How many of you like to sit down at the end of a year and try to reflect on some resolutions for the next year to come? I know I like to at least change a few things I do and try to make life a bit more organized than in the previous year. It’s almost like spring cleaning in my desk area and in my digital filing system. As I have been storing digital files of weddings, family & senior sessions, and even personal photos I meant to blog about; I realized that MANY sessions ended up in the I’ll-blog-about-them-tomorrow pile, and that that pile became ever so high! The main reason I justify this lack of blogging is probably best illustrated by this Mercedes Benz ad, perfectly illustrated by Gil Aviyam and Lena Guberman

Lets’ just erase most items on the left side (especially anything that has to do with writing) and that might as well be my brain! But since I know that many love to see updated blogs (myself ironically included), I decided that one of my resolutions of 2012 is to keep my blog updated. I may need your help by commenting on some of my posts and ask me questions like “where did she get that dress?” or “I need one of those dreadlock hats!”. Or you can just flat out tell me that should have had my husband edit my Puerto-Rican spiced blog post so everyone can read what I am saying without all the extra fluff!

Anyway, in honor of my new year resolution, I will not consider myself as seriously keeping my blog if I still have that mile high pile of unwritten blog posts, so I am going to sum up some of our 2011 experiences here on the eve of my resolution. They are not in any specific order but I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed capturing them!

On a personal note, another New Year resolution I made is to eat at least 3 salads a week… and I’m not counting green Jell-O!!! What are some new year resolutions you made?

As we arrived to SpringHills Suites to photograph Crystal and Robbie’s getting ready images, I instantly fell in love with two things her golden-yellow shoes and the matching orchid in her hair! I loved how it complimented her bright smiling countenance. She was about to get married!

Her mom made her a small pouch that held a Silver dollar that her grand dad gave her and a penny her mom had on the day she had gotten married to Crystal’s dad. I love it!

To Crystal and Robbie: You guys are such a beautiful couple inside and out! I am glad to have been part of your wedding and am glad to have met the two of you! And all the laughs we were able to share including Robbie’s rock juggling! Random, I know … Hugs!

I love when people ask for photography sessions, “just because.” There are so many occasions that almost demand that photos be taken in order to preserve the moment: graduations, weddings, babies’ first steps, etc. But last week I had a wonderfully refreshing session with a young couple that wanted to take pictures “just because.” There was no major event, no real reason behind the session. They just wanted some pictures taken of themselves walking around KU campus. How romantic! I love when my habib (pet-name for my husband) brings flowers or treats “just because.”

What has been the most thoughtful “just because” moment/gift your sweetheart has given you? Love to hear those!

So, you want to have a royal wedding, but your name isn’t Kate Middleton. Not a problem, if you’re willing have your ceremony in the classiest city in Kansas–Lawrence (disclosure: I may be a little biased, since I live in Lawrence). The Castle Tea Room, an actual castle, serves as a venue for intimate weddings and receptions, and I had the pleasure of covering a wedding there a few weeks ago. The ceremony had an ancient Scottish theme, and was very moving. I was only sorry there were no kilts. Enjoy!

Thank you to all that entered our drawing for the Wedding Day with Mojica Photography contest! Well, without further adieu with 988 votes, the grand prize winners are Erin & Doug! They get their photography coverage for free for their wedding day on July 23, 2011!

Our two runner-up couples Ron & Lauren and Lynsie & Seth will receive a Free engagement session and a discount on other wedding-related purchases from Mojica Photography.

Now, since Ron and Lauren (and so many friends) never stopped recruiting votes for their picture, (they got 924 votes) we decided to add two hours of free photography for their wedding day.

Three couples won the 20% discount from their total wedding package. These couples are Lisa & Chris, Heather & Jason, and Stephanie & Jimmy. They may choose one of our set packages or customize their own package HERE!

All other participating couples will receive 10% off any package of their choice.

ALL COUPLES must email me by October 31st to redeem their prize otherwise they are forfeiting their prize to the couple with the next highest amount of votes.

VOTERS:
To ALL of Erin and Doug’s voters: You will all receive a one time 20% discount on any of our services/products. Please contact us and let us know if you want to use that on a family session, prints of Erin & Doug’s wedding or for your own wedding!

To all of Lauren & Ron’s voters: I would love to give you a special offer since you have all been campaigning for them to the very end!
For every service/purchase you make with Mojica Photography until December 15th, 2011, 10% of the proceeds will go to the charity of Lauren and Ron’s choosing (charity to be announced later on).

Wow! This has been a close one. The two highest couples have been neck to neck from the moment the both entered. They have recruited friends and friends of friends to help them gain votes for them for their weddings next year. It has been fun watching the enthusiasm and optimism each from each couple. In a little less than two hours the winners will be announced and will soon have an extra relief for their wedding photography. The cool thing is that every couple will have a discount one way or another! I also want to thank all the voters for being part of this wonderful contest and for supporting their friends.

You guys are great!

Recently, I had the privilege to attend yet another one of Ron Ruth’s presentations. This time it was a presentation directed to brides and grooms, sharing how to plan a magical, memorable, and most importantly, FUN wedding! The following are just a few tips I learned from Ron, who happens to be a highly sought after Wedding Entertainment Director in the Midwest.

He started off with an extreme case of a bride and groom’s first dance, which no one (including the newlywed couple) seemed to be paying attention to the moment. How do brides and grooms entertain guests on their wedding day and keep the evening FUN? Well, they will need the help of a skilled entertainer like Ron to keep things going. And if he’s not available, communication with your entertainer and planning ahead go a long way. But, by all means, BE CREATIVE!

Ron invited us to think outside the traditional and explored several customized celebrations from previous weddings he has worked. At first, he named a few typical formalities that appear simple but often get overlooked. . . like creating a mood. Just like in movies, the opening music sets an emotional tone. Make sure your background music matches your wedding theme. Doing so also project your personalities as a couple. Have the wedding party reinforce the tone of FUN by having them dance into the reception area as they are being introduced. Maybe share small details about each member of the wedding party so that the guests may learn why you love them so much and call them friends!

Visual details like where you place the wedding cake can help guests feel welcome to go up and see it. Have the wedding cake as a focal point. By doing so, your guests won’t be able to resist the opportunity to take a closer look and admire the beautiful artwork you’ve chosen to decorate the evening. Don’t hide it in a corner. Ron suggested to place it in the center of the dance floor so everyone can see it and pay attention when the time comes for the cake cutting.

Then there are certain moments that he mentioned that you can create to entertain guests that are emotion grabbers! One is called “A Kiss for a Kiss.” Give the DJ names of invited couples at your reception. Have him or her announce that, when guests randomly tink their glasses throughout the evening, throughout the evening, the DJ will call on one of the listed couples to demonstrate HOW they want the newlyweds to kiss. There’s no doubt that your guests will get very creative with their “kissing style” and make it SUPER fun for you to imitate!

Also ask about the newlywed game! It is FUN to watch and keeps guests wondering what’s coming next!

Everyone likes to eat at weddings so save some time by having your caterer serve you (bride and groom) your meals. And, make it entertaining! Name tables after fun songs and invite the guests to dance their way to the buffet when that song is played. Or, invite your guests to sing you a song of love for the right to be one of the first in line.

Now, these ideas are just a small portion of what Ron shared with us. Hopefully, they will get your creativity flowing a bit. If you have other fun ideas, for your wedding or from what you’ve seen at others, please feel free to comment about them down below!

With Ron’s permission, here is a video that shows how adding a bit of spice to a traditional daddy-daughter dance can make. The recorded words you hear in this video were actually played while they were dancing.

What does your wedding have in common with Disney World? Let’s say it in one word: “Happiness”. Dynamic wedding entertaining director, Ron Ruth, recently delivered an excellent presentation which not only described why Disney World is the “Happiest Place on Earth” but he also juxtaposed that thought to our couples’ weddings and how we as vendors can work together to help make their wedding day a truly happy day for everyone, but most importantly for the bride and groom.

Brides, grooms, and planners will now have their chance to sink their teeth into a wonderful feast! They will get the opportunity to meet Ron Ruth who will be holding a free workshop in Overland Park on July 27th called The MAGIC Behind An Extraordinary Wedding Celebration. After his presentation to us vendors, I did not even hesitate to invite all my brides on facebook to this workshop. He’s going to be highlighting some of the insiders’ secrets to planning a personalized wedding. Knowing Ron, I can testify it is going to be so much fun you will be asking for more at the end.

I will be there as well, and will give all attendees a free digital portrait after the workshop. Even if you think you’ve already planned everything for your wedding, it will be worth your while, plus you’ll get a free professional portrait for your FB profile.

Here are the details on the workshop:

Please Attend As Our Guest:
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 from 6:00pm-8:00pm
At the Overland Park Marriott on I-435 & Metcalf in the Grand Pavilion
Admission: FREE

Ron will share his helpful tips, creative ideas and insider’s secrets of using…
•Detailed Planning
•Personal Touches
•Emotional Surprises
•Your Unlimited Imagination
to design and create an extraordinarily fun wedding celebration that you family and friends will rave about for years to come.

Oh, and did I mention that attendance is free? Now don’t get fooled by the lack of admission fees, this workshop is so well worth your time.

To RSVP to this event, please visit the facebook event page and contact Christina Cook, Catering Sales Executive, at 913.338.8626 or Christina.Cook@marriott.com. (Maximum of 4 guests please).

Enjoy!

When I was pregnant with my son, I felt like I was the most beautiful woman in the world. I really can’t identify with the sentiment that the extra weight and bloating makes you feel unattractive. For me it was an enhancement, not a hindrance, to my self-image. The last maternity session I shot really took me back to that time.

The mother was positively radiant. I met her and her husband when I took their wedding pictures last year. I loved taking their pictures then, and loved taking their pictures now. They are such a fun, down-to-earth and beautiful couple! And now, they have their little one in their arms, the now have the added glow I notice on new parents. Who, in spite of the reduced hours of sleep, just beam of excitement to have their family grow with love.

Couldn’t get enough of the cuteness? Watch their video. Now the lyrics may not match this couple much ut the rhythm of the music was just perfect.

“Finally got it right” hopefully all grooms (and brides) think this way as they make the choice to get married. This song by Fooling April fit in perfectly with Sarah and Austin’s engagement shoot.
Enjoy!