"It's just another manic monday..."
Chargers, my San Diego Chargers... you guys broke my heart yesterday. I forgive you though, as I always do. *sniff*
You guys had a rip roaring season and for that I tip my hat. However, I must ask you... Have you any idea what it's like being a Chargers fan in Jets country? Or even worse, a Padres fan in Yankees country? It's not fun... not fun at all. Regardless, I'm a true fan of my San Diego Chargers, always have been, always will be... I'm go gonna go sulk now and eat that entire pack of Kings Hawaiian Sweet Bread that I found at our local grocery store...
Wait. Hawaiian Bread in CT??? Oh yes, my friends. In strolling through the hot food isle at our local Shaws I stumbled onto a familiar brown and orange bag hiding underneath the register. Upon closer inspection I quickly discovered that it was food that I grew up with as a child in Hawaii. Hawaiian Sweet Bread. I immediately picked up a few 4 packs for 99 cents a piece -they obviously have no idea how good these things are. I'll be adding this to my weekly grocery list from now on. Maybe I can serve it to our clients when the come to visit us in our new home studio?
Our own home studio. Finally. OK, maybe not "finally" just yet. It's still a work in progress, but I've been longing for a place to meet clients since we first conceived the idea of J. Castro Photography. Our formal living room is in the process of being furnished and decorated by me and Audrey. As it sits right now, all that's in the room is a really cool shag rug and accent chair from crate and barrel, and a round glass coffee table from Lillian August. We're still waiting on the custom sofa and remaining accent chair to arrive. Once the room is furnished we'll begin selecting photos for a cluster of canvases to hang on the wall. It's going to be sweet! I'll post some pictures up soon. We're super excited about the whole thing, but to be honest, this is just the beginning of some big sweeping changes happening with us.
This week marks the beginning of our rebranding project. We will be revamping our website, blog, marketing materials, business cards, mailers, EVERYTHING! It's gonna be a blast, I'm like a kid on christmas eve, so excited about what's to come. We've also moved all our administrative functions online. Our clients can now view, sign and print their contracts online, view payments, see the progress of various milestones in their photo processing (album designs, product delivery).
Have a great week everyone!
-Jaymie
Monday, January 18, 2010
Miscellaneous Monday
Monday, November 2, 2009
Addison, Halloween, and our new home
Dear Addi
This past week has been a bunch of firsts for you. From moving into your new house with your own bedroom to your first halloween that you were able to go trick or treating like the big kids do to eating your first bowl of cereal all by yourself. =)
We finally moved into our new house last Thursday, you were so thrilled about having your own room that you spent nearly the entire day there while we moved all the furniture in. It's so thrilling to Mommy and I to see how proud you are that you now have a room to call your own. You even brought every visitor we had upstairs to show them what a neat little space you have.
We celebrated halloween with your Uncle Ben, Lala and Ang Kong (Grandpa). We took you trick or treating for the very first time. You did so well up until that big dog scared the living daylights out of you. It was so fun to watch you take inventory of all your candy after we got back.
Here are your latest milestone achievements:
You can count to 20 in english, 10 in spanish, 5 in japanese and chinese. Ilocano and tagalog needs some work but with what you know already I don't think it matters at the moment.
You know how to say please, thank you and your welcome. It's really cute when you really really want something that you reply with "thank you, your welcome!" from all your excitement.
We love you Addison!
-Daddy and Mommy
Here are some photos of you from the past month:
The Friday before Halloween we went to your daycare for a Halloween parade.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Miscellaneous Monday
"Whoa..." -Keanu Reeves in every movie he's ever done.
It sure has been a while since my last Miscellaneous Monday entry. Talk about dropping the ball...
Starting yesterday until Tuesday will be me Addi's first time alone without Mommy since she was born. Audrey left yesterday afternoon to Atlanta for a business trip which leaves me with our almost 2 year old terror. I'm absolutely terrified! LOL! No seriously, as a family we have never been apart for more than 24 hours and I'm a bit nervous about the whole deal, actually Audrey and I were away in Vegas for a few days this year but with Addi being watched by here Nana (my mom), she didn't even bat an eye. Thank goodness Audrey's mom is kind enough to help out and take Addi to day care for me.
It's about 6 am now and Addi is sound asleep. I got to bed around 11:30 after doing my nightly routine of washing sippy cups and bottles and cleaning up the living room after Addi's nightly physical inventory of all her toys.
Audrey's mom should be here in an hour or so to wake her up and take her to day care. I didn't sleep much last night, I miss my wife... I never realized how connected at the hip we are. It's pretty pathetic, but you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way.
...only 36 hours left to go... and just think, I get to this all again next week when Audrey leaves for Baltimore. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
2010 Wedding photography giveaway!
That's right folks we're doing again!
We're giving away a free wedding photography collection to one lucky bride and groom. Here's what you get:
Up to 12 hours of coverage on your wedding day
2 Photographers and an assistant to ensure maximum coverage
An online slideshow to see the highlights of your wedding day
A private website for you and your guests to view your photos
100 Custom made cards with your personal web address
A DVD of all images taken on your wedding day
To qualify couples must have a signed contract and retainer with J. Castro Photography submitted no later than December 31, 2009. Your retainer will be credited back to you as an album credit to purchase your wedding album. Our 2010 calendar is filling up fast so call or write us today!
To see our 2009 winners check out Pam and Dave's slideshow here!
For more information send us an email at info@jcastrophotography.com
Monday, August 10, 2009
Miscellaneous Monday
This miscellaneous monday entry is dedicated to our friend Christie who wrote me last week complaining that I don't do these entries as often as I used to. So Christie, this ones for you! =)
I've been falling behind on my monday blog entries lately -thanks Christie for reminding me!
-It's been quite hectic here in the J. Castro household. We're finally settled in and starting to get used to living in Connecticut. Although, I must admit, we miss our friends in NY dearly. Funny how we're only one state away and an hour drive from our friends but it feels like we're a million miles away.
-On Friday I drove up to Kent Falls State Park for an engagement session with our clients Erin and Patrick. Stay tuned for the pics. It was a beautiful summer day, which is rare this year. Seems as if mother nature wants to prove those global warming advocates wrong... =).
-Saturday, Audrey and I had the pleasure of shooting the wedding of Lauren and Andrew at West Point. I'm still going through those images but expect a blog post soon! These two are the nicest people in the world! Ever dreamed about marrying your high school sweetheart? These two did! Stay tuned.
This mondays quote is dedicated to all of our friends.
"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart." -Elizabeth Foley
Happy Monday everyone!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Miscellaneous Monday
Holy cow! It's been a busy month. This month we've managed to:
-Move to Connecticut
-Go on a last minute 3 day trip to Hawaii and I got sick as all hell.
-Audrey started a new job
-Addi started at a new day care
-I've shot 1 engagement and 3 weddings. Check out my latest wedding that I'll be posting shortly. It was a second shooting gig for Dave Joe and D Moment Photography.
-2 consultations
-Delivered 2 reprinted albums because our "Awesome" UPS guy took the liberty of delivering the originals to a random garage door. Yeah, thanks for that one. =P
-Designed 2 more albums
-Not to mention still worked my 12 hour shifts at the "day job"
... I'm exhausted. My head is spinning... the funny thing is, I couldn't be any happier.
Happy Monday all!
"Don't stay in bed, unless you can make money in bed." -George Burns
Monday, June 29, 2009
Miscellaneous Monday
So here we are, Monday!
-An open complaint to our UPS guy:
YOU SUCK! In the past year, you have left EXPENSIVE items at the door when you were given specific instructions to require a signature, 3 of those times, the items were never recovered. One of those times, I was home, but you were too lazy to take the elevator up 4 floors and instead left it in the lobby of our building to get stolen. Again... YOU SUCK! I just thought you should know.
On a lighter note...
-It's official folks, we're moving to Connecticut. We'll be living in Danbury for a few months while we begin the exciting adventure of house hunting. I never realized how hectic and complicated moving from one state to another is. We have to find a new daycare for our little Addi, register our cars, get new DL's, change addresses, mail forwarding... not to mention the business side... geez don't even get me started on that one. *praying for a more responsible UPS guy*
-With luck, if we get all this done, we'll be heading somewhere tropical before Audrey starts her new job. Hint: SPAM Musubi
-Also, if you know anyone in Fairfield county looking for a wedding photographer please send them our way!
-To our 2010 Brides, stay tuned for an awesome announcement.
Happy Week everyone!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Addison at 18 months
No misc. monday today... instead a letter to Addison!
My dearest little Addi,
I can't believe how big you've gotten in just the past couple of months. Here you are, 18 months old, going on 19 in a couple of days... it just amazes me.
We visited our friends Shivanee and Nirav at the hospital on Friday to see their newborn baby boy. He was only a couple ounces heavier than you were when you were born. But, seeing him next to you really put things into perspective. It really is a miracle to me how a little helpless baby can develop into such a personality in just a few months.
You've really become a little jabber jaw and always have your piece to say in all our family conversations. My heart beams with joy when you come up to me and ask me such simple things like "What's that?" or "Where's Mommy?" or my favorite, "Milk Please?".
I returned home this past saturday night from a 16 hour workday shooting a wonderful wedding. I was exhausted after the drive home and knew I still had another 3 hours of work ahead of me before I could come to bed. When I walked in the door, I saw a piece of paper that mommy helped you draw. It had your hand prints and a little note that said "Happy Fathers day Daddy!" I didn't notice the part about the note that night, but the next morning when mommy gave it to you to show me... my heart just melted. You are such a sweet spirited little girl.
You aren't all fun games though. As you grow you are starting to become more self aware er... moody. I understand your frustration, when you have so much to say but don't know how to express it. I do get frustrated at times when we don't understand each other and you start throwing a tantrum and I start to get upset with you and put you in time out. Honestly, though, at those moments, I think I need a time out as well. You go to your corner and I go to mine... =) I'm no perfect father. I am learning as I go. But I am thankful that you are the one that was chosen for me and your mommy to grow with.
Thank you for being such a wonder daughter. Try not to grow up too fast ok?
Love,
Daddy
Here are some pictures from the last couple months.
This was one of your "moody" days.
Same day...
Cupcakes makes my cupcake happy... =)
But she's not the only one it seems...
The happy dance.
Here's my cupcake playing model as I test out our new backdrop and light kit for our photobooth!
JoJo wanted to play too.
Addi: "Dude! You're in my shot!"
JoJo: "No way man... I was here first."
JoJo and Addi take photography very seriously!
Ok not really...
I love the expression on her face in this shot.
This is how Addi is most of the time.... she can't help but laugh at herself. She is definitely my girl!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Miscellaneous Monday
Wow... Monday again.
-Happy Birthday to my Dad! We love you! We miss you... visit us again soon.
-Early Saturday morning I met with Kimberly and Anthony for a really fun engagement session at Harriman State Park. They wanted to do a shoot with their motorcycles, I was expecting them to ride down from upstate, but discovered that they had towed both their bikes because Kimberly didn't want to mess up her hair.... That right there is dedication my friends. Luv ya Kimberly! =)
-This past Saturday we threw a baby shower for our friend Shivanee. Stay tuned for some pics.
-I ran into an old friend and coworker from when Audrey and I were servers at TGI Fridays. I was walking into the bank to go get some cash for Audrey and this guy looks at me and says... "hey what's your name?" At first, I was like "uh, what?" Then I recognized the person behind the suit. Ronan was a fellow server at good old fridays, seeing him brought back some really fun memories of hanging out after shift, drinking and eating with good friends. Turns out he married another server who also worked with us. They were married last December. Ronan and Mellissa, congrats! We miss you guys... let's get together again sometime... how bout dinner at Fridays? =)
Today's quote is about friendship. Old and new, I cherish my friends as much as I do my own family. Out here in New York, they are my family.
"I count myselt in nothing else so happy as in a soul rememb'ring my good friends."
- William Shakespeare
Have a great week everyone!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Miscellaneous Monday
Good morning and welcome to another edition of miscellaneous monday.
-This weekend Audrey and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary. Since we already "celebrated" in Las Vegas, it was a quiet celebration actually. Audrey had a job interview on Friday so I had planned to take her out for dinner and a movie. When she got home, we decided, to make it a family outing and take my parents who are visiting from Hawaii. After dinner we were to tired to do anything else really so we just called it a night. Boy! Do I feel old.
-Addison turned 18 months on Wednesday last week... which reminds me, I have to write her a letter.
-So the news broke over the weekend that GM is filing for bankruptcy... REALLY?
http://tinyurl.com/mwuzw6
Reports are saying that GM will need another 30B in taxpayer dollars. REALLY? I think most americans saw that writing on the wall 6 months ago... all I have to say is... if your not mad, you're not paying attention. Maybe next year, I won't book any weddings and ask the Government for a bailout. WHAT A JOKE!
-On a more positive note, we have a busy weekend ahead of us. I have an engagement session with a really cool couple on Saturday morning... 2 motorcycles+morning light+fun/awesome couple=yum!
That's about it... Today's quote comes from Captain John Paul Jones, USN. During the famous battle between the Bonhomme Richard and the Serapis on September 23, 1779, when The captain of the Serapis saw the men of the Bonhomme Richard crying for surrender, Captain Jones uttered the famous words:
"I have not yet begun to fight!"
So get out there and fight the good fight! Have an awesome week everyone. =)
Monday, May 18, 2009
Miscellaneous Monday
Another Monday... Another blogpost! =)
-What an awesome weekend! I shot and Noel and Ben's engagement session on Saturday. You can see the images here.
-That same day, we all got together to celebrate our friend Shiela's birthday celebration. We all called on our inner child and played video games at Krazy City, and Dave & Busters. We then had played a round of laser tag. I haven't played laser tag since college... what a blast!
-I got to meet a really cool couple yesterday at Panera Bread. I have to say... Panera Bread is AWESOME! Free Wi-Fi, good food, did I mention the free Wi-Fi!
-2 Days till Mom arrives from Hawaii... I can't wait to see her. Not to mention all the yummy food she's bringing with her. You can take the boy from the island but you can't take the island from the boy. Portuguese sausage...check! Lau-lau... Check! Pickled mango... check! Hurricane popcorn... Check!
-3 Days till vegas... I'm so excited! Audrey and I haven't been to vegas since we celebrated New Years Eve back in 2001. I'm even more excited at the fact that we'll be flying Virgin America. If our flight has Wi-Fi available, you can bet that I'll be blogging from 30,000 ft.
-I'd like to send a special shoutout to David and Kim Baxter of Ohana Photography. These two are an inspiration to photographers and married couples. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY YOU GUYS! We Love you! We hope to see you guys again soon... hopefully in Hawaii. =)
Today's quote is dedicated to my two friends David and Kim as they celebrate their anniversary...
"I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love."
-Mother Theresa
Monday, May 4, 2009
Miscellaneous Monday
Wow! Monday came way too fast this week. What a busy weekend. I need a weekend to recover from my weekend.
-I've got this pet peeve... able and fit people hogging the elevators at the mall when the escalator is just another few steps away. Seriously! This never used to bug me, maybe because I never used the elevator at the mall. But it really just irk's me when we have Addi in the stroller and have no choice but to use the elevator but can't because it's full of able bodied, empty handed and just downright lazy people. Do you really need to use the elevator to go up one floor? This is almost as bad as parking in a handicap spot. So if your ever at the mall, please for the sake of us parents with strollers take the escalator. I BEG YOU!
-Destination wedding? YES PLEASE! I was contacted by someone the other day about doing a wedding on Maui. I'm not saying who, as it may ruin the surprise for some of my blog readers. Um hello??? Heck yeah I'll shoot your wedding! You know who you are sir or ma'am. =) My bags are already packed! I'm bringing a cooler so I can bring back home some lau-lau and portuguese sausage. And for you folks wondering if we do destination weddings... Oh yeah, we can do that. Contact us for a custom quote for your tropical dream wedding photo collection.
-I shot a really fun engagement session this weekend over the the Vanderbilt mansion. The gardens there are amazing... too bad nothing was in bloom yet. Check out the images here.
From here on out, I thought I'd end every Miscellaneous Monday entry with quote of the week. Here's one from one the great photographers of our time, Ansel Adams
"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
Have a great week everyone!
-Jaymie
Monday, April 27, 2009
Miscellaneous Monday
It's Monday again? Really? Does it have to be? Can we rewind to the weekend?
Monday, April 20, 2009
Miscellaneous Monday
Here we go again!
-Spring is here! Finally! These past few days have been absolutely gorgeous. I'm talking Socal weather up here in good old New York. I even shot a wedding yesterday without having to bring my jacket. Awesome... =) Now I just need to find some allergy medication.
-I love it when friends come to visit. My good friend Jenn came to New York this past week with her husband, Ryan and daughter, Kaila. I went to the city on Thursday last week to hang out and catch up. You can see the pictures here.
-I shot a small intimate wedding this weekend. I was a bit nervous going into it as I didn't know what to expect. I'm used to large weddings and full day coverage. Not to mention, I was flying totally solo that day. I must say, having an assistant and second shooter definitely makes things sooooo much easier. Try holding your flash on a monopod in one hand and your camera with battery grip and 24-70 lens on the other. Stay tuned for some pics! =)
-Go Padres! My San Diego Padres are 9-4 so far. Looks like it's gonna be a great season. =) I wish we can come down to SD and see a game at Petco park this year. *fingers crossed* Time to by Addi a SD Padres cheerleader outfit. I can even get my own carne asada burrito. Oh yeah, now we're talkin!
Have a wonderful week everyone!
-Jaymie
Monday, April 13, 2009
Miscellaneous Monday
Wow I can't believe it's monday again....
-Hope you all had a wonderful Easter! We celebrated with Audrey and her family in Brookfield, CT on Saturday and Sunday. My contribution... Grilled Garlic Shrimp... Oh yeah, you know you want the recipe. =)
-GO NAVY! Yesterday, 3 Navy SEAL's sniped the pirates who were holding Captain Richard Phillips hostage. I'm not one for violence but if you take anyone hostage for ransom you ABSOLUTELY deserve what's coming to you. And to Captain Phillips, I salute you sir! Your personal sacrifice to save your crew was the absolute essence of selfless leadership.
-My San Diego Padres are playing the Met's today at Citi Field. I wore my Padres hat today just to annoy my co-workers!
-Speaking of San Diego... I'd give anything for a Carne Asada Burrito right now. But I'd settle for a carne asada recipe... leave me a comment or shoot me an email. I've got a $10 iTunes gift card waiting for you!
-We've got some awesome new products to show our clients and few other exciting things to announce regarding out 2009-2010 wedding season so stay tuned!
Have a great week everyone!
-Jaymie
Monday, April 6, 2009
Miscellaneous Monday
Here's this weeks Misc. Monday entry...
- We shot our first wedding of the season this saturday up in a sleepy upstate NY town just outside of Albany. We had a great time, Millie, the brides mom made us an awesome lunch of chicken salad sandwiches and red velvet cupcakes... How awesome is that? We love our clients!
-Speaking of client love, on friday, Audrey and I came home to a mysterious black box at our doorstep. As it turns out it was a box of tulips from Christina and Robert. Yeah, you know, the hot couple on my blog header! =) We were so stoked by this that we even took pictures of the box! LOL... I'm a dork. Christina and Robert, from the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!
-This weekend was my first weekend at home alone without Addi and Audrey. On Saturday they headed to Audrey's parents house to attend a birthday party and spent the night there. After I came home from Laura and Matt's wedding I arrived to an empty apartment. I haven't been without either one of their company since Addi was born... and I really missed them! But I gotta tell ya, I slept really good having our bed all to myself! =)
-Hey couples! If you booked with us for 2009, call or email me to schedule your engagement session... Spring is here and summer is just around the corner! GITERDUN!
Have an awesomely awesome week everyone! Hey, and if you've been blogstalking us for a while, don't be shy! Leave a comment and let me know you're out there.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Miscellaneous Monday
I've never been the greatest at blogging lately so I'm forcing myself to write about something at least once a week. I got the idea for Miscellaneous Monday from a great wedding photographer who I truly admire and hope to meet someday. You can check him out [here]
Let's begin! Welcome to our first Miscellaneous Monday!
-I've never been into Basketball so this whole March Madness thing just completely mystifies me. I'd rather play basketball than watch it, although I must say, I really stink. Matter of fact, other than the occasional Padres baseball game, I'm really not into watching any kind of sports.
-Season's... what's the big deal anyway? I'll take 365 days of summer over this. Oh well, at least it's spring.
-I'm meeting with a prospective bride today at Starbuck's. Now I like Starbucks, but why should I have to pay for Wi-fi there when it's free at Panera?
-I almost bought a new MacBook Pro last week at the Apple Store... As my old MacBook Pro is still a great machine, but is becoming too slow for my needs. Unfortunately, I ended up with a new battery and AC adapter for my old one. Disappointed is an understatement. On the bright side, I'll be buying an Apple Cinema Display to bring along with me to weddings for the reception slideshows! Woot!
-Last week, Addi started at a new daycare which has a web cam placed in the room so parents can watch their kids from work. ... That said, I didn't get much done at work. LOL!
-My good friend Ryan introduced me to his friends website recently and I thought the idea of it was really cool. His friends name is Megan Brooks. A fellow photographer, Megan shoots what some call Gore-tography. It's not for everyone, but she does some really neat work. Check out her website at Aesthetic Perfection. Like I said, it's not for everyone, so don't come crying to me about being offended after you click on the linky link, you've been warned. =)
That's it for this weeks episode of Miscellaneous Monday. Stay tuned next week for more miscellaneous meanderings from the mind of J. Castro! Cheers everyone!
-Jaymie
