Ever dreamed of going to space?

I truely love to read. I read an average of 5 books a week. Of course, I read super fast. One of my favorite Autobiographies ever Losing My Virginity: How I've Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way (Paperback) opened my eyes to the fact that if you can dream them great things can happen. Well, he is at it again. His latest endeavor is call Virgin Galactic. For only $200,000 you can ride a space ship around the earth. Starting in 2010.

Visit the site.

There was a big jump in the number of turn away couples today - went from 37 to 42. I just didnt have to time to update this past week. At this stage of the game we are booking a new couple every day and turning away a couple every day. Very exciting!!! Today I had 3 referral appointments. Yes I sent them all home to think about it first. We don't book on the spot unless your wedding is in 2008, and even then you have to have visited at least one other photographer.

2 weeks and counting

Today it was -22 with the wind chill. As I left the gym after my workout my hair froze. Yikes. It is cold. The fact that in just over 2 weeks I will be soaking up the sun in Boca Raton, Florida is enough to keep me warm. Well sort of.
We just finished another bridal show - For those of you visiting this blog for the first time here is a few things you should know.

I'm Jean!! (duh the blog says it at the top of the page) One of the owners of:

• Excellence Photography
• FloridaHomeMovies.com
• TorontoHomeMovies.com
• DGVideo.ca
• USHomeMovies.com
• MontrealHomeMovies.com
• DesignerGeek
• SaveYourMemories.ca
  

We started out of 11 years ago in the basement of a rented house and today we employee over a dozen people in 2 countries. We shoot weddings and events in Canada and throughout the USA. Our "Home Movies" division has taken North America by the reels and is converting over 1000 reels a month!!

This blog is meant to by my personal diatribe. As I am 37 years young and have lived a VERY exciting life I choose to share all the fun by writing about my experiences, opinions and lessons.

OK so I'm a little strange - That's OK. If you review some of my previous postings you will see some incredible photos, videos and art that keeps me going everyday. Feel free to add your email to the subscription box and get automatic email updates each time I post.

--- Oh some things that are coming up!!!

• tons of new slide shows
• ideas for winter video!!!
• what is archiving?
  

I have this wierd thing that happens when I don't shoot

I get the need for art. I've been a musician, and artist and a businessperson since I was 15. If I don't get my art fix my sub conscience takes over and I start looking for cool things. Raquel Welch in a space girl outfit dancing in front of giant abstract sculptures. Kinda freaky but interesting. I've seen more than a few bridal parties dancing like this.

I have to win!!!

I have a problem. I have to win. Seriously. I just cannot accept losing in any way. Its probably a result of my upbringing.

As a kid I would watch my beloved Montreal Canadians kick butt. I remember Guy Lafleur skating down the right wing, wind up for a slap shot and then seeing the red light behind the goal.

Then as a teenager in drum corp competing at individuals and winning gold, then the world championships with the Cadets of Bergen county when I turned 20.

But then things started to get a little obscure. Getting a good job, buying a car. Finally meeting and marrying Marianna. It wasn't so black and white anymore. There was no judge or teacher to say "good job." Well if you don't count my wife.

I want a cake like this!!!

Click here to see the wedding cake of the year.

If you haven't had enough of bridal show there is another this weekend. We had a heck of a week with tons of appointments and more than a few bookings. 2009 is starting to fill up and we have select dates available in 2008.

If you would like to see if we have your date available give Marianna a call to schedule an appointment - 905 326 9622.

Only 3 weeks left until the Miami and West Palm Beach bridal shows. We are building a new booth!!

Its expensive but worth it!!

Marianna and I have always had the attitude that we would rather do without that have something just because its cheap. For example, we didn't buy a Dining Room set until our 3rd year of marriage because she refused to buy from Ikea, the Brick or Bad boy furniture. Because of all the Italian weddings we had shot her expectation was nothing less than we saw.

Honestly when it came to household furniture I would have been happy with Canadian Tire. The TV on the other hand had to be Sony. At least 53" large screen xbr.

Today we make quality decisions everyday. It could be the food you eat or the toliet paper you buy. After 10 years of marriage our partnership has reach the point where we are not only working for ourselves but to teach our children. The choices we make influence.

How does this effect you?

Well for my exisiting couples who are getting married this summer, you already have most of what you need booked. You're probably deciding on a Honeymoon. Here is my advice. Don't go!!!

Well not right away. Wait a few months until all the guests have left. Get your life started in the right direction. Then book the most kick ass vacation ever.

Marianna and I listed 5 places in the world we HAD to go to. Then called the travel agent to find us prices (the internet was not so popular then). We choose Paris. I can always say I went to Paris on my honeymoon. Oh - it was on sale - spent 3750$ including fight, hotel and food for 8 days. Did not include purses, gifts and bottle of cognac for parents!!!

For our new clients.

This will come out self serving but I dont care. 25 years after your wedding Photography, Video and your Wedding rings are the only things that will be a constant memory of your special day. These are the only things that get passed onto your children. Don't book based on price. Based on quality.

For Example:
Diamonds with few flaws, or inclusions, are very rare and highly valued. Inclusions are natural identifying characteristics such as minerals or fractures, appearing while formed in the earth. They may look like tiny crystals, clouds or feathers.

Below is a really bad diamond - It 2.23 carats but the color is terrible and the clarity the worse. But its still selling for $6150

2.24

K

I1

EGL

60.1%

59%

None

G/G

Excellent

$6150

This diamond is ONLY .72 less than a carat but its more expensive!! Thats because QUALITY always wins.

0.72

D

IF

GIA

61.9%

57%

None

VG/VG

Signature Ideal

$6555

Help!!! Photo Slide Shows

So I had the day to get caught up on my GTD list and realized how behind we are on Excellence Slide Show presentations. If we have not completed your wedding or engagement slide show then PLEASE contact us with your song selection. These shows are a ton of work and to change the music after is basically like starting over.

I am back to work tomorrow at the studio for a limited time. Mostly to get ready to the BIGGEST show of the year. If you have not attended a bridal show then you have to attend the Canada's Bridal Show at the metro convention center. I take my coffee black (eheheheheh - you know I've said that for 10 years in a row and last year 10 couples brought me coffee and I had a caffeine overdose)

For the last few customers who have not placed their wedding order from 2007 (you know who you are) PLEASE contact Marianna asap. We are leaving for the Florida bridal shows in a few weeks and need to get your orders in asap. You can start the video process by visiting the Excellence Video Info form. Fill it out as much as possible. I will email a confirmation upon receiving.






A few explanations:

GTD^® is the popular shorthand for "Getting Things Done^®", the groundbreaking work-life management system and book by David Allen that transforms personal overwhelm and overload into an integrated system of stress-free productivity.

Excellence Slide Show presentations are high resolution photography slide shows customs made by us utilizing the "Best of" photographs taken at either an Engagement portrait session or a Wedding. The best part is that they are all timed to music.