NEW BLOG and Mexico Wedding!!!

**THIS BLOG HAS MOVED**CLICK HERE FOR NEW BLOG

I have been so excited to announce my new blog. I have been working feverishly with Andrew Childress at Shutterhive. He contacted me with some ideas after he saw me on the Jasmine Star/CreativeLIVE event and I told him I wasn't quite ready to create a new blog yet. About 1-2 weeks ago, I emailed Andrew and told him let's get things rolling. He started working on it right away and started the creating process.

Andrew as unbelievable to say the least. First off...I'm a bit picky (understatement). I'm honestly probably not a great graphic design client. I don't know how he put up with me constantly asking for things to be tweaked. He did a phenomenal job. He was able to take my vision and ideas and put them into the works in an incredibly timely manner. He helped me with all the things that I have no idea about, like CSS, and SEO and HTML code and jabberwockies and all those things that are seriously over my head. He made it possible for me to continue to work on Photography while he worked on my blog. My biggest fear before was that it would take me two months to create a new blog that I liked, and that my actual photography business would suffer because of it. Andrew let me focus on photography, and did all the things that would have taken me months to do (and I still wouldn't have got it all right).

So after countless emails, and chats, and screen shots, here we are. I hope you love my blog as much as I do. Have a look around. I've uploaded all of 2010's posts from my blogspot blog. Feel free to drop me a comment or message. I would love to hear from you!

As of now, this will be the LAST post on this blog (I'll still leave this old blog up), so without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to the new blog of Nate Perkes Photography (click here). (and MEXICO WEDDING)

**PS...As if you can't tell, I have been so SO happy with Andrew Childress. He is currently accepting web design on a first come first serve basis. You can contact him directly at andrew@shutterhive.com

Life Thru the Macro: Traditions...

The sweet man that married Nate and I gave us quite a wonderful list of marital advice; I wished that we could have written everything down. One thing in particular has stuck in my mind: he told us that now is the time for us to start writing our own "books"... with our own traditions, memories, mistakes, travels, friends, etc.

I thought that this was fantastic advice and Nate and I have had a blast making up our own traditions [pina coladas with Thanksgiving Dinner] and combining our favorite traditions from each of our families. One that has stuck, coming from Nate's side of the family, is to have what they call, the 'Jerusalem Dinner' Christmas Eve. Since Nate and I were in Mexico on Christmas Eve, we had our Jerusalem Dinner right when we got home. It consists of foods that we assume would have been eaten by those in the Middle East during Christ's life. Our favorite items include: Naan bread [or Pita], crackers with assorted cheeses [Havarti, Gouda, Goat], Humus, Olives, Tapinade, Dried Fruits, Figs, Dates, Nuts [Cashews, Pistachios, Almonds] and Grape Juice.

This is one of Nate's favorite meals of the year. It really helps us remember the meaning of Christmas. I LOVE traditions in general... they seem to help us define our family culture and bind us together in beliefs, customs and memories.

Dan+Tracy: New Hampshire Wedding

A few months ago, my Mom, Jen Perkes called and asked if I wanted to be her assistant and second shoot a wedding with her in New Hampshire. I had never shot backup before and thought this could be a really great opportunity. Be sure to check out Jen's post of Dan and Tracy's wedding on her blog, as well as her website.

Dan and Tracy are one of those couples that you immediately take a liking to. Individually and as a couple. As soon as I met them for the first time the morning of the wedding, I knew it was going to be a wonderful day and that Dan and Tracy are some amazing people.

Dan and Tracy got ready a few blocks apart, both of which were very close to the church.

After the beautiful ceremony, they took the 1955 Bentley to a nearby park for a few pictures before heading to the Wentworth in New Castle for the reception.

The music that night was some of the best I've ever heard at a wedding, and it really set the stage for a wonderful evening full of dancing.

Jen and I stole Tracy away from the reception for a few minutes for some shots along this beautiful staircase. I'm so happy Tracy let us steal her away for a second!

Many thanks to Jen Perkes for allowing me to come and be her assistant and also to Dan and Tracy, one of the happiest, most perfect for each other couples I've ever had the privilege of meeting.

Life Thru the Macro: Home Sweet Home...

As displayed above, Nate and I took this trip to Mexico FULL THROTTLE. Nate is shown in one of his classic photo 'poses' on the streets of Old Puerto Vallarta on one of our exploits of the city. It was vintage... it was classy... It was full of smells, sights, sounds ALL unique to this tiny corner of Mexico. We LOVED this little city. Both Nate and I are preparing to give a FULL accounting [both photographic and otherwise] of our holiday. So, stay tuned for more!

There is one thing to say about travelling, however: No matter where you have been or what you have experienced, coming home is oh, so SWEET.

Greetings from Guadalajara!

It's been an amazing last few days. Luisa and I are in Guadalajara for a wedding shoot which was yesterday and it was amazing! Everyone has been so unbelievably generous. Today we're just relaxing a little bit, and then taking the trip out to Puerto Vallarta which we're very excited about. The night we got in (we're staying in downtown, or El Centro) we took a walk around the city. It was so beautiful and fun and full of life. We ate at this little restaurant called La Chata that was incredible. We've had such an amazing time so far.

Yesterday, after breakfast, I told Luisa I wanted to test some light in front of this really cool church cathedral connected to our hotel.

I loved the light and texture so much that I brought Dorys back to this door in her wedding gown right before we left for the church. Can't wait to share the images!

Have a great Wednesday!

Life Thru the Macro: Viva Mexico y Feliz Navidad!!

As I speak, Nate and I are en route to spending our first Christmas together out of the country. It won't be the first time for either of us, but it is always strange to spend Christmas in a hot tropical paradise when we are both used to the WHITE of snow with carolers, hot apple cider and warm fleece pajamas. Instead we are trading all of that for the beach, sunshine, virgin pina coladas and the chance to shoot a gorgeous couple in love. Nate posted the engagement shoot of Dominic & Dorys a couple weeks ago, and it is for their wedding that we are heading to Guadalajara and then on to Puerto Vallarta. Normally, I am a very adept traveler but I'm a little nervous how this prego belly is going to affect my naps on the plane or our adventures when we get to our destination.

We will let you know!!

In the airport!

Brett+Julie: Seattle Engagement

The first time I met Julie, we met downtown with her sister to discuss wedding photography for Brett and Julie's wedding next July. She brought along a few photo books that she and Brett had made, which I loved! The first things I noticed about Julie and Brett were that they loved to travel as much as possible together, that they are very much in love, and they have these cat-like jumping abilities!

Brett and Julie flew me out to Seattle where they live, work, school and play to photograph their engagement session. I've never met anyone that loved where they live as much as they do. They know Seattle, they know the history, the little hole in the wall restaurants, the best little shops, the greatest parts of town, the best views, the beautiful parks; they KNOW and LOVE their city, which made it so fun for me. I got to learn so much about Seattle and they even took me up the "Sneedle" to get a gorgeous view of the city.

Brett and Julie picked all the locations, many of which you might recognize if you've ever been to Seattle. They did a phenomenal job, if I may say so myself.

Our last location that they picked had the most beautiful view of the city. Well done!

Brett and Julie, you were both absolutely amazing. Thank you thank you THANK YOU for one of the funnest engagement shoots I've ever had, and for treating me to the best tour of Seattle. Can't wait for July!