The Wilcox Family

Wow what an awesome group! I mean- just look at these images below and you can see how fun and confident all these kids are! We had a great day up at Papago Park- the weather was absolutely perfect and just look at the gorgeous sky.

But nothing is ever perfect- especially with 26 people in a group! And I'm always learning- this time it was... take more pictures!!! I think I took twelve or so and every image had someone blinking- Aack! So I put my photoshop skills to use and now everyone has eyes open and smiles on their faces. :0)

The boys goofing off...

And the girls having some fun!

The whole clan...

Felicia and Hans

This is odd- I always say Hans and Felicia it almost rolls off my tongue by now. But she's the one who gets top billing since she is the mom to be!!!
This is one of the many reasons I love photography- I love watching families grow! I've lived in Arizona most of my life and frequently hear from people I've lost touch with. I was talking with Hans about how often it happens for no good reason- life seems to move so fast sometimes! Felicia is now expecting their first baby and it is so exciting! There were some complications and she was put on bed rest for most of her pregnancy and things are now looking great. :0)

Here is Hans who I met long ago in High School! When we were in college, he asked me to do a shoot for him- he had just grown his hair out...


In time he met Felicia and they asked me to do their engagement shoot. I can't remember if I was pregnant at the time but this was a short hike near Window Rock at Papago Park...


I was invited to their wedding along with my husband and first baby all of 6 months old. (I told you I'd dig one up from your wedding!!!)

And now, still so in love they are expecting their first!!!

The mommy to be...

It's a boy!!! :0)

ShaWing- Susan and Don :0)

I'm such a weirdo when I get all excited! I just knew how happy I'd be with todays shoot even tho I barely had time to look. I gave everyone a hug- Don's dad had this look on his face like oh girl, I don't even know you! hehe

Anywho! The ShaWing is 'cause I got this shot I had in my head right here: I LOVE this one! So fun! :0)


Hmmm.. Maybe I'm just feeling nostalgic. Doesn't this one below have an old photograph look. I love it too!

And here are a few more (just a little bit more traditional!!!) :0)

Breast Cancer Site *Click Here!*

All I hear myself say is I'm so busy- just so busy! So where does my time go? Well, some of it (not enough!!) goes to my very good friend, Renee'. She found out she has breast cancer when her little boy was nearing two months old. Well, down the road a few months and she has just found out that she has done very well with the chemo- her tumors have shrunk and it looks like her surgery is going to be moved up! Houray!!

So here is a link, I've seen it before and you probably have too, but just a second of your time will help to donate at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman. Just click on "donating a mammogram" for free (a pink window in the middle).

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/

So I've had the the chance to take photographs of her little one- getting bigger everday! & he is so cute I had to share :0)

New Logo!!!

I'm so excited!!! I just got a new logo and I LOVE it!!!

I was posting on OSP (only the most helpful and friendliest forum for wedding photographers on the whole wide net!) and hoping to get some opinions on a logo I had started with a wonderful photographer and start-up designer, Anna Dobos. While getting opinions on her concept John Magnoski whipped me up something that matched my style and my site. I just fell in love with it! I felt awful because Anna was so dedicated to seeing my design through until I was happy with it. She was absolutely understanding and even complimented on how awesome it looked! She's right. And I would recommend either of them! (Thinking about a new line of work Johnny???) :0)

Here it is in action! :0P (from a summer wedding)

Time Out...

Time out for a personal pic! This is my little nephew and godson. It just makes me crack up everytime I see it! Isn't he cute??? hehe
awww....

The Hecker's

Had a little vacation with the family this weekend and had a great time. But I was bad- I took my laptop!!! Would you just look at this cutie!!! Hudson reminds me of a Norman Rockwell painting with those little curls! :0)
Here's a few...

Busy Busy!

I've been so busy I almost forgot to post this week!
I was second shooting for a photographer friend of mine, Bruce Steffine and had a great time! This church was beautiful and the reception at the Arizona Center was awesome too! The bride, Heidi was adorable and has been all over the world with Food for the Hungry. In fact, that's how she met her husband Mark- in Indonesia after the tsunami. They were both so sweet. Here are just a few from Saturday :0)

Jen and Randy

Another great wedding last night!!! Jen and Randy looked awesome and were so laid back and fun! I feel like the luckiest person in the world sometimes! I know Jen and Randy are loved because they have some great friends who bent over backwards to help them out this weekend. Also, I want to say what a big help Karen was! She was my photo wrangler and how great it turned out- she kept everyone moving and we didn't miss a shot :0)
Here's a few for ya!

Diane and David

Wow what a night! Every day of my life I feel more blessed. Diane is one of the sweetest brides out there and her and Dave's family has been so inviting. Dave and his friends kept me smiling the whole time with their good humor attitude- I had a blast! Here are a few of my favorites from yesterday :0)

Meeting the parents

Keeping busy is always good for me! And with my two little ones keeping me on my toes I am busy most of the time ;0)

I somehow managed to meet up with Diane and Dave this weekend to meet Diane's parents Toni and David. It’s a very bittersweet time for Diane’s family right now, as her grandmother just passed away just last week. I know they will all be thinking about Joyce and wishing she could be there to celebrate along with the family. Diane’s mom has been helping out with so many details and had flowers all over her dining room table. I’m really looking forward to their wedding this weekend and also meeting Dave’s parents Esther and… you guessed it- David! I can’t wait to do the formals… “No I mean the other David!“

After I left I stopped by a local lab and I saw some great albums that I can’t wait to share with them!!! So I’ll end with a few pics from their engagement shoot. The first image (the black and white) they included with their invitation. Aren’t they stunning?! How lucky am I to make my first sample album with such a great looking couple!!!

Don’t forget to check back here after the big day for more images! :0)

Album Design Software

Well, I've been doing my homework! My first year in business will be a steep learning curve I'm afraid but well worth it. :0)

I've put together a list of Album Design Software I've found just to get my bearings. There are so many to choose from and so many questions I don't even know where to start- it's very overwhelming! Hopefully this will help other photographers out there looking for this very thing. I'm a lucky person to be a part of some very helpful online communities which have been a big part of compiling this list. I'd love to hear your thoughts on any of these programs you may have used. If I've missed any just let me know- I want to have all the options available here for anyone to view. The software I've listed are (I believe...) all available for output to any lab or binding service… which means you can choose! (Yet another mind boggling experience I'll save for another day!) :0)


* Just FYI, I just updated this table as of 8/08!

Software	Website	Templates available?	Save your Templates	Price	Demo/ Trial Available?
Page Gallery	www.yervant.com.au/	Yes but cannot save your own.	No	$590	Yes
Dg Foto Art	www.pxlsoft.com/	Yes- As separate purchases	Yes	$249- $649	Yes
You Select It	www.youselectit.com	Yes	Yes	$495	Yes
Kubota's auto album	kubotaworkshops.com	As per Page layouts		$399	No
LumaPix FotoFusion	http://www.lumapix.com/	Yes	Yes- Studio/Pro version	$39.95- $299.95	Yes
Gary Fong’s Digital Album	http://store.garyfonginc.com/gafodialdeso.html	Unsure (auto assemble)		$199	No
Adobe® InDesign	http://www.adobe.com/products/indesign/	Yes- From outside sources	Yes	$699	Yes
pixel creator pro	http://www.pixelcreatorpro.com/	Yes	Yes	$379	No
Album DS	http://www.albumds.com/	Yes	Yes	$349-$449	Yes
Photojunction	http://www.photojunction.com/	Yes	Yes	$495 or license per year	Yes

6/2/07

Just an update, for ya- I decided to go with the LumaPix Fotofusion and I love it! If you're interested in what it can do, here is a wedding album I designed using the software.

Scottsdale, AZ wedding photography at Sassi

Cave Creek, Arizona photo wedding album

I'm learning how to add cool borders and other fun things too! I'll be sure to post more as I design them :0)

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Hey Guys! I've had so many questions on this post I thought maybe some of you might be interested in buying the template to either of those albums? Contact me if you are and I'll sell them for $25 for one or $40 for both. I've never done this before so you'll have to bear with my lack of knowledge- I'm not even setup with Paypal hehe. But if I can help anyone out by selling them then I'll figure it out. :0)

Thanks for all the awesome emails and comments!!!

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Laura Siivola- Photographer.
Organic wedding and portrait photography based in the Phoenix Arizona area. :0)
laurasiivolaphotpgrapher.com

Dancing & Bluegrass

I had such a blast last night!!! Working has never been more fun! :0D My friend Michelle called me a few days ago because her friends, Terry and Pattee want to start teaching dance classes. Well, she said I know a professional photographer. (I feel like a little kid when I say that- what? I'm a professional!!!) Michelle told me that photographing dancers is not easy but I do love a challenge! She was so right- you have to wait for the right turn, without getting any arms in the face or backsides. Also her gorgeous flaring skirt went a little too far north once in a while!!! Yep, Pattee has great legs but maybe not so much for an ad! ;0)

The band The Breadwinners play at The Loft in Tempe every Tuesday night and they were awesome! But then again I do love bluegrass :0)

Here are some of my fave pics of the dancing duo! I used my flash set at second curtain sync to gain some of the movement in Pattee's skirt and catch the glow of the lights in the background...

First Webshow

Well today was a good day. :0) I completed my first webshow and I'm very happy with how it turned out!

I have made previous DVD slideshows however the end result was something I couldn't host on my website or show to my clients until weeks later. While they were well put together it was very time consuming and by the time it came to show the images all the excitement had gone out the door! This is a great way to provide an emotionally charged reception for your bride, groom and their guests.



I just want to say again how much my chosen path means to me! I used to be embarrased to say I was a wedding photographer! Why in the world would I think that? I get to be with couples who are so in love and so happy and share in one of the most important days of their lives. It has rubbed off on me and spread to my family! I am happier and every person who I speak with feels it too! I'm very glad I can share my experiences with fellow photographers too.

The program I used to put the above webshow together is Showit Web. It can be used at receptions and online and while this first one took me about an hour and a half I can easily see it taking less than 15 min to put together (sans any photo editing). The one I linked above??? At least 6 hours of my time. Ugh! Live and learn, right?!!

First Blog Post - Shannon & Barry Sneak Peek!

Well, I've been on the blog "fence" for some time but last night as I was driving away from an engagement shoot I just knew I'd start one. Shannon's enthusiastic personality got me so excited for her and Barry's wedding this February! It's at a spectacular venue in Scottsdale called Sassi. The courtyard is gorgeous and I can't wait to get back there and shoot again!

I have been so blessed in my first year back in business to have such beautiful and friendly brides to work with! Shannon and Barry, Thanks for keeping me passionate- you guys are adorable! This sneak peek's for you!