Engagement: Carissa and Ryan

It all started on a bus. He stuck his feet against the back of her seat and the rest is history. Their love is real and evident between them. From the way she looks at him, and how he gently holds her hand. It was a pleasure to photograph the realness of their relationship.

They are getting married in May and I couldn't be more excited to document their wedding. Carissa and Ryan, you are two amazing people. Looking forward to the big day and celebrating with you guys!

Something old, something new

Hello internet! It has been awhile since my last post in 2010! It is amazing how time flies by. I apologize for the huge gaps in blogging but I have had some BIG changes. The biggest news first, I am getting married! This is probably old news to some, but I needed to announce it on the blog as well:) Chris is the absolute love of my life and I could not be more blessed to be marrying him. But with marriage that come many manyy changes. So 2011 has been a busy year so far and not much time for photos which is a sad thing for me.

But I have a lot coming up! Engagement shoots, weddings, and then shoots of my own! I'm not going to lie, I'm a little nervous of being on the other end of the camera. But I know the out come will be amazing. Jasmine Star will be doing our photos and if you didn't know she is something kind of fabulous.

I am really excited to start photographing and blogging again! I can already tell 2011 is shaping up to be an awesome year!

And since all posts are better with photos, this is a photo from the day Chris proposed by the amazing Ryan Haack...

Senior Portraits: Ali

Ali is practically a sister to me. Her older sister and I have been best friends since infancy. So I have grown up with Ali and we always have too much fun together. She will be graduating high school this upcoming Spring. I was so blessed when she asked me to take some senior portraits for her. You are a beautiful girl, Ali. I am so thankful to have you in my life and share the many memories that we have together.

We went down to the beach to take some pictures. It was absolutely freezing and eventually started to rain, but we got some great shots. And besides, cloudy weather creates my favorite kind of light!

An Early Christmas Gift

December 3, 2010 at 6:35 p.m. That is when my aunt delivered her beautiful daughter Simone Michelle. I had the privilege to be able to be in the room with her as she delivered, and it was the most amazing experience I've ever had. It is such a testament to God's existent. I don't know how anyone could deny it after witnessing such a miracle. Mommy and baby are both healthy and get to come home tomorrow afternoon. Christmas came a little early this year for all of us.

Thankful for the Little Things..And Big Things Too

It is my favorite holiday. A day dedicated to food, family and friends. I always look forward to spending time with family and laughing a lot. This year was no exception. But this year I soaked in everything. The little things I normally take for granted. Playing boardgames into the night, taking the annoying family photos that create lifelong memories, and hugging each and every relative and friend that walks through the door. Those were the small in between moments I took in as I ate til my heart's content.

And since my camera is still out of commission, I wasn't going to be able to capture any of these moments this year. But my awesome cousin brought his camera and all sorts of fun equipment for us to play with. He is an amazing photographer and graphic designer as well! I couldn't be more thankful for the wonderful family and friends in my life, and some of the pictures are a reflection of just that. I realized this year just how blessed I am for the big things too.

A Photographer's Worst Nightmare

I know he didn't mean to. But imagine the horror on my face when my camera wouldn't take a picture! There was some serious blood boiling happinin. And as much as I love my brother starting to take photos and getting into a photography class, he will never borrow my camera again. Sorry, little brother.

In the mean time, the iPhone camera has been keeping me company. Which is actually a pretty good camera. For a phone. Hopefully though, my big guy will return to me in time for Thanksgiving. It wouldn't be the holidays if an annoying family member (me), was taking lots of photos of everyone! If not I'll just have to hire someone to fill the spot.

Courtesy of my fabulous iPhone:

Puppy Love

He's 11 weeks, un-potty trained, hails from Germany and is the cutest thing I've ever seen. Well he came from Colorado actually but he is a German Shepherd. As an early Christmas present to my dad we picked this little guy up from the airport last Friday and he couldn't be more perfect. Although there's lots of training, puppy patrol, and puppy clean up, there's lots of fun too. I had to share this little picture of him and I snuggling the other day. He fit perfectly behind my legs on the couch. I mean c'mon, does he get much cuter?

Happy Thursday!

November 1, 2010?

I was in shock when I saw the date on my phone, yes my phone, this morning. This year has flown by and I don't even know where the time went. On a side note I apologize to you, Internet, for having a grand total of zero posts in October.

As an update, a lot has happened in the last month. I was accepted into Biola University and will be transferring in the upcoming Spring semester! I was beyond thrilled when I got the letter in the mail last week. I also booked my first wedding and am totally blessed and grateful to be able to do it for this couple! Needless to say, October was a busy month for me.

But now it is November which means the start of my favorite time of year, the holidays. The one part of the year where it is completely acceptable to over eat and wear sweats and big clothes to cover up what the over eating has done to your body. But that's okay cause then New Years is right there for me to plan out my resolution to lose weight. Its a full proof plan, really. So my jackets and sweaters are out and waiting for me to bundle up in them, if only California could get the weather right.

Happy Monday!

Portfolio building

This is Emily. She is thirteen, in junior high, and she's pursuing modeling. When she she saw pictures I took for her older sister Kelsey, I was asked to take photos for her to build her portfolio. I was thrilled when she asked.

It was cold and cloudy the day we scheduled to go shoot down at the beach. But the wonderful fall clouds created a perfect softbox for our shoot. But she braced the cold and posed wherever I asked her, just like a model. Emily, you are a beautiful girl with amazing goals ahead. I have no doubt she will do whatever she puts her mind to.

There were so many photos to choose from but these were some of my absolute favorites!

Just Because: Kelsey and Mark

A month ago my friend Kelsey called me asking if I could take some pictures of her and her boyfriend, Mark. They've been dating for a year now and she was hoping to get some pictures of the two of them before she transfered to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Mark will be working hard as an EMT while she goes off for school.

They decided to go down to Laguna Beach to try and find this old castle-like tower at Victoria Beach. Unfortunately we came during high tide. Making it unreachable, but that didn't stop us from having our fun. Kelsey apologized at the beginning for not knowing how to "model". But by the end they were sure looking like models to me!