2007: A Year in Review

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Happy New Year!!

Happy 2008 everyone! I have to say, I am personally glad that 2007 is over and am looking forward to the new adventures that 2008 will bring. I love that the new year offers so much promise - new opportunities - new moments! I just love this feeling. So, to share some of my love with you all - here's a special New Year's offer! From today until January 31, 2008 - please enjoy 10% off all photography sessions that Toute Ma Vie Photography offers (yes, this includes weddings). Just mention this post to receive the discount (may not be combined with other offers).

Also, just a glimpse into our lives. A few years ago, Michael and I decided to put a new twist on New Year's resolutions. Do you ever get sick of making New Year's resolutions and then breaking them within the first month? Yeah, I am one of those people. Anyway, so we started to change our resolutions a bit. Two years ago, we gave up smoking (granted, neither of us is, or ever has been, a smoker). Last year we gave up Budweiser beer (I don't drink beer and Michael doesn't like Bud). This year . . . are you ready for this? We are giving up . . . ARMED ROBBERY! If you know us, you know we get a huge kick out of this every year! So, never fear, we will not be robbing you, or anyone you know . . . ha. I know, how silly are we?

Okay, so Happy New Year to you all! I cannot wait to share in your moments in 2008!

Look for a new slide show to be posted later on today! (or maybe tomorrow - it's getting late)

Merry Christmas

We are on the road! I am actually updating from my blackberry . . . I had to take a moment to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I feel so blessed to have been a part of your moments this year. So take a moment, tell someone that you love them . . . and know that you all have touched my life in more ways than you will ever know.

Also, I could use some good thoughts being sent my way. Earlier this week, I had a bit of an accident. I was carrying a box of presents and slipped and fell down the entire flight of stairs. I am okay overall - just some bruised ribs and a bruised ego. But we are in the middle of a 16 hour car ride - not very easy with painful ribs. So any good thoughts you could send would be great! We will return on 1/1 so any orders placed from now until then will be submitted when we return.

Have a wonderful holiday season! We wish you and your families tons of joyful moments and can't wait to hear what is happening in 2008!

Holiday Cheer for you!!!

Here's the email that just went out. Just in case I left anyone off of the list - here you go!

Hello everyone,

First of all, I want to thank all of you for helping to make 2007 a successful year for Toute Ma Vie Photography. I certainly appreciated your kind words of encouragement and your many smiling faces throughout the year. I feel truly blessed to have been able to meet and work with each and every one of you. Because it is the holidays, I would like to try something new, and give you each a bit of a holiday gift!

From today (6:15pm), through December 9 at 11:59p.m., all print orders of $50 or more will be eligible for a 10% savings! And, your orders will be guaranteed to arrive to you by Christmas! So, if you have the need for some last minute gifts, or would just like to place your first order, this is a great time to do it!

Here's how it works. Put all your pictures into your shopping cart, then enter the code "holiday" in the coupon code section of the check-out page. If you have trouble finding it, let me know! Feel free to pass this along to your friends and family - they are eligible too, just by knowing you! Also, if you have a senior picture print credit and would like to use the holiday discount with the credit, email me, and I can set that up for you! :) Also, if you would like customized Christmas cards to send out, email me quickly and we can still get them back in time for you to send them out to all your family and friends!

So, happy holidays to you and your family! I hope that all of your wishes come true for this holiday season and always. I have many fond memories from this year, and you all will be in my thoughts in the years ahead!

Thank you and God Bless,
Becky

Erika & Kuodjou : Engagement Session

Okay, so I admit, I am behind again on the blogging, and there will be a big wedding post coming up soon from a recent wedding! But first, this past weekend, Michael and I went and hung out in Georgetown with Erika and Kuodjou for their engagement shoot. What a fun and genuinely nice couple. You know how you meet people and you just know that they are for real . . . these guys are definitely up that alley. Just really nice, really awesome people! So, here are few from there session. I love shooting in Georgetown! (Did I mention that he is a Marine? Awesome, huh?).






Thanks for letting us hang out with you guys! It was a blast.

Check out their engagement proofs here!

Lyndsey and Nathan : a preview

Lyndsey and Nathan were married in Berryville, VA this past weekend, and though I have not really started to proof their pictures (as I am still working on David and Anne's pictures), but I could not resist putting a few up for you all to enjoy!

Here they are!

Thanks for letting me share in your special day!

Jolene and Chris: Sept 15, 2007

Well, like I said, I am behind on blogging. And I just have to share these from a few weeks ago. Jolene and Chris were married at Old House Vineyard in Culpeper, VA. It was so exciting for me to be shooting a wedding at a vineyard! Totally a photographers dream! Anyway, Shelby Martin, of Shelby Leigh Photography was gracious enough to help me out - and she got some great shots. I always love shooting with her, as I feel so at ease - she's got a great eye!

I had such a great time with you guys! Can't wait to put the album together! :)

Anne & David: a preview

Oh my goodness, I really need to catch up on my blogging, but couldn't resist a few from this last weekend! What a fun wedding! Anne and David got married this weekend in the Fredericksburg area. I had gotten to know them through their "love story session" in May - what fun people they are! I have to plug the engagement sessions a bit here, as it really does help us to get to know each other, which makes the wedding day easier for all involved! When we took their engagement pictures, we just kind of wondered through Georgetown and found places that were scenic - and they wanted to do the same thing for the wedding. Most of their formals were taking at the Kenmore in Fredericksburg - which was a perfect location. Plus, they had left about 90 minutes for their pictures to take place, which gave us so much time to work and get some really fun shots! Their reception followed at Brock's at in Fredericksburg, which was had a very intimate feel to it - and was a great end to a beautiful day. I had the great privilege of having Laura Siivola shoot with me for this wedding. She was amazing, and got some really awesome shots! Plus, she's a great person! So, if you are reading this in the AZ area, call her up! You will have some beautiful images!

Okay, so here are few from the day.

They had no problem being snuggly that day! So, we got some really great romantic shots!




I can't remember what was said here, but Anne just has such a contagious laugh. We all were laughing . . . and I felt this picture really captured how fun these guys are (and their bridal party was a hoot, too).

Isn't she just gorgeous? I am so blessed with beautiful brides.

The guys were looking handsome themselves - and trying to act like the Soprano's . . . not sure we quite captured that look, but still - they look macho.

When we got to downtown Fredericksburg, there was a trolley car parked on the street. The driver was more than happy to let us use it for a few fun shots. I love the flare in this one - and the way David is nuzzling Anne's shoulder.

And, I could not resist but post a few of Laura's amazing images up. There are so many, and I didn't even have to do anything to either of these - straight out of the camera. She rocks!

I had such a blast, guys. Thank you so much for letting us be a part of your special day. I hope you enjoy St. Lucia, and I can't wait to hear what the future brings for you!

Carol & Anthony - September 1, 2007

Carol and Anthony were married over the Labor Day weekend in good ol' Front Royal! I had so much fun at this wedding! The ceremony was at St. Johns the Baptist Church downtown (beautiful stained glass windows there) and the reception was at the Shenandoah Valley Country Club. Enjoy a few of their pictures!

They did a "cake pull," which is apparenly a southern tradition. I had never heard of it, but maybe that is part of being from Michigan. Anyway, each bridesmaid pulls a charm from the cake, and the charms all have a meaning (like who will be the next one to be married). It was really interesting, and a definite first for me.

Congrats, guys!

Catching Up: Amanda Cogar - senior

Amy (or Ameh as her friends call her) is a senior this year at WCHS (though she won't really be taking classes there). She is such a cool girl and I had a blast hanging out with her. One of the great things about her is that she is unique and totally embraces that. She's all about being herself - and this first picture is totally an "Amy" look!


We spent the session mostly up in Winchester - and had a blast!





Check out her slideshow here!