Connecticut Wedding Photographer | New England Wedding Photographer

power couple :: charlotte wedding photographer

:: 10.14.11

Whitney Lately

If there ever was a power couple, here it is...

And you thought this blog post was going to be about Brad and Angelina...

What in the world, you may be thinking. Yes, that's right. I have gone off the deep end. No, not really, I am just now the proud (not-so-stubborn-anymore) new owner of a vacuum cleaner and a steam mop. Mike has been pining away for this power couple for awhile, but I stubbornly held out. I try very hard not to buy things we don't need...for so many reasons. Why spend the money, where will we put this, it will just break and then get thrown away, when I was a kid, blah, blah, blah! But-finally, the sweeping twice a day (two dogs, people!) just got a little old. And when I couldn't quite make two sweeps happen in one day and someone thought we had carpet put in, I just couldn't take it anymore. Mike is off somewhere dancing in the street over my purchase :)

Happy Friday!!

(1) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

photographer in Charlotte says:

Indeed a very nice post i also belog to wedding photographer, I like to read new and fresh posts on this subject and I am your regular post reader.Thanks for writing such a good post.

(11.10.11 @ 02:46 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: power couple :: charlotte wedding photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/271

cody and anna :: fort mill sc dairy barn

:: 01.31.11

First Comes Love

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!

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!

(6) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

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)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: cody and anna :: fort mill sc dairy barn . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/248

dairy barn engagement session :: fort mill sc

:: 01. 2.11

First Comes Love

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...!

(1) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

dottie says:

love the photo, Whitney!

(01.05.11 @ 10:16 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: dairy barn engagement session :: fort mill sc . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/239

santa barbara granada theater wedding {diarmuid and chrissy}

:: 09. 8.10

Slideshows , Then Comes Marriage

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

Caterer: Pure Joy Catering

Ceremony musician: Jennifer Argenti (310.592.6417)

Cocktail hour musicians: Geoff Earley (216.870.4265)

Photobooth: The PhotoBooth Experience

DJ: Feet First Entertainment

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...

Looove the shoes...

Chrissy you make me smile! :)

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

:)

Um, aren't they adorable?!

Ceremony time at the El Presidio Chapel...

Chrissy and Diarmuid on the marquee at the Granada!

Awesome details...!

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!!!

(4) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

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)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: santa barbara granada theater wedding {diarmuid and chrissy} . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/216

{featured} sweet pea events llc

:: 12.11.09

Featured

I never imagined 10, 15, 20 years ago that there would be this magical thing created called the "internet." I also never imagined that I would make friends over the internet, but I have and I'm here to tell you that it's pretty cool! Sometimes if you can't speak face to face, a fun email conversation or twitter chat is the way to go :)

One of the many friends I have made recently via online in the wedding industry is Kelly Simants of Sweet Pea Events, LLC. Kelly heads up the Dallas, Texas office with her wedding coordinator extraordinaire skills and writes on the drool-inducing blog which is full of all things wedding: details, color palettes, inspiration boards, etc. Kelly so kindly featured snippets from two of my recent weddings...thanks Kelly! :)

The first is Katie and Matt's wedding--gorgeous blue details and the other is Lyndsey and Erik's wedding--fun, bright yellow accents. Be sure to check the blue wedding day details on Kelly's blog HERE and the yellow wedding day details HERE.

Happy Friday!!!

(0) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {featured} sweet pea events llc . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/129

{18th edition} the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer

:: 11.19.09

Resource Room-Inspiration!

Welcome to Thursday's Resource Room! Today I am sharing a cute little wedding planning/inspiration blog called It's a Jaime Thing....super cute ideas ranging from jewelry on your wedding day, to veils and headpieces, to dresses :) And they have inspiration boards, which I just love. Below is my typical screen capture, but be sure to go visit their blog!

Happy Thursday!

(0) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {18th edition} the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/124

{married} malibu beach wedding sunset restaurant

:: 11.17.09

Then Comes Marriage

A few months ago I had the pleasure of second shooting with Becker from Orange County and Larry Reeves who is in Arizona. The wedding took place on the beach in Malibu with the reception following at The Sunset Restaurant. It was awesome to meet Becker for the first time--thanks for inviting me to come along and shoot with you!

Enjoy!

(1) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Carol says:

What fabulous photography Whitney!! Each shot was so detailed and absolutely beautiful!

(11.19.09 @ 11:34 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {married} malibu beach wedding sunset restaurant . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/123

{17th edition} the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer

:: 11.12.09

Resource Room-Inspiration!

Happy Thursday everyone! And happy Resource Room day ;) Between traveling and feeling a tad under the weather, the 'ole blog has felt neglected but I thought this fun website, Once Wed, would make the blog feel like new again. I browsed this site earlier and fell in love with all the DIY ideas...go take a peek!

(0) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {17th edition} the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/122

{thom and jenn} canary hotel wedding santa barbara

:: 11.10.09

Slideshows , Then Comes Marriage

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of second shooting with Leah Lund from NY...this was such a gorgeous wedding with an intimate ceremony. Thom and Jenn were so much fun to be around and this was evident not only through their personalities but through the fact that all their guests flew in from all over the country to witness their marriage.

Their wedding took place at the Canary Hotel in Santa Barbara on the rooftop and it was a super warm beautiful fall day...

Jenn's wedding dress was designed and created by her grandmother!

The Canary Hotel has so many awesome details...

To view a slideshow from this wedding, please click HERE!

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Carol says:

Beautiful images!! I love all the different textures in your photography....Each shot is so totally unique!!

(11.11.09 @ 10:03 AM)

Bridget Jones says:

I love the beach pics. They look very california! Great job.

(10.05.11 @ 11:12 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {thom and jenn} canary hotel wedding santa barbara . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/121

{16th edition} the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer

:: 11. 5.09

Resource Room-Inspiration!

I know, I know, I didn't do the resource room last week...but I have an excuse, I had visitors!

Today I want to share the Hostess Blog....I cannot remember how I found this blog, but I looovvveee all the ideas. There is inspiration for brides and for any kind of special event...holiday parties, bridal showers, birthday parties, etc, etc. If you go take a peek I guarantee you will be oozing over this blog for at least an hour...so many cute ideas! Now I want to throw a party...hmm, maybe I could throw a Thanksgiving party or a "I'm having my wisdom teeth taken out, please bring ice cream" party ;)

Make sure you check it out:

And here is a quick detail shot from a beautiful wedding that I will be blogging very soon!

(0) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {16th edition} the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/120

parental units {Charlotte wedding photographer}

:: 10.28.09

Whitney Lately

My parents are en route to Santa Barbara as I type this and I am so excited! It will be my dad's first time out here and my mom's second time...but last time she saw this place it was quite the disaster zone!

Blogging may be limited over the next few days as I enjoy hanging out with my parents and take them around.

Here are a few cute images of Bear from the other day...he was not at all interested in posing with our pumpkins....

Letting out a great big yawn to let me know how much he doesn't care...

and the cute pumpkins :)

Happy Hump day!

(0) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: parental units {Charlotte wedding photographer} . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/118

{sneak peek} and maybe a contest?

:: 10.26.09

Then Comes Marriage , Whitney Lately

Happy Monday! This past weekend I had the pleasure of shooting at the Canary Hotel in Santa Barbara and you can see below for a quick sneak peek of the gorgeous view from the rooftop.

But first...I am thinking of holding a contest on my blog. You know, I just love contests. In the photography industry there's always multiple contests going on..."want a free website?" and I'm there doing backflips as a prerequisite, "want to win a brand new 5d mark ii?" and I'm right there capturing video of why I think I deserve one. So, I just love contests...who doesn't love to win free things!?!

What is this contest about, you ask? THE HOLIDAYS! For some unknown reason I am super pumped about it this year...despite the current 90 degree weather and the fact that I haven't worn a sweater in over a year...but needless to say, I'm excited. The other day Mike and I were swapping our favorite holiday time stories and I'm telling you, if he would let me, I would put a tree up TODAY! But Mike did reason that with the dry and hot weather we've been having, our tree probably wouldn't make it til Thanksgiving and it would be the biggest fire hazard of the season...so I'm waiting somewhat unpatiently, but I thought a little holiday contest might get everyone in the mood. What do you think??!

While you're contemplating here is a sneak peek from Saturday....

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Carol says:

What a breathtaking photo! I love how you captured the trees up close, the buildings and then the mountain range in the rear of this shot. It's beautiful!!

(10.27.09 @ 09:07 AM)

alice park says:

Oh, you know I'm all about contests too!! And I LOVE winning free thing!

(10.27.09 @ 03:10 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {sneak peek} and maybe a contest? . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/116

{ninth edition} the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer

:: 09.10.09

Resource Room-Inspiration!

Welcome to the 9th weekly edition of the resource room! I can't believe I've already written nine of these things! I love writing these posts because I find so much inspiration in others blogs and posts...and I'm always up for learning something new ;)

My bridal resource today that I would love to plug is actually one that I found from the Sage Wedding Pros blog. I took one peek at this website and loved it! Julianne of Julianne Smith wedding garters has some very, very cute garters on her website...if you're not married, you'll want to check this out and if you are married, well then, it will just make you want to get married again! Here is the link to her blog. Go check it out...super cute!

My photographer/small business owner resource is photo lovecat! Photo lovecat always has awesome and helpful posts and it's definitely a blog that I check often, so be sure to bookmark it!

That's all for today...Happy Thursday!

(1) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Amy Hunsinger says:

Wow Whitney! Both of these sites are awesome! The Resource Room is such a great well...... resource! And....your vacation looks incredible! I bet it will give you sweet memories through the busy season. The photos you posted are gorgeous. Looks like the perfect trip.

(09.15.09 @ 04:35 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {ninth edition} the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/93

a few of my favorites...

:: 09. 8.09

Whitney Lately

Our vacation is almost over (booo) but I'm excited to get back to my baby (my dog, Bear, of course!) and get back to work (I know, I'm such a loser ;) ). Just wanted to post a few more images from our trip!

I gotta say, you know you've been lazy when the hardest thing you've done all week is to find a graceful way out of the hammock!

We woke up with the sunrise yesterday morning to go swimming with sharks (more on that later!) and isn't it just so gorgeous?!

A few shells we found while snorkeling...

Anndd how awesome are these little bags? My sisters gave me one as part of my birthday gift and I love this little sucker! It's called an Envirosax and it rolls up into this teeny, tiny little 3 inch roll. Mike and I packed it for our trip and have used it as our beach bag, picking up sea shells bag, carrying snorkel gear bag and can we say snack bag?! I LOVE this thing! When at home, we use it at the farmer's market, etc, etc...I'm so about to get another one because they all have these cute different patterns :)

I was so flippin' excited when my brand new hipslip made it in time before our trip! Since I travel so much, I'm always looking for the *best* way to transport gear, laptops etc and I was really annoyed by my old laptop bag. The creators of Shootsac just came out with the brand new hipslip which I just love, love, love! It was so easy going through the whole process of security and customs internationally...so thrilled to have this bag...isn't it the packaging so cute? not to mention the bag itself :)

Also, how cool is it that lululemon is getting a kids line!? So awesome!

OK, so this post turned into more of a "my favorite things" deal, but that's ok! I have been avoiding packing much to Mike's dismay and have been finding ways to procrastinate, such as doing a random photo shoot of my favorite objects in our room!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day...happy Tuesday!

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Annemarie says:

You know I love the yellow and white polka dots....I have that cover for my ShootSac!! :) Great pick!!!

(09.08.09 @ 08:19 PM)

Larry says:

Looks like you guys had an amazing time! I'm lovin that sunset shot and the Hip Slip...yes, they're awesome. Welcome back to reality...loser ;-)

(09.09.09 @ 01:36 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: a few of my favorites... . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/92

{eighth edition} the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer

:: 09. 3.09

Resource Room-Inspiration!

Welcome to my 8th edition of the resource room :) I'm going to mention a photographer resource first off today...The Bschool! A few weekends ago I had the pleasure of shooting with Becker (from Orange County) and I will be blogging those images soon...but Becker started the Bschool and if you haven't heard of it, it's a wonderful resource for wedding photographers...for referrals, questions and answers. I highly suggest you check it out if you're a photographer!

This next website is for brides, or really anyone, because it has the cutest ideas...you could incorporate them into weddings, parties or your home. Check out the Mason Jar Bride (love it!)

In other news (maybe somewhat irrelevant :) ) is that it is HOT in Santa Barbara this week! AND humid! Can you hear the enthusiasm in my voice?! I'm lovin' this weather...I kinda hate that I'm leaving tomorrow because I won't be able to soak it all in. Am I crazy? Maybe just a little...Lisa, my friend from Santa Barbara Female Entrepreneurs thinks I'm nuts, but she is definitely right about this: I would not survive in cold weather! :)

Bear is definitely acting like a dog from the dog days of summer...but I'll cut him some slack, he is wearing a black fur coat after all! Poor guy hardly made it around the block this afternoon...

Happy Thursday!

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Carol says:

Poor Bear!! Guess that unexpected heat and humidity wore him down!! I'll bet you'll have some hot and humid weather on your fantastic birthday trip!!! Have you and Mike have a WONDERFUL time!!

(09.03.09 @ 12:38 PM)

Beverly says:

Hope you have a fun time on your trip! You deserve a much needed break :)

(09.03.09 @ 01:58 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {eighth edition} the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/89

and we're live! {charlotte wedding photographer}

:: 08.31.09

Photography , Whitney Lately

Wow, I think this has been the longest I've gone without blogging...and I missed it! Needless to say, it's been a whirlwind month of travel and it's not over til it's over. Mike and I will be traveling out of the country next week for some much needed R&R and to celebrate our birthdays and then I will be back to Charlotte...after that, things should settle down back into the old blogging groove :)

Time for a bit of housecleaning:

-I'm sure you noticed that my blog was down for the past week (due to hosting and server changes---breakups are just so hard!), which is also another reason why I haven't been blogging...but now, thanks to Annmarie at Into The Darkroom and their stellar team, my blog is back and running like never before.

-Because of the new server and hosting changes my email was down for a few days...if you sent an email and haven't heard back from me yet, please send another one and I'll respond ASAP!

-My new wedding website is currently in the making and should be due out in October---yay!!!! In the meantime, www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com is now redirected to here so potential clients be sure to email me here for portfolio links :)

-The Resource Room will return this Thursday PST, be sure to tune in ;)

OK, enough housecleaning, no one likes to clean anyway...when you fly as much as I do, you're bound to run into a few travel mishaps...Friday night my flight didn't make it to Santa Barbara due to weather, etc but fortunately I was able to get here on Saturday so that Mike and I could start celebrating his birthday! We had a super fun and relaxing day yesterday, which of course, just made Monday even more difficult to face, but it's all good! While I was gone, Mike essentially took over my business and accomplished so many things for me! All his hard work has earned him employee of the month, starting with a company lunch at The Burger Bus tomorrow :) Thanks Mike, I seriously-honestly-never-would've-gotten-it-all-stinkin'-done-without-you!!!! Wonder if that could fit on an employee of the month trophy? Hmm...

Anyway, Happy Birthday Mike!!! I love you :)

So be sure to leave my awesome husband some birthday love comments :)

Quick point and shoot image from breakfast yesterday...which was followed by a sun-filled beach bum day, movie and scrumptious dinner at our fave Italian joint in Santa Barbara.

So why was I gone again? Oh yeah, all the babies!!! First I had to bring Jackson back to NC...we miss him so much! Here is the new Snickers spokesman! He cracks me up :)

Benj was very interested in his new little sister and his baby girl cousin...he wasn't quite sure why they kept crying though....

Addison is two weeks younger than Molly and was still in the sleepy newborn stage when I left:

Molly looks like she could get up and walk any second now

The cutest cousins you ever did see (no, I'm not biased...nope, not at all...ok, maybe just a bit!)

And then, I got to meet up with my favorite girlfriends in Atlanta...check Alice's blog for pictures :)

Sooo, enough about me, what have you been up to??!

(7) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Sara Harris says:

Glad to see you blogging again! Beautiful little babies and nephew. So fantastic to spend time with you last week!

(08.31.09 @ 02:28 PM)

Beverly says:

Hope Mike had a WONDERFUL birthday! I am sure having you back on the west coast was the best present of all! Love the pics :)

(08.31.09 @ 06:24 PM)

alice park says:

first off, happy birthday to mike!! you guys make such a hot santa barbara couple!! can't wait to photograph your kids ;) secondly, umm...how CUTE are your sister's newborns!! you captured their itty-bittyness perfectly, whit!

(08.31.09 @ 06:44 PM)

Heidi says:

Happy birthday, Mike! Love the sweet pictures, Whit. :)

(09.01.09 @ 06:02 AM)

sara-anne says:

Happy Birthday Mike! Whitney...love the two heads side by side...how special for you and for them! I always wanted to have my babies close to the same as my sister...just never worked out that way.

(09.01.09 @ 07:31 AM)

Julia says:

Happy Birthday Mike! Whitney, what precious little nieces you have!! I can't wait to meet them!! Great photos.

(09.02.09 @ 07:01 AM)

Amy Hunsinger says:

hope you guys are having a fantastic time on vacation! i think you should give mike a raise! what a guy!!!! loved seeing you last week. your nieces and nephews are adorable and so are your photos!

(09.03.09 @ 02:21 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: and we're live! {charlotte wedding photographer} . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/88

{seventh edition} the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer

:: 08.20.09

Resource Room-Inspiration! , Then Comes Marriage

I have a couple of great websites and resources to share today...so let's cut the sugar-coating and get right down to business! ;)

Brides:

I found this link in my Twitter feed the other day and found this article very interesting and helpful...it's written by none other than Colin Cowie of Colin Cowie Events. CLICK HERE to read Colin's article on the most important part of your ceremony: the altar!

And as always, I like to supply a screen shot so you can see what I'm talking about:

Photographers:

I actually have two today...I've already mentioned Sage Wedding Pros before on the Resource Room but Michelle just re-launched Sage Wedding Pros on a fabulous new blog, so if you haven't seen it be sure to go read her helpful business articles and leave her some comment-love!!!

And last but not least, Strategy Avenue! If you haven't heard of Strategy Avenue, you're so missing out. Laura Novak (one of my favorite photographers), started Strategy Avenue and her blog lists business tips and ideas. Laura also offers Strategy Avenue business plans, which I purchased, and can tell you that it was super beneficial in writing your business plan. GO HERE to check it out :)

And here's a little sneak peek from a recent wedding...full blog post with details coming soon!!

Happy Thursday!

(1) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Michelle Loretta says:

ACK! Did I not thank you for featuring us on your GORGEOUS blog yet! Shame on me!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!! I am so honored. YAY!

(09.18.09 @ 04:57 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {seventh edition} the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/86

tips for greener photography-eco friendly photographer

:: 08.19.09

Featured

Hi All! Just wanted to blog quickly about my article that was published at PPA online. I wrote the article for Greener Photography---they are a great organization dedicated to providing eco-friendly resources to the industry!

Take a peek below at the screen shot of my article or CLICK HERE to check it out...please pass it around by clicking "send to friend" at the bottom of my post. Also, be sure to check out the Professional Photographer's of America (PPA) website. I am a member love my membership...I cannot say enough good things about their organization :)

And here's another picture of Jackson from his big California adventure...now doesn't this just make you want to go jump on your bed? I would but my mom might get upset! ;)

Be sure to check back tomorrow (Thursday) for another delicious dose of The Resource Room (and I need blog readers to vote on something for me---tune in tomorrow to find out)

(4) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Tim halberg says:

Well done! Thank you sooo much for NOT saying to buy a Prius!!!!

(08.19.09 @ 12:00 AM)

Beverly says:

Great article...love the suggestions! That picture makes me want to go jump on the bed :)

(08.19.09 @ 07:46 AM)

Annemarie says:

Is that wonderful yellow wall in your house???? Oh my, me likey! A LOT!!!

(08.19.09 @ 05:45 PM)

Annemarie says:

Is that wonderful yellow wall in your house? Wow!! Me likey....a LOT!!!

(08.19.09 @ 05:45 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: tips for greener photography-eco friendly photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/85

molly jean {charlotte wedding photographer}

:: 08.17.09

Whitney Lately

Hey y'all! I'm in Charlotte right now...visiting with family and my new niece and now I'm awaiting the arrival of my other unborn niece...lots of pregnant ladies around these parts ;)

These are the first shots I've been able to capture of Molly...I am obviously planning on shooting tons more in the coming week...!

Just a week ago...

Look at all that hair! So pretty...

You can tell from Molly's gaze that she already idolizes her mom

Sweet little yawn...

Cute.little.baby.sneeze.just.wanna.gobble.it.up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just a sampling of Molly's impressive book collection...

And just to feel included...the family dog. Allie has been a graceful and accepting "older sister" with the new baby in her life...very curious about Miss Molly:

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Dottie says:

What an absolutely beautiful baby!!! Congrats Heidi & Jim!! And so alert too!! Such a blessing.. love to all, Dottie

(08.17.09 @ 01:29 PM)

Alyse Woodward Events says:

Thanks for following our blog Whitney! Love your work. :)

(08.19.09 @ 10:20 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: molly jean {charlotte wedding photographer} . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/84

santa ynez wedding

:: 08.14.09

Then Comes Marriage

Earlier this summer, I had the privilege to second shoot with Chelsea Elizabeth...Chelsea is based down in Thousand Oaks and shoots all over southern California. Chelsea is pretty awesome because she's a great photographer and well, we have the same middle name :)

Thanks Chelsea for letting me help out at this gorgeous Santa Ynez wedding!

Thanks again Chelsea!!

Happy Friday everyone :)

(1) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Carol says:

what a happy married couple!! a beautiful venue for a wedding and reception and Whitney, you captured the happiness of the day. I love all these wonderful photos!!

(08.14.09 @ 01:03 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: santa ynez wedding . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/83

{sixth edition} the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer

:: 08.13.09

Resource Room-Inspiration!

I can't believe it's Thursday again...mostly because I take Jackson back to NC tomorrow and I'm going to miss him so much! We've had so much fun hanging out, playing games and going to really cool places :)

On the resource room front, I chose to mention The Bride's Guide this week for all the wedding planning folks out there. Darcy Miller from Martha Stewart Weddings heads up this blog and you know it must have delicious decor and attention to detail if it's from Martha Stewart. Check it out HERE!

For photographers, if you haven't heard of Design Aglow, then you are missing out!! Design Aglow is chock full of amazing templates, actions, inspiration and business articles for any photographer. My favorite is the Design Aglow Fan Share when other photogs share their creations from the DA products...so awesome!! DA is also on Twitter and every once in awhile they have a discount or two!

Check it out!

Happy Thursday!

(0) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {sixth edition} the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/82

just be

:: 08.11.09

Whitney Lately

Yesterday Jackson and I went to the beach for a little bit and as I sat there for 3 hours and watched him diligently work on sandcastles, tunnels and seaweed bridges, I feel like I learned so much from him. I've really enjoyed his company and his excitement over the small things, his intuitive nature and his contentment...he seems so happy to just be in the moment and I want to remember that feeling...and I think he taught me how yesterday.

You know, some may say this is a crappy picture...and technically it is...but something about it makes it my favorite picture from yesterday...it seems vintage and innocent and it makes me really, really happy...

I have a few wedding posts coming up soon so stay tuned :)

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Carol says:

Loved your post and love the beautiful pictures!! Thanks for sharing your time with Jackson. This is a week that he will NEVER forget - mostly because he is the main focus of your day!! Awesome!!

(08.11.09 @ 02:11 PM)

Tira J says:

So much fun in the sun with his Auntie! And the last picture is great! Very vintage!

(08.11.09 @ 08:54 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: just be . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/81

{fifth edition} the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer

:: 08. 6.09

Resource Room-Inspiration!

Last week I took a break from the Resource Room, but I'm back and raring to go this week with a few fantastic sites for brides and photogs alike :)

First up, none other than Style Me Pretty! This blog is updated daily with gorgeous weddings from all over the country....talk about inspiration overload!!! I love this blog and my friend Ariel was recently featured on here, so go check it out!

Now for all the wedding professionals out there...this website and blog just recently launched and you can bet it's on my google reader....Inspired by This: Wedding Insight by Leila Khalil. Leila has amazing thoughts on the wedding industry and her advice isn't just for photographers, but florists, coordinators, etc.

Check back next Thursday for the next issue of the Resource Room :)

Last night Jackson, Mike, Bear (the dog!) and I all played a friendly, yet competitive, little game of soccer. The teams: Jackson and I (the sharks) vs. Mike and Bear (the grizzlies). Jackson and I won the first game but then Bear and I decided to sit the next one out...we were tired!

Look at the pro:

Yeah, this is pretty much what Bear did after the first game...he's such a poser!

Plans for today consist of hitting up the Santa Barbara Zoo first and then taking a leisurely dip by the pool...I asked Jackson this morning what he wanted to do and he responded, "Aunt Whitney, I think we should go to the zoo first because it's cooler in the morning and then we can go to the pool after lunch because it will be hot." He is SO smart! :)

(0) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {fifth edition} the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/78

summer vacation

:: 08. 5.09

Whitney Lately

As I mentioned the other day, I brought my oldest nephew, Jackson, out to California to spend some time with Mike and I. We are having a BLAST so far! Thanks to our handy-dandy point and shoot, the picture of Jackson below reminds me of growing up and playing in the pool all summer long...ahh, to be a kid again :) We are heading out the door after I finish up this post for a game of soccer at the neighborhood park!

Baby G news: umm, there is none...my poor sister is way past her due date and will be induced tomorrow morning...I hate I missed it, but I will be back soon to get tons of shots with the new baby and be warned, there will be LOTS of posts on that! :)

Happy Hump Day!!

(3) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Amy Hunsinger says:

he is a cutie and this shot just screams summer!!! i wanna see some disney pics too!!

(08.05.09 @ 07:18 PM)

alice park says:

hope everything with baby g is going well!! i can't imagine how she feels right now :)

looks like jackson is having a blast! can't wait to see more of your summer ventures!

(08.06.09 @ 12:57 AM)

Beverly says:

Oh! Please tell my baby (that doesn't really look like a baby anymore!!!) that I love him! Hope you guys have fun today at DL and we will keep you updated. Thanks for having J! Love the shot :)

(08.06.09 @ 04:25 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: summer vacation . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/77

{ashlee and scott} calamigos ranch malibu wedding

:: 08. 4.09

Slideshows , Then Comes Marriage

A few weekends ago I had the privilege of second shooting for Nathan Wauk, who is out of LA. As I've said before, I just LOVE to second shoot...it's such a great experience to work with different photographers, see new venues and be exposed to different approaches :) This wedding took place at the ever-so-gorgeous Calamigos Ranch in Malibu...the grounds were immaculate and the staff was such a pleasure to work with.

This is a gorgeous wedding that I assisted with back in July....enjoy the images!!!

I had an affair with her shoes, no?

First look...

Gorgeous! All flowers and reception details by Elaine of Whiteflower Events and Flower 818.757.1841

Mmm, candy bar! :)

To view a Whitney Elizabeth Photography slideshow of this wedding, please click HERE!

Happy Tuesday :)

(4) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Carol says:

What beautiful wedding photography!! You captured all the tiny details that are so important to brides on their wedding day! Great job!!!!

(08.04.09 @ 09:56 AM)

Amy Hunsinger says:

Dang Whitney! That's all...just dang. These are amazing!

(08.05.09 @ 07:13 PM)

Irene Frankhouse says:

Beautiful wedding. Love the shoes!! Great job!

(08.08.09 @ 12:16 AM)

Irene Frankhouse says:

Beautiful wedding. Love the shoes!! Great job!

(08.08.09 @ 12:16 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {ashlee and scott} calamigos ranch malibu wedding . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/76

hanging around

:: 08. 2.09

Whitney Lately

Hi everyone! I am currently in Charlotte awaiting the arrival of my niece that we commonly refer to as "Baby G" since her name hasn't been officially decided upon. My sister, Heidi, is becoming slightly uncomfortably (to say the least!) after going past her due date....so, we're all just waiting, hanging around, getting pedicures, waiting, hanging around and doing some more waiting until Baby G decides to make her grand arrival. In a few days I head back to CA with my oldest nephew (we're going to Disneyland!!!!!) and then we'll be back in time for the arrival of my other niece! Every time the phone rings, my mom and I jump up, hoping it's my brother-in-law to announce that Heidi is in labor, but then it always turns out to be someone else...Ugh, I mean why would people call now, don't they know we're waiting?! ;)

Friday we all took a mini shopping excursion and my nephews got a little bored shopping for baby girl clothes so I course I dragged them outside for a photo shoot....they crack me up. I taught them how to play Rock, Paper, Scissors and they decided that rock, paper and scissors weren't good enough, so they made a few up own their own :)

I'll let y'all know when I've got some news! :)

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Dottie says:

great pictures, Whitney!! Of course, Jackson & Benjamin are sooooo cute! Tell them Dotsie says HI !!

(08.02.09 @ 11:11 AM)

sara says:

Fun Whitney! Can't wait to hear word on Baby G!

(08.03.09 @ 05:57 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: hanging around . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/75

{lyndsey and erik} santa barbara four seasons biltmore

:: 07.28.09

Slideshows , Then Comes Marriage

Lyndsey and Erik had the most gorgeous wedding this past Saturday at the Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara. They had a brunch reception, which was so fantastic...breakfast food and mimosas...YUM!! Ariel Yve coordinated the entire event so be prepared to view tons of details!! It was an absolute pleasure to work at the Biltmore and with Ariel...everything ran so smoothly and on time and the events of the day were perfectly executed.

Enough chit-chat, take a peek at their wedding! Brace yourself, this is a long post!

The Four Seasons Biltmore is simply stunning...beautiful flowers and foilage all over the grounds...

It was the perfect day to get married...awesome weather :)

Yellow is such a fun, happy color!

More fabulous details dreamed up by Ariel...

HOW adorable is this?!? Ariel made it as a surprise for Lyndsey, and of course it made for awesome shots!

Umm, can you tell that I'm obsessed with flowers? :)

Delish!! If you know me at all, you know I LOVE cake...any kind, any time ;)

Adorable!

I always get the *prettiest* brides :)

Lyndsey and Erik, congratulations!!! Thank you so much for letting me be apart of your fabulous wedding...I wish you much joy and happiness! :)

To view a Whitney Elizabeth Photography slideshow of this wedding, please click HERE!

(7) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Carol says:

What a beautiful bride and handsome groom! This was such an awesome venue for a wedding with a lovely day to get married. This lucky newlywed couple is going to have such fun picking their wedding photographs from such fabulous shots! Wonderful photography!!

(07.28.09 @ 11:51 AM)

Ariel Yve says:

Wonderful job Miss Whitney!

(07.28.09 @ 01:02 PM)

Lyndsey says:

I LOVE THEM! They look great :)

(07.28.09 @ 02:28 PM)

Amber Moise says:

Beautiful! I told my mom that I didn't take any photos because I was sure you'd have beautiful ones to share very soon, and I was right.

(07.28.09 @ 05:19 PM)

Deene Souza says:

Really beautiful!!!!!

(07.28.09 @ 07:53 PM)

sara-anne says:

I love all the details that you captured..and the second to last one is priceless! Great job Whitney!

(07.30.09 @ 08:55 AM)

kristin railton says:

GORGEOUS photos Whitney! What a beautifully put together wedding. I love all of the special moments you captured.

(07.31.09 @ 04:03 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {lyndsey and erik} santa barbara four seasons biltmore . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/74

{lyndsey and erik} sneak peek

:: 07.26.09

Then Comes Marriage

I shot an absolutely beautiful wedding yesterday and I can't wait to share the full blog post very, very soon!

But for now, just a little teaser :) As my inner North Carolinian would say, I pretty much went "hog wild" shooting details yesterday!!

Happy Sunday!

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Ariel Yve says:

Wow! You sure are quick! Killer shot! I can't wait to see more, and I can't wait to work with you again!

(07.26.09 @ 08:42 AM)

Lydia says:

Beautiful! Can't wait to see the rest of the pictures!

(07.26.09 @ 11:11 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {lyndsey and erik} sneak peek . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/73

one year anniversary trip!

:: 07.24.09

Whitney Lately

I've been meaning to blog this for who knows how long, but better late than never, right? :)

Mike and I had such an awesome anniversary. We weren't even sure if we'd be able to take a trip, but everything worked out just right and we decided to check out San Francisco, Sonoma, Napa and some little towns along the way. One thing for certain was that we wanted to take Bear, because let's face it, I have separation anxiety when I leave that dog...I feel sorry for the few people who have watched him for us...I leave ALL my phone numbers (too many to count), emails, special notes of instruction and then Mike has to spend approximately 15 minutes pulling me away from Bear. In the end, I'm glad we took him because we probably wouldn't have made the trip without him, plus he had tons of fun roaming about SF (we took portraits of him by the Golden Gate bridge), he trotted the streets of Sausalito, stole pizza from us in Monterey, chased deer in Point Reyes and then he ever-so-calmly chilled out when we checked out a gazillion wineries.

OK, enough about Bear! :) We took 101 North for awhile and then jumped on Hwy 1. But first, we stopped in Santa Maria...as we're exiting 101, there is a giant shopping center to your left....I start complaining, "Miiikkke, why are we already stopping?" He tells me he's picking up my anniversary gift. The only stores I could see from the highway were a Lexus dealership and a Petsmart...I told him if my gift was coming from Petsmart then he better just plan on buying himself a new car at the Lexus dealership because I was going to leave him in the dust! ;) Mike ended up buying us a new digital camera in Best Buy! Woohoo! Thanks Mike! :)

We stopped in Monterey for a bit and ate pizza on the beach...

After driving through Big Sur, we drove through tons of teeny, tiny, cute small towns and then I saw a sign for "Lighthouse 21 miles..." I said, "Let's go!!!" My only complaint about the Pacific Ocean is that it's too cold and there aren't pretty lighthouses like on the East Coast (OK, well that's 2 complaints, but who's counting???)

We drove out to Point Reyes and let me tell you, that little side trip was wayyy longer than 21 miles...almost ran out of gas!

Cows everywhere on the way to the lighthouse....LOVE them!

Once we left Point Reyes, we drove around for a loonnng time and we ended up on roads that we couldn't find on the map...but I found this cool boat on the side of the road!

One of our cute, dog friendly hotels in SF:

Ahh, wine country!

One of the many fun gifts I brought home:

We had such a great time and I can't wait to go again one day :)

Happy Friday!

(5) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Katie says:

I love these! Looks like you had a great trip!

(07.24.09 @ 11:53 AM)

Dottie says:

great photos!! enjoyed it all! what fun!!

(07.25.09 @ 05:43 PM)

Deene Souza says:

Hey Whitney, Just wanted to let you know that I actually know all the people who own those cows that you mention on your trip. My husband is a cattle broker and he sells cows from those herds a lot. Each one of those dairies sold the land the cows are on to the national park service. They rent the space back to the dairyman for $1 a year. Please pray for all those dairyman though. Times are VERY tough and their business are being sucked up by the lowest milk prices EVER and extremely high feed prices. This is all something near and dear to my heart. When I saw your post, I thought, "AAAHHHH, not only a great photographer, but I love her cause she loves cows enough to put them on her blog!" We are going up that way for our anniversary too so don't be surprised if you see the same light house and the same cows on my blog! Happy anniversary and DRINK MILK!!!! ;) Take care!

(07.26.09 @ 07:09 AM)

sara-anne says:

These are beautiful images...I wanna go!!! I "heart" all the water images...

(07.27.09 @ 10:59 AM)

Carol says:

Whit - These images are all so very beautiful. I have no doubt that you captured the beauty of each moment only through your professional photographer's eyes! Makes me feel like I was there too! So beautiful.......

(07.27.09 @ 03:31 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: one year anniversary trip! . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/72

{fourth edition} the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer

:: 07.23.09

Resource Room-Inspiration!

There are so many AMAZING bridal blogs out there that I could seriously do this everyday for 10 years straight and still not get to them all! Today I wanted to share Green Wedding Shoes. I've been scouring her blog as if I am still planning my wedding! SO many gorgeous details...brides, you must check it out!!!

For all my photog friends out there, unless you've been living under a rock, you've heard of Jasmine Star. Just in case you haven't, she has an interesting and uber helpful post on her blog today about how to get your weddings published with magazines. She conducted her interview with Inside Weddings Magazine, so be sure to check it out!

And here is a lovely shot of a beautiful pair of Christian Louboutin's from a wedding last weekend...don't drool on your keyboard! ;)

Happy Thursday!!

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Joel says:

What caught my eye is that nice MAX OS desktop. Now I know what you got running. On You got MAIL! =P

(07.23.09 @ 08:48 PM)

sara-anne says:

You have so much wonderful information on your blog...not to mention some beautiful pictures!!!

(07.24.09 @ 06:38 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {fourth edition} the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/71

boudoir albums

:: 07.22.09

Photography

I've recently shot a few boudoir sessions...these sessions are great for brides-to-be and even for anniversaries. Boudoir albums make an even better gift :) My boudoir albums are pretty simple...I have a few different color and fabric swatches you can choose from, but they're always 8x8 and have 20 pages. Let me know if you're interested!

(1) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Joel says:

New album collection, huh? I cant wait to see the contents. I think I am sure how the album maker is but that's a great choice for showing off your boudoir images. Thanks for sharing!

(07.23.09 @ 05:21 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: boudoir albums . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/70

the perfect saturday

:: 07.20.09

Whitney Lately

As I mentioned on Thursday, things have been pretty busy around here, but that's OK, because I like it :) And it's only getting crazier...next week I will be traveling for most of the month of August and into mid-September...woohoo!

This past weekend I was fortunate to second shoot with two lovely weddings at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu (full posts coming soon!)...the first affair was on Friday and the second wedding took place on Sunday. When I woke up Saturday morning, Mike asked me what I wanted to do and I said "RELAX!" We first headed up to Riverbench, one of our favorite wineries on the central coast and had lunch. Then we took a quickstop by Nordstrom's for a new pair of wedding shoes...I cannot tell you how hard it is to find cute and stylish, yet comfortable and not at all grandma-looking shoes to shoot weddings in! Afterwards we took Bear to the beach and then last but not least, Mike cooked a wonderful seafood dinner (yesss!) and I made homemade chocolate chip cookies....seriously, it was the perfect Saturday!!!

I love books...love, love, love them! And cookbooks are no exception...

On the bluffs...

Happy Monday!

(3) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Lisa Braithwaite says:

Sounds lovely! And your house wasn't too hot for baking?

(07.20.09 @ 03:08 PM)

Jessica Hanaumi says:

Looks so beautiful and peaceful!

(07.20.09 @ 10:45 PM)

Carol says:

What beautiful photographs.... The last one with the mountains in the background is absolutely fabulous! What a wonderful Saturday you had with Mike and Bear.

(07.21.09 @ 10:09 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: the perfect saturday . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/69

{third edition} the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer

:: 07.16.09

Resource Room-Inspiration!

Wow, what a busy week it's been....and it's only getting busier! And what a super busy weekend I have coming up...I am second shooting in a few different weddings this weekend, therefore I am pumped...I love meeting and working with new photographers! Also, my marathon training has started up again...I know, I'm so crazy, right? Like, why would anyone run a marathon again?!? I haven't officially decided if I will run the Santa Barbara International Marathon...I may just do the half-marathon because I'll be missing some of the training for traveling....but we'll see!! Since I have a few fun weddings coming up, some are my own, some I am second shooting with, I'll have lots of tasty images coming soon! :)

Speaking of tasty, this brings me to my Bride's resource/fun idea today...wine at your wedding. But not just any wine...numbered wine bottles for your tables. I saw this on the ever fabulous Wedding Chicks blog about a month ago and thought it was such a cool idea! It's a great idea to go along with your centerpieces and serve a dual, but fun purpose of providing beverages at your tables all the while numbering them! Here is the link and below is a quick snapshot of what it looks like. They provided templates for you to use...how cool is that?!?

Anddd now, for all my photog friends out there, I know I've mentioned it before, but if you're a portrait photographer, you should really check out NAPCP, which stands for National Association of Professional Child Photographers. NAPCP isn't just another forum or chat website, it's an association filled with articles, member discounts on all the latest and greatest items in the industry, and you are automatically enrolled in the parent page, so parents can find portrait photographers by state...pretty cool! Everyone I've met through NAPCP has been so friendly and it's nice to have friends/colleagues to share ideas with!

Happy Thursday!

(1) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Jessica Hanaumi says:

Oooh, good finds! I love the wine bottle idea! And I'm off to check out NAPCP right now....thanks!

(07.16.09 @ 03:08 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {third edition} the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/68

{anna and fred} Santa Ynez Wedding Photographer

:: 07.13.09

First Comes Love

Last week I did a really fun shoot on a private ranch in Santa Ynez....Fred lives on the ranch and is completely, 100% a real cowboy...like the kind that catches cobras and lets them loose in mice-infested barns (umm, seriously!!). When Anna suggested doing the shoot at the ranch, amongst the horses, I was all "Awesome!" I love when clients suggest locations for shoots because they always pick somewhere uber cool and meaningful to them :) Thanks Anna and I hope you had a FABulous time in Vegas!

Happy Monday!

(6) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Carol says:

What a very cute client and awesome photography!!! The light is fantastic!! I love all these very realistic photographs!! Lucky for her that her cowboy is around to catch the cobras!!!

(07.14.09 @ 09:27 AM)

Lisa Love says:

*~*What a beautiful location*~* I just love that buttery light you captured too!! =)

(07.14.09 @ 04:04 PM)

Lisa Love says:

*~*What a beautiful location*~* I just love that buttery light you captured too!! =)

(07.14.09 @ 04:04 PM)

Lisa Love says:

*~*What a beautiful location*~* I just love that buttery light you captured too!! =)

(07.14.09 @ 04:06 PM)

alice park says:

wow! amazing lighting whitney!! beautiful!

(07.14.09 @ 06:05 PM)

Irene Frankhouse says:

Good job on these. Great lighting!!

(07.19.09 @ 11:40 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {anna and fred} Santa Ynez Wedding Photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/67

{second edition} of the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer

:: 07. 9.09

Resource Room-Inspiration!

It's Thursday again, which is sooo fabulous because it's not only one more day til Friday, but it's also time for the Resource Room!!

What I have in store today for brides: Handmade Lovelies on Etsy. I can't remember how I stumbled upon Lauren's Etsy shop, but oh my goodness, I want to buy her entire store!!! I already have one of her cute feather headbands and I am considering purchasing a few more :) I'm mentioning this for brides because she has a super adorable bird cage veil headband for brides and you could totally mix and match the rest of her headbands to go with bridesmaids dresses...go check it out!

On the industry front, and this blog is truly a gem for any vendor in the industry: The Business of Being Creative. I'm not even going to try and explain what Sean writes, but if you're looking to be inspired and provoked then be sure to check his blog...he frequently writes about marketing, pricing and strategy...all very important items when you're running a business. Be sure to bookmark his blog!

And here is a 8 month old cutie from a session I did this morning...immediately after all my sessions I always back up images ASAP and I couldn't resist sharing one of these:

Happy Thursday!

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Carol says:

What a precious baby and such beautiful eyes!!!

(07.09.09 @ 08:12 PM)

David Cain says:

Hah! Excellent photo. Love the mother's expression in the background.

(07.10.09 @ 04:29 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {second edition} of the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/66

wedding chicks

:: 07. 6.09

Photography

I'm kinda picky, OK, I can be very picky sometimes. With everything from my hair ties to my sunscreen...it has to be just right.

Which is why Wedding Chicks is the only place where I am advertising right now. The girls over at Wedding Chicks have an awesome site, full of delicious images and fabulous ideas for brides everywhere. They have recently revamped their site and I'm loving it! Go on over and check it out:

I hope everyone had a spectacular 4th of July :) Check back tomorrow for a wedding post!

(0) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: wedding chicks . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/64

the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer

:: 07. 2.09

Resource Room-Inspiration!

I've been thinking, thinking things over, thinking that I should share more, thinking that I should give back a little bit more and thinking that I should think harder on what I can do in the industry...that's a lot of thinking!

Mike, my husband, is so helpful. So incredibly, overwhelmingly helpful...it almost makes me jealous. Umm, ok, let's face it, I am jealous, but let's solve one Whitney personal issue at a time :)

His thoughtfulness and helpfulness was one of the first characteristics that attracted me to him. I always strive to be more like him in that way. When I first started my business, I had no idea where to go. I didn't know a single thing about obtaining a business license and paying sales tax, much less just focusing on "getting business." Thanks to my helpful brother-in-law and oldest sister, they helped me secure my first professional camera so that I could start building my portfolio and gave me tons of advice on how to start and operate a business. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today.

Then, when Mike and I became engaged, I was stumped. I didn't know the first hand details of planning a wedding and my mom and sisters were there to help me along the way of all the little details (and big details) of planning a wedding.

So, this leads me to the Resource Room! In the name of giving back, each Thursday, I want to mention/list one business item to help photographers (or any entrepreneur) out and list one wedding resource for all my clients and in general, all brides out there. I decided to call this little blog segment the Resource Room because I want it to be like a chatroom...feel free to leave helpful comments and advice below to all my blog readers :)

For my inaugural Resource Room business item, I want to mention Sage Wedding Pros....I have a feeling I will be mentioning topics from Michelle's blog often, because let's face it, her blog rocks and I check it about 20 times a day waiting for that next mind-blowing piece of advice on how to run a better business! Today Michelle has a great post for all the Mamapreneurs and Papapreneurs out there (parents who run their own business): Check it out HERE!

For my wedding resource this week, I first want to mention Pretty Chicky. Shari over at Pretty Chicky is constantly posting gorgeous weddings from all over the country and giving credit to the designers, etc so that if you fall in love with a particular style dress, you'll know where to find it! It's a great blog to gain inspiration on wedding colors and themes, and also, to find out what the latest trend in weddings is this week :)

Since a post is just not a great post without a photograph, here is a dapper image of my sweet Bear from San Francisco a few weeks ago...

Be sure to check back, well, every day, but especially on Thursdays for the Resource Room! :)

(1) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

alice park says:

this is AWESOME!! i'm going to check back EVERY thursday! (and all of the days in between...) :)

(07.08.09 @ 10:16 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: the resource room : Charlotte wedding photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/62

{featured} on napcp :: charlotte wedding photographer

:: 07. 1.09

Featured

If you have a fantastic memory, you will recall that I announced NAPCP's huge launch back in March. I am now announcing that I have been featured on NAPCP (!)...click here to read my article about children's portraiture and the importance of keepsake albums. While you're there, be sure to check out all the other articles that were written...there is fantastic information on this site for parents and for photographers, too! Did I mention that NAPCP is my new favorite forum created by the incredibly talented Alice Park?? Photographers, go see what it's all about!!!

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Carol says:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR WHITNEY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU (WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2009). HOPE YOU HAVE A FABULOUS PICNIC BIRTHDAY DINNER ON THE BEACH!!!!

(07.01.09 @ 03:58 PM)

Tanya Alexis says:

Super Cool Whitney! Great Article :)

(07.02.09 @ 08:23 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {featured} on napcp :: charlotte wedding photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/61

life is like a box of chocolates....

:: 06.30.09

Whitney Lately

you never know what you're gonna get! I bet you haven't heard that in a long time :)

Today is Tuesday, which means it's a long time til the weekend, but also, it's CSA pickup day. What is a CSA you might ask? CSA stands for community-supported agriculture and you can read more about it here. After writing yesterday's post and mentioning how Mike and I have changed up what we eat, I wanted to share our CSA and why it's so awesome! When we first moved to SB we were so excited to find Fairview Gardens...they are right down the road from us and they have a really cute farm stand and about 12 acres of land...which is where 90% of our produce comes from. At the beginning of the year, we signed up for 45 weeks and once a week I go pick up our food. It's pretty awesome to have such fresh food, because literally, all our produce is picked from the fields about an hour before I go pick it up.

The fun thing about CSA's is that you truly never know what you're going to get that week. It all depends on weather and other factors that determine which crops are ready to be picked. At first, this imposed a problem because Mike and I would get a box full of random (yet delicious) assortments, such as a pumpkin and avocados and tons of other items that do not mix for your typical dinner. After a few weeks, we've figured out our little system and we now plan out menus for the most of the week...not only does this help us use every single thing from the CSA but it eliminates that pesky problem of "Hey, uh Whit, um what do you want to eat tonight?" "Hmm, Mike I don't know...I just don't know what I want..." Yeah, we've totally nipped that issue in the bud :)

Lately we've been getting tons of carrots, and I mean TONS of carrots...good thing we like carrots. Because I am OCD and uber-almost should be on medication-organized, I washed and peeled and trimmed all 38, yes 38, carrots this afternoon....my hard work looks so miniscule:

And here are a few other goodies from today:

And yes, that is a pumpkin on the left...also from the CSA. If you've never cooked an entire pumpkin before, do it, I dare you. It's like buying a used car without running the VIN number. Right before our drive across the country, Mike and I wanted to bring our own food, cause let's face it, fast food is just so overrated. Sooo, I cooked up a nice little turkey (and by little I mean 19lbs) and then I decided to harvest our little pumpkin as well. We ended up with enough pumpkin for pumpkin cookies, pumpkin cake, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin bars, pumpkin pie and pumpkin cheesecake. The rest we were never able to finish. All I can say is that our kitchen looked like a tornado had ripped through a bakery...hand mixers, stand mixers, bowls, utensils, food processors and flour EVERYWHERE. So just saying, take this as a warning if you decide to cook a pumpkin :)

Happy Tuesday!

(0) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: life is like a box of chocolates.... . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/60

the latest *this and that* and a sneak peek

:: 06.29.09

Photography , Whitney Lately

Happy Monday party people! The weekend just goes by way too fast, doesn't it?

A few things that created lots of excitement this past week:

Umm, it was warm! Yay! I'm still not happy about how cold it gets at night, but whatever, I'm compromising with the weather and as long as it's hot during the day, it can snow for all I care while I'm sleeping...well, actually, I hope it doesn't because that would be just too cold!

THE BURGER BUS! This has to be the coolest thing ever. You see, these aren't just regular cheeseburgers, they're 100% hormone free and grass fed beef and all the toppings and sides are locally grown. In the past year, Mike and I have changed our diets and what we eat dramatically after I've read a few books such as: Omnivore's Dilemma (by Michael Pollan); In Defense of Food (also by Michael Pollan...actually I've read most of his stuff, but these were my favorites); Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (by Barbara Kingsolver); most of Joel Salatin's books; Skinny Bitch and most recently; Food, Inc (a compilation of authors). While I personally think these books are amazing and have changed our life in a huge way over the last year, you may want to wait to read them until you're ready to make a new commitment to your eating habits :) But anyway, back to The Burger Bus...My friend Jennifer Bragg, a real estate expert in town, is always in the know about the latest and greatest in Santa Barbara and she informed me about the Burger Bus (this was during our Santa Barbara Female Entrepreneur meeting...I told y'all that you would miss out!). Anyway, Mike and I decided to try it out on Saturday and wow, all we can say is wow. We both got cheeseburgers with a side of fried pickles (a true delicacy if you ask me). The coolest thing about the Burger Bus is that it's mobile and each day is in a new place...how do you keep track of its whereabouts? Through Twitter, of course! So, if you're in Santa Barbara, you should definitely check it out!

A few images of the Burger Bus from my phone:

Now that I've rambled on about food for ten minutes, I'm really hungry, so I'm going to wrap this post up ASAP so I can go grab some lunch :)

And here's a sneak peek from a shoot last night that I did on a private ranch in Santa Ynez...soo gorgeous!!

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Shari @ Pretty Chicky says:

The location looks great just from that one photo- cant wait to see more!

(06.29.09 @ 01:03 PM)

Amy Hunsinger says:

wow! i love all of your recent posts!! your photos are so amazing and you have some truly lucky clients!!! happy anniversary to you and mike!

(06.29.09 @ 02:06 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: the latest *this and that* and a sneak peek . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/59

no, gas was $3.79 not $3.99...

:: 06.24.09

Photography , Whitney Lately

Wow, I've been really busy the past few weeks ;) However, regularly scheduled blogging will resume, starting today! I had a great trip to Charlotte a few weeks ago and then an awesome one year anniversary trip "up North" (I will be blogging about that soon!) and then my in-laws came for a visit-so I've been playing hostess for the week. This week is deemed "catch-up" week.

But first things first: I have two meetings tonight that I want to announce, in case anyone is interested in coming out:

1-Santa Barbara Female Entrepreneur Meetup at 5:30pm at Paradise Cafe. We're all lots of fun and you should totally come!

2-PUG (Pictage Users Group). This event is being hosted by the ever awesome photog Kacie Jean and this meeting starts at 6:30pm at Hotel Santa Barbara

I want to thank everyone who sent us a sweet anniversary card! It was so fun to come home from our trip and have TONS of mail. We feel so important :) You always hear that the first year is the hardest, but Mike and I did discuss this point and well, we had lots of fun and it ranked really low in terms of hard.

I mean, don't get me wrong, we did fight over random non-important, trivial issues such as how much gas costs up on the corner (we don't even buy gas there!) or if we're out of hot sauce or not. But we laughed a lot this year, took a few fun trips and even started a family (meaning the DOG!). I can't wait to see what the second year brings our way!

In other even more redundant news, we are getting a new dishwasher and I am so flipping excited. (See, this is how I know that I am getting old because I am excited over a kitchen appliance). As the youngest in the family, I can recount times seeing my mom or older sisters being excited about new kitchen appliances or a sofa and thinking "geez, they are so old, who cares about a new coffee maker?" Well, I guess that's me! But seriously, we have been hand washing our dishes since we got married (hmm, another one of the "silly fight" instigators) and hand washing dishes is sooo 1987! Therefore, Whitney=excited!

Some of our cute anniversary cards:

Happy Hump Day!

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Joel says:

those are some really beautiful cards! Congratulations on your wedding anniversary! Rachelle and I will be married 3 years this September. The first is one of the hardest and most challenging because of some serious adjustments have to be made by both "parties". But, LOVE and Faith trumps all and as long as both of you do not go to bed angry, its gonna ALL GOOD!

(06.24.09 @ 03:48 PM)

alice park says:

aWe! what sweet cards! happy 1st anniversary love bugs. the 2nd year only gets better!!

(06.24.09 @ 11:46 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: no, gas was $3.79 not $3.99... . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/58

portrait album, Santa Barbara Children's Photographer

:: 06.12.09

Photography

While I'm hanging out in San Francisco, check out the blogshow below. These are a few recent sample albums I've created and they're so cute!

Also, a quick announcement: my friend Chrystal Sturm is so awesome and has put together an event that I hope local photographers will take advantage of. It was originally scheduled for Mother's Day but due to the wildfires has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2009.

"Dear Photographer Friends (and friends of friends...),

I am excited to invite you to be part of a special Mother's Day Photography Event for mother's that live in the lower Eastside of Santa Barbara.

As a quick introduction to those of you that don't know me personally, my name is Chrystal Sturm. My family lives in the lower Eastside and we LOVE our neighborhood. It is one of friendly neighbors, front porch BBQ's, and peaceful Riviera views. It is also made up largely of lower income families..

We want to offer a one-day event for our Eastside Mommies to have (perhaps for the first time ever) professional portraits taken of their family! Photographers will only be asked to take the photographs (no editing, no uploading, no fuss required). And we ask that you to bring your own gear (camera and memory card). There will be tripods available and a full 'studio' set ups on site.

We are still fine tuning the details, but here is some of the information.

• Date : Saturday, June 13th

• Time: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm (6 hours)

• 2 Portrait Stations

• 2 Photographers / hour

• Requesting photographers commit to 1 - 2 hour time slots (we'll take whatever you can offer!)

• Goal is to offer 5-7 good shots/family (about 10 minutes)

• 12-16 families/hour

Specialty Color Services on E. Cota has generously offered a free 8x10 to each family photographed - to be picked up after the event. SO rad!

Staples has donated CDs and sleeves so that each family will be able to have digital copies of their photos.

Each photographer will have an assistant from Santa Barbara Arts Alliance Program which is a city-run non-profit organization that provides at-risk youth and young adults with training in the creative arts. They are all very talented and have a passion for art. I believe this could be a chance to change a life!

Like many of you, the family photographs that hang on my walls are some of my most treasured possessions. What a neat opportunity this is to share your talents and give back to the community!

If you are interested in being a part, please respond at chrystal.sturm@gmail.com. If your schedule does not allow you to be part of this event please consider forwarding this email to anyone who might be interested.

Other ways to contribute:

• Suggestions for additional ways to serve the community through this event

• Baked (or bought) snacks and bevies for the event staff and photographers would be welcome!

• Suggestions or introductions to other organizations that might want to partner in this event

• Come by to love on the kids and their families as they wait; make silly faces to get the kids to smile for the cameras; visit & get to know the SBAAP youth

• Help with the set-up/break-down

• Donate services and/or products for give-aways/door prizes/etc.

• Prayer for a successful event!

Thank you all for your consideration. I'm really looking forward to this and hope you all can be a part!! For questions or more info feel free to email me directly or call me at 805.252.5084."

Happy Friday!!

(0) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: portrait album, Santa Barbara Children's Photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/55

the soundtrack of life

:: 06.11.09

Whitney Lately

WARNING: this post is 100% completely and totally personal and even a tad bit sappy :)

So, have you ever been driving down the road and hear a song that reminds you of a great time in your life? Yesterday I was running errands like a mad woman before our anniversary trip this weekend to San Francisco, Napa and Sonoma (can I get a woohoo!?!) and I heard a song that I have not heard in years, no more like ages...."I'm gonna be (500 miles)," by The Proclaimers. Why, you may ask, is this particular (weird) song so memorable to me? Think back to, geez, maybe 1992 or 1993. My oldest sister, Beverly, had this navy blue Prelude---and it was a 5 speed. To this day I have never seen anyone shift gears so fast and change the radio station as fast as she could ;) Her hand was constantly on the radio buttons, impatiently waiting for the next great song. Hearing "I'm gonna be (500 miles)," reminds me of that time and how cool I felt to be riding along with my older sister. I can't even remember where we were going...probably running out to the grocery store for hamburger buns or maybe driving by the post office, but I still had the time of my life riding around with the windows down with Beverly listening to what was probably a one-hit wonder.

Being the youngest sooo has it's perks. But I think my favorite has been having two awesome sisters to look up to. I have realized over the years that most older siblings do not realize what an impact they have on their younger siblings---every thing you do is observed and copied and I'm so thankful that I have such classy role models.

After hearing The Proclaimers, I just had to listen to a certain song (and please don't ask me why I have Cher's greatest hits on CD and on my ipod...). There's this song that Cher sings (and it's so old!), but it's called "Just like Jesse James." Flash forward from my riding around days with Beverly to the late 90's---now I was riding around with Heidi, my middle sister. Heidi was in high school and I was in middle school and every once in awhile she would take me to school or pick me up and let me tell you, I thought I was the stuff. Heidi drove a white Ford Explorer and unfortunately for us (because I later drove this car) it didn't have a CD player...it just had a cassette player, which was lame but we so rocked it! Heidi is well known in our family for being a car singer--not just a hum along kind of gal, but "I'm going to belt this song out like I'm in concert" kind of singer. Heidi was always dramatic singing "Just like Jesse James," and sometimes I would beg her to rewind the cassette just so I could hear her sing it again. My friends were always jealous that my older sister would let me ride in the car with her (yeah, maybe mom made Heidi come get me but I told everyone that she thought I was cool, too :) )

Hearing these songs takes me back to two very different, but two very amazing times in my life. It makes me wonder what song will take me back to this point in my life. I am so incredibly blessed and downright fortunate to have two loving and caring sisters in my life and I'm so proud of them!!! I can't even tell you what a great mom Beverly is to my nephews and I know that Heidi will be just as amazing to their little girl :)

This is when I surprised my mom in March:

And from last week:

As I mentioned above, I'll be out of town for our ONE year anniversary trip :) I'll have email access and be returning phone calls next Tuesday! xoxo

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Heidi says:

I DO love to sing in the car...and I have Cher on CD too...I hope Baby G loves to sing as much as I do! :) Love you! Happy anniversary!

(06.11.09 @ 05:05 PM)

Beverly says:

Happy Anniversary! Oh how I remember those days of driving around in that Honda Prelude :) What a sweet post....we all love and miss you. Have an awesome time in wine country!!

(06.12.09 @ 05:38 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: the soundtrack of life . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/54

workshop guru

:: 06. 3.09

Photography

Yesterday I attended Jasmine Star's workshop down in Orange County and it was so AWESOME! :) When I told my {photographer} friends that I was going, they were all so jealous...sorry guys, I had to pounce on this opportunity!

I LOVE workshops...in fact, I've been to quite a few this year and I wanted to share about my favorites and why I would pay to attend them again! Photography workshops are like continuing education, except way more fun and social!!

I'll talk about Jasmine's workshop first, well because, it was yesterday! Jasmine went over branding (which is uber important not only to photographers, but any business owner) and recounted her steps to building her brand and business and style. And in true Whitney style, I was scribbling furiously the whole time so I wouldn't miss a thing, even when she joked about a clothing mishap, I was making mental notes: "pack change of clothes in the car." ;) Probably my favorite thing I learned about Jasmine is her commitment to family and creating ways that she can be flexible so as to have more time with loved ones. That may not seem like an important point to others, but I think we're all so busy and wrapped up in what we're doing (especially when you have own your own business) that we forget to take time for ourselves and family!

Another workshop that I recently attended was The Modern Portrait by Justine Ungaro and her mom, Diana. Justine and her mom are portrait artist guru's who create a.m.a.z.i.n.g images of kids and families and they teach you allll about their business techniques. I came away from their workshop so rejuvenated and with tons of ideas for my business---I think I took like 20 pages of notes and when I came home at night, I made Mike sit with me for TWO hours while I recounted all my notes :) The workshop that I went to was in LA where Justine's new studio is, but they also do workshops in other places, too!

Last, but not least, LEARNFEST! If you're a portrait photographer and you haven't been to the Learnfest workshop, then what are you waiting for!?!? Learnfest was so awesome because we got to learn from four fabulous photographers: Audrey Woulard, Lena Hyde, Tamara Lackey and Laura Novak. I could seriously go on and on about this workshop for, like, five days but the point I want to make is that you should seriously consider it if you're a portrait photographer! I made the most AWESOME friends at Learnfest and I am so thankful for that!

And because this is a photo blog, not a writing blog, check out these delicious little strawberries from our CSA:

Happy Hump Day!

(1) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Lydia says:

I know! I told Jasmine the workshop should really be at least two days long! Everyone was so awesome! I really wish I had gotten to really talk to you too!

(06.04.09 @ 10:15 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: workshop guru . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/51

{sneak peek} Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer

:: 06. 1.09

First Comes Love , Whitney Lately

Good grief I cannot believe it's June already....June 1 to be exact. Which means....my birthday is one month away! I'm reminding all my family and friends, so they have plenty of time to pick out a gift ;) (Mike, did you find my list on the counter this morning and in the bathroom and the one attached to your bicycle?!?).

Well, anyways, I have a super busy week before I fly to Charlotte for a few baby showers....BOTH my sisters are prego AT.THE.SAME.TIME! How fun is that?!? While I'm busy GTD (getting things done, people!) I'm posting this amazing sneak peek of a shoot from last night....all I can say about this session is WOW!

Anddd, tomorrow I'm attending the ever fabulous Jasmine Star Workshop down in OC, so I'll try to throw a post up before I leave at the crack of dawn to beat the LA traffic....BRING IT LOS ANGELES!!

Ok, so here's the delicious little sneak peek..this is all you get...yup, just one photo! So be sure to check back later for the rest! :)

Happy Monday!

(4) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Catie Ronquillo says:

You're going to have to tell me all about the J* workshop. Now I know 2 people going! Tell Lydia I said hi! :D

(06.01.09 @ 01:05 PM)

Amy Hunsinger says:

wow whitney! this shot is gorgeous and so is this couple. just beautiful! have fun at the workshop!!!

(06.01.09 @ 05:29 PM)

Jessica Hanaumi says:

Oooh, this is super gorgeous! Can't wait to hear about your workshop!

(06.02.09 @ 07:14 PM)

Kristin Railton says:

What beautiful models and I love the set up! You are awesome! Love ya girl!

(06.09.09 @ 01:55 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {sneak peek} Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/50

{Featured} Pretty Chicky

:: 05.29.09

Featured

I was excited to hear from Shari of Pretty Chicky posted Katie and Matt's wedding on her blog yesterday :) Go here to check out Shari's super cute blog! Thanks Shari!! :)

Happy Friday!!!

(1) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Katie says:

Hey! That's amazing! That's what we get for choosing such an awesome wedding photographer! :)

(05.29.09 @ 10:22 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {Featured} Pretty Chicky . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/49

that old hat

:: 05.28.09

Whitney Lately

So, yeah, I ran a marathon on Monday. And it was pretty cool! VERY, VERY HARD, but cool :) Running a marathon definitely isn't for the faint of heart as it's a mind game, or "mind over matter" as my dad used to say. Fortunately, I felt prepared and the first nine miles were a breeze. In my training runs, I always struggled around mile ten and twenty, until my second wind kicked in and it was the same during the race, but I had my running group to support me. It's such an exhilarating experience to run with others and help each other through the race. The crowd support was pretty awesome, too. I had taped my "Whit" across my shirt so people could yell out support and they did!!! It helps so much when you're starting to feel like "I can't make it," and "Oh, is that a Krispy Kreme over there? Maybe I need to refuel" and to hear people shouting your name and telling you how awesome you are :) I didn't check the course map before the race beforehand because I didn't want to see exactly how far we were running...I do better to just tell myself on a long run "Hey, we're just going for a run," and I am so glad I didn't because we ran ALL OVER Los Angeles and went through so many different neighborhoods. In retrospect, it was an awesome way to see the different towns/areas and I was very excited to find a Krispy Kreme because I didn't think they existed out here...but they do!!

This old hat I'm referring to has a long history...I've had it for about eleven years (yikes, I can't believe how old I'm getting!!!!). When I played softball, I wanted a hat to keep the sun out of my face and my loonnng hair our of the way. What better team to support than the Tarheels? :) It's been hilarious to Mike and I to move across the country and see the rivalry of college teams out here...but there's actually a huge Carolina support group in Santa Barbara....a lot of Alumni live here, so that's pretty sweet :)

As you can see, there are disgusting sweat marks all along the rim of the hat...I seriously think this hat has been worn in over 1,000 softball practices, summer volleyball camps, countless runs on a school track, numerous family beach trips...this hat has been to Bermuda, St. Martin and has taken a tour of Europe and tons of other places...but I love this hat. Since it's been through the wringer, it fits my gigantic head perfectly and when I started marathon training I gingerly pulled it out of my closet and warned it about the coming months...and yup, now it's been through a marathon! I know this sounds like a 70 year old man reminiscing about muscle cars, but seriously they just don't make hats like they used to. I've searched for years for a replacement, but I cannot find one that is exactly the same. A few weeks ago, when the Jesusita fire tormented Santa Barbara, Mike and I threw a few precious items in a bag in case the evacuation zone came to our neighborhood...one of the first things I grabbed was this old hat.

One of the fabulous things about running is all the fun gear to get to purchase. When training first started, I didn't care too much about what I was running in, but then my running mates started showing up in cute running skirts claiming it made running more fun...well, I didn't want to miss out!!!

Ahh, who doesn't love LuLuLemon?? I LOVE that Santa Barbara has a huge store, and Mike used to worry about this, but when he saw that they carry men's clothing, I think I may have converted him into a fan :)

I wore a running skirt during the marathon and got tons of complements on it...it helps to feel fashionable when running :)

Mike has a few shots on his point and shoot and once I get my hands on that, I'll have to blog more photos of me and my running group :)

Lastly, I just wanted to thank everyone for their emails, phone calls, facebook messages, text messages and tweets of support!! I couldn't have done it without everyone's help!!! Much love!!

(7) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Tim Halberg says:

Let's see some pics of you running!!!

btw, you're a rock star for running a freaking marathon! Love it!

(05.28.09 @ 05:56 PM)

Tim Halberg says:

Let's see some pics of you running!!!

btw, you're a rock star for running a freaking marathon! Love it!

(05.28.09 @ 05:57 PM)

Annemarie says:

YEAH!!! So proud of you!! And there is nothing better than an old hat. I have my first cap still, from 10th grade, back in 1991. I still believe that I started girls wearing baseball caps. HA!! It's almost 18 years old now - geesh, that really ages me!!

(05.28.09 @ 10:27 PM)

alice park says:

fashion + running? hell yea! nice to see our whitney hasn't changed.... =)

(05.29.09 @ 07:06 AM)

alice park says:

fashion + running? hell yea! nice to see our whitney hasn't changed.... =)

(05.29.09 @ 07:06 AM)

Katie says:

I am SO super impressed with you. Congrats on even having the courage to sign up and super congrats on finishing!

(05.29.09 @ 10:18 AM)

Amy Hunsinger says:

way to go girl!!!! you have inspired me. and.....i had NO idea about running skirts. i'm on a mission. hope your knee is better! so proud of you!!! xoxoxo

(06.01.09 @ 05:28 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: that old hat . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/48

two blog posts in one day!?!?

:: 05.22.09

Whitney Lately

I know what you're thinking...and no, I'm not on some sort of blog-stimulant drug, BUT I just had to blog about this: LOOK WHAT I GOT IN THE MAIL TODAY FROM CHARLOTTE!!! I get packages all the time addressed to "Whitney Elizabeth Photography, Inc," or "Ms. Elizabeth of Whitney Elizabeth Photography," but this time it was addressed to me!

It's a marathon good luck gift from my sisters, my brothers-in-law, my nephews and my unborn nieces--I dare anyone try to top a gift from the unborn!!! boo-yah!

THANKS HEIDI, JIM, BEV, BEN, JACKSON, BENJ, ADDISON AND BABY G!---LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!

(3) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Carol says:

Good Luck Whit!!! You Rock!!!!!

(05.24.09 @ 06:47 PM)

Joel says:

Nice shorts!

(05.27.09 @ 12:04 PM)

Joel says:

Those are some nice shorts! =P

(05.27.09 @ 12:22 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: two blog posts in one day!?!? . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/46

ready, set, go!

:: 05.22.09

Whitney Lately

Well, it's finally here....Monday is the BIG day...marathon day that is. While others will be celebrating Memorial Day and stuffing their faces with hot dogs, hamburgers, homemade pie and ice cream, I will be be running...running 26.2 miles in Los Angeles...for the glory of it! Wait, why am I doing this again? Oh, right, because I'm an overachiever and this was one of the items on my 101 things in 1001 days list (please don't even get me started on my lists...there's the "before 30 list", "the bucket list"...etc, etc). Actually, it was only a half-marathon on my list, but you see, there I go again trying to outdo myself on my list!!! I'm a bit nervous, but I'm also excited and I know that I'm prepared and I'm thrilled to be running with a lovely running group full of hilarious ladies who make me laugh the whole way...I'm pretty fortunate! But still, wish me luck! :)

Hopefully I'll be alive and well and posting after the marathon to let you all know how easy it is! ;-)

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and I hope most of you are spending time with your family this weekend and remembering why we have this holiday!

Enjoy these photos as I tried my hand with product photography ;)

(1) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

kelli jane says:

WOW--I bet you're going to do great...and kudos to you for taking on the challenge! Can't wait t hear how it goes! I'll shoot you an email next week about a few weddings :)

(05.22.09 @ 01:41 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: ready, set, go! . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/45

Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer, ABC Event

:: 05.21.09

Photography

Last night I had the pleasure of attending my first ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants) event...Ariel Yve of Ariel Yve Design invited me and it was so awesome to meet new vendors in the industry! The event was held at the Santa Barbara Zoo after hours, which was so cool because I've never been in a zoo after all the tourists have left....it was very peaceful and serene and we got to feed the giraffes!!! (I have to admit, I was pretty stoked about this--I love giraffes!). James Hickey was our speaker and we had a very informative talk on marketing...the next meeting is in July so I hope more people will come out!

The Santa Barbara Zoo is so pretty...

This one was a loner and didn't feel like socializing...

Ariel coordinated the whole event and it was beautiful! Rincon Catering provided the food (umm, delicious!) and they so kindly let us take some extra cookies and brownies home with us :) Mike was pretty excited about this since he apparently worked up an appetite chauffering me to the event and then walking around town with Bear...rumor has it that they wound up in front of the new Apple store on State Street...

Classic Party Rentals provided the linens and Music by Bonnie provided the background music!

Jan's flowers (805.496.3632) was on hand and she had some gorgeous centerpieces!!! Some of the other folks that attended: Caroline of Indulgence The Home Spa, Marc Bachrach - a hypnotherapist!, Matt Graumann of Matt Graumann Entertainment and Barbara Alessandra Photography

Thanks for the invite Ariel and it was such a pleasure to meet everyone else!!!

(3) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Marc Bachrach says:

it WAS a great meeting!
Thanks for taking some great photos and sharing them!
Welcome to California... North Carolina's loss is our gain!
See you on Facebook and LinkedIn!

(05.21.09 @ 02:19 PM)

Amy Hunsinger says:

wow whitney! looks like a great night! and the photos are awesome!!!! gorgeous color!

(05.21.09 @ 03:30 PM)

Julia says:

Love the zoo photos Whitney! And I too love giraffes!! You may have just inspired me.....a giraffe print nursery perhaps?!?!

(05.22.09 @ 01:04 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer, ABC Event . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/44

I've Been tagged!

:: 05.20.09

Whitney Lately

OK, so I was actually tagged months ago....and I'm just now getting around to it!!! HOW embarrassing! I'm sure Phil doesn't mind....! Phil and I are modern day internet friends...how cool is that? (I knew you'd be jealous!) Anyway, we chat it up on Twitter all the time and he tagged me waaayyyy back in October! Go check his blog out...he is an amazing photographer and he and his wife just a had an adorable little girl!! Congrats again! :)

4 things I did today:

1. edited half a shoot...yes, half a shoot...I keep getting interrupted by the phone!

2. ate a tuna sandwich...which is random because I usually don't eat tuna

3. took Bear on a really, really, really long walk so that he would collapse into a deep sleep when we got back so I could start editing

4. laundry...how boring!!

4 things on my to-do list:

1. well first off, I wish I only had 4 things on my to-do list!! Mine is about 4 pages long...! One thing is to plan our anniversary trip!!!

2. work on my newsletter

3. fully edit our honeymoon photos (I know, I know, it's been almost a year, but geez, I took about 10,000!!)

4. update my ipod since I'll be flying a lot this summer :)

4 of my guiltiest pleasures:

1. I'm going to have to copy Phil on this one and say Apple anything! If you're in Santa Barbara, then you know that the new Apple store just opened up and I am really, really, really excited....!

2. Chocolate...any time, any kind!

3. trashy, gossip magazines and I am really looking forward to flying home in a few weeks because I always buy about 10 magazines and read them on the plane :)

4. antiquing...since we've moved out here because there's oh, about 200 antique stores within a 20 mile radius of our home, it's been really hard to resist the calling...

4 random facts about me:

1. I DO NOT like coffee. In fact, I abhor it and was devastated when Mike decided to buy a French Press last week...you let me down Mike! just kidding ;)

2. My dad worked for USAirways for a really long time and I had never stepped foot on a plane until he started working somewhere else!

3. I LOVE hot weather...and I mean, hot! I miss the humidity of the South and frankly, it's just not warm enough in California for me!

4. I never watch TV...like ever. I have no idea who is on American Idol or DWTS (hey, check it out, I know the little abbreviation!) and I would just rather do something else with my time!!

So, as per the rules, I am now tagging four other photographers: I am tagging Amy (who just got a new blog!), Alice (who is so awesome because she started NAPCP), Sara (who just put up her new site and it rocks) and Kristin (she just went to Australia and can we say that I'm a little bit jealous!??!). You're it Ladies!!!!

And here's a cute little image of Bear after he woke me up this morning :)

Happy Hump day!!!!

(1) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Amy Hunsinger says:

oh this is funny. i stopped by to see what you are up to and see my name on your blog. ok, i'll get busy. and it won't take me till october. ;-) and bear looks like he is up to something in that photo! too cute!

(05.21.09 @ 03:49 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: I've Been tagged! . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/43

Presentation Camp LA

:: 05.18.09

Whitney Lately

I LOVE blogs...in fact, I think that I just may be addicted to checking blogs...I love news/media blogs, living a more green life blogs, finance blogs, photography blogs and I could go on and on all day long!! One of my favorites is Lisa's---she is a public speaking coach and is putting together a pretty cool "unconference" in LA next month!

Below are the details:

In the spirit of BarCamp, PresentationCampLA is a collaborative, user-organized professional conference, focused on helping you improve your presentation skills.

At PresentationCampLA, everyone participates in some manner: presenting, leading a discussion or showcasing a best practice, or sharing their experiences. Others help with logistics, securing sponsorships, organizing sessions, or settng up/cleaning up. This is a self organizing collaborative event that is designed be a fun, rewarding and a unique experience.

PresentationCampLA is a great opportunity for participants to learn from, teach to, and network with professionals involved in improving presentations in the Los Angeles area - and around the world!

Format: The idea of an unconference came together when people realized that the best times they were having at conferences were the times between sessions - where people with like interests could meet ad hoc. The spirit of BarCamp is to facilitate this type of interaction for an entire day. Rather than having scheduled speakers, everyone who is interested pitches sessions the morning of the event. Those sessions receiving the highest votes are put on the schedule and groups form for intense learning. Yeah - you think it won't work - but it does!

Based on participants' skill level and interest, we may set up separate tracks for: Fundamentals, Advanced Skills, Professional Speakers, Coaches.

Do you have a topic you'd like to speak on? Do you want to learn something new about public speaking? The emphasis is on short, interactive, hands-on workshops rather than lecture. We'd love to have you! And please spread the word!

More info: http://barcamp.org/PresentationCampLA

Register: http://presentationcampla.eventbrite.com/

To my SoCal friends, you should look into it---you may see me there!

And because blog posts are just SO much better with a photo, here is a sneak peek of a shoot from last night :)

Happy Monday!!! Hope everyone's week is off to FABulous start!

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Annemarie says:

Ooooh......love those doors. Please tell me where I've seen them before. I know they look familiar. :)

(05.19.09 @ 01:04 AM)

Annemarie says:

Ooooh......love those doors. Please tell me where I've seen them before. I know they look familiar. :)

(05.19.09 @ 01:04 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Presentation Camp LA . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/42

be there or be square

:: 05.15.09

Whitney Lately

WOOHOO, it's Friday!!! This is a teeny, tiny, itsy, bitsy blog post today because I'm in the midst of designing a million sample albums for a deadline, but I wanted to remind everyone to sign up for my NEWSLETTER to get the latest and greatest (and possible promotions!), so be there or be square :)

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!!!

This is the face of a "first born" dog that has his photo taken way too much!

(0) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: be there or be square . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/41

The Hunt

:: 05. 4.09

Whitney Lately

Have you ever been on a hunt? You know, for the perfect boots or the "OMGosh, I'm never taking these jeans off," jeans. Well, Mike and I have been on a hunt for quite awhile now. The hunt for the perfect Mexican restaurant. You could say that eating Mexican food qualifies as one of our major hobbies. There were times in college where we had it, not once, but TWICE a day. Can we say obsessed?? We've tried out a lot of Mexican restaurants here and while some are good and some are, eh, OK....we had yet to find the place. The place where we'll ditch all other plans to run to. Until...

We normally go to the 8:30am service at church (at the horror of some of our friends!), but yesterday we decided to sleep in and go to the night service. You see, we had a plan. We planned on eating dinner at home and then we planned on going to church and then we planned on going to bed early (yeah, what were we thinking?!), but our plans fell through. As we rushed out the door for church, I could hear my stomach growling...Mike could hear my stomach growling...in fact, I think our neighbor heard my stomach growling. Oh well, we said, we'll just wait til we get home and then cook. After the service, we both realized that we couldn't deny it any longer and we both professed that neither of us wanted to cook nor do the cleaning afterwards, so for the sanity of our marriage we better eat out!

We drove up and down Linden Avenue about FIVE times, trying to decide where we wanted to eat when.WE.SPOTTED.A.MEXICAN.RESTAURANT!!! Oh, the excitement! Needless to say, we tore through who knows how many baskets of chips and salsa...ohhh, but it was soooo worth it! We found our place...you know, as if we own it. You would think that Mike and I were food critics...we're not, but we do consider ourselves chip and salsa critics. Many restaurants in Charlotte have gotten the boot from us, even if they had great Carne Asada, because their chips just weren't up to par. The chips at Oaxaca's weren't too salty and the salsa wasn't too sugary...it was just right. In fact, I think I may go down to Oaxaca's right now....sorry Mike, maybe I'll have some left over for dinner ;)

A photo from my phone:

And here's a quick shot of something pretty awesome....it has to do with a photo shoot I did last week....check back soon to see what it's all about ;)

(0) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: The Hunt . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/37

The ShootQ Grant

:: 05. 1.09

Photography

Sometimes I feel like we don't see the big picture. Who is "we," exactly? I mean, us, or society, or maybe just those who have enough to get by but never acknowledge it and are always asking for more. We (you, me, us...) all get caught up in wanting this or that or being this person or that person, but we fail to help those less fortunate than us...and much worse, we fail to even recognize those less fortunate than us because we choose not to look. The ShootQ Grant is changing that mindset. ShootQ is holding their ShootQ grant again this year and the person who wins surely understands what it means to see the big picture. The ShootQ Grant is a $10,000 grant given to a photographer for a personal project that raises awareness on social, environmental or economical issues. Click here to learn more.

(0) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: The ShootQ Grant . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/36

If you want things done right...

:: 04.28.09

Anniversary , Whitney Lately

you've gotta do it yourself!!! Last night before I took off for LA, I pre-scheduled a blog post for this morning and for some reason it didn't work...oh well! Enjoy it now...it's like reading yesterday's newspaper ;)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As promised, below is a cute little slideshow of Abbey and Eric's shoot :) I'll be out of town all day Tuesday and Wednesday at a workshop in LA...woohoo! I'm all about learning (in a fun environment, that is!!!).

I'll be at Justine Ungaro's studio for the Modern Portrait Workshop! I'm so pumped!! Can't you tell with all my !!!!!

I'll be returning emails ASAP on Thursday morning :)

CLICK HERE FOR ABBEY AND ERIC'S SLIDESHOW---YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!!!!!!!!!!

In other random news, did Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt really get married?!? Oh, the drama of it all!

Happy Tuesday!

(3) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Sara says:

Beautiful Whitney! Fantastic slide show!!

(05.02.09 @ 09:21 AM)

Carol says:

This was a fabulous slideshow!!! I loved it!! Great job capturing Abbey and Eric's feelings for each other.....

(05.13.09 @ 05:21 PM)

Marc Bachrach, Stage Hypnotist / Hypnotherapist says:

Wow! Terrific slideshow! Your work is exceptional... and this whole blog is first-rate!
I like the WUFOO application.. want to know about your experience with it!

(05.21.09 @ 03:08 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: If you want things done right... . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/35

{Abbey and Eric} Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer

:: 04.27.09

Anniversary

A few months ago I got in touch with Abbey....she and her husband, Eric, found out they were being relocated to chilly North Dakota and she wanted some fun shots on the beach to remember her time in California. Abbey asked if they could bring their dog and I was "OMGosh, yes, I LOVE dogs!" :)

Abbey and Eric were such a pleasure to shoot...they, too, are newlyweds (this past June!) and were so much fun to be around....not to mention Eric had some pretty awesome shot ideas himself!!

We ended up doing our shoot at Heart Memorial Beach---gorgeous!!!! Overlooking the beach and pier is the famous Hearst Castle.

Check out how high Delilah can jump!!!

Look at this ridiculous sized beehive that was on the pier...there is some sort of bee problem going on and you can actually get in trouble for destroying the beehive...I kid you not, this sucker was over a foot in diameter...yikes!!!!

Abbey and Eric: thanks so much for letting me document your last days in California...I hope your new move goes fantastically and maybe, maayyybe it won't be toooo cold in North Dakota by the time you get there!!! :)

Check back tomorrow for a slideshow of Abbey and Eric :)

*You may have noticed that I categorized their shoot in "Anniversary" Well, that's because I have started offering anniversary shoots in some of my package...and, sometimes it's fun to get updated photos of yourself or do an impromptu photo shoot to document your anniversary and I'm always up for that ;)

Happy Monday!!!

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Joel Llacar says:

Nice work Whitney!! Great job!!

(04.27.09 @ 11:59 AM)

Catie Ronquillo says:

Whoa! That is a crazy beehive. Love the image right before the scary beehive!

(05.01.09 @ 11:51 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {Abbey and Eric} Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/34

this and that {condensed version}

:: 04.20.09

First Comes Love , Whitney Lately

How dare Monday show it's face again?! I thought we had this discussion last week? Geez...

Onto more exciting things:

IT'S 88 DEGREES HERE TODAY! Finally! I have been (im)patiently waiting for ages for this infamous Southern California warm weather I've been hearing about and it's finally here. Can you see me jumping up and down, because I am! I could go dance out in the street I'm so happy...I think I will...

Before I go out and get hit by car doing my sunshine dance, here is a sneak peek from a really cute engagement session yesterday! Enjoy! :)

(1) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Tim Halberg says:

see, now it's TOO hot!!!! I'm in my house in the couch with my shirt off doing emails in my shorts cause it's too darn hot (Santa Barbara isn't known for having air conditioners around...) :-( lol

(04.20.09 @ 05:34 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: this and that {condensed version} . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/32

My first road race!

:: 04.18.09

Whitney Lately

I'm blogging super quick to document my first road race! Woohoo! Now that I am officially training for a marathon, we are getting into our looonnnggg weekend runs of 18, 21 and 23 miles. Today was the Santa Barbara 10 Mile Chardonnay Run which seems so small compared to what I'll be doing in just over a month!

Here is a quick pic from Mike's phone of me picking up my race packet:

Anyways! We're off to start a busy weekend full of Vintner's Festivals, Church, Shoots and more....more posts to come later! :)

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Annemarie says:

Ahh....how exciting!! 10 miles seems like nothing to you!!! Lucky woman! Good luck!

(04.18.09 @ 01:11 PM)

kelli jane says:

Wow! You go girl!! I use to love to run but somehow I've managed to stop--you're inspiring me though!! you're so cute too...love this pic :)

(04.21.09 @ 10:59 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: My first road race! . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/31

The Great American Roadtrip

:: 04.17.09

Whitney Lately

I've been meaning to blog this, for like, ever...but ya know, stuff always gets in the way ;)

I actually planned on blogging this yesterday, but our internet was out! Can you believe that? So ridiculous...oh well, I guess it deserves a day off every now and then!

Mike and I have been wanting to drive across the country for a long time...ever since we met. Sometimes I would even call him after I got out of class and tell him to meet me near Fretwell and Friday building and we could just go....but noooo, someone always wanted to go to class (and it obviously was not me!).

I guess you could say our dream came true (or nervousness) around Christmas...it was the perfect time to drive and plus we didn't want to leave Bear alone in some cold kennel over Christmas...so without much planning we decided to drive ACROSS.THE.COUNTRY!

I was all gung-ho until 2 1/2 days before the trip and then I realized (stupidly, for the first time), "OMGosh, what if something happens?!?," "What if this," "What if that," began to consume my mind. Oh well, it was too late to turn around! In the back of my mind, I kept expecting something bad to happen, like a tire blowout, or one of us would get really sick, or we would get robbed!! (nooo, please don't take the Christmas presents!) By the way, that last fear is completely feasible...I had a friend in college who was robbed in Kansas on her way to California!

Fortunately, fortunately, fortunately our 1991 (yes, that's right, they had cars back then!) Jeep Cherokee made it! WOOHOO! (that Jeep seriously has to be the bargain of the century!) and we ended up having a fabulous Christmas with our families and had THE best time driving across the country...such a good time in fact, that we're already talking about doing it again...I highly recommend it ;)

A real, live ghost town in New Mexico!

so creeepy! (anddd with "Beware of Rattlesnake" sign EVERYWHERE...yikes!)

We decided to leave Bear in the car...probably a good choice....

C'mon, I have to pay a tribute to the Jeep for lugging 2 people, their suitcases, a dog, a whole turkey (dead, roasted and on ice) across the country for 2 weeks!

Bear enjoyed checking out the sights (and smells)

Fortunately for us, we missed the 8 foot snowfall in Flagstaff! :)

Bear's first snow! (he was not a fan)

GQ dog:

Umm yeah, we were loaded down!

Pictures do not do it justice!

Absolutely gorgeous!

This is what I picture when I think of West Texas...

Cadillac Graveyard!!!

Yeah, we spray painted our names on one :)

Finally made it to Memphis!! Long live Elvis :)

Check out the guitar shaped pool!

Whew, that was a long post! Check back Monday for a super cute session :)

(1) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Kara May says:

Oh wow, those old cars sticking out of the land are freakin cool!! Very fun images. I guess I better visit the Grand Canyon since I'm living in AZ now ;-)

(04.22.09 @ 08:43 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: The Great American Roadtrip . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/30

this and that

:: 04.13.09

Whitney Lately

Today's segment of This and That consists of random (and completely, totally redundant) daily news and maybe a fun picture (OK, I'm going to blow the secret, there is a fun picture at the bottom of this post...)

Does anyone out there actually like Monday?? I've been thinking about it this morning and I always hear (or read on Twitter, etc, etc): "Ugh, it's Monday," or "My weekend was too short...and now it's Monday :(..." I am thinking we should just do away with Monday all together and start the week off with Tuesday....Tuesday is a nice day, right? It's one more day closer to Friday :)

I have always been a big fan of Craigslist, but as of this past week it has officially freaked me out....I have decided to leave Craigslist and start a relationship with Etsy....so far, I am completely, 100% addicted to Etsy and I am considering joining a group (if you have not been to Etsy.com, please people go see what you're missing!) It's like a giant TJ Maxx, but way more awesome-er!

Today, I am officially announcing that I am training for a marathon.There.I said it.I blogged it.Everyone knows.Now I have to do it because I put it on my blog.Crap.What did I go and do that for?Now I really have to do it!!I wonder how I can I get out of it?!?

....But in all seriousness, I joined a running group a few months ago ANDDD, I am having the best time! I've been toying around with signing up for the LA marathon in May and da da da dummmm, I signed up yesterday...eeeek! Cheerful comments and encouragement are always welcome!

Lastly, Mike and I have started a garden and it's so cute...hopefully our plants won't die and we'll be rewarded with copious amounts of delicious, healthy and local veggies (and a little bit of fruit), but if anyone wants to leave gardening tips below, I might send you a beautiful, giant, heirloom tomato :)

In other more related news, check out this smokin' couple! They will be gracing my blog in a few days with a full fledged post :)

Happy Monday!

(3) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Mara (Wedding Cabaret) says:

LOVE this Shot!!

(04.13.09 @ 03:03 PM)

Abbey Ehn says:

I love it! I hope all of the pictures are this cute!!! Can't wait to see!!!

(04.13.09 @ 03:41 PM)

Annemarie says:

A marathon!!!?!? That's awesome!!!

(04.18.09 @ 11:22 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: this and that . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/28

Happy Easter!

:: 04.12.09

Whitney Lately

Just dropping a quick note to the blog before we head off for the day's festivities: I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter! :) Mike and I are off to church, then a competitive Easter egg hunt (I'm sooo going to win!) and then dinner later on tonight :)

Happy Easter!

(1) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

kelli jane says:

Happy Easter to you too...your day sounds just like ours!!

(04.12.09 @ 10:39 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Happy Easter! . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/27

on my mind {again}

:: 04. 8.09

Photography , Whitney Lately

When I went to Charlotte to visit family a few weeks ago, I also went to an awesome photographers meet-up. We all know each other through the bschool, an online community for photographers. It was so great getting to meet Heather, Aaron, Stephen, and Rolf to exchange ideas and network.

Fast forward to last week: Stephen, one of my new charlotte photographer friends, lets me know that he'll be in LA and SB for the week shooting a wedding and wants to get together (and we ate at this really good breakfast joint near the beach). We had an enlightening talk about the industry and I got to meet his super nice mom :) Towards the end of our conversation, we both discovered that we admire what the other one is doing, yet we fail see how much we are accomplishing ourselves. We talked about the tests and trials of owning your own business and I mentioned a famous quote that my Dad has told me my entire life: "Rome wasn't built in a day."

I have been known to be a little (ok, ok, very) impatient with things in life. Whether it was playing softball or studying for trig in high school, Dad would always tell me "Well, Whit, Rome wasn't built in a day," to remind me that everything worth having and working for in life takes time and if you can complete it in a day, then it's probably not that great in the first place. I used to get so frustrated about softball, wanting to go from a regular left fielder to a superstar the next day and hearing that quote always reminded me to be thankful for how I've progressed, but to continue to work hard for what I want.

I told Stephen this is how running a business is. You can project how you want your business to be in 5, 10 or 15 years and yet, sometimes it can be so frustrating to know what to do next or how to get there with all the obstacles in the way. Chanting that often said quote in my head helps me realize how far I've come and how exciting it is to be where I am today (and it remind me of my Dad :) )

Stephen, i hope your wedding was absolutely fabulous in LA and I can't wait for you to blog about it!!

Here's a sneak peek of Katie and Matt...I'll be blogging their wedding soon :)

Happy Hump Day!

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Catie Ronquillo says:

Great thoughts. I totally know what you mean! Things aren't a magic spell (thought it would be nice if it was!!)

(04.08.09 @ 11:18 PM)

Amy Hunsinger says:

awesome blog post whitney! your dad is so right on. and i am so like you......just want to be there. (wherever that may be.) and you girlie are totally taking off and doing huge things! if you don't see it, let this be a reminder!!! love ya!

(04.12.09 @ 05:48 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: on my mind {again} . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/26

Aww shucks!

:: 04. 3.09

Featured , Photography

A little birdie informed me yesterday that I have recently appeared in the Elizabeth Anne Designs Library....I am so honored! Elizabeth Anne Designs is a fantastic resource for all brides out there...The creators, Ami and Rebekah have put together a wonderful blog with planning tips for brides and they also created the EAD Library, which consists of vendors for all your wedding day planning needs. So, go on over to Elizabeth Anne Designs and check it out! And thank you ladies for including me in your awesome website, I am blushing :)

I've had a few people email me and ask me what I look like...who, me? I have full intentions of posting a photo of myself in the 'about me' section, but I've been procrastinating on getting headshots...this will be taken care of shortly (just like my California license should've of been...yeah, honey, I'll take care of it this week...riiiiight). So here are a few recent photos of myself and Mike (since posts are always better with photos...I mean, this is a photoblog, right?!)

Happy Friday!

This was taken on the day that we went to get our marriage license...awwww :)

And here we have another random, sitting in the car photo...

(3) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Chelsea Elizabeth says:

Congrats on Elizabeth Anne Designs!!!! that's great news!!!! Can't wait for lunch next week :)

(04.03.09 @ 12:12 PM)

Amy Hunsinger says:

Congratulations girl! I am off to go check it out!!!! You and Mike are gorgeous! I love to see you in pics. You photograph so beautifully! Can't wait to see some head shots!!!!

(04.05.09 @ 06:24 AM)

Annemarie says:

Hi!! I'm so glad you commented on my blog....it's wonderful to "meet" you!! And I have been dying to have go downtown around SB and take pictures.....but I need a person to put in all the neat spots I've seen!! If you're up for it...I'd love to take some pics of you! Not even for any reason, even if you already have your headshots lined up, just for fun!! Let me know!! :)

(04.07.09 @ 06:18 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Aww shucks! . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/24

What a cutie... Santa Barbara Children's Photographer

:: 04. 2.09

Photography

Check out this adorable one year that I shot (with a camera, people!) the other day...more to come later :)

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Amy Hunsinger says:

these are beautiful whitney! love how sweet and simple they are. love the blue too!!!!

(04.02.09 @ 03:20 PM)

Last Forty Percent says:

Very sweet!
- Brianna

(04.09.09 @ 01:28 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: What a cutie... Santa Barbara Children's Photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/23

April Fools Day...

:: 04. 1.09

Whitney Lately

you would think what I am getting ready to blog about is an April Fool's Day joke, but I promise it's not! A few weeks ago, Mike and I took a trip up scenic Hwy 1 and drove towards Hearst Castle. On the way back we stopped looked at a few (and when I say a few, I mean 200!) elephant seals and Bear tried to attack some of them...umm, anyway, and then we saw zebras! ON.THE.SIDE.OF.THE.HIGHWAY! How hilarious is that?!? It's always an adventure with Mike :)

Tons of cars came to a screeching halt on the side of the road, passengers jumped out and started taking pictures and video, so we decided to act like tourists too. I know, I know I said I was going to blog a few engagement slideshows, but I couldn't help blogging this on April Fools! Happy April Fool's day :)

and now for the stinky, but cute elephant seals...

don't ask...

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Catie Ronquillo says:

That last photo: CLASSIC! lol. That's way cool to see Zebras just chilling on the side of the highway. Now i'll have to get myself down to Hearst Castle before I move!

(04.01.09 @ 04:47 PM)

Annemarie says:

Oh my goodness....you were there just a few short days after we were there!! So funny! http://blog.allthingsannemarie.com/2009/02/few-things-on-california-coast.html

(04.07.09 @ 06:20 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: April Fools Day... . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/21

Happy Birthday, Bear!

:: 03.31.09

Whitney Lately

Today is a happy day in our household...it's Bear's birthday! Because Bear is adopted, we are not quite sure about his exact birth date, so we guesstimated, or more like dedicated all of March to Bear!

When I first moved to Santa Barbara, I was devastated that I couldn't bring my dog, Lucy...she too, is a black labrador retriever, and a feisty one at that! Lucy is going on 10 years this June and it would've been a really long move for her. Soon after arriving, I started scouring all the local pet adoption agencies, but there were no black labs to be found. It became a time consuming search, all I could think of was that I wanted and needed a furry companion for our new California digs and then one day while driving around, I saw a sign for DAWG. I quickly googled them and found that they are a no kill shelter and they just happened to have a black lab waiting to be adopted!!!

Bear is simply the sweetest thing ever and I am so happy we found each other :) I do miss Lucy and I still love her, but I don't let on that I have found another lab out here...she would be upset with me.

We kicked off Bear's birthday week on Sunday with a few homecooked meals: eggs for breakfast and steak with rice for dinner (or more like we ran out of dog food on Sunday and Island Seed and Feed was closed...shh, don't tell Bear!)

Bear is 7 years old this month and is looking quite distinguished and handsome...he is quite the ladies man around the neighborhood!

and I just have to give a shout-out to Lucy, who will always be my number one girl

Check back tomorrow for some slideshows :)

(0) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Happy Birthday, Bear! . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/20

Connections here, there and everywhere

:: 03.30.09

Whitney Lately

Moving to a new town is always a difficult task and moving clear across the country, is well, and even bigger, more difficult task. You realize that you took for granted all those connections you had and you realize that you are alone. ALONE! But, taking the positive side of things, I decided that I wasn't alone and that I would find people to meet, even if I had to make them! (just kidding ;) ) But seriously, it is a daunting task...I mean, just where are you supposed to meet people? No one wants to be a creep down at the grocery store, "Oh, by the way, I like asparagus too..."

Fortunately, for me, I have found a few different social networking groups in town and it's so nice to be apart of something again! My favorite is Santa Barbara Female Entrepreneurs that Jennifer Bragg, an area real estate expert put together. I was so thrilled when I met Jennifer and she invited me to their very first meet up a few months ago. Since then, I have began to make connections in town and I have met some very nice and very smart ladies:

As mentioned previously, Jennifer Bragg of Estates of Santa Barbara

Kelly Mitchell, also of Estates of Santa Barbara

these real estate gurus can get you hooked up with some very posh residences in the area ;)

Lisa Braithwaite of Speak Schmeak

afraid of public speaking? don't know how to confront your weird roommate? check out Lisa's blog for tips...she also landed on this years 101 Women Bloggers to Watch For 2009!!

Valerie Burns, an Image and Design Consultant

Valerie has a talent for interior decorating as well as style and wardrobe makeovers

Kathleen King of Surfeit of Passion

Kathleen is an amazing artist and is actually in Colorado right now creating a mural for the Olympics Training Center!

Leslie Lewis Sigler of Fine Art and Design

Leslie actually designed some fantastic postcards and brochures for some of the ladies at our event and they look so awesome!

Kristin Fraser Cotte of The Grapeseed Company

Be sure to check out Kristin's website...full of amazing grape seed products :)

Michelle Strashoon of HipCompass

Editor-in-chief of a fantastic new resource for all travelers out there

Molly Hahn of Mollycules

Molly is a comic book illustrator and creator and she does web design!

If there are any female entrepreneurs in town reading my post, feel free to join us! We meet on the last Wednesday of each month and we have a facebook group...email me and I'll give you the details!

Being the moron that I am, I walked right out the door the other night and forgot my camera, so here is a quick pic of Air Bear at our neighborhood park :)

Happy Monday!

(0) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Connections here, there and everywhere . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/19

on my mind... {charlotte wedding photographer}

:: 03.23.09

Photography , Whitney Lately

Mike and I went to one of our new, favorite hangouts this past Saturday: Riverbench Winery. We succumbed to membership back in October...or more like threw our money at them and asked when the first shipment was. This is the only winery that we are members of...and I have been thinking it over as to why this is.

Track back to when we first moved to Santa Barbara: Mike and I decided to go check out some of Santa Barbara County's wineries. We drove up and down the winding path in the middle of nowhere, checking out the scenery and checking out all the tasting rooms. We were almost ready to head back, but I saw a sign for Riverbench and then checked my handy, dandy Foxen Canyon Road winery trail map and noticed that this particular winery wasn't listed. Being a curious person, I told Mike that we needed to go check it out. Riverbench is located towards the end of the wine trail and unfortunately, is not on the map. But just as most things in life, you have to look hard for the worthwhile :)

Fast forward 4-5 months later and we are hooked. We absolutely love going to Riverbench and not because we are wine thirsty, but because of how we are treated when we arrive. The girls behind the counter; Carlin, Jackie and others treat us (US!?) like celebrities when we walk in the door and being that hams (uh, I mean, grown-ups with a capital G) that we are...we bask in the glow of celebrity-ism! I've been rolling these thoughts over and over in my mind the past few days, because we were at Riverbench this past Saturday for their release of their limited edition Rose and I can't stop thinking about their stellar customer service and the experience of just being on their property.

As a business owner myself, this is something that I pay attention to and is important to me as well as my clients. I am always willing to spend more money and time on something if the customer service is above and beyond and my hope is that my brides feel the same way :)

Here a few photos of some of the wines we have sampled from them...I went to take a few shots and ended up having a full fledged photo shoot with the bottles...geez!

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend :)

(2) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Tim Halberg says:

love wine and wine tasting! we should go together sometime!!!! (with our spouses)

(03.24.09 @ 12:24 PM)

Chelsea Elizabeth says:

Ooohhh! I haven't been to RiverBench yet.. I'll have to check it out!

(03.26.09 @ 09:29 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: on my mind... {charlotte wedding photographer} . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/17

Hostess with the Most-est

:: 03.16.09

Photography , Whitney Lately

Well, I would like to think so....! :) Mike and I had some dear friends fly in the for the weekend and we have been busy trying to show them a good time. We have known Kari and Nahir for a few years now and they are definitely in the top ranks of folks that we miss from Charlotte! We took Kari and Nahir around Santa Barbara and checked out the shops on State Street and today, we all went to the beach. Let's just say that my pasty self hasn't seen the light of day since who knows when and I got a tad bit sunburned...OK, just a tad is an understatement....I look like a 5'7 giant lobster! Umm, can we say painful!? I am usually OCD about sunscreen (trying to keep the wrinkles at bay!), but I totally with a capital T forgot to put on sunscreen....ouch, ouch, ouch!

BUT, before Lobsterfest '09, we did a bunch of fun, touristy activities in LA and Hollywood and then wrapped up a great weekend by visiting a few wineries in Santa Barbara County! It was a hazy, semi-cloudy day in LA, but we still had a great time. We also visited Demetria Estate for the first time and this is, by far, my most favorite winery in SBC....it felt as if we were wine tasting in Bordeaux....Bonjour Mes Amis! :)

(1) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Dottie Barkman says:

hi Whit...love your pics, as usual. Sounds like a great visit ; tell N. & K. a big hello from us !!! love ya

(03.24.09 @ 01:52 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Hostess with the Most-est . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/15

I'm baaaccck! {charlotte wedding photographer}

:: 03.13.09

Photography , Whitney Lately

I had a wonderful visit with my family in Charlotte and yes, my mom was SUPER surprised :) It was so awesome to be able to see my parents and sisters and brothers-in-law and nephews and grandparents and friends and colleagues...all in one trip :) (whew, I'm exhausted just typing it out)

Jackson lost his VERY FIRST TOOTH! How exciting....so glad I was there to witness it! These are the little things I miss...

And Benjamin, hamming it up for me in front of the camera...he demanded that I take a few photos of him, which I was more than happy to :) I do have a few cute photos of my sisters, BUT I know that if I posted them, unfortunately, they probably wouldn't speak to me for the next week, but know that there are some cute photos of them as well!

On more work related news, I did a shoot while in Charlotte and got to meet a bunch of really awesome photographers...yay for networking! Any photogs checking the blog, be sure to let me know if you're in town or near LA because I would love to meet up!

Here is a sneak peek of a baby shoot that you will be seeing on my children's site/blog once it's finished, but for now, here is baby R....isn't she a cutie? She was so fantastically great in front of the camera and made my job soooo easy!

Hope everyone is having a great Friday the 13th!

(0) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: I'm baaaccck! {charlotte wedding photographer} . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/14

Flying South for the... {charlotte wedding photographer}

:: 03. 8.09

Whitney Lately

winter...Spring! I want to let clients and the world know that I will be out of the office Sunday through Thursday. I am flying home to Charlotte to surprise my mom :) By the time she reads this, I will already be there! Yay for surprises!

And, of course, I am super excited about seeing everyone else, including these two awesome guys....

I know, aren't they too cute??!? They're my nephews and no, you cannot have them! ;)

I will be reachable by phone and email, so you know what to do!

(1) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Catie Ronquillo says:

Awww cuteness! Reminds me of my little cousin! Have fun in Charlotte :)

(03.08.09 @ 12:51 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Flying South for the... {charlotte wedding photographer} . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/13

New Marketing Materials!!! {charlotte wedding photographer}

:: 03. 6.09

Photography

Along with our move to California came a rebranding process for Whitney Elizabeth Photography. After getting colors and my new logo sorted out, I needed someone to turn to for my business cards, letterheads, stationary, etc. At first, it was a bit daunting finding the right person to help me with this new journey, but after some soul (aka google) searching, I came across the perfect company and owner to help me through this process. Becky at Sugar Plum Invitations has been nothing short of amazing!!! After I initially contacted her, within 2 (TWO) days, she mailed me a kit with tons of her yummy letterpress examples...everything from business cards to wedding invitations. Her wedding invitations are so stunning, I turned to Mike and told him that we needed to renew our vows immediately. I absolutely love paper, you could say I have a fetish for sticky notes and stationary, and Becky's creations certainly fulfilled all my paper desires :) I almost attacked the UPS guy the other night when the box was delivered :)

Here is a sneak peek of my marketing materials...

If you are getting married anytime in the near future, or just love letterpress paper products, be sure to check out Becky's website and blog!! Happy Friday everyone!!!!

(1) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Catie Ronquillo says:

OOOOOH! you new marketing materials are soooo pretty! :) Awesome!

(03.06.09 @ 11:18 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: New Marketing Materials!!! {charlotte wedding photographer} . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/12

{mary and chris} Charlotte Wedding Photographer

:: 03. 4.09

Then Comes Marriage

I had the pleasure of shooting this wedding awhile back and it was a gorgeous day, not too hot and not too humid. Mary and Chris wanted a fun but intimate wedding where they could relax and talk to dear family and friends without being rushed...I think they succeeded! :)

(0) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: {mary and chris} Charlotte Wedding Photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/11

Go take a hike! {charlotte wedding photographer}

:: 03. 3.09

Whitney Lately

Remember how I said I love Mike's Friday's off? Well...I started to get worried when he wanted to go hiking. Hiking to Mike is like mountain climbing or something insane like that. I got especially worried when he wanted to go hiking on "Rattlesnake Trail." I mean, why would you just go looking for rattlesnakes? He assured me that the trail was named Rattlesnake Trail for some other reason (yeah, riiiight...I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but I'm not falling for that). So, at my bequest, we chose another trail. We started packing for our hike and I began to get worried..."what if we fall off a mountain?" "what if a snake jumps out of a tree and bites us?" OR "what if we don't have cell phone coverage?!?!" The last numbing thought freaked me out, but I soldiered through it and hey, guess what? I had a great time! We didn't see any snakes (that I know of) and I didn't fall off a mountain, as you can tell. I think I want to go again this week!

Of course, I took tons of photos...we saw all kinds of cool plants that I have no idea what the names are!

Look at the cute little barn down there...they had all kinds of crazy animals (like a hee-hawing donkey!) I didn't bring my zoom lens, because let's face it, that thing is a beast!

The hike master with our sweet dog, Bear

I love crooked trees!

See, I don't even know the name of this plant...I am botany illiterate (if that's even a real thing...?)

Bear made a friend!

Gorgeous sunlight!!

Thanks for stopping by y'all and check back tomorrow for a cute, little wedding post :)

(1) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Mike says:

See, and you thought you'd see a snake!? You gotta give me credit for o-so-quickly brushing that one off your back that slithered out of the tree....oh wait, you didn't even feel that or know it happened?? Umm..... Just kidding!!!

(03.03.09 @ 10:48 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Go take a hike! {charlotte wedding photographer} . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/10

Details, Details! Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer

:: 03. 2.09

Photography

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of being invited by Laura Sangas, of Cody Floral Design in Montecito, to capture a few shots for her. Laura puts together some amazing floral designs and I am so pleased that I was able to help her out! Go check out her website and see more of her great work! Thank you Laura! :)

Check out these beautiful shots below:

By the way, where in the world did February go?? I can't believe it's already March!!

(0) Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Share:
- Tweet
- Digg
- Technorati

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Details, Details! Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.whitneyelizabethphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/9

About Me

:: 01. 8.09

A little bit about me:

-I love my dog, Bear...you will probably get to know him very well from my blog posts

-My husband is my biggest supporter and fan I am super grateful for that!

-I actually like to cook...from scratch (who knew!?)

-I read...A LOT, about 3-5 books per week..feel free to email with new book suggestions :)

-I absolutely love to travel

-One day I want to travel the world in a sailboat

-Being outdoors is my favorite thing, ever.

-I cannot wait to meet you!

Whitney Elizabeth is a wedding and fine art portrait photographer-for more information regarding availability and pricing, please email her at whitney@whitneyelizabethphoto.com

Email Me

:: 01. 8.09

Whitney Elizabeth is locally based in the greater Charlotte, North Carolina metropolitan area and Santa Barbara County, California but travel is accepted and totally encouraged!!! Please contact Whitney for more information on availability and wedding collections :)

Results tagged “santa barbara wedding photographer” from Connecticut Wedding Photographer | New England Wedding Photographer | Whitney Elizabeth