gladys jem: 2010

Saturday, April 17, 2010

PEACE OUT OLD BLOG

BECAUSE I GOT A NEWWWWWW ONEEEE :)

it's the one that I've been working on for the past I don't know how many months with the amazing, Shelley Szudera.

check it out.

see you on the other side!

www.gladysjemblog.com

Thursday, April 8, 2010

I first met Rob and Mary a couple of months ago for the first time at a Cafe in SOMA. I remember leaving that cafe and having a huge smile on my face because I could really feel their excitement. About their wedding, about meeting with me, about each other. I LOVED IT! I secretly wished that they'd book me, and I'm so lucky because they did!

Fast forward to the first weekend of April, we spent the afternoon in San Francisco taking shot after engagement shot. Laughing, telling stories, and me saying, "Rob, look over here." ;) I was nervous because it had been raining the days before their shoot, but because they're awesome...the sun was out and about that Saturday afternoon :)

Rob and Mary, there is something about the two of you that I really love. Maybe its the quiet love, or how relaxed and chill the two of you are. Maybe it's that Rob looks all around during photos, or maybe it's Mary saying "Rob, we're taking pictures" (hahahah) Whatever it is, I think you two are wonderful. So here they are, the photos we spent taking around the city. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Xoxo

Below are some of my favorites

Enjoy!

My most favoritest

Look at Rob rockin his cool hat

Rob and Mary practice smizing at home. Can't you tell? Ok they don't, I'm just jealous that they're so good at it ;)

Thank you Rob for looking at me and not at the abandoned backpack

Always admiring his love

To see more, click here for a slideshow

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Brunch with Stephanie and Stephen

So I don't know how I got so lucky, but on my birthday Chris and I had brunch with the incredibly talented Stephanie Fay, and her husband Stephen Motte. Stephanie is an amazing wedding photographer from Arizona, and her awesome husband Stephen shoots along side her. Together, they make one incredible duo :) I'm a big fan!

When she announced that she and Stephen were going to be in San Francisco, I was excited. I sat at the computer and I wanted to email her and ask if I could take them out to lunch. Then I got nervous. But then I got excited again and finally emailed her. I don't even remember what I said, but I'm glad it was awesome enough that they said yes.

So there we were, on my birthday having brunch like we were old friends. And I was happy, because I love it when photographers take the time to get to know their peers. To sit down and enjoy each other's company. Not necessarily even talk about photography, but just hang out. Over eggs and coffee we shared stories about how she and Stephen met, how Chris and I met. Their wedding, our wedding plans, our wedding photographer, San Francisco, Scottsdale, etc. We for sure talked photography towards the end and it was definitely fun to share stories with each other :) But Chris and I just enjoyed getting to know them both. Because let's face it...they rock.

Stephanie and Stephen,

Chris and I had so much fun with the two of you. When Chris really likes someone, he always says "good people" and that is exactly what he said when we parted ways. Because that's just it, you two are good people. Awesome people. Sweet people. Whatever you want to call it ;) We are happy that you took the time to meet with us during your trip, and even happier that we had the chance to sit down and eat yummy brunch with you. Even more points for going to Miette and eating cupcakes. But fa real, you two are the sweetest and we are grateful to know you both. Continue to be inspiring and continue taking those amazingly beautiful photographs. We'll definitely have to head down to Scottsdale and visit soon, and maybe make dreams come to life in Tuscon :) Xoxo

Friday, March 26, 2010

24

Go shawty, It's my birthday. I'm gonna party like its my birrrthhhhday. Yup, that just happened because heeeeeyyy I am a shorty. Booya!

Yes, today is my 24th birthday. I know what you're thinking. "24? Shut up. You look like your're 14." Well guess what, I really am 24 years old. Please don't ask me to whip out my id and tell me that it's fake because I don't look old enough. (YES, YOU Lady at the post office!)

I'm sitting here in our room at the Clift and I'm watching the most amazing sunrise. Chris told me that the sunrise is just for me. And because it's my birthday, Id like to believe that ;) But last night during birthday eve dinner, I looked at Chris and told him that I loved him. Told him that I'm so happy because I'm living the life that I want. I'm happy, I'm in love, and I'm doing what I love. That's all I need. It's the best present that I could ever ask for on this 24th birthday. I then proceeded to stuff my face with churros and ice cream for dessert to celebrate my happiness. You know, because I've been told that calories don't count if you celebrate your birthday 3 days in a row. Birthday eve. Birthday. Birthday after :) You better believe I'll be eating cupcakes this weekend.

So heres to a wonderful day. Not only because it's my birthday, but because everyday should be spent doing things that make you happy. And today, I'll do just that! You should too because...

"you don't have to have a crown to be the queen"- Anthony from Project Runway

Happy Birthday to others that were born today, and Happy Saturday!

San Francisco Portraits: Kristy Uzelac

Kristy holds a special place in my heart. She's a dear friend, and the reason Chris and I met the way we did. But thats a story for another day. Fast forward to last week. Kristy emails me and tells me that she'll be in town and wanted some photos done. And of course, I coudn't turn her down. Knowing Kristy, I knew she'd cook up some fabulous ideas for her shoot. And was I right? Alwayys! duh :)

Kristy is like a big sister to me, and someone I've always looked up to. A woman with many talents, she shines at everything that she does. She's a designer, a singer, a guitarist. She's funny, she's intelligent, she's lovable. She's beautiful, she's stylish, and her jetta smells like crayons. But what jetta doesn't? Who cares! I love jettas that smell like crayons.

In summary, I love you Kristy. I'm so happy we got the chance to play for a bit and get you in front of my camera. My new camera loves you and is so happy that you were the first person she got to capture. I can't wait til your next visit to San Francisco, but until then...I hope you enjoy these. XO

Click here for a slideshow (yes I know it says Kirsty, oopsies!)

Here are some of my favorites...

And this...this was Kristy's fabulous idea for her shoot

My favorites from her session are the ones of her laughing. Gorgeous!

Uhh..yeah. Gorg!

She's not laughing, but this is another fav ;)

We found this railroad track and I just haddddd to shoot.

Did I mention that Kristy is a model too? :)

LOVE the lighting here

There is that beautiful laugh/smile

Happy Friday!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

JOIE

When I started my internship, I had a desk and drawer filled with goodies. Lots of post its in different colors, lots of pens, lots of pins, lots of pencils, lots of office goodies that made my heart skip a beat because I'm a nerd. There was also a stack of cards that stated the following...

WEAR AN OLD PAIR OF JEANS. TAKE A WALK ON THE BEACH. BUY SOME FRESH FLOWERS. TREAT YOURSELF TO SOMETHING SWEET. ENJOY THE SUNRISE. PAY THE BRIDGE TOLL FOR THE CAR BEHIND YOURS. GIVE UP YOUR SEAT ON THE BUS. TAKE A BUBBLE BATH. SMILE MORE. RIDE A CABLE CAR. CONTACT AN OLD FRIEND. TELL SOMEONE HOW MUCH HE OR SHE MEANS TO YOU. CREATE JOY. - joy of life club, joie de vivre

I took one of these cards home and its currently on my desk. I read it every time. Every single time. Because it's the little things that make the world go round. And it's a good reminder to always create joy for ourselves, and to those around us. So go do it. Give Joy! Because lets face it, happiness is like a table covered with cupcakes. Who wouldn't want at least one bite? ;)

Photographs make me happy. Below is a sneak peak of the session I'm working on...

Enjoy!

Friday, March 19, 2010

Just a little love note

Chris has always written me love notes. Always. Ever since we started dating, they'd pop up out of nowhere on my pillow. Inside my macbook. In packages he puts in my suitcase whenever I travel alone. Our engagement. Always. He does them now, and I have no doubt in my mind that he'll write them until we're old and gray. Together.

Yesterday, as I walked out of my building to head home. There he was, standing there holding a note. A little love note that he wrote while he waited patiently for me at starbucks across the street. Lucky for me because I left my keys at home. And there he was, saving the day. With just a little love note. And keys.

I'm not really sure where I'm going with this post. But I do know how it feels to be loved. How it feels when someone tells you that they love you. How it feels to give and receive that same love back. So to those who read this very post today, tell someone you love them. Because sometimes, that's all they need to hear. Sometimes, it's all they need to put a smile on their face. Sometimes, it means a lot more than I'm sorry. Tell them because you love you them. Tell them because you mean it. Always.

Happy Friday!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Gnoss Field Session: Alisa and Sean

It was simple. Two people, myself, and a camera. That's all I wanted. But one night before bed, I started to think hard about what I really wanted. After all, this shoot was for myself. I wanted to make something beautiful. Step out of the box and get creative. But I thought too hard and I couldn't come up with anything. The next morning, I woke up and it hit me. I dreamt it. It happened in my head while I was sleeping. Two people. Airport. Airplane. And the rest is history...

I know the importance for us photographers to shoot for ourselves. I didn't put this together because I was asked to. I put it together because I wanted to. Being behind a camera brings me happiness, and I...I wanted to create something for me. I don't have the words to say how I felt that day. To see it come to life. It was incredible. And I'm happy and grateful that I had the chance to make it happen.

Complete coincidence, but this is my 100th blog post. I like to think that it was meant to be that way. Because to me, the 100th blog post should be special. And this shoot, it's my something special...