February newsletter

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Who knew I'd enjoy being second

When it comes to weddings I am usually alone. I attend them alone and I shoot them alone. Its not that I don't want the help or wouldn't like someone to sit with. I think I'm just used to doing most things...alone.

I got a call the other day from a fellow photographer, Kimberly Teichrow, to assist her at a wedding in Sunriver. Of course I wanted to go. I love weddings and I also wanted to be the second shooter and work along side this lady. I have only one other time in my life not been the main attraction when it came to weddings, at least as photographer. I loved it the first time and thought I'd try it again. All the pressure is off. No one is watching you, making sure you are catching EVERYTHING, and you actually get to shoot the things that interest you.

It was a hard adjustment to make, but working with Kimberly was fun and easy, and I think she genuinely liked the company. The couple was great, they had a sweet story of boy meets girl back in High School. Boy and girl move on, have lives and reconnect after many moons and other children. I love a good story about two people who were obviously always meant to be together.

I thought I'd show a few photos from the evening that I managed to get. I have never shot at The Great Hall in Sunriver, and this place is GORGEOUS!

It was fairly dark in there. I need to get a better lens for shooting in such low light, but my favorite little 50mm 1.8 did pretty good. I totally took advantage of the beautiful spotlights scattered throughout the Great Hall. Couldn't have done it without that, or at least they wouldn't have been so dramatic.

Confindence at any size {Boudoir}

One of my favorite things is photographing the "un-perfect" woman. This is most of us....

We always have something we don't like, something that makes us uncomfortable with ourselves. One of the most attractive things is when you can find someone who looks past the few extra pounds, the wrinkles, or the crooked nose and just totally rocks a photoshoot.

When I moved to Bend, one of my first friends here was an amazing gal named Amanda. When I met Amanda she was more than a few pounds heavier than she'd like to be, but the confidence that oozed from this girl has always amazed me. She is a great friend, and royal kick in the pants, and this girl...she is SEXY! One of my all time favorite photos thus far is one of Amanda at her largest. She just knows how to be herself no matter what. I was always so impressed with her attitude towards life and herself.

Amanda has since moved away, but fortunately for me she moved to Arizona, where I still manage to get too quite often. While I was there last week Amanda and I planned to get together for another photo shoot. The last time I saw Amanda she was getting ready to achieve one of her greatest goals. Amanda lost 100 lbs, and looks AMAZING! Her sparkle is still there, the attitude I loved is still there, and when you are around this girl, you can't help but laugh.

I had the great pleasure of working once again with this beauty.....I'm so proud of you girl. Keep it up, and I hope you get to your ultimate goal! Check these out! Sorry boys, she is taken. Amanda flew home to Bend on the same flight as the girls and I, so we had the pleasure of meeting her boyfriend. After a weekend of meeting the parents, this hottie, is now completely and utterly taken. She is engaged!

Who gets married in 48 hours! {weddings}

Every year the local radio station holds a contest, "Wedding on a Whim" The lucky chosen couple gets 48 hours to say their I do's. An entire wedding package is graciously donated including catering, flowers, venue, dress and tux rentals and photography...just to name a few. This is my second year donating my time to The Peak 104.1 for their fun Valentines contest.

The couples have been awesome to photograph and are always ready for whatever crazy thing I throw at them. This particular couple was a blast. We took photos on the roof of the Phoenix Inn in downtown Bend, took over the streets of Minnesota Ave and ran in into one of my favorite coffee shops for a quick window view opportunity.

Congratulations Gretchen and Ryan, may your lives be as fun as your wedding day!

Arizona in 8 minutes

Here's a sneak peak at our Arizona trip. One of Kaci's assignments for missing a week of school was to create a video of her experience. This is what we came up with...

Our Trip to Arizona from Tambi Alderin on Vimeo.

10 Things to learn before you fly {personal}

10 Things I learned this morning….

#1 Don’t over pack.

Even when you have packed efficiently and everything fits nicely in your carry on luggage when you leave the house, be prepared for the security guards to pull ALL of your clothing and camera out of said carry on bag, and remember....things will NEVER quite go back as neatly as before.

#2 Over feed children

When taking young flyers make sure they eat more than one meal before leaving. Even if the flight you are taking is before the lunch hour kids will think you are starving them when you do not purchase the over priced “snacks” on-board.

#3 Liquor for parents should be complimentary when flying with young children

If traveling with unseasoned flyers under the age of 13, complimentary drinks should be served to all accompanying adults. This will keep the adults relaxed even when the minor children are hitting each other on the plane.

#4 Homework on planes…no bueno

Do not ask your children to start their homework on a plane. This will cause unwanted bad behavior and 2 LONG hours of fighting.

#5 Sit in the middle seat

If you are traveling with two children, sit in the middle seat. This way you are able to reach either of them in a pinch…When seat belted in the child sitting at the window is just out of reach and will continue to taunt you because you are in public.

#6 Travel with wheeled luggage

The carry on you take should always have wheels. Since you will most likely end up with all of the baggage, it might be wise to invest in nice wheeled bags, or at least a great masseuse…your choice.

#7 Don’t drink too much coffee when flying.

The excitement of the trip may cause you to ingest more coffee than normal, especially when visiting with old friends who offer to drive you to the airport. Resist at any cost. This will cause you to be abnormally “edgy” and impatient when traveling with young children.

#8 Give you children a quick over view of why airlines have security.

This could keep them from stressing out when asked to remove shoes, or the thousand questions while standing in line, all the while very loudly yelling “I don’t have a gun….why is that guy going to search me!”

#9 Have a good attitude and stop stressing

The trip is going to be memorable no matter what. Sit back and relax. Give the kids the ipods, let them sing their hearts out and forget that you want to smack them for the talking back that has been going on for the past hour of the flight. They are tired and excited and as much as you want them to just behave and make your trip enjoyable….they just might not. This doesn’t mean you wont have fun, it just means you still might have to play Mom sometimes.

#10, If all of the above seem to hard to overcome….

leave anyone under the age of 15 at home, because traveling with children is an adventure all it’s own. At some point on the trip, you will still be glad you spent the extra money to bring them along…I’m still waiting for my moment.

Pocket Philanthropist

As a photographer I come across some very talented and passionate people. One of my favorite women in the industry is Me Ra Koh. She is also the same woman who offered the scholarship I entered, not too long ago. I am a regular subscriber to her blog, and this morning she sent out this.... Please take a few minutes to vote here.

Just take a few minutes to read her words and vote for this amazing idea. We need more people like Shawn and Nate in the world.

Drum Roll Please.......{contest}

And the winner is......

Gwen DeBernardi for her great submission of "Behind the Bedroom Door"
Thanks Gwen!
Please contact me to set up your FREE photo session!

Stay tuned for some big changes over the next year!
2010 will be an exciting year,
so keep in touch, keep visiting the site,
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