Long Beach, CA – January 19, 2010 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced Christine Lee Smith Photography has been selected to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for photography!

The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.

Christine Lee Smith Photography is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.

“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”

We are happy to announce that Christine Lee Smith Photography is among the very best photography within the WeddingWire Network, for the second year in a row, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings. We would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating us for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/christine-lee-smith-photography-long-beach/0973d23a574cc241.html.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding vendors. WeddingWire enables engaged couples to search, compare and book over 100,000 reviewed wedding vendors nationwide, from wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding vendors, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. In addition, WeddingWire has partnered with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) to provide its network of local vendors and online wedding-planning tools in the Weddings section of www.MarthaStewartWeddings.com. For additional information, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith


1 (888) 810-4322 | info @ clsphotography.com
Los Angeles | Orange County | Long Beach | California
Available for travel.

Thank you for your recommendations!

Oh, my what a week!

It's the end of the year, and around this time we begin asking our couples for feedback and recommendations from their experiences with us. We've been blessed beyond words at what some of you have had to say.

Here are a few highlights:

My wife and I hired Christine to photograph our wedding and were ecstatic at the work that she produced. We loved the quality of the photographs that were taken and everyone who has talked to us about our wedding tells us how much they love the photographs. The editing of the photos was first rate. Friends of ours who attended the wedding have even been inspired to take photography classes taught by Christine.

In addition, her creativity and variety of shots were great.

Overall, I'd recommend Christine for any event you want photographed. Her prices are on the high end of the photographers we looked at, but the quality made it all worth it.

Tyler & Lauren

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My wife and I chose Christine to shoot our wedding and engagement session in mid-2009 and the results were truly breathtaking! Not only is her work amazing but she is also a sweet and extremely friendly and understanding individual. Not once did we ever feel rushed or pressured during the months leading up to our wedding and on the day of...or afterwords during the album design process.

She will be our go-to person when we need a photographer for future family events and as well as be our first choice when a friend or family member needs help looking for a photographer.


Philip & Lidia

---

Thanks for making our week guys! You can be sure these reviews will make it to our website. :)

Have a wonderful week! Merry Christmas!


Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Merry Christmas! Holiday Hours

Yuletide, pine trees and red ribbons...

In 2009 we're dedicated to actually spending time with our family and friends (which we're super excited about). So in effort to keep clear communication with all of our lovely clients, the following charts out our holiday office hours:

Christmas Week (12/20-26) CLOSED
New Year's Eve & Day (12/31/09-1/1/10) CLOSED

Feel free to leave us messages or emails during this time, which will be checked once we return to the office, at:

(888) 810-4322 or info {at} clsphotography.com

Merry Christmas!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Do you Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans?

New Orleans has touched my heart in a deeper way than I could have ever expected.

Last week I had the privilege to attend Pictage's PartnerCon in New Orleans, LA. The conference was held at the beautiful Astor Crowne Plaza, right off Canal and Bourbon St.'s in the middle of the French Quarter.

View more NOLA photographs here.

I arrived Monday night, so tired from the early flight and drive to the airport. I was ready to crash by the time I checked in after dark around 6pm. The first chance I had to explore the Quarter wasn't until the following evening. I wandered Bourbon St. with my camera - taking in the sights and sounds, and smells. Honestly, at that moment I was ready to write off NOLA (New Orleans, LA). I'd had my taste, and my fill.

Wednesday, I was scheduled to go on a Shooting Workshop with the amazing photographer, Chris A. Williams, who calls NOLA home. The session started out slow on the bus drive over. I was determined to practice "Walking amongst the fireflies," (as photographer Will Jacks mentioned in a previous session the day before) with my 85mm f/1.2 rather than my workhorse, the 24-70mm f/2.8 lens.

I wanted to see NOLA through different eyes. And I did.








Our wonderful bus driver gave us some cultural commentary as we drove into the 9th Ward district. He told us about how the levy broke because of a barge that was parked there just before Katrina hit. We heard how all the open grass lands in the district were once rows and rows of houses. We were told how many residents haven't yet returned home to NOLA. We saw the Make It Right development and Musician's Village.



I also heard from people like Jerry, Oscar and Danny. Jeremiah, my taxi driver on the way to the airport, told me how no one asks anymore. And he shared, with a quite bravery, how just after Katrina hit that he only worked in the daytime because it was too dangerous to go out after dark; he mentioned that for 12 days he was without power and running water.



As I walked the streets, up Cannal and over to Mother's Restaurant off Magazine St. I met people - I saw people - some brave, some hardened, some hurting, some hiding, some living, some not doing so well. But all who were left are surviving. Most are moving forward a little more each day.

On my last night in the city of music I wandered over to another part of the French Quarter. I had the privilege of meeting artists, musicians and magicians. It was more magical than words can define.









I came home new. I came home with my heart softened to a city of people that still need to have their story heard. Their hearts are still breaking, but they are living.



Thank you for taking a few moments to read about the lives of those still affected by Katrina. I would love to hear your thoughts, opinions and comments if you'd like to take a moment to share.

View more NOLA photographs here.

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Little Blue Badge

Had an exciting evening tonight! While working with a client on her super-fabulous album I got a little email telling me I had placed in the top 10 of the toasting category for WPJA / BRIDE's Magazine contest!

It was super exciting. I'm still all giddy.

So, without further ado, I can now proudly display this little blue badge next to my name. ::happy laughter::...

Update on the splash page of the website too!

Have a great night everyone!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Fall Newsletter

Hello Blog Readers,

Just a quick FYI - our Fall newsletter is coming out this week!

If you're not already on our mailing list take a moment to sign up on the right sidebar right here on the blog. We promise never to spam you - only send out quarterly updates, new product releases or news that pertains to you!

Refer a friend and let them read something beautiful, too. :)

Have a great week everyone!


Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

July PUG

Some of you may know I lead a photographers meeting once a month at my place in Long Beach. It's a gathering of photographers from Pictage, and honestly, it's a lot of fun.

We talk about the industry, products, work flow, Pictage and everything else related to a photographer running their own business.

Here are a few photos from tonight's "fiesta" meeting (carnitas tacos, chips/salsa, and salad). Yum!

If you like what you see, leave a comment! :) Thanks!

Our lawn "fiesta" picnic.

Photographer Cassandra Ellington

Photographer Erin Saldana

Photographer Jeremy Dodgen

And the ants that joined the party (photo by Jeremy Dodgen).

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

June PUG!

We had a great PUG (Pictage User Group) meeting tonight! It was a lot of fun getting to know the South Bay photographers a little better.

Tonight we had David of Esquire Photography sharing with us about his business in a "studio spotlight." He did a great job and it was super inspiring to hear how he's come along in this business over the past three decades and overcome to become the success he is today!

We also had Jeremy of Dodgen Photography, Heather of HBD Photography and Cassandra of Cassandra's Elegant Photo Art joining in the discussion.

Here are a few pics of the evening... If you like what you see, please leave a comment!









Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Dreamy Linen Albums & Guest Books are Here!

Try not to drool on the desk...

Guest book layout - yum!


Slip case (included) in matching linen - sample color: Robin's Egg.


Traditional book binding.


Dreamy marbled end papers in coordinating colors.


Matching embossed case and cover.

For ordering or detailed information just leave a comment and we'll get right back with you!

SPECIAL: mention this blog post and get 15% off your first album or book!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

PUG - May 2009

Last night I fell in love with my job all over again.

We had our second Pictage User Group here in Long Beach at my place and it was wonderful. Last night was particularly wonderful because the new CEO, Jim Collins, came to speak and share his vision and his story. It was wonderfully inspiring.

I'm so excited for the direction Pictage is taking, and am even more excited about this year's PartnerCon (Pictage hosted conference) in New Orleans this November! Woot!

Share a thought, ask a question or just leave a comment!

Casey Figlewitcz does a studio spotlight; it's a great opportuinty to introduce yourself and your business to the group.


Jeremy Dodgen

Pictage CEO Jim Collins

Danny Faccini

Charla Brummel

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Deserve a Free Wedding?

Hi Blog Readers,
I've got some exciting news to share! I just got an email from WPJA saying that the show "Wedding Day" is looking for deserving couples, planning a wedding in 2009, who can't afford an amazing wedding due to tough economical times.Here's the scoop:

From Mark Burnett Productions:
Do you know of a couple who are planning on getting married or would like to marry Summer or Fall of 2009 who really DESERVE an amazing wedding but cannot afford it in these tough economic times?

"Wedding Day", a new prime-time series premiering June 16th on TNT, is seeking to cast inspirational couples for our next amazing season!

You can view a promo of "Wedding Day" here:
http://www.tnt.tv/dramavision/?oid=47477

Teachers, real-life heroes, survivors, volunteers, social workers, charity workers, etc., we want to hear from you!

If you had to downgrade or delay your wedding plans due to job loss, injury, illness or deployment, we want to hear from you!

If you know of a couple who is so busy helping others they deserve someone to help them out, we want to hear from you. Nominate someone today!

Here's how to nominate someone, or yourself! Just leave a comment on this blog post, be sure to include the following:

Send a brief paragraph about your situation, or another couple's situation, the current wedding budget, and your contact information (see below for details).

Deadline is May 12, 2009 at 9am Pacific Time. I'll be picking the best entry to enter as a nomination, so get your friends to comment in your support! The couple chosen for nomination is required by the production company to submit a recent .jpg photo.


And now, for the fine print: Leaving a comment is in no way a guarantee for nomination. The chosen nominee is not guaranteed an appearance on the show or any other prizes. Chosen nominee will only be submitted for consideration to the show, and must participate in providing required materials in a timely manner. Delay on behalf of the chosen nominee will result in disqualification.

Best of luck everyone!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Love Affair Workshop

Hey ya'll! I'm so excited! Tonight I found out that a women's photography workshop, called Love Affair, is offering a scholarship for this summer's workshop in Atlanta. I've wanted to attend this workshop since I first heard about it last year.

Love Affair is for women photographers who want "to have a love affair with everything and most importantly with life."

I love this quote on their blog, I think it summarizes well what they're all about: "Don’t cheat yourself out of life beyond business. You’re going to love life more deeply and love photography and business all over again."

I get excited just thinking about that concept! The idea of learning how to intentionally re-integrate my life with my business (co-habitation is good) and come away with a revitalized perspective on both is my motivation for wanting to attend. :)

So I'm applying for the scholarship (crossed fingers)!

I can't wait! Think good thoughts for me. :)

Thanks!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Exposure 2009

Yea! I just entered two of my photographs into an upcoming photography competition called Exposure 2009.

A few years back I entered the competition - this was back in 2003 or 2004 - so coming back a few years later with a little more confidence and a lot more to display is an exciting thing!

The Best of Show will be chosen at the opening reception this Saturday, March 14. Show starts at 6pm; winners are announced at 8pm. The opening is free! So come check it out and feel free to dress to impress.

The address to the California National Bank: 555 E. Ocean Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90802.

All images will be available for purchase.

Also, the show will run through March 31 at retailers and restaurants throughout the East Village Arts District. Here's a list of where you can view work from the show after the opening reception.

Hope to see you there! Come say "Hi!" if you make it. :)

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Meet Emily

It's time to introduce the fabulous mystery that is Emily.

I've had the wonderful privilege to meet with some amazing couples in the past week. Couples who've know each other for as long as 10 years before tying the knot, to couples who've meet more recently through using modern technology (thank you E-Harmony & Match.com!).

But a common question I'm getting from most is, "Who's your primary second photographer?"

The answer: Emily.


Emily is the girl with the big smile and camera to match.

I found this fun photo of her while updating my website and thought it would be a good introduction to the fabulous work she does while working with Christine Lee Smith Photography.

You can view some of her recent work for us by using the "Search by Topic" feature on the right side bar, then selecting "Associate Photography."

You've now been formally introduced.

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day everyone!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Fresh Blog - Vote!

Whoo-hoo! Some exciting news: this year we've entered our blog into the Professional Photographer Fresh Blog competition for the "freshest blog."

Will you help us share our "freshness" with the world by clicking here - then going to entry 0307 and voting for our entry? (Our entry is listed between pages 7-10, page numbers are on the bottom left of the first page).

Thank you so much for your continued encouragement and support!

Have a wonderful day ya'll! :)

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

First Award!

Just got the email today - check this out!

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that Christine Lee Smith Photography has won the 2009 Bride’s Choice Awards™!

In its inaugural year, the Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and honors vendors from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellent quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility. This year’s recipients represent the top three percent of WeddingWire’s vendor community, which includes over 100,000 wedding vendors from across the US. That means that Christine Lee Smith Photography is one of the very best photographers.

Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the company, the Bride’s Choice Awards are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds through surveys and reviews.

“We are excited to launch this annual award program to honor high-performing vendors based solely on the experiences of our WeddingWire community,” according to Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s recipients have set the bar high, exhibiting excellent service and expertise in the wedding industry.”

Christine Lee Smith Photography would like to thank our past clients for speaking on our behalf and helping us win the 2009 Bride’s Choice Award!

Thank you brides & grooms!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

I'm Back!

I have returned from my exodus - my time out, or vacation some may have called it. Forgive my brief introduction, normally I take my time on these, but I'm going to get right to the point.

During my time away I learned the following: I'm an artist (a real full fledged artist); God designed me to be one; I might actually be exactly where I'm supposed to be, in life; over-working is not a virtue. Now, there are more things I began to understand over the past few weeks, nuances of the above list that I could detail if I wanted, but for today that's all I'm going to get into.

I spent a lot of time resting (yea!) and reading through "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. I've mentioned this book several times, but it wasn't until this "time out" that I really got to digest what I've been reading. Each chapter has been a wealth of insight to my soul. Truly, I've realized truths and seen God's hand more clearly guiding me forward (and holding me still) than I ever have before. I know my husband made no mistake when he told me to quit my office job nearly four years ago.

*NOTE: soul bearing honesty ahead.

I've struggled a lot in the last two years in regards to the success of this photography business we've developed. Preparing for 2009 has honestly been a little discouraging. But what I'm coming to realize is that my business isn't going to look anything like any other if I let God lead it. He made me unique, and I have to let Him bring out my individuality. I can't create anything if I don't explore who He's made me to be (and by explore I don't just mean read lots of books about your strengths or taking tests to reveal who you are - I've done those and they've had great value in my life). I mean explore who I am without holding on to my insecurities in the other hand. I can't take a leap of faith forward with one foot on the ground.

That's exactly what I've been doing the last two years - excitedly moving forward with a safety net, just in case I fail (I don't like to fail). I'm being challenged by God through this book to finally take the full leap of faith - and I don't even know what that means yet, but He's unfolding it to me. :)

Lastly, I want to share some of what's impacted me most from this book - these quotes are from later chapters, so don't expect to get this deep in the first few weeks/chapters.

"Many of us equate difficulty with virtue - and art with fooling around. Hard work is good. A terrible job must be building our moral fiber. Something...that comes to us easily and seems compatible with us must be some sort of cheap trick, not to be taken seriously. [W]e give lip service to the notion that God wants us to be happy. On the other, we secretly think that God wants us to be broke if we are going to be so decadent as to want to be artists. Do we have any proof at all for these ideas about God?" [Bold mine]

"Often people attempt to lie their lives backwards: they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want so that they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then, do what you need to do, in order to have what you want." Margaret Young

So my question to you today is, if you are living your life backwards like I've been, what action can you take this week to begin turning that around? Leave your answer as a comment to this post.

One passion cultivated from this time off was a realization that I want to help people grow past the same hurdles I've been stuck behind. For me, calling out my true artist and the creativity God's given me has been a hurdle I've long ignored. I'm facing it now - head on - and I hope to help others who want to do the same reach their goals.

Watch for news coming on a group for creatives and artists. Can't wait to jump in together!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Focusing on the Future

I think this is one of the first times in my life that I've truly been looking forward to the start of a new year. So excited, in fact, that I just scarfed down my lunch so I could get to writing this post (and I'm now suffering the consequences of a fully tummy).

Today at church I was inspired. On the brink of a week long break - not a vacation so much as a time out on the busyness of life - our pastor's message out of Romans 12:1-2 challenged me that "looking back and evaluation is just as important as planning forward."

I've heard business seminars and workshops quote the famous line that says, "All things that are watched improved," but I've not previously applied that principle to my personal life - until today.

This morning I was impacted by the following points (condensed for brevity's sake):

• I can't serve God properly unless I work excellently.
• Decisions of the heart are followed by actions of the will.
• Decide who/what you're living for - all other decisions will follow that one.
• Your life system is perfectly designed to get the results you're getting right now.

That last one got me, for a couple of reasons. I often find it so easy to strive and work hard in life that I can sometimes forget why I'm doing it all. At moments of clarity, like this one, I suddenly realize I'm no longer enjoying the process of living because I'm working too hard for the end result that - ultimately - I'm not in control of (for I can only submit to God's will for me; I can't earn salvation; being good "enough" isn't possible).

What does this collection of tangent thoughts come together to ultimately say? It says that this week I've planned to have an extended time-out is already well prepared - by God, I believe. I've set aside time to spend in introspection and planning, and now, after today, some much needed review. Here's what I'm going to do this week (and its hereby writing commits me to actually doing it):

• Resting (no email, no phone, no Facebook, no blogging...no Ebay) :)
• Reflecting - through reading books like, "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron and "Sacred Rhythms" by Ruth H. Barton
  
• Refreshing my inner creative and seeking God in the quietness - through reading His Word and playing the guitar or piano
• Rediscovering who I am and planning for the future in that freedom - through catching up with a book I started months ago: Dane Sanders' "Fast Track Photographer"

So, from tomorrow through January 10, 2009 I'm taking a break. Wish me well and forgive my brief absence. I hope to update you all soon regarding this journey! I'm so excited.

Should a present, past or future client be in urgent need of anything, please call our business line at (888) 810-4322 - as you will be directed to by wonderful partner and husband, Matt.


Blessings in this New Year,
Christine Lee Smith

Pictage Interview

Our Pictage interview with Emily Engle, amazing associate photographer and Pictage community leader, just posted today.

Check it out at: Blog.Pictage.com

Thanks Emily!

My 85

I was blessed with an amazing deal on a Canon 85mm f1.2 this week. Just got it in the mail yesterday.

Being mentored by Mike Larson a couple years back put amazing piece of glass on my radar. I knew it'd be a while (it's one of Canon's finest = more expensive lenses), but out of no where I found one pop up for sale from an amazing photographer who just didn't need it anymore - and only used it over the summer.

I jummped on the opportunity (with Hubbie's approval, of course) and - wha-la! - a few days later the FedEx man dropped it by.

Of course I opened it immediately and tried it on for style... (not size). Here's a minimal look at what this bad boy can do:

If Mike Colon asks, I shoot with my right eye. :)


Notice how Gonzo's nose is perfectly in focus - yet everything else is just slightly, and quite lovely, out of focus. Gotta love f1.2!


And just for fun...

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

NEW! First Year Collections

Introducing our brand new "First Year Collection" for families. These are great for parents who are busy and yet, who want to ensure they capture the best of their growing babies.

First Year Collections document the first year of the child's life at four important life stages: 3-months, 6-months, 9-months and 12-months. With the collection all four stages are documented with quality craftsmanship and creative vision, all by a photographer with patient understanding.

These collections make great gifts for expecting moms, or can be a gift to yourself! To book your session call or email today:

(888) 810-4322
info (@) clsphotography.com

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Email Issues

UPDATE:

One of our email addresses is currently in repair (info (@) clsphotography.com). Please contact us at the following phone and/or email address, for the time being:

christine (@) clsphotography.com
(888) 810-4322

Also, I will be out of town today through the weekend - returning all messages Monday, October 20.

Thank you for your patience!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Van & Heang Received Editor's Pick!

So this morning after finally learning about Google Alerts (I was wondering how people were so well informed) I started browsing what came up when I Googled "CLS Photography." Well, after the expected website and blog references to my sites, I saw one from The Knot.

Intrigued to say the least I quickly discovered that one of my couples from this summer, Van & Heang, won Editor's Pick for their wedding.

Congratulations! You had a fabulous wedding with so many personal touches and lovely details that deserve this recognition.

If you want to read the rest of the story on The Knot, click here.


Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith