Written by Candace on February 24, 2014 | 2 Comments

Lab Event 2014

I did an interview recently for Delighted Magazine and was asked the following question. What do you love most about being part of the wedding industry?

This was the start of my answer.

As a photographer, it’s very easy to feel isolated. It’s just the two of us each day. We don’t have other employees, no company parties. But when the wedding day rolls around, you are part of a team of professionals all working together to create the best memories for a couple on their wedding day.

Clearly, when I did this interview I had forgotten about The Lab Event – better than any company party ever. Last night we had the pleasure of celebrating with fellow wedding industry peers. We toasted to creativity, hard work, and running our own businesses. We swapped stories and laughed together. And we ended the evening on the dance floor – the one place none of us fully get to enjoy on a wedding day.

The highlights from the night:

1. Collaborating with an incredible team of vendors to create a clean and beautiful White Wedding. It was our first time working with each of them, but I hope it won’t be our last. They are sweet, talented, and inspiring! Event Designer: Downey Street Events; Floral Designer: Sharla Flock Designs; Paper Designer: Lilikoi Design + Letterpress; Dessert Designer: A Spoon Full Of Sugar Cakes.

2. Getting silly in the Tomfoolery Photobooth. Thanks Jared and Edyta!

3. Having fun and good conversation with Going Lovely and Jihan Cerda.

4. Enjoying the deliciously delightful pairings from Paula LeDuc and the beautiful design and architecture of the Ferry Building.

5. Walking the room with Vitaliy and getting inspired by all of the creativity and talent of all the featured vendors. Each vignette was unique just like every bride and groom we get to serve.

6. Getting to chat with old friends, make new ones, and talk to some sweet and newly engaged brides.

7. Ending the night on the dance floor with our team! It can’t be all work and no play.

Thanks are in order for Erin from Bustle Designs, Allison from Engaged and Inspired, and Yasmin from Floral Theory for putting together another spectacular event! We are so looking forward to the upcoming wedding season.

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Written by Candace on February 20, 2014 | 7 Comments

The Office

Towards the end of 2012, Vitaliy and I decided it was time to take the jump. I was going to quit my full-time, insurance providing, corporate job of 7 years.

We had a bit saved up, but our main focus was lowering our monthly expenses. Rent in the bay area is very expensive so we knew the answer was to downsize. But we had no idea just how small we’d end up going. Our life trajectory has appeared to be the opposite of the American dream. While everyone is searching for bigger space, our homes have gone from a 4 bedroom townhouse, to a 2 bedroom condo, to a two room in-law unit. We now live and work in a 350 sq foot space.

Everyone we knew was concerned for us. They were especially concerned for our marriage. Where will you go if you need some space during a fight? To the kitchen, I guess, is how I answered. We had no idea how we were going to make such a small space work, but we were determined. We just celebrated our two year anniversary in this space and we are looking for ways to stay here as long as we can. We love it!

Not only has it enabled us to do what we love, but making this sacrifice has also taught us an invaluable lesson. We really don’t need that much to be happy. In fact, it’s incredibly freeing to live with less. Every time we give away or sell more of our stuff I feel another weight lifted off my shoulders. Are there days when I dream of a bigger home? Of course! (The incredible window light we get and the sweet family we rent from definitely help make this space all the more special.) But for now, I’m going to enjoy this home, continue doing what I love, and learn in the process.

Here’s a little peak at our homemade office space. Vitaliy built that desk himself! You can sometimes find us working here or at a coffee shop. But most often, I’m curling up on the loveseat (not pictured) working and dreaming away.

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Written by Candace on February 19, 2014 | 5 Comments

Praying for Ukraine

Some days, some weeks, just don’t go as planned. And I’m starting to learn that’s ok. Yesterday was one such day. And I’m beginning to think I’m in such a week.

We woke up Tuesday morning to terrible news from Ukraine. It’s hard to be genuinely concerned about your to-do-list when people are fighting and dying for simple freedoms in Vitaliy’s home country. Not to mention, his two sisters and brother-in-law are living in the very city where the majority of the fighting is taking place. I need to write a blog post. We need to edit these photos. It’s amazing how emotions can effect your energy and productivity levels. I’m not going to lie, I worked from bed yesterday. I answered emails while checking the latest live footage of Ukraine, reading the most up to date news articles, and trying to focus long enough to say prayers. Because what we really need is for God to move.

It’s hard to believe that only 8 months ago we walked the streets of Ukraine. In fact, we walked in the exact areas where the fighting is taking place. We were just there! But now we are here. And our family is there. And that’s hard. Prayer is real and it is comforting. It helps you focus on the only One who is able. But it doesn’t always permanently remove the fear of the unknown. It doesn’t take away the concern for your family. There still remains this heaviness in your heart. And then you are reminded to pray again. I can only imagine what Vitaliy feels as this is his people and his country.

I made myself write today. I honestly did not want to. My thoughts are all over the place and I didn’t want to formulate them. But I want to remember this time. This is history. This is part of our story. If I want to be a writer, I can’t just write when I feel like it. Sometimes you have to do art when everything in you is telling you not to. And sometimes you have to pray when everything in you is asking, what’s the point.

If you’d like to know more, watch or read. And please pray or spread the word. Thank you!

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