Thursday, October 11, 2007
yikes...I am behind in posting....
Okay so Kate and Jeremy are not a couple of mine....They are actually getting married in Chicago...but I am SOOOOOOO jealous of their wedding photographer. These two are just about the cutest, most in love, photogenic people of all time. We had so much fun during this shoot..(even with the 50 mile an hour wind gusts...ha ha) Best wishes guys! You're awesome!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Melinda and Kevin
Melinda and Kevin finally tied the knot after 9 years or something crazy like that. Melinda is one of the coolest brides ever. I actually lucked out in getting to shoot their day. Somebody else had originally booked it, but then unfortunately the wedding got called off earlier this summer...then magically two weeks later Melinda called and the rest is history. She is just one of the many girls that were referred to me by the ladies at http://www.stlwed.com/ so...to whomever is posting about their experiences with me..THANKS SOOOO MUCH! I love my stlwed brides! They always rock! I also want to give a special shout out to Jerren for capturing some awesome images as usual...His site is http://www.jaykene.com/! Check it out when you get a chance! He's great! Here's a sneak peek at some of the highlights of the day!
http://sjmacky.phanfare.com/slideshow.aspx?username=sjmacky&album_id=426505
My favorite shot was this one Jerren took!
http://sjmacky.phanfare.com/slideshow.aspx?username=sjmacky&album_id=426505
My favorite shot was this one Jerren took!
Monday, September 17, 2007
Sam and Lesley were married at the Botanical Gardens last Saturday and MAN was it a georgeous day! This couple is so extremely sweet. The day was really about the "wedding" and not all the stuff that goes along with it. They celebrated with just a few close family and friends and didn't do all the typical stuff you see at receptions. The entire day was just so laid back and relaxed. I had the best time just hanging out and capturing the moments that happened during the day! Thanks for letting Stef and I be a part of your wonderful day
Click here to see to see a quick slideshow of some highlights! (or what I like to call "the many faces of Lesley" show.. hee hee...I have never seen anyone as expressionable (is that even a word?) as Lesley...I could have followed her around all day just snapping pictures because I don't think she stopped smiling all day!
http://sjmacky.phanfare.com/slideshow.aspx?username=sjmacky&album_id=417281§ion_id=577052
Monday, September 10, 2007
Tricia and Paul
Darn 'ol mother nature! I have been waiting to shoot at the Butterfly House FOREVER and it had to go and rain...nevermind the fact that we've had a drought for like...ever...hee hee oh well at least the rain didn't dampen anyone's spirits on Tricia and Paul's wedding day. It rained, but the ceremony went off without a hitch. It was such a moving ceremony and as usual, Sandra, the officiant was awesome. We snapped a few cute pics in the rain but then it really started coming down. ( My sister jodi from www.life-in-print.com) was my second shooter that day! We decided that Tricia and Paul get to play dress up and relive their wedding day all over agin and we'll go out and do some more photos! Congratulations you two and thanks for letting Jodi and I be a part of your day!
Click here to see a little slideshow!
Click here to see a little slideshow!
Thursday, September 06, 2007
I've been tagged....
Blog tagged that is....by Kelly Manno. So now I am supposed to list 8 random facts about me that people may not know...which is hard because as many of you know my life is an open book..hee hee...ok so here goes the list
8. I have no musical talents what-so-ever and am by far the worst...and when I say worst I mean ABSOLUTE worst ...singer in the world...which is funny because I love music..
7. I only weighed 98 pounds when I graduated from high school...and no I didn't have an eating disorder...just really skinny...sure wish I had that problem now AND I had big 'ol HUGE 80's hair and quite possibly may have been guilty of tight-rolling my jeans...shhhh it's a secret
6. I have been a teacher for 11 years...10 of those have been teaching 4th grade
5. Sometimes I have a potty mouth :( not around kids...just my friends and on the highway when I get road rage...so maybe that's ok...
4. I cannot go into Breadco or Borders and not order a frozen coffee drink...large with whipped cream...seriously I am so addicted that if there was a "frozen drinks anonymous" group I would have to join!
3. I have wrecked every car I have ever owned in some way (with the exception of my current one---knock on wood) I drive way too fast...
2. Halloween is my favorite, favorite, FAVORITE all time holiday
1. I have never taken a photography class
ok so now I guess I have to tag someone...I think I'll tag Jennifer Hanneken and Jerren
8. I have no musical talents what-so-ever and am by far the worst...and when I say worst I mean ABSOLUTE worst ...singer in the world...which is funny because I love music..
7. I only weighed 98 pounds when I graduated from high school...and no I didn't have an eating disorder...just really skinny...sure wish I had that problem now AND I had big 'ol HUGE 80's hair and quite possibly may have been guilty of tight-rolling my jeans...shhhh it's a secret
6. I have been a teacher for 11 years...10 of those have been teaching 4th grade
5. Sometimes I have a potty mouth :( not around kids...just my friends and on the highway when I get road rage...so maybe that's ok...
4. I cannot go into Breadco or Borders and not order a frozen coffee drink...large with whipped cream...seriously I am so addicted that if there was a "frozen drinks anonymous" group I would have to join!
3. I have wrecked every car I have ever owned in some way (with the exception of my current one---knock on wood) I drive way too fast...
2. Halloween is my favorite, favorite, FAVORITE all time holiday
1. I have never taken a photography class
ok so now I guess I have to tag someone...I think I'll tag Jennifer Hanneken and Jerren
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Congrats Emily and Brad
Emily and Brad tied the knot last Sunday over Labor Day weekend! Jerren and I had a BLAST. Seriously I have not had THAT much fun in a looooong time. Just about all of my favorite vendors were there! Plus Emily and Brad are two of the coolest, sweetest couples EVER! I felt like we've been friends forever. I was sad to leave. Anyway feel free to check out the slideshow. Between Jerren and I we had over 800 usuable images. I tried to narrow down a rough edit of just a few to get on here as quick as I could because I know many "blog stalkers" are anxious to see some new pics! I pretty much take off in August because it's back to school time for me and it's my kids' birthdays so August gets a little crazy! Anyways...wedding season is back in full force so stay tuned for lots more wedding stories!
Here's a cool one from Jerren!
http://sjmacky.phanfare.com/slideshow.aspx?username=sjmacky&album_id=403831
Here's a cool one from Jerren!
http://sjmacky.phanfare.com/slideshow.aspx?username=sjmacky&album_id=403831
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
thinking about building a new Mayer Home...Read this FIRST
Many of you who read my blog on a regular basis know I am building a new home with Mayer. First off to avoid any legal technicalities that may arise when/if they see this I want to make it clear I am NOT trashing the quality of the homes Mayer builds. My new home that I no longer can afford due to curcumstances beyond my control will very nice and well built...but I wanted to warn anyone who is thinking about using Mayer for their new construction about my situation.
We put a contract to build a new home with Mayer back in Feb/March of this year. It is scheduled to be complete in November. I read the contract thoroughly and thought I understood exactly what was in it. Our biggest mistake was not getting a realtor involved to look over the contract and tell us exactly what certain things meant.
A few months later something happened that will drastically change my life forever. I won't get into on here (many of my clients know what I am talking about though) So it was with great sadness I informed Randy Mayer, owner of Mayer Homes, about my situation (which just to give you an idea of what I am going through...it's like I am stuck in the middle of a lifetime movie with no commercials and I can't get out)
In a letter I wrote to Mr. Mayer I informed him that I was/am emotionally and quite possibly financially broke due to circumstances beyond my control and would not be able to continue through with the contract on the house. I gave him the whole story of what happened to me. I am quite certain given my situation that I would not qualify for the new loan and literally BEGGED him to let me out of the contract. I also spoke with Karen Anderson, sales manager and and a man named Mark who is supposed to be the customer service manager and they all said the same thing. Karen went a step further though to inform me that "when I signed a contract with Mayer Homes I signed away all financial rights and even if Mayer breaks any part of their end of the contract it doesn't matter..I still signed away financial rights" then proceeded to tell me she wasn't going to argue with me because she had "6 people standing at her door waiting to talk with her about issues that were more important than mine" hmmmm...so is she saying customers aren't important to Mayer? I guess they are only important while they are getting you to try to sign the contract in the first place because let me tell you...they talk a good talk and will tell you what you want to hear.
The bottom line is Mayer Homes is not letting me out of my contract even though they know of my horrible situation...and when I say horrible...I mean really, reaaly, really horrible...and not only are they not letting me out of the contract, they said will sue me even though I won't qualify for the loan. I asked Karen Anderson if this happens frequently and she said "yes" and I asked how many times Mayer sues given these circumstances and she said "Mayer sues everyone that does not follow through on their contract"
Apparently when you sign a contract with Mayer homes there are lots of little things written in there and you are signing your life away. Mayer Homes is a multi million dollar company. Randy Mayer could put my house up as an inventory home and keep my $10,000 construction deposit and be done with it. Seriously Mayer has like 27 communities and build homes for the Bucks for crying out loud. But instead of doing that he is acting like a money hungry, greedy heartless jerk who OBVIOUSLY doesn't care one bit at all about his customers. Having to put one house up as an inventory home in jefferson county is not going to send him into bankruptcy, but it will most definitely send me there...He is basically forcing me into this house knowing I can't even bear to live there now much less afford it. I know contracts are there for a reason...I use them with every wedding...however given the situation and the fact that his company prides themselves on being so customer and family oriented, you'd think he would have a little more compassion. I have never been more disgusted with someone in my entire life. I don't know how this man sleeps at night knowing that he forces his clients to go through on things when he is 100% certain in doing so the house will most likely end up in foreclosure.
So If I can even encourage just one person to not build with Mayer I will think I have done the Saint Louis area a great service. I plan on getting the word out. And if you do decide to sign a contract with Mayer...be soooooooo very careful...even if you think things in your life are perfect and nothing could go wrong...GET AN AGENT...I HAVE A GREAT ONE NOW THAT I WOULD LOVE TO REFER TO YOU...
We put a contract to build a new home with Mayer back in Feb/March of this year. It is scheduled to be complete in November. I read the contract thoroughly and thought I understood exactly what was in it. Our biggest mistake was not getting a realtor involved to look over the contract and tell us exactly what certain things meant.
A few months later something happened that will drastically change my life forever. I won't get into on here (many of my clients know what I am talking about though) So it was with great sadness I informed Randy Mayer, owner of Mayer Homes, about my situation (which just to give you an idea of what I am going through...it's like I am stuck in the middle of a lifetime movie with no commercials and I can't get out)
In a letter I wrote to Mr. Mayer I informed him that I was/am emotionally and quite possibly financially broke due to circumstances beyond my control and would not be able to continue through with the contract on the house. I gave him the whole story of what happened to me. I am quite certain given my situation that I would not qualify for the new loan and literally BEGGED him to let me out of the contract. I also spoke with Karen Anderson, sales manager and and a man named Mark who is supposed to be the customer service manager and they all said the same thing. Karen went a step further though to inform me that "when I signed a contract with Mayer Homes I signed away all financial rights and even if Mayer breaks any part of their end of the contract it doesn't matter..I still signed away financial rights" then proceeded to tell me she wasn't going to argue with me because she had "6 people standing at her door waiting to talk with her about issues that were more important than mine" hmmmm...so is she saying customers aren't important to Mayer? I guess they are only important while they are getting you to try to sign the contract in the first place because let me tell you...they talk a good talk and will tell you what you want to hear.
The bottom line is Mayer Homes is not letting me out of my contract even though they know of my horrible situation...and when I say horrible...I mean really, reaaly, really horrible...and not only are they not letting me out of the contract, they said will sue me even though I won't qualify for the loan. I asked Karen Anderson if this happens frequently and she said "yes" and I asked how many times Mayer sues given these circumstances and she said "Mayer sues everyone that does not follow through on their contract"
Apparently when you sign a contract with Mayer homes there are lots of little things written in there and you are signing your life away. Mayer Homes is a multi million dollar company. Randy Mayer could put my house up as an inventory home and keep my $10,000 construction deposit and be done with it. Seriously Mayer has like 27 communities and build homes for the Bucks for crying out loud. But instead of doing that he is acting like a money hungry, greedy heartless jerk who OBVIOUSLY doesn't care one bit at all about his customers. Having to put one house up as an inventory home in jefferson county is not going to send him into bankruptcy, but it will most definitely send me there...He is basically forcing me into this house knowing I can't even bear to live there now much less afford it. I know contracts are there for a reason...I use them with every wedding...however given the situation and the fact that his company prides themselves on being so customer and family oriented, you'd think he would have a little more compassion. I have never been more disgusted with someone in my entire life. I don't know how this man sleeps at night knowing that he forces his clients to go through on things when he is 100% certain in doing so the house will most likely end up in foreclosure.
So If I can even encourage just one person to not build with Mayer I will think I have done the Saint Louis area a great service. I plan on getting the word out. And if you do decide to sign a contract with Mayer...be soooooooo very careful...even if you think things in your life are perfect and nothing could go wrong...GET AN AGENT...I HAVE A GREAT ONE NOW THAT I WOULD LOVE TO REFER TO YOU...
sorry I am a little behind in posting
man the last few weeks have been REALLY hard...I won't air out all the dirty laundry in this post, but I will in a later one...Anyways here's a few favorite images from my last two weddings...enjoy!
Monday, August 13, 2007
My house is for sale...
any takers??!! Here is the 411:
it's over 2000 square feet and is the popular split bedroom floor plan (which means the master and kids' rooms are on opposite ends of the house). We upgraded just about everything, 9ft ceilings with vaults, hardwood in hallway, kitchen and breakfast room, stainless steel appliances, ceramic tile backsplash, bay window with atrium doors, frieze carpet and upgraded pad, plant shelves, gas marble fireplace, arched windows, brushed nickel hardware, 2 in. blinds, 42 in. maple cabinets, open spindle staircase to the basement which is HUGE and contains a full rough in bath. There is also a luxury bath in the master bedroom with double sinks, jacuzzi tub and separate shower. It has a great room and formal dining room (which I use as my office). There is a closet in just about every room and tons of storage shelves in the basement and garage. The 3 car garage has 14 ft ceilings with both garage doors having garage door openers. The back has a huge patio that goes from one end of the house to the fireplace and has a built in fire pit with a "cabana bar" to the left. The bar is constructed of cedar with tile top with fully wired with recessed lighting, a ceiling fan and cable for watching TV. It's AWESOME for parties. The lot is also large (17,000+ square feet) and is in a quiet culdesac that backs partically to wooded common ground. The best part is this house is only about 2 minutes to highway 55, and any store you'd ever really need (Target, Schnucks, Home Depot, etc)It also only takes about 22-25 minutes to get downtown Saint Louis! The basement is huge but not finished yet. It is not a walkout but the right person could turn it into a walkout. It's listed for $250,000 (which is a STEAL) but we are willing to work on price further if we can sell it without paying out a huge commission to an agent. Call me on my cell 314-540-4373 if you are interested in taking a look or email me at sjmacky@yahoo.com for more info!
view from the front
view from the side
it's over 2000 square feet and is the popular split bedroom floor plan (which means the master and kids' rooms are on opposite ends of the house). We upgraded just about everything, 9ft ceilings with vaults, hardwood in hallway, kitchen and breakfast room, stainless steel appliances, ceramic tile backsplash, bay window with atrium doors, frieze carpet and upgraded pad, plant shelves, gas marble fireplace, arched windows, brushed nickel hardware, 2 in. blinds, 42 in. maple cabinets, open spindle staircase to the basement which is HUGE and contains a full rough in bath. There is also a luxury bath in the master bedroom with double sinks, jacuzzi tub and separate shower. It has a great room and formal dining room (which I use as my office). There is a closet in just about every room and tons of storage shelves in the basement and garage. The 3 car garage has 14 ft ceilings with both garage doors having garage door openers. The back has a huge patio that goes from one end of the house to the fireplace and has a built in fire pit with a "cabana bar" to the left. The bar is constructed of cedar with tile top with fully wired with recessed lighting, a ceiling fan and cable for watching TV. It's AWESOME for parties. The lot is also large (17,000+ square feet) and is in a quiet culdesac that backs partically to wooded common ground. The best part is this house is only about 2 minutes to highway 55, and any store you'd ever really need (Target, Schnucks, Home Depot, etc)It also only takes about 22-25 minutes to get downtown Saint Louis! The basement is huge but not finished yet. It is not a walkout but the right person could turn it into a walkout. It's listed for $250,000 (which is a STEAL) but we are willing to work on price further if we can sell it without paying out a huge commission to an agent. Call me on my cell 314-540-4373 if you are interested in taking a look or email me at sjmacky@yahoo.com for more info!
view from the front
view from the side
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