June 29
If it seems like I’ve been missing in action lately : it’s because I have been.
Taking a short hiatus, Aaron and I have been flying around and refreshing our souls with some sights.
I can’t wait to update you when I get a chance; until then, here’s something to keep you guessing just where we have been:
…can you guess where we have been?
No cheating if you already knew!
xoxo,
Em
June 21
Adelle is a dear friend to me.
We met during the year I lived in Tokyo – she was there when Aaron proposed on the bridge in the rain in Kichijoji and as fate would have it she is in San Francisco now.
She came over for dinner the other night and I had to snap a few photos – I just love her style.
We share a deep and abiding love for fashion and you can keep up with her adventures here.
In the meantime, go find an old friend and say hello.
They just might make you smile.
xoxo,
Em
June 16
lately, France has been calling. leaving messages.
France says to me, I am good ingredients. I am delicious. I am simple yet refined.
basically, France is the country of dreams.
…so you can’t blame me for wanting to fit in.
I think I might.
I love to cook eggs and cook them well.
I find every excuse to put a fried egg in a sandwich.
I am beyond excited.
We are actually going to France this summer! Soon!
In preparation, we decided a good croissant was in order.
What better place than Tartine in San Francisco?
…delicious.
Made even better by good company.
And finally, I felt the need to Master the Art of French Cooking.
I basically sought out the simplest recipe in the book to begin.
Of course I also decided that a great time to try a new recipe was on some unsuspecting dinner guests.
Thankfully, I only ended up with a few minor burns.
Oh, and literally, the most tender and juicy chicken of our lives.
Julia Child knows what she is talking about, ya’ll.
Oh, France, I cannot WAIT to meet you.
xoxo,
Em
June 9
When I first met Kathy & Andrea for their engagement photos in downtown LA, I knew this was the start of something really good.
Just seeing the way that they delight in each other – it was clear to me that when someone finds the person that lights them up this world is a little bit of a better place.
But last Saturday at Marvimon the world was a whole heck of a lot better – because Kathy + Andrea planned such a FUN and beautiful celebration of their love for their friends and family, and it was totally awesome.
Kathy + Andrea met on a job in the entertainment industry, where they were traveling all over California – they bonded over the beauty of the landscape and the food.
Andrea, when the crowd at their wedding reception cheered for her to make a toast – she said very simply “4 years since I met Kathy, and my life has never been better.”
…
Kathy + Andrea,
I’m incredibly thankful to have been a part of this day.
It was an honor to document your story.
…
The Standard Hotel in downtown LA made the perfect backdrop for a relaxed afternoon getting ready…
Kathy + Andrea chose to do their first look at the Los Angeles Public Library down the street and it was such a beautiful setting to start the day.
Kathy told me she loved flowers and she was not kidding. I am OBSESSED with these beautiful florals from Dandelion Ranch!
So many thanks to Yoleine at Twelve Events for making every part of the day go off without a hitch!
Seriously, absolutely, completely delicious food provided by Heirloom LA.
84,000 thanks to Michelle for being a fabulous assistant and for grabbing this shot below and SO MANY other good ones!
I love this tribute to Kathy’s grandfather.
Roman Holiday played while the guests reclined.
Kathy & Andrea, I hope you have an amazing time in Italy!!
xoxo,
Em
p.s.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many RIDICULOUSLY amazing vendors all in one place before.
Check them out.
Lodging: The Standard Hotel
Venue: Marvimon House
Coordination : Twelve Events
Rentals : Classic Party Rentals
Catering : Heirloom LA
Florals : Dandelion Ranch
Cake : Cake Monkey
Guitarist: Jose Garcia
Hair/Makeup : Darcy Gilmore
June 6
A few days before Shane + Becca’s wedding in San Diego last week I had the chance to attend a workshop held by some photographers close to my heart: Gabriel and Carlie of Gabriel Ryan Photographers.
I first met Gabriel and Carlie at WPPI – a conference for photographers. Initially I was drawn to their photos, but was quickly drawn into their life, their stories, and the people they are. I was so blessed by a session Aaron and I did with them last June + I am blessed to call them my friends.
The workshop Gabriel and Carlie held called BUILD and it was born out of some mistakes (aren’t all great things born out of our mistakes?) and successes and some solid business planning.
The workshop is designed to help you think through all the building blocks of your business- from crafting a unique vision to hammering out the systems to support and push that vision forward.
As a creative I think it’s easy to focus on the art and hope the business will build itself but the fact is that AS artists we need a strong structure to FREE US to create the kind of art we love.
I have seen this in my own life in the past year, when the business is taken care of, the finance systems, the emails taken care of – that is precisely when I want to play again with my camera, when I am happy and alive and that’s when, as an artist, I do my best work.
So I loved this workshop. I am finding that I love the business part of what I do. I love working out ways to serve my clients in the best way possible. I love finding the best ways to show people what I do, and bring them into that conversation. I am not naturally an efficient person, but when I find something that makes me faster and better, I get so excited about it.
So we spent a lot of time that day asking ourselves some hard questions about what our own businesses are all about – and how to build them into something we can really be proud of.
But we also got to practice our craft – learn some skills from Gabriel and shoot an adorable couple styled by Carlie and be inspired by an amazingly cute orange and blue tablescape set up by Melanie at Jesi Haack!
I LOVE MY JOB.
What do you need to do to set yourself up for success in your business?
What is your biggest challenge right now?
I would love to hear from you and hopefully help each other out. Holla at a girl.
xoxo
Em
