My book club chose this book as our current selection, and I loved it so much, I’ve already finished!! The story is simple, though the characters are very complex. The writing though, is so breathtaking. At times I actually slowed down, so that I could absorb the sounds of each word. Yates’ writing is mature, sophisticated, yet very accessible. I loved getting into Frank’s mind, as he wondered during every moment away from April, just how he would describe later to her what was happening. Sort of a haunting tale, and a very interesting look into relationships in the fifties. I look forward to our discussion in book club… lots to talk about. See you soon ladies!!!
Revolutionary Road: a Great Read January 31, 2009
The Breast Cancer 3-Day January 30, 2009
It is official! I have registered to walk in the Seattle Breast Cancer 3-Day in September!! I am excited, and nervous. I’ve committed to raising at least $2300.00, and will walk 60 miles in three days. I joined Abby McCune’s team, the RACK WARRIORS, and I’m really excited to have such a dedicated team leader. She walked last year, all alone, no team and not knowing a single person! After losing a very dear friend to breast cancer last year, Abby knew she had to do more. I have been blessed so far, and although my family has dealt with other forms of cancer, breast cancer has yet to personally effect me. So instead of waiting for it, I’m going to be pro-active.
I’ll post about my journey, it will be a long one! And if anyone would like to donate, please visit www.the3day.org and search Summer Hopkins to donate. All donations are tax deductible of course, and keep this in mind:
With these economic times, extra money is hard to come by. Donations are down all across the country as people just try to get by. But cancer won’t wait, doesn’t care about the economy, and can strike a young vibrant woman you know at any moment. Donate Today!!!
Q. Explain a time when you have gone above and beyond for your clients January 29, 2009
A. This is a good one! I take special pride in going “above and beyond” for my clients. I have been involved in customer service for most of my life in one way or another. Fortunately, it comes easily for me… most of the time anyway. Lets see… once at a wedding, where the bridal party got ready at the bride’s parents home and then drove to the location, I actually drove the grandmother and mother of the groom to the location becuase somehow in the shuffle, there wasn’t enough room for them in the other vehicles.
And last year, having my new assistant at my side, he was able to head back up to the suite in the hotel to grab the bride’s boquet that she had forgotten up in her room. He then headed back later for her lipstick 
At one of my first weddings, a family friend had agreed to do the “bartending.” The poor guy couldn’t open a bottle of wine to save his life. Thanks to all of my time in the restaurant industry, I was able to put down my camera, and open about ten bottles of wine in just a few minutes so the guests could start cocktail hour. Pretty funny.
Two years ago, the DJ at a very nice wedding wasn’t so, um, prepared. He didn’t have his schedule with him, so he had no idea when things were supposed to be happening. His assistant was more of an idiot than an assistant, and throughout the afternoon came to me with all sorts of needs, like an outlet, an additional chair, duct tape, all sorts of things. I found myself going between the bride and that dumb DJ all day just to keep things moving along.
I can’t say how many times a bride has looked at me with wide eyes asking, “what are we supposed to do now????!!!!!” And lucky for me, I seem to always have an answer. Even if I made it up on the spot, the bride is just looking for a little reassurance. My job is always bigger than just being the photographer. I’m looking to be a friend, a leader, an assuring smile, an I’ll go get it girl. Every wedding has its own unique set of circumstances, and I take pride in adapting quickly and gracefully to all of them.
Q. What advice would you give to a friend, who was looking for their wedding photographer? January 28, 2009
Welcome to the first installment of my newest category: Q and A.
As a photographer, I get a lot of questions over and over again. And sometimes, I just get really good questions that I think would benefit others. So, what better way to share this wonderfuly insightful info with everyone than… my blog!
A. I think one of the most important things when looking for a wedding photographer, is to actually think PAST the pictures. Weird I know. But think about it: your photographer is the ONE vendor who will literally be shadowing the two of you on the biggest, most exciting day of your lives. Yes the flowers are important, and the cake has its glittering moment. The location is primary, and the food and beverage also sets the tone. But the photographer, will be right next to you, always within reach, always within ear-shot. Always there. I would tell my dear friend to find a photographer with whom they have a connection. With whom they feel confident, comfortable, at ease. Yes, base your first opinion on the photographs. Spend some time with their work, see if you can feel the emotion of the couples. Do you like the artistry of the images, the cropping, the lighting, etc. Can you see yourself in those images? Then… meet with the photographer. Follow your gut ( I wish I had when I chose my photographer). Can you laugh easily, talk freely, be honest while meeting with the photographer? Do you share any connection with them ie. you know a past client of theirs, you both love to cook, you both love coffee, etc.? Does the photographer seem genuinely interested in who you are as people, not just as clients? Does the photographer exude excitement for your big day, as well as confidence in their own abilities? Just keep in mind that you can find a lot of photographers who take similar styles of photographs. But it is the actual PERSON that sets them apart. Good Luck!
Seattle Bride Magazine Feature January 27, 2009
I am so proud to announce my first feature in Seattle Bride! The issue has just hit newsstands, and I encourage all of you brides-to-be to grab a copy. Not only is the magazine a great resource guide for venues, florists, bakers, and PHOTOGRAPHERS, but it is also a great spot to get fabulous bridal party gift ideas, favor ideas, and inspiration for everything wedding.
Ali Basye, in her “editor’s letter” says that the magazine reviewed over 600 northwest weddings for the issue, and chose to feature 45. I submitted a collection of images from two weddings, and the team at Seattle Bride chose Chanel and John Roth to be featured in their Local Weddings of Note section (see page 129). Congratulations once again to Chanel and John!
Six Thousand and Counting January 26, 2009
This week, and am ever grateful for… dare I say it… TECHNOLOGY!
If you know me at all, or if you’ve been following my blog, you know that I have a love/hate relationship with technology. You see, I am not one of those techno savvy, naturally good at all things tech kind of person. I can work my computer, and even solve minor issues, but only after lots of on-line research, headaches, a few curses, and minor nervous breakdowns.
And yet, I know that my life could not continue, if I found myself without all of this wonderful technology. For instance, I love my magic aka. I-phone. I love the GPS, I love the texting feature, I love the Internet. I make sure to never leave home without it.
And my blog. I love my blog! I am at over 6,000 visitors, and I love that some of them are new, some old, some family and friends, some potential clients, some fellow photographers. I admit that when the going gets tough, the tough stops blogging. But all in all, it is a great way to reach the masses, inform, educate, and yes, sometimes rant. I try to keep my ranting to a minimum though, as my husband likes to point out: nobody likes a whiner. Not to mention the fact that there is enough negativity in this world without mine added.
I am also newly in love with Lightroom. I had been reading about this super streamlined approach to editing and cataloguing photographs. And I just got it a few weeks ago, have been able to process a few shoots with it, and needless to say, it is as amazing as I had heard. Up until now, I had been relying on my in-camera work to produce my images. But digital photography isn’t perfect, and part of the process is certainly post-edit. I have suddenly become obsessed with hand-tinting my images, tweaking lighting and white-balance just a hair, cropping, brightening, spot-removal, and so-on. Yes, I have created more work for myself. But I am also now able to produce an image that has even greater punch, greater impact than I ever have before. High contrast black and whites, and antiquing are my current favorites. I can’t wait to show my clients, new and old, how amazing their images will be!
Gotta love technology!!!!
“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” January 19, 2009
This week, I couldn’t be more blessed I am when it comes to my friendships. I had an amazing day yesterday, so full of laughter and love. I met up with some of the funniest ladies I know for our book club. We read the Russian Concubine, and had a fantastic discussion about it. Although it wasn’t one of our favorite books, it did lend to a very interesting discussion, even for the member who couldn’t quite get herself to finish it. It was pretty slow in the middle, but had a very emotional ending. Our next pick is Revolutionary Road, and we are really excited to read it before we see the movie.
Not to mention the fun happy hour, and a ridiculous amount of laughter. I think we even disturbed some other patrons, but what can you do about that? Then my husband and I headed to Seattle to have dinner with our good friend Nick, and after dinner he and his roommate John treated us to a free concert. They are both amazing musicians, and John is a part of a band called Jubilee (www.livejubilee.org) which I have also had the pleasure of seeing. Not only is their music wonderful, they are also a non-profit band, supporting the International Justice Mission (www.ijm.org). What a cause!
Spending time with friends is so important to me, and sometimes I forget how great I feel after some good old fashioned laughter. Sometimes I think I’d rather stay at home in my PJs, or that I don’t feel like driving to Seattle or wherever. But once I go, and find my heart full and my soul happy, I can’t believe I almost didn’t want to. Keep in touch with those you love, make time for laughter, and if you are lucky enough, work a happy hour into the mix too!
Goal Setting January 16, 2009
It is that time of year again, when you do a little inventory, think about the year behind you, and assure yourself that the year ahead will be________ (more organized, more prosperous, I’ll work out more, eat healthier, be a better spouse, parent, friend, employee). I think the whole idea of a new year’s resolution is a great one… but it ends up just making us feel guilty by, oh, February. Goal setting is a very important part to the path of success. It gives you something to work towards, and something to hold yourself to. If you just want to “work out more” that doesn’t give a clear definition of what more means. So on a good week you’ll work out five times, and on a bad one once. But you have no way to reward, or push yourself, when you can’t say clearly: I met, or didn’t meet my goal.
I was going through some old notes, and found the following scribbled on a piece of paper:
My goal is: To create artistically fulfilling images that depict a typical way of life
And I am so glad to have found this past note. I didn’t set it out as a goal, more of a note to myself. But looking back at it now, I see that in a very short and sweet statement, my biggest goal is laid out before me. In all of my photography, from babies, to families, to weddings, this goal is important. Emotional, artistic images, that allow the personalities of my clients to shine through, while evoking a sense of art and feeling. So in a way, I have been following the goal without even knowing it. But now that I have found a clearer purpose, I can focus on what is important to me in my photography. A sort of filter if you will.
Think about how you live your life: as an employee, spouse, parent, friend, etc. Think about the way you would ideally complete tasks, and ask yourself this question:
In an ideal situation, how would I most want to do this job? Then use that as your mantra, your motto, your goal. Write it down somewhere, and take a look at it every day, or every week. Keeping yourself on track will lead to less stress, less anxiety, and more time to think about all the other things you have going on in your life!
Lets all work towards really making 2009 a wonderful year!
High and Dry January 13, 2009
You know, this weather is getting out of hand! First the fall floods, then the snow, and then the record flooding again!!! I am ready for some good ol’ won’t ruin anything or stop the mail from getting delivered Washington rain. You know, that wet stuff that typically falls from the sky on daily basis this time of year. The kind of rain that you can still go for a hike in, or go for a run. The kind that we are all so used to it hardly even phases us. Funny, being from California, I never thought I’d say anything like that.
I am a little late on this week’s gratitude entry, and basically I just have to be thankful that my home is high and dry. Yes, we got stuck for a day or two with both the snow, and the valley flooding. But my floors are dry, I didn’t have to pile all of my belongings up on counter tops, and I’m not spending the next few weeks wondering how on earth I’m going to repair the damage. I know some of you are, and my heart goes out to you. Specifically my brother and sister-in law out in Snoqualmie, and my dear friend Kristen and her family. I’ve seen the pics on facebook, and man, it doesn’t look good. But not all is lost, and in a few months, this will all be a really annoying, and yes scary memory. Makes you think about the truly important things in life: health, family, security, friendships, comfort, simple pleasures. Getting back to the basics. Step to the side for a moment and let the rat race go on by you. It isn’t always about getting more. Sometimes its just about taking joy in what you already have.
Early Bird Special!!!!! January 6, 2009
Announcing an EARLY BIRD SPECIAL!! ATTENTION ALL BRIDES TO BE!!!
Summer Dawn Photography is offering a fantastic special to 2009 brides:
For all wedding photography contracts signed in January, or February (wedding date to take place any time in 2009)
A 10% discount will be applied to all ALBUM ORDERS!!
No where else can you get these albums at such an already low price. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to preserve your wedding memories, through Summer Dawn Photography!
Please contact Summer Hopkins for more information, and to schedule a complimentary consultation:
** As seen in the Spring/Summer 09′ issue of Seattle Bride Magazine, pgs. 129, 154, 168 **
425.281.1438
