Feature in Grace Ormonde's Book - "Being in Love Never Goes Out of Style"

We're Absolutely humbled and honored to have work featured in "Grace Ormonde's 'being in love never goes out of style'” I think it a wonderful title for a book by the way, Grace's work & brand are so gorgeous!

Images from the launch party at the Trump Chicago Hotel:

http://blog.graceormondebook.com/

Pamela & Loren

http://michaelandannacosta.com/engagement-photos-santa-barbara-historical-museum/

Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, Mindy Weiss, & Confetti Canons…

Need I say more? I had the joy of shooting Julie & Ryan’s wedding last Saturday at one of our favorite venues, The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, coordinated by one of the most sought after wedding planners/designers in the nation, Mindy Weiss. She truly has amazing vision. It was a beautiful day in every way. Full blog post coming soon…

Eleven Lessons I Progressed During My Year as a 30 Year Old on Planet Earth

1) To truly succeed, you must spend your time focusing on the work you’re passionate about.

2) You make exactly what you’re worth.

3) To really not care what others think/ Assume that everyone thinks we should have obtained a certain status or thing in life by now.

4) It’s most effective and constructive to assume everyone loves you and always has the best intentions for you.

5) “The Secret” is hard work and determination.

6) Continual education is the best investment you can make in business.

7) Timing is important, though not the end-all-be-all.

8) Some things are just because, you don’t need a reason.

9) Never underestimate the power of giving 10% of your income to a wonderful cause. When you bless those around you, you bless yourself.

10) It's still true, you get what you pay for (99% of the time).

11) Patience:

a) To realize really big projects don’t get finished in one day, most of the time for good reason/ The ability to think of many projects up to a year or more out.

b) Goals, realistic goals.

Grace Ormonde Blog

The illustrious Grace Ormonde of Grace Ormonde Wedding Style magazine posted this on her blog at the end of Jan. We tweeted about it, but hadn't posted it; check it out here: http://graceormonde.com/tag/michael-anna-costa/

----REWIND May 2008 - Amanda & Chris Neil

Website Update - Two New Galleries

Click on the images below to visit their galleries:

The Royal Presideo Santa Barbara

Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara Pier

Featured on the Hip Blog: GreyLikesWeddings.com

Click Here To Check It Out:  greylikesweddings.com

Angie & Jessie

Calista's 1st Birthday with Big Sister Kaitlyn!

Featured in "Visual Poetry" by Chris Orwig

Chris is a dear friend of mine so anything I say would probably sound like a plug, but I must say Visual Poetry really is a beautiful book. I first met Chris as a student while attending Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara & immediately put him in my top echelon of instructors for his ability to teach the difficult subject I was taking, Flash. I remember one of his analogies for explaining the way designing website menu navigation goes to different portfolios on a website is like one of those Russion Babushka dolls of decreasing sizes placed one inside the other. I was sure learning Flash would make me feel like trying to run through a coliseum of stairs. And it did, but I got through it with the first working website for our business.

In Visual Poetry, Chris not only creates an inspiring workshop book, but really inspires one with the photo assignments by adding the thoughts & photographs from various Legends like Joyce Tenneson:
PHOTO BELOW BY JOYCE TENNESON from "Light Warriors" Series:

PHOTO BELOW BY JOHN SEXTON from "Places of Power" Series:

PHOTO BELOW BY DOUGLAS KIRKLAND from "An Evening With Marilyn Monroe" Series:

and images of Chris’ own during his session with 9-Time World Champion Surfer, Kelly Slater:

my images from the book below:

Amazon Link to it.

Heather + Josh

When Heather first met Josh, she said to her friend, "Now that is a guy I could marry." And the rest is history. Heather and Josh had an amazing celebration of their marriage at the beautiful Firestone Vineyard in Santa Ynez, and we were very honored they chose us to document the day for them. When we met them for the first time for their engagement session we immediately hit it off. They are two peas in a pod (as are Michael and I) and both with a zest for life and an entrepreneurial spirit. Our kind of people! :) They had their wedding at the beautiful Firestone Vineyard fantastically coordinated by Debbie Hews. The food, music, flowers and ambiance of their event was absolutely stunning - which is less than a shock because Heather certainly has a knack for detail. An amazing event - an amazing couple. We had a blast working with our videographer friend, Russell Fowler who's simply amazing at what he does.
Catering - Pure Joy, Challah Bread - Our Daily Bread, After Party - Corque Hotel in Solvang