...and your one-arm-bandits crashin'

Whew what a rush.  4 days in Las Vegas at the WPPI convention and I managed to make it home alive and up $10!  The annual gathering of wedding and portrait photographers is a great place to talk shop, share ideas and just plain party.  It was awesome to meet up with old friends and make new ones.  Of course, it wasn't all wild parties, high stakes poker and go-go girls.  I did manage to do some "work" at the DQ Quikeys Booth with Dave and Quin Cheung.

Some pics from my trip!

We stayed on the 27th floor of the MGM Grand with a view of New York New York and enjoyed a splendid Japanese dinner at Shibuya right in the MGM Grand.  Beef sashimi and mushrooms laced in truffle oil.  Absolutely devine!

This was taken while goofin' off at Becker's party.  His parties are always a hit during WPPI.

Later at the Rouge, I ran into the crew from Colorati who were buying the drinks! By the end of the evening, their calling cards could be found all over the casino.

WPPI would not be complete without the much anticipated Bludomain party - featuring the Mammoth Men

On the very last day, we treated ourselves to a ride on the rollercoaster at New York New York.  This is also where I got busted for pulling out my camera!

Among the many, here are just a few of the friends and fellow photographers I ran into while in vegas: Dane Sanders, Britney Gardner and Joe Rumore, Ken and Stan and the crew from Renaissance Albums, Leon Sandoval from Colorati, of course Dave and Quin, Harold Jankowiak, Matt Sloan, Jasmine Star, The Becker, Joe Photo and Spiderman,  and Mel Barlow.  Oh, and guess who I bumped into at the Washington airport! My good friend, Barack Obama.

To all the folks I bumped into at WPPI - thanks for a fantastic time, for inspiring and for the cool friendships and connections.  I'm already looking forward to next year's show!

Big hugs all around, Sam.

Just some exciting news we wanted to share! We have been chosen and published in Weddingbells, featuring Alania and Brett's backyard "Garden State" wedding. You can read up on Alania and Brett's full wedding story online as well. Here's a glimpse of the Real Weddings feature, along with an editorial feature on our work and our ad (top left and right photos):

The magazine is now available in stores, so go pick up a copy today!
Thanks for all our brides and blog readers for your continued support and for cheering us on :)

We've been so blessed this past year, and it would be wrong for us to not thank all of our wonderful clients for inviting us into their lives and allowing us to capture their relationships, their wedding, their children, and families. We could not be where we are, as people and as artists, without your trust and friendship. It is truly our joy to do what we do and to connect with each couple we meet, each person that is touched by our work, and mutually finding meaning through each photo we take. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

2008 was a wonderful year for us and we received this email just before the new year from the father of the bride whose backyard wedding we just shot earlier in the year. The year could not have ended on a better note as these sweet words:

"Dear Sam & Mary,

I must say that Xmas morning at our home was a joyous event. We presented Brett & Alania with their wedding albums, and their engagement album, and Peggy and I opened our album. It was a first time viewing for all of us, a real white glove event.

We were all totally impressed with the quality of presentation and the professional product you put together! These will be lasting treasures to remember the events of that great day.

On behalf of all of us, I truly thank you both for all your love and devotion in creating these lasting memories.

Happy New Year, and cheers,
Sincerely, Don MacKay"

Thank you, Don, for taking the time to write us and for your heartfelt words!

Don and Peggy also had us shoot their own lifestyle session (a gift from their daughter) in the fall which we'd love to post more of. This photo, as well as the one above, was taken at their residence where their daughter got married!

I just love the calm and confident feel of this image, and how much fun they have together!

It's always good to begin the new year with a fresh blanket of snow. We've been enjoying the outdoors -soaking in the beautiful white earth, skating in our neighbour's ice rink and spending time digging snow paths in our backyard allowing our girls to play, letting their imaginations run wild. It is winter here, and all is as it should be.

I love the new year as it invites us to enter with abandon and gives us a second chance to be and do things differently. And we can all do with a bit more of that!

So, here's to more blogging, more time spent enjoying the people we love and the things we love doing,... and pursuing happiness.

And to end off this post, here a sneak peak from a destination wedding we just finished up of Deanna and John's wedding in Cancun, Mexico. More to come!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Hope you and your families have had a wonderful time celebrating this season and are enjoying the post boxing day afterglow cuddling by the fire reading our blog. :)

I've been making this tea for clients and guests (and Mary) for the past couple years and I've had tons of people asking for the recipe - so, here it is.  Guys, this could be your ticket out of the doghouse someday so pay attention!

Sam's Secret Chai Tea Recipe:

I use a blend of 2 Chai mixes.  Both easily obtained from the "President" himself.  The first one is Memories of India Masala Chai Loose Leaf Tea.  It has a strong and spicy flavour and if used by itself can be overpowering.  To lessen the blow, I mix it with regular President's Choice Chai Tea bags - this tea has more black tea flavour and less spice.  Together, they are divine.

Using a 4 cup tea pot (I use a Bodum because it strains the tea as well), add 1 tablespoon the Masala Chai and 2 bags of the regular PC Chai.

Add 4 cups of boiling water and let steep for about 15 minutes or longer for a stronger flavour.

Now for the magic: add 2 MASSIVE heaping tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk.  I use Rooster Brand because it's sweeter, but any will do.

Stir, plunge and serve.

And there you have it.  A deliciously extraordinary drink to help pass those cold winter evenings with.

If any of you have your own recipes or variations, please share by adding a comment below!

Enjoy!

Lots of Love,
Sam (& Mary)