Tonya Peterson Photography | Santa Fe. Albuquerque. Worldwide | 575.420.4775 » tonya peterson

And the winner is . . .

tonyapeterson — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:00:58 +0000

Tony & Lily!

You would not believe how difficult it was to choose the winner of our 2011 Wedding Giveaway last night. Alex and I finally narrowed the long list of applicants down to two couples. I literally paced my front room and office for 2 hours trying to decide which of the two couples deserved it more and the reality of it was I couldn’t choose. Both couples deserved it so much. What was I to do? I knew I couldn’t giveaway two full weddings in one year, even though that was the ONLY solution that wouldn’t make my heart hurt. So instead I emailed all of my photography friends in NM to see if they would like to donate a free wedding to the deserving couple getting married in Las Vegas, NM in 2011. My friend and wonderful photographer Corina See from Santa Fe stepped up and said she would love to donate her time and talent for this deserving couple. I feel so blessed that so many people in our industry are so giving and willing to help. Thanks so much Corina!

Here is a cute little story about how Lily and Tony met (P.S. it melted my heart that Tony was the one to submit this application!):

Lily grew up in Monterey Park in LA, then she went to UC Santa Cruz for college. After graduating, she spent two years in Japan teaching English to kids from first grade to 8th grade. She decided to come back to the U.S. and get a Master’s in Education. That’s when she met me.

I was born in Tucson, AZ, grew up in Sacramento, CA, and ended up going to UC Santa Barbara for college. I spent 4 years in Santa Barbara afterwards, working various customer service management jobs, before I realized that I hated office work. And customer service complaints. I wanted a job that, if someone were to complain about something, it would be important. Teaching popped into my head. If I get insulted and yelled at, it’ll either be by a student or their parent. I could live with that. So I decided to get my Master’s in Education.

We both decided on UC Santa Cruz for our Masters. Lily claims that the first time we met was at Trader Joe’s (Santa Cruz), I was working the check out and she says that she came through once, thought I was cute, and decided to go back to buy “necessary items”, just to go through my line again. I don’t remember it at all.

My recollection of our first meeting was at a beach barbecue. Her, lounging in a bikini talking to friends, me in my board shorts. We talked for a bit, I went swimming, and I the only way I could work up the courage to get her number and give her mine was to say she could call me any night after she was done drinking for a safe ride home (I worked late at TJ’s). We started dating and a two months later, thanks to a tequila induced conversation, we decided to be exclusive (she moved in shortly after).

About a year and half later, I proposed. It was a Saturday night in Japantown in San Jose. She already knew I had bought the ring but thought I would be proposing during our planned hike on Sunday. I snuck the ring into my pocket, and after dinner, after I opened the car door for her, I knelt on the ground and proposed. I was in jeans and a t-shirt. She was in work out clothes and crocs. When she was done screaming, “No”, she finally said, “Yes”.

In planning their wedding that have had many hurdles and obstacles to over come and I am just glad that now photography isn’t one of them. I would hate to see them go without these pictures from their special day. Congratulations Tony and Lily. I can’t wait to meet you!

2011 Wedding Photography Giveaway

tonyapeterson — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:00:23 +0000

A few years ago I did a destination wedding giveaway and it was one of the most amazing weddings I have ever been blessed to be a part of. At that time in my business I wanted some new and exciting pictures to beef up my portfolio, but I told myself that one day I would like to give a wedding away for a different reason. I really want to give a wedding away to someone that is really deserving of great wedding pictures!

I feel so blessed to do what I love and I want to share this gift with others. I am looking for a couple that feels they really deserve free wedding photography. There are a few simple rules to enter the giveaway:

The couple has to be getting married in 2011
The wedding can be anywhere in the world. If the wedding is 60 miles outside of Roswell, NM travel expenses must be paid by the couple.
This contest is only available to new inquires.
The couple will receive 8 hours of wedding day coverage with me and a second shooter. A disc with all of your images on it plus your pictures will online for purchase.

That’s it! Pretty simple.

If you are interested in entering this giveaway please email me at info@tonyapeterson.com. Be sure to include why you feel you deserve to win free wedding photography. I really want to hear your story and why this would be important to you. The more details the better. I also will need the date and location of your wedding. If travel is required I will email you a travel quote. Please also attach a photo of you and your fiance.

I will be selecting the winning couple on September 1st 2010. I can’t wait to read all of the submissions!

Here are some shots from the destination wedding giveaway I did a few years ago. They are still some of my favorites!

Please pass this along to all of your friends and family who might be interested!

xoxo
Tonya

Only a few spots left . . .

tonyapeterson — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:22:43 +0000

Hi friends! I only have a few spots left for my Basic Photography Class in Roosevelt. If you are interested in signing up for this class please click HERE and fill out the form at the bottom. I hope to see you there!

xoxo!

Tonya

Happy Earth Day Friends

tonyapeterson — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:39:41 +0000

I am not about to go political on my blog, so don’t worry about that. I think it is very sad that politics are even brought into earth day at all. No matter what race, religion or party you are, you should want to keep the Earth as nice as you can. We all have to live here so why not make it beautiful. I took a few pictures of Paige this morning in one of the beautiful Pecan Orchards we have the pleasure of living by in Roswell. What better backdrop on Earth Day.

She of course wouldn’t look at me! She is a stink!

A shot of the orchard.

Happy Earth Day Friends!

Sledding in Utah

tonyapeterson — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:47:32 +0000

There was snow. A lot of it. I can’t tell you how glad I am that Roswell doesn’t get as mush snow as Roosevelt. I bet my parents had over a foot of snow in their yard. I am not a fan. We did have a blast visiting family and friends, and yes even the snow, while we were in Utah. Paige had so much fun playing with her cousins, especially when we went sledding in my brothers yard. Here are the cutest damn sledding pictures ever taken!

Umm…yeah. She is adorable.

The most EPIC crash of the day. My niece Bailey got a face full of powder!

Brian carrying the girl up the hill.

Grandma Trenna was having fun with the kids. She is an awesome grandma!

Every picture I put on my blog of my brother is kind of stupid looking. I guess that is what he gets for making stupid faces all of the time! Love him so much!!!

My sweet little Jack!

Again . . . My brother pulling faces. He is so funny!

We all had a great time in Utah but I am really excited to be back in New Mexico. Wedding season is just around the corner and I am looking forward to booking lots in 2010!

e-mail us | portfolio