5 days Off!

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Wow! I actually did it! I took 5 days off of work! For those of you who know me, you know how hard that is, but I have really, really enjoyed myself! (Ok, so I had 1 little shoot, but seriously, that was IT!)

I absolutely LOVE what I do and I am passionate about my work, so I always feel like I have a million things to do, people who are depending on me, blog readers who are looking to read the next post, clients to meet with, etc. It can be hard for me to take a break, because I want to stay on top of everything and make sure everyone has exactly everything they need and everyone is happy. Yep...I do a lot for everyone else. Time to take some time for myself! I've been trying to do more and more of this and I must say I am feeling much more balanced because of it!

In the last 5 days I have...

Caught up on sleep
Started running again (in prep for the indoor triathlon in a couple months....I still loathe running...)
Bought some new records on Vinyl
Broke the record player...
Caught up with friends
Made some very yummy food
Ate all of the yummy food
Saw my family
Went to some improv comedy (which I highly recommend!)
Bought a new toy (that is proving to be a TON of fun!)
Enjoyed some Sunday Morning Yoga
Started working on a new project!!
Bought some tickets for John Mayer's Concert (in row 11...!!!!!)
Watched some movies
and
Started making some dreams happen!

....Pretty boring and VERY awesome!

I hope you all had a very relaxing Thanksgiving weekend!

It's officially 'holiday season' (que Christmas music...)

LOVEe

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Photogen Inc Speaking at JNP WORKSHOP - SIGN UP NOW!!!

in ,

WOOOO HOOOOO!!!!!!

I AM SOOOOO FREAKING EXCITED!!!!!

I am honored to be guest-speaking at the first ever JNP WORKSHOP!!!

Here are the stats:

When: January 25th, 2010

Where: Santa Ana, CA at the amazing Jason's Downtown Restaurant

Who: YOU (you are really crazy not to sign up, this is going to ROCK!)

Why: The whole point of this workshop is to give back to the photography community be taking your work and business to the next level! We will also be having some fabulous giveaways by our amazing sponsors + live shooting + critique and MIND BLOWING conversations!

For more in-depth details + to SIGN UP, click here!!!!

We want to keep this experience very intimate and personal, so there are only 15 SEATS AVAILABLE!!!! SIGN UP BEFORE THEY ARE GONE!!!!!

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Did I mention I am EXCITED?!?!?!?!?!? This is going to be THE SHIT!

LOVEe

Live the Fancy Life Feature: Part II !!!

in ,
Part II of my oh-so-FABULOUS interview is up on Live the Fancy Life!

This blog is one of the hottest things to hit Minneapolis in a while and I am SO excited to be a part of it!

In case you missed Part I of the interview, you can check it out HERE!

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Happy Friday everyone! I hope you have a VERY FANCY weekend!

LOVEe

Thoughts on my AMAZING Team!

in ,
Our philosophy is to have as much fun as possible!

For the last few years, team Photogen Inc has been a core of Brandon, Cadence and myself! As the company grows, we have DOUBLED in size! (Crazy, I know!) I am super happy and excited about all of the fabulous new photographers we have joining the crew for the 2010 season and on!

Each wedding we photograph is a true collaboration between artists. Yes, I'm the boss lady, yes I am the leader, but SO many cool images come from my 2nd shooters. I am so proud of everything everyone has brought to the table and the elements they contribute to the team as a whole.

Many people ask me, " How do you find people to work for you? How do you handle people leaving and going off on their own?"

The answers are simple. Find people who you jive with. People who lift you up and inspire you and you see passion in. Personally, I choose to spend a lot of time and effort into training my team, critique, etc. so we are all on the same page when it comes to shooting. We hang out a lot outside of the studio and are truly great friends. These are also people who I can be brutally honest with. Sometimes being 'the boss' is very hard. Lines are crossed between business and friendships sometimes, but everyone has the understanding that the two are separate, which makes it a whole lot easier! 

I also think that it is a very natural progression for assistants to grow and go out on their own and that we should embrace these changes and not be scared of them. Every artist has come to the point in their career where they know they are ready for another step. I've been there and you have been there. In the last year, Brandon has launched his own company, Rivets and Roses and Cadence just launched her new website and blog today! As my assistants are moving on, I brought in the new kids, Melissa, Tom and Ryan to take their roll as assistants, so B and C can focus on being leaders.

At the end of this last wedding, Cadence said, " Awe, guys! This might be the LAST time we all ever shoot together! We are all going to be so busy next year!"  The statement is true in that we are all going to be very busy. However, we will most definitely shoot together and collaborate in the future! We are a team...the DREAM TEAM...and we are unstoppable!

I am truly very blessed to be surrounded by such awesome people! They are my best friends and we are truly a family. I mean, shit, I get to WORK with these people EVERY DAY!!! How lucky am I?!?!?!

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Special thanks to our friends at The Traveling Photo Booth for these photos!

Enjoy!

LOVEe

Capture Studios!

in ,
One of the BEST things about my job is raving about the people I love to work with! I think anyone who has come in contact with Matt from Capture Studios has nothing but amazing things to say, both about him as a person + an amazing artist!

Matt makes some A-Freaking-MAZING videos and I am very happy to have the opportunity to work with him often! Below is a video from the Faleel wedding a few weeks ago! It is so fun having a friend on set with you during a wedding, because there is a true artist collaboration going on! Be sure to check out to videos below + The Capture Blog!

JAMAL + JESSICA // Minneapolis, MN from capture studios on Vimeo.

Here is a video that Matt also did as a promo video for Joynoelle!

JOYNOELLE PROJECT from capture studios on Vimeo.

Enjoy!

LOVEe