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I LOVE this contest – ok….I LOVE all contests, especially when it has to do with my clients voting for me based on their experience with me.  It brings me great joy to be involved with so many great events, and meet so many incredible people!  The fact that they find joy in the finished product is just the icing on the cake.

It is turning out to be a busy month – Wedding, Senior Portraits, Reunions, Family Sittings…..and of course….that day job thing.  )

Being that it is 12:30 am, I better sign off…..but before I do…..would YOU consider voting for me?  I thought I would be really overjoyed to break into the Top 10 this year after being Top 20 for the last two years.

Just in case you feel a tug….  http://kmgh.cityvoter.com/silent-expressions-photography/biz/84426?ref=short

Smiles,

Berta

Are running the fields in heaven!  Two great furry kids that left us too soon.

Berta

Our little girl left us yesterday afternoon.  Her spirit now runs with her doggie friends that were waiting for her.

She will be amazingly missed.

Everyone has a different opinion about animals as pets – “it’s just a dog” is what I hear alot – but the emotional tie that some of us have to these creatures is amazing.

Case in point – our baby girl Honey is very sick.  She is in multiple system failure, has a kidney infection beyond medication, and a tumor on her spleen.  The medical procedures to fix any or one of these problems could put her at such an incredible risk that we have decided not to proceed with medical efforts and let her live our her days at home and keep her comfy.

Yesterday we had ice cream…..and lots of car rides.  We cried ALOT and at the end of the day – slept together in each others arms.

This is my child – and I treat her as such.  It is painful to have to make such decisions for them, but it is done out of deep love.

Our hearts hurt right now – and I have asked the angels to take care of her til she is ready to join them…..and to let me know when that time is.

All for now,

Berta

I am gearing up for 10 weddings this summer and I am SOOOO excited.  I start off June with a bang with weddings on the 5th, 12th, 13th, and 27th!  Then it only gets better.  In addition, I finally got one of those “real” job things – actually, I am really excited about that too.  I am working for the Council for Substance Abuse and Mental Health as their Development/Grant Writing Coordinator.  This group of people is amazing, and I am very happy to be a part of their team.

Life has been a series of changes for me lately and not small ones either!  I am told by my very dear friend that Uranus is crossing my astrological path and it only does this one time in our lives – NOW – from age 39 to 40.  It brings massive amounts of change with it and either there are a ton of changes that happen in your life, or there aren’t and you miss out, because I guess I would have to live until age 100 and something for Uranus to make another appearance.

Anyhooo…..everything is new, exciting, different, and I feel like I am looking upon life with a different set of eyes.  It is good…..real good

Smiles,

Berta

My Great Uncle Kenny passed away today in his sleep at 2:40 PST today after a long illness.

He and I were born on the same day 40 years apart.   I loved him dearly!!

Special love to my Uncle Dick, Kenny’s longtime partner of 53 years.

Smiles to all – and especially my new angel Kenny.

Berta

So I met the Rabideaus through their daughter Lisa while they were planning her wedding that I had the privilege of photographing.  Soon after the wedding, Mark (a.k.a. Dad and owner of Ambient Webs) and I started playing around with the idea of a professional website for Silent Expressions.  I had done a do-it-yourself website and it was ok, but Mark took me to another level.  He worked above and beyond with me and went out of his way to teach me how to maneuver around the new and improved site.  A couple years have gone by and to celebrate 2010, Mark updated my site – a new look, color, the whole she-bang!

There is not enough thanks that I can give to the Mark and Becky – Lisa and Jason – for their support, the willingness to help (with all KINDS of computer issues and questions….and more questions…..) and for allowing me to continue to use this great site even though times have been so up and down in the financial realm. 

It is not often that you find people these days that truely give of themselves just to help.  In a world where it seems everyone is trying to see how far they can get, sometimes at the expense of others, it is refreshing to know there are still people out there, like the Rabideaus, that are just happy helping one person (or animal) at a time, and giving of themselves, selflessly.

If you need a website, or any of the other many technical services that Mark, Eirenicon, and Ambient Webs provide…..I recommend them with the highest of recommendations.  http://www.ambientwebs.com  or http://www.eirenicon.org

Mark….Becky – Even though we don’t speak as often as we used to – I think of you all often and wish you well!

Smiles,

Roberta

As I search the sites around town I see LOTS of ads for wedding photographers.  I totally understand that budget photography is not a new thing, but it seems as if everyone is going lower and lower in price just to make a sale.  Now, I am not saying that a lower price is a bad thing, but it is more than that……just as the wedding photography is more than just showing up with a camera.

Here’s an example of what I normally do with my clients, no matter what price package they pick.

We meet at a coffee shop to do formal introductions.  At that time I gather a whole bunch of info about the couple….names, wants, likes, date, colors, wedding party, etc.  I have an outline that I use to help me capture everything you want for the day.  I take this outline back home after our initial visit and wait – if you decide to pick me (yea….thanks!) then I formally type everything out for you and help create a list of all the photos you want to make sure to capture.

I check in about once a month to make sure you are doing ok.  I have been working in the industry for eight years, so I have lots of references of professionals that I trust,  that provide just about any service you may need, and I pass those along to you.  About two months before the big day, I check in every couple of weeks to make sure we are up to date on your photo needs.  I also work with ALL my couples on financial matters….so if you need to make monthly payments, that’s fine…..lump sum, that’s cool too – after the initial deposit ($100) you decide what works best for your budget, I only ask that it is paid off 2 weeks prior to the event.

The month of the event, I take a trip to the venues and check lighting during the time that your wedding will take place.  I meet with the planners and make sure I know all the “rules” for photographers at their venues.  I map out my travel time and make sure that I take that into account so that I don’t get lost.  (eeeek!)  I check in with my brides to see how their nerves are holding up, and get some final details such as the outline, vows (so I know what is said…when), and cell phone numbers of Best Man and Maid of Honor – for the day of.

On the day of, I never plan more than one wedding, so I am not rushing anywhere.  I make sure I have plenty of backup – photo cards, batteries, etc.  I get to the site 15 minutes before I am going to meet anyone to set up – so that I am not setting up during YOUR time…..I am ready to go.

I am friendly with your friends and family, have a great sense of humor, look for the unique shots, make people laugh, capture the moment – and usually, I try to taste some cake!!  )

Afterwards, I usually get your photos back to you by the time you are back from your honeymoon (about a week).  I never keep the rights to your photos so you can do whatever you would like with them…..take them anywhere for printing….post them anywhere you’d like.  I shoot in high-resolution, touch up all photos using Photoshop, present them to you in color and black & white.

If you ever need an extra CD, I am happy to send it.  I keep all my work on my computer for a year, then transfer to the back-up storage….. forever.

Then…..I start all over again….meeting new people and having a great time.

So, see…..it’s not just showing up with a camera!

Smiles,

Roberta

Although I don’t personally celebrate Easter, I wish everyone love and peace today.  Also, Shalom to my friends celebrating Passover!

I had a great time with the Barnwell and Ortega families yesterday – even though the wind was fierce, we got some great pictures!

Smiles to all,

Roberta

Hi All!

I have a couple spring specials going on right now that I want to share with you.  They are all running for the next 2 weeks, so give me a ring (or an email) if you want to schedule an appointment, or have any questions.

1.  Facebook Special – $50 – Family, Engagement, Headshots, Maternity…..Portraits for you at 50% off my normal sitting fee just for becomming a fan of Silent Expressions Photography on Facebook.

2. Mike and Me Special – $100 off a full day wedding/event photography package if you book your music with my dear friend and AWESOME DJ Mike Magdelano of The Conference Experience. http://www.theconferenceexperience.com/.  Take 2 things off your wedding to do list on one shot!!

Thank you for your support.  I appreciate you trust in my work.

Smiles to all,

Roberta