Baby's and Paintings and Florists Oh My!

It's July.  Doesn't seem right.  What does seem right is the long weekend I have ahead of me.  I can't wait to enjoy the holiday weekend up at my cottage with my lake family.  We'll enjoy nothing by food, sun (hopefully) and each others company.

My friend (and client), Brian, will be missed in Wisconsin this weekend but for good reason.  Brian and his wife Rachel just welcomed Eleanor Jane into their lives last month.  She is a sweet little peanut.

Checkout that painting in the back!  I love seeing my work in its final home.  I really love seeing the reactions to my paintings as well.  Amidst caring for a new baby, Brian was kind enough to send over a couple of pics of Madi receiving her wedding gift from Brian and Rachel.

I can already tell that she loves it.  That's enough for me.

And one final tie in to this cast of characters and paintings....Madi's florist!  The bouquet Becky from Beco Flowers created was absolutely amazing.  I mean, really...there was cotton AND a succulent in it! I just had to meet Becky.  So, thanks to the internet, I am able to share a bit more about Becky and more of her delightful work.  Enjoy!

1.  How long have you been in business?  

Since 1999

2.  Gotta ask...what’s your favorite flower?  

I love ALL spring flowers--everything from peonies, hyacinth, allium, daffodils, lilac, etc. But, my personal favorites are 'poeticus' narcissus aka pheasant eye narcissus and any variety of double, fragrant narcissus such as 'cheerfulness' . The narcissus flower and fragrance brings me back to my childhood. I am obsessed with them!

3.  Toot your own horn....what’s your specialty?  

We love weddings with pretty, gardeny flowers that incorporate lots of texture with beautiful color combinations. I'm great at sourcing unusual fresh flowers and fresh product to surprise and delight my bride's and customers.

4.  What would be your dream creation?  

A gigantic bouquet done in the style of a Dutch masters painting.

5.  Craziest request you’ve had?  

A oversized floral peacock for an upcoming wedding!

6.  What do you like about working in the wedding industry?  

Collaborating with bride's on their weddings. Constantly changing trends and colors keeps our design senses sharp. Plus, there is nothing better than a thrilled bride at the end of the day. I also love to see the photos of our finished work.

7.  What is something you wish your clients knew about your job?  

There's a lot of behind the scenes work to get to the finished product. Some of it is not so glamorous!

8.  When you are not working, what are you up to?  

I enjoy cooking, gardening, traveling and spending time with my 3 1/2 month old twins.

9.  Anything new and exciting coming up that we should know about? (either professionally or personally)  
My twins are new and exciting!

Beco Flowers

Kansas City, Missouri

816.472.4242

www.becoflowers.com

becoflowers@aol.com

Thank you so much Becky!!!  Have a star spangled 4th of July everyone!!!

Meet the Photographer: Amanda Marie

Hip hip hooray for the weekend!  Summer officially starts and so does another painting for me because I finished Madi and Bret's!  If you read my last post, you saw my hint that I was already a few steps ahead of what you were viewing (catch my most current updates on Instagram).  I'll be honest, I cranked this painting out like it was my job....oh wait.....

It was a quicker painting coming in at 28 hours, but managing to finish it in a weeks time still felt like an accomplishment.   Take a look:

I really love the way this one turned out and find myself staring at it and thinking how nice it would look up on my walls.  I might have to consider getting a print of this pretty.

I owe a big thanks to Amanda Marie for taking some amazing photos for me since I was not able to take them myself.  See people, this is the goodness that comes out of booking me ahead of time. It allows me to contact the photographer to give them the low down on what I need to work from.  Good images and great relationships with these vendors.  You've got to meet Amanda.  She has a fabulous sense of style and such a fun-loving personality.  I especially love that on her blog she has "Coffee With..." where she interviews other vendors...some of which are other photographers.  I really admire that kind of confidence in someone when they can go out and embrace their "competition" in the most flattering way possible.  Kudos to you, Amanda!

Isn't she adorable!?

1.  How long have you been in business?

I have been in business since 2008.

2.  Toot your own horn....what’s your specialty?

I would have to say my specialty is styling my clients as well as photographing them. When a couple comes to me with outfit questions for lets say their engagement session, not every photographer would be able to help them out with the wardrobe styling side as well, and I think it's a fun addition I give my clients :)

3.  Who or what are your favorite subjects to photograph....your dream photo session?

My favorite subjects to photograph is engagement sessions. They are so in love and excited about their upcoming wedding, that they just glow in front of the camera. My dream photo session would be shooting Carey Mulligan in a flowing gown in a beautiful white room in the heart of NYC. A girl can dream right?

4.  Craziest thing you’ve captured on camera?

The craziest thing I've probably captured on camera was a real life proposal. I've had the honor of capturing two and they were the sweetest, most beautiful things to witness.  

5.  What do you like about working in the wedding industry?

The thing I love most about working in the wedding industry would have to be all the love. I know it sounds so cliche, but even after all the chaos, stress and craziness of wedding planning is over, there is so much love among the couple and the families. I have a connection with them for a lifetime of being the one who got to document one of the most special days of their lives. I feel so incredibly blessed for that!

6.  What is something you wish your clients knew about your job?

I try to do my best of informing my clients of all the details of my job, but unless you are breathing it in and out everyday, it's not all that easy to understand. I wish my clients knew that I never completely shut off. I do my very best to relax on days off, especially on vacations and family time, but the truth is I am truly in love with my job and I am always thinking (most genius and thought provoking ideas come in the middle of a shower) of ways to better improve my business and ways to better serve them. 

7.  When you are not working, what are you up to?

When I am away from the computer and shooting, you can find me in any local coffee shop, journaling, shopping for those red sale racks (It's all about 50% off people!!) thrifting through antique shops and loving on my sweet husband and family.

8.  Anything new and exciting coming up that we should know about? (either professionally or personally)

I am approaching my 6 month anniversary of marriage (that half a year FLEW by) and I couldn't feel more loved and thankful that the Lord provided me with such an amazing partner to journey through life with. Newlywed stage, what can I say? :) Professionally, I am launching my new website and branding incorporating both photography and styling, this was all inspired by Kate Spade goodness and I am SO excited about this! 

Amanda was there for Madi and Bret's surprise engagement.  So sweet!

Madi and Bret's engagement session

And on their wedding day!

Amanda Marie Lackey | Fine Art Photographer

http://amandamarieblog.com

817.228.3597 

Thank you so much Amanda!!!

Have a great weekend everyone!!  Enjoy the holiday and take time to remember all of those that have served our country!

Update: Madi and Bret's

You know how it feels when you lift really heavy weights and then switch to a lighter set?  You're still getting a workout, but man can you fly through those sets with the lighter weights.  That's kind of how Madi and Bret's painting is going.  After the last one, this is  a breeze.  I'm cruising through it and it feels good.

Guess I kind of figured out how to paint cotton.

Wait till you see the finished project....oh, did I just slip on that.  Yes, this one is already finished....you just have to wait!

On to the Next One

The weekend is here, and I'm already on to the next project.  This new painting is from repeat clients, Brian and Rachel, who have given my work as a wedding gift to each of Rachel's brothers (it's too bad she only has the 2 brothers).  They go in on this gift with other family members, making it a painting rich with more than just one memory.

Madi and Brett's bouquet did not disappoint either.

Love it!  Though I have never painted cotton before, this is sure to be a stunner.  Here's the comp:

Gorgeous, right!?  I love the soft hues and that it is actually a horizontal composition.  I'm so use to painting verticals that I forgot to rotate everything for this shot:

This one isn't as complex as the last one, but I'm sure it will have it's own set of challenges.  Bring them on!
Have a great weekend....2 weddings and some painting for me!