Surprises

I love to surprise people, especially my lovely wife and best friend, Kelli. Several months ago I decided to surprise her and plan a getaway weekend. Little did I know that our October would be one of the cloudiest and coldest on record at home and I had picked a sunny warm destination! With great appreciation for our good friend, Joanne, who helped me pack a separate carry on bag for Kelli, my brother in law Dan and his wife Pui for watching our kids this past weekend.

I had to convince my kids and Kelli to spend the 4 day weekend over Halloween in Glenview, IL with my brother in law and sister in law. This is something we have never done and was no easy task when 3 children are taken into consideration. I had to sell them on the fact that they would have more fun with their aunt, uncle and baby cousin than at home with their friends. Kelli had no clue we were going anywhere until the drive to her brother's house on Wednesday night and I told her and the kids I have planned a get away weekend. I through out a few options we have done before. Chicago, Door County, Mackinaw Island. I totally had her going! Then the big stipulation that we had to get up at 5 am on Thursday morning! She was not happy about not being able to sleep in the 1st day of a long weekend, but quickly got over it.

I have an assignment every year in NY City in November, and she has always come with me the past 7 years. This year she will not be able to make it. We always have a blast in NY or anywhere we go for that matter. So I decided to pour her coffee in a I love NY mug that early morning to throw her off yet again. I also did not want her thinking we were going somewhere warm, since she packed for a typical fall weekend in the Midwest. We arrived at O'hare Airport and when we went up to the ticket check in I said to the agent "My lovely wife has no idea where we are going for our 16th anniversary. Would you please tell her!" She was floored, to say the least. Earlier when I poured her the cup of coffee in the NY mug, she remarked very politely so as not to hurt my feelings "The next time you plan something like this, think somewhere sunny and warm with a beach!" I was dying inside and trying not to laugh, knowing we were headed to Miami South beach, with and ocean front room and our own beach!

Even the flight attendant got in on the action. He drew a custom designed mug American Airlines mug for us from "Spike"(photo attached) in honor of our wedding anniversary. The 1st photo in South Beach and my personal favorite one is Kelli's 1st view from our balcony room of the beach and pool!

This has been one of our most memorable and fun trips. I love Marriott Hotels not just because of the awesome points, but also you can expect and receive good service. If you ever make it to Miami South beach, I highly recommend the Marriott South Beach at 161 Ocean Dr. Thanks to the staff for all the little extras, Corrona's with limes, chips and salsa, awaiting in our room as we arrive, the ocean front view room... Love the food and night life here is like no other! Joes Stone Crabs, one of our favorites (not to be confused with Joe's Crab Shack). Kelli's first for Stone Cold Crab's!

Time to head down to the beach!

Smile

What a crazy but great week. I just got back from our State WPPA Fall Convention and what a great line up and speakers. I hosted a good friend Ken Sklute, from Arizona, who put on two awesome programs for us. He came in a day early and stayed with my family. Probably one of the most enjoyable and nicest house guest we ever had. I took him to the Harley Museum and then the next day drove to Devil's lake for a hike and some great fall colors, before going to our convention.

Why is it that as photographers our job is to bring the inner beauty out in people, and some photographers use 1,2,3 to get people to smile. I just don't get it. When I hear photographers say this to get people to smile, I can't help but think of my childhood or me disciplining my children."When I get to 3 you better..."
I only bring this up because I worked with another photographer a couple weeks ago and he was using it.
If you are a bride to be. please make sure you find out how your photographer gets his clients to smile.

Our Anniversary

Sixteen years of bliss with my best friend! What a fantastic time celebrating our anniversary last night.Thursday I purchased Tickets to Steely Dan for a Nov. show, and needed to figure out how to surprise my wife. Since they will be playing the album Aja in its entirety, I thought I should get the vinyl record. The perfect dinner music! I happened to find it at Half Price Books.

I made Salmon en Papillote. If you want to impress the ladies or any guests, this is sure to please. Salmon baked in parchment paper with plum tomatoes, green onions, ripe olives, lemon zest and to top it off Basil Pesto. It was the BOMB! Accompanied with a delicious Sterling 2007 Sauvignon Blanc to compliment it.
We sat down to dinner, I put on the record and we enjoyed a fantastic home cooked meal. Afterwords I turned to my beautiful bride and said "What a awesome album, wouldn't it be great to see them live!"and brought out the tickets to the show!

Customizing your wedding

This morning I met with the mother of a potential bride, whose daughter lives in D.C. After a great meeting, I felt a sense of accomplishment, not because she loved my photography, but because I was able to help her with many details of the wedding and answer all her questions.

I pride my business on customizing the coverage and packages to meet the needs of each client. No request is too small or big, in my mind. It is their wedding not mine, and the more we can help each client get what they want, the happier we all are. That is why I remind myself all the time that even though I might not necessarly make more $$ by adjusting a package to meet a client's needs, I come out far ahead in the long run by helping each client get exactly what they want and in turn I get business where I least expect it.

Just two weeks ago, I was waiting in the lobby of a hotel for the bride and bridesmaids to come down and a bridesmaid came off of the elevator limping. Her back strap on her shoe had broke. I do what I always do and figured out how I could help her. Her strap happened to be silver and I had silver duct tape in my car. I ran across the street to get it and I was able to do a temporary repair. It felt better than just saying I am sorry to hear that and do nothing at all.

Help others out in life and it will come back ten fold to you!