**CANCELED** In order to provide superior service to my clients, I will not be open tonight for First Fridays.  I need to be as well as possible for my event in the morning which means taking care of this vicious head cold!

Let me leave you with one of the only professional photographs I have of me with my mom and sister.  I’m the chubby one on her lap!  (any flaws are due to the scanning process)

copyright M. Arana MADRID

It’s always great to get together with some of the fabulous vendors I see at weddings!  I rarely have time time to chit chat during a regular wedding/event but tonight was our party night!  Thank you to Amanda and Rhonda of Oak Ridge Estate for hosting this shingdig!  (Click on the images to view larger.)

Festive Fare provided the lovely spring linens

With flowers from Pharsalia, Amy West from Blue Ridge Floral created fresh and fragrant arrangments

Delicious catering was provided by The Rock Barn, Field to Fork.

pork and coleslaw

foi gras

looks like tomato and mozzarella, doesn’t it?

take a closer look – the top ball was watermelon!

tuna special

cauliflower soup with something yummy but I didn’t catch what it was!

Libations were provided by both Wintergreen Winery

and the Blue Mountain Brewery

Bennie Dodd provided the musical entertainment

as well as crowd control

and MC services!  Here he helps introduce Claire Goodman and Jessica Sheffield, founders of CCWEP!

and since the photographers rarely get into the shot, here’s Bill and Anne Holland from Holland Photo Arts.

Thanks for setting up your photo booth for our crazy fun enjoyment!

Become a fan on facebook to see more!

WOW! I made the cover of Hitched! (Lynchburg Living’s wedding Issue)  Here’s the image they used from Terry and Sean’s fabulous Washington and Lee wedding:

As soon as I get my hands on an actual copy I’ll post it!

Hi happy blog readers! You may already know that I limit the number of weddings I photograph each year to ensure my clients receive the best service and all my creative energies; this means I don’t book something every single weekend.  Just booked another one this weekend so I have about eight dates remaining; if you are thinking about booking me for your wedding in 2011, please contact the studio as soon as you have your date!

2012 brides, you’ll want to contact me soon if your wedding is in the spring time!

And since all posts are better with a picture…

In honor of American Heart Month, wear Red today and get a free instant portrait at the studio tonight during First Fridays with our special heart back ground!  Just come any time between 6-8 PM with something red on and a smile – it’s that simple!  (and it’s even ok if you forget – you can just hold our soft fuzzy red heart pillow in the picture!)  Then become a fan or friend on facebook to see the gallery from tonight, tag yourself and download your picture. Can’t wait to see you there!

Drama!  Costumes!  Pageantry!  Lights!  and most of all MUSIC!  As a supporter of Opera on the James, I want to let you know about their Opera Cabaret going on THIS Saturday downtown at the Joy & Lynch Christian Warehouse Theater! A ticket gets you dinner, open bar, live entertainment and a chance to bid on lots of fantastic items from top Lynchburg companies!

Buy tickets here and get a chance to bid on a Live Auction Donation valued at over $1000 from Allegra’s Studio!  I’ll be there and I hope to see you too!

The Internet has overcome one of the few disadvantages of being a sole proprietor working without employees – it’s been great to have a water cooler of other wedding vendors and photographers to share with.  Every once in a while, we get together in person to chat, network, even eat and drink!  Thanks to Jennifer at Hill City Bride for organizing our lovely Tea today at the Ploughcroft Tea Room!  A sneak peek at some of the decor and treats, plus a group shot.  Lots more on facebook – come and be my friend to see!

Come on down to the studio today for First Fridays and see the 1st Place winning photo from a fall portrait session!  We also have some new books to see and a fabulous new Charity Model Search going on!  From 6 to 8 PM at 901 Jefferson Street, Lynchburg, VA!

As 2010 winds down, I enjoy looking back at some of the sessions and weddings I’ve photographed.  You may enjoy watching our 2010 Year in Review slideshow!

Now I want to hear about your 2010.  Use the comments to tell me about you and your year!

-What’s the best thing that happened? The worst?

-What is the most important lesson you learned in the past year?

-What accomplishment are you most proud of in the past 12 months?

-What’s the one thing you would go back and do-over if you could?

-What was your biggest disappointment?

-What brought you the most joy?

-What was the best book you read? The worst? Best movie you saw? The worst?

and if you’re a current client, I would love to know which image was YOUR favorite from your event or session!

Thanks to Dhomonique Ricks at WSET channel 13 for not making me look TOO goofy!  Check it out for yourselves at this link! The video is on the right in a little box.