Archive for January, 2007
Another great event in the history book. I cant tell you how happy I was with the turn out. We had at least double the attendance from last year and more artist diplaying and selling work. Its hard to believe that in only the second year doing this we already need to find a new location to host it! I need to give a big thanks to Advanced Benefit Management for their sponsorship of the event. Without them this could have not been as successful as it was. Thank you to Mountain West Bank, Thorco INC and of course Coeur d Alene Cellars for allowing us to have it at their winery!
Racing can be dangerous!
Contestants can dress as they please (if you couldnt tell)!
It was great to see some of my wedding clients for this year, hello Chad & Melissa!
Accident on turn two.
Check out the guy in the background, I think he liked wonder woman during his childhood!
Our two finalist and Winner!
Last but not least (OMG) Rick Knott decided to show up. Wakeboard extrodinaire and good buddy of mine having a blast!
January 30th, 2007
About a year ago I approached Eden Moreland who owns Merge (also a good friend and partner in Range US) about doing a gallery event that would support local charitable organizations(Last years charity was the Childrens Village). Last years was a blast and we are having our second anual event this year. I need to thank the NIC Foundation for the big donation, without that donation it would be impossible to ge this event off the ground. I certainly hope that we can raise a lot of money for the NIC childrens center. If you would like to see the event flyer click here.Â
Would love to see you there and here are some pics from last year.
January 26th, 2007
I was going through some photos from this past summer and ran across a folder titled “Mindy” ( for those who dont know she is my amazing girlfriend ). It was a folder that I created to store all of my photos of us. Looking at these pictures really made me think about our relationship. Mindy is one of those woman who will do anything for anyone. She will even sacrafice the possibility of a fun trip with her boyfriend to house sit for her friends. Shes the one I go to when I have new business ideas, a bad day or just someone to vent to. She keeps my wild ideas grounded, she puts up with my ADD (dont think I really have it but she does. Ha, Simply beacuse I cant sit still and I’m always ready for the next adventure.), long days and nights working, my travels and not always being around. She never questions me and always trusts that I will make the right decision in business and life.
I must say its great to have found her (Â she claims she found me ). Believe me, I’m not the easiest boyfriend to have. It takes a lot of patience and trust to be with me and I’m so thankful that my gorgeous Mindy has both of them (hopefully someday I can teach her how to shoot, then she could help me with some of my destination weddings)!
This first picture was taken at the Fountain of Wishes Auction this past summer. I was there documenting the event while Mindy was there helping behind the scenes. I just happened to see her in the crowd (how can you miss her, isn’t she hot?) and took a shot. As you can see she caught me!
This next one was at a wakeboard contest I was shooting. Check out those arms!
Shes gonna kill me for this one. But I love it! Just a great day boating on Lake Coeur d Alene.
These last two were from a trip to Orcas Island off the coast of Northwest Washington. I originally had a wedding to photograph, but unfortunatly they had to cancel it. So we decided to go anways since neither one of us had been there before. The island was fantastic and maybe someday we can afford a double wide there (ha thats a joke, but would love to live there).
Aren’t we addorable?
As our one year anniversay approaches, I can say that I love being with this wonderful person.  Mindy, thank you for being there, thank you for making me laugh, thank you for your support and most of all thank you for loving me!
January 21st, 2007
For a long time now I have been striving to be the best, the most creative, original and more importantly a leader. I’m continually trying to make that happen in my locally area and now I’m going after the world. I’m also want to start teaching workshops (teamed up with an amazing photographer friend of mine) so photographers keep coming back to check for the annoucment of dates and location. These are the challenges I put on myself everyday when I wake up. Luckly I also have two people in my area who share these goals, Jaime Johnson Events and Carissa Vera with the Art of Flower. All three of us are so bored with the local weddings that we decided to step it up a notch. Our biggest issue is how do we get our brides to see our vision and allow us to create something unique for them?
Well we started with this years Bridal Festival in Spokane. We decided to have a booth and show future brides our talents and what a wedding “could” look like. Jaime’s event designs are unique to anyone in the Northwest(simply ask around). Then you add the floral design from Carissa and everything is complete!
I think our ideas are catching on as well because they are both booking like crazy for this summer. I’m just glad to be a part of this team. In the next few years to come I think everyone should keep their eyes out for these two. The ideas and designs that these two create will be gracing the covers of numerous magazines. I only hope I can make them happy enough to keep me around!
Here are some pics from the show.
Yes they did make that chandelier, cool huh? People actually asked to rent it for their wedding!
Peacock feathers were the inspiration for this theme(if you could tell).
Some ceremony details, program holder for each chair!
We also got word through the grape vine that other vendors were a little ticked off at us (I call it jealousy, which is the best form of flattery!). They were calling us spoiled rich kids and business trust funders. Borrowing money from our parents to create this “over the top booth”. To set the record straight, non of us borrowed money from our parents(kind of makes me laugh). In fact each on us paid cash for everything! I think its just a misunderstanding that these vendors have. Yes, all three of us are under 30 years old and we have a strong desire to be the leaders in the area. Yes, we act and dress successful, because in our minds we are. We are going to mix things up and challenge every other vendor to be creative as well. Competition is not a bad thing, it actually creates better services and products for our customers! So thank you to everyone that made a comment about our booth. Good or bad it’s what lights the fire within!
January 10th, 2007
I have some news for everyone. My good friend and amazing event planner Jaime Johnson has her new website up! Jaime is not only a great event planner but she is an even better person. Her ideas and creativity makes her the most sought after wedding/event planner in the Northwest. I personally want to thank her for being a great friend and an amazing person to work with. I can’t wait to work together in 07! GOOD LUCK!
Jaime Johnson Events website
January 10th, 2007
Today was a great day! I booked two weddings, one in my local area and another in San Diego, CA. That leaves 6 spots left, who wants them?
January 9th, 2007
As most of you know I only shoot 20 weddings a year. I just booked two more this weekend so I only have 8 available wedding dates left! If you know anyone who needs a photographer please send them my way. I do have a lot of the prefered summer dates available in August and July. Most of my clients are getting married in the spring and fall this year.
January 9th, 2007
As promised, but a little late….pictures from my last wedding. I’ve been slammed with holidays and bridal festivals and finally have time to catch up on past work. I’m still processing these images but here are some of my first “SWP Art Images”.
January 8th, 2007