Warren and Samantha had their first date on Valentine’s Day, by accident. Wrap your head around that one! FIRST DATE. When I heard that story I couldn’t stop laughing. Warren asked her out, she said yes, and neither of them put together that Friday, that day they were going out…. for the very first time…. was a lover’s holiday. No pressure there! They were also engaged on Valentine’s Day and now, what seems like a lifetime later, made their marriage vows at Semiahmoo Resort. On Valentine’s Day.

Warren and Samantha are two of the most genuine people I know. I feel so lucky to call them friends. I talked in depth last week on the blog about how important it is for you to have clear goals with your wedding photographer, and while I wasn’t their “official” photographer, I wanted to share with you some of the highlights I captured when I took over toward the end of the night.

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I’ve always thought that it’s a terribly romantic idea to keep the sex of your baby a surprise. Information is so accessible these days, it’s refreshing to relish in on of life’s most rewarding mysteries. I’m so excited for them I can hardly stand it. I know you are too, so you’ll be glad to hear that as soon as this baby is born we’re doing a newborn session! We met in Redmond and headed to Marymoor Park. Such an awesome place for a Saturday in the sun!

Liz and Ryan are actually one of my all time FAVORITE romantic wedding memories, so I’ll share with you that little tid bit. They met at Oregon State (boooo…. go Ducks! Just kidding, kind of), and were married on a blustery fall day in Oregon 5 years ago. I remember watching in awe as Ryan and Liz swayed back and forth in the middle of the room during their first dance. Ryan is hearing impaired but didn’t miss a beat, and as they stared into each others eyes, Ryan asked Liz what the song was. She glanced up, mouthed “unforgettable” and then laid her head back on his shoulder. It truly was. I’ve never forgotten that moment, or how hot my tears were, or how full my heart was. Liz and Ryan define what a true partnership is.

I’m so excited to see their family grow, and can’t wait to meet this little one. I just love babies. Especially the part where other people have them. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to document this amazing time in your lives!

Ok I know I have a thing for flare, but I can’t help it… we’ve had the MOST amazing weather here in Seattle the last few weeks. Warm, and full of light.

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GIVING BACK IN FEBRUARY

I set a goal this year to do more for others with my business, last month I gave away a free portrait session (actually three) and this month I’m doing something even crazier!

I learned about Portrait House briefly last year at WPPI because the A-listers in photography were participating in the kick off of promoting it (yes, for all of you confused civillians…. in our community, there are celebrity photographers). I contacted Justin and Mary Marantz with my idea for this shoot and BANG, here we are. I’m producing a photo shoot to raise money and awareness for Portrait House. Portrait House is essentially a thoroughfare for us to participate in giving back. They have an active project list, project one: build a house for Habitat! They are still working on getting their non-profit status set up, so aren’t in the full swing of accomplishing their goals, but when they do! Look out! It’s going to be huge! With my mad production skills, and their cause combined we have an amazing portfolio building shoot set up to raise money for Portrait House in Vegas during WPPI.

In 3 short weeks, 25 photographers, 7 beautiful subjects,  one amazing goal! Win win win win.

I could go on and on about what I’ve set up for us to do, but that would spoil the surprise! The shoot has unfortunately sold out, so if you didn’t get a seat I do feel bad for you, it’s going to be pretty unreal.

Don’t worry though, next year we’ll be doing it again…. and maybe twice!

You can learn more about this PHotoshoot PHor PHamily here. AND on another note: If you are a couple interested in being photographed for the shoot (or know someone who might be) and will be in Vegas on March 7th, Please contact me!

THIS CHOCOLATE

I’m not a huge candy junkie, I much prefer my cake. However, I bought these for my clients for Valentines Day, and should never have let them cross the threshold of my home. I found out that I could eat my weight in Fran’s Gray Sea Salt and DARK chocolate caramels.

HANGING LAUNDRY ON THE LINE

Ok I’m a closet environmentalist, Billy calls me “recycle nazi”. I have a serious affection with hanging my laundry on the line, it feeds my soul! The sun, my toes in the grass, the smell of the clean laundry…. Yummm. The last few days it has been so beautiful and ::::GASP:::: sunny here in Seattle! I’m simply giddy! I can’t wait for the summer to start so I can hang my laundry outside.

We have milestones in life. Moments that feel…well, monumental. I know that in a short time, I’ll be facing such an occasion when I marry Billy. It will be the most important thing I will have ever done up to this point, the most important day of my life so far. Obviously photography is a priority for our wedding, there are very few equals on the list. Hiring a professional isn’t a question for us, it’s a must. I have to take a deep breath here, because I have more opinions about weddings than a hill full of fire ants. Aside from the heart full of wonderful memories and a frozen cake, the only thing that remains after this day are your photos. It baffles me when people overlook how important these images are. From a bride’s perspective, these photos will carry the legacy of my wedding day, this defining day, to my heirs. My album will hold a place of honor among them for many generations to come. I know this to be true because my grandparents album did, and my parents album did. They are cherished parts of our history as a family.

I have plenty of friends who are photographers. Dozens, hundreds probably. I’m hiring a professional wedding photographer, paying them, signing a contract. Why? Certainly not because I’m rolling in dough…. I am the ultimate bargain hunter… trust me. I am doing this because there is a big difference between the mentality of a paid contract and a friend. Friends can turn into enemies quickly when it’s over something as precious as your wedding photos. Friends can take their time on editing your images, or not edit them at all. Friends can relax and have a great time at your wedding, and not capture those critical moments. Friends can leave earlier than you thought they would because you didn’t have it in a contract. Not to mention every single technical aspect that is ignored by a non-professional. I’m telling my photographer and friend when I sign their contract, that I respect them, what they do, and expect their respect of my day in return.

There is a HUGE difference between the mentality of “casual friend” and “client friend” from my perspective as a photographer. I don’t take “casual friends” wedding photos anymore. Everyone gets the same client experience, we’re the best of friends but business is business.

Sunday I was a guest at a wedding where said situation took place. Thank goodness I was there. Nothing hurts my heart more than a bride with tears of sadness in her eyes. And thank goodness all of my gear was conveniently in my car fully charged. The bride pulled me aside and told me her “photographer” just told her she had to leave early. Bride in tears + angry = not a good scenario. So I put my photographer cape on, and saved the day. This is why you shouldn’t trust a friend with a camera on your wedding day. It’s always going to end in heartache. I get why you do it, but trust me, DON’T. Maybe you don’t have a $100,000 wedding budget, maybe you don’t even have $5000.00, find a professional that is willing to work with you in some capacity. Make sure you sign a contract. Know what the outcome will be. There is no duplicating of this day, of all of the hard work you’ve devoted to it for the last 12 months. Place the responsibility of your memories in capable hands, PLEASE.

If you do, you’ll look like this your entire wedding day. Happy bride, not sad bride.

Love always,
Laura

PS> More photos of this wedding to come, deservedly in it’s own post!

Yesterday wasn’t a typical day here at the office of Laura Marchbanks Photography. It started out that way, honestly it did. I rolled out of bed, avoided the mirror (oh internet, if you only knew), made my daily gallon of coffee, and settled in for my morning email. In my mind I have “office hours” of 9 to 5, but if I take a realistic eye at my day I’m working from the moment I wake up to the moment I lay my head to rest.

Hi my name is Laura, and I’m a work-a-holic.

It’s been 4 years (or more) since I took a real vacation, and most days I know more about what my twitter friends have done than my fiance. I have a really hard time detaching from my work. My business is me, and I am my business. I am under this illusion that if I work hard now I can enjoy life later, which is true! To a degree, HOWEVER, all this hard work is for what? Loving the resentment I feel when I get phone calls at 8 at night to do something that must be done immediately? Realizing that I was so busy over the summer I didn’t take the time to pick the tomatoes in my garden? Or hang my laundry on the line? Taking time for ME, my life, the things that feed my soul? no, no, no.

I digress.

Yesterday started out like many others, but the afternoon ended quite differently…. Am I building suspense yet? A few weeks ago I signed up for a workshop put on by my new BFF’s Justin and Mary Marantz called Spread the Love. Ok maybe we’re not BFF’s yet, but I know… I can feel it. We’re destined for BFFdom. I can really relate to them as a couple, their dreams, their values, their blogging. Signing up for Spread the Love wasn’t about the workshop, I knew it would be awesome, but had very few expectations about how it would impact ME, my business. I’m so incredibly thankful to them for putting this tour together. Their message is a simple one, love the life you live, and if you don’t – take the necessary steps to make that happen. We spent the entire evening talking about goals, dreams, financial freedom, career and life success. Yesterday was exactly what I needed in this immediate moment. I knew that going into 2010 I had all these changes I wanted to make in my life, but deciding exactly how they should be executed is quite a different matter.

This year is all about taking charge of my life, and my business in a whole new way. I have PLANS people! Thanks for tuning in, and if you’d like to get coffee with me and talk about life and love, let’s do it!

****And because everything is better with a picture, here is a little diddy of my Ladybug (who I am insanely missing this week because her grandparents decided it would be a good week for a visit at their house).