I'd like to begin a weekly feature spotlighting Seattle's most talented wedding professionals. I'm introducing them here on my blog!

She's profiled on Junebug weddings and mySeattleWedding.com.

Please welcome:

LISA Yamasaki from MONA LISA EVENTS!

First let's start off with some cute images through Lisa's planning efforts: Photo credits to Paul Joseph Brown, Red Fish Blue Fish, and lisa's assistants...

THE SCOOP ON MONA LISA EVENTS

Lisa's introduction to the wedding industry:
The wedding bug bit me when I was 19 and worked during the summer as an assistant for a wedding photographer. I loved that I was helping to make the bride and groom enjoy their day. After college, I started my career in event planning with nonprofit organizations, planning their fundraising auctions, 5K walks, etc. Woodland Park Zoo allowed me to coordinate their 100+ yearly weddings in their gardens and venues and I assisted friends and family with their weddings. Weddings are my passion!

Why wedding planning??
This might seem crazy to some people, but if given the choice, I’d rather be planning and/or hosting the party or celebration, than attending one! Event planning is something that comes naturally to me and I believe you should do what you love – and I feel so blessed that I’ve been able to do just that.

What is Mona Lisa Events to be exact?
I launched Mona Lisa Events in September of 2005. I provide complete, custom and day-of planning services for couples. My goal with each client is to make the planning process as stress free and fun as possible. I think a couple’s engagement should be an exciting and blissful time, so my services allow clients to make all the fun and big decisions, while I handle all the legwork that it takes to make it happen.

They say "roll with the punches, but what can you bring to the table?"

I’ve been called Grace Under Fire! When the pressure is on, I can remain calm and get the job done with a smile on my face – and that’s a must-have trait in this business! You’ve got to be an active listener and communicator – you need to get an understanding of your client’s style and personality so that you can help them along the way with ideas they’ll love and to match them with other wedding professionals they’ll feel comfortable with and excited about, i.e. photographers, DJ’s, etc.

Your expert opinion about our industry's ever-changing trends:

I’m noticing more and more that Seattle is becoming a hot spot for destination weddings. I’m currently working with several couples from out of state and out of the country who are coming to Seattle and tying the knot with a large guest count in tow. I think this is really exciting because I think Seattle and it’s surrounding areas have so much to offer: gorgeous venues, temperate weather, and talented wedding professionals who are on the cutting edge of wedding trends.

For brides out there who need to get their mind on the honeymoon: Visit Lisa's website: www.monalisaevents.biz

email her for more info at lisa@monalisaevents.biz

sidenote: I worked with Lisa in June of 2006 at a very classy home-styled wedding in Redmond. I was very impressed with her ability to accomodate my assistant and I with meals exactly as the bride & groom were eating. She set a high standard of professionalism and smiled the entire way through. It was the hottest day you can imagine, seriously it was a hot day with little shade, anything could've gone wrong. But everything was PERFECT. Lisa was a DOLL to work with! The guests and the bride & groom ENJOYED their wedding. It was a pinnacle moment when everything just clicked!

Scams! Let's talk about scams for one day. I'd like to rant about T-mobil. By far, the worst connected company I've ever seen. We drop, on average, about 12-15 calls a week since switching to T-mobil. I call the customer care line. Give them my SSN # about 3 times before finding someone who can help me. First by the automated person, then by the customer care, then by someone who actually pretends to help me. They basically tell me dropped calls are due to software. Which I then get transferred again, to a techie, who helps me spend another 30 minutes updated the software on my phone. Does anyone out there have GOOD service with T-mobil? I used to have sprint. We thought their prices were too high. At least, with the high prices, we had more coverage AND less opportunities to give out our SSN. I asked someone why we have to give our SSN 3-5 times in a single conversation. They said they're working on it. Its a "glitch."

Next scam. www.Koolprint.com Whatever you do, NEVER order anything through them. This is a classic scam. I ordered oval shaped business cards through them. They confirmed my order Dec. 19th in time for the Seattle wedding show! I was guaranteed to have it shipped by Jan. 8th. They couldn't get it any sooner.

Fast foward to Jan. 19th. I call the 800 number 5 times, call the 713 number same amount, neither of which I can leave a message OR get connected. "All circuits are busy call another time" recording. Each time I contact their support group they cannot give me a ship date. The order cannot even be tracked online. They said to contact their service@koolprint.com email. I emailed them everday for the last week with ZERO responses. I'm out 210 dollars for rushed order that has not even been printed, from over 30 days ago! I'm completely at loss for words. I really really can't stand scammers. Once again: mean people suck.

images by MOTOFISH

"i ride motorcycles & he likes to fish" (chris cummimg comments on creating the name of their company)

Christopher Cumming & Greg Sweney have a vision. Their vision is to shoot what they like to shoot, be viciously creative, and have fun. They recently added me as a producer to their team. I can't tell you how perfect the timing is. Seriously people. Its just too weird for words. I broke down in crocodile tears to Ray last week because I wanted to continue making risky but long-term decisions on photography. One key factor was missing: the right people. Sure enough blessings rained down last Friday.

Here's greg's site (totally check out the outdoor fishing pics, the dog with his snout sticking out of the grasses, it blew me away) www.sweneyproductions.com

Here's chris' site (he admits to enjoy shooting lifestyle the most. i totally dig it and his wife's having a baby soon) www.christophercumming.com

Blogging marathon...Here's our very first video post from Ryan & Erin's engagement session:

So, in addition to holding a new workshop called "women shooting women" ha! I love the title, I'll be helping Chris & Greg get their ducks in a row from now on and also manage my own wedding & commercial business. On top of THAT, continue to learn from Kelly Chandler, Colleen, Stephanie and a handful of other really amazing shooters. And as if THOSE things don't keep me busy, my most important goals are still: keeping it real, making new friends, meeting new clients, and taking care of my customers.

It is great to branch out and be bold.

The light at the end of the tunnel, might be you. -Aerosmith-

One of my favorite pics!

click for full-size advertisement

Get ready for TWO REALLY exciting announcements today!

First I'd like to announce my very first and one-of-a-kind WOMEN SHOOTING WOMEN workshop! This is about helping emerging female wedding photographers make their mark! With SO many young women in Seattle looking for answers, this workshop is designed to help you get on the right track and create important connections early on! We all struggle through the baby stages of business, but its time to go confidently in the direction of your dreams! We'll have shooting excercises, guest speakers and much more! Only 12 seats are available, please contact me for further details: april@aprilgreer.com

Second, as part of my Weddy or Knot series, I will be featuring a new Seattle wedding professional EACH week! We'll include interviews, tips, and ideas on how to make your event a unique and luxurious! This week's wedding professional: Lisa Yamasaki from Mona Lisa Events! www.monalisaevents.biz Stay tuned for her interview!

I LOVE the INTERNET! Today I discovered my long lost friend Melanie Wood. She was one of the coolest chicks from my college days in Germany. P-A-R-T-Y-G-I-R-L

She had German photographers AND models drooling over her. Plus she happened to be a total sweetheart. I've googled her upteen times since we lost touch and TODAY I finally got found her on www.ModelMahem.com .

Not long after we first met, she mentioned how people were intensely jealous of her exotic look, curvy figure, and savvy fashion sense. I didn't realize how right she was until several people sabotaged our friendship later on down the road and we sort of grew apart towards the end. I regret not being able to see through it and boot the people trying to sabtoage our friendship. Mean people suck. In addition to Cory Olsen, Melanie really introduced me to fashion photography. Cory gave me the photographer edge and Melanie gave me the modeling edge. Melanie and I had a BLAST shooting in Heidelberg. There was the "Maszil" shoot that was like 6 hours roundtrip travel or something (that's at 120mph). Angelica Maszil is one of the most talented and agressive photographers in Europe. She's a veteran model herself and knows what agencies needed for mag covers. Anyhow, it was a BLAST watching how photographers and stylists created amazing pictures of Mel.

Cory made me obsessed with photography and Melanie fanned the flame that has since taken over my life! I can't wait until we catch up! Here are a few of her steamy pics...isn't she gorgeous??!! The only photo I'm responsible for in this batch is the one of her against the wall with her hair tossled....she still rocks the camera!

Seattle Wedding Show Jan. 2007

Ray & I browsed the Seattle wedding show (AS fiance and fiancee!) last weekend to visit friends and get the scoop on the newest wedding gigs in town. One booth that REALLY caught my attention was Usnaps! Check out www.usnaps.com Usnaps has a very simple ring-light set up that mimicks the same light used in big advertising campaigns! First of all, its digital! So you can get multiple copies of the same photo! Also, it has both black and white backdrops! Its a self-released shutter, you just hold the little cable and push the button when ready!

Their shots are crystal clear because the light comes from all angles! Click on the photo above to see it FULL SIZE, I'm sure you'll agree that the quality is good. For those of you weighing the option of disposable cameras or photo booths, this is a GREAT OPTION! To rent, the booth is AFFORDABLE! From $500 (does not include cost per printed picture) or $900 (free photos to everyone). This is THE hottest new wedding gadget (IMO). Ditch the disposables!
DISPOSABLE cameras are OUT, USNAPS ARE in!!!

We also ran into a couple 2007 brides Tiffany Fetherolf & Shannon Colacurcio! It was so good to see you there (wish we saw you more often)! Tiffany its ONLY xx of days until THE BIG DAY!! They are my foxy brunettes (2 out of 3 for the entire year!)

Yippee I love wedding shows!!!

My dad took this picture wayyyy back in the 1980's in Wuerzburg. Are there any dancers out there!?! My first filaps (tap moves) were in the basement of Wuerzburg's military housing units. A military wife was nice enough to open her basement, put down wood flooring, balance bars and teach us tap dance on a weekly basis! Little ladies in pink leotards tried their best! We danced to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and placed 2nd in the elementary talent show! Take pictures of your family and yourself often and keep them safe! For those stranded with the ice, please have a safe and warm weekend!

Time for snow angels!

After watching hours of Mike Colon's intense 2 DVD set (7 hours of wedding info to absorb) I glanced out the window after this NUTTY arctic storm blew in. Only in Seattle does 4 inches of snow equate to a natural disaster! Seriously, when it snows in this city, the whole place shuts down. Because it snows but once a year for a few hours, not many people heed the warnings to buy snow chains. And, since we had one snow storm already, the concensus about the supposed latest artic blast yeah, no big deal....Just to compare, folks from the EAST COAST know what its like to be in real storms. Maryland & DC ice storms? Foggettaboutit. I've walked to my classes in college through TUNNELS of snow in Michigan. In Chicago, your teeth freeze from the windchill, in Germany, your tooshie feels so cold even a yodel is hard to pull off!


back to Seattle: I really wanted to get some shut eye, but wanted to take ONE measely photo of this snowstorm. I whipped out my 15mm fisheye lens, aimed it at the nearest spot in focus and shot away using the tungsten preset on my 5D at ISO800 1/10 of a sec at f/2.8. I couldn't get over the eerie lighting, isn't it WILD!

I tried to shoot from the balcony, but then remembered the pool down below....it was too tempting. I tromped out the front door in combat boots, PJ's, and an oversized jacket while Ray started his nightly sonnets of zzz's. I noticed little kids peeking out of their windows at 1am to watch me snap these JUST FOR MY FAITHFUL BLOG READERS!!!

Snow reflecting light from every angle looks freaky at night!! The night sky has an interesting hue, and the silence, wow, incredibly silent in Federal Way. That's abnormal! Just in case you were wondering, other than a bit of sharpening, I DID NOT tweak these images in photoshop. The pics you see were lit 100% by mother nature! Enjoy!

So...today's post is a request from CORY OLSEN in Holland, MICHIGAN. He's my homey from Holland! He asked for me to write about my crazy travels abroad. Blonde excursions abroad, coming right up!

TAKSI (in English: TAXI see photo below)

In 2000 I dated a German Lifeguard (later turned politician). Only a few months as a clerk at the European Divison of Univ. of MD and the German Baywatcher asked me to go to TUNISIA with him and 2 friends. Suprisingly the boss gave me thumbs up and off we went.

At first I got Tunisia mixed up with Tanzania. Tunisia is north Africa, Tanzania is south Africa.

For weeks I ran around telling the world I was headed to TANZANIA. The audience suggested immunizations, but ??

About the country: Tunisia is an predominantly Muslim country, nestled in between Algeria and Libya on the Med Sea. Its way hot, really dry, and impoverished. The people are European looking, similar to Liberians, strong faces, tall figures, and broad shoulders.

THE FUNNIEST part of the whole trip came about when we needed to get back to our beautiful hotel, but missed the bus. Option 2: a "Taksi" Once inside the car the excitement began. The driver, haggled for the cost of the ride. He didn't have a meter installed. Just started yelling about the price, 20 deutsch marks for air conditioning! We looked around at each other, riding inside this Skoda, and scratched our heads. Um, sir, WHERE'S the air conditioning? The driver rolls down his window!!! I almost lost my lunch laughing. Next, he went higher in price, mentioning, MUSIC! MUSIC! He then turned on a Blaupunkt stereo rigged up with vibrant wires through the skeleton console. It was like, from the 80's!! We all laughed about it, but my German buds haggled with him all the way back to the hotel about the price. Nowhere on earth would a rolled down window classify as air conditioning. Only in Tunisia!

We flew with LTU.
Lots of guys hung around (preying on tourists) in black leather jackets. Tourists wore shorts and t-shirts. The weather was about 70 degrees in April.

We rode a little through the olive country in a animal caravan. This horse hated me!
Our hotel (all-inclusive) rocked! It was 100 ft from the rocky beach, much too cold to swim, but the view kept us smiling and sipping drinks.
Downtown Sousse. Women were not seen outside very often. Women looked as if they were running errands, they didn't stop to talk with anyone. Spices packed in sacks lay open in the alleys for purchase.

This is a bank statement from the hotel.
Instead of mopeds, bikes, or shopping carts, these ladies took care of shopping in a more physical way.
This is a touristy attempt to feed a camel pieces of cactus! CAMELS STINK!

They spit, too!!


I love this picture of a villager carrying a freshly chumped chicken. The hen dangled by its feet and she marched on with a mission to collect the remaining ingredients for dinner.

Overall Tunisia was one of my favorite places to visit. I sang in front of an audience for the first time, and got encored by a man and his wife in a wheelchair. She said it brought tears to her husbands eyes. Neat experience! For about 700 Deutsch Marks, roughly 450-550 bucks back in 2000, it was a great deal we had airfare, hotel, and all you can eat buffets. Germany is the place to be to travel anywhere in Europe. I learned a lot about North Africa and its people. If you get the chance to visit Africa, GO FOR IT. It'll change your life.

I ain't no Tyra Banks!


Mini drama: For a long time(before dirt existed) I suffered from cystic acne. Funny colored lumps paraded my face for um, I dunno, weeks. Months. Sometimes I gave them names! I wasn't allowed to wear make up to cover it up for fear of increasing severity. After trying everything, doctor's determined the root of my skin evil: genetics & hormones. Geniuses. That prognosis took 6+ years of medical school to solve and $120k in student loan debt. Wow!

Bare Minerals is my only saving grace. I can finally wear make up and enjoy it! Their products are talc-free to avoid the Morticia Adams look. Plus, their products are yeast-free (except for the Mineral veil) allowing the skin to be void of bacteria-causing agents. Last year, I was on the verge of a second dose of Accutane. MEGA-serious medication. But we tried over 6 different chemical peels & at least a half-dozen photo facials. At last, the cystic acne went into remission. *sigh* To keep it outta sight I've found that my skin tolerates Cetaphil lotions & cleansers. Although the minor scarring is a bummer for pictures, there's photoshop, right?

I LOVE BM's products and recommend it when you think about choosing what to use on your wedding day for MAKEUP! I also LOVE Red Earth (visit Ulta.com). They offer long-lasting mascara and eyebrow dust. Its tough matching my light blonde lashes & brows, red earth nailed it. Occasionally using too much I feel like one of the Marx bros.

http://www.bareminerals.com/

So what do my blog-readers want to see me more of!? Do you enjoy these random posts & occasional rants? What would you like to see more of? Weddings? Random photos? Real life stories? Scenic items? Architecture? After a few months of blogging, I'm not sure where to go, continue? Stop? Turn around? I'd love to hear everyone's feedback!!! What are your ideas!?!

happy feet!

FUNNY BUSINESS!

Family photos have really grown on me in the last couple of months. Initially, it was like eating a bowl of fiber-packed cereal. I avoided offers to do family pics at all cost!!! In fact, only after looking at my own family album last Christmas, did I realize how valuable these pictures are.

It occurred to me that photos don't have to be perfect i.e.: child looking into the camera, smiling, no visible drool and/or food particles. For photographers, this is a nightmare! We can't anticipate the shot or guarantee the outcome, especially with children. Photogs are not in control at these sessions and it goes against the grain of perfectionism that many of us are used to. I used to feel like a failure (hang it up Ape) after every single family session; dreading having to refund a customer. But after gushing emails about how much people loved their photos and never receiving a single complaint, it clicked: Family pictures don't need to go "by the book." The photography field is evolving rapidly with the turn of digital, and portraiture is no exception. Kid pics have turned into the next big thing! Beaches, couches, kitchens, grocery stores, you pick it, we've shot there! With a little food (as bribery) and LOTS of promises of treats, "go bye-bye's" and McD's family photos are always an event to remember! I love photographing familes in their own homes and watching the munchkins grow.

Enjoy!

Its that time again!!!

Matrimony madness!!!

If you know of someone on the hunt for wedding professionals for an 07' summer wedding, tell them to get busy! :-)

We were bombarded with calls on Tuesday and unfortunately many of the requested dates were already booked.

I'm not into the 'factory' mindset (quantity is NOT quanlity), we're also selective about dates and interview each prospective couple that we work with to ensure our visions of wedding photography match.

With only 8 Saturday's available for booking June-August we're really looking forward to continuing a trend to serve the west coast's most delightful couples. The summer is our busiest season, and by the end of January mid-February all the summer weekends are typically sold out. This goes for most venues and photographers in the area and many of you know photogs & venues are typically first on the list for bookings. If you need help finding wedding professionals, definately attend the wedding show this weekend at the Seattle Convention center! Don't miss out on your favorite wedding professionals and don't get discouraged. I have a few fantastic recommendations for super wedding coordinators, florists, bagpipers, bands, and venues (in case you haven't booked one yet, eek!) Let's get this show on the road! Any questions, feel free to call or email me for a list of preferred professionals! 360-970-4032 or april@aprilgreer.com

Wow, well over the holidays lots of action took place; karoake, engagements, eating, driving, picture-taking...one thing I LOVED about being with family was to enjoy my parents and their stories of how the family evolved. I listened to my parents talk about when I was a weird kid (no way), wanting to drive John Deere tractors and save the trees, wear overalls and sew patches on my clothing....hope to be a member of the Future Farmers of America and talk about the earth. Between purple, red, pink and green hair color (it changed on a monthly basis), I'm sure they didn't know how it (me) would all turn out. My mom said over Christmas, "April, you were our 'eclectic' child." I KNOW what they really meant, but its all good, they're my parents. When I opened a gift from SANTA, sure enough, it was a gift that tickled the belly of my eclectic side...UGGS! I've had my eye on UGG boots for the longest. Since UGGs first debuted, hairy shin-high boots were all I could think about for a while! The hairy ones, I found, got dirty (no good for Seattle-folks) and didn't exactly suit everyday usage. My papa floored me with a pair of delicious and gorgeous boots in the most perfect size. Thanks papa- I think of you while my toes are toasty warm! Too bad I can't wear them to bed.

Ta-Dah!!!!!! Oh my goodness!!!Its beauuutiful!!!!

News flash!