2010 Mutts & Models

Last night’s 2010 Annual Mutts & Models event benefits Harrison Memorial Hospital, which is the largest non-profit veterinary hospital in Colorado.  During the show, local celebrities and media personalities will headed down the runway with their dogs.  The Mutts and Models fashion show was Saturday, May 10 at 6:30 p.m.  It was at the Exdo Events Center, which is at 1399 35th Street in Denver.

Fun with the gang.

I was fortunate enough to be a part of this event by taking photos of the attendees on our famous “Mutts & Models” background.  Everyone had a great time while raising money for the Harrison Memorial Hospital.  It was a wonderful event that you need to put on your calendar for next year.  You’ve never seen a fashion show quite as this one.

My son and I donated our time to help with this event.  We were able to help raise just under $600 for our efforts.  There was a silent auction and live auction that raised thousands of dollars for the foundation.  I am proud and honored that I could share this with my son,  as we gave back to the community and to those furry friends we love so much.

My Son and I donated our time to help out our furry friends.

If you would like to commission us to do a professional portrait of your pet, please contact us for an indoor, outdoor, at-home or studio session.  We would love the opportunity to create some amazing images of your pets.  Pet Portrait day is coming on June 12th.  Click here for more information and to schedule your session online.

Photo Art - Looks great on canvas.

Photo Art of the 2010 Mutts & Models Show

Here are some more examples of “Car Photo Art”.  I love taking images and transforming them into works of art – art you can hang on your wall.  To really enjoy an image like these – print them on a Gallery Wrapped Canvas.  Who knew photographing cars could be so much fun…and creative?

If you would like to purchase any of these images as a Photo Art Gallery Wrapped Canvas, just click on the PayPal link below.

Call me to shoot your car.

(303) 434-0822

Click on each image for a larger view.

The Brown Ford

Taking you to the cleaners.

The Chevy

El for Camino

Bucks Truck

It's Purple

If you are on a tight budget you may be considering purchasing a used wedding dress.  If you leave your options open and allow plenty of time for used dress shopping, you can wear the wedding gown of your dreams while saving several hundred dollars.

Denver Wedding Photographer captures bride in wedding dress.

Be aware when you buy used — or any gown that isn’t straight from the designer — that it may be in less than pristine condition. Expect to have it cleaned or to make minor repairs.

Before looking at used gowns, research the various designers’ styles so you know which brands tend to have “your look.” While you are doing this, also decide what features you want your wedding dress to have. For example:

- What general style do you prefer (a-line, mermaid, etc.)?

- What color will your gown be (ivory, white, pink, etc.)?

- What necklines are acceptable to you (sweetheart, halter, etc.)?

- How long will your gown be and will it have a train?

- What type of detailing will it have (seed pearls, rhinestones, beading, etc.)?

Also, like everyday women’s clothing, sizes vary depending on the brand. Each designerpublishes a measurement chart. Using those charts, figure out your size in each of your preferred designers’ gowns (Remember that in all likelihood your wedding dress will need to be altered, whether you purchase it used or straight from the designer).

After completing your research, you are ready to begin looking for a used wedding gown. There are several places to find used gowns. You’ll want to set up notices, put in requests, and monitor each of them:

- Consignment stores can be a good used gown source. If you are lucky enough to have a local used formalwear store, alert the owner that you are looking for a dress.

- Craigslist is a very active used-goods marketplace. Find your local Craigslist, open a free account, and make an “item wanted” post. Do searches for the terms “wedding gown” and “wedding dress” in the clothing section — and monitor new listings often — to see what is currently being sold.

- There are several Websites that specialize in used wedding attire and/or create a buyer/seller marketplace (hint: search “used wedding dresses” or something similar in your favorite search engine).

- Buy at auction. By far the largest auction site is eBay, and they have an extensive bridal gown section. Many were worn once or are sales samples.

- While not technically “used,” bridal store floor samples are a great bargain. Most stores sell their last-season samples for $99 and up.

Other Ways of Finding Inexpensive Wedding Gowns

If your heart is set on a designer dress, but you don’t have a designer wallet, you might find a designer sample dress for a fraction of the cost at one of the above-mentioned floor sample sales.

You could also buy a designer duplicate. These resemble — but are not completely identical to — an existing designer gown. In general, you order the gown based on a photo of an existing dress. A seamstress, usually in an Asian country, then recreates the general look of the pictured gown — often for around $100. There are both positives and negatives to this approach. Whether a dress like this is right for you depends on your own priorities: If you expect the same quality of material and exact detailing as a designer original, you will be disappointed. If you are looking for a way to very inexpensively purchase a formal wedding dress that will look good on you for a day, then consider this option.

A final way to find an inexpensive bridal gown is to consider a white or ivory bridesmaid dress to wear as an informal wedding dress. Because bridesmaid dresses are generally much less expensive than bridal gowns, you can save hundreds of dollars with this approach.

Article Source: http://www.free-wedding-articles.net

Expecting or know someone who is?

The journey into parenthood is filled with milestone moments.

A true reflection of your heart, your belly glows with anticipation, fondness, and Motherly love.

Pregnancy is short-lived.

Capture the little life in you and celebrate the fleeting journey of pregnancy with a maternity portrait.

Call (303) 434-0822 today to schedule some tummy time!

Littleton Maternity Photographer

How would you like to completely forget all the worries you
have on delivering your wedding vow? How would you like to
absolutely guarantee your family, friends and your husband/wife
to be, to be stunned and show how amazingly romantic you are on
your wedding vow? When you make the decision to write your own
wedding vow, you’re declaring to everyone that the love you
share is simply too important to be conveyed through phrases and
words that millions of other couples have already did.

The problem is that most people, even professional writers, are
terrible at writing something like a wedding vow because it
requires a special skill and a way with words. Remember, what
you write in your wedding vow for your fiance’ on your wedding
day are the words that would form the bond of your marriage for
the rest of your life. That is why a wedding vow is very
important and should be given such detailed attention. However, the
sad fact is that most couples are spending too much of their
time and energy thinking about the menu for the reception rather on
the wedding vow that is supposed to last for a lifetime.

Some couples are having a hard time making their own wedding
vow, couples must put in mind that personalizing their wedding
vow shouldn’t make them frustrated or angry or nervous making a
wedding vow should be fun for you are making a vow not only for
your fiance’ but also for yourself. The more you spend time
thinking about your plans for the future family you are about to
have; the easier the words would come out. However, personalizing a
wedding vow is discouraged, but it can be done with the help of
professionals. If you know somebody who could help you on this
do so, or simply search the net for other ideas on how to make a
wedding vow that would last for a lifetime.

Putting hours of effort into making your wedding vow is an
investment in your relationship. A good wedding vow can be
found on the bible, online and local libraries. Touching love
poems can be revised as a wedding vow. Here are some parts of a
good wedding vow:

Wedding vow #1:
As I met more people.
Discovering what to love or hate.
I used those lessons as I tried
To find someone to share my life with
And luckily I found a wife for me.

Wedding vow #2:
Now that we have decided to tie the knot
On our wedding day,
I had a few more special things
I wanted to say.
You have chosen me as much
As I have chosen you
Making you glad that I’m your husband
Each and every day.

Things to consider when you decide to write your own wedding
vow; first decide on a theme, allow time for reverie, choose
your topic, and lastly pick your style. Most importantly, let
the words for your wedding vow flow out from your heart.
Sincerity and genuine love is far more eloquent than any poem
ever written. So, make that wedding vow special by pouring your
heart out and infusing the words with your love for your spouse.

Article Source: http://www.free-wedding-articles.net

Denver Colorado Wedding - The Groomsmen!

Your wedding party is a major factor in the success of your wedding day. Too many couples assume that once they’ve selected their brides maids and grooms men that they are finished. Unfortunately, many people don’t know what it means to be in a bridal party. Bridesmaids and groomsmen need to do more than just look pretty. Put these people to work! If your wedding party knows the who’s, what’s, when’s, and why’s, they will be able to handle many of the details that may derail the enjoyment of what should be your happiest day.

Colorado Bridesmaids

Many sites will tell you the traditional roles for your wedding party. I’m going to give you some tips on additional (and non-traditional) jobs for your bridesmaids and groomsmen to perform so that you can spend your time on more important details.

Babysitter: Make it the responsibility of someone in your wedding party to know where the rest of the wedding party is at all times. When time comes for someone to make a toast, the wedding party dance, the dollar dance, the garter auction, games, etc. it is frustrating for everyone to be waiting for that one person who is outside, in the bathroom, or talking to your cute cousin.

Activity Leader: Put your bravest party animal in charge of leading activities. This person needs to be someone willing to lead a bunny hop, talk on a mic, lead people to the dance floor etc.

Clean-Up Crew: Assign the task of making sure nothing gets left behind to one of your attendant’s. It will be their job to check the area of the ceremony, reception, and dance to make sure none of the wedding party left things like bags, purses, shoes, coats, wallets, keys, etc.

Nanny: Find your most child loving attendant, and give them the task of sheparding children off the dance floor during special events and dances. Children are great, but they don’t realize that the Bride and Groom’s first dance is not an appropriate time for them to be chasing bubbles on the dance floor.

Designated Driver: Don’t forget this important job! No need to let senseless tragedy ruin your perfect night.

While these are not traditional roles for your average wedding party, assigning someone to these tasks will make your day less stressful so you can spend your time making your wedding beautiful.

Article Source: http://www.free-wedding-articles.net

Tim & Tammy Smith operate By Request DJ & Karaoke Company, located in Fargo, North Dakota. They have been providing entertainment for wedding receptions since 1994 and belong to several professional disc jockey organizations.

Are you getting married in Colorado?  Are you looking for a Denver Wedding Photographer?  Are you planning your wedding on your own?  Here is a great article to help you with your wedding make up.

It’s often the last thing you as a bride think of when you’re planning your wedding day. There is so much to do beforehand; it makes your head spin! It is the most important day of your life, and you want to look absolutely stunning!

So, do you do your own wedding make up, or get a professional Make-up Artist to do it instead? Well, it all depends on how competent you feel in applying make-up. If you wear it regularly, and apply it well, there’s no reason why you can’t do your ownwedding make up . Just make sure you have a trial beforehand. Choose shades that enhance your features. There really are no rules, as long as you choose a shade that is flattering. Generally forwedding make up , your chosen theme colours will dictate the shades you use in your make up. The neutral tones of brown, gold and beige can be used to stunning effect. Or if your colours are cool, such as lavender or pink, you can introduce these colours into the make up. Use pale pinks to highlight the brow bone and create shading in the socket line with soft greys. Don’t try any fashionable new looks for your wedding day, keep that new silver eye gloss for your next night out! You can use shimmer shades for the eyes. Apply a frosted beige to the brow bone and eyelid to open up the eye and enhance the colour, but avoid shimmer dewy looks for your face, you’ll just look sweaty in the photos!

Make powder your must have item to keep your complexion looking flawless all day. If you choose to wear lip gloss, always apply it over a base colour of matching lipstick or lip liner. Don’t opt for just clear gloss as your lips will seem to disappear into your face in the photos. You need to add a bit of colour for definition. Nude browns or soft rose pinks look natural and there is a shade to suit all skin tones.

A clear glowing skin is an asset for any bride. It is easily achieved with a good skincare routine. This need not be complicated, a good cleanser, toner and moisturiser applied daily, with exfoliator twice a week, will ensure you have beautiful skin! Keep these products in the bathroom where you’ll use them, not looking pretty on your dressing table gathering dust! If you have any skin problems, visit a Beauty Therapist, who will carry out a skin analysis, consultation and give you personalised recommendations to improve your skin’s condition.

As your wedding day approaches, you may feel you can’t cope with the stress of doing your own make up on the morning. Then consider calling in the professionals. There are benefits to having someone else do it for you. You can get up in the morning, have a bath or shower, then just sit back and relax until it’s time to go. You’re in the hands of a trainedprofessional (hopefully) with lots of experience who can put your mind at rest and create that stunning look you’ve always dreamed of. Or maybe not…As there are numerous bridal Hair and Make-up Artists out there, how do you know you’ve picked good ones? Well here are some things to look for when choosing someone to carry out this important task.

1) Ask if they specialise in bridal hair and make up – they will invariably say yes, but check how long they have been doing it – it is different from regular clients.
2) If you want hair and make up for yourself and the bridal party, it’s best to have a team of at least two people to carry this out – you don’t want to feel rushed and part done!
3) Check their portfolio and look at the pictures – do you like any of the hairstyles or make up looks?
4) Ask to see recommendations from other brides
5) Check they use a professional brand of make up (you may not recognise the name) as the colour pigments are denser and last longer. But don’t get too hung up on this, remember the most important thing is that they can apply it flawlessly!
6) Make sure you can have a trial and consultation – talk to the person (s) you must feel comfortable with them and tell them exactly what you want.
(7) And the final piece of advice – have them come to you, it’s no fun dashing about town getting your hair and make up done, then hurrying home with barely enough time to get in your wedding dress!

On your wedding morning get up early and make sure you have breakfast. Take time out to enjoy your preparations whether you are doing them or someone else. And the most important thing… Don’t worry about flowers wilting or bridesmaids stumbling, this day is about you marrying the man you love and everything else is just the trimmings!

By Chantelle Mayhew
Proprietor Infinity Hair & Beauty

Article Source: http://www.free-wedding-articles.net

Are you a Colorado Bride to be getting married in Colorado?  Are you looking for a Denver Wedding Photographer?  Today’s article will give you more ideas on how to make your wedding in Colorado unique.

Wedding Ideas For Brides: 5 Ways To Capture Your Wedding Moments Forever

Denver Wedding Photographer

As far back as a girl can remember, she dreams of her wedding day. She imagines – to every last detail – things like: what type of wedding dress she will wear, what color the bridesmaids dresses will be and even more importantly, who that perfect man will be who becomes her husband. When that day finally arrives, it is the most important day of the bride’s life – a day she wants to look back on with fond memories for years to come. For more and more brides, one of the most perfect ways to capture their wedding is to create an Instant Photo Guest Book similar to the one created by Adesso Albums. Having such a keepsake, scrapbook or photo album to open up and share with your spouse, family and friends is the best way to capture the wedding day’s memory forever.

Instant Photo Guest Books are a unique “marriage” of a photo album and a guest book. To create a photo guest book at a wedding, simply take Polaroid pictures, slip them into your guest book and have the guests write their personalized messages to you the bride and your groom on the guest book pages. This will capture your wedding event instantly in pictures and words, and you won’t even have to wait weeks to get your photographs returned from your wedding photographer. You’ll be able to enjoy it as soon as it’s over. However, the beauty of these keepsake albums is that it can be used for all parts of your wedding event: engagement party, bridal shower, bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, wedding, reception and even the honeymoon.

Here are 5 other great ideas to capture your wedding moments:

1. Wish Bowl

Here’s an idea, that won’t even cost you a dime. The purpose of a wedding Wish Bowl is to provide an opportunity for guests to wish good fortunes to follow the Bride and Groom wherever they go. The idea is to have your guests write their wishes for love and life on little slips of paper and place them into a crystal or decorative glass bowl or vase. You don’t even have to buy one if you have a nice vase or bowl at home already. For a more formal presentation, the slips of paper can be placed into little matching wedding stationary envelopes. The stationary paper and envelopes should match the Bride’s color theme and/or wedding stationary. After the wedding events are over, the notes can be read and placed into a wedding album or scrapbook while the bowl or vase can be used for the home or decoration.

2. Wish Tree

The Wish Tree theme, similar to the Wish Bowl, is for guests at the wedding to write down their wishes for love and life to the Bride and Groom – except instead of the bowl, a tree is used to collect the wishes. There are many types of Wish Trees – your can purchase metal ones, or fashion your own using blooming branches from a garden or florist, or even use a live potted plant such as a fichus tree. Gift boxes can be hung from the tree of your choice and your guests can take a box off the tree in exchange for their wishes. Afterthe wedding events are over, the wishes can be taken off the tree and placed in a keepsake box, scrapbook or album.

3. Signature Platter

Wedding Signature Platters or plates make a unique alternative to traditional wedding guest books. The platter can be plain, decorative or even custom designed and ordered online or from a wedding stationary store. Guests simply sign the platter during the wedding event with a special ceramic marker and after the wedding events are over, the platter is fired in your home oven. The special signature platter can be used for serving favorite dishes at future dinner parties as husband and wife or just as a decorative memento of the special gathering.

4. Framed Signature Mat

Similar to the Signature Platter, the Signature Mat is another alternative to the traditional wedding guest book. A photo of theBride and Groom – often a ‘before’ wedding photo (like an engagement photo) – is placed in an acid free matte and mounted either on an easel or table in the entry area of the wedding reception. Guests sign their name and well wishes to the Bride and Groom on the mat surrounding the picture. The Signature Mat is then framed for the newlywed’s new home. The ‘before wedding’ photo can be replaced with awedding photo of the couple before framing.

5. Typewriter Guest Book

The Typewriter Guest Book is Martha Stewart’s latest discovery for a guest book alternative. Look for an old-fashioned, inexpensive typewriter either online, from a flea market or thrift shop, but make SURE it works – and set it out on a table in the entry area of the wedding reception. Load the typewriter with long sheets of paper for guests to type in good wishes to the Bride and Groom along with their name and any sentiment that comes to mind. After the wedding, the page can be tied into a scroll with ribbon or framed along with pictures taken at the wedding.

The above 5 unique ways to capture your wedding moments will help you and your loved ones relive your wedding memories over and over again.

Article Source: http://www.free-wedding-articles.net

Lesley Mattos, Founder of Adesso Albums has been happily pursuing her dream of helping people all over the world capture the Now in life’s most important moments. Of all the ways to capture your wedding memories, the Adesso Album is the only guest book alternative that provides an instant memory of your wedding event in both pictures and words. If you need the Polaroid gear, you can purchase it along with the guest books at www.adessoalbums.com

Are you planning a wedding in Colorado?  Are you looking for a Denver Wedding Photographer?  Read some of the helpful articles to help you with planning your wedding.  If you’re looking for Denver Wedding Photography, I would love to talk with you further.   In the meantime, here is a great article on Wedding Cakes.

Denver Wedding Photography

Who needs that white vanilla wedding cake with sugary frosting? Do you want a wedding cake that looks good but tastes like cardboard, or one that looks good enough to eat – and is? And would you put that hard plastic bride and groom wedding cake topper in your curio cabinet?

Fruit cake, cheesecake, ice cream cakes, even chocolate with chocolate-dipped fruit – your choices in wedding cakes are much wider than they were when your mother got married. You deserve a wedding you like, and a perfect wedding cake for it.

Here are some ideas for you:

A multi-flavored wedding cake thrills everyone. Uncle Jack won’t eat vanilla, but your husband’s best friend is allergic to chocolate. And you have one guest who is allergic to wheat products, another who is lactose-intolerant. So get a cake with multiple layers of different cakes: cheesecake on the bottom for Mr. Wheat, chocolate for Uncle Jack, and a fluffy fat-free angel food cake on the top for you. Your baker can help.

How about a filling for the wedding cake? To dress up an otherwise-bland cake or just one layer, fill it with chocolate, strawberry, or preserves. Or frost it with hard chocolate instead of traditional frosting.

Why are wedding cakes always round? A current cake trend is one that looks like a stack of presents, decorated with ribbons and bows. You can have anything you want; if you’re both Nascar fans, maybe a car shape, or a cake in the shape of a rose or a castle. And don’t limit yourself to one shape; you can make layers heart-shaped and have a square base, or use geometric shapes.

Match your wedding cake to your wedding colors. White cakes can be boring. Consider edible flowers for decoration as well; these real flowers add color and a real touch of class and beauty, but are totally nontoxic.

Have a gorgeous wedding dress? Dress the cake up to match. Especially if you have a very unique design, you can ask your bakery to match some of the decorations on the cake to your dress.

Look at real china, glass, or objets d’art to top your cake, instead of the plastic figures. Lladro figurines are a wonderful keepsake and look great with traditional and semi traditional cakes. Or you can go with a glass pumpkin coach for the fairytale wedding theme, or something you both love.

If you just can’t agree, have a groom’s cake as well. Men tend to go for richer, heavier flavors. One great wedding had a traditional tall white wedding cake next to a chocolate fountain, and then a groom’s cake, devil’s food chocolate (how appropriate) piled high with chocolate-dipped strawberries, with undipped strawberries around it for decoration and to dip into the fountain. Don’t be afraid of being different.

Wedding cake ideas and other catering issues are always changing. Our Wedding Planning Toolkit can help you make everything about your wedding memorable, and avoid the traps and pitfalls that many couples fall into. Check it out… it will likely turn out to be the most cost-effective tool in yourwedding planning budget.

Article Source: http://www.free-wedding-articles.net

Lesley-Ann Graham runs WeddingTrix.com – a valuable wedding planning resource with articles, tips and advice to help you plan your perfect wedding!

Choosing a Bridal Bouquet

As you plan for your Colorado (Denver, Boulder, or Breckenridge) Wedding, you’re faced with the question of which type of bridal bouquet is right for you? Before you determine that, you have to first answer a few questions.

Denver Colorado Wedding Photography

• What kind of atmosphere do you want for your Colorado Wedding? Will it be formal, casual, elegant or something in between?

• Where are you getting married in Colorado? Is this a casual outdoor wedding, an elegant candlelit evening wedding in a cathedral, a simple country church wedding, or a fancy country club event?

• What is your body type? Are you short and petite? Full-figured?

• What season are you getting married in?

• What is your color scheme?

• Are there certain flowers that you simply must have in your wedding bouquet?

Another important thing to consider is the style of wedding gown you will be wearing.

Romantic or fairytale gowns

With lots of lace, tulle and layers of luxurious fabric, this type of gown lends itself to the traditional cascading bridal bouquet. Keep in mind, however, that the cascading wedding bouquet does not necessary flatter a petite bride. If you’re petite, you don’t want to get lost behind a large wedding bouquet. If your gown has a lot of detail to it, be careful not to order a bridal bouquet that actually competes with the gown, rather than complementing it.

Simple and elegant gown

Think Grace Kelly or Audrey Hepburn and you’ll have visions of a less fussy gown, designed to show off the beauty of the bride. These gowns are often strapless and have structured lines. Your flowers should be simple and elegant as well, as in a hand-tied bouquet of white calla lilies, a symbol of magnificence. A showy bouquet wouldn’t be your best choice with this type of gown, but a classic clutchbridal bouquet might be the answer. Pastel pink roses would be ideal in a clutch wedding bouquet, the perfect symbol of happiness, gentility and grace.

Vintage gowns

This is a huge category that includes Bohemian gypsy-style dresses, medieval princess frocks, and Charleston swing era gowns. Match wedding bouquets with the style of dress that you choose. Some bridal bouquets simply would not work with some of the vintage dresses. Of course, these dresses are updated to reflect the styles of the early 21st century.

Make sure that you let your florist or online wedding consultant know exactly what type of gown you have chosen. It would be best for them to see a picture of the gown, preferably with you in it!
If you’re unsure of how to pick the style of bridal bouquet that’s best for you, given all of the choices that you’ve already made, rely on the advice from the experts.

And remember, you’re not restricted to fresh flowers for your wedding. Silk wedding flower packages are available at great prices from many online merchants. They can help you decide if the cascading bridal bouquet, the hand-tied wedding bouquet, or another style is best for you considering the location, the season, the atmosphere, your figure, etc. Silk wedding flowers are a wise choice for budget-minded brides, as well as for extravagant brides who only want the best!

Article Source: http://www.free-wedding-articles.net

Bonnie Goodwin Ray has more than sixteen years experience in the wedding industry. She is the author of Wedding Planning Made Easier and has become a leading expert in silk wedding bouquets design.

Here is a great article on wedding announcements or wedding invitations.  I am a Wedding Photographer in Littleton, Colorado.  Are you a bride or groom getting married in Colorado (Denver, Boulder, Littleton, or Breckenridge) this year?  Keep coming back as more articles will be posted to help you with all of your wedding plans.

Are you getting married in Colorado (Denver, Boulder, or Breckenridge)?

Are wedding announcements and wedding invitations one and the same? Are they just different names for one thing? If wedding announcements and wedding invitations are different, what part do they play in the wedding planning? Bridget Mora provides us with the answers in here articles entitled, “The Difference Between Wedding Invitations and Announcements.”

When you first sit down to look through the giant books of wedding stationery at your local stationer, you may feel as though your head is spinning. There are so many different options that it an be overwhelming to sort it all out. One of the most important things that a bride needs to understand is the difference betweenwedding invitations and wedding announcements, and when each one should be used.

There is a lot of very detailed and specific etiquette surrounding wedding invitations and announcements. The invitation is by far the more common of the two, but the announcement also has a place and time. Woe to the bride who mixes up the two, because you can inadvertently cause some very hurt feelings. Depending on your personal situation, you may find that you need just invitations or just announcements, or some of each.

In a nutshell, the invitation is what you send when you are asking someone to attend your wedding. It sounds simple enough, right? And yet, there are plenty of couples who make the mistake of trying to use an invitation to do the job of an announcement. Wedding invitations should be sent out well before the wedding, to allow the guests ample time to respond, make travel arrangement, shop for a new dress and jewelry for the wedding, buy you a gift, and so on. If you wait until the last minute to send an invitation, there is a strong chance that the recipient will deem it an insincere offer or think that they were on your “B” list (if you remember that backwards episode of “Seinfeld” with the wedding in India, you know just what I am talking about). There is nothing ruder than sending out a very late invitation in the hopes that the guest will be unable to make it, but will send a present anyway!

Some couples unwittingly send this message when they try to use a wedding invitation to do the job of an announcement. The entire purpose of a wedding announcement is to let people who would be interested know that a wedding has taken place. Note the past tense. You do not send out announcements before the wedding under any circumstances. To do so risks people misunderstanding the mailing and thinking that they are invited guests. It’s an unfortunate scenario that is best avoided. You don’t want to be the one getting the phone call and having to tell someone that, no,they in fact are not invited to your upcoming nuptials!

Although many people are unfamiliar with them, there are many times when an announcement is very useful. Let’s say that you had a very small wedding in Tahiti, or eloped to Vegas. A wedding announcement, sent after the fact, is the perfect way to share your good news with your extended network of friends and family. An announcement can also be appropriate when you have had a more traditional wedding, but could not invite every last person that you or your family happen to know. This can be particularly handy if your parents have a large social network or group of business contacts with whom the bride or groom have no personal relationship. You are spared the expense of feeding a roomful of virtual strangers, and they are spared the expense of travel, buying a new dress and wedding jewelry, and the cost of a gift. Yes, I did say gift; there should be no expectation of anything more than a congratulatory note from those to whom you sendwedding announcements.

The difference between a wedding invitation and a wedding announcement is actually a very large one. To communicate the intended message, it is important to use the right tool. Once you have pondered your own wedding and your guest list, you will be much better prepared to order thestationery that will help make your wedding a success.

Article Source: http://www.free-wedding-articles.net

This is Yara the Shar Pei.  She was full of energy, and was so sweet.  She ran around the studio checking everything out.   When it was time to shoot, she kept lying on one of my rugs next to the front door.  So, I figured why fight it. Pose her on the  rug and give her a bone.  She was a happy dog.

I love this rug

Yara is not a puppy, but she certainly looks like a puppy in this shot.  It must have been all those acting classes.

Puppy Love

Yara just couldn’t sit still.  Until she put on her lion outfit.  She wouldn’t move a muscle with this on her.  Isn’t she cute?

Shar Pei Lioness

This is her favorite sweater.  Actually I think it’s her mom’s favorite.  She (Yara) wears it so well.  Don’t you think so?

Sporting a Sweater

Yara finally settles in just as we are finishing up.  She was so much fun to work with.

I'm chilling

After working the room, it’s time to call it a wrap.

Time for a nap.

Photographing dogs is a lot of fun.  I am not saying it’s easy, but it’s very fun.  I love all animals (cats too!) so that makes it easier to photograph them.  I love that each pet has a distinct personality.

Pet Portrait Day is coming soon.

Pet Portrait Day is coming soon.  We would love your help choosing a charity to help those pets we love so much.  Please comment below with who and why we should support this pet charity.  We are looking to set a date in late March or early April.

Sadie sporting a cool hat!

Burlesque Sadie

I am soooo cute!

Cool Sadie

I crack myself up!

Please leave comments of your favorite image.

Do you know of a charity we can support during our pet portrait day?

Did you know that I love to capture beautiful wedding memories?

A special moment with Dad.

Planning a wedding can be stressful. There are so many details to check out and so many
decisions to make. Let us photograph your special day. We understand how important your
wedding day is, and we’ll deliver portraits you’ll cherish forever.

Getting ready for the Wedding Ceremony

We honor tradition and recognizes the importance of capturing your unique
personality on your wedding day.

Sneaking a Kiss while everyones eyes are closed

The flowers fade, the laughter and tears become sweet memories, the cake is eaten, but your
wedding portraits last forever.

Speechless!

Call Paul Maynard Photography at (303) 434-0822 now for wedding pricing. You’ve got so many other
details to take care of. Trust us to provide portraits you’ll love.

The Happily Married Couple

We are having our “Half Price Gift Certificate Special” at Paul Maynard Photography located in Littleton, Colorado.  From today until December 18th, our Gift Certificates are half price.  If you ask for $100 Gift Certificate we will give you $200.  If you ask for $48.22 we will give you $96.44 to the penny.  These Gift Certificates do not expire and they make AMAZING Christmas presents or stocking stuffers.   Use them for Family Portraits, Maternity Sessions, First Year Babies Session, Engagement Sessions, or Professional Portraits.  Call Paul (303) 434-0822 and get yours today and save BIG!

Your Paul Maynard Photography Gift Certificate will be customized for you or the person you are giving it to.  We can put whatever you want on it.  Don’t just think about now and Christmas, think ahead to next Spring, Summer & Fall.  Use these gift certificates for your family sessions, baby, maternity or studio.

Here is an example Gift Certificate.

Invest in yourself, invest in your family.  Pass this on to all your family & friends, send to your email, Facebook or Myspace.  Anyone you think can benefit by saving some $ and getting some amazing images of themselves and their family.

Call Paul (303) 434-0822 and order your gift certificate today.  We look forward to hearing from you!

DON’T FORGET:  This is only until December 18th 2009.  After that you  are s… out of luck.  Not trying to be mean, but we do have to get these custom made and printed in order to  get them to you for Xmas.  If you don’t need them for Christmas…………..then we will extend the offer until December 24th.

Note: These gift certificates are not eligible for weddings or other studio specials and promotions

It matters not the industry, continuing education is extremely vital in any profession.  As Stephen Covey would say, it’s all a part of “Sharpening the Saw^®.”  Education keeps any professional up-to-date with new trends, new ideas and new technologies. Most importantly,  education opens up the door to networking opportunities.

This industry has evolved rapidly in the last 5-10 years. Just think of the film-to-digital transition- and one can only imagine the changes we’ve seen. More than ever, photographers are sharing information, and helping each other succeed – the ease of digital photography is making this even easier, because it allows us to give each other instant feedback/constructive criticism.

I am part of several photography groups, and I have to say this group is my favorite: The NO BS Photo Success Forum. This collection of photography pros is one of the best resources in the world of professional photography.  Members of this group worldwide come together in the spirit of collaboration. Everyone openly shares and learns – both in person and online.  The forum provides online trainings on lighting, posing, marketing, Adobe Photoshop^®, and almost any topic related to the business of photography. Two of my mentors are the founders of this group; Rob Provencher, of Westmount Photography & James Hodgins of James Hodgins Photography.  These two are business-savvy, brilliant photographers.  They are down-to-Earth people.  Their passion for photography runs deep, and I am honored to continue learning from them on a daily basis.  My NO BS membership has given me access to so much information, and I’ve met many new friends and mentors.

Each year this group has two major conferences; “The Niagra School of Imaging” and “The Inferno.” This month, I attended my first “Inferno” Conference in Nashville. All I can say is…WOW!  I learned how to better help brides schedule their day in and effort to REDUCE STRESS.  We learned how to better optimize the use of backgrounds, textures, and digital frames. I also learned about some of today’s most popular products for the High School Senior, and as a result of this conference – I will be running programs such as, “Dog Day with Santa” (because, like me, so many people are crazy about their pets). I will also be working with High School Marching bands and offering tasteful boudoir photo sessions (for all of you sexy people out there!).

I am committed to honing my craft and keeping abreast of the latest trends and innovations in photography.  This benefits my clients, and keeps me loving my profession.

Below are a few shots from the fun night shoots of “The Inferno” in Nashville, TN.  Each nigh of the conference, I ventured out on night shoots with fellow photographers. What a beautiful and “photogenic” city! We were so anamored, that we stayed out until the wee hours -shooting our butts off!  Enjoy!

Fisheye View of Nashville

Nashville Warped

Nashville Night Art

Colorado Charity Model Search Flyer - Paul Maynard Photography

Paul Maynard Photography is participating in the International Charity Model Search to select North America’s Cutest Family and to raise funds for the non-profit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation. (NILMDTS.org)

Are your loved ones North America’s Cutest Family? We’ll give you the opportunity to prove it! Many exciting prizes will be awarded, and the grand prize winner receives a new car!

Model Search Special:
$45 entrance fee includes a 60-minute model session and one image submitted to the national gallery.

Finalists will be determined by online votes, and voting is open to the general public. Each vote is $1 (no limit on the amount of votes a person can cast), and all proceeds from votes benefit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS.org).

Grand prize international winner will be determined from the 52 city finalists. The winners will be selected from the finalist gallery by photography and modeling industry experts. The winning family also receives a session with the renowned portrait artist Sandy Puc’ and international recognition.

Call 303-434-0822 or email photographer@paulmaynard.com now to enter your family in this exciting contest.

*Contest open to residents of the US and Canada. For more information, visit http://sandypucmodels.com/.

My wife says I’m a sap, but I love weddings as much as the bride loves getting married.  All the wonderful moments of your special day are priceless to me.  Watch this slide show. Make sure you have a box of tissues close, because you just might tear up.   Call me, and let’s talk about how you want your wedding day to unfold.  I would be honored to be a part of your wedding day – in Colorado or elsewhere.

To view the slide show clearly. Click on the bottom right of the slide show to “UNSTRETCH”. It is the icon with the two arrows. This is the best viewing method.

To view the slide show clearly. Click on the bottom right of the slide show to “UNSTRETCH”.   It is the icon with the two arrows.  This is the best viewing method.