first day of school aka carla gets her days back

Well.... so THIS is what it feels like....! Am I an empty- nester? I feel like I have been chasing my tail around for the past two hours, like, 'OH! I have sooooo much free time to work and get stuff DONE! Now, what did I need to do again? Wait! Pay bills! OK, wait! no. I'm thirsty! Get some water! ok, no. no. wait. Answer the phone!Ok, that was good another wedding! OK, stop, now what was I doing? Oh! Oh! call Amanda back! Oh SHOOT my aunt is calling now for Georgie's birthday tomorrow...! SHOOT! I gotta get cupcakes! I better not tell Mike! oh wait- what was I doing? Oh for the love of- who put the 'thong song' in my playlist! Gotta change that! Did I send Daddy-o pictures from their first day yet? Wait I did on my iphone but will he read my blog? I better email him! Shoot! I just knocked over my water!!!

etc. etc.

SHOOT! I gotta blog about their first day before I have to go pick them up! AHH!

Gotta start the day with fresh breath and a sparkling smile!

My monkeys right before we run in for the first day

Iron Man + Hello Kitty = super cuteness

Jack looks a bit nervous as he lines up for first grade this morning!

I always love seeing the artwork and stuff on the wall... I'll bet this gets covered in no time

Georgie's cubby for her Hello Kitty backpack!

Our uniforms changed to just khaki and red- even though I was bitter that I had to go buy a bunch more stuff to replace what I had, I have to say it looks super sharp

The kids give their teacher a thumbs up on their way back from breakfast

The little hands on the rail were just so cute

A fresh start for the year for my monkey girl..... she better get to be the line leader or I am going to be PISSED!!! LOL LOL LOL Although she could be the PRESIDENT of the Dramatic Play Assoc...... :) No idea where she would get that from



So..... who's free for lunch???

liz + pepsi traditional laotion wedding

So Friday started with Liz getting prepped for her traditional Laotion wedding ceremony- where everything was new for her (and me and Mike, and honestly most of her family as well) It was incredibly interesting for me to see what everything symbolized and how everything meant something.
One of the things I loved the most was the color- there was so much of it and it was just beautiful.

Part of Liz's dressing involved a hairpiece cone kind of thing that fit on top of her head and was then wrapped up in gold jewels. It was so cool to watch the transformation of little blonde bobbed Liz to bejeweled woman!

Here Liz's ladies watch the transformation



The ceremony was held at the Inn at Middletown in a room that had a cool red wall, that just added to the whole feel of everything. Now when i walked into the room and saw these ceremonial centerpieces I just got all kinds of pumped! I love marigolds- and I love color- therefor a = c and I was in HEAVEN here!

Some very colorful details!

Hands played a MAJOR part of the ceremony- there were these lengths of string attached to the centerpieces that everyone was holding between their hands while the officiant chanted his prayers for Liz & Pepsi- everyone was interconnected, all of the strings were attached to everyone

Liz and Pepsi had to feed each other an egg (I would love to know the symbolism of this) and then do a shot of whisky! I was jealous, I love eggs and shots!

After the prayers, everyone gets the opportunity to, while tying a string bracelet around Liz & Pepsi's wrists, bless them and wish them well in their marraige. They then go around to everyone in both families and it's kind of like a well-wishing free for all. Here Liz's father blesses Pepsi's father

These kind of looked like knitting needles and held all of the bracelets on them


Liz's father blesses her

Now at one point while Liz gets blessed by everyone she has to hold a shot of whisky, an egg and another object- rice I think? in one hand

Liz and Pepsi both were overwhelmed with emotion during this ceremony, it was very emotional. Of course I was sitting next to them and was just overcome as well, it was so moving

Before tying it you have to brush it across their wrists three times while blessing them, then tie it and bless them

At another point everyone has to touch the centerpieces, palms up, while they pray

Here they honor their parents and families




A detail of the many strings

Did I mention the Hennesey? After dinner Liz and Pepsi had to go around to EVERY guest and offer them a shot, which you are not allowed to refuse. Yes, even Mike and I had to get our drink on, we wouldn't want to offend! ;)

Pepsi's grandmother made herself at home by a window during dinner, and looked so beautiful sitting there

At the end of the ceremony they thanked everyone for supporting them and being there

liz + pepsi laotian wedding SNEAK PEEK

Last night Mike and I shot the first of two weddings for Liz and Pepsi- yesterday's was a traditional Laotion wedding ceremony and it was so beautiful, moving and intense! Not only for the ceremony and what it stood for but visually it was just a feast for my eyes.... I am about to leave for their second wedding at St. Clement's Castle and can't wait to see what today yields!!

More details on yesterday later, I just had to share a quick image!

Rediscovery Workshop Part Deux! IS BOOKED FOR OCTOBER

**October's workshop is booked already, which is great but I wanted to remind people that I am doing this EVERY MONTH on the first Tuesday and I have spots open in November!





OK, I am FINALLY catching my breath enough to announce that I am going to start something that I have been wanting to implement since my last work shop in March- the SECOND workshop in a series of monthly workshops (the first Tuesday of each month) right here at my studio in Hartford, Connecticut, hosted by yours truly.

Announcing.......

TEN EYCK TUESDAYS!

Starting Tuesday October 7, 2008

Now here is the scoop:

I love teaching and I love inspiring people and I love kicking people's creative juices into gear and getting them going where they want to go with their photography!

My Rediscovery Workshop in March made me realize how much helping others makes me feel fulfilled. I want to continue that, but on a much smaller scale, class-wise.

So.... I have decided to offer a full day shooting and post-production intensive workshop that is limited to only THREE photographers per class.

Here is what we will cover:

We are going to SHOOT!

The focus will be on portraits- they can be bridal or engagement- the point being it has to be a solid portrait, which you can then apply to whatever you love shooting.

But: we are going to focus on GETTING IT RIGHT IN CAMERA, the first time! That's right! No shooting and then saying, 'well, what if you asked them to look this way- your shot would be perfect', or 'I wish that you had opened your lens up more' etc. NO.
Set it up.
Shoot it.
LOOK AT IT!
Is it working?
WHY NOT?

And then..... learn how to MAKE IT WORK!

I know, I know, there is a whole lotta shouting going on here.... but I get excited just typing this stuff alone here in my studio! Wait till I get you with me!!

After our shoot we will focus on post-production- how to take your shot to the next level because it doesn't stop at tripping your shutter.

Lunch is included.

What you will need:

Your gear- whatever you have to shoot with, bring it! Have a lens you love but rarely get to break it out? Bring it! Find you are always using one lens over the other? Let's switch it up!

A computer is great to bring, I have some as well to share.

All of this shouting, lunch and butt kicking for only $350 per person!!

So.... what are you waiting for??

Send me an email at carlateneyck@comcast.net to sign up

This class is for ALL levels, not just pros!

anniversary shoot slideshow

A little while back Mike and I shot Bob 2.0 and the lovely Mrs. 2.0 (aka Jen) in some farm country n stuff! Well I made a little slide show for the 2.0's- to a song that I think is only fitting since they are true high school sweethearts!!

AWWWWW, right????

Trying to think of that perfect gift for your honey?? Book an anniversary shoot!! They are super fun!!

jenn + geoff wedding at the gershon fox room in hartford + slideshow

Mike and I started our Saturday wedding at the Gershon Fox Room in Hartford at the Professional Barber Shop on Pratt Street in Hartford- I have to tell you- this was AWESOME!!!! What a way for the guys to do it up! This place was the coolest barber shop and totally catered to the fellas... I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you gals go set something up for your men folk here, especially those of you getting married in the Hartford area- it was great!

There was plenty of 'manly' reading materials

The hot towel on the face to prep looked like a lot of fun....!

Geoff and his best man Adam in the background getting spiffed up

Jenn and her girls got prettied up at Oggi in downtown- here her Mom watched while Jenn gets her make up done


Some details

Jenn and her Mom trying to decide which necklace to wear with the dress

Geoff and Jenn wrote each other cards to read before they got married, I love when couples do this!

Jenn and her girls were watching people arrive at the church- you could see St. Patrick's from their room

St. Patrck's St. Anthony's in Hartford is so opulent and beautiful

First kiss as husband and wife!

After walking down the aisle we swung around back to hide before being announced back out the front- the confessional is SO beautiful.... I confess.... I had to sneak some shots!

The Shannon's being greeted by friends and family

LOVE this! Both grandomothers snuggling right before their turn for family photos!

They rented a trolley to take them around for our pictures, it was awesome! Of course we had to stop suddenly for a fire truck and I almost busted my CABOOSE on the floor, it was spectacular! Mike was bummed bc he put his camera down for ONE SECOND and missed it!

We went to Elizabeth Park for our formals- this is where Jenn & Geoff got engaged and we go there every Wednesday in the summers for music in the park- so it has a lot of meaning for them. We stopped at the Sunrise Overlook first to get this shot of the bridal party

On our way off the trolley to shoot the rest of our pictures I just had to snag this- the while lines just make this shot for me!

It was wedding craziness on Saturday as you can imagine, the weather was beautiful! So we snuck onto the annual garden where there were NO people and a nice little shady nook to get my boys outta the hot sun!

The ladies had just about had it with their heels, plus we were walking in grass and they were sinking in... so we had to get this

I love how the annual garden changes with the season and really am digging this little arbor in the side area- it was a nice place to photograph the girls

And then the sun started sneaking into our shady little glen and created some really cool stuff for me to shoot-

Love the pop of color in the back and the warm light here

Jenn has such a great shape, Geoff's hands just accentuate her little waist!

And.... flare!

Now what Irish wedding is complete without an Irish Car Bomb shot?? NONE I SAY! Mike and I thought it would be a good idea to both lay down under this- and why was I the one that got stuff dumped on her? Well worth it!!

The look on Jenn's brother's face is just priceless! I think he said 'that was horrible!'

Jenn and Geoff during their first dance- they were so adorable- they sang to each other the entire song!

But at the end they just hugged it out- I love this shot!

Jenn during Adam's heartfelt toast

Geoff and his Mom during their dance framed by his Dad and Jenn- I love that they were standing where they were for this!!

The way he is hugging his Mom just got me- it says 'I love you Mom' so clearly to me!

This was my VERY LAST FRAME of the night- during the last dance- I love it!!!


Congrats Jenn & Geoff!!!! Mike and I had a blast shooting your wedding and rehearsal and can't wait to hear how your bike ride bonanza went!!!

Love you guys!!!! xxxooo
Make sure to check out Mike's shots HERE!!!