Andrejka Photography

I've Moved!!

2009-04-20T17:41:00.000-07:00

After months of working on a new and improved blog...

It's finally ... HERE
http://www.andrejkaphotographyblog.com

so change your bookmarks... and start reading the new and improved version... AND... the first entry... Contest #1 of 2009 ... check it out... have fun be crazy!!

Happy Monday everyone!!

Love,
A

A little help please!!

2009-04-15T18:10:00.000-07:00

I am in the process of designing a card for that lovely store (Little Luxuries) I've been raving about... we are trying to come up with a good quote for the card...

I would love to know all of your thoughts... PLEASE leave a comment and let me know which quote/quotes you think would make the best card!!

Here they are...

Too much of a good thing can be wonderful!

We do not remember days...we remember moments.

When I count my blessings I count you twice!

Everything happens for a reason.

The best is yet to be!

May every sunrise hold more promise, and every sunset hold more peace. (this could be on one of your sunset cards.)

Begin anywhere

The best way out is always through.

Life is a series of thousands of tiny miracles.

Thanks...

Love,
A

A sweet ride on your wedding day...

2009-04-10T09:33:00.000-07:00

So if you are looking for a sweet ride on your wedding day (or any day for that matter)... check these beautiful and unique cars out...

... and what AWESOME photo ops!!

Bentley - $225 pr hr with a 2 hr minimum Each Additional hr is $175

“Gentle Ben”

English right-hand drive 1957 Bentley Silver Cloud
1. Colors are latté over mocha, with beige leather interior, burl wood trim and wool carpeting. Ben is perfect as a gentleman’s touring car or elegant wedding coach, making every moment of your special occasion most memorable. Seats 3 in the rear passenger compartment, plus 2 passengers up front with the driver.

Rolls Royce - $295 pr hr with a 2 hr minimum Each Additional hr is $245

“Cinderella”

English right-hand drive 1938 Rolls Royce Wraith.
Pearl white is the color, the perfect compliment to any wedding theme. Burl wood trim and accents remind one of old world elegance. Seats 3 in the rear passenger compartment, plus 1 passenger up front with the driver.

...And of course there are also the usual gorgeous sedans and limos!

Give Brian a call... he'll totally help you out. He's the best!

Brian Rajkovich
R&R Transportation, LLC
PO Box 30792 Santa Barbara Ca.
93105 888-RIDE-805 / 805-569-5400
SantaBarbaraLimoRR.com

NOTICE!!!! Email down!

2009-04-09T13:12:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

If anyone has tried to email me this morning my system was down ... and I didn't receive anyones message... so if you tried to reach me try again...

It should all be fixed now....

Thanks
A

Google Images...

2009-04-08T23:01:00.000-07:00

So... it's getting late. . .and in an attempt to procrastinate I decided to "google image" myself... which I feel everyone should do at least once ... you never know what comes up when you google your name... WITH an image... well I am going to share with you the results...

Take a look... its my claim to fame... I made the front page of the Napa Valley Register a couple years ago (I had forgotten about this). I attended what is annually known in Napa, CA as the Mustachio Bashio on the day after Thanksgiving (every year). It is an extremely fun fundraiser for UCSF's Children's Hospital... It was an unbelievabe event for a good cause. Every male has a mustache (a la Tom Selleck era) and every female must be dressed a la 80's.. or basically as crazy as ever...

so here's the pic... you'll have to google me to see the whole article...

Man I loved those glasses!! (It's me.. I promise)

Have a fun time the rest of your week...

Love,
A

Britainy's Birthday... Sheila's Design...

2009-04-08T00:31:00.000-07:00

Last week was one of my most closest and dearest friend's birthday. Instead of dressing like Jem & the Holograms (like last years festivities).. we classed it up a bit more this year with a dinner party (cocktail attire I might add)... only it wasn't just any party... it was planned and executed perfectly from the minute the "driver" picked every girl up to the minute we were safely dropped back home...and all this to the thanks of one spectacular girl!

My amazingly talented friend Sheila planned the entire dinner party from the invitations to the gorgeous centerpieces even to the meal. All of which she made herself. Wait till you see the pics below... her centerpieces are some of the best I've ever seen.

Keep your eye out for this girl ... she'll be rocking all our worlds soon. I'll let you know when her website is up and running... it's in the works right now!!

And Brit... you looked amazing. Like I said that night... I truely am excited from the bottom of my heart for what this year has in store for you... I can't wait see what unfolds (I'll hold the tears back this time)!!

Love to you both!
A

A beautiful sunset...

2009-04-04T11:02:00.000-07:00

A couple years ago I was taking the ferry back across the Straights of Mackinac and for once decided to ride on the top (like a tourist...aka fudgie)... I saw the most beautiful and amazing sunset just behind the bridge.

Well, I'm glad to know that others will be able to see this sunset too... Pure Michigan (a wonderful new campaign for tourism in MI) just launched their Mackinac site... and decided to feature this image of mine... take a look...

A lovely email....

2009-04-03T15:54:00.000-07:00

So, I had to share with you a lovely email I just got today from one of last year's brides... I just love it when photos make people happy... yeah!!!

Hi Andrejka, I'm so excited to tell you thank you for the album! I just opened it and looked at it literally 5 minutes ago. It is so gorgeous and beyond anything I could have expected. It's perfect! The pictures are so clear and arranged so perfectly. It took me back to our wedding day and made me feel everything all over again. Thank you, thank you, thank you! What a special surprise the three little brag books were too! They are perfect and I can't wait to give one to my mom and to Pete's mom and of course keep one for myself :) Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. Take care and keep in touch! Stephanie P.S. Pete just got home from work and I'm so excited to show him right now!

S & P... I'm so glad you love the album ... it was such a joy working with you last year... I hope we get the chance to meet up again this summer!

Love,
A

BIG NEWS: A new home for Andrejka Photography...

2009-03-31T15:06:00.000-07:00

Over the past few weeks I've been tossing around the idea of finding a new office space... a place that is different...and fun, ... a great place to work and play . . and share with clients too. Well... the perfect opportunity fell into my lap.

Viva Space... It's exactly what I was looking for. A space on the more creative side then the corporate side... a place where I can be inspired and productive. A place I can shoot, a place I can type, and a place I can escape into my world of photos (yet not be a hermit)!!

Viva Space has got a hip urban funky feel ... yet only blocks away from the relaxed laid back California beaches. I'll be sharing this open gallery/office with 4 other talented artists (fashion designer: Denice Roe, painter: Kelly Ann Campbell, web designer: Ryan Gantz, and the brains behind this "factory": Ulrike Kerber owner of Viva Design).

I can't wait to share this with everyone and watch how my business can flourish and grow along sinde other creative types!! What a fun new adventure...

If you are around please come by an open house next week... hope to see you there!
(123-125 East Carrillo Street... Santa Barbara, CA ... back house... bright orange door)

Love,
A

Little Luxuries of Mackinac Island...

2009-03-25T11:24:00.000-07:00

I've had a couple people ask me about this gem of a store that will be opening this May on Mackinac. YES... it will be open for the season ... and the website is in the works.

Just wait!!!... I've been in cahoots with the owner about some really really cool things for brides, guests, and basically anyone looking for super fun high-end luxury gifts of all shapes and sizes...(confused yet... you'll see... wink wink).

Also, I'll be exclusively selling some great high-end postcards and maybe even greeting cards here to.

Have a fun day and enjoy the smell of spring jsut around the corner!!

Love,
A

Overcoming ridiculous fears... with an Italian Dinner!

2009-03-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

First off I am not afraid of Italian dinners... not even close... BUT... many people would never guess it but I am COMPLETELY intimidated by any social gathering which involves meeting new people ... (surprising since I shoot weddings for a living)

Well, last night I ignored this little fear and went to my dear friend's house for a wonderful Italian potluck dinner... I walked into a room full of new faces...YIKES! Took a deep breath ... and within minutes we were all laughing and bonding over a meal brought together by each of us (gotta love potlucks)... as a side note one guest was from MI and knew of the "island"...phew something I can always talk about.

Plus it always inspires me to be around people who have taken the leap, followed their passions, and started their own businesses... my friend Gabe is an amazing graphic designer who has built a successful business from the ground up... check out Insights Design To Gabe and everyone else last night, thanks again for a great dinner, encouragement, and inspiration!

May you all realize your ridiculous fears... and face them . .. sometimes they can turn out to be fun.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Love,
A

The face of a writer...

2009-03-17T15:26:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I did a quick head shot for one of the most amazingly talented up & coming writers.. she's funny, witty, intelligent, and can make you feel any emotion with just a few choice words. Her writing can make you cry one minute. . .and pee your pants laughing the next...

Check out her blog to see what I am talking about... The Lucky Paw

Kuz, I am so proud of everything you are and how amazing your writing is... you rock!!

Love,
A

Cool little gift...

2009-03-11T12:08:00.000-07:00

So as I was perusing Etsy* looking for neat things I came across this little gem and had to share it...

Ego Award Ring
How cool is this ring . . .AND, you can get it engraved with anything you want. It's hand made in Argentina and costs $20 ($6 shipping anywhere). How awesome would these be as bridesmaids gifts, thank yous... heck even just a simple "Love"...

As a side note I have to pay props to my friend Nicole who is in the process of opening an AWESOME store on Mackinac this year... called "Little Luxuries of Mackinac Island".. once her website is up I'll let you all know... this place is going to be THE place to by not only great little Mackinac things but little gifts that can be incorporated into your weddings... she is the one who got me turned on to Etsy (an awesome shopping site for all things handmade and special... some really really cool and unique things here... check it all out)

Have a fun day!

Love,
A

Jane & Glen's slideshow...

2009-03-06T15:43:00.000-08:00

Here's a little more of Jane and Glen's beautiful and touching wedding in Oregon. Take a look at their slide show...

Click here for the slide show

I LOVED their first dance song so much that I had to use it in their slide show... a little ode to Billy Idol & Adam Sandler

Love, A

Wedding Magazines...

2009-03-06T11:09:00.001-08:00

So... this morning I wandered into Borders to look for Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Magazine.. and this is what I saw...
My goodness... when did the newstands all of a sudden become flooded with Bridal Magazines... not that I'm complaining... I LOVE wedding magazines (as I should...).. but a bride must be a little afraid (although EXCITED) every time she comes near the rack... or at least her fiance should be as she walks to the checkout with EIGHTEEN magazines to peruse... talk about making your head spin...

Just to help sort out a few ... below is a list of my fav's...

Grace Ormonde (which by they way was already sold out this morning)
Your Wedding Day (and awesome national mag... located right here in So Cal)
The Knot
Brides
Real Simple Weddings
Martha Stewart Weddings

Have fun reading this weekend!!

Love,
A

Jane & Glen are married!!

2009-03-04T12:03:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I was so touched and honored to be a part of a very special ceremony between Jane & Glen. They asked that I meet them in Portland for the beautiful wedding.

This couple exudes joy, happiness, laughter and love to the extreme. Glen's eyes sparkled everytime he stole a little side glance at his new bride and Jane laughed with the biggest smile I've ever seen. It was truly an evening full of touching moments and belly laughs!!

Now, I've been to quite a few weddings and I must say that NEVER have I been to one that had EVERY SINGLE person dancing... sure usually you've got the small kids sliding across the dancefloor, the college friends dancing to LoveShack, the parents slowly dancing in the corner, and maybe once in awhile the grandparents will take their turn too... but THIS was something else, the bride's aunt was being swirled around the dancfloor by the bestman as both sets of parents boogied down with the couple, everyone else boogied in a circle... even the amazing caterers from Fresh Palate Cafe were dragged out there. I'm telling you... not a single person was sitting down (no exaggeration)... I was truly impressed!!

... and did I mention the whole affair was planned and executed in a month... without missing a single detail... it was a beautiful and elegant evening from beginning to end.

Jane & Glen... You two warm my heart every time I see you... thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your special day!

Love, A Here are the amazing vendors who made the affair such a success:
Venue: Zenith Winery (the most AMAZING bridal room EVER)
Caterer: Fresh Palate Cafe (So accommodating and the food was awesome) & dancers too
DJ: Ryan Hein from Perfect Memory DJ (obviously he must have been doing an out of this world job to get the ENTIRE wedding out on the dancefloor)

Style Me Pretty... my newest favorite online find...

2009-03-03T12:04:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to explore this blog more... it is the perfect little place to get advice on all things beautiful and wedding (from color palettes to vendors and everything in between) ... Abby has done an amazing job at creating a site that is all-inclusive, user friendly, and

To all my brides... check this out... ASAP... Style Me Pretty http://www.stylemepretty.com

Have fun exploring...

Love,
A

A great gift for winery weddings

2009-03-02T15:20:00.000-08:00

The wedding I shot this weekend had the cutest little gifts for each guest. We were at Zenith Winery outside Portland... so what perfect gift then wine bottle stoppers... and the glass was hand etched by a relative... and what a beautiful presentation (Everyone loves opening a present)Another GREAT option for winery gifts, is a local Santa Barbara company, Santa Barbara Wine Corks and you don't just have to be from SB, Greg will work with people worldwide. I met the owner Greg Orlando at the SB Sunday Artwalk a few weeks ago and was so impressed that I had to write about it. In fact I already have a shop owner talking with him back on Mackinac.
Just a little inspiration for this rainy Monday afternoon...

Love,
A

Off to Portland for Jane & Glen

2009-02-27T16:00:00.000-08:00

I leave tonight for Portland to photograph the wedding of the adorable couple below. See you two in a few hours...
These pics were taken during Jane's bachelorette/shower afternoon last week, where she was to re-enact... "This is your love affair ... Jane & Glen" . . a retrospective around SB of how the sweet couple met and fell in love... only she had to carry around this goofy pic of Glen the whole time... (sorry Glen . . . the hat... a little goofy... it IS Santa Barbara not Alaska.. but I know for a fact, Jane thought it was cute ;)

I can't wait to be a part of this very very special day.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend...

Love,
A

A new favorite gadget...

2009-02-26T22:20:00.001-08:00

Check it out.... its the flip video... personalized and everything... its a mini-HD video camera (smaller than an ipod).

I can't wait to start experimenting and incorporating it into my photography... stay tuned... I'll be playing with it this weekend at a wedding in Portland, Oregon.

Wedding Wire recognition... 2009 Bride's Choice Award

2009-02-24T18:20:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning, checked my email and was surprised to see that I got this award... how cool is it to be honored by my brides and not even know it!! may life bring you little surprises this week!!

Love,
A

Here's the press release... take a look..

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that Andrejka Photography has won the 2009 Bride’s Choice Awards™!

In its inaugural year, the Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and honors vendors from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellent quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility. This year’s recipients represent the top three percent of WeddingWire’s vendor community, which includes over 100,000 wedding vendors from across the US. That means Andrejka Photography is one of the very best Wedding Photographers.

Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the company, the Bride’s Choice Awards are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds through surveys and reviews.

“We are excited to launch this annual award program to honor high-performing vendors based solely on the experiences of our WeddingWire community,” according to Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s recipients have set the bar high, exhibiting excellent service and expertise in the wedding industry.”

Andrejka would like to thank her past clients for speaking on her behalf and helping Andrejka Photography to win the 2009 Bride’s Choice Award!

WPPI... my mind has been blown wide open!

2009-02-18T06:21:00.000-08:00

Imagine...
10,000 wedding photographers in 1 hotel for 1 conference from all over the world...

How could one not be blown away by this!!

I was so thrilled (and nervous) to attend my first WPPI... it was all I had imagined... and WAY more. The people I met were amazing, helpful, and supportive beyond expectation. Everyone of us were there for the same reason, to support and celebrate each other in an industry we love!!

Too much entered my little brain this weekend to even try and filter it for you. Just know that I am so stoked, inspired, and ready to take my photography, my clients, and my passion to a whole new level.

There are a few people I want to throw out props out to for personally expanding my horizons beyond what they were a week ago...

You all rock in so many ways!!! Some of you I met personally ... others , I was one of many listening from the crowd taking notes as your words shifted my mind into new and exciting directions... thank you to...
Marcus Bell
Joe Bussink
Nancy Emmerich & Rose Coleman
Jim Garner
Justin & Mary Marantz
Frank Salas
JB & Deettee Sallee
And a special thanks to ... Mike Larson...
(dude, seriously... your "party of 4" and support for my business has inspired me to lead more and make a difference with my photography beyond my clients and myself.. and to Rachel... your brownies ROCKed girl!! It was such a pleasure to meet you both.)

Oh, one more very special thanks to ShootQ . . . the AWESOME new studio management program I'm using. All you guys and Jennifer are amazing. I am so stoked I got to meet you. Jonathan thanks again for answering all my questions... I can't wait to start utlizing everything ShootQ does. yippee... it actually makes me excited about the business side of photography...

May you all be inspired by those around you; be them peers, mentors, or strangers on the street... then take this inspiration and pay it forward! ...that's what I plan on doing!

Love,
A

I promise pics will be all over the next blog entry.... I just had to share about WPPI!!!

WPPI here I come....

2009-02-13T17:24:00.001-08:00

I am just dropping a quick note before I hop on a plane to Vegas...

I am so excited to be attending my first WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) convention... I just know it is going to blow my mind to be surrounded by my peers and my mentors ... and all the latest and greatest "toys" in the industry!!

Not only am I going to be attending the convention . . . BUT I am also taking a "party of 4" workshop with the awesome Mike Larson . .. an all day seminar with only 4 people .. super intensive and super customized... . yippee

Can't wait to tell you all about it...

Happy President's Day . . .and Love Day...

May you all find love all around you this weekend

Love, A

Cevin & Peter's Royal Ball

2009-02-11T18:50:00.000-08:00

It was a beautiful Santa Barbara evening. . . and all sorts of royalty were arriving for the Anniversary Ball of Queen Cevin and her King Peter...

Lillet was being poured, a beautiful array of cheeses were being paired with wine... it was a true evening of elegance... and goofiness... and laughter all rolled into to one!! The PERFECT kind of Ball.

Congratulations Cevin & Peter... it was such a lovely affair and I was so happy to be a part of it!

Season's Catering did an amazing job...

Love,
A

The King & Queen The youngest member of the Royal Court
(who's crown just did not make her happy, so she left it at her castle)

Kali & Carey's Engagement...

2009-02-07T10:40:00.001-08:00

A couple of days ago I was thrilled to meet up with Kali & Carey to photograph their engagement pictures. I will be shooting their wedding in May . .. and I can't wait.

As I was saying yesterday, I love to shoot engagement pictures. They are wonderful opportunities to get to know my couples, have fun, and figure out how to help them relax in front of the camera before the big day.

Kali and Carey were no exception. We laughed and laughed. It was hard to miss the way they looked at each other. Out of nowhere Carey would just pick Kali up and hold her tight. I love it when I see such joy between two people. To see more pics, take a look at the slide show below.

Congrats again Kali & Carey!! I can't wait to be a part of your beautiful day!

Love,
A

Click here for the slide show