My Little Man

Chris and I headed to San Jose to hang out with my parents for a bit. I love seeing my parents. But I'm not going to lie, whenever Chris and I head to San Jose we are always in for a treat with my little brother. I can't believe that he is almost 4 now, and probably the most talkative little kid I know. Tonight while at dinner, after the server dropped off our check he looks up and says, "Thank You So Much!" Bout made my entire year. Here are some photos that I snapped of him. I taught him how to pose in the 1st picture, and because he is a little ham he followed my directions. Gotta love him.

Mom and Dad, these are for you. Love you!

P.S. In exactly 7 hours, I'll be at the airport headed to Orange County.

Happy Saturday!

Quote of the day

The most successful people in life are the ones who walk in love and step out in faith…. they are the ones who aren’t afraid to take big risks. -Sarah Rhoads

Happy Friday!

Thankful Thursday

If I could describe how I've been feeling lately, I'd say stressed, and exhausted. Yes, it's true. But behind the stress of school, and the exhaustion that comes with work, school, and deadlines...I'd honestly have to say that I feel more blessed than anything else.

The weekend is coming quickly, and the day I've been waiting for is coming around the corner. No, not my wedding day. But the Jasmine Star Workshop. To be honest, after I signed up I had a little meltdown. I cried and I told Chris I quit photography. I had the chance to see all of the fellow workshop attendees' work. They're all very talented, and all absolutely amazing. I was scared. Terrified. Shaking in my boots. I felt like I didn't belong. You know. Sort of like the school freak trying to fit in by trying out for the cheer team.

But what I didn't remember at the time was that this whole process isn't a competition. The very reason I signed up for the workshop in the first place is to learn. I often forget that the beginning is always a struggle. Especially in this business. You either pull through or you don't. And I...I pull through. Because no matter how many times I quit and cry, this is my passion. My dream. I'll pursue it even if it means I fail because at the end of the day I'm happy. If I'm happy, then I consider myself successful.

In a few days, I have the chance to meet and learn from Jasmine and 19 other amazing photographers. I'm no longer scared. Terrified. Definitely not shaking in my boots. I'm excited to make new friends. Learn from the best. But most of all, be inspired to keep on truckin. I am so thankful to have this chance.

So this I leave you for Thankful Thursday...

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."-Eleanor Roosevelt

Tied Knots: Troy & Maren

I know this week is crazy, but I couldn't help but blog these. wish I had time to blog the reception, but maybe that's for later this week.

Happy Monday!

Ahh.

today is the beginning of a crazy week. i canNOT even begin to tell you all the stuff that i have to get done just so I can enjoy my upcoming weekend in the OC. yesterday i whipped out my "i drop out of school" monologue which is performed every semester by yours truly. Chris then has to show off with his "no, you are so close" monologue which is SO not fair because he was a theater major. so of course, he wins. boo! but honestly, i can't wait for this semester to be over because in a month and a half, school work is dunzo. forever ever ever. forever ever ever.

until then, today is exactly one week til the Jasmine Star Workshop :)

Happy Monday.

Best Friends Forever For Life

We sat at a small bar table next to the big windows. People walked by, and we watched as we talked about life back then, now, and life in the future. Over plates of potato cakes and mushroom risoto, I said with a shaky voice and tears in my eyes : "I love you Sara. I'm so grateful to have you in my life." As much as it sounds like a lesbian romance, it's not. Sara is my best friend.

Since we don't live together anymore and lead both very busy lives, we decided to go out for a night together. What was supposed to be a trip to Eos for dinner. Soon turned to a trip to Eos, ChaChaChas, and Cheesecake factory. Yes, we ate at three different restaurants all in the same night. (Ended up regretting it afterwards, but man it was good) Yes, one of the reasons we get along so well: Our love for food.

Sara: Last night was so much fun. Yes, Chris sometimes thinks that I love you more than him. But I think that's only because you and Chris are the same person in two different forms. I'm so glad to have the best of both worlds. I love you, and I hope you know that i'll be here for you until the end. Best friends forever for life.

The view from Cheesecake factory is one of my favorite views in the city. I love San Francisco.

A change will do you good.

the other day, i sat in front of my computer and looked through all of my photos. folder by folder. from oldest to most recent. it felt like i was watching a little kid grow up. because that's just it. i've grown up. it's like, "look ma, my photography's all grown up." i can't help but sit back and laugh at the moments i first started teaching myself to shoot. i wanted to bang my camera into the ground because i was so frustrated with my shots, or i just couldn't get my camera to work. but now, my camera and i are bff's fo life. i holla and she holla backs. it's a beautiful thing.

Wanna see what growth looks like? here it is.

there are a lot of things I've learned since the first shot. i learned that practice makes perfect. shooting shooting shooting. practice practice practice. you get better and better and better. i learned that it's ok to pose my clients in ways other than stand next to that pillar and smile, because it really does make a huge difference. most importantly, i've learned that you can never learn enough. as more time passes, the more i learn and the more i grow.

so much more to this, but i have to get ready for class soon. so here's a quote that I love...

“Growth means change and change involves risk, stepping from the known to the unknown.”

HAPPY FRIDAY!

First Look: Troy & Maren

Troy was waiting for Maren at the bottom of the staircase in the hotel lobby. (Talk about a Titanic moment) Except without the sinking ship, and a much much much happier ending. As I stood by Troy talking and taking his photos, I felt his anticipation. You could tell he was nervous and the only thing that would take the jitters away was the sight of his beautiful wife to be.

As Maren descended from the staircase, her face was calm and excited. She knew that at the bottom of the staircase stood the man she was going to marry.

And when the moment happened. The moment when their eyes took hold of each other. All nervousness dissipated the room, only to be replaced by the love that Troy and Maren have for each other. As I stood there taking shot after shot, I was reminded of why and how much I love photography. Though standing from a far, I felt like I was caught in between their moment. SO beautiful.

But enough talk, here are the photos...

I'll blog the rest of the photos soon. Until then...

Happy Tuesday!

Sparkles the iMac

On Halloween, kids were trick or treating and everyone else was partying. I on the other hand, said trick or treat and got an iMac instead of candy. Yeah, that's right. An iMac. And I didn't even dress up. I'm so cool.

Ok, but fo reals....Last weekend Chris and I were making arrangements for my trip in So-cal in two weeks for Jasmine Star's Workshop (Hollaaa!) When it came to deciding which hotel to stay, I suggested La Quinta because that is where most of the workshop attendees will be staying. I looked up La Quinta and found about 5 different hotels around the area. We were stuck. I had no idea which La Quinta is THE La Quinta.

Here is where it gets real good: Chris then says "Ok, I bet it's the one closest to the Airport because people will be flying in and it's convenient." Yes, makes sense. But it only made more sense to stay at the one closest to the workshop. So I said, "I bet it's the one closest to the workshop. That's where I want to stay." Then Chris looks at me and says, "OK, I bet you an iMac." Really? Are you joking me? I thought he was pulling my leg, but he was serious. So I agreed...

And after asking fellow workshop attendees which La Quinta is the Golden La Quinta, we found out that the majority are staying at the one closest to the workshop.

So here I am, typing this post on my new iMac which I named Sparkles. Don't laugh. It only fits with my mac family. My MacBook is Razzle, and my iPhone is Dazzle. I do need to figure out a name for my magic mouse which by the way is pure magic and sweetness. I think I shall call her Cupcake. I know, I just lost cool points didn't I?

I'd like to thank Chris for buying me this glorious computer. I have been stuck to it all weekend staring at my photos. Not editing them, staring at them. I still can't believe how big and better my photos look. It's like I'm watching a wedding happen in front me. Lovely, absolutely lovely. You have no idea how many times I've thanked Chris this weekend for this. But at one point I think I told him I blame him for my future obesity because I don't want to get up from my chair. EVEEERRRRR.

I'd also like to mention the fact that Chris hasn't learned his lesson and last night he made another bet with me. Guess who won?

Keep a lookout for a blog post in the near future about a new lens ;)

Happy Monday!

Question.

Lately, the same thought has been on my mind. Over, and over again.

"Did I do this at the right time?"

Today is November 1st. By this time tomorrow, I'm sure it will be December because that's how time is. It flies. And once December starts, it's only about 3 weeks of college left. EVER. I can't believe it's coming to an end so quickly. But it's time. I'm ready.

But that's exactly it. I'm finishing my degree in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration. I don't know if you noticed, but nowhere does it spell p h o t o g r a p h y. 3 months ago, I made the decision to follow my dreams. 3 months ago, my last semester began.

So then comes the question, "Did I do this at the right time?" And to be honest, I have no idea. Because I know how important it is to have a degree, and I love my major. I can't wait to be done and graduate. Then there is photography. A force that hit me like a big yellow school bus, but in the best way possible. But because I'm in school, I can't give as much time and attention to it.

So, "Did I do this at the right time?" Who knows. Only time will tell.

But this, I know...

If you never take chances in life you'll miss out on the best things.