Another year!

Hi Friends,
Well another year is coming to close, whether we like it or not, 2009 is here! 2008 has truly been such a fantastic year, I have been blessed in SO many ways....including by many of you who read and visit this little blog. It's kind of funny, since really it's only one day's difference, right?....today it's 2008 and tomorrow it's 2009?!

This coming year I've just decided to choose a word for the year. my word for 2009 is: Energy

Here's Webster's definition; en·er·gy

Pronunciation:
\ˈe-nər-jē\

Function:
noun

Inflected Form(s):
plural en·er·gies

Etymology:
Late Latin energia, from Greek energeia activity, from energos active, from en in + ergon work — more at work

Date:
1599

1 a: dynamic quality b: the capacity of acting or being active c: a usually positive spiritual force

2: vigorous exertion of power : effort

3: a fundamental entity of nature that is transferred between parts of a system in the production of physical change within the system and usually regarded as the capacity for doing work

4: usable power (as heat or electricity) ; also : the resources for producing such power


I have a ton of projects that I am just SO excited about this year....and they are going to require a lot of energy. But really, I believe that I get energy from them, it's inspired energy. Like when you get really excited about something and you end up energized just by the idea of what you think about. That's the kind of energy I'm talking about. But also in my photography. The photo above exuberances a lot of energy, and I want more of that in my work....

Do any of you choose a word for the year? This is my first year doing this, and while it's a little weird - I admit - I think it's kind of fun....and I truly believe it's a good thing to operate our brains in an abnormal {as opposed to stagnant} way on a regular basis - it keeps things fresh!

Share your words if you decide to pick one!!!

Studio tour!

So I'm new to You Tubing my own videos - But I think there's incredible potential with it and I'm super super excited to have posted my first video, check it out:

Bev + Adrian | Pfiefer State Beach Wedding, Big Sur

Bev and Adrian came all the way from New York to have their wedding at Big Sur, at Pfiefer State Beach....it's a beautiful beach if you've never been or seen photos. We met up at The Post Ranch Inn and headed to the beach for their intimate wedding. You know, I see a lot of weddings, and sometimes it's really great to see such a simple but incredibly beautiful affair, but you can decide for yourself!






















Big Sur Wedding Photographer
Big Sur weddings

Angela + Tim | Paso Robles Wedding

On the note of my last post, I chose a Toby Keith song, called "The List" for this Paso Robles wedding. I think Angela and Tim's wedding was long in the making, such a sweet couple. Congratulations you two!

Credit where credit is due:
The talented Jenn Hocker with Allure Events - this was my first time working with Jenn and she and her team were excellent to work with! {the even did the flowers!}
Catering Unlimited - always delicious
Meridian Vineyards - one of my absolute favorite winery venues here on the Central Coast







ENJOY THE SHOW BELOW!



Paso Robles Wedding Photographer

Central Coast Weddings

Post 200! {reached my goal}

I had a goal to blog at least 100 times this year - and I've made it! It just makes me feel so darn good when I reach goals. I'm not a big New Year Resolution setter {too much pressure!} - I simply create lists of things I need or want to do over the course of the year....here are a few from this year:

Blog 100+ times
Year of the home makeover (in progress!)
Complete the studio {way done}
Do more creative things for me {not just work!}
Create more passive income opportunities
Ride my bike to work a few days a week {it's a little chilly for that at this time - but I did during the summer!}
Get our personal albums up to date {still working on this one}
How about a wedding album for us {we've been married almost 9 years!}

Now it's already time to make up my 2009 lists - for me, it's actually a process that goes on in Allyson's wonderland {my brain} for some time, before it actually hits paper....which means it's in progress or will be soon. But top on the list are blogging and updating my website {it's long overdue}.

I encourage you to start thinking like this quote and creating your mental lists for 2009 and beyond {we have 1, 2, 5 and 10 year lists}

"If you don't know where you're going....you'll never get there!" I don't know who said this.


Visual for the day.....A photo for my "rearview mirror" project, on a way home from a shoot last month:

Jennifer + Aaron | Palm Springs Wedding

It was our true honor to be a part of Jennifer and Aaron's wedding this year, at the Parker Palm Springs. Cathy from Celebrations of Joy had all the details fixed to a "t," if you're in need of a wedding coordinator, I could not more highly recommend Cathy and Dorry...and they travel!

The Parker Palm Spring is totally rad....I don't know where to start, I guess it's like stepping back in time to 1965 or 1970...which is before I was born, but I could imagine what it was like with the help of the decor. I seriously felt as if I was in Allyson's wonderland of the 1970's.

Jennifer and Aaron chose to have their intimate wedding on the croquet lawn and then reception at the Gene Autry house. It was pretty sweet because they had the whole house and yard areas, so guests could hang out inside if they felt like socializing or out on one of the patios for dancing. Dinner was on another lawn. Very private, exceptional service and delicious cuisine. I believe they have several sites for brides to choose from...I just can't stop writing about this place, because it was THAT cool! and it's totally a destination area with lots to do! Here's a link to the Parker Palm Springs Wedding site.

A special thanks to my super special assistant - Dan - my husband - he took most of the good shots - honestly, I don't even know why I'm the photographer?!

Have a great weekend!
allyson
























Palm Springs Wedding Photographer

Palm Springs Weddings

Natalie + Carson | Santa Margarita Ranch Wedding

We shot Natalie and Carson's much anticipated wedding near the end of our wedding season this year. Let me start with saying that Natalie is a true visionary, from beginning to end, and how lucky Carson is to have her! Their wedding was off the hook in terms of details, from their amazing and beautiful invitations to the mass amounts of magnolia leave swags and wreaths, to the denim, yes incredibly fashionable denim bridesmaids dresses, to the train ride - did I say TRAIN ride to the reception for the guests!? And that's just a start...

Home grown honey bears - for the guests to find their tables
A handmade quilt, created from blocks each guest mailed to the couple over the past year!
Custom labeled Jones Soda {with engagement photos}
Kettle Chips
Gown by Caroline Herreira
Divine delectibles by the lovely Jennie and staff at Trumpet Vine Catering
Video by the talented Linda at Fig Leaf Studio
Florals by Corinne Smith from Panacea
Music by the ever sweet sounds of Dawn Lambeth and the Usonia Jazz Band
And finally rockin' the night away with Kramer Entertainment Mobile DJ


Ella - the second sweetest pup in the world {you know my G-man takes first!}, was the flower girl!

















My buddies...Linda of Fig Leaf Video and Dawn from the Usonia Jazz Band

Really to get the full experience of this wedding you should watch the slideshow, with about 200 photos in it, which were so hard to pick!, you'll feel like you LIVED it! Congratulations Nat and Carson!

PS Carson is a KJUG DJ, so listen at night from 7-til I'm not sure when and you can hear his broadcast!