Ladies + Gentlemen

Gritty, beer-drinkin', whisky-swiggin', tie-knotting groomsmen. They are the best part of the day when second shooting for First Comes Love. I know, it seems strange. The bride and brides maids are so beautiful, the dresses, the bouquets. Right, of course. But you know, these guys really make you work for it. They really know how to seem so uncomfortable for the camera, but what I've learned is they love every minute of it. They like the attention. They like being posed. They even like getting all dolled up. And they especially appreciate a little attention from a lady with a camera.

So, gentlemen. You may have some photogs fooled, but this dame ain't buyin' it. You're hot, you're working those duds, and yo lookin' mighty FINE!

(Tip to getting this group shot: swat flies with your ponytail (they think that's cool), let them watch you step in deer poop and handle it like a champ even though your BCBG sandals are most likely ruined and you'll stink the rest of the day, and then BEG them with fake tears in your eyes to let you get this one last shot to make the bride happy and so they can get back to drinking.) 

Cheesecake - Italian Style

If you're a dear friend, you know I like to cook, but baking is not my forte. Unfortunately, for my husband that doesn't mean I don't give it all the effort I've got. So, from time to time, he becomes a guinea pig, and more often than not, he's left disappointed. But this time, I nailed it! So, I'm sharing the recipe with all of you.

30 oz whole milk ricotta cheese

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3/4 cup sugar

6 eggs

zest of one lemon

12 graham crackers

1/3 cup melted butter

3 tablespoons dark brown sugar

Preheat Oven to 325 degrees. Greese a non-stick tart pan with butter. In a bowl, mix one package (12) crushed graham crackers, 1/3 cup melted butter, 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar. Mix well. Pack into pan using a spatchula and place in oven for 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown. 

Separate 6 eggs. In large bowl mix egg yokes with 3/4 sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla, lemon zest of one lemon and 30 oz of whole milk ricotta cheese. Blend until smooth. 

In separate bowl whip egg whites until a peak forms. Gently combine with ricotta cheese mixture and poor into prepared tart pan. 

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, let cool in refrigerator for several hours.

The ricotta cheese mixture actually makes two cheesecakes. So, if you have more graham crackers, like I did, make two! If you don't have a tart pan, you can use an 8 or 9" round cake pan. It will take longer to bake and it's a little trickier to remove the cheesecake, but I made it work. ; )

Doing It Afraid + The End

It's over. 2nd shooting the 2011 wedding season with the talented and tenacious Alison Bank of First Comes Love is over. Did I ever mention she pulled off 16 out of her 18 weddings this year pregnant? That said, for her, she's full of relief. I, on the other hand, can't wait for more. 2012 can not come too soon. A year ago last month, I launched my photography portrait business and immediately felt the itch to give wedding photography a go. I met Alison, and it all just clicked. Yes, pun intended. But the most important thing about what has happened over these last thirteen months is, I've done it afraid. 

This is a great example from our last wedding of the season to demonstrate the beauty in doing life afraid. When Alison was prepping me for the last wedding with the gorgeous Rachael and Tim, she mentioned I would be "manning" the photo booth. I was confused. Usually photo booths are self-serve or someone from a photo booth company tends the booth. Really? I had to hang out at the photo booth during cocktail hour? Eeerrrrr…. I was afraid. What if I got bored? What if I missed really great shots? What if I looked like a geek?! All of it. So, I opted to do it afraid and to do it with JOY. I was peppy, and low and behold…. I had a BLAST at the make shift photo booth. Which ultimately was absolutely darling.

And guess what happened? While I was taking these adorable photos….

…. the bride came along and asked to take this sticky sweet photo. And then…..

The groom came along and the girls encouraged Tim and Rachael to take a shot with the "hooray" flag, but I knew that shot deserved a better environment with a little bit nicer light, so we walked over to this area underneath the twinkling lights and draping vines. And then…..

…. the couple saw this door, which was right behind me as I was taking the above photo, and Tim just couldn't stop staring at it, and they thought a photo here was a good idea, too. (I swoon - look at the hearts just above the door frame!)

So,  my lesson in this is - doing it afraid pays off. And doing it with JOY pays off even more. 

If my twelve year old brother is reading this, I hope if there's anything I ever pass down to you (since I am 27 years your senior) it is this lesson in life. Do it even though you don't want to, even though you're afraid, and do it with joy. Your heart is full of goodness and that will shine through in all that you do and that will give others joy, too. 

XXX Happy Wednesday!

Tessa + Buddy and Matters of the Heart.

As I was about to post a few pix from another wedding as a 2nd shooter for First Comes Love, the news announced the passing of Steve Jobs. His 2005 address to Stanford grads lifted my spirits and reinforces one of life's most important fundamentals:

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do." 

"If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on."

When my grandfather saw that my father, at age 12, was interested in cars and handy with building an engine from scratch, he dug a ditch in the cement floor of the garage so that my father could work on cars safely. When my uncle learned that I had taken a strong interest in photography, he bought me my first Nikon camera for my sixteenth birthday. When my sister's husband decided to change careers, she sacrificed their time together and encouraged him to quit his job to study in Florence. Four months before my husband and I started dating, his company announced he would be transferred from San Francisco back to Modena, his hometown. Alessandro wasn't ready to leave the states, so he took that opportunity to chase his dream. He landed a job with Ferrari North America three months later. 

Thank goodness for following one's heart and all who support us along the way. Because of them, there is greatness. Not always Steve Job greatness, but greatness, all the same.