Shelly Love Photography

Shelly Love Photography

The name says it all. Michelle Love-Myers LOVES what she does and thus it is reflected in her work making for gorgeous images on your wedding day or special occasion.

I asked Michelle a few questions about her style and love of photography. Please enjoy the answers below.

What sets you apart from the competition?

What sets me apart is my unique style and the fun attitude I bring to each session or wedding. I call my style fashion + photojournalism because I blend dramatic, fashion-style portraits with candid photojournalistic moments.

Need more be said? Who doesn't want to look like they belong on the cover of a fashion magazine on their wedding day?

What is your favorite thing to photograph?

My favorite two things to photograph are the portraits of the bride and the first dance. I love fashion photography, and the bridal portraits are one of the funnest opportunities for the bride to strut her stuff. The first dance is great because it is an emotional release for the couple, so they always look especially happy and in love.

Why do you love photography?

I love what I do because I get to work with only the rad-est couples in town, and I get to be around people who are happy and in love. I feel blessed to be part of one of the happiest days in the lives of my fabulous clients.

I have personally worked with Michelle, and she is kind, attentive to detail, efficient, and an excellent photographer. She would appreciate the opportunity to photograph your event no matter the occasion.

Her detail, vision, and clarity will make your photos memorable; because you shouldn't just like your photos, you should LOVE them!

Shelly Love Photography Website

Fresh from the Kitchen LLC Catering

June Tasting with Fresh from the Kitchen LLC

On June 19, 2010 Fresh from the Kitchen LLC had a marvelous tasting featuring custom menu selctions for our brides, beautiful flower creations, and professional photographs.

Some of the delightful foods included organic greens with fresh strawberries, candied pecans, and balsamic vinaigrette; chicken fajitas with spanish rice; filet mignon with cabernet peppercorn sauce, baby red herb potatoes, and asparagus; as well as classic bruschetta.

Our wonderful photos were taken by Marcia the Art of Photography, and the flowers by Ever After Florals both serving Arizona events valleywide.

Call Fresh from the Kitchen LLC today to set-up your private tasting for your next event!
602-694-2878

Choosing your Menu for your Wedding!

Save money and enjoy some of the seasons tastiest fare by choosing your menu according to the season!

For summer time think fresh farm vegetables, like corn, summer squashes, and juicy heirloom tomatoes, as well as fruits such as peaches and plums.

Fall is perfect time for menus with apples and pears, butternut squash, and roasted poultry. Winter calls for heavier foods like roasted red meats, potatoes, and stews.

Spring is all about fresh berries, fresh fish, light salads and sauces.

Let your caterer create a special menu for you according to the season that will fit your budget and your taste preference!

Be sure to check out Fresh from the Kitchen LLC's monthly special according to the season! Bon Appetit!


Photo Credit: Marcia the Art of Photography

Meet Valerie! Event planner and Owner of Blueprint Affairs!

How long have you been planning events/weddings?

I’ve been planning events for over three years and started by planning smaller birthday parties.


What made you choose this industry?

There’s no better way to surround yourself with other great entrepreneurs than in the wedding industry. I find myself reconnecting with vendors who have become friends while learning to network with other great professionals. The business truly makes it about one day but I love making great connections that last longer.


Why do you love event planning?

I’ve always been focused on details whether in conversation or on paper. I find myself dreaming up better ways to make each wedding stand apart from the last. I love providing fresh ideas along with other ideas in the industry. It’s an absolute rush to help brides and grooms on their wedding day. I really take in all the stresses that most find too much and turn it into amazing energy for me. The idea of following a timeline to help orchestrate a beautiful wedding day is pure joy for me. I enjoy seeing the couple on their wedding day relaxed and taking in all the moments that seem to pass so quickly. That’s the best compliment for me to hear how relaxed the bride (and groom) was on their day. My vendors enjoy it too.


What are some industry trends you're noticing?

The economy is bringing everything closer to home and I’ve been doing more backyard style weddings. Brides are also getting more creative with eco-friendly designs that can serve as design and favors. Everyone knows how to be price conscious but they still want to have their perfect day. Many of my brides have been choosing the Day-of-Wedding Coordinator package because they are willing to put in the hours for vendors but need that extra help on their day.


A tip for brides on why they should hire a planner?

I work with amazing professional vendors and we work together to make your day perfect. Your friends and family want to relax with you on your wedding day. This may not seem like a top priority now, but all my brides are so thankful for the help we provide. It’s a relief having someone who knows what you want and can make it happen seamlessly. Check out what my recent bride Dee says about her experience on http://blueprintaffairs.blogspot.com/2010/04/destination-love-brides-view.html


What makes a planner cost effective?

Think of me as your one stop shop for finding all your wedding vendors. Once we meet and talk about your wedding budget, I find the vendors who will fit your budget and your personality. I save you the time of interviewing several vendors and provide the best of the best for you to meet. The great part of wedding planning is building relationships with vendors I like personally and professionally. You won’t know this by calling someone unknown.

Valerie Bolitho Owner

O: (623)215-8657 C: (480)206-9321 www.blueprintaffairs.com

Laura Segall Photography

Laura Segall Photography
Elegant Storytelling Photojournalism
Written by Laura Segall for Fresh from the Kitchen LLC's blog

Some of my earliest memories are of my grandmother, Honey Bunny, hanging out at the photography portrait studio where she worked in Milwaukee. Honey Bunny was also the historian of the family. Whenever she would come and visit our family in Virginia she would work on creating chronological photo albums of me and my sisters. I feel that her role as family historian played a part in my own passion for capturing memories. I was also lucky that my parents always encouraged me to pursue my interest in photography. I was given my first camera when I was about 8- years-old and I have had a camera in my hand ever since.

I studied photography at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York, where I earned a BFA and met my husband David Wallace, who is also a photojournalist. After graduating from college I traveled around the country working as a photojournalist for newspapers in Michigan, Maine, Maryland and Iowa, before moving to Arizona in 2006. Since settling in Phoenix I have built a freelance photojournalism and wedding business. My photography has appeared in the New York Times, Newsweek Magazine, USA Today, Shape Magazine, the Washington Post as well as countless national and international publications.

My experience as a photojournalist and love for photography is the perfect combination for great wedding photography. When documenting a wedding my goal is to give each couple a complete story told through pictures. I want the photographs to evoke a memory and sense of place. I do not have a formula when photographing a wedding or event. I capture life as it happens. It is important to me that the personality and unique beauty of the bride and groom shine through in the photographs.

I am available for weddings in Arizona and worldwide.
-Laura

http://www.segallphotography.com
(480) 718-9372
segall.laura@gmail.com


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Laura Segall Photography LLC
weddings: http://www.segallphotography.com
blog: http://www.segallphotography.com/blog/
photojournalism: http://www.laurasegall.net
phone: (480) 718-9372
cell: (703) 577-8059

Jazz Up Your Table and Inform Your Guests

Written by Erin Burkhard owner of

Be In Love Designs

for Fresh from the Kitchen LLC

When planning a special event, such as a wedding, we often think of the normal important details such as food, music, and flowers. After the invitations have been sent, we then realize how important it is to organize the affair so there is no confussion for your guests. A great way to inform your guests and to add a little extra "wow" to your tables is with table stationary.

Escort cards or even an escort poster can guide your guests to the appropriate table at the beginning of the reception. This is especially important if you are having a plated dinner where guests choose their own entrees ahead of time. It not only directs them to the correct table, but is also a guide for your caterer's servers to to get food out quickly.

Once your guest knows what table to go to, it is important to mark them clearly with table number or names. This can be displayed in a stand, a picture frame, or designed as a self standing table "tent." Place cards at each place setting direct party goers to the correct seat. However, this detail is for more formal affairs and usually only accompanies a plated dinner.

Finally one of the most important details to include on your table is a printed menu. Don't keep your guests guessing on what they are going to eat or on if anything is going to come next. Besides making your guest's mouths water, menus act as warning flag to someone who may have food allergies or is vegetarian. This will allow them to let the server know they are not able to eat the pine nuts in the salad or to bring them all vegetables instead of the filet.

All of these elements can be designed by Be In Love Designs to give your table that extra plolished look, and give your guests the details of your perfectly planned affair.

Eco-Friendly Wedding Favors

Some great ideas for the eco-conscience bride is having favors that help our planet!

(As seen on getmarried.com).

1. Plant a Heart Tag: The heart tags are embedded with wildflower seeds your guests can take home and plant.

2. Bamboo Place Card Holders: They work overtime so to speak! While they hold your guest's name and table number, there also nice keepsakes made from bio-degradable material.

3. Eco-friendly favor boxes or bags: Fill these with candies or the like. At any rate what makes them great is they're made from recycled material.

4. On recycled paper have a lovely message written about in lieu of favors, we have decided to donate money to our favorite charity. Ask that the message be recycled after being read.

For some of the items mentioned on this post, please visit the get married store at www.getmarried.com to purchase your eco-friendly favor.