Yesterday, while most of you were all enjoying mothers day, I was working 12 hours straight at a restaurant.   Something I have done all 4 years I have been a mom (5 if you count the year I was 8 months preggers).  I have spent Christmases, New year’s eve’s, Valentines Day’s, and countless other holidays there.  I dont regret it, but I am excited to be moving on with my life.  Yesterday was my last mothers day as a waitress, and the first day of the rest of my life.  A life that will be spent following my passions.  The feeling is bitter sweet.  After 8 years of devoting my time to Kyoto, it is time to say goodbye.  The people I have worked with there have become my family.  I will be sad to leave, but the time has come and I could not feel more right or confidant about that.  I dont know everything the future holds, but I know it will be awesome.   It is time, time to overcome the fear of failure and jump in with both feet.  I am now officially a full time Photographer!

Thanks Kyoto for 8 great years.  I love you all and I am very glad you are in my life.  I will miss you.  Onward! 

This photo was snapped my Wakana (who has become my sister over the years) on her cell while leaving work.  I love it, so decided to use it.  :)

This towel he made at Cynthia Mann.  It’s pretty cute too.   Again with the red silly little man!

Because I was there to shoot a wedding I did not get to spend alot of time at the orphanage, or with the kids, but I do treasure what time I did get to be with them.   First we went to the girls orphanage.  One of the bridesmaids has an adopted sister that came from there.  She was dropping off some presents for some of the girls her sister missed after moving to the states.  

Next we headed over to the boys orphanage.  Many of the Boys are sponsored by people at Central Christian Church in Beloit WI.  The sponsors sent down some Christmas presents for the boys.  Now there is something you need to know about Haiti.  They have power, but it is very sporadic.  When we got there the sun had long set, and it was pitch black.  There was not power in the orphanage at that time so we went with what we had.  We used the flashlight app on my cell phone to add enough light to let me see enough to focus…then used my flash to try to capture what we could.  It actually worked pretty well!

Here are all the Gifts for the boys…spotlighted by my phone light.

Just to give you an idea of what we were doing to get some photos…

This is literally all I could see…I was trying so hard to focus.  The boys were not fazed by it at all.  They all had not problem seeing and thought we were funny for using lights.  I love it when things push my boundaries.  All the boys ere very happy to get their gifts.  Most of the gifts are things that kids here in the States take for granted, but they were really excited for.  Things like shirts, underwear, shoes, and sunglasses.  They got fun things too…Frisbiees, balls, mp3 players… Take a look.

Wedding Wednesdays are back to stay!  This week we are starting off with a great person and a AMAZING musician, Nikki Schumacher.  I have known Nikki for a long time.  She is one of my friends from college.  My husband and Nikki were in a little traveling band for the school together.  Let me tell you, this girl has talent!  Throughout the years I have admired Nikki and her work ethics and her ability to turn her talents and passions into a successful business.  She also let me take her wedding photos (along side another photographer).  It was the first wedding I did, and I fell in love.  Nikki has really encouraged me to pursue my passions and turn them in to a buisness as well.

And now… Meet Nikki

Tell me a little about yourself:

I am a Wife.   I love my husband.  I strive to grow and find new ways to love him everyday.  I am a musician and I love bringing music to others.  I studied music at a college level at a school in Tennessee, I have preformed and was one of the finalists on the Chinese version of American Idol.  I run and operate my own business, bringing live music into nursing homes.  I also love helping others find the musician that will work the best for them.

Favorite Quote:

“As a man thinketh, so is he,”

Tell us a story form one of your most memorable weddings.

I sang down the aisle to my husband.  He did not know I was going to do that so it was really fun to surprise him.  We also sang together at our wedding (my husband is an amazing musician.)    Also being the officiant at my sister in law’s wedding was a very special experience.  

Why should someone hire a wedding singer, as apposed to a DJ of just DIY “ipoding” it?

 Live music can be the most emotionally impactful parts of the ceremony.  Many couples assume that live music as she walks down the aisle or during the unity candle will be to costly but really it can cost as low as $50.00-$70.00.  Having a live musician for this really makes a difference.  I live musician will be able to time the music so it starts and stops at the right time and in a way that makes sense and sounds good.  When you use a ipod often times the music ends abruptly… During the reception, I think plugging in the couple’s personal ipod is a great option low cost option; during the ceremony, however, live music is the best option.

Why do you like preforming at weddings?

 I like helping the couple make their wedding as special as they deserve.  Music is one of the most meaningful ways to express emotion and it has always been this way from the time Genesis and Song of Solomon were written.

What inspires you?

 People who don’t have can’t in their vocab.

Tell is a little about the work that goes into preforming at a wedding.

I meet with the bride and groom, if they have a song picked out, great, if not I can assist them in picking a song.  I learn the song, if I dont know it already.  A professional musician should be able to learn new songs with some ease.  Alot of being a performer takes years of work.  From voice lessons, to training.  It is alot more than just learning a new song.

Have any Planing tips for a bride?

Have fun and make the wedding your own.  Something as emotional as a song can play a big part in setting the mood for the day.   Make the music say something about you.

Thanks Nikki!

Seriously Guys if you are looking for a live musician give Nikki a call!  She and her husband can preform some amazing duets that will be sure to impress and they will do it with a level of professionalism and passion that is next to none.  Don’t want a Duet?  Nikki is a AMAZING soloist as well.  She can also connect you to other musicians as well, so if Live music is your thing, (and I really  think it makes all the difference during the ceremony) give Nikki a call!  208-283-0452

If you are in the Boise area and interested in booking your own awesome senior session, CONTACT ME! You can also become a FAN on FACEBOOK to receive updates and discounts, and see more!

Class of 2012 Im looking for senior reps!  If you are awesome and want to receive FREE session and have a chance to earn CASH CONTACT ME! !

The wedding took place at Capital City Christian Church.  I love this church for 2 reasons…The architecture on the outside is very pretty with tons of stain glass windows, and there is a balcony!  Cassie and Kj chose not to see each other before the wedding.  Instead we took time to take some family and wedding party photos!    

We also snapped some quick shots with the flower girl and ring bearer.  The Flower girl is Kj’s sister, and the ring bearer is his nephew…Both were adorable!  :)  I asked the little guy to smile big, and he decided to use his hands to help his smile get as big as possible!  :)   How cute is that?!

The Ceremony was AWESOME!  Cassie and Kj chose to have their story told through out the ceremony, and they played a cool slideshow during the ceremony as well!  :)  I decided to use the balcony to get some cool shots…

Then after the ceremony we had the bride and groom take some photos alone.  

We also got some great shots with the whole wedding party…

On to the reception!  The reception took place at a cool new venue called Studio J!  There was food, dancing and allot of fun!  :)  

Then the bride and groom were off…to MAUI!  

Cassie and KJ~  I am so honored you let me take your wedding photos!  I know your marriage will be blessed, not only because of the awesome support system I got to wittiness from your friends and family, but also because you are making Christ the center of your relationship!  I am so happy for you guys and cant wait to dance the funky chicken at your 50th wedding anniversary!  :)  Love ya!

If you would like to see more of Cassie and Kj’s wedding, visit my facebook page.

My name is Crystal Matthews, and I am engaged to be married to the wonderful-yet crazy, Sean Jennings. He is my partner in crime, my shoulder to cry on, my best friend.

We met over two years ago, and after some persistent courting on his part, and some serious “I don’t need a man” on my part, he finally melted my heart. Having served two tours on the front line in Iraq as a gung-ho Marine, while also having a devout love for scrap-booking and sappy little notes, I knew this man was one of a kind.

Sean sold everything of his that wasn’t nailed to the ground in order to design my dream wedding ring and surprise me with a trip to New York City on New Year’s Eve. It was here in Central Park, in a horse drawn carriage where he got down on one knee. I never in my life could have imagined such an elaborate proposal, but more so, I never could have imagined a man who would so selflessly sacrifice to make me feel like a princess.

Sean is now a talented, full-time art student while I am in the early stages of my career – both working our butts off to ensure a wonderful future for ourselves and our children. While we are grateful for what we have (there is always someone who has less), a wedding at this stage in our lives isn’t the easiest to afford.

I’d marry this man in my backyard or on the steps of city hall just to be his wife. No matter what our wedding looks like, how many flowers we have or don’t have, I want nothing more than to have the moment in our eyes when we become man and wife forever remembered.

We would be honored and privileged to have Joncee May there to capture this memory for us.

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