Happy Friday! I’ve been invited to be a guest contributor at Oh My! Handmade Goodness!, which is a community for independent children’s retailers and the hip parents who support them! Call me resident photographer! I’ll be writing (hopefully once a month) about all sorts of photo tips. Check out my first post here. (and don’t forget to read the last paragraph, could be your lucky day).

Photos courtesy of Scott Clark via 100 Layer Cake

After squeaking in excitement from viewing these images, it all came to me…these secret weddings, elopements and smaller weddings seem to be popping up more than usual. I’ve even photographed more in the last few months than ever. So this post isn’t just about showing the most adorable secret wedding (you’ll die when you see the details) in Central Park but proving that these intimate affairs are on the rise in 2010! You can probably thank the budgets and appreciation for intimate romantic settings for this trend ;)

Photos courtesy of Brides via Cut the Cake Designs, Ban.do, Twigs & Honey

2009 was a HUGE year for wedding trends especially for the hip, indie bride! Not only did the diy train take-off later in the year, but I think the handmade artisans and crafters led the whole way! I’m definitely one of ‘their’ biggest fans and supporters. Indie artisans keep on rocking into 2010 and beyond! Check out the rest of the favorite indie artisans here. Please include your favorites in the comments, let’s share and mingle!

ps – come see me at the first ever Indie Wed on Jan. 30th in Chicago! If all goes well, maybe it will make it’s way to San Francisco soon!

Handmade gifts from the heart! Renegade Craft Fair’s holiday sale is here in San Francisco this weekend (Dec. 19 & 20), find more info here. I was planning on going…but I’ll be photographing an elopement in Napa instead :)  Go, see art, buy art and email me to brag about it :)

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography of Smitten Sticks

Announcing Smitten Sticks!!!  Brought to you by moi and Vana of Le Papier Studio!!! You can say it’s been our love child for quite some time now – planning, designing, chatting, planning, etc etc.  I am soooo excited to finally being able to chat about our new paper photo product that I can’t stop using exclamation marks :)  Come learn more about these handmade expressions, mustaches and the like… (more…)

Photos courtesy of ShabbyStraps & Rhembein via Etsy

I.want.one.  Yup, I’ve been on the hunt for a fun camera wardrobe change, and now the problem is picking a pattern!  My dilemma is the color/pattern choice.  I tend to wear mostly black or neutral colors when I shoot weddings so that I blend into the background.  I’m thinking these colorful ones might not help :)  BUT they are my fav (and strangely the color of my new living room)!  Go check out their shops now and check out wrist straps for point & shoot cameras.

Photos courtesy of Nature Favors & Little Birdie Boutique

Hope you had a great weekend!  While you are reading this, I’m headed out of state for a product photo assignment. I couldn’t leave you hanging all week so I found you some fabulous wedding-related Etsy finds to gawk over (like this eco-friendly napkin holder/bird feeder and table place card).  Handmade crafts for weddings equals trend of 2009 for sure.  I’ll be out for most of the week but promise to have good things when I come back!

*Any blog posts after this one were scheduled, you’ll know when I’m officially back :) (more…)

Just a quick shout out to one of my favorite letterpress studios!  Paper Stories has a wonderful article on Etsy’s Handmade Blog – read it here.

Photo courtesy of Etsy

Oh Brieanne, I love it when you send me these things :)  Etsy’s blog featured a story about handmade wedding gift registries, come read it.  Trend of 2009, yes please.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!! Jared’s sister, Lauren, came into town to share her recent birthday and the start to another summer with us here in Chicago. We had a great time with friends and roaming the city…but I have to say my favorite part was finally photographing her incredible knit purses! Lauren is an amazing artist that is on the path to starting her own Etsy shop, and I was so happy to help her out! I know she’s going to do great and people already respond so positively to her work! So here’s a sneak peek of some of her purses! (more…)