Paul Owen Photography LLC

Paul Owen PhotographyLLC blog has moved

2010-07-14T10:19:00.001-05:00

My blog has moved. Please visit Paul Owen PhotographyLLC Blog at: http://www.milwaukeeprofessionalphotographer.com/blog

weddings and warm weather!

2010-05-20T10:15:00.003-05:00

I am supper excited for this years weddings! With summer like weather the past couple days, I can't wait for Saturday's wedding outdoors at Harbor Lights Garden on Lake Michigan. Outdoor weddings are a big gamble with weather, but it looks like it is to be a spectacular day this Saturday. On that note, check out my previous post from last year on protecting your dress. I know most brides are concerned about that one of kind dress you have dreamed of and yet you want to get from point A to B and not have it get dirty.

Pricless children candids

2010-05-13T09:23:00.006-05:00

Would you like to get the chance to win a complimentary photography session?

Now that everything is green and warmer weather is on the way, I want to see some of your candid moments of your children or nieces and nephews. I love photographs especially a candids that capture that one of a kind priceless moment. Become a fan or should I say "Like" on my business Facebook page http://tinyurl.com/2dabljk upload your favorite photograph of your child or niece or nephew and let the voting begin (if you include a name 1st names only please). Your photographs need to get posted on my page before May 24th. You and your family and friends can then vote for your favorite one. The one with the most votes will win a complimentary portrait session by Paul Owen PhotographyLLC!

Mother's Day contest results!

2010-05-03T08:41:00.003-05:00

Ok the votes are in and I very happy to say Kim Gregor is the winner and below is her mother's story.

I've always know my mom was the best since I was little. Times were tough with five children but we never knew it. For months before Christmas my mom would secretly go to my parent's bedroom where she kept her sewing machine and forbid us to enter. We'd wake up Christmas morning with loads of presents under the tree that my mother lovingly made for all of us. We'd have doll clothes galore from scraps of fabric and we'd get new flannel pajamas every year.

Fifty years have passed since my first Christmas and my mother is still lovingly sewing gifts for all five of her children and her grandchildren. I have a beautiful quilt on a bed, another on the back of my sofa, and one on my chair with sayings about blessed daughters. I have been the one blessed to have such a wonderful mom. I had surgery a couple of years ago and while I was recuperating, I covered up with one of the quilts and felt my mom's love. She visited often and brought meals. She is always caring for others. If one of us gets sick, she still makes homemade chicken and dumpling soup to help us recover.

My mom has taught us what it means to be charitable. If someone is in need, she is always there to offer whatever she can. Children learn by imitation and she has also taught us the value of hard work. She cared for us without the modern conveniences we have today. She had a ringer washer, hung laundry outside on the clothesline, and canned all sorts of produce from our garden. After the youngest child was in high school, my mom got her first paying job. She can do anything she puts her mind to. Even though my parents didn’t have college degrees, my mom insisted I get my degree of which I am very thankful to have had all of that support.

A few months ago my mom suffered a stroke that left her with left-sided paralysis. She has showed us again that she can do anything and that hard work pays off. She faithfully does her exercises and is improving every day. She just finished crocheting a prayer shawl to donate to our church to give to someone who is ill. Soon, she will be totally independent again. She has taught me well and I have her to thank for the person I am today. This is why my mom is the best.

My Birthday

2010-04-30T16:35:00.006-05:00

We all have great memories of a birthday in our life. I love to entertain friends and family and I really enjoy cooking. Several years ago my wife asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday. I said let's have some friends over and cook ribs for them. I had never made ribs up to this point and I cooked 30 pounds of ribs! Fortunately for me they turned out awesome! Good ribs take patience and need to cook slow and low. So with that I will share my successful rib recipe. I started with 3 full racks of ribs (about 2 ft each rack). If you buy from the local grocery store you'll have to flip them over and take a sharp knife and cut and peel the thin membrane off. If you visit the butcher shop, you can have them do it for you (or they will already be de-membraned). Use a dry rub and generously rub the ribs with the seasoning. I use McCormicks Pork Dry rub. Wrap them up in plastic wrap and re-frigerate for 24 to 48 hours. Use a Nesco or very large pot and put the ribs in. Submerge ribs in pineapple juice and worcestershire sauce (approx. 1 large can of pineapple juice about 64oz? and 1/2 bottle of worcestershire sauce 6 0z.) Cook in Nesco or oven at 250 degrees for approx. 3 hours or until ribs start to fall off the bone. Then slather on your favorite sauce. Mine is Sweet Baby Rays, my wife loves Open Pit because it is tangy. Cook on the grill over medium heat until sauce is carmelized and enjoy with a good beer or wine. A wine I highly recommend is an out of this world "Layer Cake - Malbec" Bon apetit.

For a great side dish try my mothers 3 bean side dish.

Cook 3 slices of bacon cooked and crumbled

3 finely chopped onions

2-3 fresh chopped minced garlic

Sauté above onion and garlic in butter or margarine 'til soft and translucent

1/2 tablespoon dry mustard

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup Ketchup

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

15 oz can Kidney beans rinsed and dried out

15 oz can butter beans or lima beans rinsed and dried out

21 oz can Bush baked beans with partial drained juices taken out

combine all above and bake 350% for 60 minutes and bubbly

Mother's Day Gift and your story

2010-04-24T17:41:00.007-05:00

Mother's Day contest! Here is a simple great gift that will keep on giving. Email me and tell me why YOUR mom is the BEST, even send a photo if you can. My email is pkrowen@gmail.com. Have your email to me no later than next Sunday the 2nd of May. Please make sure you include your name and phone number. My family will then choose the winner on Monday the 3rd of May and the winner will be notified and announced on my Facebook page http://preview.tinyurl.com/Paulowenphotographyllc with the story posted.

First place will win a family portrait session and 8 x 10.

Second place will win 50% off a portrait session.

Third place 25% off a portrait session

Gift cards and certificates will be mailed to each of the winners by Wednesday the 5th of May, so you receive it in time for Mother's Day.

Shortening a long URL/website address

2010-04-23T06:17:00.012-05:00

Yesterday I was on the phone with a fellow photographer and we were talking shop. Now days shop talk for us is Facebook, Linkedin, SEO etc... He happened to mention taking a long website or link and shortening it or customizing it with a different name. When I first came across this a couple weeks ago, I thought I would never have a use for this website. But I was very wrong as I have already put it to use several times when attaching a hyperlink in e mails. Go to http://tinyurl.com copy the website or link you want to shorten and then paste into the window. Make sure you type the name you want to change it to in the Custom alias box. Click make Tiny url and you are done. The next page that appears will show you what the link was, and what the new link is. It will never break up in a email or expire! So have fun customizing your links to everyone.

Springtime and great memories

2010-04-01T09:19:00.008-05:00

What a great two weeks it has been. Saturday the 20th of March, as the snow was flying, I headed downtown for an engagement session for an upcoming wedding at the Art Museum. What a terrific year this will be, I so look forward to all my clients' events! Make sure to check out the new exhibit at the Art Museum, Raphael: "The Woman with the Veil" March 27 - June 6. Words can not describe the beauty of this image!

I received a call a week and half ago from the assistant of author and entertainer "Grace Chang" who was visiting New Berlin schools to share her entertainment and most recent book. They wanted a local photographer to cover her presentation at Ronald Reagan Elementary where my daughters attend school. My daughters really enjoyed it. I brought my daughter Grace up on stage afterwords for a photo op with Grace Change and her dragon Jin Jin.

Then lastly, my siblings and I surprised my Dad for his 80th Birthday and my mother's birthday as well. It was so great to have the whole family together. My brother flew in between snow storms from Colorado. Thanks mom and dad for creating a wonderful family!

On to spring break this week with the kids. Memphis for good BBQ and Blues on Beale Street!

Connecting with businesses, family, and friends

2010-03-18T09:12:00.009-05:00

In today's super warp speed connections, we are tweeting, Facebooking, Linking and too many others to mention to connect with other businesses, network and keep in touch with family and friends. Like most, it is supposed to simplify our connections to others but seems to overwhelm most.

I recently found a great company that sends cards to business or personal contacts of mine on my behalf to celebrate birthdays, "save the date" for a wedding , engagement annoucements, business promotion cards, etc. It is wonderful to have them all in one place with reminders to me of birthdays and anniversaries. They are created and personalized by me (or you, if you choose to use this service.)! Contact me for more info on this info@paulowenphotography.com.

As for updating your blog, facebook, Linked in many resources are available that can combine and update all at once. Ping.fm is free and great for that. For tweeting many of your apps at once check out tweetdeck.com. If your want real time social media anaylsis from dozens of sources try socialmention.com. I prefer to simplyfy my life as much as possible, don't you?

Engagement and table marker idea

2010-03-10T06:08:00.005-06:00

Weddings today are more personal than ever. Couples are incorporating who they are into the wedding day. Table markers are also more personalized. I have seen table numbers markers indicated by photos of places the couple has traveled to and/or their local hang outs. On the back side of the photos tells their story.

I have to admit as a wedding vendor, we are telling our story and selling what we do. More importantly, I enjoy hearing about the couples engagement, favorite things to do, music, travels, and who they are as people. The more I have a connection with clients, the better served they are by me. Share your stories with your vendors and perhaps they will provide you greater service by knowing more about you.

My engagement was on August 28, 1992 at sunset on Devil's Lake. We hiked up the cliff to watch a gorgeous sunset, followed by my proposal. It was a great day in our lives and she is my best friend and mother of three beautiful children.

Friday night art night

2010-02-20T13:50:00.002-06:00

My family always amazes me. Last night my daughter pulled out of her family jar a piece of paper that said family art and craft night. She created this jar in girl scouts and put pieces of paper in it with ideas of what our family can do together. We made African art, what a blast that was.

My mother in law

2010-02-11T10:39:00.006-06:00

This post is dedicated to my wife's mother. She has been in and out of the hospital for several weeks and last Sunday had double bypass surgery that went well and hopefully she will be home by tomorrow. She loves the outdoors and I couldn't help but think of her yesterday as I went cross country skiing in fresh deep snow. She loves living by Grant Park and Lake Michigan. They also have a few squirls in the yard being a heavily wooded area they live in. She loves to put out empty peanut jars for them to lick up. My wife and kids took to two squirls this past winter that come on our deck to await a few nuts or crumbs we throw out on occasion. More recently my daughter threw out a piece of an orange, and to our surprise he ate it in his perch on a tree limb. My son was quick and got the shot of him.

Listening to clients needs

2010-01-29T14:31:00.004-06:00

So often, we get caught up in what we think clients want to hear, but forget to listen and ask what they want and desire. I met with a terrific wedding couple last night for wedding photography.

It was a pleasure to listen to them and ask them about their day, not mine. To find out the little things that realy make an impact what they want from us. I know way to many photographers

who talk too much about themselves and what cameras, computer programs, albums, they use etc.

We buy a product or service from a sales person, not because we need it, but because they make us feel comfortable and reassuring it is what we need.

Good friends and fellow colleagues of WPPA

2010-01-22T10:35:00.006-06:00

This has been a crazy, yet good and productive week. Serving on the Board of directors for Wisconsin Professional Photography Association has been challenging but necessary to move our 114 year old association forward in helping other fellow photographers. Our upcoming convention in Green Bay the 25th of February - March 1st is going to be great!

Monday, I drove up to Green Bay to a good friend and fellow photographer's studio, ArtessenceLLC. I drove up a day before our WPPA board meeting because Dan will be taking over our website site board position that I currently hold for WPPA. What an awesome studio they have and their talent and creativity are incredible! Dan made a ring light from scratch. Love the energy saving bulbs! Check out the light in his eyes!

Thanks Dan and Steph for putting me up. What an incredible Jumbalaya dinner made from scratch! You guys Rock!

Photographer of the Year - PPA International Convention

2010-01-17T13:57:00.009-06:00

I just arrived back from our International Photography Convention in Nashville TN.

We had over 10,000 photographers attend, the largest we have seen in the 118 year history of Professional Photographers of America.

While is was a great honor to receive "Photographer of the Year, Bronze", it was equally great to help out two newer photographers I met with their business. I have always entered into print competition to better myself and raise the bar on my skills. I could not have accomplished what I have without other photographers helping me. Also by taking the advice of judges on how to create better images. That is what got me to where I am today.

I fear for the new photographers coming into this business that they do not all have what it takes to run a successful one. It is so much more than taking a good image and spending hours in photoshop to make the perfect image for our clients. When it was film, we could keep our cameras for 5-10 years before replacing them. Now, every 2-3 years the technology improves so much that a newer cameras is a must, and lets not forget about all the software, computers and upgrades to just scratch the surface.

Volume always equals less time with each client, less ability to give better quality and customer service, which every client deserves.

For the new photographers out there, I ask you "Are your running a volume operation and charging less, only to spend more time on photoshop and less time with your family?"

Business and product photos

2010-01-07T09:37:00.007-06:00

As we embark on a new year, I know businesses always look at how they can attract more clients and have great PR. I happen to notice many websites and marketing pieces from great companies, but the PR photos are quite lacking. This should be first thing of importance when it comes to marketing, because first impressions are everything, as well as the follow up.
Unfortunately getting that new business photo or product photo update always is the last thing on the list for most. The follow up or thank you should also be just as important.

I created thank your cards for Lee Johns's Catering a while back. It all came from photographing food and the employees of Lee John's Catering. I decided to create this unique one of kind piece for them.Keeping a happy current client is 10 times easier than trying to market and get that new client. A simple hand written thank you card with your photo or photos of your products or employees on it is invaluable.

In today's electronic media their is a lack of true personal contact. A hand written thank you, or a phone call is invaluable because few do it. It takes more time to do, but is sending an email as personal as a hand written thank you?

Wedding Engagement

2010-01-04T10:09:00.005-06:00

I love the new year and hearing about all the new engagements. My daughter's 2nd grade teacher was proposed to in front of her whole class and of course no one knew. It was adorable to hear my daughter tell the story about her boyfriend getting down on one knee in front of the class and how she cried a "happy cry"!

Engagements can also be filled with some stress with lots of planning and decision making. I always make it as stress free as possible for my clients. It is hard enough to decide among vendors and figure out who offers what. For me it comes down to personality, service and quality. Let your vendors help you by asking for referrals, not just of other clients they have served, but for other vendors you may need as well.

If a wedding vendor is not helping you get exactly what you need, then how might they be on your wedding day? It is your day, not your vendor's.

True meaning of the Holidays

2010-01-03T21:18:00.008-06:00

Now that Christmas is over and we took down the decorations, I can't help but to look back at what wonderful Christmas and New Year's it was with family and friends.

My two oldest children know who the real Santa is, but what I didn't expect was for them to share in the excitement of keeping it alive for my youngest - from reading stories to her and playing Christmas songs on the piano and guitar, as well as sharing the true meaning of Christmas with her. We sponsored a family who was in desperate need of necessities, since they both were out of work and have a child. We all bought them gifts, wrapped and delivered them. We also spent a evening with our kids at a soup kitchen serving meals to the less fortunate. I hope that our children will continue to understand the need to serve others in our community.

2009-12-19T08:51:00.013-06:00

What a great way to end this year's weddings - at the Milwaukee Art Museum with my good friends!

What a terrific couple Todd and Joanna were. And the family and friends had a terrific time!

It was especially great to meet Joanna's aunt from Poland who had never been on plane or left Poland yet made the journey!

The florist Freshdesign did a fabulous job and it shows in the photos.

The Milwaukee Art

Museum once again awed the family and guests.

It so amazing to see what the Chefs at the Art Museum can create!

It is always great to work with Superior Video.

The Jeff Sandler Orchestra kept the guests going to the end of a wonderful night.

New York Assignment for Hotels Magazine

2009-12-02T14:34:00.036-06:00

One of the things I love about photography is the diversity. I love the corporate work as much as my usual weddings. I was recently in New York City for an annual assignment for Hotels Magazine. Hotelier of the World award (28th year for the magazine) is similar to an Oscar for the winning Hotelier as it is other hoteliers saying you are the best in the business this year. This was my 7th year photographing the event. It was held at the Palace Hotel, one of my favorites! Being 70 degrees and sunny, I did alot of walking and people watching. I also enjoyed one of the best Peroggi's of my life in Central Park at Kish Kosh and the best barbeque at Virgils. Love NY!

Surprises

2009-10-31T08:23:00.007-05:00

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

2009-10-23T09:11:00.004-05:00

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

2009-10-10T07:05:00.015-05:00

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

2009-10-07T11:52:00.011-05:00

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!

Eugenie & Kahlil

2009-09-29T12:28:00.025-05:00

Eugenie and Kahlil you have truly been blessed! The love you not only have for each other, but also from your family and friends was so apparent Saturday. Your wedding was so special in a multitude of levels, I don't know where to begin. I was honored to capture these images for your family and friends, so that they may remember what a awesome day you had.

The flowers were not only breath taking, but carried the beauty all the way through the day into the reception.
Moorhead and Rhodes florist in Mequon,WI262-242-7728.

The wedding planner Denise was a treat to work with, relaxed, keeping everything in order and helping in every way she could. Thank you Denise!

The Art Museum of Milwaukee always one of my favorites. My good friend Anne Radtke saw to all the details and made it a very special night, for all. David, your staff and award winning chefs Chris Hatlel and Nick Burki who created Butternut Squash Soup, Mixed Baby Greens, Beef Tenderloin, Halibut, and Risotto that tantalized our pallets! The Desserts to follow dinner were out of this world!

It was especially nice that it did not rain as they were calling for. The cocktail hour was held on the Baumgartner Terrace with a Jazz Trio all the way from Florida Scott Marischen. Nothing is better at cocktail hour than Jazz Trio to please all, as well as a first dance to
top all off.

After dinner the band from Chicago, Peter Hennes Orchestra, kept everyone having a blast into the night, and what a great night it was!

Rely on the professionals

2009-09-24T16:07:00.000-05:00

Wedding planning can certainly be stressful. So many blogs,websites, friends and family giving advice.
My advice is always ask the professionals. We are here to help you make your day as stress free as possible. You hired your vendors for your wedding because you felt comfortable with them; they seemed to click with you and what you envision your special day to be.
That is what I love best about what I do. Being able to capture wedding or portraits the way couples dream there day would be is very gratifying for me.
I discovered a great idea for wedding favors for your guests - bookmarks. Books and book clubs are more popular than ever. I make customized bookmarks for my clients. Why not have your photographer photograph your engagement session and have them create bookmarks for all the guests? Check out the link. Wedding Favors

Sevasti and David

2009-09-22T15:11:00.001-05:00

What a beautiful bride Sevasti was this past Saturday!
And David - I loved his sense of humor! The two of you could not have
had a more perfect day, you both deserved it!
Seeing all the family come from Greece was quite impressive.
The videographer, Eric from www.superiorweddingvideo.com is always
a pleasure to work with and one of my favorites. The flowers were spectacular,
and one of the nicest vendors to work with www.bellefioriflorist.com. Emily you Rock!

The Greek Annunciation Church in Milwaukee always has breathtaking ceremonies!,www.annunciationwi.org To finish it up at the Pfister,

www.thepfisterhotel.com/Weddings/index.asp. they wowed us all with shrimp and steak done to perfection. My pallet was bursting with the great flavors of an awesome meal! Greg Talaska, thanks for making it special for all of Sevasti and David's guests. You and your staff were terrific to work with.

The Iron Horse Hotel Milwaukee

2009-09-19T09:21:00.000-05:00

My wife had an all day meeting at the Iron Horse Friday and I decided to meet up with

her for drinks and dinner afterwords. Talk about impressive from the decor to the staff

and food and drink. My kind of place! Sorry if I get the names wrong, our 1st server Keisha

was so great. We were in the bar as the patio (yard) had a wedding ceremony going on. What a awesome place for a ceremony. Then we headed out to the Yard and decided to have an appetizer and some wine. Our server Erica suggested that the pulled pork nachos are great, but likes to have them "made with love" to include some barbecue sauce. Great recommendation Erica, thanks! The ladies loved the wine. It got a little chilly outside so we headed into the lobby where Robert helped us with a few libations. The lounge has a fantastic atmosphere in the relaxing lobby. We finished up back in the bar for dinner - oysters on the half shell, popcorn shrimp (literal Corn nut-crusted rock shrimp, shrimp chips and kettle corn in a bucket, WOW!) Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella with basil leaves and toasted pine nuts in a balsamic reduction, fresh is an understatement! The grilled herb chicken sandwich with fresh mozzarella included extremely tender chicken with a burst of flavor. Thanks again to the staff and management for not only a wonderful meeting setting for my wife, but also a great evening to end the week with as well. www.theironhorsehotel.com

Protect your wedding dress

2009-09-17T13:19:00.000-05:00

It seems strange for me to be commenting about protecting
your wedding dress since we have not had any rain here
for over two weeks.
I had a wedding last month that did have rain.
Prior to leaving the bride's house to
go to the church, I recommended to the mother of
the bride that she take a plain bed sheet to wrap around
the dress to protect it as the bride got
in and out of the car. The best advice of the day!

Family Portraits

2009-09-14T09:41:00.000-05:00

With the kids back in school and football

starting it is great to reflect upon a terrific

Summer the Owen family had, as well as

fantastic clients this past year!

I always reflect on my family, when I sit in my

living room looking at the awesome family

portrait we have and how truly blessed I am

to have 3 beatiful children, Michael, Emily and

Grace. I should not forget my best friend,

the one who I live to laugh, love and share my dreams

with, my wife Kelli!

I would like to share my passion with you and offer any one

who responds to this blog 1/2 off a family portrait session fee

valid until December 30th 2009.