Today Alistair found a dog! It was standing in the middle of the street ready to take on any car that came her way! It took a bit to find the owner of this cutie, but in the mean time I had a little fun!

Isn’t it funny how he knows me so well? Then again, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t have something to say.  I do agree with Alistair on a few things ‐ I have no idea why anyone would want to know what I had for breakfast, for that matter I cannot even remember, and we do LOVE our clients, but you guys know that, I don’t have to tell you. BUT there is one point I will do a complete turnaround. Yes, you all know what I am talking about – SHOES!!! I know EVERYONE wants my opinion on shoes, but I will leave that for another post.
 
To say that I was anything but amazed would be an understatement. It was the one day that I wish I actually had a video camera – no worries, I leave that to the very talented professionals – Mike, Tim & Linda at Milk & Honey Productions, I love working with them and wish everyone would hire them. 

I tried to explain to the gentleman who works across the office from me every day about Yankee Stadium, but it fell on deaf ears, it seemed we had a distance between us as large as the Atlantic. Even Drew tried to convert him prior to the big day but that conversation quickly turned to football and we are not talking about the American kind.
 
The stadium is a grand place. Maybe the ghosts that traveled the corridors of the old have taken up residence in the new, or maybe Marcy Blum found a way to persuade them to attend, I tend to think it was Marcy’s doing. The atmosphere was nothing but electric, kudos to the crew at Stone Kelly & Marcy Blum Associates for pulling it all together. Even I was in ready to cry when I saw Drew’s face after he spotted Robinson Cano, who I might add was an amazingly friendly & kind individual.
 
Besides the jumbotron, if I had to pick one thing out that I was most impressed by it had to be the cake.  Kate Sullivan of LovinSullivanCakes did an amazing job. Everyone needs a reason to have a cake like this. I am trying to find a way to drop subtle hints to Alistair that I want that cake for my birthday, if anyone has any ideas other than me printing out pictures of the cake & leaving them on his desk with a message written in a black sharpie marker that says “I want this cake! Now! PLEASE!” I am open for suggestions.
 
I was blessed not only to have shot this event but to have spent the days surrounding the event with Drew and his incredible family. From football to a dinner at Shun Lee’s to a very wonderful and surprising tour of the Man Ray exhibit at the Jewish Museum (which everyone should go see) at the brunch on Sunday.
 
Also, thanks to my crew without you guys both in the office and carrying my bags, it wouldn’t have been as much fun.
 
For this one night it was Drew’s house, I’m sure Ruth wouldn’t mind. Now, anyone want to hear about my new shoes? ;o)

I cannot believe how Christmas came & went!  With all of the running around and last minute shopping, trips to the airport and sitting in traffic I forgot to mail my holiday cards!!!!  I found them in the back of my car, all neatly packed into a box waiting under a blanket and a refelector! I feel like such a slug, I LOVE holiday cards!  I drive EVERYONE in my house crazy with holiday cards.  It is quite a scene, the dogs run & hide, the kid runs & hides, even the UPS guy ran to the safety of his truck one year - I had a really BIG idea for that holiday card.  There is usually a little bribery & a lot of begging, on my part for someone to help or get involved,  and tons of laughs. 

Well, don’t fret - not that you were - but I am officially dropping them in the post in the morning! A little late but the sentiment is still the same. My apologies to all of my European & Australian friends - especially my Austrailian friends since it will be March before you see it, but you know that I have you in my thoughts!

To everyone, may you have a safe & happy time celebrating the arrival of 2009.  May 2009 bring you happiness, good health and prosperity.

Kisses to everyone

- Catherine

Hi everyone!  I wanted to let you all know that we are still very much alive!  And to update you on:

BLOGGING - We will be catching up on our blogging in the coming week - even if it kills me.  We have a ton of weddings & e-sessions to post, so keep an eye out for that.

GALLERIES - We have been working hard on galleries,

ALBUMS - It is album season!!!!  I will be posting albums this week for approval, and I just recieved a few more Friday which will be shipped this coming week.  I have also discontinued an album line that we were offering due to CS issues.  We have replaced that line with an even better company and will be unveiling our samples - which are divine!! - in the coming month.

EMAILS - I am having no luck with emails lately.  I do get emails on a daily basis but some are taking their time finding their way to our email box!  Jen & I have answered everything that we received this morning.   If you did not get an answer and have sent us an email in the past week please send it again, and one of us will get to it asap!  As usual if you send it after 5pm on Thursday please  be paitent if we haven’t answered your email asap like we usually do. Give us until Monday to respond since we are in knee deep shooting weddings!

SHOOTING - We will be announcing our next few dates for e-sessions hopefully this week.  The session spots will be limited since we have a full wedding schedule this month. So, if you want a fall session with the leaves please email us asap so we can get you set up.  We have launched our boudoir site and will be revamping it a bit.  We intend on having a marathon day in January, so if you are interested please vist the site PROVOCATEUR by celimages and send us an email! 

We have a new blog coming soon and also some things we want to share with you. 

We were at the beach yesterday, and it was just the perfect day - absolutely perfect.  We shot a wonderful couple, whose e-session we rescheduled because of the weather three times,  and had a lot of fun.  It got us thinking about the beach and how we have only shot there ONCE the entire summer sooooo…..

Here it is my offer to you:  come join us on Sunday October 5th* (weather permitting date is subject to change) for a “shoot now, ask questions later” e-session on the beach! You do not have to be already booked with us although if you are you are welcomed too, you just have to be engaged. 

The e-session is complimentary.  You will receive up to an hour of shooting time with both Alistair and myself, an online gallery to view the images we shot and no hard sell.   If you want to purchase the prints you will be able to do so.  If you love us & want to book us for your wedding we can talk.  No hard sell, no additional emails (besides the gallery notification) or phone calls, just a day at the beach shooting couples, having fun and possibly getting a bit wet.

I am also open to “day after” sessions or “trash the dress” session whatever fits & keeps us shooting on the beach for the day.  We  will only be able to take a total of eight sessions, possibly nine if I really squeeze them in.  And to be fair they will be filled on a first come first served basis. The location of the beach will be sent to you in an email

You will need to email us for the details at celimages@gmail.com tell us your names, wedding date, an email address & the session you have in mind.   All other details will go out in the email. 

That’s right!  Allyson WOWED me with her shoes!  I decided not to post them since I don’t want Kevin to see them.  Allyson & Kevin have won an 11×14 canvas print of their choice!!

I’ll post the print & the winning shoes after the wedding.

Now, what shall we do next?  Hmmm, maybe rings??? We’ll let you know in a few days!

A contest? Hmmmm, sounds like a plan!

I have an idea for a magazine ad that we are placing and I want YOU to star in it!! We are looking for a couple, who are up for, well almost anything! 

The rules: You must be willing to get redressed and not mind getting a little dirty - think more day after session than an actual trash the dress. The shoot will likely take place during the week, there is a possibility of a weekend day but those are rare.  We are flexible on days as long as our schedule permits and will try to accomodate as best as we can.  You need to be already married prior to May 31st and willing to be photographed in the NYC/Hudson Valley area.

The submission: The contest is open to any couple, already married, who submits a really great story about how they met along with a picture of themselves and one of the dress! Please submit all of this to celimages@gmail.com, include “I wanna be in pictures” in the subject line. Do not forget to include your names, wedding date and the best way to reach you. All enteries must be received by June 30th.

The Prize: What’s the prize you ask? You will receive a CD of images from the session for you to print from and a 16×20 print from me! Plus the possible use of the image in our next magazine ad!

The small print:  All images remain the copyright of celimages.com and the decision of the winner is final.  There is NO exchangable cash value and sessions are non transferable.  No purchase necessary, nor will a purchase increase your odds of winning. Employees of celimages are not eligible.  All travel expenses are the entrants/winners responsibility. celimages is not responsible for misdirected or unreceived emails. Please request a confirmation of receipt of your email if you would like.

We will pick the finalist and then open it up to voting!  We will choose three winning couples!!! Not sure how we will do the voting but we will figure that out.

So what are you waiting for?