STONEFIELDS HERITAGE FARM

STONEFIELDS Heritage Farm is a fantastic new venue getting ready to open its doors and host your next corporate retreat, special event, private party, community function, and of course Viva's favourite - your wedding.

Picture this...

After spending time with your bridesmaids getting ready for the big day, you step out of the old stone farmhouse in your wedding gown. You're full of anticipation as you follow your bridesmaids through the courtyard to the field where your groom anxiously awaits. Your family and friends watch in awe. The ceremony is picture perfect. Your guests are escorted to the pool area for cocktail hour while you have your pictures taken around the property with rustic barns, stone walls and gardens as your backdrop. Your evening reception is hosted under a big white tent decorated with delicate white lights. You savour the peace, tranquility and fresh country air that surrounds you while you dance the night away with your new husband, your family and friends.

The beautiful 110 acre property is located just 40 minutes from downtown Ottawa in the lovely town of Carleton Place. For more information on wedding packages and to see if your date is available for booking, contact STONEFIELDS at 613-253-3313 or info@stonefieldsheritagefarm.ca

Photo Credits: Weddings by XPhotography

Win a book in our latest contest!...

If you are interested in adding "The Photoshop Elements 8 Book for Digital Photographers" By Scott Kelby & Matt Kloskowski to your library it could be yours for very little effort.

We are going to randomly pick one person who posts a comment (to any post) during this month (March) and send them the book.

If you have already commented on one of our blog posts you're in the running!

The more comments you post, the better your chances.

The winner will be announced Aprils 1st (no joke).

A little something for veterans...

This month (March) Outback Steakhouse is giving all veterans and active duty personnel a free "bloomin' onion".

They are also raising $1,000,000 for Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization that provides assistance for service men and women, their families, and wounded warriors upon their return home.

And if you add Operation Feeding Freedom to the mix you have a company that thinks the contribution made by veterans is important AND takes their needs seriously.

Thanks Outback.

Review of new Scott Kelby DVD...

There is a bunch of stuff to love about Scott Kelby's latest DVD offering "Photo Recipes Live: Behind the Scenes" before you ever dig into the content.

First, Price. The DVD has a retail price of $44.95, but if you enter coupon code "KELBYPREMIERE" during checkout it will be yours for just $29.25. In this economy affordability is important.

Second, content. The DVD spends over 2 hours covering 16 individual photo shoots from portraits, food photography, and product shots all under a variety of lighting scenarios. The DVD also comes with an iPod version so you can take it with you wherever you go. Want more? It includes a 75 page book that has additional and behind the scenes information for each of the 16 lessons. I'm not sure there is anyone who puts as much thought into what they provide to photographers than Scott.

Third, more content. You can get "Photo Recipes Live: Behind the Scenes" in either a DVD or online video format (if you purchase the online version you can download the 75 page book). The above mentioned discount code will work on either.

Finally, the good stuff. What I really like about the lessons is that Scott gives you a real photo shoot, starting at the very beginning when you bring your subject into the scene and walks us through to the finished shot. Have you ever watched an instructional video and while you completely understand what they did, you didn't know why they did it that way? Scott not only covers what works, he explores with us what doesn't work as well which (I think) is an important part of how you learn.

I can ramble on about what is so good about this DVD but wouldn't watching it be even better? Here comes the crazy part, you can watch the first five "recipes" in their entirety below. Yup, almost 50 minutes of what is on the DVD. I told you it was crazy.

The lessons in the video below are the Window Light Portrait, Couples Portrait, 3 Light Setup, Clamshell Lighting part 1, and Clamshell Lighting part 2.

So I guess the only question is not if you should buy it, but can you order it before it sells out.

If you are a subscriber you know video is not pushed through so either return to the blog or head over to Peachpit to watch the video.

Free Webinar with David Ziser...

On Wednesday March 3rd David Ziser will be presenting a free 90 minute lighting and wedding webinar "Captured By The Light"

Some of the topics to be covered by David will include:

• on-location lighting setups

• posing

• lens selections

• off camera flash

... and more.

David Ziser is an incredible photographer and teacher so you really do not want to miss out on this educational opportunity.

The seminar will be starting at 3pm EST and you'll find the registration page here.

WEDDING DRESS WEDNESDAY

Introducing Viva's newest monthly blog post - Wedding Dress Wednesday! Once a month Viva will feature a new wedding dress we've fallen head over heals in love with.

This month's Wedding Dress Wednesday features Sunday Rose from designer Monique Lhuillier's Spring Collection 2010. At $9500.00USD this ivory silk satin organza strapless gown with pleated bodice and rose embroidered A-line skirt provides the wow factor you're looking for on your special day.

In Monique's words: "One of my favorite gowns is Sunday Rose from my Spring 2010 collection. It is inspired by the use of lightweight fabrics that create a soft and ethereal feel. Each organza rose is cut individually using couture techniques. The fabrics used in this gown are of the best quality and the construction is contoured to create a very feminine silhouette. It makes for a heart stopping entrance on any bride's big day!"

Wear your hair up and simple pearl earrings for a classic look. For a more romantic look opt to wear chandelier earrings and tousled hair as pictured here.

Monique Lhuillier's signature style has made her one of the most sought after designers to the stars. Heidi Montag, Jewel, Ashlee Simpson, Pink, Alicia Silverstone, and Britney Spears are just a few well know celebs who wore Monique Lhuillier on their wedding day.

WEDDING TEMPLATES BY GOOGLE DOCS

Earlier this month Google Docs launched a collection of templates geared exclusively towards the bride & groom and their adventures in wedding planning. With these little gems you can now plan your entire wedding in one organized place. It’s wedding planning genius!!

Almost time to send out your invites? Dreading the hours you'll have to spend collecting and compiling all those addresses in order to get them out in time? Here is just one of many ways Google Docs can help.

Wedding Templates by Google Docs. Happy Planning!!