Michael and Carina Photography

To my dearest friend,

Hello Schatz. I just wanted to write you a short note, just like we used to do, to say Happy Birthday.

There are no words for how happy you make me, how entirely you complete me.

I can’t comprehend after over 10 years of a relationship and almost 6 years of being married what I could have ever done to deserve you.

But I won’t dare to question what ever brought us together. I love you, and you love me, and each day, each year that passes with you I am grateful for.

As much as I know you’re excited to be alive, and as much excited as we both are to be here, right now, living our dream in America…

…I also know that what used to be such a happy time of year for you is now bittersweet, missing your family.

Take comfort in knowing that this day, like any other day, is another milestone putting us closer to seeing them again!

Thank you for putting up with me the past year. In all my absent-mindedness (anyone who knows me know what I mean), you forgive me. You are patient with me.

Thank you for encouraging me to always do better and to never be satisfied with “normal.”

I could say, “Zhat’s zhe German way,” or that’s just your Bavarian Abitur talking, but what a disservice that would be.

Your character goes much deeper than that.

Your kindness, your loveliness, your humor, your generosity, your patience, your stubbornness… I am thankful for all of the wonderful things that make you who you are.

For your birthday, I’d like to make a wish for you.

Forgive me for being selfish, but it has to do with me.

For your birthday, I wish that I can be a better help to you, love you better and remember to tell you each and every day something that amazes me about you.

You deserve nothing less!

I am so happy you’re alive.

And I am so very, deeply, madly, truly in love with you.

Happy birthday.

Your Michael

Virginia Beach Fine Art Film Photographers

Melissa contacted us last Fall for a family portrait session in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

It would  require some patient waiting, though.. Carlos wouldn’t be back until Spring.

Like so many in the Hampton Roads area, Melissa, Carlos and little Levi know what it means to be patient.

Carlos is a proud member of the US Navy and was out at sea for almost a year.

It was all the more special, and an even greater honor, when April finally came around and we were able to spend an afternoon  in Windsor Castle Park with this lovely family.

Every moment they have together is treasured; nothing is taken for granted.

It was a blessing to see these three united again after being apart for so long.

Melissa, Carlos, and Levi – thank you so much for allowing us  to have spent a wonderful afternoon with you!

So this is something some of you may already know, but we thought we’d make the announcement on our blog because we are SO excited!!!

We love our clients and we really want to give them images that stand out, while at the same time offering an *experience* with us.

We’ve grown a lot in the past year and we’ve learned a lot too.

But as far as we’ve come, there is still much – so much – we want to learn.

That’s why this year, we decided to build on what we know. We want to really take things to the next level… whatever that means.
It sounds cliche’, but we mean it.

There were a couple of workshops we looked at, and thanks to the advice of a friend, we were finally able to decide on one!

This June we will be flying out to California to join the fantastic Erich and Amy McVey of Erich McVey Photography for a fine art photography workshop. We’re looking forward to meeting some of the nicest, most inspiring people… not just Amy and Erich… but top vendors from the wedding industry and some of the best up and coming photographers from across the country for what is sure to be an amazing experience. Also, a little vacation on the Pacific Coast of California sounds nice too. 🙂
A google search of “Elk, California,” (where we will be staying), yields these results…

Imagine the photoshoot possibilities!! *swooooooon…*

To say we’re excited is an understatement.

We can’t wait to get inspired, take amazing photographs, build relationships with wonderful people, and bring back all of what we learn to Virginia.

Thank you guys for encouraging us and believing in us… you know who you are. 🙂

xoxo Michael and Carina

Erich McVey Photography | Erich McVey Workshop

We are so excited to announce something that we have been doing for the past several months and that have gotten popular without us blogging about or advertising a single session:

Skype Mentoring Sessions for Photographers!

Well, they are too much fun to keep secret any longer, and we’d love the opportunity to do more of them.

Over the past several months, we’ve connected with photographers from Conneticut to California via Skype. We’ve answered questions about film, guided photographers step-by-step and in real-time through our editing process, reviewed portfolios, and more, all without our clients leaving their living rooms.

It’s a relaxed atmosphere and so much fun. We don’t pretend to be know-it-alls; we just want to help and we share what has worked for us, and what hasn’t worked for us.

For about 2-3 hours we’re a completely open book.

After the mentoring session is over, we keep in touch and offer feedback on how you are putting what you’ve learned into practice.

For the 2-3 hour runtime, your investment is $300. Custom pricing is available for shorter (1 hour) Skype sessions but usually 3 hours is the ideal time frame.

All you need is a pen, paper, a list of your questions, a cup of coffee, and a Skype account (preferably with mic AND webcam).

Whether you want to talk all about film, or the business of shooting & sharing, we’re looking forward to hearing from you! For more info, feel free to write us at info@michaelandcarina.com.

xoxo Michael and Carina

PS. Read a review of a Skype mentoring session here!

Cameron and Julia originally didn’t plan on an engagement session when we met that day a few weeks ago.
They booked us from Ohio and already had an engagement session with a local photographer.
We just showed up on our date in Williamsburg with our camera and one roll of film.
But these two William and Mary alumni were too sweet not to photograph as we walked around the W+M campus, discussing the details for the big wedding day.
It’s important to us to get to know our clients before the wedding day, and we’re so thankful we had an opportunity to spend the day hanging out with them.
One roll of film, just a few casual shots, but their love is all that matters.
We can’t wait for May!!