12.22.08 - Photography Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays to all of you out there in blogland! I loved hearing many of your responses via email from my post last week. Next year, between the photos and news, I'll enjoy sharing with you some of my personal thoughts to mix things up a bit! In the meantime, this will be our last blog post until after the new year. I hope all of you have a wonderful time with your friends and family. I can't wait for 2009, as I truly believe it's going to be a stellar year for Laura Novak Photography. Not just for us, but also our friends, clients and everyone who is part of what we do. In case you didn't get our holiday card ... here it is from us to you!

12.19.08 - Personal {reflections} what defines us

Lately I have been thinking about this blog. I have toyed with the idea of not continuing it. It's quite a bit of work and the week always sneaks up on me when I need to create some new posts. Which led me to think about why I have this blog in the first place - mainly for clients, peers, and friends to see what I am up to and learn a little bit about my life. I read many of my friends' blogs, like that of my workshop buddy Tamara, who talks about her amazing adoption story, and that of Jesh, who has a fascinating perspective. This inspires me to share more of what is on my mind. This week I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, and heard this quote: "We are trained to identify with the externals of life. We are trained to think we are separate from each other, and what defines us is the source of our good. It's only when we come to recognize that our true identity is bigger than any of our externals that there is an internal un-changable reality that is not only the fundamental truth of who we are but also the fundamental source of our good - that we begin to relax our hold on the things we think we need, but are bound to eventually go away." - Marianne Williamson, from the Change Nation podcast with Ariane de Bonvoisin When I heard this, I realized that it's much better to share and have the potential to inspire than not share merely to prevent the risk of being too open. So know that moving forward, in between the photos (because of course, there will still be photos!), you'll get to learn a little bit more about what drives and defines me. I hope I'll get to learn a little bit more about you, too.

12.17.08 - Weddings Diana + Scott: Philadelphia Elegant Weddings

Love this new spread in Philadelphia Wedding of Diana and Scott's nuptials from last June. A big kudos to Mark Kingsdorf and Eventricity for pulling together such a beautiful event.

12.15.08 - Weddings Lauren + Chris: Day After

Like I mentioned last week, Lauren and Chris took me up on my offer to complete their portraits a few days after their wedding. As you can see, it was totally worth it. I love the mood of these photos, and how relaxed Lauren and Chris were. Lauren and their dog, Jake (the ring bearer), are actually singing together in the photo on the left. So cute.

12.12.08 - Weddings Lauren + Chris: 11.08.08

It was so lovely to photograph Lauren and Chris's wedding in every was possible. They are a beautiful couple with huge hearts - Chris is creative director at Essentia Creative and it's always a pleasure to work with other artists. Their wedding was warm, personal, and cozy - a perfect late fall evening. Coordination by Cathy Klocko and floral design by Yukie.

Lauren and her mom could be sisters!

Final touches ...

Their dog, Jake, made the perfect ring bearer.

Lauren looks stunning from every angle.

Check out Lauren's gift to Chris - an apple logo ice sculpture! I think someone should send this to Apple (contacts in Cupertino, anyone?).

Check out Chris' reaction!

The details were wonderful - I love all the elephants!

Laura's mother organized an international blessing before the meal, where about 15 friends and relatives expressed their good wishes in their native language. It was extremely touching and beautiful to hear.

There were many favorite moments of mine at Lauren and Chris' wedding, but one of the best parts about working with them is that they were up for anything I suggested. So when I recommended doing portraits the Monday after their wedding and leaving for their honeymoon on Tuesday, they took me up on it! I felt that with their schedule, they would enjoy attending their cocktail hour and doing some portraits on another day which worked out great. Check back next week for their beautiful portrait session.

12.10.08 - News The perfect gift

Trying to figure out what to get people for the holidays this year? During the month of December, we are offering 20% off our signature portrait gift certificate package which includes an in-studio session and an 8x10 print. This offer is a great value and perfect present for that person who has everything! All of our gift certificates come packaged for a beautiful presentation. Feel free to forward this to husbands, fiancés, brothers as a reminder hint... and we'll be sure to make the men in your life feel like they thought of it themselves! Gift certificates must be ordered by December 15th and picked up by December 22nd; shipping is available but charges may apply. Sessions need to take place between January and July of 2009 to take advantage of current pricing. Call the studio today for more details at 302.656.5274.

12.08.08 - Kids A change of pace

Change of pace for us, anyways. Lately Becca has been rocking out the high school senior sessions and doing a fabulous job! I'm so impressed with the images she has been creating I just had to share some. A reminder that we are booking now for spring sessions! Becca's availability is very limited so if you are interested, please call the studio very soon.

12.05.08 - Weddings Laura + Ari: 11.1.08

It's been a few weeks since I've posted a wedding, so this month I have two fantastic ones to share with you! The first one is of Laura and Ari, who were married at Greenville Country Club on a very warm and beautiful November day. I loved seeing Laura's vision of a lovely fall outdoor wedding unfold amongst one of the prettiest foliage days of the year. It's always a fun start to see a bride get ready and Laura was no exception.

Their first look.

I loved the fall colors. The floral design was by Yukie. Laura and her sisters put a lot of effort into the details, making most of them, like the table cards you see here, by hand.

One of the more unique aspects to this wedding was the outdoor evening ceremony, which was really beautiful. I don't believe I have seen too many in my career and they can obviously be tough due to unpredictible fall weather but Laura and Ari really lucked out. And look how beautiful everything was!

I love this look between Laura's sisters.

I love this ceremony reading photo.

After the ceremony ended, we took a quick posed shot in front of the ceremony setup.

Love this mother/son moment during the parent dances.

Also this father/daugter one ...

Finally, a evening shot of the beautiful ceremony location. Thanks, Laura and Ari, for including me in your wedding day!