new blog address...

Be sure to bookmark Allyson's Wonderland blog at: blog.allysonmagda.com

A new blog....

is coming!!! It's pretty much ready, but I'm having a heck of a time with my service provider and getting it to link up correct! Stay tuned for a whole new FUN outlook on the blogging world....

Allyson's Wonderland!

looking for that perfect wedding location?

Paso Robles Wedding Photographer

Central Coast Weddings




Maybe I can help. The Grapeline does a monthly tour of wineries for wedding industry professionals, and I was lucky enough to get on the train for the ride this month! We visited four locations, most of which are somewhat unknown to us in the wedding industry.

Still Waters Vineyards has always been one of my favorite locations, you can see a wedding I shot there by clicking HERE.

Chateau Margene has some amazing wine and a beautiful lawn for a "garden" wedding.

Pomar Junction was the surprise of the day for me. I've never been there as it's newer and it ROCKS! It's got a couple of train cars, amazing views and just straight up, down-home feeling where you could sit and enjoy for hours.

Maloy O'Neill has a beautiful tasting room and patio, simply gorgeous and elegantly done.


Special thanks to:
Cathy at the The Grapeline Wine Country Shuttle - Paso Robles
Jennie at Trumpet Vine Catering for delicious Tapas for lunch!



Central Coast Winery Weddings
central coast weddings

It's like a new pair of shoes....

You know that feeling when you get a new pair of shoes and they just make you feel SO good...and when you get compliments, you feeling even more smashing and smiley.

That's pretty much how I feel when I get a big project done, and updating my website is one of them for this week. Really I should do updates more often, so it's not such a big project, but I actually had fun updating my site this year, which is what makes it like a new pair of shoes.

I've added a ton of wedding photos, all new complete weddings, lots-o munchkins {kids}, bebes and family! But you'll have to experience it for yourself: www.allysonmagda.com

AND this year, I've enbraced Facebook and created "Best of 2008" Albums for weddings, kids, engagements and babies....too fun! I'd never created albums up to this point - it's so easy, I can't believe I never did it before.

These are one of my 2008 brides shoes from her engagement session...aren't they absolutely fabulous!?


PS I enjoy your feedback, so feel free to let me know what you like and what you'd change!

Studio tour!

So I'm new to You Tubing my own videos - But I think there's incredible potential with it and I'm super super excited to have posted my first video, check it out:

Post 200! {reached my goal}

I had a goal to blog at least 100 times this year - and I've made it! It just makes me feel so darn good when I reach goals. I'm not a big New Year Resolution setter {too much pressure!} - I simply create lists of things I need or want to do over the course of the year....here are a few from this year:

Blog 100+ times
Year of the home makeover (in progress!)
Complete the studio {way done}
Do more creative things for me {not just work!}
Create more passive income opportunities
Ride my bike to work a few days a week {it's a little chilly for that at this time - but I did during the summer!}
Get our personal albums up to date {still working on this one}
How about a wedding album for us {we've been married almost 9 years!}

Now it's already time to make up my 2009 lists - for me, it's actually a process that goes on in Allyson's wonderland {my brain} for some time, before it actually hits paper....which means it's in progress or will be soon. But top on the list are blogging and updating my website {it's long overdue}.

I encourage you to start thinking like this quote and creating your mental lists for 2009 and beyond {we have 1, 2, 5 and 10 year lists}

"If you don't know where you're going....you'll never get there!" I don't know who said this.


Visual for the day.....A photo for my "rearview mirror" project, on a way home from a shoot last month:

Holiday Templates!

Attention all photographers.....

If you are looking for holiday templates for your client holiday cards, look no further! I'm proud to announce my partnership with White House Custom Colour press printed division. Visit their website today to purchase and download templates for your holiday cards!

Here are a few samples of what you'll see....

Featured...The Little Black Book Blog!

My morning was made in the shade when Michelle from Style Me Pretty {The BEST wedding resource for brides planning their big day} called to tell me we are featured on their "Little Black Book" blog today!

Check it out HERE!

They're featuring Tara and Sarkis' beautiful wedding. Ceremony at Mission San Luis Obipso and reception at the serene Still Waters Winery.

Get Happy!

Off the note of yesterday's post, Meadow, has launched a new forum on Happiness. One of my favorite recent art pieces by Rodney White says this: "We tend to seek happiness when really it's a choice" These words just resonate to me on a daily basis. Each day we have SO many choices, and we can either make them happy or we can make them something else.


The "Take Happiness Lessons" forum is all about a community of people who choose to be happy and make it a practice in their lives and also to encourage others. Check it out!

http://www.takehappinesslessons.com/


San luis obispo photographer
San luis obispo weddings

Just what do Allyson Magda Photography clients have in common....?

They LOVE us!!

Here are the accolades we have received these past couple of weeks. Normally I don't walk around tooting our horn. But when I say "our" I mean, me, Jill, Lara, Kayla and Dan {our staff}....I could not do what I do without their help! And Jill....well let's just say that she's special, those of you who know her, know what I'm talking about. She's simply, THE BEST!


WE LOVE THE PHOTOS! By the way :-) And would recommend you guys to anyone and everyone! Tayler and Seth {A Jill wedding!}


OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And, yes, that did require all caps!! : ) The pictures are stunning - you are such an amazing photographer! And the slideshow on your blog is great...we love the music!

Thank you (& Dan) soooo much!
~Nyssa & Danny


Hi Allyson,
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! They are rockin!! I absolutely love them!!! Yay!!!! So excited to show them to everyone else. Can't wait to see the rest!!
don't tell David... but I love you!!!

haha!! Thanks so much!!!
Melissa


Fun! Creative! Professional! Allyson was a pleasure to work with the day of our wedding and we were thrilled with all our photos!! A true talent! Shandi and Jason


You guys were great! Allyson is a very talented photographer and we would definitely hire her again! ~Chris


HI Allyson,

We are all enjoying the wedding photos and want to thank you for doing a spectacular job! There are so many wonderful shots it's hard to make a sensible selection! Liz and Newie

I WOULD RECOMMEND ALLYSON, SHE IS AMAZING. SHE FOUND A GREAT PLACE FOR OUR CEREMONY! OUR PHOTOS TURNED OUT AMAZING! I FEEL CONFIDENT IN RECOMMENDING ALLYSON SHE IS GREAT! ~Paul


Alison was incredible, she was great to get work with and took some amazing photos!!!!
Michelle and Robert


Allyson made our wedding extremely special. She captured our love and did it using her amazing talent, exceptional skills and sweet personality. Nancy Jones


Allyson is a awesome photographer!!! She was warm and inviting from the start. On our wedding day she was so patient and amazing (even dealing with our sillyness). The pictures turned out amazing... I have recived so many compliments. She really captured US and our day. Thanks Allyson!!!!


Hi Allyson,

The photos are so amazing! Thank you, thank you, thank you. We are so
excited about the ceremony pics and the ones in the field especially.
We had an wonderful time and you made the whole process so easy. Many
people complimented your style and especially your efficiency during
the family portraits. Family from far and wide are making Pictage
orders, so thank you. Shannon and Quinn


Allyson Magda Photography was AMAZING! We would, without a doubt, recommend Allyson for future brides and event planners. Her photos truly captured our wedding and her creativity was unmatched! Christy and Rob

Holiday Album Deadline

To all who have pre-ordered an album or want to!

Please note our holiday deadline for all album orders is the end of this month, October 31st, in order to guarantee delivery by Christmas.

Questions?
ring: 805-459-2704
write: allyson at allysonmagda.com

Featured in For the Bride Magazine

Jordan + Ryan's wedding last July was one of our favorite weddings to date. Their wedding is featured by For the Bride magazine and is on newsstands this month!

Christmas in July!

Our most awesome lab, is having a sale on canvases. SO, we are passing these great deals along to you, our clients. Now until the 30th of July, all canvas prints are 20% off. So if you've had your eye on one of these fancy daddy's for a while, but have put off purchasing it, now's the time to buy! Email Allyson or phone the studio to place your order: 805-459-2704

Mom + Me Collection

I'm pleased to announce my first ever studio spotlight. For April only, I'm offering a Mom & Me collection special. See the details below........
Part of the reason I wanted to open a studio was to have the opportunity to shoot more of what I love, kids & babies are a large part of that, so as a celebration of your relationship with those kiddos, I'm offering this! I hope to be able to offer this type of session once a year. The final product will make for a great gift for dad's, grandparents & other family members. Book your session today, there is limited availability!
~allyson

Bugs & Butterflies Workshop

Announcing the Bugs & Butterflies Workshop!

A workshop for women, especially moms. We are going to have a fantastic time teaching you about your camera, how to take better photos and even have a couple of photo demonstrations where you can learn hands-on how to more effectively use your camera and get better images. We'll also touch on post production and printing and answer all those questions that have been burning in your mind to ask someone who knows!

To learn more about the details click on the image above. If you'd like to register, CLICK HERE.

This workshop is limited to 12 participants. I'm also offering an extended session of one on one opportunity for participants on Sunday from 9-12, limit 5 participants. This will give you the option to work closely with Allyson to answer all of your specific questions and do more hands-on learning and shooting (no lecture stuff).

ATTENTION Dad's....this would be a certain-to-please early Mother's Day gift, so get a head start on the game this year and register your wife today!

Questions? email Allyson or call her at 805.459.2704

Style Me Pretty's Little Black Book

I recently had the honor of being invited to be a part of Abby Larson's Style Me Pretty Little Black Book....needless to say, I am thrilled. If you are a bride and you haven't visited the Style Me Pretty site, you are missing out! It's designed for the "detail obsessed" bride and it's totally awesome. Check it out!

The Little Black Book is a refined selection of the best of the best wedding professionals. Only three professional per category are presented to keep it concise and easy for busy brides. I am featured in the Santa Barbara section in the good company of my friends Katie Moos and Jose Villa.

Watch Oprah Wednesday and maybe see my photos!

Last week I got a call from my friend and life coach - Meadow - she's going to be on the Oprah Winfrey Show tomorrow! They are filming today and airing Wednesday. I'm so excited to know someone who's met the lady and to top it off, they MIGHT show my photos! Meadow was chosen to be a part of the show partly by the slide show she sent in which has my photos in it. So watch tomorrow! I think it's on at 4pm.

NEW Website!

Last night our new website launched! I am quite excited as this has been a long project in the making. All new look and all new work in one fabulous site! Special thanks to my web designer Deb of dstripe web designs - she's awesome!

new logo!

So here it is - or this is just about the final version of my new logo. I'm loving it!

Holiday deadline

Well, I've completed about a million and a half shoots - thanks to my loyal clients and new ones! Thanks so much for such a splendid 2007.

I wanted to post the final day to place orders to receive them in time for Christmas delivery - DECEMBER 11th - it's a Tuesday. Please have all orders in by this date 5pm if you need them by Christmas. After this date, there is no guarantee they will be done in time for gifts. This is for portrait clients - if you are ordering wedding photos please refer to the Pictage website for their holiday deadlines.

I will post photos from a handful of shoots over the next few days - I hope - I'm packing my bags and flying out to shoot a wedding in Hawaii on Friday! Stay tuned for updates of that as well!

All the best,
Allyson