Elton Anderson » weddings. lifestyle. fashion.

They say you always remember exactly what you were doing the moment a significant event occurs in history. Well in the case of Michael Jackson’s death I was in the middle of a photoshoot… in Harlem…. in front of the Apollo. Needless to say, it was an emotional moment on 125th Street. People were deeply saddened, some even in tears but amazingly, even in death, MJ could still bring millions of people together. I just hope we all remember him for the good things he brought to our lives… in the end, that’s all that really matters.

And what would this post be without my favorite MJ song, once again proving you don’t need much to make a great video.

Okay, I’m convinced…. all of my friends have superpowers! No, I’m not talking about x-ray vision or the ability to walk through walls (although that would come in handy) but more like hidden talents that I NEVER knew they had. Jasmine Pennamma is the newest member of the club and her superpower is to make every girl look “fabulous” in her new jewelry line debuting this fall.

Jasmine and I shot during my recent trip to LA and besides being the best tour guide ever, I got a chance to see some of the amazing pieces she designed and hand-crafted herself. Her work is beautiful, feminine and transition from day to night effortlessly… pretty much perfect for every girl I know. Jasmine has been a staple at New York Fashion week for the last five years and I’m certain her jewelry will be too.

*Shouts out to the best west coast assistant ever, James Bland. He’s one to watch — check your local listings.

When I asked Myron if he was nervous before the ceremony he replied, “I’m marrying my best friend, why would I be?”. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a more perfect answer… but that’s what I would expect from a couple like Yvette and Myron. I had the pleasure of shooting their Orlando nuptials this past weekend and I’ve  never attended (or shot) a more charming ceremony. All the details were just as sweet and enchanting as this couple. My highlight of the day was their gift exchanges… Myron got Yvette a Wii and Yvette got Myron an iPhone cake! (Hey, my geeky side likes stuff like that) It’s couples like this that make me really love what I do… and that iPhone cake didn’t hurt either.

*Special thanks to my friend Cora Bledsoe aka “The 12K Bride”. Her site lead this amazing couple my way… check her out here for tips on planning the perfect wedding on a budget.

Vintage head pieces were definitely the trend for this past weekend’s weddings. Trust me, I cannot post these pictures fast enough!! Both brides were gorgeous and their weddings had so much charm. Stay tuned for more.

This post has little to do with my buddy Michael aka “KodakBoi”…. granted he is an awesome photographer, popular blogger and a socialite who is usually seen partying with major celebrities. Nope, this post has more to do with a book entitled “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell. In his book, Gladwell talks about the secret to success…. and surprisingly, it has little to do with talent. As Gladwell puts it, its all about the 10,000-Hour-rule. Studies suggest that 10,000 hours of practice in any field will ultimately lead to success. So what do you think separates Bill Gates from somebody like me? Well, besides a few billion dollars, Gates has dedicated the time it takes to becoming a leader in software development.

So I guess my clock starts today. I’m trying to become a better photographer, a better writer and all-around better person. With that being said, this shoot was great practice with my 35mm f/2.0 Nikkor lens. We only took an hour so I guess I have 9,999 to go!