I mostly can't wait to see gorgeous Kelly in her gown! It's always the best part, isn't it?

Cheers to Kelly and Sean!!

Here are a few pages from their Leather Craftsmen Guest book. The cover is a rich black leather embossed with "Kelly and Sean."

Couples, be sure to ask your photographer for a custom guest book or engagement album in your package! It's such a nice compliment to your wedding album.

Photographers can purchase many of these textures by clicking here.

Yesterday we joined with photographer Ruby Rideout and videographer Solomon from Mission Visual to capture the engagement celebration of our heroic couple, Michael Coppolino and Glenda Hoffman. Lauren from Design Visage generously gave us her expert hair and makeup talents. As we were leaving, big raindrops began to plop on my windshield and we all laughed at the probability of rain in July in California! Very seldom is there ever a good thunderstorm here and I can even count how many I've witnessed on one hand in the last 20 years. The dark clouds and lightning made it seem that we might need to reschedule. Annie and I recalled all of our "terrible" weather situations in the past and how God always had a blessing hidden in them. We laughed with God and His amazing creations in our past, then Ruby said with childlike faith in her voice how cool it would be to have lightening or a rainbow. WELL....God delivered not only a beautiful rainbow, but a FULL one! It outlined Glenda and Michael's shoot for nearly 20 minutes. We were stunned.

This was looking the other direction....

The fabulous Your Wedding Day Magazine! Look for Wedding 4 Africa's article in the Spotlight section. And our 2 page ad on pages 6/7.

Som'ores by the fire ended our nearly perfect evening!

Some great pictures from Annie...

Solomon from Mission Visual interviews me for a promo video, coming soon!

Rainbows have always been God's message of goodness to His creation. He uses it to remind us that He is for us and not against us. The word hope has been watered down by our distance from the ONE who gave it to us and many think of it as "wishful thinking"; in its original meaning it is "a confident expectation of good." Yesterday God was reminding us WHO was in charge and thankfully, He is!! He will find us the PERFECT venue!

More images coming soon from Ruby and Annie. Be encouraged, friends!

<3,

Annette

You can read about the Royal Birthday Party we had for the orphans by clicking here, or watch the televised version on Get Married TV by clicking here.

Our friend, Keri Doolittle photography provided the images below and is also one of the sponsors.

This fall we will celebrate with all of the crazy awesome sponsors to bring enough funds to begin the building process for a school, a home, and a farm for our favorite African children in Kenya. Glenda and Michael will open their guest list to those willing to join in this life-changing venture. Please email me if you would like to be put on the guest list at annette@triplecord.com.

Ruby Rideout will be joining us for another one of our famous epic style engagement shoots! We have got big plans! Coming to a blog near you mid-July.

Wedding 4 Africa is Sponsored by: Your Wedding Day Magazine See all of our life-changing partners by clicking here.

See our last event that was featured on Get Married TV by clicking here. Also endorsed by Your Wedding Day Magazine. Read the article by clicking here.

When Tim asked us to do his photos for his new website, I asked him to send me samples of his favorite looks. I am always interested in "nailing" it for our clients. So I quickly got to looking through my idea file and searching images on the web. There were three actors that inspired me most when I thought of Tim's style; Matthew Fox, George Clooney and Denzel Washington. After a few hours of looking at their professional photos, I discovered that all three of them had images that stuck out from the Hollywood crowd. They had some of the most impactful and moving images of all. It was like comparing Annie Leibovitz to the paparazzi. Not even a contest. So I knew I was on the right track finding inspiration for Tim's shoot.

The image below was inspired by non other than Glee. He looks like the vocal coach that the entire cast can feel comfortable approaching and confident with the advice he gives.

This image reminded me of Lost actor, Matthew Fox; the jet flying over Los Angeles helped too. I love Tim's leadership capabilities more than even his incredible out-of-this-world singing talents and this image says "powerful leader" with contagious humility.

Tim Davis is such a fun person to hang around and at the end of the night he joked saying that I was an amateur photographer. He can get away with stuff like that!!

All of this fabulous lighting was provided by Colin. Above, Colin was standing in the middle of a pond on a rock. Not sure why he wants a raise!?! Also, the above and below pictures have a TripleCord Texture added. You can buy our textures here.

Tim married the most beautiful woman, Melody, who also beholds an amazing singing voice. I wish her beautiful face would have accompanied him on a few of these! She looks like Marilyn Monroe!

One of my favorite Christmas CD's is Tim's own Christmas Dreaming CD. Buy it here.

All of the following images were taken in the dark. I was manually focusing my camera which slowed us down quite a bit. The park ranger was getting a little impatient with us and I felt a little hurried. So, they are a miracle! This is when I said, "I hope the ranger doesn't ask me for a permit!" and Tim replied, "Don't worry, you look very amateurish!" haha. Note to self...modeling lights are a good investment and might make me appear a little more professional.

If you have ever visited Disneyland you will hear Tim's amazing voice while watching the Halloween Scream's fireworks show, a song with over 30 tracks of his own voice. His resume' includes too many movies, TV shows and commercials to mention here but a few include, Spiderman, Superman, Santa Clause, King Kong, Raiders of the Lost Ark, X-men, iRobot, and Happy Feet. Many artists have been coached by Tim such as, Kelly Clarkson, Nicole Kidman, Faith Hill, Barry Manilow, Amy Grant and Natalie Grant.

Tim Davis' dedication to instilling value in the people he coaches is what makes him superior to his contemporaries. Everything he touches turns to gold, it seems. We are anticipating his next venture to be bigger and better. Be watching for his new website launching soon!

Soldier can be purchased on iTunes. Search "Marika, Soldier" and you'll find it!

Marika and her amazing husband Stacy in historic Gas Town in Vancouver. Stacy is TripleCord's newest fashion photographer/producer and provides services throughout the Pacific Northwest. Our partnership with him, we believe, was a providential set-up!

Dear friends,

Yesterday, Colin, Annie and I were discussing our next TripleCord 1-Day Workshop on July 14th. A day of inspirational portfolio building. As we were listening to Marika's song, the ideas came flowing. We can't wait to share this tremendous vision with you. Coming soon! I can not express enough the importance of listening to music that inspires. The song Soldier is a great example of strong word pictures and timeless value that produces food for the imagination and widens our perception and vision.

Friends, listen to inspiring songs....invest in your heart....surround yourself with people who speak life into your soul. "Above EVERYTHING, guard your heart, for it is the well-spring of life."

Much love,

Annette Biggers

Congratulations to Breena Hughes and Kenny Nakamoto who were married last week at the Japanese Gardens at Cal State Long Beach! The morning started with a few clouds over the Huntington Hyatt, where bride and groom were preparing for their big day, but later at the ceremony site up the coast, the skies were blue blue blue. Here are a few romantic details to set the scene.

Breena made such a gorgeous bride! And I love how Colin set up this portrait of Kenny in the lounge: handsome groom.

These two had such great bridal parties. Lots of personality and laughter set the fun tone all day long.

There was PLENTY of romance everywhere! The next two really show the privacy of the gardens.

We finished with some portraits in a nearby meadow. Lots of texture on this first one, off camera flash on both.

Breena and Kenny,

Thank you so much for including us in your beautiful day. It was such an honor to spend time with you and your families, and we wish you every happiness in your new life together!

Annie, Colin, and Annette

It is very vague in my memory when I discovered the power of embracing my God-given beauty however, I believe it must become a lifestyle and daily choice. It is trusting in a loving Father instead of the negative voices in your head. It's knowing that He is your comforter and will supply you of everything your heart longs for. Without love and acceptance, any hope of beauty goes with it. Author Nicole Johnson wrote, "Beautiful children are the ones who know they are loved and accepted. A bright smile, confidence, and warmth are born in the soul of one who feels loved." Unfortunately, we have taken our beauty out of God's hands and given it to men. We listen too much to the distorted truth about who we are.

My friends, the key to a healthy body, mind, and spirit is to feed on the truth. Find out what God says about you and then start telling yourself the same thing. If you hear voices of condemnation or guilt, they are not from God. He is dancing over you and celebrating your beautiful life. Now is the time to join Him in this dance! Then you will begin to notice the weight begin to melt away, health returning to your body, joy radiating from your face and a bounce in your step!

My friends Stacy and Marika Siewert are two who have embraced the truth about themselves. When they enter a room, it lights up and healing happens. Here's some pictures of our recent adventures in Ft. Langley, BC at Eighteen 27, a vintage martini and piano bar. Marika is wearing a stunning dress provided by The Little White House, also in Ft. Langley.

Be looking for Marika's new hit single, Soldier, coming out this month! A beautiful and powerful song.

Dear Friends.....go meet today and all of your circumstances in the power of knowing that you are loved!

Your fellow loved one,

Annette Biggers

to celebrate the couple and wedding of the year!

The wedding that will begin a legacy of hope to orphans everywhere through a worldwide movement called Wedding 4 Africa.

Dear Friends,

If you want to know more about this amazing movement or want to leave a life-changing legacy that stretches all the way around the world, please email me today at annette@triplecord.com. You can make a difference as a vendor or engaged couple. Find out more by going to the link above and clicking on "Wedding 4 Africa." Also, look for the article in Your Wedding Day Magazine found at Target, Barnes and Noble or Borders. We'd love to hear from you!!

Warmly,

Annette

PS. Thanks to our friends' Rose of Rose's Flowers and Gifts for providing the flowers above and BiSou Bridal for the beautiful couture dress. More to come from these two vendors in Vancouver, BC!! Thanks also to our fabulous model Marika, also known for her hit songs, Wherever You Are, You Know I Will, Never Stop Believing, and Radio.

In february, Colin traveled to Vancouver for the Olympics and met an amazing couple, Stacy and Marika Siewert, through some mutual friends. Soon after, I met Marika (Canadian pop star) when she was recording at an LA studio. We had dinner and got to know each other enough to know that we were very kindred spirits. It seemed that our hearts and minds were identical twins.

March brought even a stronger bond when Marika expressed interest in TripleCord and our workshop during a phone conversation. She said that her and Stacy had discovered TripleCord about 10 months prior when our mutual friends, Rex and Katrina Crain, were visiting them in Vancouver. Stacy is a talented photographer and was ready to launch a business in BC. They too began asking God for guidance along with the "how, what, when, and where" questions. When they asked me what I thought about bringing TripleCord to Canada, it was as if a light bulb turned on and God said, "This is the answer you have been looking for." It seemed oddly perfect.

After Stacy and Marika took our workshop in April, we enjoyed receiving many confirmations that this was a 'GO!' And now here we are ready to launch an exciting new partnership with Stacy. Last week we flew up to Vancouver to meet all of the vendors he had made connections with and were so impressed by his ability to "win friends and influence people!" Stacy is an easy person to like IMMEDIATELY. He introduced TripleCord to the best of Vancouver including hair/makeup artists, florists, venues and bridal boutiques. We celebrated our new adventure with 5 inspirational photo shoots featuring each vendor's exquisite style and service.

Below, Marika wears a designer gown from Lazaro of NY with the direction and help of Colleen at BiSou Bridal who also stylized the dress with a sash from Lazaro and a hairpiece from Paris Jewellry. Nancie Hall, PR Marketing Director, of Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel made arrangements for us to use the Chairman's Suite as our studio. Stay tuned for more photos from this amazing venue known as Vancouver's most remarkable address with over 2,250 square feet of pure luxury.

We decided to make friends with the rain clouds and create a stormy feel with lighting techniques and exposures. The lighting was provided by a really hot guy named Mike Biggers. (-:

Colleen at BiSou Bridal couldn't have done a more perfect job of selecting this outfit!

Emily Hope of On the Fringe Hair Design, managed Marika's locks the entire day and the make-up artistry was provided by Kim DeHoog and Amber Butterworth. When Stacy wasn't working behind the scenes making sure everything flowed perfectly, he joined in the drama by romancing his beautiful wife of 9 years.

Marika's music career manager, Candace Newton, connected us with lovely Darlene from Vows Bridal in Surrey to provide us with this stunning red gown. If you live anywhere near Surrey, Vows is a glamorous showroom with great service providing hundreds of choices for bridal and evening gowns.

Every ten minutes or so, planes fly in from Victoria and other islands surrounding the Vancouver area. I was so happy to see a RED one!

Dear friends,

Whenever you feel as though God may have forgotten your phone number, remember his character. Remember that he has you "engraved on the palm of his hand." When you are struggling with many questions for Him have faith that He is working behind the scenes preparing connections and setting up your next opened door. Your increase and success does not need to come through stressful ways but comes when you are restfully listening to the genius and master of everything successful. Hang in there and be encouraged! If God performs miracles in my life, He will for you also. I am no special person but He is an awesome and loving God. Now go and "lengthen your cords!"

Warmly,

Annette Biggers

Still to come.... a beautiful tea house in Fort Langley, a vintage piano jazz bar, the Chairman's Suite at Pacific Rim Hotel, cobble stone streets of Gas Town, the Lion's Gate Bridge and Carrie Bradshaw's shoes!!

We design each album from scratch using our pre-designed textures to help. Brides love to feel as though they are getting something that no one else can get; which is why artisan quality and custom design is so important to offer if you are going for a more exclusive clientele. It's the "boutique" experience most brides will pay extra for.

Here's a few more pictures of our awesome couple, Kelly and Sean. Be sure to check out the rest of their shoot on 5-25-2010...SUPER romantic.

The vintage affect in these two pictures was attained by toning in LR and then Kevin Kuboto's "Punch Light" was added to the top in PhotoShop.

The enhancement below was acquired 100% in LR by dialing the white balance to a cooler tone.

Below, I added a layer of beige color on top of the image and then switched the mode to Soft Light.

Below, I used the "Aged Photo" preset in LR.

Below is the "Light Antique" preset in Light Room.

Below is out-of-camera capture.

Giving your clients a variety of looks to choose from is one of the ways you can give them a boutique experience. Custom albums and exclusive service is a must for the "high-end" photographer. This week Annie and I were talking about calling one of our brides and taking her to tea. It is such a joy for us to be able to treat her as special as she really is. We encourage you to become the photographer you would have loved having when you were getting married.

Have a great weekend! Vancouver Romance coming next!

Annette Biggers

One thing that I love about teenagers is that everywhere they look, there seems to be energy, romance, and life. In my life these days, romance seems to require more advance planning. But I'm also realizing that when I make time to treasure the people I love and the beauty that surrounds me, I am immersed in sudden joy and the delight of the moment once again. On this holiday weekend, create a lovely scene for someone in your life... and don't forget the camera!

--Annie

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Chelsea and Omid will be getting married this summer at Pelican Hill Resort with the amazing Details Details team as their coordinators. With this combination they are sure to have their dream wedding come to fruition.

....and for the 5 second shot. NFL players to the left and right (cropped out!). Chelsea's dress was perfect!

Omid got into the stylizing of the shoot with fake "sleeves." I am guessing Omid's groomsmen are going to be some memorable ones if they are anything like him.

Chelsea and Omid,

Thanks for providing such an adventurous fun day! Your fake tattoo sleeves and extensive wardrobes got us to believing that you might be having a really fun wedding! We are looking so forward it and meeting your families and friends.

Annette and Colin

Sean is the sweetest guy. I love how he couldn't stop looking at gorgeous Kelly.

Kelly kept us laughing with her wit. There is nothing sexier than a good sense of humor... unless it's these legs :)

Kelly and Sean,

Thank you for taking the time to share yourselves with us. We were deeply moved by the romantic story of how you met, and how your dedication to growth and family brought you together. God's richest blessings on you as you prepare for your wedding, and on your new life together. And thanks for the in'N'Out too :)

Annie, Annette, and Colin