This summer, while photographing Jolie’s Bat Mitzvah, her parents requested to have instant photos taken and printed on-site  in addition to having professional photographs taken.  I had never done both duties at a function, so I enlisted the help of my friend Vanessa.  While I photographed the event with my Canon 5D Mk II, Vanessa photographed each guest as they entered the party with my Canon G-10 and instantly printed the photos to the Pogo Polaroid printer.  The Pogo is a great little printer that prints out photos that are credit card sized, and have an adhesive backing.  The photos print fast, are instantly developed and dry, and easy to peel and stick!  Jolie had a scrapbook made with each page dedicated to Pogo photos where guests could stick their photos and write a special message!  What a fantastic idea!! I just HAD to share!

Just use a USB key to connect your camera to the Pogo, and instantly print photos!

On each page of Jolie’s scrapbook, there were place holders for each guest’s photo:

Here’s Miss Vanessa grabbing shots of guests:

Here’s a look at the guests writing something special to Jolie next to their photo in her scrapbook:

Sunday I had the great pleasure of photographing Ashley and Alex!  These two are sooo cute!  I can’t wait for their wedding next Summer!!!

Maria Forsberg, the toughest off-road woman racer I have ever met, has just completed the International 6 Days Enduro with a second place overall finish!!!  I got to know Maria when I photographed her for Maxxis Tires’ 2009 autograph poster last fall.  She is an absolute sweetheart, is beautiful and is faster than most males I know!  Check out Miss Forsberg in the photos I shot last fall:

Today I received a link from Jaidyn’s Mom to vote for her to become one of the new faces of Gap Baby!  I clicked on the link and saw that she used the photos that I recently shot of Miss Jaidyn!  Check out some of the photos below, and don’t forget to VOTE FOR JAIDYN!

Jaidyn’s scary Halloween costume

Tonight I decided to finally take a look at the photos from the vacation I took to Playa Del Carmen in September.  I met my mom there for a week stay at Shangri-La Caribe.  It is a quaint resort featuring the cleanest rooms and most friendly staff I have ever come across!  I am already planning on returning to the exact same resort next spring!  I left Ketchum carrying very few electronic devices…among them however, I carried my Canon EOS 5D, Canon 50mm 1.2 lens, Canon 70-200 2.8 lens and my Canon G10 outfitted with an underwater housing unit that Craig Wolfrom so generously let me borrow!

Here’s a look at our palapa:

Here’s the main pool:

Just past the pool is the main bar where I spent many hours playing ping-pong against some of the staff waiters and bartenders

This is the view from our palapa

When we booked the hotel stay, I was really looking forward to hanging out at their bar which features swings…however, since occupancy was so low while we were there, this area of the hotel was closed…

Next spring when I return, I WILL be sitting on a swing, with drink in hand…

The volleyball area was also quiet…but I have a feeling I’ll be playing some ball when I return…

This is mom and I in our individual hammocks on our balcony…

Before we headed out to the beach on our first day…mom stayed very busy blowing up the float she dragged all the way from Atlanta!

Most days, if I wasn’t sitting in the ocean, I was sitting on the comfy chairs on the beach…

Or I was sitting in the pool, reading my book!

I really loved watching the Iguanas!

When presented with an Iguana to hold, I was a bit scared at first…

But it wasn’t so bad

On our third day in Playa, we went on a snorkeling trip.  This is the view of our little resort from the boat:

Jose was our guide during the snorkeling adventure…

A lovely self-portrait, ha!

Toward the end of our tour, Jose swam down to pick up a shell for a souvenir!

Later in the week, mom and I drove south to check out the Mayan ruins of Tulum:

Here’s mom standing in one of the entryways…

We also came across a protected area for Sea Turtle hatching…

It was a HOT day when we visited Tulum…and many of the tourists decided to take a dip in the ocean halfway through…but mom and I had snorkeling on our brains!

On our way back from Tulum, mom and I stopped at a lagoon in Akumal for some snorkeling

During our last day on the beach I attempted to get a shot of the waves breaking…but this was the best shot I got…

Goodbye Playa!  See you next year!

A while back, I had the great pleasure of photographing Jennifer and Michael.  They are siblings who wanted to have their portraits taken together as a Christmas present for their parents.  What a great idea!  They were such fun to work with, and I hope their parents LOVE their Christmas gift

What a great looking duo!

Jennifer brought her dog along for a few shots as well…

Kyra and Nathan’s wedding was a great finale to my wedding season!  The wedding was a blast, the staff at the Valley Club were as great as ever, and I can’t wait for you to see their slideshow by clicking here.

Kyra and Nathan’s wedding was absolutely gorgeous and the weather couldn’t have been better, either!  Kyra looked absolutely stunning in her Vera Wang gown and Nathan as handsome as ever!  I wish you two a lifetime of happiness together!

Wedding Planner: Amanda Seaward, Flowers by Tara Bella, Ceremony and Reception Site: The Valley Club.

Check out Kyra’s fabulous Christian Louboutin shoes!!

The flower girl took a BIG nap before getting ready

Each guest was provided a bell to ring after the ceremony and during the reception

Their engagement book was a hit!  It was full of signatures!  I love getting to know a couple through an engagement photoshoot session!