Allyson Magda Photography :: San Luis Obispo Weddings

new blog address...

2009-08-07T13:14:00.000-07:00

Be sure to bookmark Allyson's Wonderland blog at: blog.allysonmagda.com

2009-05-13T15:49:00.000-07:00

View our new blog at: blog.allysonmagda.com
Thanks for stopping by!

A new blog....

2009-02-05T16:37:00.000-08:00

is coming!!! It's pretty much ready, but I'm having a heck of a time with my service provider and getting it to link up correct! Stay tuned for a whole new FUN outlook on the blogging world....

Allyson's Wonderland!

Baby Teagan, already 6 months!

2009-01-22T13:40:00.000-08:00

It's amazing how fast these little suckers grow! seems like yesterday we photographed Teagan in her first week of life! She's a little cutie pie for sure....

san luis obispo portrait photographer

If you haven't got your wedding dress yet...

2009-01-21T10:44:00.000-08:00

Recently Josie of preowneddresses.com emailed me looking for some fun and inspiring weddings to share. Today they're featuring Julie and Graham's Oh-so-sweet wedding. Check it out: click here to check it out!

I have to say, this is a really really great idea. Her website features dresses previously loved for one special day, for sale at a fraction of the original cost. This is an awesome way to get what you want and be easy on the budget. AND you'd have more money to spend on that perfect photographer! Of course, that is if you can find a dress that's your size and that you love!

I've been married for almost 9 years, my dress is still hogging space in the garage, and every time we clean it out, I think, what to do with this lovely dress?! Check out Josie's site, it's a win - win for both brides if you can get a match!

Best of 2008...engagements

2009-01-15T13:34:00.000-08:00

Engagement session are some of my favorite photos. It's the perfect time to get to know my new clients, have a fun and relaxed photo shoot, around amazing places....good clean fun.

Here's a tip for brides to be out there....if you can't afford your favorite photographer for your wedding, schedule an engagement session with them. You get photos you love and aren't paying the full wedding price. Just a thought.

enjoy!

best of 2008...weddings

2009-01-13T10:47:00.000-08:00

it's the season for wedding planning...So I thought it would be appropriate to post a handful of my favorites from 2008! SO hard to choose!

enjoy!

San Luis Obispo Weddings

San Luis Obispo wedding photography

Big Sur weddings

Paso Robles winery wedding

looking for that perfect wedding location?

2009-01-08T20:33:00.000-08:00

Paso Robles Wedding Photographer

Central Coast Weddings

Maybe I can help. The Grapeline does a monthly tour of wineries for wedding industry professionals, and I was lucky enough to get on the train for the ride this month! We visited four locations, most of which are somewhat unknown to us in the wedding industry.

Still Waters Vineyards has always been one of my favorite locations, you can see a wedding I shot there by clicking HERE.

Chateau Margene has some amazing wine and a beautiful lawn for a "garden" wedding.

Pomar Junction was the surprise of the day for me. I've never been there as it's newer and it ROCKS! It's got a couple of train cars, amazing views and just straight up, down-home feeling where you could sit and enjoy for hours.

Maloy O'Neill has a beautiful tasting room and patio, simply gorgeous and elegantly done.

Special thanks to:
Cathy at the The Grapeline Wine Country Shuttle - Paso Robles
Jennie at Trumpet Vine Catering for delicious Tapas for lunch!

Central Coast Winery Weddings
central coast weddings

It's like a new pair of shoes....

2009-01-07T16:56:00.000-08:00

You know that feeling when you get a new pair of shoes and they just make you feel SO good...and when you get compliments, you feeling even more smashing and smiley.

That's pretty much how I feel when I get a big project done, and updating my website is one of them for this week. Really I should do updates more often, so it's not such a big project, but I actually had fun updating my site this year, which is what makes it like a new pair of shoes.

I've added a ton of wedding photos, all new complete weddings, lots-o munchkins {kids}, bebes and family! But you'll have to experience it for yourself: www.allysonmagda.com

AND this year, I've enbraced Facebook and created "Best of 2008" Albums for weddings, kids, engagements and babies....too fun! I'd never created albums up to this point - it's so easy, I can't believe I never did it before.

These are one of my 2008 brides shoes from her engagement session...aren't they absolutely fabulous!?

PS I enjoy your feedback, so feel free to let me know what you like and what you'd change!

First shoot of 2009!

2009-01-02T13:02:00.000-08:00

Shannon and Chris got married a few years ago, they had a very Berkley Wedding at the Brazillian Room. They live on the East Coast {in Boston} but their families live in California. Shannon just had the big 30 and her mom surprised her with a photo session while they were out visiting for the holidays!

We had a great time at one of my favorite beaches here on the Central Coast. It was SUCH a glorious and beautiful day, the first day of a beautiful year ... 2009!

It was really fun shooting a couple that has been married for a few years - much different than an engagement session or wedding day. There is a different bond, which I could clearly see, very very cool....I am SO blessed!

Someone had written a note in the sand....Grace...something I know I could use more of and give more often! This would be a great word for the year..

Gunny got to assist on this shoot - he was super stoked!

Another year!

2008-12-31T15:47:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-12-21T16:27:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-19T16:53:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-18T16:11:00.000-08:00

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}

2008-12-18T15:36:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-04T17:08:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-02T22:54:00.000-08:00

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!

Happy belated Thanksgiving!

2008-11-30T13:45:00.000-08:00

We've been off-the-hook busy with final holiday albums and cards and weddings. It was so great to take a break this weekend and have my family visit.

Just living in this country we have so much to be thankful for. Even in harder economic times, so many are struggling and it breaks my heart. I've always been "miss optimist" {in fact some of my family members call me Pollyanna} despite when things are rough, life seems sunnier when we focus on the people and blessings we DO have, as opposed to what we do not have. Here's my "A" list of thanks for this season...

my loving husband
my sweet dog
good health
my family
freedom
Jill
Cady
my clients
gardening and the smiles it brings to my face when my plants grow and bloom!
talent
amazing light
flowers
deer
changing of the leaves
a warm fire in the fireplace to heat the house!

One of the lessons that has really been at the forefront of my mind this year that I'd like to share: the greatest joys and blessings in life come from people and things only God can give us....people, animals, plants....so really when outside circumstances seem rough, flip your thinking and be thankful for what you do have and the things money can't buy!

Thanks for reading...hope you enjoy my little family shoot, of my family!

Miss Ruby Jean....she's priceless!

my mom, with my niece and nephew (Jack) and of course, Coco the dog!
the whole family....
my sister and her "three" kids..

my mom with her furry grandson, Sgt "Gunny" Highway!

mi y mi mama...

Ethan and Grant | Santa Cruz Portraits

2008-11-26T14:29:00.000-08:00

This is a start my catching up blogging {I have some of the most incredible things to share!} - and I'm sure all you workin' peoples waiting for 5pm today will enjoy a new post!

I've had the pleasure of shooting both Ethan and Grant since they were babies, and their parents since before the boys were born! Rene and John are some of my oldest clients - pretty much since I started! I am grateful for families like them who have stuck bye me for all these years - approaching 10 years now, I opened Allyson Magda Photography - time sure does fly!!!

We shot Ethan's 2 year old photos a couple of weeks ago - I think his personality shines through pretty clear in these shots.

big brother Grant...

In this family {like mine too} the dogs are just as important as the people!
here's Rudy and Shep:

Marlie | Paso Robles Portraits

2008-11-14T10:05:00.000-08:00

I've been shooting Marlie since she was a week old... She just had her second birthday! She's a character for sure and loves loves loves to be tickled and play with her daddy!

Paso Robles portrait photographer
San Luis photography
San Luis Obispo Weddings

Holiday Templates!

2008-11-12T12:05:00.000-08:00

Attention all photographers.....

If you are looking for holiday templates for your client holiday cards, look no further! I'm proud to announce my partnership with White House Custom Colour press printed division. Visit their website today to purchase and download templates for your holiday cards!

Here are a few samples of what you'll see....

Featured...The Little Black Book Blog!

2008-11-11T10:33:00.001-08:00

My morning was made in the shade when Michelle from Style Me Pretty {The BEST wedding resource for brides planning their big day} called to tell me we are featured on their "Little Black Book" blog today!

Check it out HERE!

They're featuring Tara and Sarkis' beautiful wedding. Ceremony at Mission San Luis Obipso and reception at the serene Still Waters Winery.

Nicole + Jamie | Carmel Valley

2008-11-05T12:52:00.001-08:00

Nicole and Jamie, so sweet, so delightful, sooo many wonderful touches! Jamie and Nicole are a special couple, filled to the brim with kindness and love for each other, as well as those around them. They are the type of people who just ooze, sugar, instead of sweat.....

Their wedding was in Carmel Valley at one of my favorite spots, Bernardus Lodge. It reflected the love and goodness they give others. Seriously, I think you could feel the warmth of their family and friends surrounding them, for what will surely be a lifetime of joyful moments and a successful marriage for years to come.

Nicole and her aunt did the flowers! Wow, seriously the best "homemade" bouquets and center pieces I've ever seen! Russell from Stellar Films did the super 8mm film - can't wait to see how that turns out, check out their website HERE, and blog HERE!

a little croquet on the lawn during cocktail hour...And finally....
all I do at weddings couldn't be done without Jill!!! Take a minute and check out her section of our website, she shoots her own weddings, and as you'll see, is incredibly talented!

For the complete experience of their wedding, watch the slideshow!

Carmel Valley weddings

Carmel Valley wedding photography

Get Happy!

2008-11-05T08:36:00.000-08:00

Off the note of yesterday's post, Meadow, has launched a new forum on Happiness. One of my favorite recent art pieces by Rodney White says this: "We tend to seek happiness when really it's a choice" These words just resonate to me on a daily basis. Each day we have SO many choices, and we can either make them happy or we can make them something else.

The "Take Happiness Lessons" forum is all about a community of people who choose to be happy and make it a practice in their lives and also to encourage others. Check it out!

http://www.takehappinesslessons.com/

San luis obispo photographer
San luis obispo weddings

Meadow and family | morro bay portraits

2008-11-04T10:17:00.000-08:00

Meadow has been my life coach for a couple of years now, and she's always such a joy to shoot! This was the first time we got to shoot the whole family. Doesn't she have the most beautiful family? Their joy and true contentment is evident. Her daughter is just about ravishing with that red hair, and her personality more than goes with it!

If you're stuck in anyway, with your career or facing a big decision, you should contact Meadow - she is truly the best thing I've ever done for myself and my business... and she has quite the list of credentials....having been on the Oprah Winfrey show, and a book being published this winter!!