stellasweet blog http://stellasweetblog.com Chronicles of wedding photographer in Folsom California. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:20:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 en hourly 1 Moving my blog to a new spot! http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/11/moving-my-blog-to-a-new-spot/ http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/11/moving-my-blog-to-a-new-spot/#comments Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:09:04 +0000 marjorie branco http://stellasweetblog.com/?p=1441 Just want to let everyone know that in the next few days I will be switching over to a new website and blog all rolled in to one.  The new and old site may not even show up for awhile but I am going to leave this site up for awhile.  If you want to see the latest and greatest goings ons with stellasweet Photography, you will in the future just want to go to www.stellasweet.com.  The new site is much easier to navigate and the images are bigger! If you need to contact me while the change over is taking place, please email me at marj.branco@gmail.com.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to mention that the great Scott Rouse of  Scott Rouse Digital is building this new combo site for me and he is great to work with. He knows what he is doing, he has reasonable fees and he is very responsive to his clients questions and concerns. I’ve known him and have worked with him on projects off and on for over a year and have always had a great experience working with him.  I don’t mean to sound like a commercial but I truly feel that credit needs to be given to those who do good work.

The images here are from Jarrod and Nicole’s wedding on Oct. 17th in San Francisco. Again I got to work with the wonderful Diana of Diana Kay photography. More images from this great day are over at the new site/blog.

Everyone have a wonderful weekend and see ya over at the new site: www.stellasweet.comstellasweet-bride-pumps

]]> http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/11/moving-my-blog-to-a-new-spot/feed/ 0 The Wedding of Anya and Phil http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/10/the-wedding-of-anya-and-phil/ http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/10/the-wedding-of-anya-and-phil/#comments Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:53:28 +0000 marjorie branco http://stellasweetblog.com/?p=1356 Phil and Anya met and became friends in a dance studio at Notre Dame. Their friendship and then courtship has spanned the midwest to the wild west, across the Atlantic ocean, photography school and under grad and graduate school.  On October 10th, in a beautiful spot at the Memphis Botanical Garden in Memphis Tennessee, these two best friends become husband and wife. The reception was downtown where Anya and Phil rocked that dance floor, the kind of spot where it all began years ago.  After the reception, we took a stroll to nearby music filled Beale street, a locale famous for it’s blues clubs. What an awesome place but no need to stay and sing the blues this night so we got a couple of photos, hopped the cable car and headed back and called it a night. Besides, what newly married couple wants to hang with their photographers all night?

Note: I’d like to  say thank you to Nina, Eldon, Gina Lee and Jeff,  Foy  and the Enochs for their hospitality and generosity. Mostly, thank you to Anya and Phil for sharing some of your most important days with me. My heart feels such joy for you.

]]> http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/10/the-wedding-of-anya-and-phil/feed/ 1 Anya’s Bridals http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/10/anyas-bridals/ http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/10/anyas-bridals/#comments Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:19:47 +0000 marjorie branco http://stellasweetblog.com/?p=1284 I did mention on my last post that Anya’s wedding to Phil was next on the agenda. Man oh man did we have fun! It was super cool to get to photograph a wedding photographer. We got to play big time with the bridals and between the two of us, we kept coming up with ideas and locations and could have shot bridals for 2 weeks. A tight schedule did keep us in check however so we shot off and on as we traveled from Elkhart to Memphis for her and Phil’s big day.  Below are some of the images we came up with…

]]> http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/10/anyas-bridals/feed/ 2 darci and Rich get Married! http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/09/darci-and-rich-get-married/ http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/09/darci-and-rich-get-married/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:26:50 +0000 marjorie branco http://stellasweetblog.com/?p=1241 I  had the great pleasure of helping out photography school buddy Anya Hershberger with a wedding shoot out here in Indiana. The wedding was last Saturday in Mishawaka and the newlyweds are darci and Rich. This couple, their friends and their familes are dancers too I tell you! Even the 3 year olds were dancing with style. Anya is a dancer as well by the way and she  had to put her camera down for a moment or two to do some jaw dropping dance moves with the bride!  Next up is Anya’s wedding to Phil and that also promises to be another dancing adventure and this time in Memphis!

]]> http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/09/darci-and-rich-get-married/feed/ 1 Yosemite-Nature’s Brilliant Wedding Chapel http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/09/yosemite-natures-brilliant-wedding-chapel/ http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/09/yosemite-natures-brilliant-wedding-chapel/#comments Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:38:27 +0000 marjorie branco http://stellasweetblog.com/?p=1123 I had a great Saturday photographing the wedding of Brian and Jen at Yosemite with Los Angeles based photographer Terrence Bishop.  Just as I got there, a sudden out-of-the blue rain cloud appeared and dropped about 5 minutes of water at The Narrow Gauge Inn where the wedding party was preparing for the day and then it very politely went away. Afterwards, the air was clear and cool, the dust was patted down and the trees and ferns were shiny green. Rain on a person’s wedding day is also said to be good luck and based on how the rest of the day went, I’d say  this was true! No bears showed up, everything went wonderfully, and Brian and Jen were a happy and beautiful couple. Rev. Autrey Nassar officiated the nuptials. Helping out was Rev. Nassar’s wife Donna. It was great chatting with them about how a couple couldn’t ask for a more beautiful and holy wedding chapel, Yosemite ! The folks at the Narrow Gauge Inn also were so kind and friendly, the food was great and the party on the patio afterwards was a blast! I kept trying to leave but the DJ,  Kirk Moulin was playing such awesome music, I had to stay for the “end of the song” several times! A wonderful day turned in to night and the beginning of a happy life together for Brian and Jen. Congratulations to you both.

]]> http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/09/yosemite-natures-brilliant-wedding-chapel/feed/ 2 Harriet and Noah-2 hounds from Ojai http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/09/harriet-and-noah-2-hounds-from-ojai/ http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/09/harriet-and-noah-2-hounds-from-ojai/#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:55:57 +0000 marjorie branco http://stellasweetblog.com/?p=1091

I am down in the southern end of California this week visiting friends along the way, shooting a new creation by a wedding gown designer  in Newport Beach and then looping back up to help shoot a wedding in Yosemite. It’s is turning out to be an action packed week filled with new experiences, including trying a bottle of pine needle juice from the local farmer’s market, which I have to say I don’t recommend unless of course you like your lips a little itchy  and burning and your head feeling a little “off” for the rest of the day…I also got to spend some time with Harriet and Noah, the canine residents of the home where I stayed for the last 4 days. They were like my shadows following me every where ever I went. Harriet even tried to herd me a couple of times by poking me in the leg with her nose. I am pretty sure that on a couple of occasions she was directing me to the fridge to get out some food. I ended up getting out popsicles which I don’t think she was particularly thrilled about. Sorry Harriet. Hope the doggy cookies made up for that.

click on the thumbnails to see the images full size

]]> http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/09/harriet-and-noah-2-hounds-from-ojai/feed/ 0 Coloma is gold for a bridal shoot http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/08/1039/ http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/08/1039/#comments Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:27:50 +0000 marjorie branco http://stellasweetblog.com/?p=1039 Marie is a stud-muffin. She is also a natural model. She endured 100 degree heat in a very warm gown, swarming bees, on-coming traffic, men yelling out their car windows at her and she endured me as I trudged her and her 6 inch silver stilletos through the varied terrain of Coloma. The first location in California to strike gold, Coloma is now basically a state park and the home of two 49er-era chapels, one of which you can get married in still! And the cool thing is, after you get married in this chapel, you can have your reception and/or honeymoon at the Coloma Country Inn just down the street.  The Coloma Country Inn is run by Marjorie and Craig Sanborn, two very gracious  people. They very kindly let Marie and I use their beautiful Inn and grounds for many of these photos and were very quick to offer their wonderful air conditioning too. Thank you Craig!

Marie Wetherell, owner of The Makeup Artist Academy is responsible for the beautiful makeup and hair for our  photo shoot. Marie is truly an artist and is great at bringing out a woman’s most beautiful side naturally. The unique and exquisite bouquet was provided by Angie Zimmerman, owner of Heavenly Flowers and Events. Aside from providing wedding floral services, Angie has a wonderful option for the DIY bride who wants to save some money and do her own wedding flowers. Click on her link to find out more about that.

I’d also like to mention that Marie’s gown is from a Brides Against Breast Cancer Fundraising sale. Beautiful gowns at a fraction of the cost with your money spent going to a worthy cause makes getting a gown this route a win-win situation for all. More information about this wonderful organization can be found by following their link or on my July 27, 2009 post.

Marie, you were fabulous, thank you very much. And next time you’ll have to bring your pet snake!

]]> http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/08/1039/feed/ 1 Wedding In The Woods http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/08/wedding-in-the-woods/ http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/08/wedding-in-the-woods/#comments Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:17:18 +0000 marjorie branco http://stellasweetblog.com/?p=966 Some weddings are just too beautiful to not see and share. The new Mr. and Mrs. from this past Saturday are a private pair so just the detail shots on this one.  It was such a pretty event I couldn’t put my camera down and then forgot to go to the desert table  and get a creme brulee. Unbelievable… Oh well.  At least I made some new friends. Main photographer Diana of Diana Kay Photography was absolutely great to work with. Also I met Wendy  of Silverthorn Tree Farm just outside of Placerville.  She says they’re opening up the site to more weddings next year and this is good news for couples looking for a gorgeous, peaceful and natural setting. Carissa of Sugar and Spice was the maker of those creme brulees and all the other goodies that I am sure were phenomenal..and  to the nice bar tender lady who kept bringing me water, I’m sorry I missed your name but thank you!

So, next up, a bridal shoot at Coloma Country Inn and then a trip to S. Cal for a mini- working vacation.


stellasweet-applehillbling800

]]> http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/08/wedding-in-the-woods/feed/ 2 Meeting my inspiration http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/08/spent-a-day-with-scarlett-lillian/ http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/08/spent-a-day-with-scarlett-lillian/#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:27:18 +0000 marjorie branco http://stellasweetblog.com/?p=863 One of  my favorite  photographers to watch for inspiration is Scarlett Lillian . The first time I saw  work on her blog  awhile back I immediately liked her style. She has been a leader in bringing a glossy hip fashion magazine style of portraiture and wedding photography in to popularity. Now people like you and me…ya know, those of us who don’t hang out with Paris, Giselle, or Beyonce;  normal people who still have an  inner diva or rock star just  aching to come to the surface are getting photographed like we too could be in Elle magazine! Scarlett Lillian has a way of getting her clients to work that camera and they love the results. Other photographers love the results too and  try to watch and learn from Scarlett Lillian when the opportunities arise. I had an opportunity to watch, learn and shoot this last weekend with Scarlett during a Spend a Day with Scarlett photo session in Carmel California. The day was misty and cool and we sat in a cafe drinking lattes while Scarlett shared  her  tips and tricks on getting images to snap and her thoughts on the business of wedding photography. We then met up with our  couple Carlie and Gabe and spent the rest of the afternoon photographing them while they posed, kissed and dipped on the streets of  romantic Carmel. It was loads of fun Saturday and  I so appreciate Scarlett sharing her experience and knowledge. Thank you Scarlett!

click on images to enlarge

]]> http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/08/spent-a-day-with-scarlett-lillian/feed/ 4 Brides Against Breast Cancer http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/07/brides-against-breast-cancer/ http://stellasweetblog.com/2009/07/brides-against-breast-cancer/#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:58:17 +0000 marjorie branco http://stellasweetblog.com/?p=826 Did you know that over 200,00 women and 1,200 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year? That every 12 minutes, someone dies from breast cancer? That breast cancer is the number 1 killer of women ages 15-54? These are sobering numbers and the emotional and physical effects of breast cancer on it’s victims and families is too large to count. Financially, the consequences of dealing with terminal breast cancer can drain families of their savings and resources making the ability to afford even modest pleasures out of reach for many.

What does Brides Against Breast Cancer do?
A clip from the Brides Against Breast Cancer and the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation web page states: “It is our intention to ‘make a difference’ in the lives of those suffering from this devastating disease. Our wish-granting service helps put the realities of this terminal illness aside, if just for a few days, while providing the opportunity for a family to spend quality time together. Our hope is that every metastatic breast cancer patient will be able to pass from this world comforted with the joy of having left his or her family a final beautiful memory—something the family will look back on and remember for a lifetime”.

How do they do it?
Through Brides Against Breast Cancer, (BABC), the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation aside from individual and corporate sponsorships and family memorials accepts thousands of new and used wedding gown donations which are then sold at gown sales through out the country and at a huge savings to the bride! These gowns are of the latest styles, and in perfect condition and can I just say *FABULOUS!*  Davids Bridal alone has been very generous by donating several hundred new gowns for the cause. Click here to link to the BABC Gown Sale Tour. If you are in the market for a gown, you have got to go! If you want to contribute your time to a very worthy cause, volunteer at one of these sales, they truly need lots of bodies there to help! For more information, go to their site Making Memories Foundation. Be sure to click on to the “Wishes Granted” link to see what wonderful work this organization does. Grab a tissue first though, you will need it.

This past weekend, the BABC gown sale was generously sponsored by the beautiful Morgan Creek Golf and Country Club in Roseville. Trinity Gangi is Catering Sales Manager at Morgan Creek and is the one who arranged to get BABC to bring their sale to our town! Other volunteers helping out the brides-to-be were Breanne Sumida, Tasha Verkest and Jona Collins. And of course, the woman responsible for bringing all those hundreds of gowns to town in a trailer along with her 2 cute kids from Washington was Brenda Chovanak, National Tour Director for Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation. What a kind and dedicated group! It was great to work with all of you! Hopefully again one day soon!

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