Let the Branding Continue!

The branding process is much tougher than I thought it would be. It's very introspective. Since I consider myself a fairly introspective person, I thought it would be so much easier. Just figure out what your essence looks like: colors, symbols, patterns, etc. and put it out there, right?

Haha! Anyone who has been through the process is probably laughing at that statement.

As a photographer, I spend a lot of time behind the camera, making others look good and showing them in their best light. But I'm not used to digging deep to figure out what I want to look like for the outside world. And I think it's been tougher on me because I'm trying to be so careful about what I put out there. Will others like it? Will it attract the right clients? Will it give off the right vibe?

But then I realized I wasn't alone in this process. First, I have an awesome designer - Katie - who is oh so patient, responsive, and just plain good at what she does! And more importantly, I finally understood that this business is a joint venture. (And honestly, anytime my incredible husband is involved, things just get so much better.) It's no longer me - it's we. We needed to show who we were, as individuals and as a couple. So we dug deep. Greg is very grounded, very sensible, very intelligent, and very deep. And I'm very passionate, bubbly, vibrant, and - so I've heard - a person with a pretty bold personality.

So what does this look like? Well, we like to think it looks like this:

All the elements work together to capture that grounded, neutral essence with added pops of personality. They're warm and inviting, yet bold and vibrant. They're cozy, yet professional.

The logo was probably the hardest part of all. There was so thought that went into it's meaning and symbolism. I'll be doing some blog posts about that very soon! Hopefully it's pretty easy to figure out what it is, but even more important is why we chose this symbol that represents our business. My husband and I both love coffee and photography...a lot! But we also think the two have a lot in common. Both are crafts that take a lot of patience, a lot of practice, and a lot of passion if you want your product to be the best it can be. Both are about people; they're about relationships, and sharing a love of one's craft with the world. Most importantly, for me, one makes the other possible! (Okay not really, but I really do believe that coffee makes me a better photographer - hence the common nickname "Photographer Fuel!")

So there you have it. The beginnings of something beautiful!

Reflection & Focus

{Greg} Lately I've felt really inspired.  Especially with the last few wedding shoots and workshops that Rachel and I have done, I could really feel a lot of creativity coming to the surface.  It's a refreshing feeling for somebody who tends to be more practical and down-to-earth.  

Something else that has really inspired me lately is an exhibit I took Rachel to at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, "War Photography."  Rachel and I pride ourselves on pictures that will stand the test of time for our couples and evoke lots of emotion...the pictures there, which I had grown up seeing over and over again in history books and on the news, did just that.  It was three hundred images of raw emotion in one collection, a swirl of passion and grief that wouldn't cease-fire.  It was such a powerful experience that I swear I felt like I could breathe more lightly just from turning the corner when I left that hall...

I want more of that.  I want more inspiration that shakes me like that, and I think I'm about to get it in spades.  Rachel and I are spending 23 days in Europe.  23 days of exploring the places that were the locations of some of the most important events in modern human history.  23 days of museums, of shops, of different languages, of cafès, and of strolling the strade and strassen with the love of my life.  

Walking in the footsteps of people that were on the same path as you can be so powerful, and give an understanding and a connection that you would never have gained without BEING THERE.  I want to use this time to refocus my energy and attention, to draw even more inspiration from these places, and to take in the great cities as the great artists of the past have done.  

I hope to return not only with these pieces, but also with a closer relationship with Rachel and a better understanding of her.  Putting ourselves in new environments together not only makes memories, but helps to form such a special bond.  And as a bonus, she is taking me to see some old friends that she lived with for three months.  That part of her past has always intrigued me, as it is a source of constant reference for her.  I feel so thankful that I will get to walk with Rachel in her former footsteps, too!  
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

{Rachel} I'm so ready for this adventure. I'm ready to let creativity take precedence so that it can grow. I'm ready to let inspiration give way to new ideas. I'm ready to have my camera by my side every waking moment and take photos when the chills hit my skin. I'm ready to have lots of long talks with my muse (named Greg). And I'm ready to write and read voraciously during those train, plane, and automobile rides. 

I'm excited to re-visit some places that I've always dreamed of taking my husband. I distinctly remember walking along the quaint streets of Altensteig, Germany in October 2004 thinking to myself "I can't wait to bring my husband here someday." And in less than a month, that dream will come true. I'll get to show him some of the places that hold so much meaning, contain so much memory, and helped shape the woman I am today. And even more amazing, I'll get to introduce him to some of the people who influenced me more than I could ever have imagined. We even get to stay with one of them (thank you so much Sus Anne)! I think my mind may implode from the incredible amount of memories being remembered and remade...all at the same time. 

My old street, and just one of the incredible views. I'm so thankful for the chance to return to Altensteig!

Thinking about our upcoming visit to this special village, I keep hearing a special Nelson Mandela quote pass through my mind: "There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered." 

And finally, I'm so thankful that I get to spend so much quality time with my favorite person in the entire world! Experiences and adventures with him are always so much more rich, deep, and wonderful!

P.S. How awesome of a writer is Greg? You'll be hearing a lot more from him in the future, as he's a huge part of this business, so get excited!!

River Farm Wedding: Claire & Craig

Band class...that's where these two met. (Well, if you want to get technical, that's how Craig met Claire's little sister). So from the very beginning, music has been a big part of their life. This was heavily reflected in the wedding: from the 5 piece brass band playing during the ceremony, to the musician themed table names, to the fact that the dance floor was FULL from the first song to the last. The wedding was high class, yet laid back and an absolute blast for all who attended - photographers included.

In addition, it was one of those "small world" weddings. It turns out that my husband, who is always my incredibly talented second photographer, went to high school with two of the groomsmen and the DJ. It'll be a teeny tiny world when that happens to me, since I'm from the other side of the country, haha.

And last but not least....River Farm. Oh. My. GOODNESS! By far my favorite venue to date. The staff was wonderful, the mansion was beautiful, and the property was endless. Flowers, wilderness, waterfront, and even a little children's play area.

Claire & Craig, we felt so privileged to be part of this momentous occasion. Thank you for inviting us into your lives, and becoming close friends in the process! We look forward to many more awesome memories!