Rene and I have been shooting together now for 8 years. We started our humble beginnings learning the ropes from a great local photographer who was gracious enough to teach us and inspire us. If you are reading this, thanks so much!

2008 marks our first year in business for ourselves. While we were totally gung ho and eager to jump in, some people questioned our decision to start a business during these ‘recession’ months. But for us, it was the next logical step in our journey.

So we did a lot of research and found out several large successful corporations had started during recessions. And we also found out that owning your own business was a lot of hard work, and harder work and even more work! But it feels great to be charge of your destiny. And for me personally, it felt wonderful to be able to make my own creative decisions about the art I wanted to create for my brides and grooms and clients.

So, with a lot of hard work, great things come! We’ve only yet started on our first year and already we have met some incredible people. This industry can bring the best and worst out in people. But for us, we’ve only seen the very best from the wonderful people who have shared their passion, their knowledge and their pearls of wisdom with us! To all of you who have helped us out this year, thank you from both of us! Your generosity and kindness has not gone unappreciated.

We went to a Mike Colon seminar a while back ago. And something he said has really gotten me through times when I wonder if I am doing the right thing! Mike compared the growth and success of his business to pushing a boulder up a hill. He said that after 10 years, his business was at a point where he didn’t have to push so hard. Our first year was very tough and I imagine it’s going to get tougher. But his words echo in my mind and keep me going!

Two key moments stood out for us this year: we were honored to shoot with Huy from f8studio.com at the Naples Ritz Carlton and we were accepted into Modern Photographers!

Coming from a photojournalist background, I was immediately drawn to Huy’s exceptional ability to reduce his subject down to his or her most natural essence. This isn’t always so easy when you are dealing with high-stress moments that happen during weddings. But from studying Huy’s imagery and methodology, I have been continued to be inspired to keep searching for my voice and my style and keep becoming better and better at what I love: photography. Thanks Huy for giving us your time and showing us a bit of your magic (look for our mug shot with Huy in our special end-of-the-year slide show). You are an awesome source of inspiration and shooting with you was priceless! Thank you again…

A few weeks ago we applied to Modern Photographers. Modern Photographers is a community of photographers that adhere to professional standards and commitment to excellence in the field of wedding and portrait photography. The members of this community are voted in by professionals in the industry. For us, it is an honor that we are a part of this organization. Thank you for choosing us!

Thanks again to everyone who has contributed their knowledge, time and passion! We have a long road to travel but we feel we are in the best of company to do so! What a great first year!

Astrid and Rene

Tags: brides, ramblings..., togs by Astrid
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We love what we do! I mean how could we not? We are invited to the most important day of two people’s lives. We are at their side all day and it’s our responsibility to capture those moments that go by in a blur.

After all is said and done, after the flowers are gone, after the dress is cleaned and packed (or trashed) and after you come back from the honeymoon, what other way is there relive your wedding day than through photographs? And not just any photographs, but photographs that tell your complete story, beginning to end in a professional and poignant manner?

For us, it’s a vitally important job that we happily and passionately do for our clients. I think that often times some wedding and portrait photographers forget just how important what we do really is! Both Rene and I still have our cherished grandparent’s and parent’s wedding portraits. We have portraits of family members who have passed on and special family reunions that will never happen again. If it weren’t for those beautiful images, it would be harder for us to keep those memories alive in our hearts and in our minds.

I often think about the photographer that took the image of my grandmother’s wedding portrait and my mother-in-law’s wedding portrait. Who were these men or women? Did they realize just how important their actions would be? Did they realize that the one moment they captured on film would be appreciated by so many generations?

So, after having these thoughts about our own personal images for the longest time, Rene and I take our job very seriously. And we wanted to present this bit of prose as we update our blog with a sampling of Tara and Mark’s collection. How wonderful it was for us to be part of this amazing family’s very perfect day! There was so much laughter, love and pride that day that capturing cherished family memories was super-easy for us!

Take a look at their gallery and you will see picture after picture of smiling and happy family members and the bride and groom. This is as real and as good as it gets! It’s solid gold for us photographers and I really don’t need to say much else!

Oh, and check out the mega-talent that is Tara’s mom and sister! They did absolutely all the decorations from the palm tree name cards to the totally cool flip flops for guests to the cupcakes to the smart and quirky quotes on the walls! Ladies, you need to start a new business!

~Astrid~

Tags: brides, naples weddings by Astrid
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You know how they say that rain on your wedding day is good luck? Well Maria and Brennan will have a lifetime of good luck! After much anticipation and planning, their special day came and along with it, we had a DOWNPOUR of hurricane proportions right as we were getting ready to go the beach for portraits!

In no time flat, Brennan’s mom was on the phone to local area hotels to see if they could accommodate us so that we could take some portraits inside. Well, the Inn on Fifth graciously offered to let us shoot there and WOW! What a fantastic journey that was!

Maria was ecstatic that we ended up shooting at the Inn on Fifth. The infamous Naples hotel provided the perfect backdrop for her elegant look and the images speak for themselves. I want to extend a gracious thank you to the staff at the Inn on Fifth. Rene and I spent our honeymoon night there and we can’t recommend them enough. If you are ever in Naples and want true attention to detail in the heart of old Naples, this is the place to stay!

Thank you Maria and Brennan and congratulations! You have a wonderful journey ahead of you and the support of a loving and beautiful family. Thank you for giving Rene and I the opportunity to be a part of that very perfect day!

~Astrid~

Tags: brides, naples weddings by Astrid
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Here they are! It took us a little longer than expected, but here is a very small sampling of Erica and Tanner’s fantastic wedding!

This beautiful couple tied the knot at the Community Congregation Church here in Naples. The bulk of our weddings usually take place on one of Naples’ beautiful beaches, so it was wonderful to shoot their ceremony in this lovely church. I love church ceremonies and I especially love to photograph them!

Tanner and Erica’s reception took place at the picturesque Spanish Wells Golf and Country Club in Bonita Springs. What’s my favorite thing about this venue? The fantastic hall of columns right outside the country club and the fountain out front! What a GREAT spot for fab portraits of ravishing brides!

The reception area is very spacious and comfortable with a highly attentive staff and an ever-accommodating coordinator. And the food: FAB! Joetta, thanks so much for being such a wonderful host to the bride and groom, their friends and family, and to us as well! This was our second time shooting here and we can’t wait to shoot here again!

Congratulations again to Erica and Tanner! We wish you many years of happiness, peace and love.

~ Astrid and Rene ~

Tags: brides, naples weddings, ramblings... by Astrid
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Look at these fabulous thank you cards I picked up from a little gift store here in Naples! The moment I saw these I knew they were the perfect thank you cards for sending to my bride and grooms! They are so stylish and yet so simple and elegant. That’s always the sign of great design!

~Astrid~

Tags: brides, daily photo rambling..., design by Astrid
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Part I further down below of this mega-post ended with a visit to 3rd Street South. Picking up where I left off…

~Spots around Naples~
What’s another one of our favorite spots to around Naples? Well, Tin City, of course! Tin City has been here forever (since 1976) and it’s truly a unique spot. Not only does Tin City have some great spots for lunch and dinner, but there are some totally neat stores where you can get cool and of course, useless souvenirs to bring back to your friends and family. It’s a great place to walk around and cool off from the heat, too!

Another must-see spot in Naples is the Philharmonic Center for the Arts. The Phil (as us Neapolitans call it) is Naples’ central hub for visual and performing arts. Not only does the Phil showcase GREAT live performances, but it also houses the Naples Museum of Art. The museum displays paintings, sculpture, drawings and other art forms, and provides educational programs and lectures.

But of course, if you come to the Phil, we recommend spending an evening listening to the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Jorge Mester. The orchestra is phenomenal and plays a wide variety of music, including regular classical, pops and chamber concerts.

Back in the day, I used to play violin (I studied it for 15 years)! It was my second love, but alas! Photography won out! In high school, I applied, and was accepted, into the Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestra program. It was an awesome experience and well, the Phil will always hold a special place in my heart! Check it out if you have the time. Even just a short stop to admire the architecture and the sculpture garden is a nice treat!

For you mom’s here in town, the Phil is home to the awesome Kindermusik program, directed by Bonnie Thayer. Bonnie, Susie and all the Kindermusik teachers are FANTASTIC! I’ve been participating in the program ever since Ali was about a year old. We now go to their family classes and I can’t recommend the program enough!

~Shopping~
Shopping, I know, I know! I saved the best for last! But really, there is some fantastic shopping here in Naples. There are two spots in town that I recommend for high-end designer buys: The Village at Venetian Bay and The Waterside Shops at Pelican Bay. Both of these spots are home to some of Naples most exclusive boutiques, offering only the very best in haute couture fashion, jewelry and home apparel.

The Waterside Shops’ most notable boutiques include Louis Vuitton, BCBG Max Azria, Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, Burberry, Coach, Gucci, and Hermes, just to name a few! Looking for a spectacular jewelry gift? With a selection the likes of Cartier to Van Cleef and Arpels to Yamron, you are sure to find something memorable for that special someone!

Not too far from the Waterside shops, resides Venetian Bay. Not only does this little jewel sit nestled across the Gulf, but it is home to some truly unique stores that offer only the very best in gifts and apparel. Make sure to read my very first blog entry in my palm series, for the love of palms…, for some personal recommendations from Venetian Village!

~Dining in Naples~
Along with shopping and sightseeing, Naples also offers some truly magnificent restaurants to fit any budget and any taste!

~5th Avenue~
Looking for the best hamburger on Fifth? Definitely try Cheeburger Cheeburger. Rene swears by the burgers here, but I totally love to have one of their floats and sit outside and people-watch!

If you are in the mood for more upscale fare, Chops City Grill provides casual chic fare with a great vibe. Rene swears by the T-bone, here, but my fav is the martini!

If Italian is more to your liking, our very, very favorite restaurant for Italian in all of Naples is right off Fifth, Ristorante Ciao! Back in high school, one of our first dates was at Ciao…yes, they have been around a long time, proving just how spectacular this true Naples gem is! I recommend the Fettuccine Ciao. It’s SOOO good, it’s the only thing I ever order there. I just can’t bring myself to not order it! Rene swears by the Risotto al Tartufo, a heavenly blend of Arborio rice in creamy Parmigiano Reggiano Truffle sauce! Simply spectacular…but definitely rich!

Off 5th as well is another one of our favorite places to grab a Martini and some awesome, awesome seafood: Truluck’s. I think it’s safe to say that Truluck’s offers Naples’ freshest seafood around. They have their own fisheries in Isle of Capri, which provide the chef with fresh catches for varied menus week to week. Our picks here include the Sesame Tuna, which is served with this killer spicy wasabi mashed potatoe and the Thai Chili Day-Boat Scallops. These are the jumbo scallops, which are marinated in this sweet Thai chili sauce. But the best part is the crab fried rice that accompanies the dish! Scrumptious! The piano-bar is a great place to people-watch, too! Oh, and if you go, make sure to get the ‘Chocolate Box’!

~Venetian Village~
Back to the Village, and our three recommendations are Cloyde’s Steak and Lobster House, Bayside and Maxwell’s on the Bay.

For steak, so far Cloyde’s has the best steak in town in our opinion. Be prepared to have your taste buds tantalized with some seriously gourmet steak at Cloyde’s And YES, the best martini does reside here as well as the best lobster! We’ve also heard GREAT things about Shula’s Steakhouse in the Hilton here in town and Preston’s, but we have not visited either of these two restaurants. They are on our list of places to taste…our anniversary is coming up and one of these two spots will do just fine! I’ll report back here after we celebrate…

Another one of our longtime favorites, Maxwell’s on the Bay has been a Naples gem for a very long time (another one of our high school favorites). Take our advice: sit outside by the water, order a glass of wine and an order of the stone crab claws. The food is to die for and the view is priceless! This is one of those places that is best enjoyed at a slow and leisurely pace…

Last but not least, Bayside Seafood Bar and Grill is another favorite of ours, serving one of the best Maine Lobster bisques around! Rene loves the Prince Edward Island Mussels, which are a real culinary treat, served with chorizo, Saffron, tomato, lobster broth, and lemon aioli. Bayside is a GREAT place to host your rehearsal dinner, too! They have ample space, a varied menu and the location is KILLER! Ask for John and tell him that Rene and Astrid sent you!

~Around Naples~
Our last two favorite restaurants offer true delicacies from around the world!

Up first is a totally unique restaurant that blends fantastic seafood and far off exotic foods from India and Asia. It’s a true East meets West type of cuisine, but done exceptionally well. The USS Nemo is absolutely FABULOUS! I know, I know. I’ve said that about a lot of restaurants already. But the Nemo’s claim to fame around here is definitely the fantabulous way chef/owner Nicolas Mercier blends cuisines so effortlessly, creating tantalizing sensations that well, are memorable. I’m sure a lot of people have eaten at these type of fusion restaurants, and they are typically hit or miss. The USS Nemo is certainly a hit…and what’s my recommendation here? ANYTHING! But seriously, try the Lemongrass Creme Brulee…experience what true Nirvana really is! If you love Sake, (and I don’t), they have a Sake bar which many of my friends seem to love.

Love French food? Cafe Normandie is a great little place that serves some of the best quiche and French pastriies you will ever try (this side of the Atlantic). Now I know what you may be thinking….French cuisine, Naples, rich town. This must be some stuffy over-the-top super expensive place. Not so! This is what is so fabulous about this place. Benoit Legris, a Normandy native, create basic French fare such as sandwiches, salads and omelets. I hate to use the word ‘basic’ because the way the food tastes is anything but basic! And while you are there, make sure to save room for dessert. Heck, even if you don’t HAVE room, MAKE room! It’s just sinfully delectable!

Ok, so there you have it. A wide range of tantalizing places to visit, spots to get married at and yummy treats to eat! While certainly not a definitive guide, it’s a start!

~Enjoy Naples,
Astrid~

Tags: brides, design, fashion by Astrid
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Looking for an engagement or wedding ring set that is not only eco-friendly, but made from conflict-free diamonds? I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about Brilliant Earth’s selection of engagement and wedding rings.

Brilliant Earth is based in Canada and uses conflict-free diamonds, practices fair-trade and eco-friendly practices and donates 5% of profits to help local African communities. Not only do they practice green business, but they will also custom-design your set as well! They also have stunning sapphires (which are also ethically-sourced). Where’s my Christmas list?

Check them out!

~ Astrid ~

Tags: brides, design by Astrid
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