Holly Henderson’s Blog

New Blog

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:59:09 -0400

My new fancy flashy (and much FASTER) blog is here.
www.hollyshotmystory.com/blog
Sadly, this will be my last post on this site, but it will remain live because so much of my life and photos live here
Thanks again for all your love and support

Contact Page was Goofy

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 08:04:00 -0400

Oh, my..... a very sweet bride just called to tell me that she had been trying to contact me through my website, and wondered why I had not responded. Apparently I had a goofy setting selected for a couple weeks so I have not received those messages. Shoot me....
I am so so so so sorry. It is working now, but you can always call or email us at the studio.
On a lighter note, I’ve been taking a little time to spend with my kiddos the past few weeks. I know I need this time to relax and just be present for them. Why is it so hard for me to just chill? I’m just such a weirdo busy body, and so I have a hard time sitting still and enjoying it without feeling guilty. Corey is taking me to Chicago for the weekend, and I’m just really looking forward to being with him...not a laptop.
So thanks again for your patience. Few more tweaks on my new blog, but I promise to keep the photos and images rolling.

New Photobooth Video

Mon, 9 Mar 2009 21:47:45 -0400

So much going on all at once. OK, drop everything and watch this hilarious new video on my site
www.hollyshotmywedding.com
Click: Weddings/Videos/Holly in Action!/Photobooth
Kudos to John Pottenger of Coastline Studios for ALL of your crazy videos of me. John has the amazing ability to capture my energy, and laugh....whoa, I had no idea how much I laugh. My face always hurts by the end of the night.
John offers these promo videos as well as cinematic wedding videography that will blow your mind, so definitely check him out!
Promise to catch up on everything - like a half dozen weddings that haven’t had blog love, a new portrait site AND a custom new blog. Good stuff baby.

Workshop weekend comin up

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:47:29 -0500

I’m just finishing up last minute planning for our workshop this weekend in GR. It’s gonna rock people. We have photographers coming from across the country and some of the most beautiful locations, dresses and models for the shoots.
So honored to teach along side my wonderful friends Jen and John. I think the 3 of us have the coolest studios in the area, so it’s great for the students to hear about how we run things. What we all have in common is passion for our businesses, the love we have for our clients, and for all photographers that share this enthusiasm. We are all ready to raise the bar for our industry while challenging and supporting eachother
Can’t wait to meet all of you in the morning
If you haven’t seen the awesome pro video John made, check it out:
www.j-jstudios.com
Thanks to Cindy for the rockstar photo above - HA. Can’t wait to spend the weekend with you again.

Whirlwind week

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:53:16 -0500

Thought I would see how many time zones I could wack myself out with this week. I just checked into my 3rd hotel this week. Whew. I was in Las Vegas all week at WPPI learning and sharing with amazing photographers in my industry. Once I year I get to geek out with 12,000 other photographers, and this year was among one of the best.
I flew home on the dreaded red eye on Wed, slept Thurs and then left early this morning for Anne and Jake’s wedding in Milwaukee. At least I get to spend the weekend with Corey and I’m all pumped up and inspired to shoot tomorrow.
Promise to post highlights from Vegas and the wedding asap. I need to hustle over to the church for rehearsal. Thanks to everyone for keepin up on Facebook. How fun is that.

Happy Lovers Day

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 12:31:33 -0500

Make sure you tell someone - everyone how much you love em today. Not only am in love with my Corey but I’m also crazy in love with our sweet boys. Even though I may not show it at every moment, but I truly feel so blessed to have an incredible family. These boys are my world.
This morning they surprised me with Annie Leibovitz’s new book: A Photographer’s Life. I’ve been stalking it at Barnes and Noble for a while, and now I have it in my ginormous collection of photography books. Corey took me to an exhibition of Annie Leibovitz’s photographs in Chicago for one of our first dates in 1995. Oh, the memories.... Thanks boys, I love it.
I’m flying to Las Vegas in a couple of hours for WPPI, but I will try to keep up with everyone’s emails in the evening. You can always catch me on my cell or you and buzz Goldie at the studio.
Who’s getting engaged tonight!

lil baby boom

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:32:34 -0500

Have you ever noticed that when one of your girlfriends gets pregnant they all do. It just goes in waves... no worries though, I’m not catchin that one again.
I was looking forward to photographing John and Stephanie’s birth for 9 months. Then I got a call from John early in the morning saying that they were going to the hospital. (I’m really sharp in the morning) because I said WHY? Of course, so I jump out of bed, dump Davis to school, and race over to the hospital with my gear.
Then I waited, and waited...just to find out that she was going to have an emergency c-section. bummer, but the best news is that he is healthy and super cute. I was only able to sneak into the recovery room for 5 minutes for some quick snapshots.
Welcome to the world lil Trevor Alan Pinkster. Love you already

I also stopped in to see my girlfriend (and former bride) Brooke. You may recognize her from one of my print ads, print samples at Memories Bridal, or maybe the ginormous prints in my studio windows :) I love her to pieces and it was awesome to be able to capture the next chapter
Hot preggers mama modeled at our Get Inspired Workshop

And here is Bosley....

My new fancy pants custom blog should go live next week! So stay tuned for tons of new (daily) posts. whoo hoo!
I’m leaving for Las Vegas tomorrow for WPPI tomorrow. Give me a shout out on Facebook if you are going to be there. Love to connect with y’all
Also, tomorrow is of course Valentine’s day, so if you know someone who gets engaged :) give me a holla...!

Back to reality

Mon, 2 Feb 2009 14:11:03 -0500

Hey everyone... thanks for your warm wishes, and patience while I went on vacation with my family last week. We really needed that time together.
I posted though out the trip to my Facebook. It helped the grandma’s get the latest on our adventure. If you have a FB page, let’s be buds :) I post multiple times throughout the day and it’s always a pretty quick way to find me.
It’s my first day back in the studio, and I’m trying my best to get through about a mountain emails and voice mail. Little overwhelming, but I’m trying my best to respond to everyone personally by the end of the day - but remember my day might end at 2am :)
Yesterday was my husband Corey’s birthday AND my mom’s birthday. So it was a super bowl birthday bash. Tons of food and the kids rocked out on a microphone with the Boss at the halftime show.
There are still a few seats open on our February Get Inspired Workshops series. If you are a photographer looking to jump start your business definitely watch the tailer to check it out. The networking with all the photographers is priceless.
More on the workshop and latest weddings soon. I’ve got to cruise through your emails!

First roller coaster

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:36:48 -0500

You have to click this link to see Dallas on his first roller coaster today. Before you tell me I’m a super mean mom for finding humor in this....just know that Dallas loved it and wanted to ride again and again and again. He’s definitely the brave one, and he thinks this video is hilarious.
http://gallery.me.com/coreyandholly#100024
Loved Magic Kingdom today. great memories

Disney Mania Day 2

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:21:13 -0500

My dad called me today to tell me that it was ZERO degrees at home. I told him we were havin a blast with the kids, but didn’t mention that we were eating ice cream in our flip flops. Kiddo time and sunshine is exactly what we needed this week.
I’m a Facebook geek now, and I post photos and random stuff all day long. Let me know if you have a page so we can connect there too.
Here are some snapshots from our day at Animal Kingdom today
Davis thought pickin this gorillas nose was hilarious.... monkey boogers

and then DADDY bought this stylish Mickey hat for Davis. The only good thing is that I can spot him anywhere.

every once in a while I attempt one of these awful flip the camera around self portraits so there is evidence that I was really there.

oh, yikes... I did it twice.

Dallas LOVED meeting the characters. He was super excited until it was his turn... then he was deer in headlights.

I think my favorite part was watching Dallas try to eat his Mickey ice cream. Can you get any cuter!? I just love you boys so much

Ready for vacation

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:49:43 -0500

I don’t know about you, but I always get antsy this time of year. Ready for the snow to melt, see some sun and dethaw. We just decided to plan a Disney vacation with the boys as an end of the (wedding) season treat.
So I will not be in studio all of next week, but I’m glued to my iPhone so you can still reach me by email or cell. My amazing studio manager Goldie will still be, so if you are expecting any orders or albums she will take care of it.
Feel free to email her if you would like her to check on my availability, schedule a meeting, or send out a contract. goldie@hollyshotmywedding.com
Hope to bring some sunshine home!

This morning

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:02:08 -0500

Sometimes I’m surprised by the profound things that come out of my Kindergartener’s mouth. We were cuddling in bed this morning listening to the announcer talking about what a historic day this is going to be. Yesterday Davis learned all about Dr Martin Luther King, and his little mind is crankin.
Davis: Mommy are there radios in Heaven?
Me: I don’t know. Probably
Davis: I hope so, because I think Dr Martin Luther King would want to hear Mr Obama’s speech today. I think he’d be proud.
Yup that came out of the mouth of a 5 year old. Wow, Davis I think you’re right. So inspiring to see our country come together today - moving, inspiring and electric. The sun is shining, and you can feel the hope. hope and pride.
Enjoy the beautiful day.

33 - whoa

Fri, 9 Jan 2009 09:16:54 -0500

The boys ran into my room this morning with giant hugs, and grand ideas for my birthday party and themed cake. Sounds like there are going to be Hot Wheel balloons, Transformer pinata, and a dinosaur cake... oh I can’t wait! Really I’m looking forward to going out on a hot date with Corey and droppin the monkeys off at Grandmas.
Sweet Dallas wanted to make this video for me all morning. Am I the luckiest girl or what.

Audrey and Adam’s Wedding

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 17:39:27 -0500

Now that the holidays have settled I can get back to normal programming on the blog. Sweet Audrey and Adam were married in the fall and they are just now getting some blog lovin’. :)
I’ve never met anyone that loves Halloween and everything autumn more than Audrey. I actually shot their engagement session a year before in a pumpkin patch, and they used them for save the date cards. I think they bought out an entire pumpkin farm for their wedding though. Gorgeous.

Here is the slideshow link to their event: hollyshotmywedding.com/audreyadam

Everyone getting ready for the big day. I love the shot of Audrey helping her dad with his tie.

Audrey.....STUNNING. Her bouquet was mixed with flowers that Adam found walking in the woods.

She took everyone’s breath away with a grand entrance.

The ceremony was under an arbor that they made together with woven vines, sticks, leaves, and flowers. Ahhh, my favorite light- backlight. Makes them glow even more

Quick portraits with the fam before exploring the countryside

And then I did one of those overly dramatic “Stop the Car!!!” when I saw this tree... and the light. Then I did my little “I love it” dance when I saw the shot.
***Warning*** I get a little excited and a wee bit enthusiastic when I’m shooting.

holy smokin details. It was like a walking into the Pottery Barn. They even made the linens.

Thanks to Jeremy, the DJ, the party was rockin. Audrey and all of her friends are dancers, so the floor was packed all night.

The reception just isn’t complete with out making a fool of your self in Holly’s photo booth. HA

Stay tuned for photos of the Springsteen family dancing in another photo booth at the next wedding.
Thanks so much. Love you all!

New Year = Fabulous Wedding

Thu, 1 Jan 2009 12:40:18 -0500

Last night was AMAZING.... I shot John and Katy’s New Year’s wedding and it was like a winter wonderland. I’m still in awe and not really awake yet :)
We were surrounded and embraced by so many friends and families from previous weddings... I can’t explain it, but I just felt so welcome and just so blessed.. Sometimes the simplest snapshots I’ve taken have had so much meaning. I’m documenting family history... is there anything more rewarding than that.
This is why I do what I do. I was made for this.
Anyway, I just wanted to post a couple of my favorite images, but I’ll dedicate an entire post with the full story soon.

Special shout out and thanks to Melissa for 2nd shooting with us. She was one of our spring workshop students, and volunteered to spend her new years chasing after me with video lights in the snow. And as always, smooches to Corey for the way you light things like magic, organize and haul my gear, get my money shot in the balcony, stop traffic, always have a diet coke for me, have more patience that I deserve, and for loving me like crazy....I’m forever grateful.
Here’s to a new year full of hope and love.

Merry Christmas 2008

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:44:57 -0500

The fam is just waiting for me to post our annual Christmas video. What an awesome day. All magic and love.
Click here for the video. Might need to let it download for a minute (or two) before you hit play. Worth it though :)
Goldie and I will be back in the studio next week to get ready for our big New Year’s Eve wedding, but we will have limited hours. Feel free to shoot an email or give us a call if you need anything.
Love and peace to your family.

Edie and Matt’s Wedding

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:55:10 -0500

I still have a heap of weddings to share with you, and since it’s a snow day thought I would post a good one. I had been looking forward to Matt and Edie’s wedding all year, and they threw an elegant yet super fun wedding at the First Pres. Church and the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. We walked everywhere.
Here’s the slideshow and highlights of their day
www.hollyshotmywedding.com/ediematt
Edie got ready at her parent’s home (aka my dream home) and it was not only a beautiful location, but the sweetest getting ready session I’ve ever shot. While Karen was zipping up Edie’s dress she was saying that not long ago she was changing diapers ....and now her baby is a beautiful bride.
I thought I was going to lose it again when she saw her dad for the first time.

A couple of portraits from the rooftop and by the lake before they head downtown to the church

Of course the guys were hanging out at Burdick’s the whole time

We planned their “first sight” before the ceremony, and they were so thankful to have that time alone before the wedding.

Let’s get married!

Edie’s mom is an interior decorator, so everyone knew it was going to be spectacular

My photo booth was nuts, and it was hard to even pick a handful of favs. You guys rock.

Toward the end of the night, Edie grabbed a mike and joined Montage on stage. I just love this portrait of her.

Thanks to Randi with Ta Da Event Coordination for a flawless day and her sweet smile.
Can’t wait to see you all again at Maggie’s wedding next summer....I feel like I’m part of the family :)

Elf Yourself Again

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 12:00:14 -0500

It’s that time of year when everyone logs onto the Office Depot site to make elfin fools out of themselves. This year you can choose between 4 dances and you can even download the movie or put your mug on a mug. Oh, and I should note that the baby is my lil nephew River.

Christmas Canvas Special

Tue, 9 Dec 2008 13:46:31 -0500

I’m going to place one more jumbo canvas order on Saturday, and wanted to offer a special to anyone that wants to get a super, thoughtful, heirloom gift for someone you love.
*** Hello men... you will score bonus points for this one***
So here’s the deal: through this Saturday December 13th you can order a canvas print at these crazy prices, and we will even GIFT WRAP it for you!
11x14 $120
16x20 $160
20x24 $200
Feel free to email or call my studio manager Goldie and she will hook you up.
goldie@hollyshotmywedding.com
269-344-5779 M-F 12-5

Christmas Card Outtakes

Mon, 8 Dec 2008 14:49:09 -0500

Believe it or not NONE of these award winning portraits made the Henderson family Christmas card. Corey says I have patience to shoot anyone’s family but ours. You may notice that they started clothed, but then wanted to rock out with their faded tattoos and new hats.
We did the group shots on self timer and Davis actually took the ones of Corey and I - you should have heard the boys cracking up and giving us direction like “puker up” and “ok give me some love - ooooh, yeah baby”

If you still need Christmas ideas, my awesome Studio Manager Goldie, is printing fancy pants gift certificates for portrait sessions and gallery canvases. Let us know if you need anything
goldie@hollyshotmywedding.com
holly@hollyshotmywedding.com

products products everywhere

Thu, 4 Dec 2008 11:29:15 -0500

If you saw the studio right now you would know why I haven’t been posting weddings....We’ve been runnin like elves trying to get Christmas orders done. The UPS man (Steve) loves me I’m sure of it. Before some of the stuff flew out today, I thought I would take some snapshots of it.
Mega Canvas installations - this cute series of 3 individual canvases are of the Riker family. I shot their wedding a few years ago, and they ordered one from their maternity session (with the pets) and two from their newborn session with Emma.

*Sidenote* Speaking of preggers, here is a portrait I shot of Brooke at the last workshop. I gave it to her as a baby shower gift last week, and my bet for the baby pool is that she has that lil boy tomorrow!

One more awesome big canvas for Jen and Matt

And they had a modern album made for her mom

one of the inside layouts from the insane photo booth I set up outside

I also had to part with one of the fattest wedding albums ever for Kelene and Kyle. Literally it was 11x14, 50 pages and at least 20 pounds - that’s why UPS loves me.

Let me know if you would still like to order anything for Christmas and I will push your order through in a jif. I can still order Christmas cards through next week, and I will also be posting canvas orders almost daily. I feel like a kooky elf on caffeine.