At the risk of sounding too sappy let face it friends, its hard to imagine anything more beautiful then a bride on her wedding day. The dress that makes all those days at the gym worth it. The make up highlighting all her best features... Do wedding guests start crying when the groom walks down the isle? No! (sorry men) The tears start flowing when the bride makes her debut! But wait! Talk about debuts, "What is FABULOUS masterpiece she is sporting on top of that perfectly placed hair do?!" That my friends, is a hairpiece! Lets discuss further, shall we?

Hairpieces are not new to the wedding world in fact, they have been turning heads for years and years. There are no limits to the flavor and style these simple, yet intricate pieces can add to an already awesome wedding gown. A splash of color or some whimsical texture, hairpieces are SO fun! However, instead of using huge Princess Diana style tiaras, we have seen our trendy brides displaying impressive pieces as shown below:

Hairpieces are the exclamation point to any veil, short or long! Are you or are you not in love with these?! Want more where this came from? Me too! Check out Lady Vintique to find a 100% unique piece that will fit your style.

Simple…but so rad!

Etsy.com hosts page, after page, after page, of tremendously fantastic hand made goodies for you AND your bridesmaids if you feel so inclined. From chic and modern to organic and earthly, crafters from all over have made it THAT much easier to take your wedding day apparel to the next level of perfection.

They are also perfect party companions. If you wear an elegant veil during the ceremony (super classy) then spice up the reception and wear a hand crafted and unique headpiece to dance the night away in! Just make sure that little guy is pinned in there nice and tight…you would hate to have it fall off when your new husband swings you around the dance floor! Weiiii!

Clearly these headpieces can be worn with more then just wedding dresses. This might be the #1 one thing you wear on your wedding day that can be used over and over again. They are so versatile and come in designs to fit any wardrobe or haircut. Wear them to parties, grocery shopping, or when you’re writing a blog post (like me!).

Happy Labor Day! As mark likes to call it Laborial day... cause he gets the two confused... LOL!  Americans have been celebrating Labor Day since 1882, so it only seemed right to do something special on our blog for this amazing day ( this amazing day without work). This past week we were able to join up with some amazing friends to put together a super fun "Labor Day" themed shoot! There are some shoots that just give you a BIG SMILE for hours after the shoot is over, that was this photo shoot! I have been so excited to post this and share it with everyone on our blog!
Have a great Labor Day, BBQ, Swim, and enjoy the photos below : )

Sign: www.typologieandco.com
Cookies: www.simplysweetcakery.com
Flowers and Design: www.agoodaffair.com
photography: www.markbrooke.net obviously... ;)

Mark and I were listening to a Rock Harbor Sermon on "giving back" to your community,  and we started to think about all of you, our blog commenters. Mark and I really appreciate those of you who comment on our blog and say "hello" from time to time. Its always nice to know that people are excited about your work or our clients as much as you are! Because of this we would love to give away 4 free shoots today. The details: The shoots will happen on the same day (in Ladera Ranch, ca), they will be short but super SWEET,  you will get about 10 edited MBP images, and you can choose any type of shoot you want (family, day after, e-session ect...)! I would love for you to nominate someone by telling me how they "gave back" to the community. It could be as simple as buying a random person a cup of coffee. You didnt need to save the wales last week to "give back" (at lease I hope not :). We will be picking 4 people between the hours of 8:00am -5:00pm today and announcing them one by one over the next four days. I am super excited about this " giving back" project :)

I also wanted to share a little about our last Photographer GTG. We had so much fun hanging out with some awesome photographers last week. The CA photographer community is pretty awesome, so hanging out with all of you makes my week! I would also like to thank Shootsac for giving away a Rad Hipslip (you guys rock!!!!) I snapped a few of these head shots while everyone was hanging out. It was fun to meet new people and get a feel of how they run their biz. I hope to see everyone next time.

Hey Everyone!
After months of work and anticipation our new Album designer templates are here!

Over the three years Mark and I have been wedding photographers, we have built many awesome albums for rad clients! When we first started to make albums it would take us ALL day. But after making several different custom album templets, we are able to make Rad Mark Brooke Albums in less then an hour. We love albums, and the fact that the client gets to cherish it for the rest of their lives. We put alot of pride and love into each one. We have teamed up with Ben Harrison from H2O Creative, to make Mark Brooke Custom Album templets for all of you. We are super stoked on this, and cant wait for you to check them out!

Key points:
-We want every album we build to give off the feel and look of a “Fine Art” book.
-Each of the spreads in these templets have been designed by both Mark and I.
-The templets are quick and easy to modify the design to your own brand.
-You drag and drop photos into each layout, and then from there adjust layout if needed.
-There are 50 different "2 page spread" designs.

Also, don't forget we will be on the Bschool at 4:00 pst!

CLICK HERE TO SEE ‘EM!

Here are just some of the Sample spreads:

Yesterday I had the time of my life going to American Idol with some girlfriends of mine (Jack and Angel). I have not been watching this season (sorry, but no one will ever be as good as Adam Lambert), but it was still so much fun! A few things you are probably wondering.... No, Simon is not mean in "real life". It was the strangest thing, at every commercial  break he was laughing and having a great time. Then the minute the cameras started rolling he hammed up the "mean Simon". Ellen in my opinion is gorgeous, and Kara is truly as sweet as she comes off on TV. Also, the stage is SMALL. On the show they make the audience and the stage look massive, well, that is all smoke and mirrors (literally). It was also the afternoon that I realized im not 14 any more. By the end of the taping I was stretching, and felt like I needed a back massage. But for that hour and 10 minutes it was fun to blend in with acne filled pre-teens. I really want to see a Chelsea Lately taping next!

Meghalee and Rob were together for three years before they got engaged. They both grew up New Yorkers,  but met in CA! Its awesome when situations like that happen, It just proves that there is a unique plan for everyone in this life. After we did Meghalees E-session, I texted her and told her she was gorgeous... Because she is, both inside and out. I could honestly die for her smile! Rob and Meghalee are a perfect couple. They compliment each other in so many ways. You can tell they are so happy together and are going to have an amazing future. At the wedding they were so exited to have all their family and friends there, and the vibe of the wedding was amazing. You could tell everyone was truly happy for the couple and their  future. We feel blessed to be apart of this wedding. Here are just a few of our favorite shots.

Mark and I have a few announcements that give us a big smile just thinking about them.

1st. We are going to be a guest on the B-school this thursday at 4:00. We will be interviewed by Becker, so get your questions ready!http://www.thebschoolstudyhall.com/

2nd: We have been working on something really cool these last few months.... we have wanted to tweet about it, and share it with everyone, but we have had to wait until now! This Thursday we will be announcing it. (sorry that this is vague, I want to tell everyone sooooo bad). The point is... get ready, cuz we will be launching something rad on Thursday.

3rd: If you are a photographer... come hang with us and some other rad photographers (click link). We are just going to grab coffee and hang! We would love to see everyone there :) CLICK HERE

4th: Mark and I have been offering some really great classes to photographers over the past months. Because of wedding season we will not be offering them as frequent. Our next class is our Lighting Class (click link). I dont know if we will ever be offering this specific class again. So if you are interested, now is the time :) CLICK HERE

5th: don't forget about the classes we are offering in NYC CLICK HERE.

Here is just some of what people are saying about the classes:

"Your brother and his girlfriend were adorable! THANK YOU guys so much for putting such a wonderful little event together! I’m so glad that I went and I can’t wait to blog about it this week! You guys are awesome!" -Marissa Rodriguez   Click here to read Marissas post about it!http://marissarodriguez.com

"Much thanks to you both for putting together such a fun workshop! Keith and I loved every minute of it. We especially appreciate how you took the time to answer everyone’s questions. Can’t wait to try things out. We’ll be sure to send you a few shots to let you know how we do." -Lori Anderson.

So that aside... Tony and Nathalie are amazing people! We needed great models for a project we are working on, and they were one of the first we could think of. They drove down all the way from SD to rock out this quick shoot. We could not thank them enough!  I hope you all enjoy the photos. Happy Monday.

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Almost three years ago I worked for a company called ADP. It was a very high stress, high energy, sales job. At the time I enjoyed the pressure of someone making a quota, and interacting with hundreds of people a week. But I remember when Friday would roll around I was beat! I would walk into the coffee lounge and zone out while I listened to my coffee cup fill. Then I would walk "still in the zone" to my desk and start a conversation with Jeremy, Tamara, or Lauren. They were all  such  amazing people! I have not talked to them in years,  but I still think about that group from time to time. I might even go as far to say they helped me make it every week to friday. Any ways.... Jeremy would begin to tell me a funny story about his week or re-inact a scene from "The Office". This led to a half hour of smiles and laughter. Then the rest of my Friday was spent waiting... waiting for it to be 5:00 so I could rush home and take a NAP! I was always so tired! Occasionally I would take a work break and look on photo blogs and get inspired to change my life.  But,  the thought would quickly be interrupted by a phone call or a sales "emergency" (if there is such a thing). Friday use to mean something. It meant I accomplished a full work week, and I made my goals. So for those of you who are in the work place, you have made it! Its Friday! I hope you all enjoy your weekend!

Nikki and chris are awesome clients of ours! We have done several shoots for them; e-session, wedding, day after session, and now....lifestyle portraits! We love them dearly and cant wait for them to be our neighbors soon!

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Every Tuesday night I pull into the parking lot of the Irvine Spectrum to meet with 6 awesome girls so we can talk about a book. I have read the book several times but for some reason each week I leave inspired and my brain moves a million miles an hour. This book is C.S. Lewis "Mere Christianity". Its the type of book that can start a debate, get you excited, and change your life! Last night we read three chapters and among many lines this one stood out..."the little decision you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good act today is the capture of strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to vicotries you never dreamed of" (lewis page 132).  This came in the chapter on Charity and Giving. Its truly inspiring to think our "little" actions can make a difference! Im curious how many other people have read this book and your thoughts on it :)

Lisa and Josh are such a fun couple. They emailed us super excited about their E-session shoot weeks in advance. They wanted to make sure they captured the fun they have together. Their idea was a park.... Now we had never shot at a park before (believe it or not), so we were super excited to rock out a fun location. I think its so awesome when couples laugh together, have fun, and play! That is the dynamic Mark and I have in our marriage. You can tell that Lisa and Josh are going to make an amazing Married couple! They compliment each other so well, and we could not be more excited about their wedding! Here are just a few of our favorite images.

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Two 6 month olds, cars, Long beach aquarium, pancakes, bonfire, harbor cruise, shakes, and four adults ='s Stay-cation. A few weeks ago our good friends Molly and Matt came over and vacationed aka Staycationed at our house. The original plan was to take an RV up the coast. But after thinking it through, we felt a Vacation in our home town (the OC) would be just as fun for the little people (little people =s' our 6th month olds). Wyatt and Charlotte had a blast looking into each others eyes for 3 days straight. Wyatt might have proposed, but im not sure.

Here are a few of our favorite photos. Thanks Molly and Matt for being such great friends!!!

Mark and I are super excited to announce a three week trip to NYC this summer!!! We would love to set up any Engagement sessions, boudoirs, "day after sessions", and photographer head shots with all the Rad East Coast people! Shoots can be set up on July 30th and 31st (or email us for other dates).
We are also going to be rocking out some of our MBP classes.  We have received many emails from photographers wishing we would come to the east coast... Well here we come!  If you notice we stacked the classes so that if you would like to fly out for the classes you can attend more than one to make the plane ticket worth it! :)  Email us for more details regarding any shoots or classes (mark@markbrooke.com). Make sure you click the links to sign up!

Topic :: Off Camera Lighting

Date: Sunday August 1st

Time: 12:00-2:00pm

Where: Ace Hotel NYC

Cost: $200

CLICK HERE (to view more details)!!!!!!!!!!!!

Topic :: Selling/ Marketing/ and Booking out your year

Date: Sunday August 1st

Time: 2:30-4:30pm

Where: ACE Hotel NYC

Cost: $200

CLICK HERE (to view more details) !!!!!!!!!!!!

Topic :: Editing, photoshop, lightroom etc...

Date: Sunday August 1st

Time: 5:00 -7:00 pm

Where: Ace Hotel NYC

Cost: $200

CLICK HERE (to view more details) !!!!!!!!!!!!

Tyler and Michelle are two rad clients that have turned into really great FRIENDS of Mark and I! We absolutely love them! They got married last year on March 15th 2009 (same wedding date as Mark and I :) So for their 1 year anniversary Tyler surprised Michelle with an anniversary shoot in LA. I shot this with instructions that they did not want any color, and instead wanted lots of "city"  and "buildings". It was sooooo fun! I am so happy for them, and can not wait to see all the other shoots we will do in the future!

Also you should check out LOVE NAIL TREE. Its their clothing line, and its freakin RAD! They sponsored the Mammoth Men trip last year, and Mark is still rocking all the clothes he got from LOVE NAIL TREE.

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