New Blog!!!

I’m pleased to announce that we now have a new blog!!!  www.skogasinvogue.com Check it out.  Bookmark it.  Love it.  And don’t forget to show me some love by leaving comments!!!

{We plan to update the new blog with all 2008 shoots and weddings as well as publish all the favorite posts from the past}

Parties!

I’ve been busy lately with shoots, meetings, album designs and partying!  I had the incredible pleasure of hanging out with some of my wedding friends and meet lots of new friends too.   The fabulous Maria Chang picked me up for each event!  She is such a doll and it’s so fun getting to ride with her; we have a lot of fun together!

I’ll start with Justin Fone’s Premiere debut of their new studio in the SOMA district of San Francisco!  We had a blast, but I failed to bring my camera out so friend and fellow fab photog, Augie Chang has allowed me to post a few of his shots! For those of you who don’t know, Justin is a sought after video production company specializing in weddings! He’s a super cool dude to hang out with too.  Check out more party pics on Justin’s blog! Thanks Augie!

Here’s Justin!

Epicurean delights by Alex’s Catering

Me.  What a LOVELY photo.  It looks like I have oreo cookies in my teeth and such nice hair!

Bev Yip from Especially Yours Chair Covers and Michelle  from MB Wedding Design & Events

Photographer Augie and Stylist Maria from PMA!

Justin and Maria!

The next event we had was the BAWN {Bay Area Wedding Network} Gala!  This was a very formal event with incredible decor and the food was to die for!  I, once again, failed to bring my camera   So this image is from My beloved Maria’s “normal person” camera.  We had a fabulous time and pretty much closed the place down!

Maria of PMA, Me, and Cindy of Bella Notte Events! 

And last, but certainly NOT the least… Studio MSV’s Re-Launch Party! the party was the day after the BAWN event and Maria and I were dragging! I’m not sure how young we think we are nowadays, but geesh! We were exhausted from all of the partying! The minute you walked into dekker swanky SF studio space, you are just in awe! It was the most perfect space to showcase your work and throw a kickin’ party! I was able to reconnect with a few friends and meet new ones of course! I challenged myself to actually bring my camera and shoot the event. I gave up halfway through and handed the camera off to Linnae of Asiel Design. Augie, of course, was there to cover the event so I stole some of his pics to post too! Thanks Augie!!!

Oh, and I wanted to say something sweet about Andrew of MSV Studio formerly known as Morning Star Video. He’s awesome! After the launch party he stalked me for a couple of days to see about doing a promo video for the Promises and Pearls event! I’ll post more about that later. Needless to say, Andrew is a sweet sweet guy and really really talented. I can’t wait for our next wedding together!!!

New friends – all in the East Bay!  Me, Andrew of Studio MSV and Ricky Wong of W Photography!

Michelle and Celeste from MB Wedding Design & Events

Wedding Stylists Unite!  Maria Change of PMA and Armando!

I was talking to a group of people, not really noticing who what standing right in front of me and suddenly someones goes “You know Ed, right?”  I looked up and my eyes lit up as soon as I saw Ed and Monica for Ed Pingol Photography!  Because, while I have never met him personally, I’ve checked out his work and corresponded a few times via myspace and email.  I was excited to finally get to meet you guys!

Uh, a total Dynamic Duo…  Gene Higa and Maria Chang!

And of course, my girls, Maria and Cindy!  Thanks for the sweet pic Gene!

Onto Augie’s pics…  Andrew giving a little speech thanking everyone for coming to his party  

Three crazy talented photographers, Ann Hamilton, Kevin Chin and Augie Chang. 

 More sexy people, John Griffin, Me, and Maria…

A view from the loft area of the studio. That’s me down below! 

Oh so sexy, Augie.

and Justin Fone messin’ around.

New Years Resolutions!

Well…  I know, I’m a little late.  I guess I should take ‘Blog more’ off the list! I am happy to say though, that I am doing a good job on my resolutions, which is a little out of character for me.

1. The Power of Now  

Lately I’ve really been concentrating on living more positively and focusing on my life as it is right here right now.  All too often do we worry about getting from point A to point B and we never really take a moment to experience the journey we take to get there.  For example, getting engaged.  There is sooo much that goes into planning the wedding that I think we forget the fact that we are ENGAGED!!!!  It was really such a wonderful time in my life and I really enjoyed planning my wedding.  I remember two days before our wedding, I was up at 3:00 in the morning printing and cutting programs, menus and place cards.  Scott walked by and stated laughing “You were born to do this, weren’t you?”  he said.  I laughed and agreed.  I was anxious for the wedding to be here, but was really having so much fun in the midst of things and I don’t think I enjoyed it to it’s fullest.  Being engaged is a feeling I miss, it was a really exciting time and a moment that I had dreamt of my whole life.

One more example of this:  My mom, sister, aunt and cousin all go to the city the day after Thanksgiving for the biggest shopping day of the year.  We have done this every year for about 10 years now and we have a blast.  More recently, we’ve ate and drank more than shop since we are now of age.  But anyway, back to my story.  The weather was cold but clear and beautiful, the big Christmas tree had just been lit, and there were carolers on the street.  We were literally running from one shop to the next through Union Square and for a split second, I slowed down and took a deep breath.  There was so much going on in that one instant and we were missing because we were preoccupied with getting from point A to point B in time.  I wished we would have soaked everything in just for a few minutes to recognize the wonderful time we were having.  This is defintiely somethign you MUST doing the day of your wedding – otherwise it will wimply pass you by.

I had expressed my thoughts and feelings with one of my good friends and old boss, Marc.  He knows how much I stress about insignificant things and what a waste of time it really is.  I can spend all day repeating the same dialog in my mind over and over again - it doesn’t matter if it is my interpretation of something that has happened in the past or if it is something I think will happen -  my mind will literally just drive me crazy!  He recommended I start reading (which I REALLY don’t do!)  and suggested I start with ‘The Power of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle.  Reading generally puts me to sleep and I really don’t ever sleep, so I figured I would get myself a nightlight and either I get some reading done or sleep done, either one would be good!  So, while I’m not the fastest reader, I will admit that I have been enjoying this book.  It has helped me identify when I let my mind go crazy and how it doesn’t accomplish anything.  In fact, when I allow my mind to think like this, I am completely unproductive! 

In a nutshell – I’m enjoying the moments that I am living today and I’m not going to worry about tomorrow because it will be here soon enough!  I’m feeling a lot more free and happy!

2. Make time for your loves

Toward the end of 2007 I was a bit depressed and couldn’t really put my finger on it.  I have the best job ever, an amazing family, wonderful friends and my dream guy for a husband.  What the heck could I be depressed about?  Well, I shot about 33 weddings, got married and had a plethora of other shoots all in a matter of 8 months.  I was working every waking minute and missed out on many family and friend events.  While I couldn’t be more excited about the success of 2007, I was definitely missing something and I felt that the people I love were missing something too.  I had been pretty much completely absent in their lives all year.  While I’m toying with the idea of starting a family soon, I started to get a little freaked out the thought of being a horrible motherwho never has time for them.  So this year, I’m working on changing my patterns of life.  While I still don’t remove myself from the computer when my husband arrives home, I am making an effort by spending more time with friends and family and reducing the amount of job committments I take in for the year.   I’ve made several attempts to reconnect with the people I care about and while I haven’t reached everyone yet, those that I have reached have been very vocal about having me around more {because I’m so great! }.  It’s been really wonderful and sort of goes hand in hand with enjoying the power of now.

I figure, I only have a couple more months of being 30 years old and I will never get to be 30 again!  Time flies.  It is so important to enjoy every moment we are blessed with.

3. Meet more fabulous people!

I met so many people in 2007 – really wonderful clients, photographers and other wedding professionals.  It is so fun shooting a wedding where you know part of the bridal party or guests or vendors!  It’s like a mini reunion!  I want more!  through my efforts thus far, I’ve joined a few wedding networks and I have vowed to actually attend my NCPP {Northern California Professional Photographers} meetings this year!  No excuses!  I will also be going to this year’s WPPI {Wedding & Portrait Photographers International} convention in Vegas, which I am sooo pumped about!  I’m teaming up with other wedding professionals to get linked in a little more within the community, there is so much talent out there!  I just want to surround myself with it! 

OK, last one… 

4. GET IN SHAPE!

I really wasn’t even going to write about this, because it is ALWAYS my NY resolution and I NEVER do it!  {Except for when I hired a personal trainer 3 months before my wedding}  But, I would rather not let myself go in my first year as a wife.  It’s bad enough that my husband gets to come home to me every night in my sweats and bathrobe!  We had yet to make it to the gym until my dear friend Susan called me yesterday and mentioned she was going to a ‘The Bar Method’ class this morning.  So, I got myself up at 7:50am {much earlier than my usual 11:00 rise and shine time} and met her for an 8:30am class.  I’m having a hard time typing because my muscles hurt so bad, but it was a really great class.  I signed up for their introductory offer of unlimited classes for one month {$100}.  So, we shall see how it goes…  I’m going tomorrow morning too.

{thankful}

It’s 1:30pm on New Years Eve and I should be showering and getting ready to party, but in light of it being NYE and resolution time, I wanted to share a few thoughts with you.

2007 has been an incredible year for me both personally and professionally.  Not only did I marry my best friend and the most incredible man I have ever met, I photographed some really amazing couples and families.  I’m so thankful about the connection I share with my couples, if I didn’t have that, I wouldn’t be blessed with loving my job.  It’s my couples and families that trust in me to document their life and love that make my job so rewarding.  I’m so excited for 2008 - I have some really amazing weddings lined up. 

I’m also thankful for the incredible talent that we have here in the photographic industry.   There are so many unbelievable artists and I thank you for sharing your inspiring work with the world.   I hope I get a chance to meet many more fabulous photog’s in 2008.  Call me!!!  Let’s hang out!!!

In preparation for the New Year, I’ve looked back on 2007 and thought about the purchases that have changed my life for the better.  I thought it would be fun to share with you.

Personal Purchases/Gifts (besides my wedding):

Brown Boots- I found this great pair of no heal brown boots on sale for $45 (normally $250) at Macy’s.  At first I was a little apprehensive about wearing them because I’m a pumps kind of girl, but I can’t wear pumps and shoot! (Unlike rockstar Quin Cheung of DQ Studios)  I wear these boots all the time and in addition to them being cute – they keep me WARM!!!! 

Panini Grill – My parents gave me the Cuisinart Panini Griddlerfor Christmas and I have had between 1 and 2 panini’s everyday since!  I love it!!!  I haven’t figured out the Moons Over My Hammy or Tuna Melt yet, but I’m working on it.  For some reason all of the contents seem to melt together. hmm…  Anyway,  I LOVE IT!

Nintendo DS LITE - Not a Christmas Gift, but an I Love You Gift from Scott 3 days before Christmas.  I have been wanting the original Nintendo for a while because Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong were really the only video games I played.  I grew up with a Dad and younger brother that loved video games.  First we had an Atari, then a Commodore computer for video games only, then of course, Nintendo and then it goes on and on.  Well, so I started with Nintendo and loved it for a while.  Then my sister got old enough to play and we had three kids fighting over the 2 person game - AND – Boys and BFF’s started sparking my interest a lot more.   When thinking about my Christmas list I saw these fun brain games and was bummed when I found out you had to have a DS to play them.  So, three days before Christmas Scott declared it Jen Day (YAY!!!) and took me to lunch, then Best Buy and bought me the DS with Super Mario Bros (seriously just like the original) and Word Coach, and Left Brain Right Brain.   I spent the rest of the night sitting by the outlet charging it playing.  My left hand seriously went numb.  It’s such a wonderful thing. really it is.  It’s portable and briefly takes me away from my world (which get get a little crazy sometimes )

Professional Purchases:

PickPic Shopping Cart- when I first convinced my husband that I needed this, I promised him that my print sales would dramatically increase.  Did I really believe this?  No, not really, I just wanted something new, sleek, and easy for my clients to use.  (shhh… don’t tell Scott).  Side note:  with Scott, I have to qualitate or quanititate every purchase I make – I’m an artist – I dont’ really do that.  Luckily for me, I married an accountant and that is the only way he operates.  My business would be nowhere near where it is today if it weren’t for him.   OK, back to PickPic.  Troy was a true pleasure to work with and I CANNOT BELIEVE just how much my print sales have soared since my PickPic Shopping Cart has entered my life.  It’s seriously unbelievable.  And it allows us to offer everything online – albums, gift certificates, online payments, etc.  I love it!

Another 5D - I entered 2007 with only one and decided that I need TWO!  It’s for back up purposes and gives me piece of mind that it exists there in my bag.

Canon 30D – I shoot a lot of weddings in churches that don’t allow me to get very close to the bride and groom during the ceremony.  I use my 30D just for this reason.  With the 1.6 (i think) ration, it allows me to get that much closer with my 70- 200mm lens.  It’s a really great camera.

My Mac Book Pro - Yes, I made the move!!!  Not completely yet because my office is too small.  As soon as we move I will be getting my big Mac and the only thing we will use my PC for is scheduling, email and miscellaneous stuff.  anyway, I currently do all of my editing on my mac and I just LOVE it!!!!  Go MAC!!!

My 45mm Tilt Shift Lens - LOVE IT!!!  Takes a bit to get used to, but is so freaking cool to play with!

My 6×8 Wacom Tablet – I cannot LIVE without this thing.  It really makes me wonder how I ever retouched with a regular mouse.  seriously.  It’s incredible and so precise!  It took about a week of me going “What the Heck is this thing?!?!”  and once I got used to the change, I have never looked back.

Jesh’s {life as an artform} workshop in Vancouver, BC - Jeshhas so much to offer this world and I am so thankful that he is willing to share.  I have crazy love for this guy – yes ladies I know, he’s sexy too, BUT – he has got to be the most talented, authentic, and passionate person I know.    In addition to the Jesh experience, I got to hang out with some really wonderful and talented photog’s.  It’s so fun to talk photo with other photographers because we sound like complete dorks to the rest of the world, but other photographers actually know what you are talking about!  I made some life long friendships that week for sure.

I bought a few other lenses, but I think that is enough professional toys to talk about. 

OK seriously I’ve been typing for over an hour… and I didn’t even get to my NY Resolutions! TBC 1/1/08.   If you just read through all of this, you’re crazy – but thanks for reading!
If you skipped through the writing looking for a photo…  Here you go!

From the rooftop!

Since I was already in the city, I was able to stop off at my friends Nate & Julie’s sweet new pad after the wedding last Saturday.  They took us up to the roof top and we enjoyed the beautiful view (even though it was a little chili).  I had a great time hanging out with old and new friends – I didn’t get home until almost 3 am!