It starts right off with a bat with January’s LIVE PHOTO BOOTH special.  This wedding add-on, event showstopper and memory maker was MADE for erikaLEIGHphotography.  Two words mean fun, unforgettable wedding:  OPEN BAR  but if you had three words it would be LIVE PHOTO BOOTH.

Book by January 31 for HALF OFF your very own LIVE PHOTO BOOTH.

For more information on this and all the other good stuff coming up in 2010 email ELP:  fun@erikaleighphotography.com.

More updates as the promotions get locked in… ELP is gonna work hard in 2010… but with everything in the planning sessions so far… it will be more FUN, than work.

As always… be in touch:  erika@erikaleighphotography.com

NON-PHOTOG NEWS:  That Michelle on this season’s ‘The Bachelor‘… she’s one-of-a-kind.

Trouble.

Some think men are harder to shoot, but I completely disagree… especially in large groups.  Granted I’m not sure I’ve ever had a boring couple as bride and groom so it makes the men of the group that much more troublesome… aka brave, fun, willing to do anything… aka my favorite subjects to shoot.  These are just a few of my favs… keeping in mind this blog is G rated.

I hope all of Adam’s girlfriends get access to this at some point.  Adam and I grew up putting on plays together at family functions… one particular time, during The Lion King’s peak popularity, we decided to do a few song and dance numbers for the Thanksgiving show.  See this was normal in our family.  We’d go to whose ever house was scheduled for the holiday, eat all the deviled eggs put out for the first round then hole up in the basement and get the show ready.  I was often the lead… not because I was the oldest girl or the bossiest or the scariest… it was pure talent that won me the role every time, ok?!  SERIOUSLY.  I was also usually the casting director and director… hmmm, wow I was busy.  :)  During this Lion King show, Adam bounced around with this floppy hair and sweat flying and those socks… his tube socks that paired with his aggressive feet flailing (aka dance moves) and the thin carpet, hung off the end of his foot approximately four inches.  Bless his heart, the show must go on… he didn’t stop for one second to readjust them (not sure he even noticed) instead he continued and gave a glowing performance.  He’s always been his own man… never let anyone tell him what he should be.

Then in high school, he went through the phase where he decided that it was a grand idea to only wear his dad’s or even grandfather’s sweaters… it’s cold up in Iowa but never, ever would I ever say it was that cold that he should’ve brought those out of the closet… he didn’t care.  He drove a hatchback/station wagon type vehicle with a tape deck that always smelled of fresh soccer cleats… this was fine for him.  In Spanish class, I’d occasionally look over and see him deep in thought, elbows on desk, hands grasped in front of his face… lips COMPLETELY pursed, almost like he was kissing something but instead he did this to hold his pencil between his upper lip and nose.  I’m sure this was key in acing all his Spanish tests… he didn’t care who saw this creepy gesture.  He’s always been his own person… I’ve always joked, but it’s out of sheer jealousy of his ability to win everyone’s hearts with his obnoxiously, wonderful loud laugh AND his complete comfort in his own skin.

Growing up in Iowa was an experience I look back on now and can say how truly lucky I was.  But it wasn’t the simplicity of the midwest that completely made my childhood.  It was growing up with my cousins of similar age all within five minutes driving distance.  My cousin, Adam was my best friend in high school.  No I’m not the least bit embarrassed to say that.  Family is family… there is not an option there, they are blood, you are born and they are apart of you… some people despise this fact.  I thank God every day for the fact they’re stuck with me.  When you are surrounded by people that will stand by you for life, it makes the tough times a little more bearable… it makes you as a person a little more content.  I now live about 891 miles from those that I call my anchors… 972 miles from Adam.  It is hard… especially after being spoiled all my life of having them less than ten minutes away, but they’re affect on me never seems far.  I know Adam is blood and he has to be my friend… but he’s never let anyone tell him who or what he should be… so I like to think he still chooses to be my friend!  :)

In my most recent trip to Iowa I got to visit Adam in his big ol’ bachelor pad in Des Moines… he’s this big, bad boy lawyer that still works hard and still laughs loud.  I couldn’t be any more proud of him and the fact that I get to call him my family and my friend.  Stay who are are Adam… don’t let anyone tell you who you are… and don’t let anyone make you put flowers on that porch…

OHHH SAD.  AUGUST 31… last day o August but have no fear we’ll round out the countdown into September… keep the party happening.  #1 set to debut early Friday morning… then check back the following week for the new website set up and winner of ELP MONEY!

April.

All head shot clients have to feel awkward for about 32 seconds when I ask them to make a variety of crazy faces… nothing normal for these pretty people but they always love the end result.  This is one of my favs obviously… I just think it’s cool.  Both in colors/temperature and awesomeness.  Not to mention the subject is pretty dang cool too.

Oh where do I start with my Margey.  She is crazy good… like this title quote… in so many ways.  Here’s just a few… 1.  It’s not easy to be overly cool and go by Margaret… which in fact is her middle name… but Margaret does.  2.  She drives without air-conditioning in her car & refuses to admit that it is broke (‘look, it says its 60 degrees’).  One like myself, would be a terribly nasty person in personality and in looks if I showed up anywhere after even a five-minute drive in Atlanta heat without AC… she shows up fun-loving and beautiful EVERY TIME.  3.  She’s got an iPhone and sends me emails randomly throughout the day stating her newest and best time on Jirbo Match, sample email bodies include ‘:54 while driving’  and ‘:49 at work’… These make my day.  4.  She thinks Powerball ticket number combinations are still valid until you win on them… truly, like three months agos numbers still could win on this Tuesdays drawings.  5.  She makes up words like ‘evisis,’ ‘jay-aich-oh,’ an unmentionable g-word, and loves people named Marlene.   These are all small reasons I adore my Marge… everyone has many more of their own reasons.  She is loved by all and loves many but makes every person feel they are the best person she knows.

Beyond her fun traits come her deep down not just crazy good, but crazy amazing traits that make her an everyday inspiration to me.  She is undeniably magnetic… people flock to her and want to be just like her… and the world would be great if more were in fact just like her.  She is endless in her love for her friends and I am beyond jealous of her ability to show this to people… that is where a lot of people fall short.  Much like Devon, she is funny beyond comprehension… my abs kill after being with her for more than 20 minutes.  She is one of those people that being in her presence makes you feel more whole and safe… she is one of my closest friends but she makes all around her feel at ease.  She’s too creative for her own good and professionally speaking she has been one of my greatest supports.  When I needs slogans or marketing ideas or just a word of encouragement she never falls short.  I hope someday to steal her up from her other professional opportunities and make her a permanent part of the ELP staff not just my occasional creative director and unofficial, official saver-of-everything.

She has brought so much happiness into my life, I’m so unsure where I would be without her.  She is crazy good in everything she sets out to do.  Thank you my Margey for being a constant inspiration on how one, including myself should look at and live life… for being my wonderful friend… and for being crazy good.  I love you so!

Were back on track, hittin up #13 tomorrow (since #14 was last Friday… the approval came… in these last few days of ELP 1YA Image and Inspiration FUN!  I love you all for being a part of it… more tomorrow.  Only a few days left on our Wedding Special below.  Email me for more details on how you can save…  erika@erikaleighphotography.com

awwww love. it's lovely.