The big photo convention season is quickly approaching and I am getting so excited about meeting new friends and catching up with old ones!  One thing that always bums me out after convention season is how many emails I get from people who were too shy to come up and introduce themselves to me (believe it or not, some people are under the impression that I am one of the cool kids. lol.)  I thought it would be fun to sort of break the ice ahead of time and give you all a little glimpse of who I am (definitely not a cool kid!), so we have something to talk about in Vegas.

I am (embarrassingly) addicted to US Weekly and always love their "25 Things You Don't Know About Me" features, so I thought I'd make a little list for myself.

1. I am addicted to Burt's Bees lip balm.
2. I love Gin, but it makes me a crazy woman, so I don't drink it anymore.
3. "24" is one of my favorite shows, but it really bothers me that Jack Bauer has never, in 8 seasons, eaten or taken a drink of water. I am now obsessed with Jack's nutritional intake.
4. My parents bred Australian Shepherds when I was growing up and we always had at least 7 or 8 dogs.
5. Kids called me "Chenin the Dog Girl" in school :(
6. I met my husband, Doug, in middle school.  He was the best friend of my boyfriend at the time (woopsies.)
7. It took me 3 years to convince Doug that he was in love with me. I think he finally just gave up.
8. My son is named after the artist, Maxfield Parrish, and the famous Chicago Cub, Ernie Banks.
9. I secretly hope Maxfield grows up to be a dork.
10. I refuse to eat American cheese, because, in the 6th grade, a bully put it in my hair. (Told you I am not a cool kid.)
11. My grandfather was a photographer and used to let me play in his darkroom when I was little.
12. If there was plastic surgery for shortness, I would do it.
13. I am currently eating an Atomic Fireball for the first time in 20 years. It's spicy as hell.
14. I am sort of just making this stuff up so I have something to blog (don't judge. you do it too.)
15. I love Cat Stevens' music but right now I am listening to Ice Cube's "Amerikkka's Most Wanted."
16. I am an enigma.
17. My favorite book is "Franny and Zooey," by J.D. Salinger.
18. I love champagne and dark beer.
19. My heart has stopped on more than one occasion.
20. I am a sushi snob.
21. My first car was a 1987 Mazda RX-7, which I crashed at least 3 times. One time, I hit a Samoan lady with it and she almost kicked my ass
22. I have an irrational fear of birds. I am disgusted by their feet (which is why the bird in my logo has none) and I am convinced that they carry disgusting germs.
23. I am a germaphobe.
24. I am not a rock star.
25. I sometimes wish I was a bank robber, because I want to scale walls in a tight black suit.

So that's it.... 25 things you don't know about me. 

I will be posting later this week with my speaking schedule at WPPI!  Hope to see you there!

delightfully,
Chenin

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I cannot believe that my sweet Maxfield is one year old!  It's cliche to say, but it seems like yesterday that Doug and I were leaving from the hospital (in a pouring rainstorm, I might add) to take our little one home.  And now I am posting about his first birthday. All I can really say is "wow."

On Sunday, Doug and I had our closest friends and family to our home to celebrate Max's birthday.  From the time that he was born, I knew I wanted to throw Maxfield a robot birthday party.  Something about robots says "all boy" to me and I thought it would be fun, without being too baby-ish (which I am always trying to avoid.)

I spent the last two months making every last detail of this party.  Every time I sat down to make paper bunting, or a happy birthday sign, or robot party garland, I wondered how the heck I found the time.  But the truth is, I had so much fun dreaming up projects and making them happen.  I am not sure who had more fun - me or Max (ok, let's be honest... I did!)

Some of my fun crafts, including the invitations, bunting and his birthday sign (which I hope to re-use), that I made.  I think my favorite project was the flower vases, which I made out of recycled glass jars and dryer ducting.  We also had a Make-Your-Own-Robot Station, where kids (and adults, it turns out....) could choose a blank paper robot and decorate him.

I am thrilled that I can finally share this lovely bridal shower that I had the opportunity to shoot last month.  Jeannie Savage, planner extraordinaire and a dear friend, threw this darling shower for her bestie, Grace.  It was a flawless day, filled with lots of cupcakes, pink flowers and all things super-girly.  Grace's shower was featured today on Style Me Pretty (thanks Abbie!) and now I can share the images with you all!  Enjoy!

A while back, the lovely Davina Fear did a nice interview with me for her Women in Business Series.  She was particularly interested in how I juggle my workflow with a (now walking!!!!) baby in the house.  I give detailed, day-by-day instructions for making it happen RIGHT HERE!

And since no mommy post is complete without a cute pic of the wee one, here's Maxfield on his new swing!

For years now, my husband and I have frequented Sushi Wasabi, a tiny strip-mall sushi restaurant in what can only be described as the "wrong side of the tracks."  It is 30 miles from our house and the decor leaves a lot to be desired.  In fact, the only decor being a big sign above the sushi bar that reads "TRUST ME."  But we go, year after year, because it is the best damn sushi in the world.

So what makes Sushi Wasabi so good?  What makes it good is the hard-core dedication of it's chef, Katsu, to doing his own thing. Although conjuring scenes from Seinfeld's "Soup Nazi," Katsu is 100% dedicated to serving only the best sushi.  There is no menu, there is no edamame, there are no Sexy Ninja rolls.... heck, Katsu won't even let you take your order to go. Everything at Sushi Wasabi is served Omakase Style, which means that the Chef feeds you whatever he/she wants until you're full. Omakase is the antithesis of choice.

I have often visited Katsu and looked around to notice that this little restaurant is packed to the gills (pun intended.)  There is always a ton of people waiting for Katsu to work his magic, despite the lack of loud music, neon cocktails and ridiculously-named sushi rolls.  Let's just say that Katsu's business is booming, and he didn't have to make a single compromise to do it. Methinks there is a business lesson here....

As photographers, we do our best work when we are given total trust from our clients. But how many of us are asking for it?  Do you have the guts to be like Katsu and ask "TRUST ME?" I do. And, admittedly, not all clients honor my request; some clients take a look at the proverbial "menu" and walk out of my "sushi bar." But you can bet that the clients who take a chance - who let me do my thing - leave very, very full.

delightfully,
Chenin

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