HAPPY NEW YEAR! It happened so fast, didn't it?  It seems like just yesterday we were ringing in 2009, and here it is, already at an end.  And it's not just 2009 that we are leaving behind - it is also the first decade of a new millenium that started with the fear of Y2K and is ending with a world still in chaos, but our computer systems intact.

It is a time of new beginnings, of growth and change.  A new year holds such promise and what we do with it is up to us.  We have a few things on the way here, at Bebb Studios.

Our first book is being published this year.  It is already available for pre-orders on Amazon and we are really excited about it.  Writing a book has been a life long dream for me, and to see it realized is a little surreal.  

We have a new company ready to launch.  Many of you have already guessed what it is, and details will be coming very soon.  If you're not on the list for our exclusive launch, send me an email (info@bebbstudios.com) with I WANT ON THE LIST in the subject line and we'll add you. You don't want to miss this one! 

IUSA is coming up fast and we're looking forward to seeing many of you in Nashville!  

The Vancouver SMUG is getting its groove on!  All the details can be found at www.smugmug.com/smugs or over at the Vancouver Smug Event page on Facebook   

In the meantime come and find me on Facebook and check out what we're up to (and don't forget to join our Business Page too)!  And if you're really into social networking, you can follow us on twiiter:  www.twitter.com/JenBebb

You know how some people just make you smile?  Well, Serena & Basil are like that - you can't help but smile when you are with them.  They bring such amazing energy to the room, and their family and friends are equally as wonderful.  I don't think Steve and I stopped laughing with this group until the very end of the night.

The day started with the traditional bartering for the bride.  I have to say that the bridesmaids were very nice to Baso, not making him eat anything awful or drink anything that might induce vomiting.  They did, however make him sing, wear funny clothes, and put his bare feet into an ice cold bucket of water, both of which are pretty awful in their own right.

Once he got into the house, it was time for a tea ceremony before heading out to the next location.  Serena & Baso looked fantastic in their finery, and I think everyone else thought so too.

The ceremony was at the amazing Hycroft Mansion (one of our favourite locations).

I loved Baso's shoes

And Serena's weren't too bad either!

More details:

The ceremony was fantastic, the guests were involved, and there were equal parts laughter and tears.  One of the moments that summed up Baso for me was when his Best Man went the extra mile and help Baso out...

...for this moment

The entire bridal party was tons of fun, the girls stole the guys' Jordans and the guys stole Serena's red dress (it actually became part of the photos - kind of like the Travelocity gnome).  Here are some of our favourites from the photo session:

I just love this image as Serena & Baso walk out of Hycroft:

We want to send a huge shout out to Dorothy & Howie who were married last year.  We met Serena & Baso at their wedding, and it was so great to see them again.

2009 has been an incredible year so far, and with a little over one month left to go, it doesn't shoe signs of slowing down!  And that is a good thing, but it has meant that there is so much that hasn't yet been blogged.  I love to write, and blogging has been such a wonderful way for me to feed that desire, but now that I'm writing a book, I get to satisfy my need to put words on paper in another way.  Not to worry, though, the book will be complete early in the New Year, and I have no doubt that I will be overwhelmed with the need to write here once again.

Earlier this year, we had the incredible good fortune to speak in Brazil - it was an incredible experience in every way, from the initial contact with the people from FHOX, through to the people we met at the convention, to our time on Ihla Bella.  The photographers we met were, without exception, some of the most sincere and kind people we have ever talked to, and their enthusiasm for photography was contagious.

It has been so great keeping in touch with many of the people we met in Brazil, and just yesterday, another photographer surprised us with a lovely Thank You.  Mauro Stanichesk of Staniarty Photografia sent us a wonderful collage of images from our time on the stage in Brazil...and summed up the experience perfectly for us.  I wanted to publicly say Thank You for taking the time to put this together for us - and to share with all of you!

There are couples that bring you back to the reasons you picked up a camera in the first place;  couples who share such a genuine and beautiful connection that you can't help but be inspired;  couples that walk through life with such joy, that you can't help but be joyful in their presence.  That is Jennie & Kyle.  Their love is an inspiring love, and their zeal for life (and 80's hair bands) is truly contagious.

Jennie started the day in a fantastic spot - the light was incredible, everyone was so happy, and laughter filled the room.

A few details:

Some fun:

Our beautiful bride:

Final touches on her hair:

The guy's details - yes they have cool details too:

Getting late:

Getting fancy:

Just after seeing each other for the first time, Kyle wanted to remember how beautiful she is:

And she is stunning!

Photo time!

Jennie & Kyle had their ceremony and reception at Brix Restaurant - which is a beautiful location.  The ceremony was full of laughter and tears - lots of tears.  I don't think there was a dry eye in the crowd.  And their reception?  Well, let's just say every single speech brought the room to tears, tears of laughter and tears of joy, and a few tears for those who couldn't be there.  Normally, we would showcase images from both the ceremony and reception here, for you all to see.  But, because they are so emotional and so powerful, they belong to Jennie & Kyle first.  So, with that, here are just a few images of how incredible Brix looked that night and what a great job uber coordinator Nicole Turcotte did.

We are so excited to be heading to Australia next year!  Down Under 2010 is a Conference put together by the incredible team at the Beyond Just Images forum - an online place for professional photographers.  

Held at The Hotel, right in the heart of Sidney, this conference is more than simply sitting in a classroom and listening.  Limited to 40 participants, everyone will get to know each other and forge friendships, laugh, share stories, and have a lot of fun.  Shooting, education, small groups, intimate dinners, and the TriCoast team together with the Bebbs...all for a very reasonable price (that includes your accommodations).  Add to that an excuse to travel to Australia, and this is too good to pass up!  

I can't say enough about this conference, but I'll let you check it out for yourselves!  If you have any questions at all, you can drop me an email, or just hit the contact button on the Down Under 2010 website.  I know that you will get your questions answered right away, and with a smile!  Can't wait to see you all there!

Anyone that has met Lindsey knows how gorgeous she is!  That old cliche about being beautiful on the inside could not be more true.  The fact that she is also beautiful on the outside is just the icing on the cake (so to speak!).  Add that to the fact that she is a photographer, lives in Manhatten, has impeccable taste, and a very cute fiance...well, you're starting to get the picture!  

We knew that every detail had been considered and that Lindsey had put together a team of experts that would ensure her day ran as smoothly as possible.  Spearheading this effort was the coordinator extraordinaire Maren Parsons.

Lindsey had the most incredible dress, by Vera Wang, of course!  What is even more amazing is that after spending time in Vera Wang's showroom, and trying on the perfect dress, Lindsey. Mike and Lindsey's mom went for dinner at Buddakkan  (one of my favorite restaurants) and saw Vera Wang in the lounge.  They met, and Ms. Wang was so very gracious and lovely.  Obviously, the right dress found the right girl.

And the shoes?  Well they were simply fantastic! Thank you Mr. Louboutin for making such incredble shoes!

The flowers

It was such a relaxed afternoon as the girls were all getting ready.  Things got very real, though, when that dress went on,

Just across the way, Mike and the guys were recovering from their surfing lesson, and putting on their fancy clothes.

There was a little time before the ceremony for a few photos of the girls, and then the guys.

It's always fun to be with the guys and girls seperately, right before the ceremony.  Mike and the guys played a little bocce & croquet and might have been a little nervous.

That's ok, though - I think Lindsey was a little nervous too.

By the time the cermony started, that stubborn marine layer had burned completly off and we were left with the most beautiful light!

I don't care what anyone says, the light in Southern California is stunning! Because we are so much farther North, we do not get this kind of light at that time of day.  Loved it!

After the ceremony, we had some time to wander through the grounds at the Four Seasons, and a couple of other cool spots!  Warning:  there are a lot of photos!

The Reception was simply stunning - well lit with stunning florals!

Lindsey & Mike did something really different with their dancing - they had three sets, the first when they arrived into the Reception, another between speeches and then the final set to end the night.  It was so great as everyone was engaged the entire evening.  You could hear the groans when the party ended!

They started the evening with their first dance.

The Photo Booth was tons of fun with all sorts of props and costume pieces that blended perfectly with the pink theme.

I love this shot from the last dance of the night!