Priscilla Foster Hand-Made Books

I have been buying Priscilla's beautiful books for years! My clients LOVE them and she is easy to work with and is consistant about the quality of her books. She is FINALLY going to WPPI with Kristen from ARTZ and is going to start pushing her books. In one way I am really happy for her because I think her books are fantastic and people are going to love them. In another I won't be one of the few people who offer such a unique product at such an affordable price to my clients.

Here is her web site. You should ckech out her books if you haven't already done so!

http://www.priscillafoster.com/

Portraits in Portugal

Here are some of my favorite photos that Barbel and I took in Portugal of our new friends!

Fantastic Photography Wedding Workshop!

Over the years I have wanted to do workshops and have always talked myself out of them because I thought they were too much work. i love teaching the craft of photography and seeing what others see in a similar environment so I decided to do a workshop while I was in Portugal. Cindy contacted the photographers in Portugal and was able to organize a small group. (Thank goodness for the internet!)

Barbel was with me and helped out on the day of the shoot. Jasmine, one of the wedding coordinators that brought us over, was willing to be our model in her beautifully contemporary dress. I love the way she looks in her dress and the way each of the participants depicted her.

Here are some of the images that each of the participants took.
Artur:




Angelica's photos:



Pedro's photographs:




And then some of mine and Barbel's of the workshop in progress!





It was fun and invigorating to teach again. Over the years I have taught at photography at a high school, college and photography school, and at conventions. Each and every time I take the time to do it I realize how much I love the whole process.

Firestone/Raines Wedding on TheKnot.com

If you have a minute to take a peak at the photos from this wedding I think you might get some wonderful ideas. Stephanie and Russell got married in South Carolina with their closest friends and relatives with them.

The Knot decided to host the images online.....
http://weddings.theknot.com/ODB/themes/realweddings/view.aspx?type=1&id=39164

Real Simple Weddings

Real Simple Weddings just hit the stands a few days ago. This is the second year that Real Simple has put out a weddings publication and it is a great resource if you are planning a wedding. This year they featured a wedding that I photographed in Athens, Tennessee.

Mariah Mayfield and Alex Woods decided to get married in a tiny Civil War era church that was so small that Mariah's dad had to make a few more pews in order to fit as many people as possible. They also put some straw hay bails outside of the church so kids could peer through the window. After the ceremony they had their reception and dance at Mariah's family's home.

There are several things I loved about their wedding. First off they are a sweet couple and their families are warm and welcoming. I felt as though I was part of the wedding and not just someone doing my job. They also did a lot of the 'stuff' themselves. Michael, Mariah's brother grew all of the pumpkins and gourds which were used for decorations and also some squash that was served at dinner.

If you see a copy on the stands pick it up and enjoy! Here is a link to their web site.....

http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1700952,00.html

Portugal Wedding, Cindy's perspective

As many of you know Cindy has worked with me for years and I believe that my work is exponentially better because of the relationship we have. As any photographer will tell you there is a lot going on to make a beautiful photograph.

I think it all starts with a state of mind. When I photograph a wedding I approach each and every one with respect and with an open mind. I never attend a wedding with any preconceived notions, instead I am present and open to whatever happens in front of me. Once I capture and edit the photos Cindy takes her time and draws from years of experience refining each and every image and making them as beautiful as they can be. It is through this honest and open relationship that my work comes to fruition.

I also believe that every experience is about the details. Some people may be more conscious of it than others but all of the details create a feeling that emanates from the couple and filters down through the guest. Sandra and Jasmine from The Wedding Company, Tel. 221 468 2506, www.theweddingcompany.pt , have created Portugal's first wedding coordinating company and I think their clients are appreciating the work they do and the vision that they have to make ideas even better than their clients imagined.

The friendly face of the valet at the Four Seasons. When you are greeted by him the standards are starting to be set.

Liliana had the most sought after designer. The dress was stunning on Liliana! It complimented her figure and had just enough hand sewn touches to make her feel elegant but still natural. The dress designer is Alves/ Goncalves and the site is: http://www.alvesgoncalves.com/plug.htm

I LOVE the wall on the balcony in the suite where the wedding was held. A few days before I photographed the wedding I came upon a photographers web site that inspired me to see a bit more negative space when I am taking photos.

The flowers were lovely. Lilliana was my first bride to have three bouquets. One for each part of the celebration: ceremony, cocktails and reception. What an interesting idea! The flowers are from Flor, Mr Joao & Jose Carlos Piano: http://www.florflor.pt/

Lilliana's smile is so real in this photo.




And I love Antonio looking out over Lisbon. (I have to watch Casablanca again, it is one of my favorite movies!)



Look how beautiful the ceremony was and how much more lovely this photo is than the one I posted the day after.

And the beautiful photo of the two of them.




I was so moved by these dancers when I saw them the day before the wedding. They are so whimsical that I think it is impossible not to feel their playfulness.

I LOVE little Antonio in this photo.
These beautiful gifts for the women were filled with beautifully crafted medallions that emanated sweetness.

When guests moved to the reception they were greeted by this elegant staircase.

And the lighted dance floor was a big hit. i love the simplicity of the pattern and the contrast of the men's legs and shoes in the flowers.

I hope you enjoy the photos and that you have a clear idea of what it felt like to be a part of their wedding.

Lisbon, Portugal

I am still on my way home from Lisbon, Portugal. Portugal is a beautiful country that has some of the most gorgeous coastline that I have seen in a long time. (Hawaii is also amazingly lovely.)

PORTUGAL
One of the things that strikes me most is that EVERY sidewalk in Portugal is cobblestone. I mean every single one that I walked on. Some of them have intricate designs that are painful to walk on but lovely to admire.

Bärbel and I went to the hilltop town of Sintra. A town where royalty had spent their summers for centuries, it made me have flashbacks of Sense and Sensibility. Here is the exterior of Quinta da Regaleira which is surrounded by these endless moss covered walls.







Also, on the side of the walls of the castle was this spring that is so symmetrical and has some lovely patina on the walls.

As we drove up to the Castelo dos Mouros we were winding up the hillside and I noticed these walls that fascinated me.

Inside the Castelo it was so easy to be transported back to the times when it was occupied by the moors. On the inside of one of the towers I saw these steps and imagined fighters sitting watch with their bows and arrows protecting the people within the walls.

We walked around the exterior wall.



I love the rock couch and the little spot where the moss has been warded off by people resting on it.

Our amazing drive.


Surfers, the youngest one had to be around 6 years old having a great time in the water.


And some more photos down the coast.


There is so much to see in Portugal so I hope to get back sometime soon.

Leslie Lukas Event Planner, Guest Blogger

As a frequent reader of Nashan.com blog, I can’t tell you how amazing it has been to work with Melanie and her associates for the past, what, 10 years??? Melanie and I first met on location at a wedding just south of Big Timber. It was my first “big” wedding for a local family, and I was just getting my feet wet!

There was something so eloquent, raw, and lovely about Melanie, and we became fast friends in the wedding industry…watching each other develop and grow into fine business women and talented artists in their own right (cue tooting horn sound)!

I am anxious to work with Melanie in October at the Lazy B Farm. It will be a rustic and elegant event, and as I develop the design plan with the couple, I will keep you, the readers well informed of our selections. You may have seen the intimate engagement photos of the couple. Here are some of my favorites:
The couple lives in Spokane, WA, where Mark is a helicopter pilot, and Rebecca, a photographer…we met over wine, and the rest is history! We have a lot in common, so I am truly excited to help them plan their most intimate day in front of family and friends, and with Melanie there to document the day, it will be pure joy!



I look forward to guest blogging and keeping you up to speed on the latest trends in wedding floral and details! Happy Planning!

Leslie Lukas




Expert Event Planners . Exquisite Floral Design
Guest Blogger
http://www.leslielukas.com

Liliana, Antonio & Antonio start a new family in Lisbon

Yesterday was a beautiful day in Lisbon, Portugal. (A bit chilly but the lighting was great.) This was the first wedding that I have photographed in Portugal and I hope to be able to do more int he future. Liliana beautiful dress was perfect for her, I was able to meet with the designer and the woman who sewed the dress by hand. It really was lovely for Liliana.

The florist was also on site and when I heard that she had three different bouquets I was excited to photograph each of them. Each bouquet went with the color and flower theme of each part of the wedding. First the intimate ceremony, then cocktails and finally dinner and dancing.

Here is Liliana's favorite!

And the one for dinner...
and for cocktails....
This is perhaps my favorite photo of Liliana, it shows her personality and love for life.
This more conserved image is one of my favorites too because she looks so beautiful and I love the texture of the tiles and light.
After photographing her sister in this light I had to photograph her for just a couple of moments.
And then Antonio and the view of Lisbon!
I love his happiness and lightheartedness in this photo.

Little Antonio walking Liliana down the aisle. My only wish was that the aisle was longer so I could capture more moments.
This was my first Portuguese wedding and I really didn't know what to expect. The ceremony was brief and they sat for the majority of it.

I love the intimacy of this image with the candles in the background.

A quick photo of all of the family and friends that were at the ceremony.
And then some gorgeous portraits of the two of them. the Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons in Lisbon has an amazing collection of art. Here they are beside and with some.



They were so playful with all of the dancers! I LOVED THIS BRIEF TIME WITH THEM!!!!
The doorman welcoming guests as they arrived for cocktails.
There were specific gifts for the women and the men.

The beautiful settings.
And the staircase with the amazing mural behind it.


I will write more when I am awake and when I have all of the information of the various vendors. It was really lovely to experience a wedding in Portugal.

Barbel and I are off to explore Sintra and then do some more photos of Liliana and Antonio because they were running late yesterday and didn't get to do portraits in the daylight.
Bom Dia
(Good morning in Portuguese)

Wedding In Portugal

Barbel and I leave today to photograph Liliana and Antonio's wedding in Lisbon, Portugal. We are working with Sandra and Jasmine from the Wedding Company. Whenever someone hires me to shoot their wedding I am always flattered. When someone decides to hire me for a travel wedding I am even more flattered because it requires a bigger commitment both financially and logistically to get me to the location. We always try to make it as easy as possible for everyone involved and typically we take care of all of the logistics along with the wedding coordinators. This is the first time I am working with Sandra and Jasmine and I am looking forward to it. Here is their web address: http://www.theweddingcompany.pt/pages/intro.php

While I am in Portugal I will post some photos on the blog of our travels around the country and of the wedding. I can't wait to meet everyone!

Melanie