Now & Zen Fest in B&W.

If people weren't at the Folsom Street Fair this weekend, they were most likely at Golden Gate Park for Alice's Now & Zen Fest. It was the nicest day in San Francisco by far. Sunny weather, a little cool breeze to cool us off, live music, blankets & picnics, and good people all around. It was perfect!

Here are some photos from the day!

Happy Wednesday!

My Wedding, and Wedding Photography

My fiance and I started a blog a couple of weeks ago. You can find it here. We thought it would be fun to blog about all the fun we are having being engaged, and documenting our wedding planning. Last week, I blogged about my dream wedding photographer, Jasmine Star. I've told Chris over and over again when we got engaged that we should try to see if we can have her photograph our wedding. Unbeknownst to me, Chris contacted Jasmine after I wrote the blog entry. Unfortunately, she is unavailable for the date that we are shooting for because she'll already be in our city of SF for a wedding. Sad face time 10 right? I know. I cried too.

So that leaves us with the huge question...Who will be our wedding photographer? Anyone know of great wedding photographers up here in the San Francisco, Napa/Sonoma, Bay Area? Anywhere. I check out blogs, and websites everyday in search for one. There are so many great photographers out there, it's so hard to decide! I need your help readers. Let me know :)

Lately I've been stalking Jose Villa's blog. If you don't know Jose Villa, click on the link immediately. His stuff is so so beautiful. I think I've just decided that he's my second favorite photographer.

Christopher! When you read this today, please check out Jose Villa and tell me what you think ok ? :)

(I took this photo from my Modern Bride book. I think I love wedding planning as much as I love photography)

Happy Tuesday!

It's LIVE!

My website is finally up and running. It makes me happy.

Check it out Yo!

gladysjem.com

P.S. I love my parents. My dad texted me this tonight after I told him my website is up: "Can't wait to see it. Just like your blog. It's the first thing I check when I go online. Miss you too." Aw. Made my heart smile.

Hi Mom and Dad! Love you Both!

Inspired: Richard Avedon

This afternoon, I had the chance to see Richard Avedon's exhibit at the Moma. I've been wanting to see this for awhile now, and today was the perfect day for it. I could have stayed in the exhibit all day looking at all of his photographs. It blew me away. He made me want to take pictures all day, everyday x5. I used to only want to take pictures all day, everyday. But x5? That is a pretty big deal.

I especially love his portraits. I felt like I knew the person just by looking at their photograph. There is so much emotion, personality, and realty to them. Really, truly inspiring.

Below is one of my favorite photographs from the exhibit.

I think I might make my next clients wear roller skates for their engagement shoot :)

Happy Weekend!

GladysJem.Com

My Sofie Website arrived in the mail today. Yes, I know that sounds totally weird but it's the truth. It's a blu domain website, and I am currently working on it.

I am so excited to have a nice website, and the best part is that I'm putting it all together.

Stay tuned for GladysJem.com

Yeah yeahhhhhhh!!!

Is anyone there?

So here's the thing:

I started this blog to put myself out there. I use it as an outlet for work, as well as an outlet for my feelings. As a new photographer trying to dive into the business, I felt it was necessary to document my beginnings, my mistakes, my work, my daily life, and anything else I might feel like blogging about. I often log on to my blog just to read old posts for fun. After all, it is my blog. I can write about what I'm doing, what I want to be doing, how I feel, how I want to be feeling, and so on.

But what I often wonder is if there are people who read my blog besides Myself, Chris, My Parents, Lynn, Mapu, and Tim. Are there readers out there that I don't know about? If so, who are you?

I can't help but wonder if other people do read my blog, what in the world do they think of myself, and my photography? The unknown is a scary place. But I am curious.

Morning Ya'll!

It's 9:44 in the morning and I am wide eyed and energetic after a nice run down to the beach. I don't know if I've told you, but I secretly love being sweaty in the morning. Don't tell anyone.

I wanted to give a quick shout out to Chris' buddy, Tim Marks. Hi Tim!!! I found out that he reads my blog daily. It's cool to know that I've got a fan all the way from the East Coast. It's uber cool. Makes me feel special. Thanks for reading my blog, and admiring my work. You are awesome! Chris and I want to head out to NY soon and play. Or you and the gf can just come out here. That would be just as cool. I'm sure Chris' will let you ride the Vespa! :)

Anyway, here are some of the photos from the wedding I did earlier this month. Let's call this Part 1. Enjoy!

J* Workshop.

Today has been incredible in so many ways. It almost feels unreal, but I'm so grateful that it's not.

First, I woke up this morning to find that my favorite wedding photographer has left a comment on the blog that I have with my fiance. The fact that J* read my post was sweet. But the fact that she left a comment was even sweeter.

Secondly, I received J*'s newsletter announcing her upcoming workshop in November through my phone. I was sitting on the couch watching friends and immediately booked it to the bedroom to grab my computer. I quickly opened the email and registered. I have never seen my fingers type so fast before. My heart was beating. I wanted to be one of the 20. It's a dream of mine to learn from J* and meet her. I was going to make it happen.

No Joke, it didn't even take 10 minutes. I heard my phone's alert for an email. The subject read The Workshop 11.16.09 I thought that it was just a confirmation of my registration, but when I clicked on the email it read:

Hi Gladys!

I am beyond thrilled to meet you this November 16, 2009 in Orange County, CA...I know it'll be nothing but fabulousness. Squared. ;) In order to lock and confirm your seat, please register for your seat and you'll be notified of its confirmation within 24 hours. Thanks so much! Stay fabulous, J*.

By this time I swear my heart stopped. I couldn't breathe, and I had no idea what to do with myself. I wanted to scream but I couldn't. I wanted to call Chris, but he was on his way so there was no way he'd answer the phone while on his scooter. I sat on the couch in complete and utter shock. I couldn't believe that I was chosen. My fingers were fast enough, and I won the race. The prize being that I get to spend the day with 19 other amazing photographers, plus one of the best wedding photographers ever. I can't believe it's actually going to happen. I'm going to meet the lady who inspired me to pursue my passion, and the lady that continues to inspire me everyday.

November 16th can't come soon enough. But until then, you can bet that i'll be counting down the days.

Play.

Oh blog! Forgive me for my lack of posts lately. It's been a full week of work/school, and a weekend of play. JD and Michelle were in town this weekend. It's their very first time in San Francisco so we got to pretend like we were tourists while showing around actual tourists. I'm not gonna lie, I love playing tourist in my own city. Sara even came along so all of us had a great time. They flew back to LA this morning, and I spent the rest of my day sleeping. No joke, I was asleep for most of the day.

But anyways, here are some photos from yesterday.

JD & Michelle enjoyed seeing the Golden Gate Bridge.

Chris and Sara laughing about something on the trolley

Chinatown was packed with people for the moon festival.

JD's first time on the trolley. I'm pretty sure it was his favorite part of the day. His expression tells it all.

I took this while the trolley was moving. I'm talented, and I love Chris and Sara.

Hope you've had a fabulous weekend!

Things I can do everyday.

*Watch Friends

*Eat Tuna

*Take Photos

*Edit Photos

*Look through bridal magazines

*Read Jasmine Star's Blog

*Eat cupcakes (but I don't)

*Smile

*Laugh

Here's a sneak peek of Sara's shoot! Happy Tuesday!

Happy Weekend!

It feels like it's been forever since I've blogged. Time is precious around here. Especially because I'm in school. I wish I could spend all of my time taking pictures, editing, and blogging. But I simply can't. Not at this moment in my life at least. I'm at the end of my college career, and I can't wait for it to end. Because then I'll be able to take pictures, edit, and blog as much as I'd like :)

I did ask my bff if I could take pictures of her. I've been so stressed with school that I needed photography therapy. So we did that last night. Those are coming up.

Other than that, it's school, wedding planning, and photography :) Life is good.

Happy Weekend!

To you, From Me.

"How do you know what it feels like to kiss a grouper?" I asked. He replies, "We had to kiss them in college as a part of our fraternity initiation." I laughed and told him he was full of bologna.

I don't know where he comes up with such ideas, but it's one of the many things that I absolutely love about him. His weird sense of humor matches mine. Sometimes we have the most ridiculous conversations about nothing. But it all ends the same, in laughter. He has a bump on his hand very similar to a mole, but not dark. If pressed against my hand, lands on the exact same spot as my mole. It's perfect. He chews differently when he eats cereal in the morning. It's cute and always makes me smile. His passion for life and his drive for pursuing passion is nothing but inspirational to me. Because of him, I am not afraid to follow mine.

He has no idea Im blogging about him. At the moment, he is dancing in the kitchen while eating string cheese. There is nothing else I'd want to see. I'm laughing out loud, but not at him. If my laughter were a song, its lyrics of love would bring a smile to someone's heart, just as he brings a smile to mine. He is my inspiration, my all, my love, and my future husband.

What Julia is to Paul, Chris is to me. "The butter to my bread, and the breath to my life"

Passion or Equipment? (The Story)

The other night, I was told something that really ticked me off. Here is the story...

Mr. X just got engaged. Mr. X and I are good friends. Mr. X actually inspired me to take on photography because he taught himself, and I figured if he could do it, I could too. Anyways, we were g-chatting the other night and I jokingly asked if I could take his engagement pictures. He replied with a "Yes, and No." He later says "I'd love for you to come out and take pictures of us. But she's going to want a real photographer, someone with equipment not passion." At this point of the conversation, I said "Ok, well congratulations!" Then I signed off.

I'm surprised I didn't cry after he told me this. Then I realized that I didn't cry because I know I'm better than that. I know I have a lower end canon, but the only reason I have it is because I had no idea about photography when I bought it. I wanted to buy it for fun. It's my first camera, give me an effing break. It's not like I don't rent the higher end canons for my shoots to give my clients better quality photos. I know, this.

Also, I take pride in my photos. I may not be the best photographer in the world, but I know that my photos are great because of my passion. In all honesty, if I had the best equipment in the world and absolutely no passion for photography, I know my photos would look terrible. Why? Because there is no love, no passion behind it. I believe in my photography, and I want nothing more than people to look at it and feel happy, love, and passion. I want it to be seen and felt.

So say what you want Mr. X, but there will be people out there who'd love for me to take their photos.

I needed to vent. Thank you blog.

Portraits: Iris MacCarthy

With her, it's always a first meeting. Even so, I'm still greeted with a warm smile every single time. She is Iris MacCarthy, Chris' grandmother. It's a guarantee that I'm laughing whenever I'm around her because she is f-u-n-n-y, funny! She and I become best of friends when I try to help her with her crossword puzzles. But I find it absolutely hilarious when she tells me that I'm wrong :) Then she compliments me on the shoes that I'm wearing or the ring on my finger. In the end, we're BFF's again.

Oh Iris, you are such a wonderful lady. I'm glad I had the chance to take these beautiful portraits of you. Chris and I love you, and I hope you enjoy these as much as we do!

Tied Knots: Rachel and Frankie (Sneak Peek)

A couple of months ago, I checked out the events section under gigs on craigslist. There was an ad from a girl asking for a cheap photographer to photograph her wedding. All she wanted was someone who'll be able to provide all of the photos for her on a disc. She even said "if you're looking to get experience, contact me." And because I was looking to get experience, I contacted her.

Early Saturday morning, Chris and I headed out to San Jose to shoot Rachel and Frankie's wedding. (Chris was my second shooter for the day. So cute!) I thought I was young for being engaged at 23, but Rachel is only 20 and Frankie 21. It was a small wedding, but it was everything they wanted. I am so thrilled to have had the chance to shoot my very first wedding on my own. But I am even more thrilled to have done this for Rachel and Frankie on their special day. Congratulations!

Rachel and Frankie: The Newlyweds!

Ok, I'm twisted and totally kidding. This is actually Rachel and her younger brother, Robert. This picture is too cute for words. I just had to post it. Enjoy!

Engagement: Jay and Jessica

It was by far the hottest day in San Francisco. Normally, I would praise the heavens for sun in the city. But because I was shooting Jay and Jessica, I wasn't very fond of the brightness that the sun was giving out that day. Aside from all the sweating, and extremely bright natural lighting, Jay and Jessica were absolute supermodels. (sans the attitude)

It's obvious that these two are a very attractive pair. But besides that, Jay and Jessica complete each other. Jay is very relaxed, calm, and chill. Jessica on the other hand is excitable, cheery, outgoing. Together, her excitement and his calm energy blend into a perfect mold that is their relationship. It's such a beautiful thing!

Jay and Jessica, thank you for hanging out with me in the heat. I enjoyed every single moment of it, and I hope you did as well :)