I love to read, both for learning and relaxation, and “Pour Your Heart Into It” by Howard Schultz is the latest book I’ve read. I originally bought this as inspirational reading for Tim (he wants to go into business when he graduates), and I have to say that it really is one of the most interesting and inspirational books I’ve read about the entrepreneurial spirit.

Starbucks is one of my frequent haunts (as well as a great place to meet with prospective clients), and I now understand a lot more about how the company was founded and its guiding principles.

In many ways, Mr. Schultz’s philosophies echo my own. Although Merrick Photography is unlikely to become a national or international superstar, many of the fundamentals are similar, such as an unwavering attention to quality and detail. I treat my photographic artwork like Starbucks treats a finely-roasted coffee – something to be savored and appreciated more than a cup of instant. This is not meant to sound arrogant or anything, and I’m sure my clients and friends would agree, it’s simply that I believe firmly in giving only the very best in what I do – I get excited and enthused over a wonderful portrait and the romance of a wedding is the very life-blood of the images I create. To give anything less would be a disservice to my clients.

This is why I would never book two weddings, or even two portrait sessions, in the same day. To do that would require a sacrifice in quality that I am unprepared to make. I truly do try to pour my own heart into everything I do.

Whether you like Starbucks coffee or not, you will find this book to be an engaging, entertaining, inspiring read – well written with a firm human perspective.

Our sincerest congratulations go to Kathryn & Norris Folkerts, who were married at Bonne Terre in Nesbit, MS, on 14th June 2008. We thoroughly enjoyed photographing their beautiful wedding in such amazing surroundings.

First thing in the morning, we thought the weather was not going to co-operate with us, with thunderstorms raging all the previous night over portions of the mid-south. I awoke in Oakland to bright flashes, loud bangs and intermittent power! But, come 9am, and the skies cleared to produce a beautiful day.

One of my objectives as a wedding photographer is to capture those fleeting moments that happen throughout the course of the day, without interfering too much with the natural flow and the client’s enjoyment of the celebrations. So, I was overwhelmed on Monday morning to receive a lovely email from Kathryn, which I would like to quote here with her permission:

“Nigel, thank you for everything Saturday…the day was perfect and I couldn’t have asked for better service from you.  You were always right there to capture the moment, yet you and Edwin were so unobtrusive that no one really noticed you.  Well done!”

It was an honor and a privilege to work with such wonderful people and I wish them many years of happiness together. I can hardly wait for them to see their completed wedding book!

Allen and Kellie are getting married on 4th October 2008, but we took the opportunity of the good late spring weather to conduct their engagement portrait session in Downtown Memphis. We all had a great time and found some wonderful locations for their portraits – Beale Street, Court Square, The River, Confederate Park and other great places.

We came back with a host of images that will be compiled into their 30-page GraphiStudio engagement volume, which will eventually accompany their wedding volumes to complete their chosen wedding collection.

 
Tomorrow, we’re photographing Kathryn & Norris’ wedding at Bonne Terre in Nesbit, MS. I’m really looking forward to creating some lasting and compelling images from the day and will post some of those as soon as possible.

Our congratulations go to Bryan and Rena, who were married on Saturday June 7th at Woodland Hills Country Club. We had such a great time photographing their wedding for them in a fun, journalistic style with a blend of traditional photography, and it was an honour to be chosen as their photographer.

From the preparations, through the ceremony, to the lively reception, everything was perfect – Rena looked fabulous in her wedding gown, and Bryan was sharply dressed in a white dress suit. The bridesmaids and groomsmen complemented each other nicely in shades of pink.

I’m now sorting through the hundreds of images to select the final photographs for their wedding book, which should be ready in about 4-8 weeks – I, for one, can’t wait to see the finished result!

After many technical problems with Google’s Blogger system, involving FTP errors, I decided to move the blog to a new format and chose WordPress. So far, so good – no errors as yet… keeping fingers and toes crossed