THE TRADITIONAL WEDDING REGISTRY

Is moving into a new home the next step in celebrating the beginning of your life together as husband and wife? If so, unlike many couples now marrying later in life who already live together and have had the time to set up their home prior to getting married, you’re starting from scratch.

When it comes to selecting items for your registry it's easy to get tempted into including non-essential gadgets and appliances only to find they end up collecting dust in your cupboards months after the big day. Like a great pair of jeans or that little black dress in your wardrobe, it's important to have a solid base for your registry. Created by Weddingbells, here's a list of 10 essential items that will never go out of style.

1. Fine China - Traditionally fine china has always been at the centre of any wedding registry. While you may be hesitant to include it for fear it's too expensive or you'll never use it, it is something you'll have forever and could even pass on to your children one day. Fine china comes in both bone and porcelain and tends to be more expensive than everyday china. It's a worthwhile investment that will make home entertaining a treat.

2. Stemware - Including stemware on your registry is a must. You can register for both crystal stemware and casual stemware, depending on how you plan to entertain. It's important to include white and red wineglasses, as well as champagne flutes and beverage glasses. Also consider the style of your china to be sure everything co-ordinates. Ideally, you want to register for at least as many glasses as settings.

3. Bed Linens - Considering we spend a third of our lives sleeping, it makes perfect sense to include plush and cozy bed linens you can both enjoy on your registry. Be sure to include at least one set of quality cotton white sheets. When looking at the thread count of Egyptian cotton, the higher the number, the lighter and softer it feels.

4. Everyday Dinnerware - Also referred to as everyday china, some couples may choose to register for everyday dinnerware in addition to or instead of fine china. It's more affordable for your guests, with many standard five-piece place settings starting at $30. White is a great basic if you're starting to build a collection, and don't feel like bone china or porcelain is off limits, especially if you're only going for one set of dinnerware.

5. Pots & Pans - Now is the time to upgrade to the quality you wish you had. Since quality does matter, don't be afraid to include name brands like Calphalon, Le Creuset and All-Clad. Be sure to register for some pieces separately (open stock), so you can accommodate guests with a variety of budgets.

6. Knives - Every kitchen needs a good set of knives. Higher quality knives have high carbon, stainless steel blades, sharpen easily and also resist rust. The basics to consider include a chef's knife, utility knife, paring knife, serrated knife and carving knife. Be sure to test each knife in your hands. It should be comfortable and well balanced.

7. Bath Towels - Like bed linens are basics for the bedroom, bath towels are basics for the bathroom. Look for 100% cotton towels, which are the most absorbent. Consider registering for three sets per person, also taking into account additional sets for guests.

8. Everyday Flatware - After you've chosen your dinnerware, ensure that your flatware matches the number of settings. A traditional setting includes a dinner knife and fork, teaspoon, tablespoon and salad fork. When choosing material, stainless steel is a great everyday option because it doesn't rust, tarnish or chip.

9. Bakeware - Every newlywed nest needs bakeware. Even if you're not a big-time baker, you'll want to include cookie sheets, muffin tins, a cooling rack or two and a casserole dish. Aluminum bakeware is a sturdy option and many also have non-stick coatings, which will help make cleanup easier.

10. Mixing Bowls - No matter what you're preparing in the kitchen, mixing bowls come in handy. Look for a set of bowls that are available in a handful of sizes and can be stored within each other. Glass bowls are the most versatile because they can be heated on the stove or in the microwave, while stainless steel are light and won't chip or break.

While The Bay and Sears have always been the “go to” places when it comes to the classic wedding registry, we couldn’t end this post without including one of our faves.

Located at 471 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, Zone offers bridal registry services for the fashion forward couple looking to add a little style to their home. Whether it’s the Oxford Bench, the Bella Serving Plate, the Trapeze Wall Frame or the Sonnet Pendant Lamp – from furniture to lighting to kitchen and bathroom accent pieces there is something chic and unique for everyone!

Photo Credits: Luster Studios

I love content aware fill...

This image is the first one I've used the new Photoshop CS5 feature "content aware fill" on.

This past weekend there was a cruise held at a local shopping center which meant a rather unattractive parking lot, along with people and buildings everywhere.

So I shot tight but it did not change the fact that there was things reflected in the chrome that I did not want in my image, so I select what I wanted removed, used the content aware fill option and shazzam, IT WAS GONE!

If you click on either image they will open larger and in a new window so you can see them in more detail.

And yes, I did do more to the edited image than remove reflections.

Lightroom 3 has arrived!...

Adobe announced the release of Lightroom 3 yesterday.

If you've been using the beta version it will expire at the end of June so you have a few more weeks to use it before it will self destruct (with a sizzling sound along with a mist and smoke rising from your keyboard).

If you didn't play with the beta version you can download and test drive a fully functional copy of version 3 here (for both Windows & MAC).

For all of you who own previous versions of Lightroom you can upgrade for $99.

And whether or not you are looking to improve your Lightroom skills or trying decide if you want to purchase version 3 you will want to visit the new and improved FREE Lightroom 3 Learning Center brought to you by the good folks at NAPP.

Zach Arias... Part 2...

I wanted to add a couple things to yesterdays post.

First, I didn't give you all his links, so here are links to his website, his blog, and his One Light workshops.

Second (and the main reason for the second post), since posting I listened to another interview of Zack done by Rangefinder Radio which is filled with great information, pertinent to anyone who is serious about being a photographer.

You can download the interview here, and get the feature article of Zach done it the April edition.

Lastly, even though I will be attending the "Studio Lighting" workshop I have pre-purchased it because I know it will be something I will refer back to again and again.

After listening to his interviews I get the feeling Zach holds himself to a pretty high standard so with this workshop he will be swinging for the fences (for you non baseball fans you can figure out what that means here), I think it will be something pretty spectacular.

Wanna spend 3 days with Zack Arias?...

I know what you're thinking, "Hell ya!".

Followed by "but he's not coming to my town" and "even if he was I probably couldn't afford it".

All wrong, regardless of where you live you can attend this 3 day workshop (without leaving town, heck, without leaving your house) and you can attend it for free.

Yup, free, zip, nada, nothing.

So let me ask again, wanna attend the 3 day "Studio Lighting Workshop" with Zack Arias?

The catch? you need to register at creativeLIVE before all the "seats" are gone. That's it, that's all you have to do.

creativeLIVE is the brainchild of Chase Jarvis and how it works is simple, you can watch their seminars live (and free) no strings attached, but should you not be able to "attend" live you can buy the entire 3 day workshop (recorded) for a ridiculously low price.

The Zack Arias 3 day seminar (8 hours each day) is free when you watch it live and only $79 to purchase the downloads.

So head over to creativeLIVE to sign up for the Zack Arias workshop, or one of the other (free) outstanding workshops they have coming up.

Back to Zack for a minute, I was listening to one of his interviews last night and he had a great suggestion for building your business/portfolio. He mentioned a specific piece of glass that cost almost $1,900, and too often folks will buy it because the think it is important to their photography business. Zack's suggestion was if you really want to build your business purchase the same glass used and with the money you saved spend 2-3 days in the big apple shooting/building a "New York Portfolio" for your website. I thought that was freaking brilliant.

You can listen to the entire interview here.

Let me close with one more piece of hero worship, this is one of the most innovative portraits I have ever seen, it's of 30 people shot with a single flash.

Lastly, watch the video below to learn how you can win a real/actual seat at the 3 day workshop in Seattle, yup, you can be one of the studio attendees, sipping that great Seattle coffee and that would be free too (well, the seat would be free, not the coffee)!

Win a Scott Kelby instructional DVD...

Not sure if you caught this at the end of my review of Scott Kelby's "Mastering Camera RAW", but we are giving that DVD away to one lucky reader.

To be eligible all you need do is comment on ANY blog post between now and June 30th, there will be a (random) drawing on July 1st to determine the winner.

There is no limit on the number of post you can comment on, the winner will be announced here on July 2nd.

Good luck.

A Pet photography must!...

Some of the most important information contained in this post is included in the very last paragraph, so if you skip anything DON'T skip the last paragraph.

I can describe Jed & Vicki Taufer and their photography business in just four words "great people, outstanding products".

Their latest offering is "Unleashed", a pet photography resource full of detailed information and resources for any photographer that is considering adding pets to their business, or if you already offer pet photography "Unleashed" will help you do it better and with greater success.

You will get a DVD with 72 folders, 165 files, and stuffed with over 2 1/2 gigabytes of information.

What you'll get isn't theory, or what someone thinks is a good idea, what you will get are the tools and blueprints the Taufer's have used (and continue to use) to make their pet photography so successful.


You name it and it's in there, email marketing, press releases, Photoshop .psd samples and templates for cards, prints, and canvases, how to videos, price lists, and more.

They've even included almost a dozen royalty free stock video clips that you can use to fill out slideshows and promotional pieces you may want to create.

And its not just about making money, its also about giving back. They show you how to team up with local animal shelters and organizations to run fundraisers that benefit the shelters, your clients, and your studio. True win, win, win.


I could go on and on about the depth of information that's included on the DVD but the video below will give you a great visual demonstration of the contents of "Unleashed", so please take the time to watch it all the way through.

Here comes the REALLY important part(s) - until the end of the day on Friday (June 4th) you can purchase "Unleashed" for only $84.50. That's half off the regular price! Simply use the discount code "UNLEMAIL" during check out and you'll receive the 50% off special. And because I am so impressed with "Unleashed" I'm going to do something I've never done before, guarantee someone else's product. The first person who purchases this and doesn't think they got their moneys worth, I'll give you your $84.50 back. How's that for believing in a product I review?