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Charmi Pena Photography bio picture

Hi there!

Welcome to my new blog!  Now that I've finally finished up all this new blog/branding/website making, I'm going to finally get down to business and start blogging!  Personal to professional, I hope you'll take this journey with me and visit often. 

I'm making it my 2009 New Years resolution to blog at least once a week!  (And to lose 10 lbs, but who's not making THAT resolution, right?)  If you use a blog reader, like the one I use, you can click on the orange icon above and add me to your roll.  Then you'll never miss a thing!



Merry Christmas!

12.24.2008

Every year since we got married, Patrick and I host a party we call Christmathon at our house.  It’s starts the friday night before Christmas, and end Sunday when people start heading home.  This year we had to shorten it a bit, as Patrick and I weren’t sure we would be living in NJ at the time!!!  It’s a marathon Christmas weekend, with family, friends, good food (lots and lots of food), board games, wii, a little xbox, flipping through the on demand music videos, and this year, for their Christmathon debut…babies!  Anjali and Rohan are always the center of attention when they’re around and Christmathon was no different.

See?  Yummy food.  Just a taste of what we had…cheese platter (asiago, parmigiana reggiano, brie & some gourmet cheese with black pepper…soooo good), brie and raspberry tarts, garlic shrimp, and chickpeas and chorizo.  All homemade!  (Cept the cheese of course…We love Wegmans!)

food

Rohan and Anjali say their hellos:

xmathon_2008_2

xmathon_2008_3

And then, sadly, their goodbyes…please ignore the oh so unflattering photo of me!

xmathon_2008_4

xmathon_2008_5

At the end of the night, my cousin Nirav opened the freezer and realized he forgot a bottle of champagne in there!!!  So he took it out…and….

xmathon_2008_6

Messy!

Night everyone :)  Have a very Merry Christmas!

PS.  The recepient of my give-a-way HAS been choosen!  However, the announcement has to be postponed until I am able to reach them to approve announcing their names on the blog!

posted in misc

by Charmi

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We’re live!

12.18.2008

I know…it’s one Wednesday later than expected. But I did use the 7 days well, I think. There are a few things left to work out, a few details left to address, and we’re still debating overhauling our portrait site, but…we’re up!

So check out the new blog, check out the new wedding site…but before that…check out Oliver’s teaser. Cuteness yes?  And of course, feel free to leave some blog love!

newborn oliver

posted in photography| portraits

by Charmi

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TIS THE SEASON…TO WIN PORTRAITS!

12.08.2008

In lieu of a teaser, we’re going to do something special!

You know someone. You know someone who’s experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can’t afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family’s spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography – $2000 worth, to be exact. Whether it’s canvas or albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over…it’s in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season. Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $500 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in New Jersey, New York or Pennsylvania. Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story : info@charmipena.com

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve…get nominating! I can’t wait to read all of your entries! Open your heart to someone this holiday season – and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,

Charmi

If you don’t live in my area, please check the map and see if there is someone in your area!

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by Charmi

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Teaser 1.

12.05.2008

Feel free to post a preference..left or right?

posted in photography

by Charmi

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It’s coming…

12.03.2008

What?

My wedding website!!!  I’ve been neglectful of this blog and I’m so sorry!  It’s been a busy few months and I have so much to share with you, but…patience, grasshopper.

Two teasers, one tomorrow, one Monday, and then…live Wednesday.  Promise!  I know I’ve been hoarding images for a while now, but it will be worth it!

In the mean time, how a maternity session teaser?

Nancy’s maternity shoot:

posted in photography

by Charmi

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I cannot believe this is really my life today.

11.05.2008

“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.”

Martin Luther King,Jr.

There are a ton more pictures from this rally Patrick and I attended and a ton more pictures on top of that from tonight, where we spent all night with fellow volunteers watching the results come in. But that tomorrow (including a Q&A…well just one Q really, with John Corzine!)…tonight, this post needs to stand alone.

posted in our life

by Charmi

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Coming soon…

10.19.2008

Holy smokin HOTTT couple.

posted in weddings

by Charmi

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Calynn & Dominic | 9.20.08

09.28.2008

Buy song 1 here (seriously. It’s on repeat at my house. You need it.)
Buy song 2 here (also very good, hee!)

posted in weddings

by Charmi

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Coming soon…

09.22.2008

This wedding NEEDS a slideshow, so that’s coming soon, but one while you’re waiting…

posted in weddings

by Charmi

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Vanessa & Sanand | 8.31.08 (part 3)

09.05.2008

Finally we’re reaching the end!  It’s been tough narrowing things down, so you’ll see lots of collages in this post.

Detail heaven.

There were about 20 attendants, but I wanted to show you at least SOME of their intros! What a great way to kick off the night!

And the bride and groom were not to be left out!

An awesome performance…

And theeeeeeeeeeen it was time for the Faaaaaaaaamily Fuuuuuuuuuuuuued! Poor Sanand! (PS. The girls won! But trust me when I say you didn’t want their prize!)

First dance..

And then all of a sudden silence and suspenseful music…What’s going on???

Sanand and Vanessa planned a surprise performance by Samba dancers for their guests!!

And then it was party time!

Thanks Vanessa, Sanand, bridal party and the rest of your friends and family! Patrick and I were certainly made to feel at home and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to capture your wedding for you!

posted in weddings

by Charmi

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