More Holiday Deadlines

I just received this notice from my friends over at ShowIt (the cool folks who produce those amazing slideshows ya'll love so much):

"... we hope with Christmas coming your slideshows will be at the the top of the Christmas wish-list for brides, grooms, moms, and grandmas. To make sure your DVD ships in time to appear under the Christmas tree, we wanted to make you aware that December 1st is the cutoff for DVD orders. So get your orders in soon and thanks - you rock!"

Let me know if you've lost the link to your slideshow and I'll email it right over.

BIG, (and I mean really BIG) canvas print sale!

Trying to think of a really rockin' gift to give this year? I have a selection of 40x60 fine-art canvas prints that are on sale! Now only $850 (normally $1200).

2010 Trends in Wedding Photography!

From The Knot - Best of Weddings Survey

"Create a DIY photo studio in a section of the reception room."

Hey! We've been doing this for years! Check out the details HERE.

Holiday Deadlines

Can you believe that it's almost holiday time?!? Here are our holiday deadlines (to receive products by December 25th):

• ALBUMS - final layouts must be approved by November 1st
• CANVAS PRINTS - Place orders on your Pictage website by November 30th
• PROFESSIONAL PRINTS - Place your Pictage orders by December 10th
• FINE ART/PHOTO GREETING CARDS (get your orders in sooner to use for holiday cards!) - Place your Pictage orders by December 10th
• COFFEE TABLE BOOKS - Place your Pictage orders by December 4th

Africa - 2009

Lots of you have been asking (begging really) to see some photos from my recent trip to Tanzania with Grace Ormonde and Thirst Relief International. While I can't yet show you photos from the AMAZING fashion shoot for Grace (not until the magazine comes out in January), I can share some of my other favorite photos. I hope you enjoy!

Foto Fridays Part VIII

Every Friday a favorite photo of mine is featured on The Pink Blossom List. Today's is especially fun!

{Photography: Foto Fridays VIII}
It seems like our Foto Fridays are getting better and better. Today's image from Michelle Walker is especially wonderful. Michelle writes, "we were finishing Connie & Steve’s portraits at St. Dominic’s Church when the wind made a surprise visit! " Sometimes the unexpected is truly the exceptional. Love.

Foto Fridays part VII

Every Friday a favorite photo of mine is featured on The Pink Blossom List. Today is from one of my very favorite weddings - when Kelly McLeskey from The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn married Nick Dolata from Domanine Chandon. Check it out!

Friday, August 14, 2009
{Photography: Foto Fridays VII}

Photo taken of Kelly McLeskey (event coordinator at SMI) & Nick Dolata’s wedding in Beaver Creek, Colorado.
Michelle Walker writes, "who says you need to wear white shoes?".

Michelle & Masa's - a match made in heaven...

YumSugar recently reviewed the amazing food at Masa's (a Michelin-starred restaurant known for its elevation of California-French cuisine) in San Francisco (featuring photos by moi). To get a glimpse of the dinner, read on...

http://www.yumsugar.com/3619941

Grace Ormonde Wedding Style

I just got the best news! I've been published in Grace Ormonde Wedding Style magazine! Take a look at the current issue (fall/winter 2009) for a beautiful tabletop at Ralston Hall (one of my very favorte places). This was created for Amanda & Louie's wedding by my good friends: Kristina Taheri Special Events, Asiel Design, and Classic Party Rentals. Thanks for making my job so easy, guys!

Megan + Kelly at The Corinthian Yacht Club

Megan & Kelly were married (close to their hometown in Marin) at St. Patrick's Church and celebrated the evening on the water at the historic Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon, CA. They spent a warm & beautiful night with 150 of their closest friends & families enjoying a fine dinner from the chef at the club, delicious cake from Tiers of Joy, and flowers (and wedding coordination extraordinaire!) from Kelly Cloney at Kelly & Company Events.

Minnie + Jon at Auberge du Soleil

Minnie & Jon were recently married at the beautiful Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford, CA. After a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony, we headed to the terrace (which overlooks all of Napa Valley) for the nuptials. Their guests were then treated to a memorable evening of great food, great wine, and lots of fun (the toasts were hilarious!).

Cara + Eric's engagement session

Cara & Eric's upcoming nuptials at the Fairmont in San Francisco are sure to be fabulous. For their engagement session they wanted to capture that "San Francisco feeling" - I think we did that and more! Photographing some of their favorite (and special) locations makes these photos even more memorable...

Madeline + Roger are getting married!

Next month, Madeline & Roger will tie-the-knot at the beautiful St. Joseph's Cathedral and the stylish Sainte Claire Hotel in San Jose. We had a blast photographing their engagement session in San Francisco yesterday!

SEE THEIR ENGAGEMENT GUESTBOOK

Africa has a hold on my heart (again)...

Africa is an amazing place full of contradictions… its beauty, its poverty, its joy, its troubled history. I find myself thinking about Africa almost every day – tugging on my heart, wanting to return. Spending time in Africa with old and new friends over the past 10 days has been wonderful – being with a group of photographers who see things more deeply than most is a special pleasure. I am looking forward to sharing more images - check back often!

Africa with Grace Ormonde Wedding Style and ThirstRelief

For the next 10 days 14 of my photographer friends and I will be in Tanzania with Grace Ormonde Wedding Style magazine and Thirst Relief International. Here's our itinerary...

• July 13-14: Travel to Tanzania
• July 15-16: Grace Ormonde Fashion Shoot (8-10 page spread to be featured in Jan 2010 issue!!)
• July 17-18: Deliver and Install Bio-Sand Filters (and capture impactful images for Thirst)
• July 19-20: Overnight Safari
• July 21 Rest, Pack up, shop around Dar Es Salem
• July 22-23: Travel home

To keep updated on our trip (and see some awesome photography), check out this special BLOG. It will be updated throughout the trip. I'm looking forward to sharing all my stories & photos with you when I return!

An invitation for Mom's

Well Rehearsed (a fabulous company with incredibly creative ideas - check them out) is hosting a unique fashion event for Mothers-of-the-Bride & Groom to help them select what to wear to your rehearsal dinner & wedding. There will be champagne, there will be tips & tricks, and there will be fashion! What could be better?


July 25th
11:30am
Neiman Marcus, Stanford
Level 3
RSVP
or call (650) 329-3303

Jenna + Dave | Calistoga Ranch

Calistoga Ranch is a magical place - perfect location, gorgeous views, wonderful food... That's why Jenna and Dave choose it for their destination wedding. The couple was married on a bluff overlooking The Lakehouse (where they later held their reception). Suzy Berberian from A Dream Day did indeed create a dream day with a little help from Kathleen Deery Design, Classic Party Rentals, and La Tavola Linens. Alex Fuhrman was wonderful on the acoustic guitar, we provided our SnapShot photo studio, and the vivacious Martha with Video Creations by Martha captured it all on video.


VIEW THEIR SLIDESHOW

Gustav Maxwell

In case you didn't already know, I shoot all kinds of stuff - travel, weddings, portraits, dogs, and baby products! The super-soft, plush, luxurious products from Gustav Maxwell are my favorite baby goodies of all time (not only because they feel SO GOOD, but because I just scored an amazing grown-up robe from Mari made of the same ultra soft material as the kids robes - thanks Mari!). If you need a gift for a baby (or one for yourself!) take a look at their website.

Jen & Mike are getting married!

In August, Jen & Mike will get hitched at the beautiful Sonoma Mission Inn. Recently we got together to create their awesome engagement photos at the Legion of Honor and that big bow & arrow sculpture in San Francisco. (From Wikipedia: A sculpture, "Cupid's Span" by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, was built in 2003 along the Rincon Park area. Resembling Cupid's bow and arrow with the arrow implanted in the ground, the statue symbolizes the place where Tony Bennett "left his heart" - who knew???) I can't wait for their wedding!

SEE THEIR ENGAGEMENT GUESTBOOK

Rose + Joe | The Sonoma Mission Inn

I was lucky enough to photograph Rose & Joe getting married at the historic St. Francis Solano Church in beautiful Sonoma, CA. After a lovely (and sometimes funny) ceremony by Fr. Sullivan, their guests were treated to an afternoon of cocktails on the terrace at the fabulous Sonoma Mission Inn. As darkness descended, everyone moved inside for a delicious dinner followed by wedding cake (almost too beautiful to cut) created by Inticing Creations. My friends at A Savvy Event, Dandelion Floral and LaTavola designed the perfect palette of colors for the bride and groom and my friends at Savadelis Films captured it all on video. Rose and Joe are a perfect couple and had a perfect day!

VIEW THEIR SLIDESHOW

Interview with Michelle Walker

I was just interviewed for the Pink Blossom List - it's funny! Take a look.

What we want you to know (but are afraid to tell you)

This FANTASTIC article was just published in Brides Magazine. It's everything that we photographers want to tell our brides, but are a little hesitant. If you're about to get married, listen to this advice from these wedding photographers...


HIRE A MAKEUP ARTIST
"Invest in a make-up artists - it will pay off in the long run. Do-it-yourself brides look fine for the first hour or so, but then the makeup wears off. Or they wear very subtle makeup that doesn't photograph well; Nothing 'pops'."
Cathy Short, Devonshire Photography - Wilbraham, MA

SEE EACH OTHER BEFORE THE CEREMONY
"I think the bride and groom should see each other before the ceremony. It gets the jitters out of the way and gives me time to get some fun, unique images. When portraits are taken after the ceremony, it's hard for the couple to focus. They don't want to miss the party!"
Sarah Maren, Sarah Maren Photography - Sacramento, CA

SHARE THE PICS
"When we take posed or more traditional shots, sometimes guests attempt to capture the same images, potentially slowing the process. If you request digital images from your photographers, you can send them to your guests later, and save time on your wedding day."
Craig Butler, Craig Butler Studios - Northville, MI

JUST GO WITH IT
"Realize that even though you feel stupid while you're getting pictures taken, they're turning out great. If you can juts laugh and go with it, the images will reflect your personalities and show the connection between the two of you. You can be in a crappy location, but as long as you're in a good mood, your pictures are going to rock."
Genya Garrett, Vue Photography - Panama City, FL

CLEAN YOUR ROOM
"If you want your 'getting ready' pictures to look their best, keep the place clean. That room becomes the basis, the background, for all your pictures. If you have ten girls dressing and undressing in the same room, it will show in your photos. The room should be clutterless. I get the best pictures when I walk into a room that someone has intentionally kept neat."
Brian Dorsey, Brian Dorsey Studios - NY, NY

DON'T INVITE THE PARTY
"Don't cut your first dance short or have your bridal party join you halfway through it. This decreases the amount of images I can get of just the two of you during your reception. If you dance for the entire song, you'll end up with more sweet, intimate photos."
Alison Conklin, Alison Conklin Photography - Philadelphia, PA

LIGHT YOUR DANCE FLOOR
"There are so many great things that happen during a reception, so you should think about how yours is going to be lit. Ask the DJ or band to light themselves and the dance floor. Or, it it's in your budget, look into a lighting designer, who can add uplighting to the room and give it extra pop. Lighting makes the space look cooler and preserves the ambiance."
Anne Ruthman, Anne Ruthman Photography - Boston, MA

A Savvy Event & my 3 favorite things...

Yesterday I was the featured vendor on A Savvy Event's BLOG. Instead of the same old boring BLOG entry, I did something fun - I gave my 3 favorite things that I've seen at weddings. Take a look!

http://asavvyevent.blogspot.com/2009/05/favorite-vendor-day-3-michelle-walker.html

Memorial Day 2009

My dear friend, Kimberly Thompson asked me to photograph her son (Devin) before he is deployed to Afganistan next week. Devin is brave, funny, and an inspiration - it was truly an honor to spend this time with them and create these beautiful photos.

VIEW SLIDESHOW

Pretty in Pink!

Have you seen this BLOG? It's full of creative ideas to make your wedding extra-special. And it's hosted by the ever-fabulous Nancy Liu Chin of Nancy Liu Chin Designs (extraordinary florals). I'm honored to be one of their Pink List Photographers!

Look at this!

I just got THE CUTEST invitation in the mail for an upcoming celebration at the fabulous Cornerstone Gardens. This western-wear inspired design was created by my bestest girlfriends at Peculiar Pair Press. Yeehaw - I love it! {PS - if you're going to the shingding, I'll be there with my camera. Wear your fanciest cowboy boots!}

April Weddings on the MAP Events BLOG

MAP Events Blog - April Weddings !!!
Melissa and Jennie at MAP Events are awesome to feature a few of my photos on their BLOG. Take a look at this amazing wedding we did together last month...

Elope at Cornerstone Gardens!

(Taken from the ASavvyEvent BLOG):
Elopements? Intimate Weddings? I know when you hear elopement right away I bet you are thinking Las Vegas... Elvis and the Chapel of Love... Well, elopements aren't just for Vegas any more. Wine Country has some pretty "Savvy" elopements and intimate weddings...

This year with the recession and economy we have noticed a trend in smaller more intimate weddings. Regardless of the economy people are still getting married and wine country is still a popular destination to tie the knot. A lot of times people think that a wedding planner just plans lavish events and doesn't really get involved in smaller weddings let alone an elopement, however we do a lot of intimate weddings and elopements because a lot of our clients are traveling from far away to bring their closest family and friends to their very special day. They hire us to make that special day happen. A lot of these couples choose us and the venue via the Internet and/or phone and we put the entire event together for them. We arrange for all the vendors, transportation, hotel stays, and private wine tours. Because these events are smaller they tend to make an entire weekend and sometimes an entire week out of their wedding. They sky is the limit!

Some commonly asked questions are:
Q What is an intimate wedding?
A 50 guests or less
Q What is an elopement?
A 10 guests or less
Q What days are these performed?
A Usually Sunday-Thursday. (Friday and Saturday based on availability. *Please note that a Friday or Saturday could cost more money as these dates are usually reserved for larger events and require the max site fee.)

(all photos 2009 Michelle Walker Photography)

Please vote!

If you love this photo as much as I do, please VOTE for it (and me :-) for PDN's FACES "People's Choice" winner...

Little girl and her grandmother in Habana Viejo, Cuba.

Kelly & Nick in Beaver Creek, CO on Style Me Pretty!

I am thrilled that one of my favorite BLOGs, StyleMePretty has featured one of my weddings! Kelly & Nick were married in Beaver Creek, CO on a beautiful fall day. I think their rehersal dinner at the Lazy J Ranch was one of my favorites!

BRIDAL CHARITY EVENT

My good friend, Patty Lee from 8Events is hosting a BRIDAL CHARITY EVENT on April 18th. If you can, go and support a good cause! Here's the info:



Come and be inspired!

Everyone needs some beauty and love in this time of uncertainty, that's why I decided to host Bella Intima, the bridal charity event, together with the Allied Arts Guild. I believe we need to band together and continue to give to charities even with the economy in the state its in, that is why all proceeds from Bella Intima will be donated to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. Held at the Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park, Bella Intima will take place on April 18, 2009.

Bella Intima means "beautiful heart/love". Beautiful hearts have come together in the form of several great professionals in the wedding industry. Our passion for the weddings we arrange, the newlyweds who are getting married and the love they share is even more inspiration for this wonderful event.

We have lots of amazing things planned for Bella Intima. There will be hors d'oeuvres, desserts and complimentary champagne. We will be featuring the latest 2009 wedding trends, music, bridal fashion, decoration ideas, food, drinks and will have raffle drawings! You can win a free photobooth rental from PHOTOBOOTH Royale, and many other amazing prizes donated by our wonderful vendors! Participants will enjoy a distinctive afternoon affair beyond the ordinary in the picturesque Allied Arts Guild.

The Allied Arts Guild, located at 75 Arbor Road in Menlo Park, dates back to the late 1700s. In 1929, a piece of the original 35,250 acre land was purchased by Delight and Garfield Merner, who later turned it into an arts guild providing a serene, beautiful workplace for artists in California. To this day, the guild fulfills its founders' dream of a European-style crafts guild. The Allied Arts Guild is available for special events, shopping, lounging and is a perfect setting for Bella Intima! For more information, please visit http://www.alliedartsguild.org/.

My company, 8events, specializes in weddings, corporate events and event planning as well as providing unique floral arrangements. I work closely with event professionals located in the Bay Area and pride myself on only recommending the best services to my clients. Every event is special to me, and I believe everyone deserves a beautiful and memorable event that fits his or her own personal style. Please visit my website for more information. http://www.8events.com/.

Free admission and special goodie bags will go to the first 300 brides to RSVP. $10 donation at the door will get you a raffle ticket. For a list of vendors, to RSVP, directions or to read our blog, please visit the Bella Intima website: http://www.bellaintima.com/

We look forward to having you at Bella Intima! Come and be inspired!

Elopement at Auberge du Soleil

Yesterday was a perfect day to get married! Tara & Ray escaped the cold of Seattle (and Ireland!) to the lovely warmth of Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford. With their closest friends and families, they were married by the wonderful Peader Dalton in an inspirational and touching ceremony overlooking the Napa Valley. Congratulations newlyweds and have a fabulous time in SE Asia!

Dog portrait help.

I need your help! I am entering the PDN "Faces" photography contest and need to cut one of the following dog portraits - which one? (The name is above the dog.)

tripod & daisy

gracie

minnie

beatle bee

sophie

hannah

pavo

Way up high!

Yesterday I got the thrill of a lifetime! My good friends at RE Broocker needed some aerial shots of commercial buildings they've painted and they asked me to come up with them in a helicopter to photograph them - it was awesome!

Hot off the press!

I am thrilled to have a photo published in the new Classic Party Rentals brochure...

Travel = photos!

A new batch of travel photographs are online (from my recent trip to SE Asia). Click HERE to see my new (and a few old) favorites.

Enjoy!

http://www.michellewalker.com/#mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=0&p=7&a=0&at=0

Nuts about each other!

In September, Megan & Joey will gather with their families and friends at the beautiful Mariani Farmhouse for their wonderful wedding. My good friends at A Savvy Event introduced me to Megan knowing that we would hit it off immediately. Take a look at this wonderful Engagement Guestbook we created from photos taken at the farmhouse. Megan & Joey's sense of fun is sure to permeate their wedding. I can't wait!

Rose & Joe are getting married!

Rose and Joe will tie the knot in Sonoma at the St. Francis Solano Church and the Sonoma Mission Inn (one of my very favorite places!). We photographed these photos at the beautiful Legion of Honor last week and created their Engagement Guestbook. What a fabulous couple and what a great wedding to look forward to in May!

Baby Mo.

It's wonderful when a bride & groom ask me to photograph the newest additions to their families. Alicia & Evan were married 2 years ago and contacted me recently to introduce me to their son, Mo. Baby Mo is just 2 weeks old in these photos! He is beautiful and such a good baby.

Featured in The Knot

Take a look and this AMAZING wedding that I photographed last year (and that The Knot has featured)...

Coordinator :: Rebecca Reategui Weddings & Special Events
Floral Designer :: Tapestry Flowers
Ceremony :: Grace Cathedral
Reception & Caterer :: The Mark Hopkins
Lighting Design & Rentals :: Classic Party Rentals

Click on the photo (or here) to see the full article http://weddings.theknot.com/ODB/themes/realweddings/view.aspx?type=1&id=39804