OFFER: Free Destination Wedding Photography Services...

SugarTree Photography is now starting to expand into Destination Weddings!!!
I am offering Free Destination Wedding photography services to the first 2 couples who book with me between Dec 2008 and March 2009. Locations can vary from the United States, Mexico, The Caribbean and Europe. The only requirement is that they cover all travel costs.
This package will include up to 3 days of coverage - rehearsal dinner, full day coverage of event and a trash the dress session. Approx. 600-1000 images as 4x6 proofs on CD. That's a $3000 value! *High res. images can be purchased separately.*
If you know of anyone that is considering a destination wedding - please pass along these details! They won't want to miss out!

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Serious People having Serious Fun!

Hello folks...

Well, this blog has been along time coming and has finally arrived!

Some of you may have known me as K. Photography but in Sept. 2007 I changed the name to SugarTree Photography to better represent the type of style I shoot with - fun, creative and an experience you'll always remember!

I thought I would start my first post paying a tribute to when I felt my photography was renewed with a breath of fresh air last May 2007. I have had my company around for about 5 years at that point and was shooting weddings and portraits part-time when I decided that I wanted to take it to the next level. What better way to do that then to seek out and learn from others. And boy - did I ever! I stumbled across a woman by the name of Judy Cormier of Elementz of Fotographie - through Facebook of all places. (Which I am a die hard fan of and it has done wonders for my business.) She was providing a 3 day intensive course called "Get Serious". The knowledge that I gained from that workshop and the wonderful colleagues I now have in the industry just solidify why I was in it in the first place - Because my passion for it is undeniable. So I'm sharing with you a few images from last May to kick off the SugarTree Photography Blog!

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SugarTree Photography ....Because life is sweet!

HELLO WORLD!
My name is Kristina Laukkanen and I'm the creative photographer behind SugarTree Photography. My company specializes in weddings, portraits & commercial work. We also have fun doing it! Besides, if we didn't enjoy it so much, what's the point?

A little About Moi:
I've been photographing people, places & things since I was 12. My parents met at Photo Hut in the 70's while working for the company and then I came along shortly there after. I took photography all through high school and summer classes but never thought I would seriously do it as a career. My focus was marketing and business. And then one day when I was 25, my grandmother convinced me that I should enter a local contest. So for kicks, I did and won 2nd place. One of the judges asked for my portfolio and I was like "Yeah right - the family photo album is around here somewhere." And that was the year I turned my life in another direction and headed for my dream. I decided that I wasn't going back to school full-time so I applied to work at Black's Photography. I figured - what better way to learn about photography than by being in the business. And that's what started it all. 5 years later I own all the equipment I'll ever need to be ready & prepared for any photo job, I have my own studio space (by appointment only), I have a wonderful and fun team of professionals and I have first hand experience about how to run a business and succeed - my most treasured asset from Black's.

Some background with Susan:
I thought it was wonderful when Susan and Bernard hired me as their wedding photographer a few moons ago because they were such a fun loving couple...but it was even cooler when we became friends after the honeymoon! *lol* I remember the wedding like it was yesterday. *dream sequence* As I wandered around the golf & country club, photographing the details of Susan & Bernard's wedding I thought to myself "WOW! This has got to be one of the most creative weddings I've ever shot!". From the Guest Branches - where guests could leave their well wishes and marriage advice/thoughts on a piece of paper and hang it on a branch for Susan to later scrapbook - to the heart warming center piece adoption kits for chimpanzees - a sanctuary for lab chimps near Montreal. A cause Susan & Bernard are very passionate about. Adopt-A-Chimp I still talk about it to my clients! (Susan - can you confirm this link.) Everything was well thought out and created with such passion that it's no surprise that Susan has done so amazing, planning other bride-to-be weddings!

So stay tuned for the next post where I'll discuss what else you can do with your wedding dress after the big day and REALLY get your moneys worth!

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Guest Authors Aplenty!

If you're a regular reader of this little blogspot, you may have noticed each day the list of guest authors on the right has been growing. That was my intention all along but I have to say I'm thrilled at the response from everyone. Some vendor authors will be popping in and out at their leisure, some will be a bit more of a constant fixture ... you'll see! The lovely brides-to-be (and some grooms-to-be!) will likely be writing a bit more but that's their call.

What's the reason for the update, you ask? Well, I realized people were coming on to the site but no formal introductions were being made! I'd love to take a few minutes to give those who I know are on board a quick hello and let everyone know how we know one another ...

With all of the brides-to-be (for now), they're clients in one capacity or another. Some are close in distance, some far ... but something serendipitous happened at some point and we're in constant contact now!

On to the vendors ...

The lovely Kristina Laukkanen from k.photography (soon to be officially changed to Sugar Tree Photography) is someone I'm very proud to call a friend. We actually met when my husband and I hired her to do our own wedding photos and since then I've had a blast watching her grow as an artist. She has a very exciting new endeavor taking up much of her time right now and I'm sure once she's able to post, she'll tell you all about it.

When thinking about a make-up artist to bring on board, it didn't take me long to figure out who to approach. I met Kelly Weldrick about a year and a half ago after I received her name from the small business program we both graduated from. Right away I was drawn in by her energy and enthusiasm for her work ... she's one infectious lady! She also was gracious enough to be a part of the team for the fashion show I helped coordinate this past March.

Also because of the fashion show I was lucky enough to meet and work with the great Martin Kolditz of MGX Productions. Frugal Bride members will know the company and I hope to bring him a bit more exposure through this blog. I called for a volunteer videographer and within hours Martin jumped on board. He was an absolute delight to work with and he has the patience of a saint. I truly look forward to working with him again!

Jessica and Erin from Periwinkle Flowers will be joining us later on this year or early next year with some tips/advice/stories from florists. I was passed their contact information by my business coach and within a couple months of introducing myself, a client of mine ended up booking with them! They're both young, hip and fun to work with ... I can't wait to see what they bring to the mix!

That's it for introductions for now ... more people will be coming on board as time goes by but before I forgot, I wanted to welcome everyone. And of course, each writer is more than welcome to give their side of the story ;)

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