Happy Birthday to me! : Happy Valentines Day!

Meg Perotti February 13, 2011

I had a birthday yesterday, the big 2-7! I'm not really one for going all crazy about my birthday... I mean, like anyone I enjoy a cupcake (or two) and love an excuse to take "meg time" but I'm just not good with attention. I love and appreciate everyone who gives it to me, it's just hard for me to accept it for some reason. I like to celebrate the big years- you better believe I'll be somewhere cool for the big 3-0 but 2-7? I never could understand those people that claim they celebrate their birthday week... or seriously, their birthday month? My dear friend Jeff and I used to throw joint birthday parties and that was perfect- we were both able to dilute our "birthday attention" by sharing a party but now that he is in LA and I am in SJ I was on my own! So, I woke up late, went for a 3 mile run, drank coffee and ate oatmeal, lounged around, played tennis with my love, lounged around some more with the tv, hung out at my parents, and had a birthday dinner with family- it was a perfect day!

Just for fun, here are 27 things I am loving right now for your Valentines enjoyment!

That'll keep you busy at work today! :)

On another note- HAPPY VALENTINES DAY ALL YOU LOVERS OUT THERE! Whether you are celebrating your single status or kissing your significant other I hope all of you guys feel the love today. Style Me Pretty is featuring the following shoot today in honor of all things l-o-v-e. Check it out!

Hard work is rewarded with more work : time for a time out in Big Bear

Meg Perotti February 10, 2011

The search is still on to add an associate to my team! I'm taking applications for the next two weeks and then I'll start meeting up with people. So, check out my post here and e-mail me if you are interested! I am a worker bee, always have been. I constantly feel the need to be growing, moving, creating, learning... I don't like having an idle brain. It's said that hard work is rewarded with more work and that has never been more true for me. My business is flourishing and it seems the harder I work the less I am physically able to decompress. I'll be honest and say that I don't sleep well. To-do lists and ideas for the future constantly run through my head until I either get up and take care of something or pop a Tylonol PM (don't judge) . I rarely watch TV without photoshop open on my laptop and drive Tim mad responding to client e-mails from our Sunday morning coffee spot. The concept of "coming home from work" doesn't exist for me. That moment when you walk through the door, throw your purse down, kick your shoes off, and ahhhhhhh you're home? Nope, rarely. Or the feeling of Friday? Oh to feel that again! The end of a productive week and now I can relax and bbq and hang out with friends and stay up late.... Nope, rarely. Fridays only mean the end of 5 valuable work days (that, dang it, I should have used more efficiently!) and the beginning of two shooting or meeting days. It never ends, it's a vicious cycle of work and more work. Obviously, we business owners and photographers love our jobs to death. I couldn't be luckier and more thankful for the abundance of people who allow me to do what I love and make money doing it- but man, some days don't we all need to call our boss and say, "I'm taking a personal day for no reason at all."

I kept my goal list for 2011 short- 5 items only. See number 5?

I'm still working on the schedule part but taking back my life is in full swing. I am not a slave to this business - there are no shackles on me. I am my boss so I make the rules and if I need an afternoon to peruse Anthropologie sale racks every once and awhile- I'm taking it! (by the way.... BHLDN???) Two weeks ago I spent 4 days and 3 nights with 11 other female wedding and portrait photographers in a cozy cabin in Big Bear. When I lived in Los Angeles me and a few of these gals used to occasionally grab brunch and chat photography and other stuff over mimosas and waffles. Last summer Amanda and Mary were dying to get out to The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs and sent out an e-mail to a bunch of us seeing if anyone wanted to join. I was in full wedding planning stress mode and couldn't take a week away from work (surprise surprise) but most of the other girls were able to make it and the rest is history! This trip, 11 out of the original 13 shacked up in a cabin, took pictures, danced, played pool, ate a lot, drank a lot , and most importantly laughed a lot. Our relationships with each other have gone way past photography now and I feel so blessed to have them all in my life.

We are Amanda, Ala, Adrienne, Diandra, Gladys, Heidi, Heather, Meg, Megan, & Mary ( Ashley and Jackie too! A just had a baby and J is expecting soon so they sat this one out. )

Associate Photographer Opening

Meg Perotti February 7, 2011

The time has come.... I am looking for an associate photographer to add to our Northern California team! Do you love to shoot weddings but hate to handle contracts, taxes, payments, print orders, etc.? This situation is perfect for someone who works a day job but wants to make extra money on the side shooting but not deal with the stress of running a business. You *must* have experience shooting weddings solo- please don't e-mail me if you don't. You'll be shooting weddings on your own so this isn't a learning experience opportunity.

Requirements: Must be comfortable running a wedding day on your own and have lots of experience doing so. Must present a portfolio of wedding images (your favorite highlights as well as a complete wedding would be preferred.) Must own your own reliable equipment (pro body with backup, prime lenses, flashes, CF cards (at least 20 GB) etc.) Must have a reliable car for transportation to and from weddings and engagement sessions.

So I can learn a little bit about you, please copy and paste the questions below and send the answers to me in an e-mail for consideration :)

Full Name: Phone: Approximately how many weddings have you shot on your own?: What equipment do you own?: Where can I see your work?: Why would this situation be good for you?: Approximately how many weddings would you want to shoot a year?: Why do you love shooting weddings? Tell me one fun fact about yourself:

Anyone want to join my team? :) I'm nice, I promise!

Film... from a long time ago.

Portlandia

Meg Perotti January 28, 2011

I'm in Portland, OR through Monday but wanted to share one of my favorites from this past week in Big Bear. This week was more rejuvenating then I even know how to explain. So lucky to have such a great group of friends to lean on in an industry as big as this one.

One World Childrens Fund : Not Words but Deeds

Meg Perotti January 26, 2011

If you guys are looking to drink a cocktail and want to help donate to the One World Children's Fund stop by their cocktail event on Thursday, January 27th at CIRCA in SF. Proceeds from the silent auction will be going to One Word too and I've donated a portrait session- so if you're thinking of booking why not go grab a cocktail and see if you can give the proceeds to children in need around the world instead?

One World has been fortunate enough to have met generous companies and people throughout our 10 years. CIRCA just so happens to be one them. On Thursday, January 27th from 6-9pm, CIRCA will be donating 15% of drinks proceeds to One World. Also at the event are fantastic silent auction prizes from the Presidio Golf Course, San Francisco Fine Arts Museum, Photographer Meg Perotti, artist Gurpran Rau, Restaurant First Crush , Polk Street Boxing Gym, Club One Gym, and many more! So grab a friend (or two), meet us at CIRCA after work, get a drink and relax knowing you're giving back to good cause. *No RSVP necessary but for more information please contact ashlee@owcf.org.

Hello Lovely,