A few weeks ago I had the spunk in me to ask two of my favorite creative friends to collaborate on a project....it came as a random idea of something fun to do in the dead of winter and turned into something so much more that I had ever expected. Bethany from b*spoke, whom I have known since college and traveled across the oceans with, along with Dena, another friend from college and all around crafty girl who is an unbelievable graphic designer, both decided to help me on this wild endeavor that I had casually suggested via e-mail one afternoon. Little did I know that the combination of our three creative brains would be so much fun and rewarding! :)
We got together one afternoon to brainstorm, think and try and see if this was even possible to pull off in the matter of 2 weeks! And man did our brains start to spin. Beth posted some behind-the-scenes photos and thoughts on her blog today of where, why and how to this little Valentine weekend of fun came together!
This styled shoot, much to our surprise, got posted on Style Me Pretty earlier this week with raves coming from many many people. It was overwhelming. And awesome. Getting encouragement from people you don't know, people you have just met and having the feeling that you are doing something worth while in your life is so rewarding. I am not trying to argue that styling a shoot is my life's goal, but rather living with creativity, laughing with friends and doing what I love is becoming more evident to me as time passes.
I have to say a GINORMOUS shout out to the amazing vendors that helped us, loaned us items and gave us some trust to come along side us:
Event Design: Bethany Hway
Photography: Emily Steffen Photography
Styled by: Bethany Hway, Dena Swenson and Emily Steffen
Paper Elements: Dena Swenson
Floral: Ginger Floral Design
Bouquets: Jillians Etsy Store
Bridal Attire and amazing fur shawl: Che Bella
Grooms attire: second hand/vintage
Hair and Makeup: Lindsay Schlotte
We got together one afternoon to brainstorm, think and try and see if this was even possible to pull off in the matter of 2 weeks! And man did our brains start to spin. Beth posted some behind-the-scenes photos and thoughts on her blog today of where, why and how to this little Valentine weekend of fun came together!
This styled shoot, much to our surprise, got posted on Style Me Pretty earlier this week with raves coming from many many people. It was overwhelming. And awesome. Getting encouragement from people you don't know, people you have just met and having the feeling that you are doing something worth while in your life is so rewarding. I am not trying to argue that styling a shoot is my life's goal, but rather living with creativity, laughing with friends and doing what I love is becoming more evident to me as time passes.
I have to say a GINORMOUS shout out to the amazing vendors that helped us, loaned us items and gave us some trust to come along side us:
Event Design: Bethany Hway
Photography: Emily Steffen Photography
Styled by: Bethany Hway, Dena Swenson and Emily Steffen
Paper Elements: Dena Swenson
Floral: Ginger Floral Design
Bouquets: Jillians Etsy Store
Bridal Attire and amazing fur shawl: Che Bella
Grooms attire: second hand/vintage
Hair and Makeup: Lindsay Schlotte
8 comments so far
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Vintage Valentine
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...AND I about peed my pants when I found out the our Vintage Valentine styled shoot got featured this afternoon on the amazing blog, Style Me Pretty! :) The ever-so-awesome Dena Swenson and Bethany Hway of b*spoke and I put our heads together a few weeks ago to do something "fun" this dead winter season....and THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED! I guess when you dream big and have fun in the process amazing things can happen!
I wish share more later this week but for now, check out the blog post and leave a little love for Abby at Style Me Pretty!!!
I wish share more later this week but for now, check out the blog post and leave a little love for Abby at Style Me Pretty!!!
4 comments so far
Dawn Marquart says:
Emily, saw your awesome photography on StyleMePretty! I never knew Mom's and Grandma's dishes could look so beautiful. The memories that they brought back were wonderful. I so love how you see ordinary things through your artists eyes and make them a thing of beauty to treasure. Blessings. Dawn Marie
(02.22.10 @ 3:59PM)
Melissa Bart says:
You and your entourage are spectacular! I checked out all the links you provided above. You all should be very proud. I am forever in love with your style.
Congratulations on the recognition. You deserve it!
(02.23.10 @ 9:56AM)
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Im doing the happy dance....
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I had ideas of traveling a day early and staying a day late while on my mini-vacay to Orange County Cali in January for that amazing Sylelab workshop. I envisioned walking along the beach, reading books while the sun beat down on my face, sipping cold Lemonade and taking in some much needed Vitamin D from those rays! Doesn't that sound perfect? And it sounded even more perfect after the blizzard-mania that we had just before Christmas.....
WELLLLLL...if any of you watched the news in January you heard stories upon stories of the massive amount of abnormal rain and winds that southern California was getting. Mudslides, hurricane-type-winds, street flooding, umbrella-whipping-through-the-sky kind of weather... And, of course, this was at the brink of my trip. Awesome! Needless to say I still had an amazing Emily-only vacay with many glasses of wine and much relaxing at the ever-so-wonderful La Casa Del Camino hotel in Laguna Beach ! :)
Although, the first day I got there I was able to see the sun peaking through the clouds for about 30 minutes just as the sun was setting so I immediately strapped on my camera and took a walk along Laguna beach and explored the amazing artist community!
SO. GLAD. I. DID!
7 comments so far
sara montour says:
love these images so much! the energy of the beach will steal my heart every . single . time!
(02.18.10 @ 12:04PM)
Jen Schultz says:
Wow... it's like taking a mini vacation just looking at these. I bet this was an awesome trip!
(02.18.10 @ 3:07PM)
Brittany Wiitala says:
Love your pictures!
(02.19.10 @ 6:50AM)
Shay says:
Looking at the world through your eyes is always so fun. Thanks for these photos, Em. Love you!
(02.19.10 @ 8:48PM)
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I love meeting new friends. Especially friends that can challenge me and who really want to understand how I see the world. Friends that can be remarkable with me.....and that is sooooo sooo how Eliesa is (Ms. Photogen Inc to many of you!) :) She came over last week and she shared. To to say that I had the time of my life would be an understatement. We shared coffee, fears, inspiration, stories, ideas and even some Brie for lunch. We talked about the photography industry, crafting (all because of my obsession of course), social media, and blogs. And we tried to wrap our minds around what makes our life complete....it was rad. Simply rad.
Eliesa gave me the kick-in-the-pants I so desperately needed to launch myself into this 2010 year. We made goals, not just clean-the-house and walk-the-dog-tomorrow goals but LOFTY ones....big ones (in my eyes). I was able to dream about my large house on a farm someday with many pugs and an abundance of gardens....we talked about what makes me happy and who I am at the core of Emily. Gol, It was awesome!
I really, whole-heartedly believe that photography is just a piece of how I see the world...a piece among knitting, sewing, crafting, attempting to cook, gardening, and loving! I LOVE that I am able to make my living at a job that I am head-over-heals about and I also LOVE that being an artist is something that I am able to do every day.......
It wasn't surprising that I saw MY FAVORITE quote from Henry Moore in Eliesa's little book....
If you are ever in need of a good conversation, Eliesa is your girl! Her business is thriving and she is inspirational to her core! Thank you E for everything you shared.....myself and my business are better because of our time together! :) Honestly.
If you are ever in need of a good conversation, Eliesa is your girl! Her business is thriving and she is inspirational to her core! Thank you E for everything you shared.....myself and my business are better because of our time together! :) Honestly.
3 comments so far
Anda says:
MIDWEST IS BEST! LOL.
And we want the same kind of house -- on a farm with gardens. Oh man.
Sounds like you had an amazing time with Eliesa. Awesome.
amber Strickler says:
i love these! you have far too much talent! it's sick, really.
(02.16.10 @ 6:04PM)
Devin Joesting says:
There is so much I love about this post! I love that artist quote, I totally am using it for something. LOVE that photo button at the end, and LOVE all the photos, duh! And I love you of course!
(02.18.10 @ 12:24PM)
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My LOVEe!
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Alright friends, I realize I have been MIA from the blogging front for awhile and I promise I have a reason for that! :) Not only was I in Chicago for a week (more to come on that later), but I ventured off to the wonderland of Southern California to meet up with some of the most stylish, rad and down-right nicest peeps in the wedding industry. Chenin Boutwell along side with the Wedding Chicks hosted, what I wholeheartedly believe, to be the best workshop on the planet. Not only were they laying all the cards on the table to answer our deepest, darkest questions, but they brought encouragement, education and tons of clarity to me! :) And for that I am sooo soo thankful! Be prepared to see some great changes from me in 2010....changes that will rock! Guaranteed! :) If any of you had been watching the news last week you have heard the sheer mess of rain that So Cal was getting......and despite my best efforts to chant to the sun gods for their golden rays to come out...it wasn't happening. It was friggin' El Nino producing tornado like winds and dumping monsoon amounts of rain on the poor state. None-the-less we rocked out a shoot with a bride and groom as soon as the clouds parted and also "OOooo'ed and awwweee'd" over the awesome reception set up that Angel Swanson poured over!
The details were *off the charts* for the reception set up! I LOOVEED this....
Chenin, Amy, Jocey, Doug and anyone and everyone else that had a hand in this rockstar experience I give you a giant HIGH FIVE and a virtual hug! So Cal is my new friend! :)
And another high five award goes out to these awesome vendors! :)
Styled by: Angel Swanson
Stationary: Wiley Valentine
Floral Design: The Treasured Petal
(the amazing) Dress Designer: Joan Shum
Makeup and hair: All Made Up Team
Desserts (mmmm): Vanilla Bakeshop
And another high five award goes out to these awesome vendors! :)
Styled by: Angel Swanson
Stationary: Wiley Valentine
Floral Design: The Treasured Petal
(the amazing) Dress Designer: Joan Shum
Makeup and hair: All Made Up Team
Desserts (mmmm): Vanilla Bakeshop
10 comments so far
kristine atienza says:
That was so much fun!! lol! I'm about to blog my too!! Gladys and I should def. come visit you and Anda in *wisco* just so we can eat again! oh and of course play with photography!! it was soooo great meeting you!!
(01.26.10 @ 12:25PM)
gladys jem says:
today is the day to blog the workshop eh? because i'm working on mine too. but emilyyyyyy i love these! you are so awesome! so glad we had the chance to meet and eat together. lol. you sure are a talent. keep up the great work! we'll visit soon ;)
(01.26.10 @ 12:35PM)
Jennifer Ballard says:
Wowzers! Emily, so wicked rad! You did such an amazing job!
(01.26.10 @ 1:14PM)
Amanda Rae says:
Thank you for making Mike and I look absolutely fabulous!!! It was so nice meeting you!
(01.27.10 @ 10:56AM)
Amber Strickler says:
oh em! i heart them oh so much!!!!! your details shots are BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! ***swoon***
(01.27.10 @ 11:18AM)
maren says:
These are breathtaking! So AWESOME!
(02. 4.10 @ 12:41PM)
Laura Biebl says:
These are awesome. I LOVE all the locations and the colors are fabulous!
(02.15.10 @ 9:20PM)
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Stylelab!!!
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I know....I know....many of you will gag and become just repulsed that I am "THAT GIRL" that dresses her dog up only to hysterically laugh at him. Well, I admit it...I am THAT GIRL that does that! :) And I dare you not to laugh at Edward the pug's holiday hat.......
He loves to wear it out in the snow (well....that is a complete lie and you can tell by his facial expression that he is never to happy with me when I put it on!) I wish that I could claim that I knitted this beauty all by myself but the reality is I fell in love with it when I saw it on Etsy. I had to have it for pug. :)
He loves to wear it out in the snow (well....that is a complete lie and you can tell by his facial expression that he is never to happy with me when I put it on!) I wish that I could claim that I knitted this beauty all by myself but the reality is I fell in love with it when I saw it on Etsy. I had to have it for pug. :)
Happy Holiday Pug...I hope you love your wonderfully knitted hat........ :)
6 comments so far
Ang says:
EMILY- love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That brought me a HUGE smile, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cindy says:
You're awesome Emily and pug told me he likes it, too! Happy New Year!
(12.28.09 @ 5:55PM)
Maren says:
that is AWESOME! he's so cute.
(12.29.09 @ 8:18AM)
Avery says:
I just about died when I saw Eward in that hat. Oh my. He makes me really want a Pug. Prec to the max.
(12.31.09 @ 12:37PM)
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Pugs holiday hat.
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BEAUTIFUL!!! WOW!
(02.24.10 @ 6:17PM)I know I already commented on these pictures elsewhere, but seriously, iI want this wedding to be real so I can go to it!!!!!
(02.24.10 @ 6:47PM)So amazing Emily! Wowzers!
(02.24.10 @ 6:56PM)Emily, this turned out amazing! Everyone that pitched in did an awesome job!!! love the details! Nice job in only 2 weeks!!! :)
(02.25.10 @ 7:56AM)Wow, Emily!!! These are SO SO awesome! Love everything about them. The wide shot of the four of them in front of the barn is killer.
(02.25.10 @ 9:43PM)Unbelievable - you're amazing!
(02.26.10 @ 6:07PM)amazing!!!! beautiful work!!!!
(03. 1.10 @ 11:36AM)seriously, amazing. call me next time and i will help too!
(03. 2.10 @ 10:49AM)