Every month Naples NAWP members get together for an evening of networking, great food and chapter business. This evening we had the honor of hosting the meeting at our space that we share with Kevin and Jim. And what really made everything come together was the absolutely delicious food that new member, Amber Phillips, owner of Sage Events, put together for our guests. What was on the menu? Mouth-watering seared ahi on crispy wonton, proscuitto wrapped scallops, chicken satay and seared beef on potato chips! But by far my favorite was Amber’s homemade cheesecake bites with oreo bread crumb and a bit of orange and lemon zest. Absolutely to die for!

Jim did some magnificent uplighting and really changed the look and feel of the space. Brides, take notice! A little uplighting can dramatically change your reception room and makes your photographer’s job easier! Take a look at some of the images of just how great our spaces looked with some uplighting, love that orange color on the light blue of the walls with the hot pink florals that Kevin put together.

Ah, flowers! Besides getting to work with two of the best in town, what more could you ask for than the beautiful aroma of fresh flowers in your office, ALL the time! That’s one major perk of sharing a space with the best florist in Naples!

We were lucky enough to have some wonderful guests stop in for a visit. It was great to get to catch up with old friends and meet some new friends, too. If you are a Southwest Florida wedding professional and you haven’t joined NAWP……don’t wait any longer! It’s a wonderfully friendly bunch that are passionate about brides, grooms and the business of weddings in Florida.

Thanks so much to NAWP for letting us host this month!

Kevin Morris – Botanicals on the Gulf
Jim Dalia – A DJ with Class
Amber Phillips – Save Events, LLC
Astrid and Rene Photography
NAWP

…..Thank you Erika and Tim for the beautiful challenge of capturing your wedding day….

The amazing, simply amazing A+ Team

Karen Lopez; Detailz Events
Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club
Naples Original Video Productions
The Resolvers; Ron Yosef – Reggae Band
Barefoot + Brendon- Cocktail Music
Garden District
Kilwin’s
Sassy Cakes
Atlas Rentals
Niche Event Rentals
Cold Cuts – Ice Sculptures

It’s not that I didn’t have anything to say. It’s that I couldn’t get it down or pinpoint what I wanted to say. It’s happened so much so that this post is a few days late…..being posted the second day of the new year when I wanted to see it up a few days before the end of the year. But things happen for a reason, right? I needed to find that moment still.

So off to the pier we went. We left what was a very thick and yummy game of Horse Lovers Monopoly spread out on the dinner table, to catch the first sunset of the year. The girls got ready in record time. I changed out of my pajamas (yes, it was 5:00 and I was still in my PJ’s), and actually got lucky and found a parking spot close to the pier. And off we went.

The pier was amazingly packed with people. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it so full of life and activity and energy as I saw it today. And as we walked down the length of the pier, stepping out of the way of people taking pictures, kids chasing each other, fishing poles being cast, people shouting and laughing at each other I really started to feel the power of what a New Year means.

Little moments together. Special looks. Beautiful places. The light when it hits your beloved’s face. A special hug from a friend. That look he gives you. That sweet smelling hair after a bath. A caring arm around your shoulder. That special text that makes you feel remembered and appreciated. The breeze on your face. The work that is so challenging but makes you feel alive. The family that makes your head dizzy but you wouldn’t know where you would be without them.

Life is all around you and those little moments are what makes it all worthwhile. As I look back on 2011 and despite being filled with personal and professional challenges, it was a year that made me realize how happy I am in my skin and in my life and in the moment.

While very imperfect, it’s perfect for me. I’m happy with this mess of a life that I call mine. And I’m happy right now. I love where I live, what I do and the people that surround me. And my New Year’s wish is that everyone can find that perfect mess for themselves, too.

All the best and Happy New Year……Astrid and René

Photography isn’t just about freezing time. It’s about the people you meet. The experiences you live and the moments that make you who you are. We won’t get all mushy this time around. We’ll save that for our last blog post of the year! But we do want to extend a big Thank You to the Raj’s for trusting in our vision and giving us those beautiful experiences!

And a BIG thanks to the 5-star team that we got to work with!

The Strand Country Club, Amanda Fromm
Kakes by Karen
Lyfe of the Party
DJ Pram – Rang Entertainment
Kish Weddings
Sir Daniel and David Frohmberg
Krishna Digital Studio