In October of 2005 I went to the Twin Cities Bridal Association Wedding Fair.
I signed up for a few sweepstakes here and there, and there was this one that I signed up for that I completely regret signing up for!
It was for... some sort of dishware or pans, right? They're called Royal Prestige (or another biz name: 21st Century Brides).
Well they've called me a few times over the past couple of years to tell me that I've won a 3 day vacation for signing up-- all I have to do is go to this meeting and I don't have to buy anything. I ALMOST went to a meeting with Aaron the first time around, right? Well, then I did some research on the company, and it had SCAM written all over it. You should have seen the reviews on these people. Wow.
The reason I bring this up is because I just got another call TODAY.
"Hello Ginger? I'm calling to tell you that you won the sweepstakes you signed up for at the Fall wedding fair!"
"Oh.... mmm..."
"You don't sound too excited that you've won a 3 day vacation!"
"Yeah... I went to the bridal fair two years ago, and have gotten this call multiple times, and I know what it's about. I'm just not interested."
"Ok, thank you."
(Well, at least he didn't give me a hassel about it. One time the caller was like, "You've heard bad things about it? Well I'm new... what have you heard?" I told him to get a better job so he's not working in the scam industry.)
If things sound too good to be true, they are too good to be true. Such as when a photographer purchases a camera online for $300 cheaper than the other online stores are selling it for. When I was purchasing some of my first equipment, I emailed Brad and asked, "What's wrong with this situation... why is the camera this cheap?" He then referred me to: resellerratings.com. -- If you read the reviews of the 1-3 star sellers, you would never even consider purchasing a camera for that cheap.
I use resellerratings.com as well as B&H photo for most of my purchases. Occasionally, I will buy things from National Camera and Best Buy as well.
If you do your homework, you can often find good deals from reputable sellers.
There are honest contests and sweepstakes as well. Just be smart about which contests you enter!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Gina & Travis!
A lot of you know that I work with Steph Bloom a lot. She is my 2nd shooter, and I am hers! Steph and I met at college-- we lived across the hall from each other freshman year (she lived with one of my best friends Sarah, who I've had the pleasure of knowing since 2nd grade!). Steph and I also lived together for part of Sophomore year and part of Junior year (when I wasn't traveling, and when she wasn't traveling!). We always had fun ideas of doing video together, and we had many fun times with the digital camera. I don't think either of us planned it, but we just started booking weddings our senior year, and we shot our first wedding together in August of 2006 and have been working together since! We work really well together. I love my Stephers.
She booked a wedding for August of this year (wow! That will be two years that we've been working together!), and she scheduled an engagement session with the couple, Gina & Travis. I wanted to meet them, and we were shooting in a new spot, and I wanted to check it out too, for future reference. My good friend and I had lunch at this coffee shop one day, and I thought it'd be a great place for indoor pics. So I suggested it to Steph (she needed an indoor location because it was so cold outside!). It's always fun to bounce ideas off of each other. What a rockin session!!!! The guy at the coffee shop had a key to the roof and asked us if we wanted to go up there. Um... YEAH!! Gina and Travis were wonderful to work with. Can't wait to shoot their wedding with Steph in August!
Here are a few shots from the session!
Steph did all of the awesome post-processing.
(She took the first gorgeous shot (which I am in love with!), and I took the last 2 shots):
Check out her blog to see more!:
CLICK HERE
She booked a wedding for August of this year (wow! That will be two years that we've been working together!), and she scheduled an engagement session with the couple, Gina & Travis. I wanted to meet them, and we were shooting in a new spot, and I wanted to check it out too, for future reference. My good friend and I had lunch at this coffee shop one day, and I thought it'd be a great place for indoor pics. So I suggested it to Steph (she needed an indoor location because it was so cold outside!). It's always fun to bounce ideas off of each other. What a rockin session!!!! The guy at the coffee shop had a key to the roof and asked us if we wanted to go up there. Um... YEAH!! Gina and Travis were wonderful to work with. Can't wait to shoot their wedding with Steph in August!
Here are a few shots from the session!
Steph did all of the awesome post-processing.
(She took the first gorgeous shot (which I am in love with!), and I took the last 2 shots):
Check out her blog to see more!:
CLICK HERE
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Show Love, Share Love...& a few Lovely photos.
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!
I have always loved Valentine's Day. I have a few photos from my first few Valentine's Days...
In one of the first Valentine's Day photos, I had a large chocolate heart filled with marshmallow that I was eating in my walker. Apparently, our dog came and took it right out of my hand. I don't THINK I remember this because I was so young... but at the same time it seems like I do, because I have a photo to jog my memory, and my parents told me so many times about that V-Day... and someone stealing chocolate from me...? That was probably the most traumatic event that happened to me when I was that age! I mean, I would be ridiculously upset if someone stole chocolate from me now!
In another Valentine's Day photo, I posed in my light pink and lavender heart sweatsuit with my mom, in her red dalmatians-with-hearts hoodie. There is another photo I have of my dad lifting me up to give me a big kiss on the cheek in the kitchen. I don't know if it was from Valentine's Day, but I like to think that I got a kiss from my dad on V-Day!
I loved giving out valentines at school, and decorating my valentine box. I also loved GETTING valentines. I remember flipping through them over and over when I got home while I ate my chocolate and Sweethearts. There was something so exciting about Valentine's Day to me! I always dressed up in pink, red, black lace, or I just dressed to impress:) In 7th grade, I remember staying up until 1am the night before, because I hand-made valentine's cards. After I made them for my friends, I had started thinking of other people who would enjoy cards who may not receive one. I started making those, and I put as much love into those as the cards I made for my friends. As I was sitting there making them, well aware of the time, I remember starting to cry a little. I cried because I was happy that I was making those cards, and I knew those people would enjoy them. The next day I couldn't find some of the people I wanted to give the cards to, but those I did find, were very surprised. The day after Valentine's Day, one of the girls I gave a card to came up to me and told me how much she really loved the card and that it made her feel so special--then she gave me a big hug.
At 13 years old, I'm not sure why I thought of making those cards. But that's exactly what love is about-- doing something for others-- And that's what it's for-- sharing.
My mom stopped by yesterday and dropped off a gift from her and my dad. It was so sweet, and I always love a chance to see family, if even for a bit!
I love all of my family and my amazing best friends (I have so many who I love!!),
and there are so many special people that I have a chance to meet on a regular basis...I LOVE meeting new people and learning about them, and their passions! I wish
we still made Valentine's Day card boxes like we did in school. And if I had time this year, I would have made everyone a valentine card! But next year... I will next year.
Show love, and share love with someone today. Even if it's something simple, and if it's just for an acquaintance you meet or for a friend (Valentine's Day doesn't have to be about being in a relationship you guys!!). I'm not saying make out with a stranger in an elevator. But this is really too awesome of a day to pass up an opportunity to do something for someone.
Tonight, I'm going to make a nice dinner, and play a board game and watch some TV with Aaron. I might make a few errands during th day today too, so there's an opportunity to see other people and at very least, give them a smile.
(Here's a photo from our 1.5 day vacation a week ago:)...)
And, a photo of my other lover boy snuggling with me....
Don't let anyone steal your chocolate marshmallow heart today!! ;)
I have always loved Valentine's Day. I have a few photos from my first few Valentine's Days...
In one of the first Valentine's Day photos, I had a large chocolate heart filled with marshmallow that I was eating in my walker. Apparently, our dog came and took it right out of my hand. I don't THINK I remember this because I was so young... but at the same time it seems like I do, because I have a photo to jog my memory, and my parents told me so many times about that V-Day... and someone stealing chocolate from me...? That was probably the most traumatic event that happened to me when I was that age! I mean, I would be ridiculously upset if someone stole chocolate from me now!
In another Valentine's Day photo, I posed in my light pink and lavender heart sweatsuit with my mom, in her red dalmatians-with-hearts hoodie. There is another photo I have of my dad lifting me up to give me a big kiss on the cheek in the kitchen. I don't know if it was from Valentine's Day, but I like to think that I got a kiss from my dad on V-Day!
I loved giving out valentines at school, and decorating my valentine box. I also loved GETTING valentines. I remember flipping through them over and over when I got home while I ate my chocolate and Sweethearts. There was something so exciting about Valentine's Day to me! I always dressed up in pink, red, black lace, or I just dressed to impress:) In 7th grade, I remember staying up until 1am the night before, because I hand-made valentine's cards. After I made them for my friends, I had started thinking of other people who would enjoy cards who may not receive one. I started making those, and I put as much love into those as the cards I made for my friends. As I was sitting there making them, well aware of the time, I remember starting to cry a little. I cried because I was happy that I was making those cards, and I knew those people would enjoy them. The next day I couldn't find some of the people I wanted to give the cards to, but those I did find, were very surprised. The day after Valentine's Day, one of the girls I gave a card to came up to me and told me how much she really loved the card and that it made her feel so special--then she gave me a big hug.
At 13 years old, I'm not sure why I thought of making those cards. But that's exactly what love is about-- doing something for others-- And that's what it's for-- sharing.
My mom stopped by yesterday and dropped off a gift from her and my dad. It was so sweet, and I always love a chance to see family, if even for a bit!
I love all of my family and my amazing best friends (I have so many who I love!!),
and there are so many special people that I have a chance to meet on a regular basis...I LOVE meeting new people and learning about them, and their passions! I wish
we still made Valentine's Day card boxes like we did in school. And if I had time this year, I would have made everyone a valentine card! But next year... I will next year.
Show love, and share love with someone today. Even if it's something simple, and if it's just for an acquaintance you meet or for a friend (Valentine's Day doesn't have to be about being in a relationship you guys!!). I'm not saying make out with a stranger in an elevator. But this is really too awesome of a day to pass up an opportunity to do something for someone.
Tonight, I'm going to make a nice dinner, and play a board game and watch some TV with Aaron. I might make a few errands during th day today too, so there's an opportunity to see other people and at very least, give them a smile.
(Here's a photo from our 1.5 day vacation a week ago:)...)
And, a photo of my other lover boy snuggling with me....
Don't let anyone steal your chocolate marshmallow heart today!! ;)
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