)
Heidi says:

As your sister, I'm glad that you found "family" to help you through the lonely times and celebrate the fun times with. I wish we were closer, but it makes my heart smile to know you have a wonderful support group. Love you! :)

(01.23.11 @ 05:39 PM)
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It's inevitable.  Now whenever someone walks through the door or stops by for a visit, they get tackled by wet, slobbery kisses and giant bear hugs.


Sweet doggies of mine  :)


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dottie says:

What Fun!!!

(01.16.11 @ 11:41 AM)
toni Greenside says:

I Love this picture! :-)

(04.29.11 @ 11:29 AM)
robert says:

I love the pic with the dog!

(10.12.11 @ 11:26 PM)
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It was only a year ago that a deadly and devastating earthquake struck Haiti in the the heart of Port-au-Prince, killing and injuring masses of people and leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless, without food or water.  I was very blessed to have the opportunity to travel to Haiti last April with New Reality International (please go check out their website if you are interested in volunteering or donating in any way!!).  Several of the friends I made in Haiti have the same news to tell as they did 6, 9, and 12 months...no change.  People are still living in tent cities and struggling to find food or water.  There are several ways you can help...donating a tent, donating money securing through NRI or by sponsoring a child for a small amount each year so that they may receive an education and help the future of Haiti...

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To find my previous posts on my experience in Haiti please click HERE.
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Carol says:

So unbelievable that your photo above, today represents the same heartbreak that the Haitians suffered one year ago. Thank you for again helping to spread the word about their great need. I will be counting my blessings extra closely tonight........

(01.13.11 @ 03:00 PM)
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I recently had the opportunity to photograph a fun party hosted by fabulous Santa Barbara wedding coordinator Donna Romani Events in honor of her employees at gorgeous San Ysidro Ranch (images from the shoot coming soon!!).  Santa Barbara Wedding Style blog so graciously shared the images and Donna's awesome decor ideas...

Check it out!

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Happy Monday!
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Heidi says:

How fun, Whitney! I loved your pictures. Beautiful venue and decorations, too!

(01.11.11 @ 06:36 PM)
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He walked into the room holding a book.  I was immediately drawn to the bright green color and the fact that there was a hole in the top right hand corner of the book (yes, yes, I work like a child sometimes).

"What's that about," I asked.  "Why don't you read it and find out," he said.  

Most people yawn when hearing someone talk about golf.  Most people leave the room when a golf tournament is on TV.  My dad is an avid golfer and always has been.  My sisters and I can attest that my parents TV has probably logged more hours on the Golf Channel than anyone else I know.  Therefore, it does not bother me.  In fact, I like watching and playing (most times, unsuccessfully) golf.  

Growing up, my dad used to take me to the driving range and unless you've actually stepped foot on a golf course then you can't complain about golf..."Oh, it's so slow.," "All they do is swing and hit a ball." Ha. Try putting my friend  :)  

There is something peaceful and graceful about a golf course.  In college, I used to work as a beverage cart girl at a few local golf courses and it was probably one of my favorite part time college summer jobs...it was great to work outside every day but it was also so relaxing to cruise around a quiet golf course listening to the sound of chirping birds and the occasional "whaaack" of a club face striking the ball.

I started reading this book and figured it would be all technical.  You know, "new ways" to grip the club, "try this stance and hit like Tiger," but it turned out to be more spiritual and about the major mental aspect of the game.  The book discusses how we overthink and overanalyze the game but I realized how you can match this discussion to anything in life...work, personal life, etc.  The book can be a little cheesy at times but I found the simple reminders to be helpful: keep faith and stick to whatever method works best for you and to not rethink it when the next big fad comes out (which happens a lot in the photography industry).

Golf's Sacred Journey: Seven days at the links of Utopia by David L. Cook

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Thanks for letting me borrow the book, Dad.  Hopefully I'll be home again soon to return it in person.

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Heidi says:

So true. We have that book on our nightstand here...it's a good reminder. (As long as it's not piled under folded clothes, a Kleenex box, and a bottle of water, that is."

(01.05.11 @ 10:49 AM)
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A sneak peek...just a tiny one.  


A super sweet couple and a New Year's engagement session.  As I was downloading and backing up the images today, this one caught my eye and I just had to share.  More coming soon...!

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dottie says:

love the photo, Whitney!

(01.05.11 @ 10:16 AM)
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clean
:: 01. 1.11
I love what each new year brings.  New adventures, new laughs, new starts.  I'm sitting in a comfy chair, watching lights glimmer on my parents Christmas tree as I contemplate goals and dreams, personally and professionally, for the coming year.  

The weather in the past few days has dramatically changed from 17 degrees and snowing to 62 degrees and raining.  It rained today and I felt it suited the first day of a new year and new decade...a clean start, washing out all that was good and bad of 2010.  

Mike and I made a quick drive across 8 states in 3 days to visit family and friends on the East Coast...this cross country trip was a bit different than the past two years (start of last year and the very first cross country trip) as we didn't stop every 45 minutes and take pictures like we were professional tourists (which I am, by the way).  No, this trip was all business...making good time, efficient dog potty stops and limited i'm-a-tourist-and-want-a-picture-of-this-country-store stops.  

Bear and Charlie got along much better than expected....   :)

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Then we got what every Southerner wishes for (other than fried chicken, ACC wins and pearls)...snow on Christmas day...

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Charlie experiencing his first ever snow...

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Happy New Year  :)
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Heidi says:

Mom and Dad's house looks so pretty! :) And I love your southern wishes...ha! *so true*

(01.02.11 @ 11:21 AM)
dottie says:

awesome pictures! happy new year....may 2011 be one of the best!

(01.05.11 @ 10:21 AM)
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"The trick is to find someone you genuinely like and then fall in love with them."
           -Julia Cameron, Floor Sample





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dottie says:

Love you both tons & tons!! can hardly wait till you get here!! stay safe!

(12.14.10 @ 05:36 AM)
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...to stay home everyday.

Aww, sweet Charlie.  He's bummed because Mike is packing for a last minute business trip to the land of freezing Minnesota.  We'll be thinking of you, Mike, while we're at the beach next week ;)


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Mike says:

ok, so I'm jealous! It literally hurts to walk outside here!

(12.14.10 @ 10:41 AM)
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Mike and I had a pretty great Thanksgiving, so great, in fact, we adopted another dog!  We've I've been hankering (yes, I just said hankering!) for a new pup for awhile and I just so happened to be cruising around Craigslist (while Mike was on a business trip, no less!) when I saw a black labrador retriever that needed a new home (do y'all know how hard it is to find labs to adopt!?).  I immediately emailed the family and fortunately they still had one of their dogs left (the male!).  They were giving away a female lab too, but she was already spoken for...which was probably a good thing or Mike probably wouldn't have come back home if I told him I adopted two more dogs :)

Charlie is super sweet and still acts like a crazy, young puppy...which I love.  Bear already seems more youthful from hanging out directing Charlie around.  Charlie is a pretty huge lab, especially compared to Bear.  When I drove out to meet him, I didn't know what to expect, and when I met him I just knew he had to be over 100lbs.  Later that day, I casually mentioned to Mike that I "stumbled upon" a dog, or more like, someone dropped him off on our doorstep.  I warned him that Charlie was, ahem, a rather sizable lab.  Sure enough, one trip to the vet later and he weighed in at 103lbs solid.  

Bear has always slept in our bed-I mean, I can't help but to spoil him, so when we brought Charlie home, I had to do the same.  Needless to say, I'm surprised our bed hasn't crashed through the floor into our living room with all of us crammed on it.

They are getting along so well...at first, there were a few snafus, involving territorial issues and establishing alpha male status (Bear definitely won out in this category), but now they've settled into a cute routine of Bear being the leader and Charlie doing whatever Bear does.

While Bear is that once-in-a-lifetime-perfect-dog-that-will-never-happen-again (we once left multiple hamburger patties on the edge on the counter and went off to run errands and they were left unscathed), Charlie is the opposite and more like a typical lab...running into the Christmas tree, making off with random objects on the street during our walks, digging through the trash can and we love it.  He's so sweet and I'm so happy I found him!!! :) :)


Laying under my desk chair...  :)

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I've been shooting a lot of film lately and I love it!


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Happy Monday!
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jessi says:

charlie is a very handsome dog! i'm so glad that they get along with each other, they will be the best of friends! yay for more dogs! and adopted dogs at that (not that i'm biased or anything :)! so happy for ya'll!

(12.06.10 @ 08:35 PM)
Lucy and Lola says:

Charlie - Lola and I think that you are very handsome!!! We are so excited that you and Bear (and oh of course - Whitney and Mike) are coming to visit us for the holidays!! I know that we will all have so much dog fun together - maybe we can plan a dog party!!! Don't worry if Lola seems a little shy at first, but just remember - I'm the boss!! I'm sure that Bear will tell you all about me - Lola and I look forward to meeting you!! Lots of Luv, Lucy

(12.07.10 @ 04:42 PM)
Katie says:

He is so cute! Congratulations on the new puppy!

(12.08.10 @ 05:47 AM)
Kristin ~ The Grapeseed Co. says:

SO Adorable!!! He looks like he's Surf's long lost brother- about the same weight too :) We should all go play at the beach sometime.

(12.11.10 @ 08:15 AM)
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Talk about a crazy week, or, crazy couple of weeks!  Bear sprained his sweet-precious-cute-tiny-little paw the other night after he jumped off the bed...I guess he was just so excited to see me after a long day, but I feel so sorry for him.  Bear has been taking it easy and I've been lugging his 80lb behind around since he shouldn't put pressure on his leg...poor dog or poor Whitney's back?!  :)

Aww, sweet Bear :)  He likes to sun bathe in our guest bedroom where the morning light pours in...I've been dragging carrying him in the guest room in the morning...

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OK, enough about Bear, he always steals the spotlight!  Today for my Resource Room post I am sharing one of the industry's most amazing calligraphers...she does incredible work and I love stalking her blog :)  Check out Laura Hooper's blog!

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Happy Thursday!
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dottie says:

Whitney, that's an awesome picture of Bear! hope he's recovering quickly! I understand extra treats enhance/speed the down time greatly! can't be there to spoil my granddog; have to do what I can!!

(11.16.10 @ 04:30 AM)
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I recently photographed the amazing makeup artists of LunaBella Makeup Art.  They were celebrating their 2 year wedding anniversary and commissioned me to photograph them amongst some of Santa Barbara's funky scenes and backdrops.  Enjoy!

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To view more of Ashley and Christin's images, please visit HERE!
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Happy Thursday!  It's rainy and chilly here so I thought I would brighten the day with some gorgeous Resource Room wedding inspiration...The Cinderella Project!  This blog is so glam. I love that most of the inspiration is from fashion shoots and magazine styled editorial shoots instead of actual weddings, because I love learning new pose ideas and styling tips from editorial shoots as a photographer and as a bride I think fashion photography usually has some of the most cutting edge ideas  :)  Enjoy!


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Lydia says:

Can't wait to check it out! Thanks for sharing!

(10.28.10 @ 10:49 PM)
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Remember when I said that I didn't watch TV?  (Yeah, some of you actually fainted when I said that). Well, in the past 2 months that little fact has changed.  Mad Men entered my life and I've never been so grateful to own a TV ;)

Now that Season 4 has wrapped, I just don't know how I will make it through until the next season...and what's worse is that the show hasn't even been renewed for Season 5 yet!  Oh, the drama!

But, the real reason why I watch the show is, not Don Draper (although he's so dreamy--that sounds 1960ish right?!), but it's the clothes!  Um, I die over the fashion on that show.  To the point of dorky-ness:  Mike catching me googling (that's a word, right?) what Betty Draper wore on episode 4...then finding myself watching the video clips on AMCtv.com of Janie Bryant, the costume designer, describing the different looks of the cast and wardrobe.  Somebody stop me!!

Until then, Betty and Don, I'll be waiting very un-patiently!


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thank you google.com for the lovely image of betty draper francis!

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Bryan Jackson says:

ANYTHING January Jones wears is okay by me! She is the next best thing to Grace Kelly.

(10.19.10 @ 06:26 PM)
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*sigh*  Oh, how I love Monterey/Carmel/Pacific Grove/Pebble Beach :)


Photographed some lovely portrait sessions over the weekend...images coming soon!



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photographe mariage paris says:

Nice pair. Happy whether. Beautiful place.

(12.02.10 @ 02:44 AM)
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Yet again I am skipping my usual Thursday afternoon Resource Room posts for an announcement:  Holiday Card mini sessions!  The dates available right now are for Charlotte, hang tight for Santa Barbara, et al :)


This year I am teaming up with Sweet Birdies Nest, a fun and whimsical custom card design company to create holiday cards for your family after our mini sessions!  

Here are the details:


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Be sure to sign up soon-first come, first served!
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A few weeks ago I shared one of my recent sample wedding albums and today I want to share a cute little brag book...I love these things!  I could seriously order one for each little trip or fun day that Mike and I have...they're so cute!  I recently posted one on my family/child portrait website and wanted to share one this blog as well.  They are 3x3 inches and are actually magnetic, so you can stick them to your fridge :)

These are images from Matt and Katie's wedding...




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Happy Hump Day!
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Lydia says:

Love it!

(10.28.10 @ 10:50 PM)
Fotografo Como says:

Wow. Nice! Thanks to share.

(10.31.10 @ 09:45 PM)
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You know they say, "it's the little things that count," and I have to say I agree.  As a child maybe I didn't agree because my mind was set on something big like a new bike or a Disney world vacation, but nowadays, it's definitely the little things that count.

We are so fortunate to have a farmer's market year round and 6 days a week where we currently reside.  Twice a week the market is held a walk/bike ride away so Mike and I often times find ourselves walking up there together to pick up things for dinner.  Sometimes  often times, I am busy working and Mike will go up to the market alone with a sticky note list (you know, because I have a thing for sticky notes!).  The other day Mike came home and announced he had a surprise for me..."really?" I said doubtful, because I was thinking big...like Paris vacation big or let's-sail-around-the-world big.  Mike proudly pulled okra out of our market bag and said, "Look what I found for you...you've been searching for this for over a year and I finally found it for you!"

Growing up in the South, I always had okra readily available and my grandparents grow it in their garden (still!).  I remember being in 3rd grade and sharing with the class my favorite eats and I said okra and chocolate ice cream...let's just say the entire 3rd grade was a little weirded out by my proclamation of love for okra!  After moving to Santa Barbara, I have yet to find okra and I was so excited that Mike found it, we just had to eat it all that night....

It's the little things that count :)


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and since I'm sharing an image of okra, why not throw in an image of one of crazy tomato plants...it is still mind blowing to me that we have strawberries and tomatoes growing in October!

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Happy Monday :) 
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Dottie says:

Ahhhh, a little preview of heaven.....okra...tomatos....strawberries..........now, I could definately go for Paris!!!!!!! love ya both

(10.13.10 @ 11:19 AM)
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Today is Thursday and normally I blog a Resource Room post and share a new wedding blog that I've heard about or a wedding planning blog that I just love, but today I decided to share a sample album I recently ordered.  This album is from Gina and Joe's wedding and I just love it :)  It's a 12x12...happy Thursday!  Can you believe it's almost October?!  


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Amber Snow says:

Gorgeous! I love albums.

(09.30.10 @ 06:42 PM)
Wedding registry says:

I love those albums presented. Very gorgeous and spectacular! Love it. Thanks for posting at.

(09.30.10 @ 08:28 PM)
Carol says:

What a fabulous gift idea!!! Absolutely beautiful photgraphy..........

(10.01.10 @ 06:20 PM)
Kristin Railton says:

You are an amazing wedding photographer my dear. Such a beautiful album

(10.07.10 @ 07:54 PM)
Robert says:

I love your photography and the portfolios look great. Thanks for sharing.

(10.12.11 @ 11:27 PM)
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Happy Monday!  Wanted to post a quick share today.  The fun and cute Sterling Engagements blog featured Whitney Elizabeth Photography awhile ago...thanks ladies!

So, what's new with everyone?  It's super warm here today in Santa Barbara (feels so great after all the recent fog) and I'm not sick anymore, yay!



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I've been under the weather this week with a cold, boooo.  But, it always makes me feel better to look at pretty things, such as, bridal blogs :)  This week for the Resource Room I am sharing The Sweetest Occasion...check it out HERE.  There's a super cute post on there today with a fall-harvest theme  :)


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Happy Thursday!
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Last call for my newsletter!  Sending one out at the end of this week with holiday card session details, etc.  Lots of fun shoots coming to the blog soon...


I don't blog my clients' boudoir sessions but here's a little snapshot from a recent one:


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Happy Tuesday!
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"For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart.  It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul."
                       -Judy Garland







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From The Knot's Santa Barbara party :)









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Heidi says:

hehe...champagne has that effect. ;) you guys are so cute. love you!

(09.19.10 @ 06:18 PM)
Nick jackson says:

Ohhh it was so cute. But why you are making this type of faces???
Nick Jackson
Help in finding Beach Wedding Locations

(09.20.10 @ 12:11 AM)
Carol says:

Where in the world is Flat Jackson??!!!

(09.20.10 @ 09:46 AM)
Dottie says:

that's my kids!!!! love ya!!

(09.22.10 @ 04:32 AM)
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After reading through my calendar for September and October, it amazes how quickly time passes each fall and before we know, the holidays are here, and then another new year.  There are so many meetings and events scheduled for the next few months but among all the wonderful fun things planned, one of my favorites stands out: Santa Barbara celebration of harvest.  I have been out of town every year for this event and I'm so excited to be able to attend this year...  :)


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In other fun Friday news, I have created a new category called Slideshows under "categories" on the main menu above...this is a quick way to check out all the slideshows from weddings, engagements and events...check it out!  :)

Happy Friday!
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aaron says:

Beautiful image!

(09.17.10 @ 12:56 PM)
Hannes Uys says:

So true!!

(10.28.10 @ 07:21 AM)
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One of my favorite things about bridal blogs is their location...generally, most wedding blogs will target a specific state or region and I think it's part of the fun and inspiration as a bride and photographer to check out different areas/regions to see what's popular in other parts of the country...

Today I am sharing Merci New York for my weekly installment of wedding decor and inspiration ideas via the Resource Room.  I enjoyed perusing their blog for "the busy city bride."  :)  Check it out HERE!


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Happy Thursday!  :)
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...holiday shopping, creating "i really want this as a gift" lists, Christmas music in stores, etc.  Yeah, I know it's September, but the Halloween decorations are already in full swing and you know what's coming next :)  So, it's time to sign up for my newsletter if you haven't to get all the full details on my holiday cards and ahem, cyber monday deals on gift prints, etc.  CLICK HERE to sign up if you haven't already!  What are you waiting for?!?

And because posts are just sooo boring without photographs...this image is part of an upcoming blog post!


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I've been meaning to post these FUN images from Labor Day weekend.  Mike and I were invited by some of our favorite people to go sailing to the Channel Islands over the long weekend....of course we said "UM, yes!!"  It was an awesome trip...took about 6 hours of sailing to get out there and then we camped overnight on the boat and then had an easy 4 hour sail back.  We saw tons of seals/sea lions....I still can't tell the difference although some people tell me there's a huge difference :)  And we saw dolphins!  Who doesn't like dolphins?!

Here's a little map courtesy of Google to show what Santa Cruz Island looks like....there are several islands and this is the one we ventured to.

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Sooo pretty!

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We went for a short hike after anchoring....but some people (aka, myself) cut the hike short for dinner!  :)  I was so hungry after working hard sailing all afternoon  watching Charles and Mike sail...

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It was like a little party of boats where we anchored :)

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On the way back we saw tons of dolphins swimming along side of the boat...

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I'm not gonna lie....I was worried about sharks and freaked out a tad when I saw the dolphins coming closer to the boat...

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THANKS CHARLES!  :)

Happy Tuesday!
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Carol says:

What beautiful images Whitney!! Your photos always make me want to be there right in the midst of what's going on!! and what a marvelous time you guys must have had on your sailing adverture!!

(09.15.10 @ 09:25 AM)
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Two weeks ago I posted a sneak peek of Diarmuid and Chrissy's wedding...I am so excited to share the full post today!  Long post, so be warned!  When I first met Diarmuid and Chrissy at their Santa Monica Pier engagement session and witnessed first hand just how truly head-over-heels in love they are, I knew this would be a fabulous wedding!!  

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention all the wonderful and amazing people who came together to create this beautiful wedding for Chrissy and Diarmuid:

Coordinator:  Donna Romani Events
Hair/Makeup:  LunaBella Makeup Art
Ceremony Venue:  El Presidio Chapel, Rain Longo
Reception Venue:  Granada Theater, William Cochran
Ceremony musician:  Jennifer Argenti (310.592.6417)
Cocktail hour musicians:  Geoff Earley (216.870.4265)
Officiant:  Alegra M. Bartzat (817.851.7187)
Wedding dress: Beautiful Day Bridal
Florals: The Floral Decorator, Becky Pedretti (805.565.0772)


The day started out on the beautiful Santa Barbara riviera overlooking the Pacific...


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Looove the shoes...

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Chrissy you make me smile!  :)

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Diarmuid and Chrissy chose to have a first look and see each other before the ceremony...it was a wonderful opportunity to use a different venue other than the ceremony and reception site for photographs, plus we had plenty of time for oodles of portraits!  :)

Their first look took place at the Santa Barbara Courthouse

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:) 

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Um, aren't they adorable?!

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Ceremony time at the El Presidio Chapel...

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Chrissy and Diarmuid on the marquee at the Granada!

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Awesome details...!

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Dear Chrissy and Diarmuid...thank you for letting us be a part of your beautiful day!!  Hope you're getting settled in Montreal!! xoxo!!


To see more of Diarmuid and Chrissy's Santa Barbara Granada Theater wedding, please CLICK HERE for a slideshow!!!
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Carol says:

Absolutely stunning images Whitney Elizabeth!!!! You captured the pure joy and love that this sweet couple have for each other. Beautiful photography.........

(09.08.10 @ 04:27 PM)
Heidi says:

They ARE adorable.

And those shoes? They ROCK!

(09.08.10 @ 05:32 PM)
robert says:

This is lovely!

(10.13.11 @ 07:15 PM)
Aja says:

Wow, looks like one gorgeous wedding and an even prettier couple! I love wedding photography, it has always been a hobby of mine to shoot my friends weddings. I would of done my own wedding but I wanted to be apart of all the action! The Santa Barbara courthouse is a great venue to hold a large group especially for a wedding. The sunken gardens is so nice, this must have been an exceptional ceremony. I was just in Santa Barbara and loved every minute of it. Stayed at the Sandman Inn (www.thesandmaninn.com). Budget friendly and right in the middle of town.

(12.04.11 @ 05:37 PM)
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This week for the Resource Room I am sharing a different blog.  This blog has amazing details and event ideas, but the author is a labor and delivery nurse!  After perusing through her blog I think she missed her calling, as I love her ideas!  :)  Be sure to check out Affection for Detail HERE.  

So, what does everyone have going on for Labor Day weekend??!  


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Last week I did some desk/office reorganizing to make room for some new samples and I decided to share some new sample books in the next few weeks!  I offer guest-sign in albums for my clients because I think they're a wonderful way to display your engagement pictures at your ceremony and reception, while having guests sign happy wedding day messages into your album...such a great keepsake!

Here is one sample album...these images are from Katie and Matt's engagement session...this engagement session was shot awhile ago (Katie and Matt just had a baby boy-yay!), but I still love, love, love this e-session!

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This book is an 8x8...several different colors are available and you can choose black or white pages  :)

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Happy Monday!
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alice park says:

Absolutely gorgeous, Whitney! I wish I had done this at our wedding!

(08.30.10 @ 03:18 PM)
Carol says:

What an awesome idea Whitney!! That is so beautiful!!

(09.02.10 @ 12:31 PM)
Katie says:

We are honored to be used as your sample! We still love LOVE our wedding and engagement photos. I was just saying to Matt "I wonder when Whitney will be in Charlotte next." Let us know if you will be in town doing any work!

(09.03.10 @ 03:20 PM)
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This past Wednesday night I headed to the local Santa Barbara Female Entrepreneurs meetup.  Some months I'm available to attend and some months I'm out of town, but when I'm in town I always make sure to go...we talk, we laugh, we eat and we drink.  So fun!  I actually blogged about SBFE when I first started my blog and you can visit that post HERE.  This month, our gathering was held at Kristin's new space for her business: The Grapeseed Company.  Being a wine fan, I love the backbone of her business:  Kristin creates eco-friendly, vinotherapy skin and personal care products from natural ingredients such as grapeseeds that have been discarded by local wine growers!  Talk about eco-friendly :)  Her store has the most amazing scents and I can't wait to attend her grand opening this Saturday!!

Kristin's awesome storefront!

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Doggie products!

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Kristin also has a self scent bar where you can create your own scents and she has a baby line!

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If you're in town, be sure to stop by on Saturday for the grand opening!  Happy Friday  :)
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Donna Maria Coles Johnson says:

These are lovely pictures! And look at Kristin! She's so beautiful, healthy and welcoming. I wanna be in Santa Barbara! Bwaaaaah! Go Kristin! And great photos, Whitney!!

(08.29.10 @ 04:38 PM)
Linda Menesez says:

Beautiful pictures, Whitneye! You captured the essence of the store really well! Great job! I wish them -- and you much success!
Linda

(08.30.10 @ 10:06 AM)
kristin fraser cotte says:

Whitney, thanks for taking these amazing shots! I just got the chance to look at the disc you brought by too, fabulous! You take such beautiful pics.

(08.31.10 @ 06:48 AM)
whitney says:

thanks for the comments ladies!! :)

(08.31.10 @ 06:17 PM)
Heather Baker says:

This store looks amazing! Will definitely stop in this week! :)

(08.31.10 @ 10:52 PM)
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This has been a low-key, steady tempo week filled with editing and networking meetings, dog walks and sweatshirts (yes, don't hate-it may be 100+ degrees where you are, but it's chilly where I am!).  For the resource room this week, I am sharing none other than the Southern Weddings daily blog.  Southern Weddings also has a publication that is AH-mazing!  Be sure to check both the blog and the magazine out!!

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Check back tomorrow :)  Happy Thursday!
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This past weekend I documented an oh-so-gorgeous wedding at the Granada Theater in Santa Barbara...here is a quick sneak peek of the adorable bride and groom :)


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Diarmuid and Chrissy's wedding was so amazing and I can't wait to share more of it...in the meantime, please visit their custom wedding website that I created for them.  I like to do something special for all my clients and I think this website is a great way to take one task off of a soon-to-be-bride's to do list.  Please CLICK HERE to view their site...wedding photographs will be added soon!


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Happy Monday!
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kelli Seeley says:

Hey!! Love this image...can't wait to see more! We're great...hope you are too! I need to make a trip to SB...I miss it!!

(08.23.10 @ 03:36 PM)
Carol says:

Love the sneak peek! They look so happy and what an awesome shot you captured!! Can't wait to see the "rest of the story"

(08.24.10 @ 05:37 PM)
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Chrissy and Diarmuid have such a great story it just has to be told.  Diarmuid is from Ireland and Chrissy, born and raised in Boston, has since traveled the country and the world studying.  On a study abroad trip to Ireland, she met Diarmuid at a pub.  The love that unfolded between them in the small amount of time that Chrissy was in Ireland was so great that only a few years later Diarmuid followed Chrissy to the states.  :)  I can't wait for their wedding!!

We started their engagement session on the beach right next to the Santa Monica Pier...

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Then we walked along the park above the beach, where Chrissy and Diarmuid had one of their first dates in America...

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Gorgeous...

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Diarmuid kept us laughing the entire time :)

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I created a slideshow for Chrissy and Diarmuid, please CLICK HERE to view it!! (takes just a moment to load!)

Happy Friday!!
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Carol says:

WOW - what beautiful images!! I love all the background textures......Whitney you captured the true love and happiness between this fun couple. I loved the fabulous slideshow!!

(08.21.10 @ 07:39 AM)
Elizabeth says:

These turned out beautiful! Such a happy and gorgeous couple.

(08.21.10 @ 07:55 AM)
Chrissy says:

I am just about to get ready for my wedding, and looking through these beautiful shots of Diarmuid and I have made me doubly happy on this day - Whitney you're amazing!!!

(08.21.10 @ 10:56 AM)
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Happy Thursday everyone!  One day closer to Friday, right?!  :)

This week for your weekly dose of wedding ideas and decor inspiration with the Resource Room, I am sharing the ever-glamorous 100 Layer Cake blog.  I heard about this blog through a photography forum and just had to check it out.  This blog has some beautiful, soft details and it's just so lovely!  Check it out!


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Happy Thursday!  Check back tomorrow :)
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How was everyone's weekend??  Mine was relaxing...recovering from recent events and a busy summer so far!  Speaking of summer...where did it go?  Hearing about kids going back to school already is crazy!  There's just not enough summer anymore!

Last week I photographed a super-sweet couple in Santa Monica...I will be sharing more of their images soon, but for now, here is a short sneak peek from their engagement session!  :)


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Happy Monday!
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Carol says:

What a cool, cute couple!! That is a beautiful image Whitney!

(08.17.10 @ 06:09 PM)
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I'm always excited when I find new wedding planning tips and blogs for my clients that I can share for my weekly Resource Room inspiration!  This week, via Twitter, I learned about a new blog called Hindsight Bride.  The Hindsight Bride author is located in NC (!) and shares mountain-themed inspirations, which is so different and unique from what all the other blogs are doing!  Go check it out!  :)


My typical screen shot:

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Happy Thursday!  Check back soon for a super cute engagement session in Santa Monica :)
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Christie O. {Hindsight Bride} says:

Thanks for the shout out! Happy to have found you too.

(08.21.10 @ 04:45 AM)
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The week after vacation is always hectic...lots of unpacking (and cleaning if you failed to complete that task before leaving...ahem, that would be me!), restocking groceries and catching up on work.  This week was even more unusual because due to fumigation, I had to become homeless move out for a few days.  In North Carolina, I had never heard of fumigation...but in California, it's quite common for places to be "tented" for a few days to treat termites.  When I say "tented," I'm talking circus tent-freak show covering upon your house...see for yourself...

Thanks to Google for the image  :)  

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Fortunately, Mike and I have some great friends in Ojai who are letting us stay with them and their chickens!

I got to feed the chickens this morning (insert fist pump!).  If you've never had farm fresh eggs, well, you are seriously missing out.  Best eggs I've ever had in my life!!  This is just one of fourteen chickens  :)

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The coop...

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So, back to reality!  This week for the Resource Room, I decided to share Santa Barbara weddings.  It's a great website and resource for brides getting married in Santa Barbara.  Not only are there tons of listing for all your vendors, but also, there is a forum section to chat with other brides about their wedding day decisions!  Check it out!!

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Happy Thursday!
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A few weeks ago I documented a fun, casual anniversary session in Ojai for Jodi and Jason.  Jodi and Jason are true jet-setters for their consulting business, The Womack Company and they travel all over the world for their business!  Jodi also hosts a women's networking event each month called No More Nylons...if you're in the area, be sure to check it out!  :)


We started their session near their home in Ojai and then worked our way up onto a few beautiful trails...Zuma, their lab, came along...I'm sure Bear would've loved to meet her  :)

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Happy Tuesday!  :)
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Carol says:

What a beautiful couple! Whitney, these photographs are fabulous!!! Congratulations on a wonderful job.....

(08.04.10 @ 11:35 AM)
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Happy Friday everyone!  My week of vacationing is ending here at Ocean Isle but I wanted to share this quick blog post before I get on the road.  Whitney Elizabeth Photography, Inc is now excited to offer wedding photography registries!

What exactly is a wedding photography registry, you many ask?

A wedding photography registry is a great chance for brides and grooms to create a registry asking for some of their favorite products, such as wedding albums or fine art canvases or prints or even engagement/bridal sessions!!  All products are available in the soon-to-be-wed couples private online shopping cart.  It's a great idea for a wedding gift for the couple who would enjoy additional photography services!

To provide your favorite wedding couple with this gift, please sign up with my online shopping cart, search for the brides last name and purchase the gifts you wish you give to the bride and groom!


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And here's a quick sneak peek of an adorable Ojai anniversary session...full blog post coming soon!

jodijasonsneakpeek.jpg

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Amy Hunsinger says:

Awesome Whitney! Memories of the wedding day are the perfect gift for the bride and groom! What lucky couples you have. It's wonderful that you are providing a way for loved ones to give the best gift ever!!!

(07.30.10 @ 06:53 AM)
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Today, my husband and I are extending our family vacation a little bit by taking my nephews to Charleston to visit the South Carolina Aquarium and the Charleston Children's Museum of the low country.

I just love Charleston.  No, really, I looovee Charleston.  Something about this charming, Southern city and all its history and secrets are so inviting.  The architecture is stunning and unlike anything else in the South.  As much as I love historic parts of Wilmington, NC and Savannah, GA, neither compare to Charleston, in my opinion.  There are so many fabulous places to dine and great shops to visit on King Street and it's a beautiful place to get married  :)

That's why today for my Resource Room post, I wanted to share Weddings Unveiled because of their Southern flair and low country weddings.  Click HERE to visit the Weddings Unveiled blog (with tons of inspiration and real wedding features!).


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Happy Thursday!
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Just enjoying the waves, the sand, the sun and the pop-up Southern thunderstorms :)  


My little football stars  :)

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Happy Tuesday!
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Bryan Jackson says:

Very cool. Thanks for sharing these; I just love your pics. I'm still admiring my Golden Gate pics! Hope you're having fun.

(07.27.10 @ 06:08 PM)
Dottie says:

Glad you all had a great beach vacation!

(08.03.10 @ 01:59 PM)
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Hi everyone!  I am in NC right now vacay-ing with my side of the family for the next week :)  It's been a little over two years since I've been able to join my family for our annual trek to the Carolina coastline and I'm so excited :)  

I love our family vacations...they mainly consist of laying on the beach until burnt or tan, whichever, eating, consuming the occasional chilled drink, eating, laughing at what the kids say, sleeping, eating, playing cornhole, oh, and did I mention eating?  Rinse and repeat!  I just love my nephews and nieces, they make vacation that much better and keep us laughing and entertained and on our feet the entire time :)

Email is the best way to reach me!

Ahh, relaxation!

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When I was in elementary school, I remember my parents asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I always said I wanted to be a veterinarian because I loved animals.  Fast forward to high school and I learned that you not only had to go to college but then you had to go to school for another four years.  Oh no, this couldn't possibly be.  I obviously wasn't that dedicated to the idea if eight more years of school irritated me.  For the last two years of high school I wasn't really sure what I wanted to be.  I would ask my parents and my sisters what they did in their jobs and honestly, it just sounded so boring.  The idea of sitting behind a desk learning for 16 years and then sitting behind a desk working for the next 60 years of my life just didn't sound that appealing.  Then I decided I wanted to start my own business...but I had no idea what kind of business to start.  Fast forward to now and hello!, I love photography and owning my own business.

I think being an entrepreneur is a pretty amazing thing and I have so many other business ideas that one day I can't wait to implement and I guess entrepreneurism must run in my family because my two sisters have started a really cool business together!

This week for the Resource Room I am sharing none other than Sweet Birdies Nest.  Sweet Birdies Nest, founded by my sisters Heidi and Beverly, is a full service, custom design invitation and card shop.

Here is a tidbit from my sisters:
"Hi!  Many of you know that my sister and I love paper products - invitations, note cards, you name it.  Beverly has created many invitations, announcements, and cards for me in the past, including my wedding invitations, Molly's birth announcements, invitations for showers I've hosted, and our Christmas cards.  Over the past year, she has been making more and more items for many people and we've decided to officially create a business out of our hobby:  Sweet Birdie's Nest.  The name, and inspiration for our company, comes from our daughters-Molly and Addison-and provides us with a fun, creative outlet.  

We have an Etsy shop online and a blog that we update with our creations and things that inspire us.  We can create an invitation, cupcake toppers, banners and more based off of a theme or color combination you have in mind, or you can customize one of our current products.  You can have the PDF file emailed to you and you can print your own products, or we can print and ship/deliver the products to you at an additional cost.  I know that there are so many great paper companies out there right now, but please do keep us in mind the next time you need invitations or other party goods!  And, even if you can't use our services right now, please consider passing our names along to other friends and family who may be interested.  

Visit our blog:  www.sweetbirdiesnest.com

Thank you!"

Go check it out!  I am so proud of my sisters! :)

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I recently had the pleasure of photographing Rodger and Kathy in Arroyo Grande, which is a beautiful beach town nestled in the Central Coast of California.  It was a gorgeous, buttery-golden afternoon and I just love these images :)

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To see a slideshow from their session, please CLICK HERE!  **the slideshow takes a minute to load :)**

Happy Tuesday!
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Heidi says:

Oh, I love the second and third pictures, especially. How sweet!

(07.20.10 @ 05:42 PM)
Carol says:

What a cute couple!! Beautiful photography Whitney!

(07.21.10 @ 09:08 AM)
Mary Marantz says:

they are so cute! I love it!

(07.22.10 @ 05:06 AM)
robert says:

Wonderful composition and lighting.

(10.13.11 @ 07:16 PM)
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101 in 1001 lists are pretty popular...I know I've mentioned my obsession with goal and list making, so of course I have a 101 things to do in 1001 days list!  There is something that has been on my list for a very long time...in fact, it's been on there so long that I recently made a new 101 in 1001 list because, well, time slipped away, I suppose.  Sheesh.

I have always wanted to get my pilot's license.  I don't really have a great reason why, but I just want to and I am very fascinated by planes.  So about a month ago, Mike called me excitedly after he left work and asked me to meet him at the airport...

And we got to go flying!  

So you're thinking, big deal, I just flew from Cinci to NYC last week.  OK, this is waayyy more fun than flying commercially.  I was having a hard time justifying to Mike that we should fly first class everywhere...but now I'm starting to have a really hard time convincing him that we should just buy our own plane ;)

This plane actually made a debut on my blog last year (oh, and there's also a super cute couple in the post as well :) )...click HERE to revisit the post!


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Um, gorgeous!

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I'm sold...I just have to get my pilot's license now!!

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It's really awesome to be able to fly over where you live...since Mike and I haven't lived here that long it was nice to see how everything is laid out from the air.  These are the "bluffs" that we take Bear to everyday...

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Flying over our neighborhood!

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You see, flying and me will get along just fine...there are all kinds of checklists...

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Yeah, I was pretty excited!

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Check back next week...I have a few fun anniversary sessions to blog :)  Happy weekend!
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Grant says:

excellent shots- love the one of the cockpit shots and the instruments- Grant

(07.16.10 @ 11:32 PM)
Carol says:

These photographs are absolutely beautiful Whitney!! May your dream of getting your pilot's license come true for you!!

(07.17.10 @ 05:46 AM)
BJ says:

That was fabulous!! :-)

(08.13.10 @ 08:30 AM)
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What an amazing week so far...no, I didn't win the lottery, BUT let me tell you-it's been in the 90's here allll week long!  So exciting!  See, it doesn't take much to excite this girl  :)  (Oh, and just in case you're visiting my blog for the first time today, I'm not sick in the head, I actually love hot weather!)...

See for yourself...


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Soo, onto other news...this week for the Resource Room and weekly inspiration, I am sharing The Bride's Cafe.  There are some gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous ideas and images on this site, so enjoy browsing through it!  :)

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Happy Thursday!
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A few weekends ago I had the pleasure of visiting Pleasanton, CA (East Bay) for Dan and Caroline's wedding (who you may remember from this post!).  Their wedding was sooo gorgeous and was held at Murrieta's Well winery on a hot, 102 degree day :)

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Caroline and her father getting ready to hop into the horse and carriage and ride around to the ceremony site!

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Part two coming soon!
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Carol says:

Beautiful setting for a wedding, beautiful bride and beautiful photography!! What more can you ask for?!! Wonderful job Whitney......

(07.14.10 @ 08:49 AM)
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Recently Mike and I went to a cookout at a farm in Santa Ynez (which is very pretty and is also wine country :) ) and as I'm editing through some different sessions today I found these images on my computer that I downloaded but never went through.  

I love farms and I love cows, oh, and I love food...so this was a super fun day...

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Pretending to be farm folk...

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The ringleader...

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Happy Monday!
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I usually reserve Thursday's for my Resource Room posts, but today I have something more important to blog about...

As y'all know, Haiti is near and dear to my heart after my recent trip to Fonds Parisien and Port-au-Prince back in April (to learn more about my trip, click HERE.)  Yesterday, Laila, our amazing leader and founder of NRI (www.newrealityinternational.org) announced that the Haitian Christian Mission (where I stayed in Haiti) is partnering with NRI to find sponsors for 5 orphans.

The sponsorship is ONLY $420 for one year and covers education and shelter...if you are at all interested, please visit NRI's website and click on the "sponsorship" menu to learn more.  I cannot stress enough how much these children need food and shelter and education.  

I think many people and parents out there wish they could pay for their college education or their child's education and in this current economic situation, it is becoming harder and more difficult for folks to do that, so if you can spare $420/year, you can help someone else get an education!!!!

Thanks for listening!  :)

haitiadoption.jpg

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Julia says:

I'm super slack and still have not mailed you the used eye glasses. I have a box sitting here in my office to put them in..it's on my to-do list this week!

(07.13.10 @ 05:23 AM)
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A few weeks ago, Mike and I decided to combine a few business trips together and add some fun time in San Francisco, San Jose and Pleasanton/Livermove (and this was all combined with my Napa trip for NAPCP, so it worked out well!).

First stop:  San Francisco!  About a year ago, Mike and I went to SF as part of our one year anniversary trip so it was fun to come back almost a year later...

Always have to get a few photographs of the Golden Gate bridge :)

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The second day of our stay in SF, we had lunch at this little yummy cafe in Nob Hill, where I had some pretty darn good clam chowder...and if you know me, well then, you know that I just loooove clam chowder...no, I didn't eat it seven days in a row in Monterey last year...oh wait, it was me...whoops!

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And of course, we took Bear along with us.  He is such a great travel dog!  We walked a lot more in SF this year than last so he is very worn out in this picture :)

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Walking on some trails we found the San Francisco National Cemetery...it reminded me of Arlington National Cemetery...

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Then it was off to San Jose for a few family portrait sessions.  First stop: shopping!  :)  We checked out Santana Row which is a really cool shopping area with lots of great restaurants.  And we may or may not have driven by Apple headquarters in Cupertino (yes, we are huge dorks!).

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Um, I love!

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And then we cruised over to Livermore for a wedding and just had to try out a few wineries in the Livermore/Pleasanton wine valley  :)

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Happy Hump Day!
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Carol says:

Love your beautiful photographs!! Sounds like you had a wonderful trip......

(07.07.10 @ 06:59 PM)
Heidi says:

Fun trip!! :) Glad to see the pictures.

(07.08.10 @ 08:12 AM)
Jaimie Dee Photography says:

Fantastic presentation! I just stumbled across your site today and LOVE it! Great site design, everything is set up so nicely! Good color scheme and fabulous work! Good job and keep it up! :)

(07.11.10 @ 07:26 PM)
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I am a little behind on blogging my recap of the NAPCP (a wonderful child and portrait photographer association) retreat (seeing as how everyone else has already blogged theirs), but I thought I would share a few images from the awesome photographers retreat that took place in Napa Valley at the beautiful and relaxing Meritage Resort and Spa.  

NAPCP put together some amazing swag bags for the event...and I can say without a doubt that they were, hands down, the best swag bags ever (coming from the girl who has been to a gazillion workshops!)

A few cute images of our swag bags in the resort vineyard...

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Every little detail was so well planned and thought out, you would have thought we were attending a wedding!  :)

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A little wine tasting was enjoyed by all...

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And, we all got to watch Dane Sanders and Tamara Lackey capture a live recording of Askdane.com...pretty awesome!

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Happy Tuesday!
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wedding photographers singapore says:

interesting pictures!

(07.12.10 @ 11:28 PM)
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Ever since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated with travel.  I remember sitting in fifth grade listening to a classmate recount her "boring" family vacation in Washington, DC and thinking, "I can't wait to go there..."  Fast forward fifteen years later and I'm thrilled with all the places I've been able to travel domestically and internationally and I am always planning my next trip...some trips have been to other industrialized countries, some are touristy trips and some have taken place in third world countries.  

Just a few months ago, I was so fortunate to be able to visit Haiti to document the work of doctors, nurses and surgeons and when I landed in Fort Lauderdale from Port-au-Prince at the end of my trip back to the US and crossed the line through customs, the border agent took a quick glance at my previous destination and said earnestly, "Welcome home, Whitney."  I literally started bawling right there in front of 500 people waiting to get where they were going...coming home never felt so good.

But no matter where I am, at the end of a long day of whirlwind travel and sight-seeing, I always have the same feeling...I am so darn proud to be an American and I think it's part of the high that I get from international travel.  It reminds me of what an amazing home I have, the freedoms I have been granted that men and women I don't even know fight for and I am reminded how lucky I am to be able to voice my opinion, run a business and vote for whomever I choose.  We should all be so lucky.

I read an interesting and emotional article in last month's edition of the Real Simple magazine...in short, the article interviewed a few women who recounted their stories and obstacles of becoming an American citizen...here is one quote that resonated with me:

"I love being an American.  I love the fast pace of this culture, the ability to do a million things at once, and, most of all, the sense that there are infinite possibilities out there-all you have to do is grab hold of the one that you want."
                                            -Maria Yoplac


Happy Independence Day everyone!  Celebrate in style...oh, and everyone be careful playing around with fireworks!  ;)


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Carol says:

Whitney - my sentiments exactly! I, too, read that very moving article in Real Simple magazine. A great reminder for us to stop and count our blessings for being so lucky to live in this wonderful country of ours!! Happy 4th of July to you, Mike and Bear.......By the way - awesome photo of the fireworks!!

(07.05.10 @ 07:44 AM)
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Today I turn 25 years old.  There.  I said it.

Obviously my friends and family know how old I am (and being the youngest sibling, I take joy in always being younger :) ) but several industry acquaintances often ask how old I am.  And I am hesitant to inform them...maybe I like the mystery.  Most people are shocked when I finally tell them...hopefully it's because I look young and not the other way around :)

Time is flying by at a breakneck pace and sometimes I find myself frantically searching for the pause button on the proverbial remote controller of life.  Sometimes I just stop in the middle of the day and think, "this is so not what I had planned," but I don't believe in regrets, so maybe instead of being disappointed in what I haven't accomplished at this point I will celebrate the different path in life that I'm traveling on.

They say you're only as young as you feel and if that's true than I consider myself fortunate because I don't ever want to grow up...



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Happy day to all :)
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Lisa Braithwaite says:

You've got your whole life ahead of you. Take it day by day and you'll accomplish whatever you commit to and focus on! Happy birthday!

(07.01.10 @ 01:51 PM)
Mike says:

Happy Birthday Whit!!!! I love you!

(07.01.10 @ 04:01 PM)
Bryan says:

Hope it has been a good one. The chocolate cake indicates that at least part of it was!

(07.01.10 @ 08:36 PM)
Natalie says:

Happy Birthday!

(07.02.10 @ 12:13 AM)
Heidi says:

Ha! To be 25 again...

You HAVE accomplished so much in your few years. You should be proud. And think of how many more years you have to get even MORE stuff done. ;)

(07.02.10 @ 10:42 AM)
Whit's Mom says:

So happy to see that you had a chocolate cake!!! How yummy and how awesome are ALL the accomplishments under your belt at the ripe old age of 25!! We are ALL very proud of you.....miss you and love you!

(07.03.10 @ 06:43 PM)
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I am sooo excited....since you probably don't know, it is about 2AM PST and I am up writing this blog post, along with laundry, packing and consoling Bear, because I am off to Napa for the first half of the week and San Francisco/San Jose the second half of the week!!!  I am jetting off to the NAPCP (National Association of Professional Child Photographer) retreat in Napa Valley (!!!) and I couldn't be anymore excited!!!  Tamara Lackey and Dane Sanders are speaking and I can't wait to hang out with all my favorite photographer friends!

Email is the best way to contact me through Tuesday, June 29....

Bear is really upset...I broke the news this morning and he staged a boycott by sitting in my suitcase...and then he broke it.  C'mon, the suitcase never had a chance against his 80lb body!!!!


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Have a great weekend!
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This past Wednesday, I made the beautiful, winding mountain drive into Ojai (where Reese Witherspoon lives! :) ) and joined a fantastic group of people for the ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants) Santa Barbara meet up.  

Ariel Yve of Ariel Yve Design hosted our shindig at Papa Lennons (I had the best Chicken Caesar wrap, ever!  I am contemplating driving back today for lunch!) and Jodi Womack of Womack Company and No More Nylons spoke about networking and marketing.

It was a great meeting, I met lots of new amazing vendors in our area and I highly suggest others to come visit!

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The inside of Papa Lennon's....super cute!
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I just love Heidi's card from Zenadia Design!

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Jodi, our speaker!

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Cute details..

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Happy Friday!
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Heidi says:

I LOVE the last picture, of the white bud vases. (Milkglass?) The pink and yellow flowers would be perfect for M's birthday party. :)

(06.20.10 @ 07:30 AM)
Heidi @ Zenadia says:

Beautiful pictures!! Thanks for the picture of my card. =)

(06.25.10 @ 05:57 PM)
Ariel Yve says:

Thanks for blogging this Whitney! I may borrow a few shots for the group's FB page as well as my own blog.

Heidi, I purchased the milk glass vases pictured above from Ikea. I believe that they still have them. They come in a variety of different sizes and are reasonably priced.

Anyway Whitney, if you're ever in town or in the mood for another Chicken Caesar Wrap, let me know. I'd be happy to meet up with you for lunch anytime : )

(07.01.10 @ 01:05 AM)
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I must state for the record: I just love UPS guys.  If you follow along on my blog, you may recall a candid account of my interaction with the UPS guys...you know, the kind of conversation that sends them running towards the safety of their brown truck :)  I usually receive a steady, consistent stream of boxed client orders and ahem, sometimes, things that I have ordered online for myself, but this week I am coming home from daily walks around the block with Bear and finding anywhere between 4-10 boxes, a day.  My dear friend, Alice, the founder of the amazing professional child photographer association NAPCP has been shipping goodies to my door for next weeks retreat.  

But I digress.  I love our UPS guy because last evening after he happily jaunted to our door and gingerly set down all the packages, Bear went ballistic...I mean, yeah, Bear usually barks at the mailman and the FedEx guy and the UPS guy but this barking was just crazy...I opened the door and found he had left a doggie treat for Bear on top of a large pile of boxes...seriously, it made my day.  I thought I was going to cry.  What is my deal?  The fact that the UPS guy cares about me so much?  And my dog?!  Well, maybe!  :)  I ran outside and caught him before he jumped into his truck and profusely thanked him...I'm pretty sure the entire neighborhood heard me...


Anyway, this week for the Resource Room, I wanted to share the beautiful blog of a recent acquaintance from an Association of Bridal Consultants event in Malibu a few months ago.  The Sterling Engagements blog has so many different weddings featured and an entire section of the blog devoted to not only inspiration, but also advice for brides!  Go check it out!  :)


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Happy Thursday!
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Two years ago today Mike and I stood on the shore of Bald Head Island, wiggled our toes in the warm sand and said "I do."  If you were there, then you know I was totally sobbing my head off because I couldn't believe how lucky I was.  I don't believe in luck per se, I am more of a "make things happen" kind of girl...but whatever it was that brought us together: fate, luck, God or because we made it happen, I am so grateful.

Mike, thank you for making these past two years the best years of my life...so far :)  Thank you for being my best friend, my confidant, my biggest fan, and the most positive influence in my life...i.love.you!!


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Linda Menesez says:

Whitney, this is beautiful in every way! The pictures, description, and joy in your relationship are all gorgeous!! Congratulations to both of you. May you have many, many more years to celebrate each other and your love.

Linda

(06.14.10 @ 02:27 PM)
Whitney's Mom says:

What a very moving testament to your sweet husband and your marriage......May God bless you both today with love and happiness as you celebrate your 2nd wedding anniversary - the best is yet to come!! We all love you both very much

(06.14.10 @ 02:34 PM)
Bryan says:

It was a joy to watch. Very beautiful ceremony. Which sand is your favorite - Atlantic or Pacific? Happy anniversary!

(06.14.10 @ 09:52 PM)
Bryan says:

By the way, he's kinda sorta lucky, too.

(06.14.10 @ 09:57 PM)
Hilary Helton says:

Congratulations, and happy anniversary!

(06.16.10 @ 05:33 PM)
Heidi says:

Ummm, I'm a few days late, but happy anniversary! :) Hope it was a great one. Love you!

(06.17.10 @ 08:09 PM)
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I love holiday weeks...you know, where you get an extra day off and then you sort of let it take over the week and before you know, the week is almost over!  Oh wait, am I the only who does that?!  :)

This week for the Resource Room I am sharing none other than the Destination I Do blog!  It's a fun blog to get lots of great ideas because these are weddings that are documented from all over the world...just a quick glance over will give any reader a glimpse into all kinds of weddings: traditional, modern flair, vintage, etc.  Enjoy!

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A few weeks ago I posted a "sneak peek" from Anna's bridal session and almost a year ago we had a super fun engagement session in the Santa Ynez valley  :)  Here are a few more from Anna'a bridal session at Riverbench winery in Santa Maria...



Anna is originally from Brazil and wanted to capture a few images in her beautiful Brazilian dress  :)
  
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Happy Wednesday!
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Carol says:

I love the contrast between the beautiful girl in the beautiful dress sitting in the dirt!! Your photos are fabulous and I especially love the black and white. Stunning!!!

(06.03.10 @ 09:51 AM)
Batemans Bay restaurants says:

Lovely! The flower girl dresses are adorable! The gown looks perfect on her. It gives pretty and attractive look. This designed inspired me so much!! I love pink one most. Pink is my favorite color. This is really good. I personally love this fabric very much. The color is really like everyone. I love One Lovely Day. It is memorable day for wedding couples and other also. Thanks for sharing it.

(03.16.11 @ 01:43 AM)
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Happy Thursday!  Thanks for tuning in for this weeks edition and dose of inspiration with the Resource Room!  I recently bookmarked this fun blog a few weeks ago...it's called The Wed Bug and it's another fabulous resource for brides-to-be to scope out engagement session clothing ideas, wedding day decor details and even party ideas  :)

Go check it out!

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I recently had the fun opportunity to venture out to beautiful Ojai to photograph Addie and Willow...Addie and Willow are not my typical subjects...they are labradoodles!  (Really cute labradoodles, to be exact!).  They spend their days lounging on leather couches and herding around chickens in their yard...oh, to have a dog's life :)

Here's just a few images of their cute, fuzzy faces!



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Treat time!

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Happy Monday!
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Linda Menesez says:

These are just too cute!! I love how you focused on their noses and mouths. It looks like they're both smiling because they're happy! Addie and Willow look like they have a pretty cushy life! Great job with the photography!
Linda

(05.24.10 @ 08:54 PM)
Carol says:

That is a precious photo of Addie and Willow together. They look like they are singing to you!! They are beautiful dogs and you did a wonderful job photographing them!

(05.25.10 @ 12:10 PM)
Heidi says:

hehe...they're cute! What a fun session that must have been!

(05.29.10 @ 10:58 AM)
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You know those days where you just want to throw your computer out the window?  Well, that was sooo yesterday!  Today is much better...sunnier, warmer, (the internet is working-yay!)  :)  I knew today had to be better for today's dose of inspiration via the Resource Room!

A few days ago I was searching for a few cute cupcake ideas (who, me!?) and I found The Polka Dot bride!  This is an Australian wedding blog with so many cute ideas, I swear, you will go throw a party (or wedding!) this afternoon :)

Several of their recent posts have gorgeous ideas for the color pink--so go check them out!

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Happy Thursday!
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I've mentioned on my blog before how I'm apart of this awesome association called NAPCP-National Association of Professional Child Photographers...well, now, I want to give a quick shout-out because NAPCP just launched their brand new website/blog/community for parents and photographers!  The new website is just beautiful and already has lots of great blog posts for parents...some of the upcoming topics will consist of recipes (who doesn't like new recipes?!) and finding a photographer that's right for your family, so go on over and check it out!  You will also be seeing some blog posts from yours truly on home decor using photography as art and other tidbits :)


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Happy Wednesday!
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Ahh, this afternoon light was so lovely...here's a little sneak peek of Anna's bridal portraits :)


More to come later!



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I've spent the past week and a half visiting family and friends in Charlotte and making some fun side trips to Boone, Yadkin Valley and DC...who would've thought you could fit all three within a week and a half?!?

As usual it's never enough time to visit with everyone, but I got to spend Mother's Day with my mom and attend my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary shindig (60 YEARS!!!).

My trip started off with no less than a redeye flight and then landing on Cinco de Mayo...my sisters and I take this very seriously as I consider us Mexican food connoisseurs (yes, there is such a thing!) and our lovely meal was rounded out with my oldest nephew getting locked in the bathroom at the restaurant...if you've never seen three adults trying to break a bathroom door down, well then, you're really missing out :)

The next day I drove my mom and I to DC for her Mother's Day gift...we pretty much walked all over DC, saw all the monuments, visited Arlington National Cemetery and went on a fun, cheesy tourist bus ride in, oh, about 24 hours...because that's how we roll!


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 First stop: the white house!

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The next day was my grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary dinner...my sister took this photo for us.  Aren't they so cute?!

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Benjamin and I goofing around during dinner...thanks Heidi for the picture :)

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Then we went to Jackson's baseball game...I love that he's playing shortstop!  :)

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In action!

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Addison being a super cute supportive younger sister at Jackson's game :)

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Me and Benjamin :)

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Benj was not too thrilled with me when I caught him flirting underneath the bleachers...

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On Mother's Day, my parents and I went wine tasting in the Yadkin Valley of North Carolina...last year I went wine tasting in NC with my mom and we had a great time so we decided to try out some new tasting rooms this time.  This is at Laurel Gray Vineyards...

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This is at Raffaldini Vineyards...

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Raffaldini is a gorgeous location for weddings :)

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Vineyards at Shadow Spings...this is the last place we visited before heading to Boone to eat at the Dan'l Boone Inn...

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My dad and I...still sporting my DC sunburn...whoops!

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Happy Mother's Day!

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Visiting with Molly on my way to the airport...  :)

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In other random news, Mike and I will have our 2 year anniversary one month from today--yeah baby!!  Have a great weekend everyone!
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Amy Hunsinger says:

what awesome photos as usual whit! and i just looooove getting to see your mama!!! your family seems alot like mine. so happy you got to spend a great mother's day and trip together.

(05.14.10 @ 03:25 PM)
Heidi says:

So glad to see you Whitney! :) Can't wait to see you again at the beach! Love you!

(05.14.10 @ 04:39 PM)
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Happy Thursday!  I've been hanging out on the East Coast this week visiting family and enjoying Mother's Day with my mom-hope all the moms out there had a fabulous Mother's Day!

For this edition of The Resource Room I am sharing Junebug weddings...this is a lovely website and resource for brides...whether big wedding or small, destination or at home.  I love this wedding inspiration site in particular because of the "groombug" section of the website...which is for manly modern grooms who help plan their wedding :)

As usual here is a quick screenshot of Junebug's website:

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Check back tomorrow for a blog update of my travels  :)
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It's been a few weeks since I've posted a Resource Room post-you know, where I share all kinds of cool, fun, inspirational ideas for new brides and make the rest of us want to throw parties every weekend ;)

If you've been checking my blog recently, you'll know that I've been slacking on the Resource Room posts because I've been blogging my Haiti trip and experiences...thank you again to everyone for checking back and asking what you can do to help!  

Last week I had the pleasure of attending an Association of Bridal Consultants (Greater Los Angeles) event at the ever-so-gorgeous-clifftop Bel Air Bay Club.  I'm pretty sure it was one of the nicest networking events I've ever been to.  All the featured vendors really brought their game and shared amazing food, cake, wine, dessert, music and linens.  Yes, linens!  As most experienced wedding coordinators and designers know, linens can totally make or break your event.  As such with the ABCGLA event...the linens were amazing and I was able to meet BBj Linen's sales manager Kristy and visit their showroom a few day ago!

Here are a few images that I snapped at the Los Angeles showroom...brides and event coordinators, be sure to keep Kristy at BBj Linen in mind for your reception and/or party needs :)

I love this one--it's so Anthropologie :)

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BBj recently started carrying an eco friendly option that is made from water bottles!  How cool is that!?  Eco friendly options are popping up everywhere for today's brides :)

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LOVE these napkins!

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This is just a sneak peek of their showroom and linen options...

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Thanks for tuning in--Happy Thursday!
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As I mentioned in my last post, there is so much more to do in Haiti and I so want to be apart of it.  Please think of donating new tents (even used ones-in good condition) and eyeglasses!!

There are so many different things the Haitians need, but after visiting, my feelings are that I want to in the educational area.  I feel that if Haitians can continue to go to school and college (which many were destroyed in the earthquake) then they can go on to create a more stable economy and enrich the lives of those in their country.  

My current thought is to create a coffee table style photo book and have all proceeds go to charity...for 

medical students like Jolius...

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and school aged children...

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What do you think?  If anyone knows a literary agent, let me know :)

Happy Monday!
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dottie says:

morning, Whitney...great idea!! you might contact Bill's sister, Betty Jane....she has considerable writing/publishing experience. love you

(04.27.10 @ 04:29 AM)
Katie says:

I have no tips about literary agents but I do think that is a wonderful and generous idea. I'll be cleaning out closets soon and if I locate any of my old glasses I'll be sending them your way!

(04.27.10 @ 07:47 AM)
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You could feel the sadness in the air during our last two days...of course everyone was ready to get back home to family and needless to say, the comforts of life in North America, but having to say goodbye to friends so quickly made was difficult.

On our seventh day in Haiti, we held a mobile clinic in Port au Prince at a church that had partially collapsed during the earthquake.  

We held our clinic on the second floor...

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This is the view of the neighborhood from the second story of the church...it was a common sight to see smoke and little flames going as the people would often burn their trash since Haiti has no sanitation department or trash pickup...

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This is the pastor of the church--he was so helpful and appreciative 

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This building was recently finished before our arrival...this is where most of the surgeries took place...

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On our last working day, three huge trucks pulled up to the mission with rice, canola oil and beans...this was the first time (almost three months after the earthquake) that any food had been distributed in this area...

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People waited in line all day clasping onto their tickets which signified if they received food or not...

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These guys had "the list" of people and tickets...

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The food was from the US and Canada driven in from the Dominican Republic.

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These nice tents were actually right behind the mission next to a school.  Many of the school children lived here as well as some of our interpreters and their families...

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Some of our amazing translators.

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Our group.  It's still sinking in the fact that I got to go to Haiti, meet all these incredible doctors, nurses and surgeons, photograph them working away at their craft, meeting the selfless Haitians and I can't wait to do it all over again.  

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So...what's next?  I'm still figuring that out myself.  After going, I know that I want to/have to/feel the need to return to Haiti.

Please don't forget that their are still millions of Haitians that are homeless...please email me if you have a tent to donate or eyeglasses (near or far sighted)!!!!  whitney [at] whitneyelizabehtphoto [dot] com

I'm working on a fundraising project for students...please check back Monday for more details as I work the whole thing out.  Thank you so much for checking in to follow my Haiti story...I know most of you visit for wedding photographs.  Happy weekend everyone :)

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dottie says:

Whitney...wow and more wow! You did an awesome thing, and it continues through your photos! I am grateful for your sharing with all of us who love you.

(04.23.10 @ 02:16 PM)
Chris and Doug Giffin says:

Whitney, your pictures are inspiring. We don't realize what is still going on unless we see it through you great photos! Thanks for sharing!
Chris and Doug

(04.24.10 @ 02:29 PM)
Elizabeth Bean says:

Thanks for the postcard. I really enjoyed all the photos!

(04.26.10 @ 09:58 AM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {days seven and eight} Haiti : Charlotte wedding photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/173
I had so many opportunities bestowed upon me in Haiti-one of them being the chance to photograph live surgeries.  Watching these surgeries was like an out-of-body experience...I couldn't believe what my eyes were witnessing.  It's actually quite incredible to watch...it's an art form.  The surgeons and nurses and anesthesiologist work together in perfect motion to create a new masterpiece...a better body, if you will.

**WARNING:  There is a shot below from a mastectomy that I documented-it's a bit shocking so don't say that I didn't warn you!  This particular surgery was by far the most emotional for me to watch but I was thrilled to know that she has a better chance of now surviving. 

This is the little boy I mentioned in my most recent haiti post-he had walked over hot coals and we brought him back to the clinic with us...

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At the end of day five, I went by one of our mobile clinics for just a bit.  This one was held at a local tent city.

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And this begins day two of photographing surgeries.  Our surgical team worked all week long to accommodate as many patients as they could while they were in Haiti.  I am so impressed with our entire group that went to Haiti...everyone worked so hard and sometimes through the night to help with the patients that would start lining up at the clinic at 5:30am each morning...

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After my second day of documenting surgeries, I went to visit Gibson's family who lives just down the road.  Gibson is a sweet boy who hangs out around the mission...even though we couldn't speak the same language as his family, it was nice to just sit and enjoy each other's company...I mean, how often do people do that anymore??


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A few snapshots on the way back to the mission...

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Carol says:

Whitney - Thank you for continuing to share your journey with us. These photos are absolutely breathtaking.......

(04.20.10 @ 06:20 PM)
Ariel Yve says:

Eeek! That is graphic. You sure are a brave girl!

(04.20.10 @ 08:26 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {days five and six} Haiti : Charlotte wedding photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/172
On our fourth day in Haiti, we held a mobile clinic in a rural mountain village.  This village was not necessarily affected by the earthquake, but they still had dire needs.  Most of the folks in this village had never seen a doctor or had any type of medical care in their life.  

It was a beautiful and short drive up to their village and we held the clinic in their church.  We found that this particular village seemed, in general, much more happy and less stressed than those we served in tent cities in and nearby Port au Prince.  

Nina (middle) going over scabies symptoms and diagnosis with Darren and Frani before we left for our mobile clinic.  Pretty much every single kid in this village had scabies (which is like lice for the skin)...

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While the group was packing up, I took a few quick snapshots of our sleeping arrangements on the porch...

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I just love our interpreters...

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On the way up to the mountain village, I saw this little boy playing with a toy truck made out of cardboard pulled by a string...he was just as happy as he could be.

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This clinic was a bit easier to manage because we had great "crowd control."  It was a bit overwhelming for everyone when we would set up camp and the crowd would surge for medicine and whatever they could get.  The leader of this community helped us keep a steady flow of people, with one entry and one exit, and there was less confusion this way.

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This poor child had walked over hot coals and his foot was badly burned.  We ended taking him back to the clinic with us so he could have surgery.

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It was very dusty on this non-paved, pebble road...

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dottie says:

Whitney, your photos simply blow me away! we love ya!

(04.15.10 @ 03:28 PM)
Carol says:

Whitney - these photographs are so beautiful......they make me feel as if I were right there alongside you for the journey. Thank you for continuing to update us on each day of your trip.

(04.15.10 @ 04:06 PM)
Bryan says:

More great shots; thanks. Viewing these reminds me of my frustration at those that say that Americans don't do anything to help in the world. Really?

I'm proud of you - great work!

(04.15.10 @ 09:23 PM)
Justine Ungaro says:

Whitney, I'm so enjoying your journey. Makes me miss Haiti so badly!

(04.16.10 @ 12:28 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {day four} Haiti : Charlotte wedding photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/171
Mwen Kapab.

It's the Creole equivalent for "I can."  I saw bracelets on several Haitians while in Port au Prince and asked one of our translators what it meant and why so many people were wearing these bracelets.  With so many obstacles against the Haitians, it's a simple motto to remind them of their resilient mindset.  Never have I met a group of people so loving, so strong, so spiritual and so resilient.  We could all use a little Haitian in our lives.

As I set out for another day touring Port au Prince with the other half of our group, I silently chanted Mwen Kapab to myself.


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This adorable family lived in one of the bigger tent cities in Port au Prince across from the Presidential palace.  You would never guess from their smiles the hardships that they've been enduring...

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This is actually quite a nice structure to live under compared to a tarp...

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It was Easter Sunday on our third day and most of us expected to clinic to be quiet in the morning hours since most Haitians made a 4 hour trek to the top of a local mountain for the sunrise service, but when we all woke up, there was already a line of people waiting to be seen.  I was able to assist with a few eye exams which was an incredible experience.  As I mentioned in a blog post a few days ago, be sure to mail me old eyeglasses...we can send them down to Haiti and it's a great way to give back!


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Even with a translator, we still had difficulties...it was then that we realized most of our patients couldn't read letters or count numbers...

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She was sooo excited to be able to see again!

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If you have any old eyeglasses (whether reading or distance), please consider donating them!!

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Please CLICK HERE for the day three slideshow!!!!!
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Carol says:

I love, love, love the charming picture of the smiling family!! That made my day! Thank you so much for continuing to bring us the stories behind all your wonderful photos. I have some eyeglasses to donate!!

(04.14.10 @ 02:16 PM)
Bryan says:

These are great. The woman - taking the eye exam - that could be an award winner. Keep them coming!

(04.14.10 @ 06:17 PM)
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As expected, our stay in Haiti didn't get any easier.  Each day brought about new challenges, new cases and new obstacles to test our teams strength.  On day two, half our team stayed at the clinic, helping patients, while the other half rode to Port au Prince to pick up our anesthesiologist at the airport and to receive a grand tour, if you will, of Port au Prince.  There was definitely an air of nervousness as we left for our trip around Port au Prince.  

What I saw, smelled and heard was by far some of the most worst things imaginable.  As a defense mechanism, most of us stayed calm, but didn't really let the horror sink in quite yet.  Nothing can quite prepare you for the sight of people bathing in dirty street water, the smell of dead bodies decaying in the rubble and the sounds of people yelling, screaming and fighting over basic needs such as food and water.

  
On a lighter note, over the next few days I will be sharing more images of our fabulous staff of interpreters and drivers.  They were amazing, period.  These guys helped us so much and looked after us during our many tours of the country.  Below is Alfonze-he drove me through Port au Prince three different times and I cannot thank him enough for keeping us safe!!!

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While we were waiting for our Anesthesiologist at the airport, those of us guarding the car met this local rapper and a Haitian policeman.  This guy was hilarious and when I told him he should go to the States to become a rapper he declined saying, "I love Haiti-I will never leave Haiti."

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These are the infamous "tap-taps," the local taxi.  There were always tons of people crammed into these and sometimes people even sat on top to catch a ride.

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Day two was my first real day of seeing rubble and tent cities...it really takes your breath away...

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Especially when you see skeletal remains in the rubble...

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Trash and pollution are just one of the many severe issues plaguing Haiti right now (other than the obvious poverty and hunger and earthquake and government issues).  This was one of few dumpsters I saw in Haiti, and it wasn't even being used.

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Trash lines the streets in Port au Prince...

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In all my trips around Port au Prince, these were the only people I saw working to clear rubble and debris...

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I created a short slideshow from day two...please CLICK HERE to view it.  Thank you again everyone for checking in see what's going on in Haiti!
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Heidi says:

Wow...that's a lot to wrap one's head around...thanks for sharing your images and your stories so we have a clearer picture of what life is like for the people of Haiti.

(04.13.10 @ 10:42 AM)
Richelle Dante says:

Amazing images! I think I saw one work team also when I was there. It's so heartbreaking but hopefully sharing images of Haiti will bring more awareness to the US that they still need help!

(04.13.10 @ 11:51 AM)
Carol says:

As I scroll through your stunning images, it really takes your breath away to see what still remains to be done on the ground to help the Haitians. I continue to be amazed to see the smiles on some of their faces and the resiliency and perseverance of these people..........

(04.13.10 @ 03:15 PM)
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As I lay awake last night trying to fall asleep, I couldn't help but have a heavy heart as I listened to the rain pitter patter on my roof.  This past week while I was in Haiti, the rainy season began. At first, it's a welcome relief to the stifling heat and humidity and then you realize how many thousands of families are lying in dirty puddles of rainwater and trash beneath their tarps in a tent city.  

There are so many thoughts and images that I have to share with you all.  I decided to create a blog post for each day that I was in Haiti, so today is day 1-the day that we landed in Port au Prince and met our medical team.  I cannot say enough about our team...I was able to photograph, document and work with some of the most talented doctors, nurses and surgeons, ever.  I didn't expect to come away with so much medical knowledge and I also didn't expect to come away with some amazing relationships.  By day two, we all became fast friends and were in them midst of learning each others' life stories...because, well, that happens when you're out of your comfort zone in a third world country.  

Several people have approached me asking how they can help in any way with Haiti...and the first thing that comes to my mind is TENTS!  Haitians need tents.  Most of the tent cities are composed of sticks in the ground with tarp or a bed sheet stretched across the top.  The group I flew to Haiti with, New Reality International, is coordinating more trips to Haiti and they are more than happy to take as many tents as they can.  Also, another quick thing you can do to help Haiti is to donate your old eye glasses.  Feel free to contact me for my mailing address...just send them on.  So many of us wear contacts and/or eye glasses and it seems like such a basic necessity...a basic necessity that most Haitians do not have.  It's been exactly three months today since the earthquake and I can assure you that the Haitians are not receiving the care that they should be...so please consider asking for donations, such as tents, tylenol and basic humanitarian needs such as soap and toothpaste.

Over the next week, I plan on sharing about eight blog posts for each day, but I will have most of the images on my Haiti website in the next week, so be sure to check there as well for images not posted on my blog.


Thank you again for visiting-

Right after we landed in Port au Prince, we all scrambled for our medicine-laden suitcases...

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Haitian police...you really don't want to mess with them!

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A snapshot of a street vendor on our wild bus ride to Fonds Parisien

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One of the first of several tent cities we saw between Port au Prince and Fonds Parisien

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Haiti is a very beautiful country-a bit rough around the edges, but could really become a great caribbean tourist destination one day.

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All this young man needed was to have someone to listen to his story.  He was an Accounting student in college and his college was destroyed during the earthquake.  He has such a passion for learning that I have never seen despite my infamous foray into several different majors.  I was impressed with his fluency in English, French, Spanish and Creole and was brought to tears when he said to me, "Knowledge is power...I study everyday, I find something to read everyday."

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Patrick was one of the Haitian doctors at the clinic...I think it's safe to say that he learned a lot from our North American medical team and we learned a lot from him...

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I know that every single one of us is guilty for complaining about waiting to see a doctor while we're crunched for time during our lunch break or in between soccer practices...but can you imagine waking at 3am to walk two hours to the nearest clinic to then wait until 2-3pm in the afternoon to see a doctor?  I used to think waiting rooms and doctors offices were so ugly and bland, but after seeing this, I've changed my mind.

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It was not uncommon to see clothes and shoes strewn about yards and piles of rocks...

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Please CLICK HERE for a quick slideshow...there are several more blog posts and slideshows to come.  
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Kelsey Crews says:

It is a sad situation, but I love how you have captured the beautiful spirit in the people of Haiti.

(04.12.10 @ 05:06 PM)
Carol says:

Your slide show is absolutley beautiful.........thank you so much for the moving stories you are telling about the Haitian people through your blog.

(04.12.10 @ 07:10 PM)
Cynthia Lawder says:

Excellent, powerful slideshow. Looking at these images helps me to process a rocky re-entry into our lives here in the US. It is hard to fathom that we all live on the same planet.

(04.12.10 @ 11:21 PM)
Amy Hunsinger says:

what beautiful photography whitney! and your words are just as beautiful. looking forward to seeing more from the trip. such an experience. thank you for sharing.

(04.13.10 @ 05:15 AM)
Elizabeth Bean says:

WOW! Beautiful photos Whitney!! I'm excited to follow your journey!

(04.13.10 @ 08:08 AM)
Concerned Haitian says:

As i'm concern about my Haiti. After an Heavy natural disaster It's become back dated. And bearing unmeasurable sufferings. Still now it's facing crisis from all sides, created from the Earth Quake as well as by nature. But It's time to change the day, So request all of you to come forward to make tha days ahead distinctly.
I think at this moment HAITI really needs help to be rebuild.Outgoing Haitian President René Préval has set the presidential elections for Nov. 28, 2010.
According to ma justification,
In Election 2010 Haiti Presidentr Baker should be under consideration as a deserving personality,
who can supply the best support and leadership
Thank you.

(10.27.10 @ 08:55 AM)
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For your support and encouragement as I leave first thing tomorrow for my trip to Haiti.  I couldn't do it without all of you and I really appreciate the donations and prayers :)

I've made a few updates to my Haiti website so feel free to take a peek.  I will be sure to announce when I've updated the site with Haiti images!

In the meantime, there may or may not be some guest blog posts, but check back just in case! Hope everyone has a fantastic Easter.

And because a post just isn't the same without photos...

I've been putting together some basic essentials for families who still do not have these everyday items such as soap, washcloths, combs, toothbrushes and toothpaste three months after the earthquake...

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Bear was more interested in going outside to play fetch than helping me pack :)

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Carol says:

Whitney - you are so totally awesome!! May God bless you every step of the way and keep you in His care. We can't wait to hear all about your trip when you return!!

(04.01.10 @ 07:45 AM)
Julia says:

Whitney, you have an amazing journey ahead of you! I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

(04.01.10 @ 12:29 PM)
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"What other people may find in poetry or art museums, I find in the flight of a good drive."

                                                                             -Arnold Palmer





18thhole.jpgImage photographed at the 18th hole of Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, 2009



And....Happy 35th wedding anniversary to my parents!  I love y'all!!!

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dottie says:

great pictures, Whitney !! And Happy Anniversary Felix and Carol!!

(03.29.10 @ 04:26 AM)
Julia says:

Beautiful pic of your parents. Happy Anniversary to them!!

(03.29.10 @ 09:21 AM)
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