Donation Time March 30, 2009

A few more big THANK YOUs going out to my dear friend Nikki, who donated on-line from Florida.  Miss Mary in New Mexico, and of course my granny Bonnie in California!  Step by step I will get closer to my $2300 goal.  There are plans for bake sales, and car washes this summer to help my team reach our goal.  I have continued walking, and I’m averaging about ten miles a week right now.  The weather has been a bummer… I hate walking in the rain.  But I just do it and get it over with, and have a hot cup of coffee when I get home to warm up.  My team leader is planning on an 8 mile walk for a saturday in the near future, and we’ll continue adding on until we get up to 20 in one day.  As always, www.the3day.org can answer any questions you may have, as well as give you an opportunity to donate. 

 Don’t forget to do monthly breast exams ladies.  You are your best weapon.  Early detection saves lives.

Karen & Radu: Page 1 March 29, 2009

Isn’t this beautiful?  I love the silhouette of the two of them, taking a quiet moment together in their suite at the Alexis hotel in downtown Seattle.  I love what the designers did with this image, fading black on the right for the names and date. 

When I submit the images to my designers, I always have a conversation with them about the couple, the event, and the feeling and style I would like for the album.  I don’t always have particular images in mind for things like the opening page.   So when I got this page back, I just knew it was right.  Every wedding is telling a different story, and that is why I find it so important to use professional designers, as opposed to templates for the album.  Yes it is more work, yes it is more expensive.  But the finished product is well worth it!

Stuff Happens March 24, 2009

My husband and I stumbled upon a great show called, STUFF HAPPENS.  It is hosted by Bill Nye, and is on the Green Network.  Although it can be a bit cheesy, it is full of very useful information on the things that happen to the planet as we live our lives.  He points out the impact on the planet of sunscreen, for example.  Did you know that the chemicals in some sunscreens get washed down the drain, end up in our oceans, and can actually change the sex of a certain fish off the coast of California??!!  He then offers real world solutions.  We need to all be paying closer attention to our impact on the planet, and prioritizing living a little greener.  From dedicated recycling, to re-using and re-purposing, to using re-usable grocery bags, to carpooling.  Make living green a habit, and then pass it on!

First Donation Received! March 23, 2009

A very big thank you goes out to my friend Kristen out in Snoqualmie.  I sent out about twenty fundraising letters, and she was the first to respond with a donation!  Times are tough, I know.  But breast cancer continues to take our mothers, sisters, best friends, and cousins.  We need to team up together, and continue to bring awareness, remind eachother to do monthly self-breast exams, and stay on top of mamograms too.  Please visit www.the3day.org for more info.  I walked about four miles today, and I’ll continue to up the anty through the summer so that by the time the 3-day gets here, I am completely prepared.  Stay tuned!!

Combine Photography and the Rehearsal Dinner for SAVINGS!! March 16, 2009

Just a reminder, Summer Dawn Photography and Matts’ Rotisserie in Redmond are offering a great discount to couples who use both services!  If you book Summer Dawn Photography for your wedding photography, AND you hold your rehearsal dinner in the Private Dining Room facilities at Matts’, both will give you a 10% discount.  Matts’ also does not charge a room fee, so your opportunity to save is even bigger.  As for Summer Dawn Photography, I will offer a 10% discount on all album orders.  And I had a potential client ask a great question: what about parent albums?  Are those discounted as well?  The answer my friends, is YES!!

So this means, untilizing the Matts’ and SDP promo, you can take an additional 10% off of the reduced price parent albums, as well as the full price personal album designed for the two of you.  Who doesn’t need a break these days?

Please visit www.mattsrotisserie.com for more info, or speak to Marie Ferris, the private dining room manager.  She can take you on a short tour, and discuss menu options with you.  Matts’ can accomodate up to 60 guests, and can do everything from an elegant sit-down dinner, to a more casual buffet.

Fundraising Time! March 11, 2009

Okay friends and family, be forewarned: you will be receiving the first of a few Breast Cancer 3-Day fund-raising letters!  I know times are tough, but I think it is important to remember that things like breast cancer does not wait around for times to get better.  We need to continue funding research, education, awareness, and affordable mammograms.   Please take a moment to visit www.the3day.org, click on donate, search Summer Hopkins, and follow the directions to donate.  Every dollar gets me closer to my goal of $2300.00 by August 15th, 2009.  We can beat breast cancer, together!

Q. Before or After? March 6, 2009

Q.  I have a lot of bride and grooms who can’t decide if they want to see each other before the ceremony, or wait until the big moment.

A.  First and foremost, this is your choice.  I personally chose not to see my husband until the ceremony, for that added drama.  From a photographer’s stand point however, and although I can work around any choice, I might suggest for a number of reasons that you do the opposite, and have what is considered a “first look” instead.  This consists of the two of you seeing each other for the first time in private, and having a few moments together alone.  Then, I step in, and we begin the process of photography.  Without the stress of missing out on time with guests, we can get the bulk of the pictures completed before the ceremony even begins.  Then we complete a few requisite pictures following the ceremony, and you and your spouse get to the reception to see all of your guests so much sooner.  Again, I can work around absolutely any choice, but given a little more time and freedom, I’ll be able to be more creative, and you will be more relaxed, giving us time to create beautiful images TOGETHER.

Birthday Blessings March 5, 2009

Well,  I had been dreading my big three-oh for weeks.  And yet it kept creeping right on up.  But thanks to my husband, neighbors, and very dear friends, I had a wonderful birthday.  I felt special, loved, and truly blessed.  My best friend hosted so that I wouldn’t have to clean before or after (so thoughtful) and she and her husband decorated so beautifully I couldn’t believe it.  Gorgeous orchids, and paper lanterns everywhere.  My hubby cooked for four hours straight, and sweet Dan did dishes for just as long.  The food was amazing, the decor so gorgeous, and the laughter plentiful.  The night was capped off with my good buddy Nick and his roommate John’s rendition of Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours”, followed by some other covers and originals.  We ate, laughed, sang and had the best birthday yet!  Thank you to everyone who attended, and worked so hard.  Now, I see myself as 30 and fabulous!!