Last week, Steve and I made a quick little jaunt to Bloomington, Indiana to visit with inspiring photographers Jeff and Michelle Richardson.  Jeff and Michelle graciously shared their time and expertise with us as we prepare for the next developmental step for our business. While we were there, they helped us enjoy the lush 70s temperatures and gave us some recommendations to see in their lovely state.

We flew to Indiana on Monday on American Airlines – in coach, thank you very much.  But as we were flying the friendly skies we remembered about a session back in July with Celebrated Living magazine’s editor Janet Thomas. It was time for Janet to have new photos done for her editor’s page of the magazine and she wanted something a little more relaxed and true to her and she thought of us. Celebrated Living is the magazine for American’s First Class fliers so as we departed the airplane, we snuck a copy off.

As these are scans of the magazine pages – the photo doesn’t look as great here but you can see it on the CL website here.  If you get to ride First Class anytime soon look for Janet’s pic and our itty bitty photo credit hiding near the seam in the bottom right corner.  We took a variety of photos so Janet could change her look based on the season.

Janet is actually greatly responsible for Carpe Vita Photography being even alive today, because back in 1994, she introduced Steve and I to one another.  This is a photo Janet’s husband Steve took of that fateful night.  I sailed regularly with Janet and her Steve on their boat – second from the left – and our Steve sailed with other friends on the red boat.

We probably passed one another many times on the docks during racing season but because we raced in different fleets, we never really met.  But this night July 23, 1994 when we were supposed to race, there was no wind so a raft-up came about and the rest is history. We celebrated our 15 year Introversary this July.

Now the little surprise that came our way yesterday – Carpe Vita was named Best Photography for the Northern Region by Texas Meetings & Events Magazine this week at an awards gala in Austin, Texas.  For more details, here’s the link.  We were honored to be nominated and blown away that we were selected.  We love photographing all the work and thought that goes into meetings and events.  As we don’t tend to do the print on location event photography, we are available to showcase what all the vendors and planners spent all of their genius on creating for their clients.  It is amazing to be recognized and wow, would you look at the other peeps who won!

Best Caterer: Creative Cuisine (go Geni and the rest of the amazing gang)
Best Conference/Convention/Exhibition Center: Plano Centre
Best Entertainment: Lone Star Murder Mysteries by Lagniappe Productions
Best Florist: Macaux Florals (we photographed their amazing florals earlier this year at the Johnson-Long Wedding)
Best Destination Management Organization: Plano Convention & Visitors Bureau
Best Golf Resort/Country Club: Cowboys Golf Club
Best Holiday Event/Party Venue: City Club of Fort Worth
Best Hotel with Meeting Space: Gaylord Texan Hotel and Convention Center (we love our neighbors)
Best Green Meetings/Event Venue – Garrett Creek Ranch Conference Center
Best Unique Venue: Circle R Ranch
Best Rental Service (tents, tables, linens): Ducky-Bob’s Event Specialist
Best Teambuilding Facility/Organizer: Rockin’ C Ranch
Best Transportation – Premiere Transportation Services
Best Photography – your’s truly Carpe Vita Photography
Best New Venue – Union Station (which we had the honor of doing promotional photography for earlier this year – which reminds me I never did a blog entry for…)

Allison and Ryan were married Saturday, August 22nd at St. Thomas Acquinas with their reception held at the newly remodelled Tower Club.  The lovely florals are by Fleurs & Events by Amparo and A-1 Entertainment was responsible for keeping everyone on the dance floor with their tunes and lighting.

Steve met Allison at the Adolphus Haute Weddings Bridal Fair last year and when she and her mom came to see us – the music for our slideshow was the song she and Ryan had selected for their first dance so we all knew it was meant to be.  At that first visit, Allison said she was all about the sparkle and she carried the theme all the way through their wedding and celebration.

Here’s a slideshow to give you a little taste.

Booth Booth was Allison’s choice for a photo booth – to see all the pics from the booth, CLICK HERE.

Allsion and Ryan had the most bubbles, we have ever seen at a departure!

And they are off!

Allison and Ryan’s friends and family, to see all the photos from the day, click here and you will be taken to Pictage, our online lab partner.  You will need to enter your email address and create a password for yourself.  You will also need the Event Key which Allison or Ryan or their families can share with you. 

Allison braved the June heat for her bridal session at the Dallas Arboretum.  What a beautiful trouper she was!  There are so many great photos, it was hard to limit what to show…

Unfortunately, the water was bath tub temperature – not the cool refreshing we hoped it might me.

Have to finish up with a photo of Allison with her entourage – they are the ones who kept Allison cool and smilin for us for so long.

On Saturday 15th, Meagan and Jesse made their way down the aisle and Carpe Vita Photography was there to capture all of the moments, details and fun.

Meagan and Jesse selected an all star staff of wedding professionals to bring their wedding day together for them:
Venue – Four Seasons Hotel and Resort, Las Colinas
Coordinator/Event Designers – Timeless Elegance Weddings
Florals – Timeless Fiori Flowers
Hair/Make-up – Anita Haar Elan Make-up Studio
DJ/Master of Ceremonies/Lighting – Ambiance Entertainment
Photo Booth – Pic Flips
Videographers – SoulBox Productions

And what a wonderful celebration it was!

Here’s a sneak peek video with a look at the day – Enjoy!

The details separate one lovely commitment life from another.  Here are some of Meagan and Jesse’s details and moments.

This is Kim’s fave photo from Meagan and Jesse’s wedding.  Steve caught it when no one else was looking and it says so much – so incredibly sweet!

These were the longest sparklers we had ever seen.

And how about that Silly String – WOW!

Friends and family of the couple can see all of the photos at Pictage – our online proofing partner – after Meagan and Jesse release all of the photos. Until then, please pre-register by clicking here. If you don’t know the event key, just check with Meagan, Jesse or their families.

One of the hardest things about being wedding photographers is not being able to share the bridal portraits as soon as they are taken.  Of course, we have to wait for the lovely bride to walk down the aisle but it isn’t usually easy.  Meagan made her journey down the aisle Saturday, August 15th (where did the time go?)  so now we can finally show off her beautiful portraits.

Meagan’s Carpe Vita Bridal Portrait session was in June around the Four Season Hotel in Las Colinas.  We were all very excited to be photographing in the air conditioning around the lovely facility.  Hair and Make-up for Miss Meagan is by Anita Haar of Elan Make-up and flowers by Timeless Fiori Florals from Meagan’s coordinators Timeless Elegance Weddings.

Here are some favorite:

 
Such a beauty.

We finished up with Meagan and her mom and aunt Debbie in one of the Four Season’s golf carts.

Next the wedding!