The Wedding Bells Show

(NOTE: There's a chance to win a FREE photographer for your wedding at the bottom of this post!!)

I don't watch much TV, and when I do, it's usually CNN or Comedy Central. I never really got into sitcoms (because I don't watch TV regularly- so I don't really keep up with the character story lines), except for Ally McBeal. I was so addicted to Ally McBeal! Here's a fun clip from Ally just to show how off-the-wall it was. A little backstory before you watch the clip: the show was based in a law firm, which had a co-ed bathroom, and each character was so tied up in their own little world that they often did things in public that we would usually only do in private or in our heads... so this clip is an example of the characters acting out their inner dialogue....



I'm not sure why the show ended other than it was probably incredibly creatively draining to come up with such original material week after week! If they didn't have a large enough following... it's because they were perhaps a little too quirky for people, which is unfortunate. Every time I heard about a new sitcom from the same producer, David E. Kelley - I always gave it a chance, but nothing ever really captivated me the way that Ally did. They just weren't quirky enough, or they were intended for a different target market. So, when I heard about the new show, Wedding Bells, of course my interest was piqued because I'm in the wedding industry but also because it seemed to be just the right kind of environment to let the writers get a little crazy again. Here's the promo from YouTube...



I don't know how long it's been since I've watched anything on FOX. Most of the things that I've run into on their network in the last few years have been culturally insensitive and socially dumbing. While Wedding Bells may not be a huge departure from that slippery slope, I did find something in tonight's episode that made me raise an eyebrow and want to watch again next week. When they challenged the social assumption that a flamboyant man must be gay- by assuring us three times that he was, in fact, very straight - I tilted my head and thought... I might actually enjoy this show... especially if they can continue to crush stereotypes like that! If nothing else, it would be great comic relief every Friday night before a Saturday wedding!! I think this is also kind of a testament to how huge the wedding industry has become - whether that's good or bad is still undetermined, but if nothing else, it'll be fun while it lasts! (I have to give a big kudos to the WeddingChannel.com for snagging up the website www.weddingbells.com. Whether it was planned in advance or not, it's a great strategy to bring people to their site!!!)

***************** WIN A FREE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER *****************
The show is also running a sweepstakes (aka marketing survey) in which you can win a FREE photographer from LIFE Magazine to capture your wedding day. Of course, you don't get to see the photographer's portfolio first, but you trust that it will be good since they work for such a major publication. The contest ends 4/7/07 and you must be getting married between 7/1/07 and 6/30/08. CLICK HERE to enter!!! If one of my brides is lucky enough to win - I'll be so happy for you!!!

The Lovecat List

There are some really great people out there linking to my blog, so I wanted to show them a little blog love by giving a shout-out to them on my blog!! I'll check my little "blogs that link here" blogroll from time to time and add more lovecats to this post as they show up. There are some really interesting people below... check them out! ;-)

Here's my official Lovecat List! What a bunch of awesome people!
Gary Fong
David Jay
LaCour
Emilie Inc.
Captivating Studios
Garrett Nudd Photography
Miss_O_Hara
Meganderings
Danafesto
Jasmine Star
Stephanie Edens
Colleen Donavan
Alison Bynum
Leepak Hope-ra
Pretty/Modest
Davis Family
Aufbau Ost
Seshu
Chantel's MySpace
Dee Jay
Movie Viz
Wilton Diaries
Foundation Workshop
Wedding Podcast Network
Stampead
The Green Children
The People
Wedding Junkie
Picture Infinity Studios
Jillian Kay
KMB Foto
Julie Walton Shaver
Jennifer Images
Lifespring Photography
bobbi+mike
Photo Forward
Lucky Red Hen
Frank Dimeo
Schaefer Photography
CU Photography
Blue Mountain Photo
Candy's Photography
April Rocha
Stevie's Cam
Polis Photography
Kari Douma
Kendall Price
Nataly Lemus
Jennifer Grigg
Adam Squier
Janelle Lynn
Gerald Pope
Kairos Moment Wedding Films
Ma5en
Stephanie Edens
Shades of Tangerine
Taylor Grey
Croft & Campbell
Jen Lee
Mellimage
V Lynne
Lilia
Moot Toast
Dreams, Jems, & Family
Christine Farah
The Gloriously Mundane
Alissa Hall
Nicholaus Haskins
Offbeat Bride
Classic Bride
Chelsea Hudson
Brandy J Adams
K H Mason
Wedding Bee
Pondered in My Heart
Shelby Leigh
Made By Madeline
Melissa Earle
I Wish
Northern Light Filmworks
An Excited Bride
Ready 2 Spark
Snippet & Ink
Outstanding Occasions
Molly Bennett
Nicole Green
Don't Box Us In!
J Sandifer

I'm an Artistic Guild Weener too!!

Wow! I just found out that I won even more awards from the Artistic Guild of the Wedding Photojournalist Association!! This is a special arm of the WPJA which encourages photographers to go beyond the capture of an image and to take the extra step in the processing and enhancement of that image. You can only become a member by submitting images for contest and receiving awards, so it's a very special honor for me to have received four awards with one image receiving first place in its category, giving me an overall ranking of 3rd in the world. Wow.... is this real? *pinch*pinch* I'm still waiting for someone to tell me that I'm being punked! I just can't believe my name is up there among some of the photographers whose work I drool over on a daily basis... it seriously just blows me away. Without further blaffled blabbing, here are my winning images...

CATEGORY: ENGAGEMENT

Judge's Comments: Engagements are one of my favorite categories and this quarters entries didn't let me down! What a great idea to take a couple to a bowling alley. The retro look, and awesome processing made this image stand out. One hint, separation between the couple's faces (making their face shapes work for you instead of merging) may make this image even better. Congrats on the great location and stellar image.
*(btw.. I totally agree about getting a little separation between the faces in a silhouette)

CATEGORY: DETAILS

Judge's Comments: The heads in the water balance the feet really well. Couple the subject with the blueish toning & strong vignette and the image comes to life!

CATEGORY: CEREMONY

Judge's Comments: The moment before heading down the aisle is a private yet momentous one. Congrats to the photographer for keeping an eye on the bride while positioning themselves for the ceremony. In keeping with the quiet moment, the photographer de-saturated the scene so we find a hint of the bride's face in the upper right corner of the frame.

CATEGORY: ENGAGEMENT

Judge's Comments: The semi-circular motion blur coupled with some great color is completed with a kiss. Some minimal burning on the foreground arm would definitely improve the image.