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A few weeks ago… okay… two months ago – WHAT? I’ve been busy, okay! Anyway… a while back my most beloved friend Bethany and I ventured out into the great wide spaces of the bike trail along Garden Highway to do a photo shoot for her upcoming EP (LP? PP? I’m confused!) release. Bethany is an amazingly talented singer and I should know! I have been blessed to be on the listening end of things more than once.

Bethany and I met in 1997 in Orem, Utah. She and I worked at a call center where we answered member service questions for Medicare patients of a large HMO of which I am currently a member. We sat across the aisle from each other and basically, this woman was my sanity while I worked there. One thing that we both loved was music. And while I’ve always loved to sing… loudly… I’ve never been especially good at it. Bethany on the other hand is positively gifted! She has an amazing voice that is so beautifully amazing. We spent a lot of time singing across the aisle to each other and we spent a lot more time being shhhh’d by our co-workers. No matter, we still sang and I still loved her.

When I moved back to California Bethany and I lost touch. Then in 2004 she and I had a chance meeting. Life had brought Bethany to Sacramento of all places, and we found each other again. Our friendship picked right up where it left off and I am so glad it did! She is a huge blessing in my life, and I am so happy to call her my friend. She did my the great honor of singing at my wedding, and it is something I will never forget. I still am brought to tears whenever I hear the song she sang for me and Dustin.

So do yourself a huge favor and listen to beautiful Bethany’s soulful voice on her iLike page. You can check her out HERE – you’ll be glad you did.

I’ll keep you all up to date on the release of her music so you can have your own singing friend whenever you need it.

Tags: album cover, Bethany Simmons, My Life, personal, professional, Sarah Maren Photography

I can’t even begin to express what a pleasure photographing Rachel and Bryan’s big day was. It was seriously a dream come true for me. Rachel contacted me in October from her home in Dallas, Texas and asked if I would photograph she and Brian’s elopement at the Heritage House in Mendocino, CA on November 13th. Of course I jumped at the chance! It was just these two beautiful people getting married on a cliff side – no reception to hurry off to, no tons of static group shots, basically almost no stress! I couldn’t say yes fast enough, and I’m so glad I did!

We started off at Mendocino Beauty where I met the stunning Rachel for the first time and had the pleasure of watching Amy Wall and Jocelyn DeChenne do their thing! Amy did such an amazing job with Rachel’s makeup and Jocelyn did the most perfect hair ever. I can’t wait to go back and work with these gals again! We had such a great time. Rachel was just breathtaking!

And then it was back to the Heritage House where Rachel laid out the beautiful details of her day and got dressed. She attached a locket to her bouquet that had a picture of she and Bryan’s parents in it and a beautiful rhinestone studded silver cross. Her flowers were stunning, and her dress was just perfect for her. And then it was time for the I do’s!

Even though it was just the two of them Rachel and Bryan didn’t see each other before the ceremony on their wedding day (which was pretty funny when we passed each other in a car earlier in the day – driving grooms probably shouldn’t duck into passenger seats while the car is still moving… I’m just saying) so when Rachel emerged from between the trees it was absolutely electric! Even more amazing is the day had been overcast and cloudy up to that point, and as Rachel walked toward Bryan the clouds parted and the sun shone on them for their whole ceremony. It was amazing! And they had such a great first kiss! They actually kissed each other three times they were so happy. I loved it!

After the ceremony we made good use of what light we had left and took some pictures around the gorgeous grounds at Heritage House. It was so fun to hang out and have a great time taking pictures with these two. It didn’t hurt that they are amazingly photogenic!

Because it got pretty cloudy and foggy right after the ceremony we headed down to the beach the next morning and got some beautiful shots of Rachel and Bryan. It was a stunning day with blue sky’s and bright sun. Taking pictures of these two was such a blast! I can’t tell you how happy I am they called me.

Check out the slideshow for more of images from their beautiful wedding day (and the day after!) Thanks to Rachel and Bryan for the opportunity to be a part of your big day! You are the greatest!

Click the image below to start the slideshow

Tags: California, elopement, Heritage House Inn, Mendocino, professional, Rachel and Brian, Sarah Maren Photography, slideshow, wedding

Hello my lovely clients, readers and Blog Stalkers (*cough Whitney cough*),

I wanted to let you all in on some changes that are happening with our pricing here at Sarah Maren Photography. As some of you may have noticed on November 1 we went live with our new wedding pricing structure. You can check it out HERE.

I am really, really excited about this because I feel like I finally have some seriously awesome packaging that give my brides and grooms not only great pictures, but albums and proof books and other great ways to display their images. I love my own wedding album, and want all my couples to have one for themselves. So now almost every package includes an album! How exciting is that???

I’ve also adjusted my ala carte and print prices which you can check out HERE.

These new print prices will be going live on January 1st for galleries that have been up for 30 days or longer and for all wedding and portrait sessions booked after December 1st, 2007. If your gallery is not up yet, you will have 30 days at the grandfathered prices, and then the new prices will be applied. I have also discontinued the “pick up” option from print sales and now ship all prints ordered via the on-line galleries. Really, it’s just easier for everyone because I am ALWAYS going to be going to the post office… ALWAYS!

I am also changing up my portrait pricing, but those aren’t locked in stone just yet. I promise to let you know as soon as those are ready to go.

Thanks to all my amazing clients for being so great to me, and so awesome to work with. You all make my job so much fun and I love you all dearly!

And because no post is complete without a photo – check out my baby girl as she cleans the window for me. Train ‘em young… that’s what I always say.

And just for the sake of her adorable cuteness – here she is curled up in the recliner with her favorite blankie and binkie reading a very deep book. She is so young, yet so wise.

I will have slideshows up later this week from an amazing wedding in Mendocino and some super fun eSessions! See ya soon!

Tags: Around the Office, Lauren, My Life, pricing, Sarah Maren Photography

Sorry I haven’t been around much the last couple days, but I’ve been spending some much needed time with my family. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving all together, and then my sister and I braved Black Friday at 3am and I’m pleased to report all of my holiday shopping is now complete! I’m so excited about that.

I will be in and out today and tomorrow, but back to our regularly scheduled photo caving on Monday morning. In the mean time check it out! My friend Heather has one on her blog, and I couldn’t resist making one. It’s ME!

Tags: Around the Office, My Life, personal