After much dreaming and reading and tromping through the forest, after storytelling and photo-taking and scouting, after finding the fairy dust and sprinkling it everywhere, TripleCord and Heart 4 Africa are so pleased to announce the Into the Woods Welcome Home Retreat/Workshop.  Yes it's true!  We're taking a much-needed vacation together to rejuvenate our creativity, let a blast of fresh air blow over our business-plans, and find rest in a peaceful mountain lodge.  As photographers we all spend so much time celebrating the memories of others, finding beauty in chaos and being visually impacted everywhere we go.  Isn't it time to invest a few days in making our own memories, in remembering the truth of freedom, and in receiving energy and joy to share with the world?  If your answer is "yes!" then keep reading.

It is completely important that this trip is BEAUTIFUL and COMFORTABLE so that you can relax and have a wonderful time.  Luckily, we found the ideal location: a private, forest lodge tucked into the mountains.  A happy creek flows in the back, and beautiful evergreens surround.  Inside, each bedroom is comfortably furnished in a different theme, and the wonderfully decorated great room invites making new friends, reading a book by the window, or simply watching snow fall while seated by the enormous fireplace.  During our time together, our meals will be prepared by a private cuisine chef for our delight and convenience.  

We could hardly wait to show you this place!! A private entrance leads you to the lodge nestled in the woods in Redlands, California.

If it snows....

The cozy great room where we will enjoy much of our learning and sharing...

In case anyone plays the piano...

Beautifully decorated throughout...

Plenty of outdoor rooms surround the property for quiet times of reflection...

In addition to relaxation, we have planned a series of magical fairytale photoshoots.  The theme of these shoots will remain a mystery, only to be revealed to participants.  But we can promise you MAJOR wow factor and will be bringing in a gorgeous actress and model, delicate details, and all the building blocks for stories that you will create with your camera.  These shoots are designed to act as super-vitamins for your portfolio while stimulating your own imagination and teaching you photographic techniques for epic-style imagery. We're HOPING for snow!

The shoot will be as magical as our Little Red Riding Hood one we did last winter....

The retreat will begin when we check-in and meet for hors d'ourevs on Monday afternoon, November 9th and will go through Thursday morning (November 11th).  Our time together will include fairytale photoshoots with in-the-field mentoring by the TripleCord team, art post-production training sessions, as well as discussions on how to make your business globally significant and mission-minded.  Space is extremely limited (in fact, we are only accepting a maximum of twelve people.)  So if you're interested, please contact us right away by emailing us at annette@triplecord.com.

We'll visit this special chapel in the woods and write a special prayer in their archived journals for future generations to read.  You can find about 10 prayers written by Annette through the 1990's.  Every prayer has been answered and blessed, praise God!

The cost is $1400 for one person or $2100 for two (sharing bedroom).  We've carefully designed this experience to flood your soul with life-changing gifts.  We can't wait to meet you in the mountains.  Start dreaming big!

We are so pleased to announce Diana and Damon's romantic wedding at Nixon Library.  These two are so in love, and were surrounded by lots of supportive family and friends.  Thanks to Ashley of Agape Events, who was a complete pleasure and provided seamless planning and coordination.  The day began with lovely details and lots of time for the bridal party to have fun before the ceremony. The bride's gorgeous dress was Jenny Lee.  Damon graduated from the Naval Academy and both he and Diana have an admirable sense of duty to the country, so the patriotic atmosphere really added to the ambience.  It made for fun photos as well!

The ceremony was outdoors at sunset and guests looked out over a reflection pool behind the bride and groom.

We were delighted to discover that the Nixon Library ballroom is an exact replica of the ballroom in the White House and was so beautiful. We couldn't get over the gorgeous chandeliers; they were enormous and twinkled all night.

After lots of dancing, a creative candy table was offered to the guests ending the night on a sweet note.

Damon and Diana,

Thank you so much for including us in your special wedding.  Your day was so beautiful, and we're so glad to see the happiness you bring each other.

God's Blessings to you both,

Annette, Colin, and Annie

Just the word "September" makes me want to head for the hills.  Have you ever had that feeling?  The summer was long and hot and now you just want to grab your journal and find a mountain?  Well just in case I'm not the only one, TripleCord will be planning another workshop, this time in a cozy cabin.  (NOT the cabin in this photo, but you get the idea!)

Getting away is about peace and quiet!  It's about appreciating beauty.  It's about suddenly finding creativity in every leaf.  It's about coming back to your life refreshed and energized with new friendships, talent, and memories.  I hope your autumn is off to a great start.  Workshop details coming soon.

--Annie

When I heard about our bride, Jessica Edwards Skinner, writing a book, anticipation filled my heart.  Numerous messages throughout our experience with Jessica and her husband, Jesse, led me to believe that God was using them in powerful ways to administer His grace.  A few weeks ago I ran into Jessica's parents', Patti and Jim at church, and they had a copy of the book in their car.  Patti told me that even some men were reading it more than once.  It didn't surprise me at all.  I knew that God had turned Jessica's past into a powerful message even for men.  That night I began reading it and was so blessed by Jessica's transparency and willingness to be a conduit of God's grace and power.  Hungry is a treasure of wisdom for all who read it, and a MUST-read for every parent and teen.

"Hungry recounts Jessica’s vivid story of battling and eventually beating anorexia and bulimia. In recovery she learned that what she really longed for was to feel close to God and the people around her - to be completely loved and to love completely. Journey back with her into her childhood, where the enemy's lies were planted. Walk by her side as she leads you through the details of her victorious battle and learn how you too can be set free."  ~taken from Burning One Books' website

We met Jessica and her husband, Jesse, through their wedding of which many have called "Miracles at the Montage."  In my 20 years of wedding experience, I have yet to see such powerful affects of pure grace manifested in a couple. When I try to describe it, I can't.  Inside Weddings Magazine wrote an eloquent story of the day or you can read our version here. Those who were present got the best story and left that day with a deeper understanding of God's love.  Many were miraculously changed.

There was power in this kiss....it was the first time Jessica and Jesse had kissed each other.  It lasted longer than most kisses as you might have expected!  

Annie captured so well the joy and energy that radiate between them; my favorite image as well as the one used on the cover of their album.

You can get your copy of Hungry by clicking here or going to www.burningonebooks.com.  

Thank you, Jessica, for revealing the Truth that answers all of life's questions and the healing that rescue's every starved soul.  We are so honored to have taken a small part in God's victorious debut of "Jesse and Jessica Skinner's Love Story" and are anticipating with great expectations the next chapters still to come!  

~Annette Biggers

Saturday morning at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast, the bride, Chelsea and her family were getting ready for the big day.  Chelsea and her groom, Omid, decided to honor both of their family traditions by participating in double marriage ceremonies.  This meant that lucky Chelsea had two gorgeous gowns complete with designer shoes and jewelry for each.  She wore silvery bow-tie Ferragamos for the Persian Sofreh and switched to studded Louboutins for her American-style ceremony.  

Everything was perfectly in place and running smoothly thanks to the oversight of Jeannie Savage from Details, Details.  Sunny at White Lilac designed the event with inspiration from Chelsea's favorite crystal chandelier.  I love how this simple concept evolved into the romantic, opulent, and modern look.Here are some more of Chelsea's lovely details including her elegant stationary by Nichelle Luc.  The invitations were printed on a transparent jewel-top with hand applied crystals: beyond gorgeous and completely unique!

Meanwhile, the guys were having fun too.

The Sofreh was so beautiful.  All the details had been prepared and the guests were buzzing with good wishes for Chelsea and Omid.  I loved the tradition of bride and groom feeding each other a little bite of honey!  It's so celebratory and reminds us to enjoy each other and sweeten the lives of our beloved.

The guests and bridal party transitioned to the Rotunda to see the couple tie the knot again.

Chelsea and Omid are fortunate to both have incredible parents and families!

The evening party began in the ballroom as the couple danced the night away.

Chelsea and Omid,

Photographing your story was a complete honor.  We were so inspired by the kindness of your guests, the warmth of your family traditions, and the life that you are building together.

Blessings and happiness,

Annette, Colin, and Annie