My Blog

Alaska Spring Slush Cup – Getting Wet and Wild on Skis

bweissphoto — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:34:35 +0000

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 the time of one of their Wild Spring festivities – the Slush Cup.

Apparently, each year during Slush Cup, skiers wear all kinds of crazy costumes and a few are chosen to try their skills at skiing down a slope and attempting to glide across a pond of icy water. Awards are given for the biggest wipe out, and the furthest skier across the pond. We were pretty tired from skiing ourselves by the time the Slush Cup started, so jumping into Alaska photography mode I grabbed the camera and snapped a few shots of our favorite costumes! They are pretty hilarious!

Alyeska is gorgeous anytime of the year, and there is just no getting used to the scenery on the drive back and forth from Anchorage to Girdwood along the Seward Highway. I am so very excited to see Alyeska this year in full bloom this Spring and Summer for some of our 2013 Alaska Brides and Grooms I am very excited about! Alyeska is one of Alaska’s beautiful venues for Weddings, and it is always a pleasure for us as Anchorage wedding photographers to drive down and photograph a wedding at Alyeska in Girdwood.

Why We Think A Wedding Album is a Must Have

bweissphoto — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:50:28 +0000

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 decide almost 6 years ago whether it was worth the large investment of buying a wedding Album. My family decided to splurge and include it in our own Wedding collection, and still 6 years later, Bryan and I are so thankful we have it. We personally feel like it was one of the best Wedding Investments simply because at the end of the day – favors are given away, cake is eaten, flowers fade, but our Album has every special detail of our day elegantly documented in it. Bryan and I usually have our Album on our coffee table or in the living room, and so many times when our families visit, they look through and think back to that special day. Every Anniversary we have together we look through it, and new and old friends look through it as well.

Having the digital files of your Wedding Day images is so nice to make Christmas Cards, thank you notes or even photo flip books for Christmas gifts; however, years from now, when you go to show a new friend your wedding photos or look back and smile at Wedding Memories with your husband or family on your 25th or 50th anniversary, you will not want to whip out your disc of digital photos, nor will one or two photos on the wall fully tell the story of your Wedding Day. We have even had friends who have lost their disc of Wedding Photos, and sadly the only photos they have are the few in frames on the wall.

We recently received our Huge 30+ page Album Sample showcasing our 2012 Weddings and Couples and are so excited! Our Custom Designed Heirloom Albums will last a lifetime. They artistically depict your Wedding Day telling the full story and showing only your very favorite Wedding Day photos in an Elegant and Classic way. Our client’s hand pick the photos they want in their album, we design each page, and then our clients request changes and approve their album design before the Album is created by our Album Craftsmen. All Albums can be sizes 8×8, 10×10 or 12×12, and are leather bound and include Personalized Etching on the cover. They are lay flat albums meaning there is no centerfold so photos can print an entire spread without a seam.

As photographers, we consider ourselves service based rather than product based meaning we don’t push our couples to buy every print product directly from us, but we include and encourage our Brides and Grooms to invest in a Wedding Album primarily because we personally know how much we enjoy and cherish our own Wedding Album. It is one of the best wedding gifts you or your Parents can give to you and your new spouse. Check out these photos of our newest Sample Album and also a few spreads from our own wedding Album below!

Here are a few of our very own Wedding Album! It feels like we were saying “I do” just yesterday, does time fly!

A True Alaskan Wedding Invite

bweissphoto — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 15:51:24 +0000

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 then how daunting it was to handwrite each address. But nevertheless, it was the first special piece of my Wedding day that I got to share with my family and friends, and the invitations made me all the more excited about the Celebration ahead!

As we sat and talked about Angi and Garrett’s wedding over a cup of coffee, Angi finally brought out her Wedding Planning Organizer. As she was flipping through, she stopped, took out a Wedding Invitation, and handed it to me with a smile. Not only are their Wedding Invitations stinkin’ CUTE, they have a photo I took of Angi and Garrett included on a their wedding invitation. This is a huge honor and privilege to me and I am so tickled to be a part of such a special element to their Wedding Day.

I also adore Angi and Garrett’s beautiful invitation because of the uniqueness and personality that is in every detail of each piece. Because they have wedding guests from all over to attend their Wedding Day in Alaska, Angi chose a Passport theme which I just LOVE. In their PASSPORT TO ROMANCE beautifully created by Invitations by Dawn, you will find the more personal touches such as “B.Y.O.F.P.” – “Bring Your Own Fishing Pole” – that are so Angi and Garrett and so completely Alaskan. How can you not just love this?

PS – Happy Birthday Angi!! Be sure to Celebrate ALL Weekend!

Discovering Self-Confidence as a Military Wife and a Wedding Photographer

bweissphoto — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 16:17:36 +0000

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.

I Can See Clearly Now

bweissphoto — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 05:21:50 +0000

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!

ICE :: Masterpieces of Art Money Can’t Buy :: Fairbanks Ice Sculpture Championships

bweissphoto — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:20:47 +0000

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

Blue Ballet Behind the Scenes

Spiritual Connection Behind the Scenes

Octopus Garden Behind the Scenes

Locust 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

In Love and On Top of the World

bweissphoto — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:56:59 +0000

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!

http://bweissphotography.com/kamrin-and-michael.html

Found Love in Fairbanks

bweissphoto — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 05:17:19 +0000

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

Bought the Dress, but Wedding Planning’s a Hot Mess!

bweissphoto — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:59:10 +0000

I was talking to a good friend recently and listening about the stress involved in planning her wedding. My heart ached for her, and I knew how she was probably feeling in that moment.

Tending to be a people pleaser myself, I remember when I was planning my wedding (I had NO Clue y’all! This was before Pinterest) it seemed like I couldn’t even pick a date everybody was available for much less make everybody happy. Truth being told – planning a wedding is stressful at times, and with all the things to coordinate and think about, it is ~~hard~~ impossible for a bride to plan everything perfectly in everyone’s opinion. As a bride, it hurts you when you learn some one’s feelings are hurt or they are upset or judgmental about something. Of course that was never your intention! As I have learned and as I am sure you know, there is NO way to please everybody, and there is especially NO WAY to make everybody happy with every choice for your Wedding.

If you are a bride and you are planning your wedding day, I can relate to where you are. I want to encourage you to keep the focus on what you and your fiance’ value. If you value God, make your choices in a way that honors Him no matter what your friends or family might think. If you value intimacy, don’t place too much weight in worrying about the friends and extended family you can’t invite if you want to stay on budget or keep it small so you are not intimidated at your own ceremony - would you rather they enjoy your wedding or you – THE BRIDE? Ask those directly involved to have a little bit of grace because - hey, you’ve never planned a wedding before!

Whatever is important to your heart, plan your day with that in mind as a priority,

and don’t lose sight of your dreams, your love, and the ultimate reason for this

Big Celebration in the First place!

Photo above taken by Lindsey, a Beyond Fabulous Second Shooter!

Engaged and In Love in Palmer, Alaska : Aliscia + Josh

bweissphoto — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:34:11 +0000

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 found the owner and he was The Nicest! I am so thankful to him for the opportunity to enjoy such beautiful scenery on his property!

Aliscia and Josh were so dang sweet! Aliscia is a light-hearted girl with a smile that lights up everyone around her, and Josh is a perfect match for her with his charming smile and friendly personality. Josh works on the slopes is used to 50 below temperatures, so our 30+ temps were perfect for him! A born and raised Alaskan, Josh is always getting Aliscia to enjoy the fresh air, outdoor activities and beautiful scenery all over Alaska. Aliscia and Josh love to camp all over the state during the summer. Josh even proposed to Aliscia down in Girdwood by a waterfall – how romantic! These two plan to share a Wedding Celebration here in AK in addition to their Wedding Ceremony in Vegas.

It was truly a perfect day, with fantastic weather, breath-taking scenery, and the most PERFECT company I could ask for. This is the reason I truly love my job – I live for these moments when it feels like I might have just met some great future friends.

View More Images from Aliscia and Josh’s Engagement Session

by clicking below to view a Slideshow Preview!