Monthly Archives: January 2009

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Gettysburg Hotel Tomorrow

January 31, 2009 – 7:09 pm

Tomorrow I will be at the Gettysburg Hotel for the Gettysburg Times / WGET 2009 Bridal Faire.  I will be at the show to hawk my wedding photography wears and services.  :)  I’m not sure where I will be other than the Ballroom, which, like everything else is Gettysburg is supposedly haunted by ghosts.  I know that’s neither here nor there, but I go on random tangents easily, so I thought I would share that interesting info.  The hotel, specifically that ballroom, has actually been on national TV a few times about being haunted.  You know the type of show I’m talking about, one of those Travel Channel highlight shows.  I’m easily entertained by mindless television, so that type of programing appeals to me.  You can always find something good on the Travel Channel, unless they are showing poker.  Can I ask who actually watches that?  I can’t think of anything more boring than watching someone else play poker.  But I digress.  This post is supposed to be about me being at the Gettysburg Bridal Faire.  The show starts at 1 pm and goes until 4 pm.  I know there are going to be lots of other great vendors there as well.  Admission at the door is $8.00.  For more info on the show visit www.wget.com and click on the 2009 Bridal Faire link on the corner.  Come on out and see us, we would love to meet you!

On another note about Gettysburg, I was just there today for the coldest, most dangerous and treacherous e-session ever!  :)  No, it wasn’t really that bad.  Jadylee and Alex met me at the Peace Light.  They choose that location, because that is where Alex proposed.  I haven’t even emptied the flash card yet, but I’m sure there are some rock’n shots.  Even in the ice and bitter cold these guys were awesome.  I hope to have some images up soon.  Thanks Jadylee and Alex!

By admin | Posted in Bridal Shows, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments (0)

F@*& Hagerstown Facebook Group

January 31, 2009 – 9:16 am

So I’m a little annoyed.  I probably shouldn’t be, but I am.  I was just on Facebook checking updates, reading some posts, you know, Facebook stuff, when I noticed a facebook friend had joined a group called ‘I got the f#*% out of Hagerstown and I am not coming back!!!!’.  Now I know this group was made all in good fun, and I am far from offended by it, but, then again, I’m kind of annoyed!

For years Hagerstown has been stereotyped for being a dead end town full of yokels. Crazy, slow, inbred, redneck hicks.  Even first time visitors pick up that ’something isn’t right about this town’.  Even I admit to poking fun at her at times.  Recently, though, I have come to realize the jewel Hagerstown really is, and the huge opportunities that are here.

Hagerstown’s problems are not the poor that fill her downtown area.  Her problem is the attitude of the people.  I have lived in this area all of my life, not in Hagerstown, but around her.  I have picked up on four major attitude issues, which somehow reside all at once in most people.  They are quitters, the locals think they are better then the locals, they have a feeling of inferiority when compared to other larger towns, and there is this sense of poverty.  What I mean by poverty is that they are not poor, but they feel they are poor, helpless, and that everything is everyone elses’ fault and problem to fix.

This Facebook group, which was created is a perfect example of the attitude of the people that live here.  The ironic thing is they may have left Hagerstown, but Hagerstown has not left them.  Unless they change they will always have those attitudes which have been fed into them.  What the people in this group have really said is, ‘I can’t possibly make it in this town, there is no hope for her.  I quit, I’m going to leave these people, this town, and go to a better town where I feel I can make it.’  Do you see the attitudes?

I for one (and there are many, many others) am not about to quit.  One of my goals for my photography business is to show that great art, great photography, great quality can come from this area.  I am not alone in this unspoken movement.  There are people with way more resources then I, which have been majorly investing in Hagerstown for the past decade, and they are producing high-end quality.  Businesses like DemCore and DM Bowman are literally transforming the downtown area.  RidgeRunner Publishing, who I am starting to freelance for, is producing high quality magazines, giving pride and attention to the local area.  I want to be part of that change in the city, and my hometown area.  Opportunities abound here.  We are only an hour from the most powerful city in the world, five hours from New York, four hours from Philadelphia, an hour from Harrisburg.  We have two major highways that intersect one going east-west one going north-south.  Over the past few years people have been moving here from D.C to escape insane housing prices.  These are people that commute to D.C. everyday and generally make higher salaries.

So, to end my rant, I just might make a Facebook group called, ‘I live in Hagerstown, I’m not running, and I’m going to make a difference.’

By admin | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (1)

Gettysburg, PA Engagment Session

January 29, 2009 – 9:21 am

This is the engagement session of Chris and Suzanne.  They are getting married on May 30th of this year in Gettysburg, PA and will have their reception at the Gettysburg Hotel.  (Which is the same hotel I will be at this Sunday from 1 pm - 4 pm for the Gettysburg Times / WGET Bridal Faire.) (*cough* plug for show *cough*) :)  The e-session was shot on Jan 10th.  Yes, it was cold.  Yes, it was snowing, actually sleeting.  And yes Chris & Suzanne did a fantastic job, and we had a great time.  For some reason I kept calling Suzanne, Christine.  I didn’t do this just once, but multiple times making me look like a real tool.  I blame it on the cold and becoming hypothermic (is that a word?).  But, Suzanne was graceful and gave me a pass each time as I instantly apologized.  So below are some photos of their Gettysburg engagement session.

The photo above had a road going through it and a metal pole.  I took those out.

Thanks for a great session, Chris and Suzanne.  I’m looking forward to your wedding!  It should be warmer that day.  :)

By admin | Posted in e-sessions | Comments (0)

Waynesboro Bridal Photography

January 27, 2009 – 2:50 pm

I finally have a little more time to start blogging on more of a regular basis, so I’m going to start with some photos from this past summer.  I’m going to start with Kia’s bridal shoot.  We actually had this session about a month before her wedding day.  Needless to say I was a little nervous about her dress getting messed up, but we took extra caution and were able to do the shoot without any major issues.  We held the session at Renfrew Park in Waynesboro, PA.  I love this park, it’s empty, private, and beautiful.  It’s not so much a park as it is a museum, and I do a lot of photo sessions there.  As I start to put more e-sessions up you will start to recognize the locations.  These next four photos are some of my absolute favorites from this past year.  I love being able to have time to really get creative, not feel rushed, and make a bride look absolutely stunning.  I have two of these photos on a gallery canvas-wrap medium and started to bring them to bridal shows.  I can’t tell you how many ‘wow’ reactions they get!  That’s what bridal photography is all about.  Killer photos without the limitations of time and creativity to make the bride look and feel absolutely beautiful.

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Drawing Winner

January 26, 2009 – 5:08 pm

I have a drawing winner from the Hagerstown Vally Mall and Herald-Mail Bridal Show!  Alexandra won $250 toward a wedding package or portrait session.  Congrats, Alexandra!

If you didn’t have a chance to come out to the Valley Mall, I will be at the following bridal shows in the coming weeks:

On February 1st I will be at the Gettysburg Hotel for the Bridal Faire, which is sponsored by the Gettysburg Times and WGET radio.  There is an admission fee of $5.00 in advance and $8.00 at the door.  I’m very excited about this show.  The Gettysburg Hotel’s Ballroom is a sight to see.  It is historic, beautiful, and not to mention, gi-freak’n-normous!  Now I know the Super Bowl is the same day, but the show is from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, plenty of time to get back home or to a friends house for the big game!  I still have two tickets left to give away, so if you want them email me and I will send them right out to you.  For more info about the show, check out www.wget.com!

My next show is then on February 22nd and will be at Duffy’s on the Potomac.  The show is sponsored by the Hagerstown Magazine and HM Bride (a magazine published by Hagerstown Magazine).  I’m super excited about this show as well.  I will be located on the Ballroom at Duffy’s, if you haven’t seen this place yet, you’ve got to check out!  I think it will quickly become one of the premiere places to have a wedding in Hagerstown.  The HM 2009 Bridal Gala starts at 12:00 pm and will end at 3:00 pm.  There is also a $5.00 admission fee, but if you (the bride) bring 4 friends you’re free!  Right after the Gala at Duffy’s there will be a bridal fashion show at the Maryland Theater, which is located across the street.  For more info on the show check out www.hmbride.com!

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Hagerstown Valley Mall Bridal Show

January 25, 2009 – 9:41 pm

Today I was at the Hagerstown Valley Mall for the Herald Mail Bridal Show.  It was a great show and I met a lot of people.  Thanks to all who stopped by!  I had a contest for a $250 certificate for services, plus I donated a one hour bridal or prom session with a 16×20 print for the show.  I haven’t found out who won the bridal/prom session, and I will post the winner of the $250 certificate tomorrow.  Big thanks to Roberta and Heather at the Herald Mail for being so accommodating and for the killer spot!  Here are some photos of the bridal fashion show.  For some reason I didn’t even think to take photos of my booth, but oh well.  :)

As you can see in the photo above and the next two below there was a huge turn out!

I also want to thank three clients of mine.  Kia and Jeremy (I shot their wedding this past July) came to the show with me for the entire show.  They were there to talk to interested bride and grooms about their experience in hiring me for their wedding and will be at my next two shows as well!  I also want to say thanks to Kim who just happened to stop by, say hi, and told an interested bride about her experience!  Kim was a 2007 wedding client.  Thanks, Kim!

Next Sunday (Feb 1st) I will be at the Gettysburg Hotel for the Gettysburg Times / WGET Bridal Faire.  Show starts at 1:00 pm and ends at 4:00 pm.  Plenty of time to get back home for the big game.  :)  There is an admission charge of $5.00 in advance and $8.00 at the door.  I was actually given a few tickets to give away and only have two left.  If you would like them, shoot me an email and I will send them to you!

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Sunday, January 25th Hagerstown Bridal Show

January 24, 2009 – 5:26 am

Tomorrow I will be at the Hagerstown Valley Mall for the Herald-Mail Bridal and Prom show.  I have been working like crazy over the past week to get ready for it.  I will be having a drawing as well for a $250 certificate which can be used toward a wedding package, senior session, anything we offer!  I will also be doing something totally unique, and, as far as I know, has only been done a handful of times at bridal shows, and may never have been done in this area.  I don’t want to mention anything here, so to find out you’ll just have to visit.  :)  But, I will say that it will help you to make your decision to choose us as your wedding photographer a lot easier!  So come on out to meet us and sign up for the drawing!  To find us right away go to the Garfield’s entrance we will be near the candy shop.

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Upcoming Events!

January 11, 2009 – 4:31 pm

I will be at the following events in the next few weeks:

Jan. 25, 09 - Hagerstown Valley Mall Bridal and Prom Show

Feb. 01, 09 - Gettysburg Hotel Bridal Fair ($5.00 Admission):  More info on this show can be found at www.wget.com
.
Feb. 22, 09 - HM Bridal Gala @ Duffy’s in Hagerstown, MD ($5.00 Admission):  More info on this show can be found at www.hmbride.com.

Feel free to come out and visit us, we would love to meet you!

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New Main Site!

January 2, 2009 – 9:47 am

I have a brand spank’n new site!  I’ve been working like mad over the past few days to get this out for the new year.  Please take a look and let me know what you think by leaving a comment; I would love the feedback!  This is a total overhaul from my old site, and I think way cooler. I have so many new photos uploaded with lots more to come.  Check it out at:

www.alifestudio.com

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