Our first piece of Artwork

Angie and I were in Nashville a few weeks ago at a photography convention. While we were there we ran into an amazing artist. So much so that we ended up buying this painting. To be honest its the first painting we have in our house. Most of the house has photography which we regularly purchase. One of our friends even came home with one of the pieces of artwork. The piece of artwork is of Johnny Cash, which is one of my favorite artists. He was an incredible singer songwriter, author, and biblical scholar. 

If you would like to see more of Sara Strese’s work you can see more at her site. She told us she does custom requests as well.

This picture does not do this painting any justice, but it is the only way to show it off. It is a 36×48 and the detail and colors are amazing. Thank you Sara for such a nice piece of artwork for our house.  I hope everyone enjoys it.

Totally Rad Actions

I have recently been playing around with Totally Rad Actions, particularly the dirty pictures plugin. I wanted to write a review for those of you that have never tried them. Maybe this will give you the push to buy them and save you a few dollars as well. At the end of the review there will be a code for $20 bucks off any Totally Rad Product untill 5.1.10 that they told me I could share with you guys.

Dirty Pictures is a new product that helps you apply textures fast and effectively to your wedding or other photographs. The installation process is barely worth talking about since it was so easy. Just download the exe or dmg and tell it what drive and it installs. It comes with about 15 textures of its own but does not limit you to loading more of your own (thats pretty cool). When you are in photoshop you go to filter-dirtry pictures to launch the interface. The cool thing is you can generate a preview with the picture you are working on with each texture. Pick the one that looks the best and it loads it on a layer with a mask so you can paint the texture off parts of the photograph you don’t like.  These textures I think are a very nice way to finish an artistic wedding photograph.  They can create many different moods in your photography.  I hope you enjoy the review and have fun playing around with some textures.  

I rate this photoshop plugin an A.

We will be giving away a Totally Rad Action Set at our WPPI Platform so make sure and show up.

Discount Code  AATRA          the aa must be us:) 20.00 dollars off any action set.

Here are a few examples of images that I used the textures on. 

This image has Crystalnique Delicious on it at 82 percent

This image has Destiny Starr at 81 percent

Kelley Kakes free cake give away

We don’t post this kind of stuff very often but since we are such fans of Kelley Kakes we wanted to share this.  Kelley is looking for a love story and giving away a beautiful custom made cake to a deserving couple. Check out her blog and website to see some of the creative stuff she makes for her clients.  We work with Kelley a lot at our weddings including a wedding this weekend at the Oxford Hotel. We did a vendor spotlight last year with Kelley and you can read it here (Kelley Kakes Spotlight).

KellyKakes website

KellyKakes Blog

Make-up Envy Danica Jardien

As a photographer we know how important make up is for pictures.  If the make up isn’t done well it definitely shows in your wedding photos.  There are many brides who don’t wear a lot of make up on a day to day basis and so on the wedding day they want to look natural as well.  However make up doesn’t show as heavy in a photo as it does in person so we always recommend to our brides to at least wear something and just do a little more than they normally would.  Most good make up artists will do a trial run with you before your wedding day so you know what you are getting.  This is a great time to talk about what colors look on you and what you are comfortable with.  Danica is so great at what she does!  She is sweet, flexible and knows what is going to look good on the camera!   We have worked with her at many weddings and she always does a great job!  She also has a blog where she explains things and does different topics regarding make up and your wedding day!

Here is our interview with Danica and a few photos from the amazing work she can do!

Mak-up Envy

Danica Jardien

(303) 317-2171

1.  How did you get started in the make-up industry?

 I began when I realized that the art of makeup was so similar to painting, which I had been doing for years. 

I loved painting portraits and when I began as a makeup artist I even used the same techniques as I did when I was painting.

 2.  Where are you located?

 I am a traveling Makeup Artist which is so fun because I am able to see new places everyday:)

3.  How long have you been in business?

 I have been a Makeup Artist for over 9 years now, but began Make-up Envy not quite two years ago.

4.  What is your philosophy when it comes to weddings and make-up?

 First of all, I love being a Makeup Artist for weddings! Brides are always so happy and great to work with. 

I feel so honored to be part of her special day:) Also, I believe in being really easy to work with and very versatile because

this is one of the most important days of the bride to be’s life. 

5.  What makes you stand out?  (Something special about your business)

I treat all of my clients really well and listen to their needs and accommodate them in anyway that I can. Also, 

I am a natural born teacher and love to teach Makeup Lessons to women of all ages. I have a lot of patience 

and enjoy what I do. I have donated my services to many non profit organizations and will continue

to do so.

6.  What is your favorite thing about what you do?

I love meeting new people and seeing new places! I also couldn’t imagine doing something else.

I love art and I feel that being a Makeup Artist, this is a social form of art.

7.  Is there anyone or anything that inspires you?

I am most inspired by nature. All of the colors are so natural and I am appreciating more natural

makeup and neutral colors as time goes on. 

Fun Questions:

 8.  What is your favorite book?

I don’t have a favorite right now, just any book on the how to keep my house non-toxic and green. 

My poor husband! 

9.  What is your favorite sound?

I love to hear birds chirp. 

10.  What is your favorite smell?

The smell of roses has always been my favorite. 

11.  What is your favorite color?

It is a tie between orange and brown. 

12.  What is your favorite food?

I love Indian food, especially a being a vegetarian dhal is one of my favorite dishes! 

Here are a few pictures from a fire series that Danica did for us.