W.O.W! lots of things happening on this lovely wednesday! this week i was contacted by Aletha from Pearls Events, a well-known event consulting, coordinating and planning firm, about being a featured photographer on her blog known to have nationwide readership. needless to say, i was just ECSTATIC & completely honored that she chose to do a spotlight on me!
the collage she put together are images from Karen & Giancarlo's wedding! her blog is one to RSS feed for sure -- just take a moment to cruise around it & you will easily fall in love with her passion & love for what she does.
below is just a snapshot i took from her blog, however to better check out my interview CLICK HERE!!
unless i am shooting a wedding, every Sunday i go to church. this past sunday the entire service was about creating your "bucket list." now, some of you may have seen the movie, The Bucket List, & know what i am talking about. however for those who haven't, the bucket list is basically a list of things you want to do before you 'kick the bucket'. the movie is absolutely wonderful & currently out on DVD. i would highly recommend it... Jack Nicholson & Morgan Freeman are the main characters & do such a great job (as always).
however, my point of today's "wednesday's whimsy" is not to give a movie review. ever since Sunday, i haven't stopped thinking about how important it is to create your own bucket list. i create all sorts of lists for many things in my life & yet for some odd reason, this particular concept had not occurred to me! i know there are SOO many things that i want to do before i die, however i feel that there is something about actually writing them down that is... almost, in a way... scary, if i should dare say so?! maybe because by writing it down on paper, you are holding yourself accountable? but why not hold yourself accountable for the things you want to do in your lifetime?! maybe because you would consider yourself lucky if you accomplished half of the list?! but half is surely better than none, right? or maybe, for me, it's just because i am always so busy that i don't have the slightest clue when i would plausibly even begin to accomplish some of these things?!!! these were a few thoughts that whizzed through my mind...
...and with all these thoughts running through my head, i found that i had come to a point where i was facing what i call a "fear wall". fear walls are literally when i acknowledge that i am, for some reason or another, afraid of doing something. all the while, this also makes me realize that that means i need to break down my "fear wall" & do that of which i am afraid of -- make sense? i truly believe that change is good for the soul & challenging yourself only makes you stronger, better & more alive!
therefore.... i am happy to say that i have started my own bucket list! however, although some things come very naturally to me, i still feel like i am missing many, which brings me to a question for you :
on this beautiful Wednesday, i ask you one huge favor....would you be so kind to share at least one thing with me that you would like to do before you 'kick the bucket?!?'
i would not only SO greatly appreciate it, but i feel that it would be a beautiful, inspiring thing for everyone to share in on!
thank you!!! here is the start of my bucket list in no particular order :
1. witness something truly majestic (yes... i got that from the movie, but who wouldn't want to?!!!)
2. rescue at least three more animals
3. go back to Italy, perfect my Italian & learn how to make a cappuccino with a cute foamy heart design on top!
4. help a stranger in need (or two, or three, or four...)
5. have children (either my own, adoption or both)!
6. visit Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, the Great Wall in China, Nepal, Thailand, Israel, India, England, go back to Alaska....
7. have an art show or two
8. publish an inspirational photography book
9. spend at least two weeks with my family in Yugoslavia again
10. enjoy real, wonderful conversations with people daily
11. laugh until i cry
12. find the time to paint on the blank canvas in my room, barefoot, on a beautiful spring day
13. have a reunion with my close group of Italy friends (it has been over two years since our last)
14. do a marathon
15. give to the causes i believe in
16. donate time to a children's charity, a breast cancer charity, animal rescue...
17. take a road trip adventure back up to the U.P.
18. call a friend i haven't talked to in a really long time
19. spend more afternoons at farmer's markets 20. take more recent photos of my parents
21. continue to invest my heart, soul & passion into my business daily
22. drive through a rainforest
23. catch a BIG fish!
24. breathe in the air & watch the sun set at the Arno in Florence again
25. find that field of sunflowers
near the end of the movie, there are two profound questions that get asked:
"have you found joy in your life? has your life brought joy to others?"
i don't think it could be put more clearly. & with that, i leave you with just a little bit of food for thought. as readers of this blog, i hope you know HOW much joy you bring to my life with your comments, emails & incredible support. thank you. i only hope that every once in awhile i am doing the same in return to you & your day!
below is the video of John Mayer's song "Say" from the movie The Bucket List. if you haven't heard this song yet, i think you should take a moment out of your day just to sit back, relax & enjoy it. it is pretty darn awesome! happy, happy wednesday!
Danielle & Taso had the most beautiful wedding at the end of May! after getting to know Danielle & Taso from many great chats over yummy Caribou coffee & their super fun engagement session, i knew that their wedding day was going to be such a BLAST! and that it was indeed! their friends & family are just as amazing & loving as these newlyweds -- it was so incredible to witness & document. we first started off the day with Taso at his parent's home & then ventured onward to Danielle's. they had a gorgeous Greek ceremony filled with many wonderful traditions that took place at the Assumption Greek Church in St. Clair Shores. with a little bit of time, we made a quick pit stop at Blossom Heath for some fun outdoor photographs & then went onward to Barrister Gardens for some most AWESOME reception fun! they had a fantastic Greek band, Ellas, as well as dj Dan with Elite Entertainment -- this crowd danced until the very end of the night -- or early morning, should i say!?
there is also a slideshow with mannnny more images at the end of this post -- fyi!!!
Danielle & Taso --- !!!! i *heart* you both sooo much! i feel so lucky to have been able to share in & document these happy moments as you both start your life together. your love is contagious, pure & truly wonderful. every time i have been with you both, i leave feeling happy & alive. thank you for that -- may you always continue to light up each other as you do all those that surround you!!! & finally.... your super big sneak peek! i am very excited to share it with you, you have no idea!!! enjoy.
Taso getting ready with a little help from his father :
the stud, the groom, TASO!!!
isn't he handsome?!
a loving moment with his mother :
the guys... were SO great to work with!
& a ton of FUN :
meanwhile, Danielle...
was getting pampered by her Aunt (who also did her hair & make-up that day!) :
looking stunning as ALWAYS!
getting ready!
in Greek tradition, her shoes were brought to her (by Taso's brother, his groomsman cousin & his cousin who came all the way from Greece for the wedding!) :
Danielle looked absolutely radiant :
& so did the ladies!
who were also a lot of fun!
isn't her ring AWESOME?!
a great moment with her father :
Danielle & her Mom know how to have a good time :
i love everything about this photograph :
arriving at the church in grand style :
Danielle's Grandma :
Taso gets his first look at his bride!
he was just a bit happy!!
& together, their smiles were literally from ear to ear :
sealed with a most wonderful kiss!
introducing, Mr. & Mrs. Tingas!!!
the bridal party!
are they the cutest or what?!
love, love, love!
one of my top favorites from the day :
one absolutely striking pair!!!
i adore the way Taso looks at Danielle :
time for reception fun...
first up, some fancy details :
these two have a a great time no matter what they do!
an endearing moment with Taso's brother :
brother's doing what they do best -- having a gooooood ol' time!
i have no clue how E.T. ran off with their rings, however when i caught him, he surrendered & let me take this photograph before i took them back to the rightful owners:
'first dance' time!
another top fave from the day!
ready for some fantastic Greek dancing?!
tooooo.much.fun!
! just too cool :
there were some shots of this going around!
look what i found under the table?! just too cute :
we snuck out for a few late, late night romantic shots...
...which comes very natural to these two lovebirds!!!
CONGRATS again Danielle & Taso! Danielle, Corey & i had the best time with you & your beautiful friends & family!!!
*****CLICK HERE!!!* to view their slideshow & see more photographs from their special day. ****
ever since Sunday, i haven't stopped thinking about how important it is to create your own bucket list. i create all sorts of lists for many things in my life & yet for some odd reason, this particular concept had not occurred to me! i know there are SOO many things that i want to do before i die, however i feel that there is something about actually writing them down that is... almost, in a way... scary, if i should dare say so?! maybe because by writing it down on paper, you are holding yourself accountable? but why not hold yourself accountable for the things you want to do in your lifetime?! maybe because you would consider yourself lucky if you accomplished half of the list?! but half is surely better than none, right? or maybe, for me, it's just because i am always so busy that i don't have the slightest clue when i would plausibly even begin to accomplish some of these things?!!! these were a few thoughts that whizzed through my mind...
however, although some things come very naturally to me, i still feel like i am missing many, which brings me to a question for you :
