This weekend our amazing neighbor invited us to join her for a Spring Ski day at Alyeska Ski Resort and Hotel. We had a great time enjoying the gorgeous sunny warm weather, and to our surprise we were there at … Continue reading
One of the most frequently asked questions Bryan and I hear from our couples is regarding whether or not they should include a Wedding Album in their Wedding Photography Collection. As a Bride and Groom ourselves, we remember trying to … Continue reading
I remember ordering my very own Wedding invitations and how excited I was to pick out something I absolutely LOVED that fit my personality in every way. I remember how excited I was when they arrived at my house and … Continue reading
Well it is officially break up season here in Alaska! I have concluded this is the only place I know of where you can wear a short sleeve shirt and sunglasses one day and then need your heavy coat, gloves, and a snow shovel the next. Though we have had some gorgeous weather with sunshine and higher temps, flip flop season stays just on the horizon until the random spring blizzards come to a halt and ankle deep puddles of melting snow have fully disappeared.
With break up season tends to be a slight decline in Photo Sessions (due to the muddy slush everywhere and weather unpredictability) and an steady pace of meeting with clients and scheduling wedding dates right before our Alaska Wedding season. I get excited during breakup because it means Wedding Season is almost here and we have the pleasure of getting to know new couples and begin planning how to capture the unique beauty in each love story and wedding day. I am looking forward to what is in store for this summer!
As for life in the meantime, we recently attended an event for Bryan and his Army Unit. Very little frightens me more than attending a gathering with a new group of women brought together by the common grounds of the Military. Each one of us is from a different hometown, a different faith, a different normal, a different way of life. Each one of us has been brought far from home and the comforts of family and our best friends. Each one of us is looking for friendship and acceptance in their new life in a new city. And each one of us has unique gifts, values, and opinions on any and everything from how we should occupy our time during deployments to how we should raise and care for our children.
I have a major default setting when it comes to these Military Spouse gatherings – and truth be told it is my FREAK OUT setting. My biggest worry is that at the end of the day, I will be myself (which always feels so vulnerable) … and some one (or everyone) will decide they just don’t like me. My biggest fear is that I will realize that at the end of the day they just don’t like who I am. I tend to always want to please everyone, and the reality that I will not click with everybody I meet makes me shudder.
The thing I am learning through constantly attending events like this is to be myself, to focus on caring deeply about others, and if they decide not to like me – I know I need to be okay with that. The same is so true with being a Wedding Photographer. Every bride deserves a photographer that is a great fit for her – one that will make her and her fiance’ feel comfortable and special in their every interaction (especially on their Wedding Day). She deserves some one that will connect with her on a personal and professional level. I love when I meet with a bride and her fiance’ and I can tell that we click really well. I know that this comfortability will naturally allow me to capture the true nature of their personalities and love for each other which is one of the most important ingredients for beautiful wedding images. I am thankful for the lessons the military has taught me in being secure in who I am as a friend and as a photographer, even if it is way out of my comfort zone! 
As for break up season – I know it doesn’t look like Spring lately, but it’s breaking up people! Summer is coming, slowly but surely B-)
Gotta include my Loves! Maya loves the snow…WAY. MORE. THAN. BRYAN. 
A week ago today, Bryan and I sat in the waiting room of the Optometry area in the JBER hospital. It was really early, but I was wide awake…and nervous. I had heard about what was about to happen, and it made me squeamish. We arrived early, and they promptly called out “Weiss” at 8:00AM. I nervously fidgeted for my phone to text everyone I knew for prayers and to keep my mind off of what was about to happen. As I texted Bryan’s mother, Bryan experienced something I could NEVER do. He watched as a fellow patient squirmed away as they staff attempted to put eye drops in. “That would so be Brittany,” Bryan smiled and thought. The doctor came in, put clamps on Bryan’s eye lids to hold them open (I would have had a fit right there) and scraped the top layer of Bryan’s eyes with something he thought similar to a toothbrush, and then allowed a laser to “Zap” his eyes – 9 seconds on the right and 16 on the left. Bryan spent the last week resting and recovering from his PRK procedure and helping me talk through current Photography business decisions. Though definitely uncomfortable, he was elated to find at his recent check up that while he is still on strict recovery regiments, he is already seeing 20/20, and his eyes will only be improving from here on out! From now on, you won’t see these gorgeous baby blues hidden behind glasses, or uncomfortable with contacts. All I can say is – Better him than me! He is looking forward to seeing things clearly. I hope everyone had a beautiful Easter weekend!
Another little guy of mine has some pretty cute little eyes too!
Too bad he is plotting Trouble behind them!
When planning our trip to Fairbanks last weekend, one of the things at the top of our list was to visit the BP World Ice Art Championships. This is actually the largest ice sculpting competition in the world! I was thinking it may not be a big deal since I have seen the Ice Sculptures and Snow Sculptures annually downtown in Anchorage as well as the Ice Sculpture Exhibit of Shrek the Halls in Orlando, but boy was I wrong! What I was most impressed with were the intricately sculpted pieces done by children as young as 9 years old! The swan you see below, for example, was carved by a 15 year old I believe. Each year new sculptures are created in categories such as Single Block, Multi-block, Youth Classic, and Amateur. Another really cool thing about this is that you can go on their website and see the carving process on time lapse and still photos! I just know you will think these artists did a fabulous job as you look at a few of my favorites. Be sure to click if they have a link below them to see the sculpting process photos and award (if applicable)!
Mother Nature Behind the Scenes AND Water and Fire Behind the Scenes
Spiritual Connection Behind the Scenes
Octopus Garden Behind the Scenes
Yep this Last Pic there is a “me”! Hiding amongst the ICE art and Wall.
It is safe to say I really did feel like I fit right in as an ice cube
When I met Kamrin last year, both of our loves were away in Afghanistan. When I saw her for our Session, I could not wait to hug her! Not only was this a time to photograph their long overdue Engagement Session, but a chance for them to laugh and play and be in love without fear or worry like we military wives sometimes do when our soldiers are overseas. Kamrin chose Flattop Mountain for our Session, and I truly felt like we were on top of the world, both literally (thanks Alaska) and in our hearts since our soldiers were home.
As we began our session, in flies a Helicopter landing right there in the Parking Lot…right then, I felt like maybe, just maybe - we were on The Bachelor. It made several rounds of stop and go so we managed to commemorate the memory with a quick snapshot. Kamrin was a total hoot, and she and Michael were cracking us up the whole time. With smiles and laughs like theirs, I CANNOT WAIT to see Michael and Kamrin on their wedding celebration day!
View more photos from Kamrin and Michael’s Engagement Session on the Slideshow!
Rachael and Zach contacted me online, and when I realized Bryan and I were on our way to Fairbanks this past weekend, I contacted them and we set up a time for their Engagement Session while we were in their part of the state.
These two have helped me proudly accomplish my record – shooting Engagement Photos in -2 degree weather. I felt tough, until Rachael walked up to me in a sundress! Sheesh! These two are quite used to the low temps, and nothing was going to stop this June bride from some fun and flirty photos. They were troopers and I loved the little bit of time we got to spend with them. We met at Pioneer Park, where there was endless places to take cute Alaska Portraits! My favorite thing Rachael and Zach shared with us about the park is that they moved historical buildings from Downtown Fairbanks to the Park Property as a fun way to highlight the rich Alaskan history of the town. It was easy to see why Pioneer Park is a favorite place for Rachael and Zach!
For More Previews from Rachael and Zach’s Engagement Session view their Slide Show here! - http://bweissphotography.com/rachael-and-zach.html
I was driving out to Palmer to meet Aliscia and Josh for the first time for our Engagement Session. We planned to meet at the fair grounds, but I stumbled across this spot [shhhh... it's my new super secret ]. I … Continue reading
Last week I blogged about my first camera and how the ball started rolling towards my First Engagement Shoot ever. After those first few photos you saw in that post on Christmas Day 2007, I started learning about my camera by recalling photography basics I had learned from my high school photo courses and purchasing a more extensive manual for my camera. I took my camera everywhere – to the beach, to relative’s weddings, to my brother’s Air Force Academy graduation and to a trip to Virginia to practice.
Bryan took my interest in photography and began encouraging me to dream about being a Photographer. As I played and practiced photographing at different events in my friends and family’s lives, I was drawn towards wedding photography. I really appreciated our own Wedding Photographers, and since my wedding was such a special day in my life and I found our photos to be invaluable, it seemed to me that Wedding Photographers had a pretty cool job photographing such a fun, beautiful and special event in a couple’s life.
Eventually, I began looking for a new lens on Craigslist. When Bryan and I went to pick up the lens, Bryan recognized the husband (what a small world!) and we began to chat. Jessica and David are Wedding Photographers in Pensacola, FL originally known as Beach Bum Photography – now David & Jess Photography. They were so sweet and I felt so blessed that a Craigslist deal could be so wonderful. Later on, I had the amazing opportunity to tag along with my camera for a Portrait Session and trip to St. George Island where they were taking photos for travel brochures, where I realized how truly fun, warm and amazing they were.
Having learned a lot from watching David and Jess interact with couples, I kept up my practicing and learning. When one of my best friends Heather got engaged, I told her all about David and Jess, and she booked them for her Wedding and Bridal Session. I can’t remember if I was courageous enough to ask or if Heather mentioned it…but nevertheless, I agreed to take some engagement photos for her and her fiance’ Jason. I was about to be a first shooter taking Engagement Photographs of a BEST FRIEND and her Fiance’ – NO BIG DEAL. I offered to do this for her for FREE since she was one of my best friends and I knew how I could possibly screw this up.
RAW confession: I was so nervous that I asked my MOTHER and her mom to come so they could be there for moral support. I was a hot mess – at least our Moms are close friends and we frequently hang out together – Heather really was a perfect God send first candidate bride. I was SO nervous that I literally printed out photos from google and stuffed a collage in my camera bag in case I drew a blank with posing or ideas. The Moms proved valuable in their assistance in ideas and comfortable conversation, and I was so thankful Jason and Heather were patient, easy going and enjoying the day with me!
What Heather did for me that short few years ago was priceless. It brings tears to my eyes to this day that she gave me a chance. She gave me the opportunity to try a scary, risky new path in my life while metaphorically holding my hand and without words communicating
“I believe in you, and if something goes wrong, or the photos don’t turn out,
I will be just as happy to have some fun memories with my new groom-to-be and my best friend.“
Honestly, without Bryan’s unconditional support and without Heather, who gave me permission to try something with the comfort of friendship cushioning the possible sting of failure – I would never have come this far a few years later. Because of my opportunity to photograph Heather and Jason, I am still learning, still pursuing my dreams, and still photographing what I cherish most -love.
To commemorate this huge scary new step towards building my portfolio and starting my business, I had scrapbooked a few of my favorite images including the Save the Date Cards Heather sent our with the photos I took! I was humbled and so honored to receive it, and I will keep it forever. I also keep their photos on my Website because I am just so thankful and proud of that first victory over my fear Photo shoot. And I am finally giving something 100% once again, and that is much more fulfilling than letting my fear of failure win.
