Written by Candace on September 3, 2013 | 6 Comments

Milestones

I’m sitting in a coffee shop right now, across from my business partner/husband/best friend.

Sipping on a cup of caffeine I hope kicks in soon, happy. This past month, we photographed a total of five weddings, three of which were this past weekend. Though I’m still recovering, I feel a very palpable sense of accomplishment.

September marks our ninth month as full time wedding photographers, small business owners, adventure seekers. I don’t know what to call us. As I’ve said before, being a wedding photographer is about so much more than just taking pictures.

I remember about 5 or 6 years ago, Vitaily and I were assisting the lovely Teresa Halton at one of her weddings located at Nestldown. If you have never been to Nestldown, it’s one of the dreamiest wedding locations in Northern California. It’s literally like stepping into a fairytale. I distinctly remember looking around and thinking to myself, “I wonder if we’ll ever be able to photograph our own wedding at such a place like Nestldown.” I had my doubts.

After quitting my day job 9 months ago, I’m happy to report that we still have a roof over our head and food on our plates. Not only that, but on Friday we photographed our very first wedding at Nestldown. However, after five years in business, my perspective has changed. It wasn’t Nestldown that made the day so special, it was the couple we had the pleasure of photographing. While a beautiful location is a huge plus, it’s not near as important as working with two people who you respect and care for and who feel the same about you.

As I look back on this wedding season, it’s definitely the people that have made it so memorable. Well, the people and…their epic dance parties!

Here’s some photobooth fun from Amy and Larry’s wedding on Sunday. I do love him!

Chime in or Share

Written by Candace on August 30, 2013 | 9 Comments

Happy Birthday, V!

Tomorrow Vitaliy will walk into the next decade of his life. Below is the letter I wrote to my 29 year old husband.

Dear Vitaliy,

What a decade it has been! The past 10 years have been marked by love and loss, joy and sorrow. But that’s life, right? It was within these years that we met each other, fell madly in love, and eventually married. But it was also within these years that we lost your mom, dad, and little brother Daniel. The pain and sorrow that followed was unspeakable, but throughout it all, there were still many moments of joy. Unspeakable joy.

This is our story, our journey, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it. And though it was your family we lost, I know you wouldn’t change a thing either. The fact that we can both say that today is a testimony of God’s grace in our lives.

Tomorrow starts a new decade of your life. As you move forward and walk into this new chapter, I hope you consistently look back. I am confident these next 10 years will not be without their own difficulties and struggles. But I know that whatever hard times come our way, as we look back, we’ll be reminded to look for the unspeakable moments of joy that will come also.

Vitaliy, there is nobody I admire more than you. You are one of my main sources of unspeakable joy. My life has never looked the same since you entered it. We are not promised another decade, but I am thankful that I have you today. Tomorrow morning when we wake up, I will be thanking God for giving you another year of life. Another year for me to enjoy you. Let’s celebrate!

Goodbye 29, hello 3 – 0! Happy, Happy Birthday to the love of my life. My handsome Ukrainian! Let’s continue our adventure.

xoxo
CP, your cutie pie

Chime in or Share

Written by Candace on August 28, 2013 | 4 Comments

Smitten
Ice Cream Shop

As you all know, I am from St. Louis where frozen custard is the reigning champ of ice cream.

Since moving to the bay area over 7 years ago, I have yet to find an ice cream shop to rival my beloved Ted Drewe’s back home. I have since grown fond of the tangy tartness of frozen yogurt and hold off on ice cream until I make a trip home where I can get the real deal.

BUT…I recently discovered Smitten Ice Cream. It has the old school charm of my beloved Ted Drewe’s with the modern hipsterness that is so San Francisco. It’s not frozen custard so it’ll never be at the top of my list, but it does have unique features that make it admiringly delicious.

It’s one of a kind! Literally. The owner, Robyn Sue Fischer, spent five years developing an ice cream machine that runs on liquid nitrogen.
Every cup of ice cream is made to order right in front of your eyes. Edible artistry!
It’s smooth and creamy just how I like it!
Robyn uses all natural and locally grown ingredients like a true SF foodie. I’d expect nothing less!
And their shop is located in one of my favorite neighborhoods, Hayes Valley.

I can’t take credit though, it was our awesome clients Larry and Amy who led us here. As we encouraged them to approach their engagement session as a date, they opted to start things off at Smitten Ice Cream. We had so much fun and the ice cream was so delicious, I knew I had to share it with all of you. Grab your love and head to Smitten! With your ice cream in hand, stroll around the park across the street or walk the neighborhood of Hayes Valley. Then come back and thank me later!

Chime in or Share