Hey friends!

How are you holding up? It’s been a little crazy watching things happening from the sidelines here in PV and while we haven’t really gotten lots of confirmed cases, chances are that it’ll reach our side soon seeing as international cruise ships dock here at least two to three times a week.

Am I worried? A little, but not so much for my health as thankfully, the three of us are pretty healthy and I have confidence in all medical staff and that they are doing what they can to contain this and find a vaccine. Until then, we are social distancing.

What DOES have me concerned is that already I’ve had sessions postponed due to the travel ban, personal reasons, and obviously because it’s just safer to stay home right now.

This has affected my business and well, my livelihood, just as it has for sooooo many other small business especially restaurants and those in the service industry.

Today, I’m going to share how you can help me and many other small businesses continue to survive during this crazy time.

What can I do to help?

Artists work hard on their work and right now a lot of artists are creating new and exciting material/products/services just for you and to also pass the time. Right now is the time to invest in their work. Get that drawing/painting/illustration you’ve been eying for some time.

Get that handmade product or reserve that service from the person you admire now and perhaps use it later.

If I have taken photos of you, you can also take advantage of this time home to order the best photo display products for your home!

Get your favorite photo printed, choose a frame for your gallery wall and get prints included, choose a beautiful image box to hold your favorites from your session because having one isn’t enough!

Albums also work as a great way to get those images, talking to your wedding clients, printed and all in one pretty, magnificently printed album.

And right now, for all of my current clients, you get 20% off anything you order!

So don’t put it off any longer, get your prints into frames and display products into your home of all your favorite images!

Download the LOOKBOOK here.

The best part? We can do payment plans and so you don’t have to feel like you need a big budget for all the things you’ve always wanted to get.

I haven’t had a session with you, is there another way I can support your business?

Yes! I currently am putting together a small and limited fine art gallery just for this! they are photos that you can proudly display on your walls as part of your wall art, as postcards, as small loose gift prints, etc.

You can visit the ordering gallery HERE.

What if I don’t have the budget to help artists?

I get it, perhaps right now you don’t have the budget or the time to really give because you’ve got littles at your house that need both your time and attention!

You will never know the impact has with one simple share on social media, a review on Facebook or Google, or simply referring me to people you know have trips planned to the Puerto Vallarta area has on my small business.

Sharing a post, sharing the artist’s profile, just simply giving a shout out helps so much! And the best part? It doesn’t cost a thing.

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Your support in any way means so much to me! And together, we’ll all get through this crazy time.

Stay safe, stay informed, and be kind!

xoxo,

Jackie

Facebook is a fantastic machine.  It has allowed us to connect on such an incredible level.  Connect with family and friends.  Connect with collegues and past classmates.  Connect with complete strangers we admire and those who we'd love to get to know.  It's these connections that sometimes lead to great discoveries and relationships.  And I absotelutely love it.

Over a year ago, I created a photography group.  The main reason was because I wanted to find more photographer friends.  People who would never tire talking about aperture and lighting.  Connect with people who just get me.  On a photography level.  And we could learn, grow, and connect.  That was the sole reason.  

This year, I made it my goal to begin organizing group shoots.  So we could connect face to face.  Learn and really be a community.  

Each and every Group Shoot we've had I have met so many great people.  Have been able to connect with new members, members who I've only seen through FB, and members I personally know.   However, what is greater is that all those who attend connect with each other as well!  It feels all pay-it-forward-ish.   And I love it.  

So if you're interested in being a part of the group, please go to the

GROUP PAGE

and ask to join.  It's a public group and everyone is welcome.  From novice to advanced to professional, everyone is welcome.  

Here are some photos from May Group Shoot we had in LA.  I never got around to posting them :).  

Models: Elahyna, Rosey, Desmon, & Cynthia

I don't like the rain.  Not one bit.  It's cold, my feet have a hard time warming up, my hair doesn't stay curled and people can't drive.   Southern Californians can't drive when it's dry...let alone with it's wet!  But in order to make the most of this crappy weather (when it should be warm and beautiful) I decided to go out and shoot.  Asked a few people on Facebook and got a couple of responses.  Kat is one of them.  Well, when we arrived at the location it was dry.  And even the sun came out.  I hope California stops playing with my emotions and gives me a blistering hot summer.  So I can hit the beach, surf, and sleep while tannin.   

She is aspiring to be an actress and I think she's got the look for it.  Kat: Thanks for coming out and hanging out in the dry sunny afternoon.  We didn't get any rain but we did get some great shots :).

Debbie: You're up next :)

Michele and Shawn opted to have a First Look.  This is when the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony.  I know this may seem a little taboo, however, this is a great option on your big day.  Amidst of all the commotion, the First Look offers a quite moment to share alone.  Together.

It also allows us to ease into the portraits :)  Next up: Details, Ceremony & Reception!  

Happy Thursday!

I woke up and immediately all of the things that I had to do began listing themselves in my mind.  Get oil change, buy water, get dressed, charge batteries, do make up, load the car, drive up the mountain, and hope that people would show up.  Saturday was the first ever shoot that the Inland Empire Photogs (& Beyond) had up in Big Bear.  And I was afraid no one would show... but me of little faith!

Thank you to the models who showed up: Ruth, Ana, Rosio, and Delphine.  You guys rocked!  And to the photogs that showed up: Brent, Kami, Delphine, Engin, Maribel, and Claudia... You guys are awesome! And to Elle Lamas (my sister) for doing hair and make up... beautiful as always!  And thanks mom for making the bouquet :).

Seriously, with out you guys I would have been photographing the snow and trees in the really cold weather.  You guys are awesome and thank you for making our very first shoot a success!  Even though towards the end I missed out on photographing Delphine and Rosio due to camera malfunction (which is all resolved now!), I had a blast!

So, here's what's coming up next.  My Aunt is holding precious baby Andres and I was able to photograph her a couple weeks back.

And Ruth & Ana from the big bear shoot :).

Happy Sunday!

And just like Buzz Lightyear, the Inland Empire Photog (& Beyond) was started.  

I created a group on Facebook for all of those who live in the Inland Empire and were tired of having to drive out to OC or LA to get together.  We have a lot of talent in the IE and it needs to be shown!  

The groups mission is to teach, learn, and grow.  Which is also why it is open to the public and anyone of any photography level is welcome to join.  Models, make up artists, and anyone in the field is also welcome to join.  

And... the events are free.  That was also another premise to creating the group.  I grew tired of seeing group get togethers that were miles and miles away and still had to pay.  This is definitely not a mentor group... just yet.  This is a group of fellow photography lovers who want to learn from each other, share some techniques, and just shoot together.  To talk photography until we lose our voices and to create a community amongst each other.

So I invite you all to be a part of the group.  To teach, learn, and grow as a community of photographers and beyond.

Here is the next event we have coming up.  If you would like to be a part of it, join the group and I'll invite you to the event :).  Everyone is welcome!

Here is the link to the event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=120010114734331
  

I have a book.  A big sketch book full of inspiration boards of shoots I'd like to do one day.  Of photographs that make me say to myself aloud "I wish that photo was mine!" And sometimes you have just the right idea for just the right person to put in the right spot.

Her name is Ariane.  She dabbles in modeling but blew me away and totally brought it.  She was "Fierce!" in the words of Tyra.  Ariane is a student at Stanford majoring in something really hard to pronounce but she's a smart cookie with lots of style.  Speaking of style, we had Ariane's mom, help us with the styling.  Since she has a degree in fashion design, she totally made the looks happen and hopefully we'll get to work together more! *hint*hint*

Anyway, the location we were going to shoot in ended up being closed due to flooding.  Thankfully we found some sweet spots right outside the gates with just enough light and no rain!  We were really lucky.  Thank you baby Jesus :).

Enough babble... here is Ariane kicking ass as a bohemian fashionista.

ON A SIDE NOTE:  You may notice that the logo at the top and the one on the photos are different than yesterday.  I have rebranded myself (a bit) and am launching my new website tomorrow night!  I'm super excited for this new change!   So on Wednesday take a look around the new website and check it out! 

And I even drew the logo myself :)

Happy Monday!

Sorry for not posting this earlier but I was having issues with blogger and well I gave up on it after trying for the whole weekend.

Here's a sneak peek of some my favorite people in the world.  More to come!  Also keep a watchful eye out, I feel change a comin'.

Have a great week!

For me, being a second shooter is fantastic.  I get to help the main photographer and practice with out the pressure of being first.

I recently got to work with Emily Swanson who is a wonderfully sweet person and I had a great time being her second.  The wedding was literally a stairway up from the beach at a beautifully custom built beach home in Long Beach.  

Teri & Robert found each other late in life and definitely at the right time.  Robert is madly in love with Teri and Teri is madly in love with Robert. They had an intimate wedding with close family and friends.  Thank you for allowing me to be there and share this day with you.

Here are few details of the ceremony:

and the reception:

And the beautiful couple:

Happy Wednesday!

Every now and again I like to do shoots that are just fun, free of pressure, and experimental.  Throw in some funky cool clothes and an alley way and we got ourselves a cool little fashion-esque shoot!

Jessica is one of the models that contact me through my casting call on Model Mayhem.  I emailed her some inspirational photos for the shoot I had in mind and she was kind enough to bring her sister, who ended up being my assistant :).  The shoot had good energy, good light, and a pretty model who was up for anything! A photographer's dream is what Jessica is! 

So with out further adieu here are the awesome shots we got! 

Happy Monday!