Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Best of 2012 Contest/Giveaway Winners!


First off, I was blown away by the response this year for the Best of 2012 Contest/Giveaway!  You all deserve to win!!!  Thank you to everyone who participated!  2012 was another great year and I am blessed to have met so many kind and genuine people.  To all of those families and friends who voted, THANK YOU!

And now for the winners!!


1st Place..
Molly, Jason, Parker, Riley and Brooks!
1st place receives one complimentary Portrait/Lifestyle Session + CD of their 35 favorites (valued at $400)!  




2nd Place..
2nd place receives a complimentary Portrait Session (valued at $125)! 



3rd Place..
Jan, Bryan, and Riley!
3rd place receives a $75 gift certificate towards any session or product! 




The Special Bonus...one lucky voter was randomly selected to win a Gift Certificate Portrait/Lifestyle Session (valued at $125)! That lucky voter is Julie Hosier!


Thank you again for voting and becoming fans of Lauren Tomasella Photography on Facebook! Continue following for future specials and contests! THANK YOU!

Monday, March 4, 2013

Hampton Cove Wedding Plantation | new venue in huntsville, al!

I am so excited to be sharing this new venue here in Huntsville! Last week, Heather and Carla, the manager and owner of Hampton Cove Wedding Plantation, gave me a tour of their new facility! They are currently in the renovation stages, and will be opening their doors for an open house on April 13th from 4-7pm! This venue has such a good vibe and energy. The former owner used the plantation as a horse riding farm for handicapped children. The new owners decided to keep the character of the stables, the picket white fence, the acres and acres of land. There are just so many wonderful touches! 

The family has been working day in and day out and I am just so excited for them.  

Thank you again, Heather and Carla, for taking the time out of your day for the tour and to share your story!

Be sure to mark their open house on your calendars!! They're also hosting a "Story Contest!" Read more here! https://www.facebook.com/events/163673467118030/?ref=22

Their website: http://www.hamptoncoveweddingplantation.com/Home_Page.html




Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Best of 2012 & Contest!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to the New Year!  January was a busy month getting back in the swing of things!  And now it's February!!  Time is flying!  I'm so excited to dive into 2013.  Lots of things in store!

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is compile my favorites from the prior year.  I love to take this time to reflect.  And after going through these sessions, I'm reminded what a great year 2012 was.  I'm also reminded how much I love what I do.  I met so many incredible couples and families, and I'm extremely honored I was given the opportunity to capture these moments in their lives.  THANK YOU!  I am so grateful for all of the love and support.

On a personal note, 2012 will also have a special place in my heart because my niece, Avery, celebrated her first birthday!  She has been all kinds of fun.  Every day I feel like she's learning something knew.  From walking, to counting, saying the alphabet, putting together puzzles.  She is by far the best thing ever.  

Two of my best friends got married in 2012, Kasie & Jeremey and Jenni & Tim.  Which meant mini reunions!! :)  I am beyond happy for you, Kasie and Jenni!  Congrats to the newlyweds!

I participated in the 2012 Huntsville Business Expo!  It was my first time ever having a booth.  Quite the learning experience!  I am so proud of how it all turned out.  And I met so many wonderful people from it.  Thank you, Chamber of Commerce, for the opportunity!

I celebrated my 26th birthday!  It was blue sky and sunshine.  Alex and I spent the day in Birmingham and ate at Richard Blais' (shout out to Top Chef fans!) restaurant, Flip Burger.  It was better than delicious.  

Another best thing came along towards the end of the year.. Alex and I welcomed a furry friend to our family.  Our new furry friend is Dax! He's a Yorkie and just turned 5 months old!  I am head over heels for this little guy.  He's a ball of energy, but knows how to cuddle.  Loves giving kisses.  Loves people, leaves, anything that moves.  My favorite thing about him is that when the sun comes in, he'll find any patch of light, bring all of his toys to the light, and lay there for hours.  He also likes looking in the mirror :) When we first got him, one ear stuck up!  Those are my favorite pictures of him.  I could go on forever!  He's been a real treat and we're so happy to have him!

Everyone, here is a look back on 2012!   















Thank you for making 2012 ah-mazing!!!

Now for the Best of 2012 Contest!

Vote for your favorites! "Like" https://www.facebook.com/LaurenTomasellaPhotography and Comment, Like, or Share any session or image you love from the "Best of 2012" album!  

The session or image that receives the most votes wins one complimentary Portrait/Lifestyle Session + a CD of their 35 favorites (valued at $400)!  

2nd place wins a complimentary Portrait Session (valued at $125)!  

3rd place wins a $75 gift certificate towards any session or product!  

** Any Like, Comment or Share counts as a vote. Unlimited comments welcome, but only one entry per person per image! **

A Special Bonus...anyone who votes will be randomly selected to win a Gift Certificate Portrait/Lifestyle Session! 

An Extra Bonus!!!… Tell your family and friends to "Like" https://www.facebook.com/LaurenTomasellaPhotography!  Once Lauren Tomasella Photography reaches 1,000 Likes on Facebook, a 16x20 gallery wrap will be given away!  AND the 1,000th person who likes the page will receive a $25 Target Gift Card!!  

The contest ends March 4th!  Winners will be announced March 5th!  Good luck and thank you for participating!!!

If you have any questions about the contest, email me at lauren.tomasella@gmail.com :)

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Huntsville Business Expo 2012 | GIVEAWAY | huntsville, al photographer

I want to give a huge thanks to everyone who stopped by booth D24 yesterday!  It was such a pleasure to meet and get to know so many wonderful people.  THANK YOU!  And if you are new to my blog, welcome!  Take a look around!  Leave some love :)  I would love to hear from you!

At the end of the post, there is a long list of thank you's to everyone who made yesterday a success!  I am truly grateful for all of the help and support!  Be sure to also check out the winners of the giveaway!
 



I cannot put into words how much I enjoyed yesterday.  It was so exciting to be among so many wonderful local businesses.  I am just in pure amazement of the talent in Huntsville.  

Without the following list of people, yesterday would not have been a success! They all contributed to making my vision become a reality.  I am so thankful. 

First, thank you, Chamber of Commerce, for giving me this opportunity!  Since I moved here two years ago, the Chamber of Commerce and the Women's Business Center of North Alabama have been extremely supportive of my business.  Not just my business, but all small businesses!  I highly encourage anyone just beginning, to contact them!  You will not regret it. 

Krista and her family.  Krista is a fellow photographer and a good friend of mine in Huntsville.  I owe this girl so much!!! She kept me sane.  She helped me paint.  She offered her garage :) And her Suburban for transport!  I am telling you, I am forever indebted to this girl!  Krista came with me the day of the Expo, helped me set up and stood by my side.  Thank you, Krista, for being there.

Krista and her husband, Daniel, also put me in touch with Travis. 

Travis Boginski of GT Construction literally made this vision a reality.   I knew I wanted to construct a wall with hollow doors, I just could not wrap my head around how to do it.  While it would have taken me days upon days to build, he knocked it out in less than an hour.  He builds houses for a living, so my measly wall was nothing! :)  The best part, he made it easy for me to take apart/put together.  Amazing.  Thank you, Travis!!

Another thank you goes to my favorite printing vendors, ProDPI, Vision Art, WHCC, and Simply Canvas.  I have ProDPI and Simply Canvas to thank for my canvases.  I also have ProDPI to thank for my prints and 10x20 standout with my logo.  Another thank you goes to Vision Art.  Vision Art specializes in printing fine art books, which are my all-time favorite.  I love them because I love telling stories with my images and books are a perfect way to do just that.  Thank you Vision Art!  WHCC does all my printing for press products, including the 4.5x5 brochures I created to handout. They also make the adorable 3x3 brag books.  These vendors have the quality.  They have incredible customer service.  And they also make my work look good! :)  I could not be more pleased with their services.

Erin Lindsey of Erin Lindsey Images is another local photographer that I love and adore.  I highly recommend her!!  She was with me in the beginning stages of this project and helped brainstorm ideas for the living room concept.  She helped me shop, pointed me in the direction of some pretty fabulous thrift stores and antique malls (where I acquired the table and bookcase shelf). She was also kind enough to let me borrow those two adorable chairs and pillows.  AND the vintage camera and decorative books!  She is so awesome and would drop anything to help you.  Seriously, go check her out! 

My mints!  As a gift, I handed out mini mint tins with my logo.  I kept a tin for myself, because they are so delicious!!  They were made by Forever Wed.  If you are ever in need of personalized gifts, wedding favors and more, I recommend them!   

My sister and brother-in-law.  And I'll throw my niece, Avery, in there too!  I don't even know where to begin to thank them.  They are miles away, but I feel like they are right next door.  They are always there to offer advice, wisdom, criticism regardless of the time or day.  I am extremely grateful to have them in my life.

Morgan Trinker!  I have to give this girl a shout out!  Not only is she an amazing photographer, she is unbelievably kind and generous.  In this specific situation, she calmed my nerves and offered genuine advice on having a booth.  No exaggeration, she is a true inspiration.

My past clients.  Thank you for trusting in me.  Giving me opportunities.  Photographing you and your families.  Capturing and preserving your memories.  With every session, I am so honored.  Thank you.

To Krista, Luis, Maisee and Niroshen for helping me take down the set up!

To my parents, just because! :)

And Alex.  My best friend and love of my life.  He's been in Hawaii the past two weeks... for work... (Not fair right!) :)  And even though he's been gone the past two weeks, he's been there every step of the way.

THANK YOU!!!!  AND now.. the winners of the giveaway!  Those who stopped by the booth had the opportunity to fill out a ticket or drop their business card into the drawing to win one of three prizes..

The Grand Prize..
Free Lifestyle Session ($285 Value)
The Grand Prize goes to Donna Cowart!

The Second Prize..
16x20 Gallery Wrap Canvas ($195 Value)
The Second Prize goes to Shari MacPherson!

The Third Prize..
$100 Print Credit (toward any product of Lauren Tomasella Photography)
The Third Prize goes to Erin Railey!


Thank you again to all of those who participated in the giveaway!  



Wednesday, August 29, 2012

COURTNEY AND KIRK | a blue sky wedding | TIPP CITY, OHIO

I could not be more in love with these two. They adore each other so much. No exaggeration. They make it look so easy. So easy. The first time I met Courtney, she told me upfront, "When I get nervous, I laugh. A lot." She wasn't kidding. On her wedding day it was all laughter and it was so perfect. Kirk, you're one lucky guy.

Their wedding was so perfect in so many ways and the details added to it.  The broche that was in Courtney's hair that was Kirk's grandmother's.  The locket that was attached to Courtney's bouquet in memory of her brother.  The vintage accents.  The colors.  The way Kirk looked at Courtney.  The way Courtney smiled back. The fact that they're all drop dead gorgeous! That both moms were in tears almost the whole day :) OR, was it Kirk's best man embarrassing Kirk with his music video.  Ah.  It was all so perfect.

Their wedding took place at Cedar Springs Pavilion in Tipp City, Ohio. I did not believe for one second I was in Ohio. I felt like we were on a tropical island. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and all you could see was sunshine. It was simply beautiful. Congratulations Courtney and Kirk! I could not be more happy for the two of you. Also, a special shout out to my dear friend, Hillary, for being an amazing second shooter that day! Thank you!




































































I just love the two of you!  ♥  Congratulations again.  Wishing you so much happiness.
.................

 Tipp City, OH

Ceremony/Reception: Cedar Springs Pavilion
Flowers: Furst Florist, Dayton Ohio
Catering: Cedar Springs Pavilion (Lisa Reinhard)
Music: Party Pleasers, Dayton Ohio
Cake: Ele Cake Co., West Carrollton, Ohio
Hair: Friend of brides
Makeup: Nordstrom Associate (Friend of brides sister)
Photobooth:  Candid Keepsakes, Dayton, Ohio