After the Ceremony

The Silverman Endeavor

2010-02-09T13:53:00.000-08:00

It's a wedding photographer's pleasure to shoot away from home. Lindsey and Yale always made the unfamiliar places seem like friendly places. I'll be looking forward to the post-wedding meeting with them in April!

The colder the weather became in ATL, and the closer it was to Lindsey and Yale's big day - the more excited I became! They couldn't have picked a more perfect day to get married in Delray Beach FL!

The couple picked Morikami Gardens. I have to say that as far as destination weddings are concerned, Morikami has it figured out. As a photographer, I walked into a completely organized establishment with beautiful grounds for a ceremony and a well appointed ballroom. For inclement weather, they have a theater where a couple can tie the knot. The surroundings were beautiful, the food was excellent and the service the guests received was superior. If you're looking to get married in South Florida, give them a call and see what they have to offer you!

Lindsey and Yale have been easy to work with from the start. They're a bright and young couple with neat, laid-back personalities. Getting to know them in November at the engagement shoot, I was pretty excited to see where they came from. What I found was 2 very entertaining families. I am confident when they put their upbringings together, that they will raise a great family and procure a solid future.

I don't think I have ever met a bride's father as cool as Lindsey's. There is no possible way you can spend any amount of time with him and not laugh yourself silly. In fact, one of the best shots of the entire wedding was his idea. Justin grabbed the shot, and when I found it I had a LOL fest. Shooting was as easy as it gets and by the end of the night, the guests were "well oiled" thanks to the open bar! There's nothing like a wet reception for entertaining photos!

Justin and I spent the preceding 4 days in West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. It was very necessary to get all the relaxation we could gather (at least that's what we convinced ourselves of). The night of the rehearsal and dinner, we stumbled across a kick-butt drum line at Delray Beach. Since I hadn't had the chance, I walked the beach line. Hundreds of dead man-o-war littered the beach. I heard a couple of days later that there was some sort of chemical spill off the coast around Juno Beach.

To those who read my blog and are looking for good food in the area, check out Morikami's outdoor cafe and a place in Coral Springs called Wings Plus. Freaking incredible wings!

Congratulations to Lindsey and Yale! I wish you guys the best and truly hope that your images bring a lifetime of nostalgia, reflecting how much fun it was to work with you!

Allen Mullins - Forever Endeavors

Lauren and Drew Make a Promise

2010-01-21T16:58:00.000-08:00

At the end of February I get to shoot another wedding at Bradford House and Gardens in Flowery Branch GA. This is my top venue; I love to shoot there because of the down-home feel and hospitality that is shown to guests and vendors. It's a beautiful place with great food and ample space for intimate weddings.

Lauren and Drew (and Lisa) have picked me to follow them on February 26th. This is one of those occasions that I know will be special. There's a family dynamic between Lauren and her future in-laws unlike anything I have ever seen. It's a pretty remarkable thing when a family is so accepting that it's almost like an adoption, an emotional commitment. Bonds like that are hard to break, and a family that strong will withstand almost anything.

It's been a tough start to 2010 for the O'Learys. A workplace tragedy that made national news hit home, and "going to work" changed forever for Bill. This is an event that even touched my life, as I used to work for their "competitor". Proven through these events, just as I expected, the O'Learys are classy people with big hearts. Lauren will fit in perfectly!

We shot engagement pictures for a couple of hours in historic downtown Buford GA and the Mall of GA. Lauren and Drew wasted no time loosening up for the camera! It was very easy getting them to pretend I wasn't even there - they were pretty caught up in each other! Toward the end, Drew and I realized we used to bowl in a league together. Small world huh?!

Congratulations to all of you! I can clearly tell that this is more than just a wedding of 2 people, but a joining of 2 families that will create great memories, endless support, memorable holidays and a beautiful Forever Endeavor.

Heading to the Sunshine State

2010-01-21T16:39:00.000-08:00

Back in November, I had the pleasure of meeting Lindsey and Yale and taking their engagement portraits in Boca Raton, FL. This was a referral from the Faith family, thank you guys so much!

One of the best parts of this job is the freedom to travel, see new(ish) places and meet new people; Lindsey and Yale are the type of people who make me love this job even more. They were not only nice, but fun. It took a few minutes to loosen them up, but once they were in gear, the race was on! They were so much fun that I carried over to the next day and shot them at a second location.

This Tuesday I get to load up the truck and head back to Florida for their wedding. When you connect with a client as well as this - it's hard to not be as excited for them as you would be for your best friend. I am truly happy for them and believe they have a very bright future ahead. It will be exceptionally nice to be behind the camera that captures their Forever Endeavor.

Fort Lauderdale, West Palm and Boca Raton - Here we come!

Brand New Year - Brand New Endeavor

2010-01-01T19:08:00.000-08:00

2010 is starting with a new outlook on several things. There will be another member born into our family in March, and this will be my first full year as a full-time photographer. I have always worked a full-time job plus photography; due to the current economy and conditions at work, I was thrown into a decision I am happy with, but wasn't willing to make on my own. Funny how that works!

Forever Endeavors saw a tremendous year in 2009, and that was with efforts limited by another job - I am so excited to see what 2010 holds with everything I can throw into it. I've leased a real office, taken work away from home and I'm getting a fresh foot in the water. There's now a place for clients to see me that's not a coffee shop or restaurant; a place they'll feel at home and can take all the time in the world to flip through albums, see my work, get to know me and my style, and make an informed decision on their wedding photography.

I love what I do. I absolutely love every opportunity (I call them invitations) to attend someone's special day and chronicle their memories. I take it seriously, but I like to have fun and make it fun. I think that's a lot of what makes my work unique, and that's the meaning of the name Forever Endeavors. The Forever Endeavor: That's what I'm in it for, and that's what you're in it for. This year I will be introducing the Forever Endeavor package that will offer the best coverage for the best price - anywhere.

So this year, Forever Endeavors will be making an effort to grow outward, and not upward. Our brand of photography, coupled with our level of service will set the standard for the industry with unique packages, intense and intimate coverage, the most personal and friendly experience, a hard-driven client focus and most importantly - the WOW factor.

Our first move outside of Atlanta will be to South Florida. My plan is to make South Florida a second home for Forever Endeavors, eventually flirting with the idea of making it the first home. I love the area, love the people and see limitless opportunity for what we have to offer. Starting today, wedding photography will be offered in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm, Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Orlando and Jacksonville areas.

If you're a bride thinking of hiring a photographer, I can personally guarantee that you will find nothing but friendliness and honesty with us, even if we think the style you're looking for would be best served by another company. Once you sign on with us, you're a client, and a friend. We will never treat you like a number and you will love every bit of the experience.

To all of my clients in 2009 - thank you from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate your confidence and will be forever grateful for your referrals. If not for you, I wouldn't be where I am today.

To my future clients - I look forward to meeting you. I will never lie to you, sell you up the river or make empty promises.

To potential clients - Enjoy your search and your journey. If you don't enjoy your search, change the course you're on. Make sure you really really like your photographer (as a person), they're going to be recording one of the biggest days of your life, working with your family and handling your memories.

To my current staff - God love you! Thank you for putting up with me, my indecisiveness, insecurity, perfectionism and last-minute projects. Thank you for the things you have done in good faith and especially for your support (both work and personal). You rock! Whether reason, season or lifetime - I will always remember your efforts and pass along the good word. I'll always say this - I'm not in this to be famous or make a killing, but to be happy and make a living.

To my family - your support, companionship and encouragement have carried me through the rainiest seasons of my life. I am glad to say that I can put my faith in God, my trust in family and heart in my work. I hope that every album I present to a new family will reflect the heart and soul you've given me for so long. I hope that the content of my character is well reflected in the images I shoot. Every beautiful picture has a feeling that I am very familiar with, and it's because you've given it to me. Thank you.

Every time I look at the stars, I think of how that has been the backdrop of so much history. Here I stand, under the same backdrop as so many heroes, and I get to do what I love in a free country. That same sky will be the backdrop of thousands of weddings this year. I look forward to every one that I get to attend.

So here's to 2010! Let's make it a record year, and send home more memories than ever!

Cheers!
Allen

Catoe/Perez Endeavor

2009-09-24T17:51:00.000-07:00

Despite the rain, everyone was in a sunny mood! Of so many beautiful and sunny weddings I have shot outdoors with gloomy moods, this was certainly the opposite. Kim and Mike wear an obvious and galvanized love for each other very well. From the moment we met, I could tell that the wedding was going to be an emotional one.

I have seen a lot of things in the last year. My first Hindu wedding, a bride given away by her brother in honor of her father's absence in body, a groom married by his father; but until now, I had never seen a bride married by her father. As a father myself, I fully expect to grieve the loss of my little girl as she matures into a lady - and I dread the day I turn her over to the stewardship of another man. For me to marry her myself would certainly be an honor, but I just don't think I could handle it. Ken well-displayed his spiritual authority and leadership through his strength as he wed his daughter to another man, who would become her life partner and guardian.

Congratulations to everyone! I sincerely believe this is a mutual marriage in that the families are all happy for each other and that everyone feels like they gained something. A lifetime of family, love and support awaits you Kim and Mike; and I wish you all the best!

Thanks to Justin Moore for his assistance and talent with camera 2, thanks to Karen Catoe for setting up the initial meeting and thank you to Ken Catoe for your trust and confidence in me, to carry out capturing this landmark day in the life of your little girl! God bless you all!

Schtick is MIA - Adventure Creative Takes a Vacation

2009-09-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

So Kellie hung up the scrubs for a week and I vacated YearOne. However, the cameras go with! With essentially 2 jobs, a vacation is much in order about every six months. The cool thing about it is that you get to intentionally clear your mind, clear your plate and focus on the things that matter - taking time to have some conversations with God and deal with yourself (good and bad).

Kellie and I take a personal vacation every year and we take a full-family vacation every year. Usually with her brothers and parents; sometimes with some of my family. The main thing is that we get to reconnect, because the hustle and fast routine of life brings you out of touch, out of mind and that disconnection can even draw some amount of bitterness and/or discomfort. Times like these are important in that you get to bring everyone together for a common reason, and let God give you an alignment (so to speak).

This year is no different, if not more needed than usual. I have been dealing with some things personally that needed a sortin' and Kellie needed the break from "the usual". Over the last couple of days I have re-seeded my heart with some very fundamental principles and put them to work. There's a couple of things that are for certain. Life is too short for a)bullcrap, b)grudges, and c)wasted time/efforts. How you handle a, b and c can be key in the perception of whatever situation they apply to. I have a tendency to avoid "a", focus on "b" and figure that "c" shouldn't be spent on people that bring "a" and "b".

As a sort of illustration, I have taken the eraser and wiped all of the above off the chalkboard and I am simply spending time. I have reached a point in my life that I want to enjoy the company of others, I want them to enjoy my company and that's it; it's that simple. Anything that causes "all of the above" isn't really of value and is time wasted in God's eyes - as it should be in mine. I used to take the approach of life that I would like to be able to see certain people/situations through God's eyes. I abandoned that and I've paid the price for that, both in my career and my personal life.

This vacation is intentional to set things straight - job, family and faith. All my friends who know my faith and convictions - thank you for your prayers and support. I don't intend on returning to Georgia as a "new" or "better" me, just a me with out "a", "b", and "c".

So here's a little personal blog to throw in with all the wedding blogs that are coming soon! 5 more days of vacation and I'll once again pick up the cameras for business instead of personal and put the red pen back to paper. Until then ...

Bring on the waves!
Allen Mullins

Lopez/Guisasola Endeavor

2009-08-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

Allison and Miguel are now married and on their way to "happily ever after". The wedding day was as perfect as I could have bargained for; mild weather and white puffy clouds! Of all the HOT weddings I have shot outdoors, this one was indoors on a beautiful day - but beautiful nonetheless!

The ceremony took place at the First United Methodist Church in Bethlehem, GA. It is a very nice church to shoot in and around; there's a classic feel to it and the lighting certainly wasn't the worst I had ever seen. The ceremony was pretty quick; and then they were off to the Carl House for the reception. The Bride and Groom left in a black stretch and a motor coach carried the wedding party.

From Guisasola Endeavor

When I arrived at the Carl House I had to enter through the exit; the entrance was blocked by the motor coach that got stuck as they were turning in. When the bus returned to take them to their hotel, it was parked on the street!

I must say that Carl House is one of the premier wedding houses in north Georgia. The staff was on target and helpful in every way. I absolutely love the nostalgic feel of the place from the butterfly staircase to the real wood trim. It's an elegant venue - no doubt, and Denise Myers is first-class.

From Guisasola Endeavor

Allen Mullins

A New Endeavor

2009-08-24T17:06:00.000-07:00

I am now officially sworn to maintain this blog with each wedding I shoot. Everything is set up and ready to go - and now you get to pull the curtain back and catch a glimpse of what I feel, as well as what I see. I've often said that photography is a window to the soul; a quick glance through a photographer's portfolio and you can learn a lot about what thrills them, what they love and who they love.

Welcome to my world. I love shooting weddings and I am thoroughly convinced that this is exactly what God had planned for me. I began Forever Endeavors with the Bride in mind, creating a personal and intimate photography experience that has been and will remain unmatched and unparalleled in this industry. This is her special day! Give us a shot, and let us spoil the crap out of you!

Allen Mullins

Jones/Bruce Endeavor

2009-06-23T05:11:00.000-07:00

It's always pretty cool to just "randomly" be a part of someone's wedding day, even if it is from behind a camera. There's something unique at every wedding - good or bad. I have been fortunate and blessed that all of my experiences have been good.

Even though the routine is always the same (depending on the culture and religion), "the moment" in each one changes. My perspective at every wedding is usually as a Dad, since that is now the greatest part of my life. This time, I caught a glimpse of the connection between a Mother and her Son, and it was so close, yet so far away from what I feel when I watch a Father walk his girl down the aisle and dance with her at the reception.

There's something special between a little girl and her Dad, but for the first time, I feel like I got to watch this unfold through the eyes of the Groom's Mom.

I felt like I had just watched a bird get dropped from the nest. Mom didn't really cry, but Son sure did. For that second I realized that the switch wasn't from boy to man, it was from having safety and security - to providing it. It's the realization that things change, and the Son you once held is holding someone else. The ingredients of motherhood obviously include some pain, most of which is kept at bay, and private. In 3 minutes, I watched a grown man go through nostalgia, comfort, fear and a recognition that there is now officially a past, present and future. Mom just smiled right through it, sure to deal with her own realizations, alone with God, later that night.

Moms really are silent heroes, and the truth is that every day is Mother's Day.

Congratulations to Haley and Kyle, you share a special bond. You know who yourselves are, and you know who you married. You'll realize how great that is in 5 years.

Allen Mullins