THE EXTRAORDINARY MOMENTS: February 2011

Monday, February 28, 2011

FREE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY GIVEAWAY 2011!!!

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Are you getting married in 2011? Do you have an amazing love story? Have you or your Fiancé overcome a difficult event? Are you separated from your Fiancé because he is in the military and deployed? I would love to hear your story!!!

Contest Rules: This contest applies to those who cannot afford a wedding photographer. Therefore, if you are having a “big lavish” wedding, then please do not enter. This contest is just one of the ways that The Extraordinary Moments’ is “paying it forward” to those couples in need. Family and friends may enter for the couple, but all applicable information must be provided about the wedding couple. Please read the below rules carefully, as ALL steps must be followed to enter:

Y Your wedding date MUST be in 2011.

Y I must be available for your wedding date.

Y New inquiries only…not current clients. [Sorry!]

Y Your story must be TRUE. Any story that is fabricated will be immediately disqualified.

Y You must NOT have a photographer already booked. Afterall, you are entering because you want me to photograph your wedding! No exceptions, as I must be the exclusive photographer!!!

Y The winning couple agrees to have their story and some of their photos posted on my blog and website.

Y The wedding can be ANYWHERE! However, if necessary, all travel expenses will be paid by the Bride & Groom.

Email to TEMphotos@aol.com:

Y Bride & Groom Names | Wedding Date | Email Address | Phone # | Location Info

Y Tell me your story! Please provide details about how you’ve been planning for your big day, and include a few compliments about your fabulous Fiancé! Please attach a photo of yourselves, so I can put your gorgeous faces with your unique story!

Y Let the world know! Tell your family and friends on Facebook and Twitter that you’ve entered our contest so they can sprinkle love throughout the universe about your entry! Ask them to become a “Fan” of my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/The-Extraordinary-Moments-Photography/112804712082780, and encourage them to send messages via Facebook, showing their love of why YOU deserve to win! They can also follow me on Twitter @StilettoFotog, to tweet about your entry, and to receive the latest updates about the contest.

There will be one winning couple!

GRAND PRIZE WINNER: The winning couple will receive up to 6 hours of FREE wedding photography, TWO photographers, one - 16x20 Bride & Groom Portrait, and an online password-protected gallery to share with family and friends so they may view your wedding photos, and if they wish, purchase prints.

All entries must be received by March 31, 2011. The winning couple will be selected at random. The winners will be notified directly on April 15, 2011 via email. Some restrictions apply.

The Extraordinary Moments reserves the right to cancel and/or extend the contest at any time. Notification date is subject to change. If your entry is not chosen, and you would like to book me for your wedding, a 10% discount off of any preset Wedding Collection I offer will be provided. Please direct all inquiries to cindy@theextraordinarymoments.com. GOOD LUCK!!!

Ciao, until next time...

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

THE EVOLUTION OF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Did you know that wedding photography began sometime around the early 1800's? Back then, there were no paper photographs as we know today...but rather an image produced onto a light-sensitive silver or silver-coated plate.

In the early 19th century, couples would pose for a formal photograph in their "best" clothes before or after their wedding day. It was wasn't until the 1860's that couples began posing in their formal wedding attire on their wedding day. As wedding photography continued to evolve, photographers began to include the wedding party in the formal photos with the Bride and Groom in the 1880's.

[Photo of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1854 - credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/britishmonarchy/4681561151 ]

In the beginning of the 20th century, color photography began to make its debut. However, colors would fade in a short period of time; thereby erasing any image memories. Because of this, wedding photos were predominantly in black and white. In the 1930's, with the evolution of photography equipment, processes, and techniques, wedding photography began to rise in popularity. This was just in time to embrace the marriage boom after World War II, when wedding photography increased, as troops returned from war.

In the 1970's, the introduction of wedding photojournalism evolved, where photographers began capturing images of the wedding as it unfolded, in a documentary style.

So, as you plan your wedding, think about how fortunate you are to have so many options available to relive your memories for years to come. I hope you found this tidbit of history interesting.

Ciao, until next time...

WINTER IN NEW YORK

I'm a "Summer Baby", so I love warm weather! However, relocating to New York almost five years ago to be with the love of my life has caused me to endure the winters in New York. This winter has been quite brutal...in my opinion!

Here are some photographs that I took during the last snow storm. The snow is beautiful to look at...but, bring on the WARM WEATHER!!! Enjoy...

Please feel free to leave your comments.

Ciao, until next time...

ALOHA FROM HAWAII!

I've been asked why I hadn't posted any photos from my Hawaii trip last December. So, after several requests...I hope you enjoy!

North Shore...

Downtown ~ photographed from the hotel...

I just liked the mural painted on the side of the building! Photographed from the hotel...

While there, we had torrential rain non-stop for an entire day...which we never experienced on previous trips. Afterward, I captured a rainbow. Photographed from the hotel...