Everyone has a story.   

My life recently changed in a way I can't even begin to describe, I moved to another country.  For love. In a million years, I never thought I'd pack up my life into the back of my car, drive 1200 miles into another country and move for the person I love most in this life.  It has been the best decision of my life.  

And one day, when we are old and wrinkly, our wedding photos will be something to show our children and our grandchildren.  To show them the story of how we came to be as one.   Those photographs will become my story.  

I have always been a romantic which is why when you see my work, you see intimacy, you see adoration, and most importantly you see LOVE.  Which is the greatest force in the universe.  

Thanks for visiting my blog!  I like to post a mixture of things from recent work to more personal experiences in being a foreigner in a foreign country.  It has been a whirlwind of a ride and I'm excited for what is in the future!  

**I  am available for international travel.**

Call me at USA: 951.732.7039 or MEX: 614.502.02.85 or via email me hello@jackielamas.com for pricing.

We left at 8am.  And until Wednesday, I would be staying in a trailer in the hills of Huapoca with no phone or internet signal.  At night, only the sounds of rain, frogs and crickets would keep me company.  In the early morning, the sound of birds chirping and endless fog.  It was so beautiful.  I can't express how beautiful and how rejuvenating it was to get away.  To journal.  To photograph.  To just breath.

Not all was relaxation, I was taken by a couple of mine to photograph their engagement session.  You can't believe how incredibly honored I was, no, I am, to have their trust, their confidence, to take me 5 hours away from the city to photograph such a special time in their life.  But more on that when I show you the sneak preview of their session later this week.  For now, here is the personal post on the trip we took.  And now beautiful Huapoca is...

a few cell phone photos

In life, we are presented with opportunities.  Some we overlook and decide that it isn't the right time.  Others pass us by with out even a moments notice.  And before we know it, it's gone.  Whoosh.  Just like that.  However, sometimes we are presented with opportunities that often seem like obstacles.  A chore.  Something we have to actually put effort and energy toward to over come them.  What we don't realize, is that each one of these so-called obstacles are in fact opportunities.  They are disguised so that we do not see them in positive light.  They are mischievous and throw us curve balls every chance we get.  Yet, they are opportunities designed to teach us something new.  To help us grow and see things in a different light.  They are meant to be difficult, trying, and sometimes even break us down.  So after we over come them and accept that they've only been playing dress up this whole time, we can see how we have become better because of their little games.  We can see that they were truly in fact opportunities.  That they were some of the best ones in our lives.  Not allowing us to ignore them... not allowing them to simply pass us by.  

Love is like that.  Love can sometimes seem like an obstacle.  However, no matter what it can conjure up to throw us another curve ball, love is love.  It's big, noisy, and most often, slaps us in the face when we least expect it.  That is the kind of love that doesn't like to be passed by.  That is the kind that sticks around and makes you work for it.  No matter how far it may have beaten you down in the past, or how much you try to avoid it, some day, it will come find you.  And you will see it as the best and most beautiful opportunity you have ever been fortunate to receive.  

I have had such an amazing time here in Mexico.  Learning and growing in many different facets of my life.  Of myself.  Of my profession.  Teaching and sparking some interest in what I am so passionate about.  When clients give you the opportunity to see what their love is like it really takes my breath away. It makes me honored to be a part of their lives. 

I had such an amazing time with these two last weekend.  Part two of their session is this coming Saturday and I can't wait!  

*Updated that my then boyfriend is now my husband :)* 

I have a crooked nose.  Big hips.  Short legs.  Really skinny hands.  One eye is bigger than the other.  Both eyes are pretty big as it is.  I have a crooked tooth.  Big gums and a big mouth.  Small ears.  Jiggly upper arms.  

As a photographer, I have been in front of the camera a few times.  Very few times.  Because I know how it feels to be on the other side.  Being nervous.  Feeling insecure.  Feeling awkward.  Will the angles favor my huge child bearing hips?  Is my smile too big and show my gums?  And the list goes on.  So I know how it must feel for you.

This past week, I asked my boyfriend to take my photo.  I needed new head shots for my website, blog, and Facebook and I thought the practice would be good for him.  I had never before been excited to have someone photograph me.  And this made me think, it's not the insecurities that keep you from having a professional session, it's the photographer.  

The photographer makes all the difference.

 I am comfortable being myself in front of my boyfriend.  I'm not afraid to make silly faces or laugh really hard.  I'm not afraid that he'll make me look awkward or weird.  And the occasional, "you are beautiful" definitely helps boost the confidence, ya know!

We all have insecurities That one particular thing that is the bane of our existence.  That thing that keeps us from having our photo taken.  We fear the camera for showing us our worst.  But sometimes, the camera shows you that all of your insecurities were solely in your mind.  In your warped mind that you need to look like someone else.  That you are not enough.

You are beautiful.  You are interesting.  

Finding that photographer that you can trust to make you see the best version of you is key.  When I photograph my clients I know they're nervous.  I know that they're thinking of their insecurities.  Their flaws.  I talk and get to know them.  Before the session and during the session and usually we end up becoming friends.  After 20 minutes, those flaws fade away and what comes out is pure and honest. It's their personality.  Who they really are: beautiful inside and out.

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It's common to feel the burn out coming.  Waking up and not feeling inspired to create, to do something new.  Feeling inadequate to your peers.  As if it were high school all over again.  Feeling like you're stuck in the same spot circling the same stuck-ness.  I just made that word up.  

Then, you get the opportunity to teach.  To extend your knowledge, search through all of the files you've locked away, and teach some one something they've never known.  And you get inspired.  You see that you really do know how to use lighting.  That you have dabbed in fashion and can teach it.  Explain and see that in those bright eyed students, they are absorbing.  And just like that, you see their photos.  You see what they are creating, what inspires them.  You see that you are making a difference in their lives.  Photography may not be what my students pursue, however, if I have sparked one ounce of creativity, a pinch of curiosity in photography, then I have done my job.  

Teaching has also taught me a few things.  While we spent some time on street photography, learning about

Henri Cartier-Bresson

,

Diane Arbus

, and

Vivian Maier

, I realized that I was so busy directing and being in control of my subjects/clients that it had been a long time since I had practiced what I teach.

I grabbed my camera, headed downtown and at first, I was nervous and shy.  Nervous that I had to photograph moments that were happening in front of me.  With out taking control of the situation, the light, or the person.  I had to use what was there.  What was being given to me.  I felt the way I did when I first started out, not knowing anything except for the burning desire to be a photographer.  

I relit that fire on Tuesday.  

I don't know which I like better: the color or black and white??

2013 has proved to be something else entirely.  I find myself in a different county, albeit familiar, there are lots of things that change when you are living and not visiting.  Everything about it is different, the roads, the way people drive, the houses, language, and people. 

Everything is new.  Interesting.  Fun.  The world looks different.  This adventure is proof that you never really know where you're going to end up.  Only God knows that.  And with all that has happened over the last three months, I know that when you put your faith in Him, He will not let you down.  There are challenges, not everything is sunshine and rainbows, but as long as I believe He will guide me in the right direction, everything will fall into place.  As it has been lately.  

It is remarkable how faith can have such a powerful affect on your life and on your ideals, views, and decisions.  

Here's a list of all that's been going on lately:

• I am part of a couple of photography groups here in Chihuahua.  That makes me happy.
• I am going to be teaching a photo class to high school students three days a week.  I can cross that off my bucket list now!
• Making new friends 
• I can now get around the city with out getting super lost, just a litte lost.  
• I've lost weight eating at home.  But seriously considering eating at McD's because I miss their fries... question is, will they be as good as they are in Riverside??
• Now, I have to find out if they're good or not... haha.
• iMessage, Google Voice, and FB are life savers.  I get to talk to the people who matter the most through those avenues... every day :). 
• Preparing to showcase my photography at the Wedding Expo here.  Which is stressful and exciting at the same time!
• Excited to be photographing a wedding in Riverside this year! Which means I can visit my family and friends... and the beach

I'm excited for everything that is happening and it's only February!  You can follow more of what I've been up to on

Instagram

:).  

Happy Monday!  

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For many 2013 is only the mark of a new year.  For others it's a time to begin anew and work hard on their resolutions. 

For me, it's the start of a new life.  On Dec. 21 I packed up my life into Home Depot cardboard boxes and hopped into my car and began the 20 hour long drive to Mexico.  To my new home.  But this is not new information as my last post of 2012 clearly states that I was moving.  What I haven't revealed is that I came here for love.  I came here because the person I love lives here.  Has his career here.  And because long distance relationships are simply too hard and I couldn't do it.   Many people were confused as to why he didn't go to California, why I am the one moving and other such questions.  Other's thought I was being too rash and not thinking this all the way through.

And I considered everything every one was telling me.  I thought about it very much.  I lost sleep over it.  And I prayed very deeply about it.  When every thing fell into place on it's own, I felt in my heart that God was telling me to go.  Go and follow your heart.  Go because photography can be done from anywhere in the world.  Go because it's the best option for the two of you.  Go because this is your chance at love.  And if not for love, then what for?  

It is nerve wrecking and I still can't believe that I'm here.  That I am really here.  And I thank God for getting me here safely.  For having my parents accompany me here and spend Christmas with them.  For having family here so that I am not alone.  And for love, because it really is a magical force...  

At the beginning of every year, I write down the goals I have for JLP and for my personal growth.  This year I sat down and tried to write a new list and found myself staring at a blank page.  I realized that this year, every thing old is out the window.  Everything is new.  Starting over completely.  And it was an eye opening experience.  I have the chance to do every thing differently.  To begin from nothing again and with all of the past experience.  And for that I am really excited.

So here is to 2013, to the world not ending, and to a whole new life with new experiences.  And to all that God has in store for me.  

1// Beach day with the bffs  |  2// Camera necklace my wonderful clients gave me  |  3// Iced latte + panini in lake arrowhead  |  4// wedding site at disneyland i stumbled across one night  |  5// hanging chandelier at a wedding i assisted  |  6// Ipad + latte + journal  |  7// Lake Arrowhead on a hot day  |  8// First dance

9// Swing dancing outdoors  |  10// On vacation  |  11// thrift store finds  |  12// bouquet  |  13// thrifty's ice cream  |  14// mason jars seating cards  |  15// pier in cancun, mexico  | 16// First day of vacation by the pool in playa del carmen, mexico

I'm dreaming of blue waters, reefs, white sands, and a icy cold blended drink.  Preferably alcoholic ;).  In anticipation of this dream, prepping has been crazy!  I've worked until my eyes went cross eyed.  Made about 4 trips to the post office in the last two weeks, and managed to pack.  And I know, I'll forget something.  

However, now that it gets down to the wire, I am so EXCITED!  I will be photographing a wedding down on the beaches of Cancun.  Taking in the sites of the Mayan ruins, swimming and lots of tanning.  

Before I make you more envious, I wanted to let everyone know that I will be off line during this time.  Once I get back from my

vacation

 (work), I will answer phone calls and emails.  I will however, make time to upload to Insta.gram and hopefully update the blog with some beautiful photos!  

I will be back August 3rd.  In the mean time, I'll leave you with this cutie pie :).

Happy Summer!

This past month has been a whirlwind of sessions, family, workouts, disneyland, the beach and even a wedding as a guest.  

A couple of years after I started photography professionally, my point and shoot camera broke.  And I stopped taking photos of my daily life.  I eventually bought a point and shoot, but the photos would stay on the card for months and months before I ever got around to uploading them.  

Then some genius created Instagram and well, now I record my daily life and share it with everyone.  It's fun to create photos that are a part of the every day and make up bits and pieces of my life.  Which is exactly what photography is for.  

1. Bike riding // 2. Car's Land // 3. Dog beach with the pups // 4. Herb Ritts Notorious book I got at a flea market for a steal // 5. Me before a shoot on a gloomy morning // 6. Sunday wedding // 7. My cousin leaving on the metrolink // 8. Models helping models at May Group Shoot // 9. Group Shoot // 10. Honey on our way home from the dog park // 11. Office flowers // 

12. Palm tree 

13. Gordo waiting for me to get off the computer // 14. Fold out pages from Herb Ritts book // 15. Tostadas de camaron con crema // 16. Starbucks // 17. Typing letters to friends on my Remette // 18. Boxing work out // 19. Sweating latte // 

20. Metrolink Station, Riverside 

21. Movies // 22. Cook's Corner // 23. Sleepy Honey // 24. Jump rope work out // 25. Car's Land // 26. Antique shopping, typewriter // 27. Regal Cinemas, Riverside // 28. Map Journal

Follow me on Instagram @jackielamas