Fierce.
That’s one word to describe Rebeka. Totally, awesomely, awe-inspiringly fierce (all that, and she’s also as sweet as can be).
Fierce+sweet+total fashionista+urban decay=it doesn’t get much better than this.
Just a preview for now, my sweets. Much more fabulous-ness in store later.
{scroll down, or click here for Part 1}
I got the sweetest email from Andrea after the last post, saying that I made her cry at work. I told her not to worry; there was a dang good chance I’d make it up to her by crying at her wedding.
Honestly, I probably will. Yes, I’m the worse kind of cliche – the wedding photographer who will cry at your wedding.
Sometimes I get misty during the first look, other times I’m overcome by the emotion behind the vows. If you, your mother or your cousin Eileen happen to cry – at any point and for any reason – I’m almost certainly a goner. There is almost no chance I’ll make it through the father-daughter dance dry eyed (I admit it; I have a soft spot for Butterfly Kisses). Seriously, I’m a huge sap and I’m not afraid to admit it. However, I have persevered and I can now shoot straight through a veil of tears (patting myself on the back for this one – it’s not easy).
Andrea and Andrew – I hereby promise not to turn into a blubbering mess on your big day. I’ll keep it together. But when a couple loves each other with emotion this sweet and true – it’s awfully hard not to feel it too.
~~~
We headed to my favorite junkyard to find some urban texture. There’s nothing like rusted metal to get my muse inspired.
I love these next ones so much because they clearly show just how much fun these two are!
And then these ones give you a hint of their romantic side….
Eegads, isn’t this building amazing? Every time I go to this place I find something new.
This one has a total silver screen, movie star look to me…the next Bogie and Bacall…
Andrew went back to the car to change, so I took the opportunity to snap these pics of the lovely Andrea. Honestly folks, next to no editing on these – her skin really is that perfect!
We even found some bales of hay – and Andrea had the perfect shirt to get a little country!
The way every good fairy tale photoshoot ends – they walk off into the sunset together….
Okay, you see now why these two deserved two whole blog posts?!
FYI: A2 are getting married at the amazing North Scottsdale wedding venue Sassi. I got to check it out with the couple a few weeks back when they went for their tasting appointment, and it is going to be truly stunning. So many possibilities for amazing photographs – I get giddy just thinking about it! If you are looking for a great wedding venue in Phoenix, you should definitely add Sassi to your list.
Dirtbags. It doesn’t sound like the name of a place where you’re likely to meet the love of your life, does it? Yet sometimes unexpected things happen in unexpected places.
It was Andrew’s senior year of college. After a few years of single fun and living abroad, he decided it was time for a serious girlfriend. Still, when he headed out to the bar that night he wasn’t planning on finding his future wife. But then he saw Andrea and somehow, in that first moment, he just knew.
With her long blonde hair and beautiful smile, she was undeniably gorgeous – but there was something more that really captured Andrew’s attention. Despite her petite stature, she exuded an easy confidence that intimidated his friends. Andrew was captivated.
Before meeting Andrew, Andrea had her eyes set on a semester of stress free single living. After a busy term as president of her sorority, Andrea was ready to take it easy. But sometimes fate steps in – in the form of a round of drinks and a gentlemanly kiss on the cheek in a bar with an unlikely name – and plans change.
When Andrew was ready to propose, he knew it had to be special. He took Andrea for an early birthday treat – dinner at the Royal Palms. He left nothing to chance; even her outfit was taken care of. Just after he popped the question, her two best friends (flown in from out-of-town and waiting in the wings) ran in with champagne. Amazing enough, but Andrew didn’t stop there. He followed the proposal with an engagement party for 30 of their closest friends and family, including Andrea’s sister Kate, who had traveled from St. Louis just to be a part of the night. The evening was overwhelming, an emotional blur, a high of family and friendship and amazing, once in a lifetime love.
He loves her sarcasm and wit. She loves his inherent goodness and knows that he makes her a better person. Andrea says Andrew pushes her to pursue her dreams, supports her choices and is her biggest fan. Andrew knows that Andrea’s patience and understanding have been the glue that has held their relationship together (and he’s quick to add that her sexy face and butt don’t hurt either). As a couple they are the best bad dancers on the dance floor, and have built a partnership that continues to get stronger with time.
From Dirtbags to Soul Mates. Works for me.
Andrew and Andrea – I am so glad you chose me to capture your love and to be present as you speak the vows that join your life together. You are both beautiful people, inside and out, but it’s your infectious (and sometimes goofy) energy and love of life and of each other that make you shine. I cannot wait for your wedding day!
(Oh, I got a little carried away choosing images for this post, so I’m gonna have to do this in two parts!)
~~~
Andrea and Andrew are wine connoisseurs, so we began the shoot by heading to Bomberos. Bomberos is an awesome Phoenix wine bar (you have to try their bruschettas and paninis) with an fantastic outdoor patio. Because it was early Sunday afternoon – right before close – we had the place to ourselves.
(Andrea is wearing the outfit she wore the night she got engaged – love it! Such a fabulous, fashionable couple!)
When the restaurant closed we headed downtown, in search of texture, color and urban decay – and we found it!
Stay tuned later this week for even more images from this fabulous session…next up – my favorite junkyard!
I was in the bookstore at the mall, crouching down to get a book off the bottom shelf. When I stood up I saw another mama next to me, wearing her toddler son in a brown hotsling pouch. I just happened to be rocking my own pink and green Pucci print hotsling at the time, six month old Julie along for the ride. In the manner of mothers recognizing common ground (it doesn’t take much when you are a stay at home mama eager for connection) we began to talk.
We chatted for a bit and exchanged names. She paused for a second, smiled and said “Oh, I think I read your blog”.
I tell you, people, it was my first (and only) glimpse into of the rush of celebrity. Someone recognized my name, knew who I was. Holy-freaking-cow, I was actually cool enough to have readers! Went straight to my head, it did.
Then I came crashing back down to earth and remembered all the things I had written about recently. All the personal things. All the goofy things. All the not-so-pretty things.
I had been chronicling my life online for so long (since before there were even blogs, let alone facebook or twitter. true story.) that I tended to forget that real people could be reading. Not just my mother, or nameless, faceless, far away people, but actual, local, run into them in the bookstore kind of people.
Totally freaked me out.
Luckily, I got over it, and a true friendship was born. And even though I never seem to have time to write anymore, I’m pretty sure she still reads my blog.
And that still makes me feel pretty dang cool.
