Bringing it back to life.

I don't fly like paper, or get high like planes. But I have been, MIA. It's not because I don't want to blog, or I banned myself from the internet (that's just crazy!) but my life has been ummm...how do I put this properly. "Well, I don't have one."

Chris and I moved last weekend to a fabulous apartment in Nob Hill. AT&T couldn't come and install the internet until Thursday. I cried about it. Fa real. When Chris told me, I said "But how am I suppose to blog?" AT&T doesn't care and couldn't give us an earlier appointment. Trust me internet, I shook my head and fist.

But besides not having internet, my life consists of: Getting up, going to work, going to the gym, going home to unpack, and going to sleep. It's been like that since Monday and I've never felt so dead in my entire life. That's until Thursday. I sat in my office with an hour to go and a headache that made me want to cry to my Mom. But I sat there feeling the need to be alive. So I went home, I picked up my camera, and I cardioed (I know thats not a word, but whatever) myself up and down and up some more of the hills surrounding our neighborhood with my camera. It was the only moment this week that I did something I truly wanted to do. Something that made me smile. It made my heart happy like a little dancing leprachaun. I finally felt alive.

Below are some of the snapshots I took of our new neighborhood.

This is one of the reasons I love our new place. Our view from the rooftop.

I love the next series.

Left: Our Lobby

Center: Grace Cathedral (Just up the block)

Right: My favorite Hotel on California St., The Mark Hopkins

And this...this is one of my favorite street photos I've ever taken. This is Chinatown.

We've still got a lot of unpacking to do, but once it's all done I'll post photos of our new place. We have these big bay windows in our bedroom and living room that pours in the most amazing light.

But until then, I promise I will blog more. I look forward to March because it's my birthday month, engagement sessions, and a special shoot next Sunday. Then April begins my wedding season for this year! So much to look forward to!

Happy Saturday!

143.

I opened the door, and to my surprise found a box along with sunflowers. You were nowhere to be found until you decided it was time to reveal yourself. I was shocked, excited, and most of all happy. Happy that you showed up unannounced. Happy that you brought sunflowers, and happier that the box contained cupcakes. We'd been only dating a couple of weeks. But it was then, at that moment, I knew I loved you.

I didn't tell you this at the time. But i'll tell you now, and for the rest of our lives. I love you.

Je t'aime. Mahal Kita. Wo ai Ni. I love you.

To many more laughs, moments, and love.

Happy Valentines day my love!

GJ

*Photo by Michelle Ocampo Photography

Wedding Wednesday: Venue

This one time, I promised that I wouldn't show anyone what my wedding dress looked like because I wanted everyone to be surprised. I swore this while I was in it. Then, this other time I ended up sending at least 12 people the picture of it. I officially suck at keeping promises to myself.

So tonight, when I was trying to decide what little portion of our big day to share, I realized that I don't want to share anymore details about our wedding because I want people to be surprised. But knowing me, in 2 weeks, i'll probably share with you what our favors will be, but it's not my fault that I'm so excited. So excited that I just have to share with the world ;)

Anyways, tonight I thought I'd share our venue. Our little gem of a venue located on a hill in Sonoma. I remember the first time Chris and I ever went, I headed straight for their wedding table set-up and I thought to myself "This would be an incredible place to get married" And I'm so happy to have that thought come true!

I took this photo during my first trip there :) But this is only a small part of the place. You should see the view, our reception area, the barrel room, and everything else about it. I love it, and I can't wait to get married there! Almost 9 months left to go!

Happy Wednesday!

Monday, Monday, Monday.

Cue Natasha Bedingfield's Unwritten...

SO today, I felt like Lauren Conrad. My life was an episode of the Hills except without the drama, Speidi (Thank God), crazy Kelly Cutrone demanding that I can only wear black, and an internship at Teen Vogue. What I did get was a beginning to a 12 week internship for the fabulous JdV Hospitality. I know it's not teen vogue, but whatevs. For 12 weeks, I'll be immersing myself in all things Operations, Sales, and Food and Beverage. Then in May, my parents will get just what every parent would like for their child, a college diploma.

I'm excited for all of the things that I'll be learning within the upcoming weeks. At one point in my life, this was what I wanted to do. It was my dream. Be a business woman in downtown San Francisco. Sit behind a desk and sell hotel rooms/plan events. But today, when I sat in my big leather chair, in my cubicle, hearing only the sounds of people typing and phones ringing, all I wanted to do was connect. Connect with my clients. Connect with my camera. Connect with those that love.

Don't get me wrong. Though one was a dream of my past, at 23 years old, I am grateful to be able to say that I've experienced \do my dream jobs. It's truly something that I am grateful for.

In other news, I met with my fabulous graphic designer Shelley Szudera. She's been working on my branding and sent me some mock-ups last week. I knew she was great, but i LOVED what she created for me. Tonight, we met to talk about making last minute edits to my logo and my brand in general. I love Shelley because she knows just what I want, and delivers that and more. I am so excited for it all to come together, and even more excited to show you the final product. I'm working on a new blog, and a new website so please stay tuned for that.

Hope you have a fabulous week!

Follow your heart

I've been looking at my old blog a lot lately. A blog that contains entries from last year. Entries from the open book that was my heart, filled with chapters of passion, love, and a zest for life. An open declaration of my life at the time of realizing what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, and what I wanted my life to be...

This weekend, I sat in a cafe with that same heart. Except this time it was with more passion, more love, and extra zest. I left feeling like I made the best decision in the world, because in reality I did. Though I'm still at the beginning of my journey, I can look back with no regrets. I know that I've made the right turns, even with the bumps that I've encountered, and the many more I'm sure I'll come across. But when your heart knows where to go, and you don't give up, you'll get to the destination just fine.

To the many dreamers out there just like myself...a dream is just the beginning. And eventually one day, it will all be reality. When your heart speaks to you with intensity, don't ignore it. When the little spark inside of you feels like it's going to burn out, light it again. Trust in what you are, believe in what others believe you can do, and most of all, follow your heart.

I love him.

Blog world, I have a secret crush. Which clearly won't be so secret anymore because I'm blogging about it. DUH! But yes, he's handsome, he's smart, he's a blood splatter analyst, and a serial killer. His name is Dexter Morgan, and I lurrve him. To pieces. Get it?

I'm obsessed. SO obsessed. I'll be the first one to tell you that my roommates used to watch it and I'd be all "No way, I'm gonna go to my room" But because its typical Gladys to really like something 10 years after everyone else, it doesn't surprise me that I'm hooked on it. Chris and I just finished Season 1, and now on to Season 2. It only gets better and better and better.

I wish I had all the time in the world to sit in front of the TV and do nothing but be completely engrossed in Dexter Morgan's world.

Dexter, I love you.

Happy Sunday!

Wedding Wednesday - Colors

Shame on me. Actually, Double shame. I'm sorry that I didn't blog last Wednesday. I'm even sorrier that I didn't blog for an entire week. Gasp! Trust me, I'm punishing myself for my lack of blogging. I'm cereal! I've decided that I'll only eat one cupcake every two months. Or maybe one cupcake a month. Whatever I choose to do, just know that it's truly a punishment. Not for my body because that's actually a blessing, but for me.

And moving on to our scheduled program...this week on wedding wednesday, colors! That's right, colors. I've decided to blog this today instead of introducing who's in my bridal party because I changed my mind about colors way too many times. I figured if I blogged about it, I won't change it because it's in writing. Or typing. But for real, I am in love with what I ended up choosing and I wouldn't trade our final colors for anything in the world.

Through endless search for inspiration, I found a little fall themed gem on Style Me Pretty. And oh my my, it is pretty! If you click on this link, you'll see just what I'm talking about. Creams, Chocolate Browns, Bronze, and Greens. Absolutely to die for, and so beautiful that I could cry.

You see, Chris and I originally wanted to have a barn wedding. A countrified wedding outdoors, with reception in a barn, and photos with cows. Ok totally made the cow thing up, but it sounds cool. Anyhow, we didn't find the perfect outdoor venue with a barn so we chose a gorgeous winery nestled on a hill in Sonoma. It's perfect, and I absolutely love our venue. But because I love country, outdoors, live cows, and fall, I wanted to bring just that to our wedding with our colors. I wish I could take a picture of the vision in my head to show you what our wedding will look like, but you'll just have to wait :)

What I do have is a picture of myself in a green shirt with my future hubby. I figured that will work since green is one of our colors ;)

Happy Happy Wednesday!

The Style Lab!

It rained. A lot. But this didn't stop us from heading outside and shooting. That's until the 90 MPH winds, tornado warnings, and a whole lotta side ways rain decided to show up. But because it's the OC, the beautiful sun decided to grace us with it's presence after all, and that is when we rocked it out some more.

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending Chenin Boutwell's Style Lab. Along with the Wedding Chicks, and Totally Rad Actions, Chenin hosted her first workshop in 2 years. Rain or shine, Chenin, Jocey, Amy, and Doug shared their knowledge. And because these are some of the top professionals in the wedding industry, us attendees soaked it all up. All up until the last drop. I learned everything from how to figure out my style, what photos I want to achieve, my brand, how to shoot details, how to get published, post processing, and how to bring pretty back. That's right, how to bring pretty back.

What I love about workshops is being able to see and learn from others. Whether it be Chenin, or the Wedding Chicks, Doug or other attendees. Information was shared that helped me find what it is that I want to achieve. Defining my style, figuring out my brand, etc. We as attendees were encouraged to be our best. To be the best photographer to others, to our clients, and to ourselves. And that to me, is truly important.

Chenin, Jocey, Amy, and Doug: Thank you for a fabulous workshop! I am so lucky to have won that giveaway. I walked away with so much information. More information that I could have ever asked for. I highly recommend it to everyone, rain or shine! You guys are awesome! xo

And to the wonderful and incredibly talented vendors: Thank you for an amazing set up! It was incredible, even in the rain :)

And here are the photos...

"My Love" Amanda Rae and her hubby Mike. You guys are wonderful! So glad I got to know both of you. You both are such sweet people. Thanks for being fabulous models.

Founders Of Style Lab

Boutwell Studios

The Wedding Chicks

Totally Rad Actions

Vendors Involved With Style Lab

Venue: Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club

Styled By: Angel Swanson of Events of Love & Spendor

Stationary: Wiley Valentine

Floral Design: The Treasured Petal

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

Dress Designer: Joan Shum

Makeup & Hair: All Made Up Team

Deserts & Goodies: Vanilla Bakeshop

Monday Musings

This morning wasn't a typical Monday. I didn't get up angry at the world because I had to be at the gym by 9:00. I woke up extremely excited. Excited for the day/days ahead. Excited for all of the things I'll be learning in the next two days. And, excited to be at SFO, well because, I love airports.

Though my flight was delayed, I made it to Orange County safe and sound. I'll be here for the next two days, immersing myself in everything photography. Thanks to a huge give-a-way that I won last month. Remember? I won a free seat to Chenin Boutwell's Style Lab. Yep, HUGE! Stay tuned for my style lab experience ;)

But, oh my heck! One of the best things about workshops is the cool people that I get to meet. New friends that share my passion. New friends that love being behind the camera and capturing moments that we all live for. You know, happiness and love :) My day in the OC started with just that, new friends. Plus lots and lots of rain, umbrella flipping, and shedding a couple of tears because I miss Chris a lot. But that's just another story. ha!

But fa real. Today, I had lunch with Kristine Atienza, and Emily Steffen. Two amazing ladies that share my love for photography. It was then, at lunch, I felt absolute happiness. The same feeling I had two months ago when I was in Laguna Beach with a bunch of ladies that completely inspired me beyond words. Over orange chicken, miso salmon, and iced teas, we talked about photography. Photographers. And more photography. It was perfect, and I wouldn't have it any other way. These two ladies are only the beginning, and tomorrow I get to meet more. More people to inspire me beyond belief. Especially Chenin, The Wedding Chicks, and Doug Boutwell.

I'm so excited. SO excited like Jesse Spano on caffeine pills.

Happy Monday!

Wedding Wednesdays: Bridal Party Dresses

I love my bridal party. A ton. They are my girls for life. Times eternity. Next week, I'll introduce them to you for my next Wedding Wednesday. But for now, I thought I'd share with you what they'll be wearing.

I thought long and hard about this. It was either choose ugly dresses to make myself look better ;) or choose fabulous dresses for them to work it in. And of course, since I'm such a little angel, I chose fabulous dresses! They're so excited about it, and so am I!

My gorgeous bridal party will be wearing Two Birds Bridesmaids Dresses.

Two Birds Bridesmaid Dresses are chic, classic, and oh so lovely! The thing is, it's only one dress. But it's one dress that bridesmaids can wrap 15 different ways so that it looks like a different dress. Ariane Goldman is a genius for designing such a fabulous dress. It's one size fits all, so everyone looks and feels beautiful. Perfection!

I know my ladies are going to love their dresses. The best part is that they can shorten it and wear it again ;)