I'm so grateful for this year! More than most because it has been full of lots of amazing-ness.  So to go out with a bang this 2015, I will be away from my desk from

December 13, 2015 until January 7, 2016.  

So if you send me an email during that time, I might get back to you a little later than usual.

I would love for you to follow along with all of the holiday merriment on Instagram!  We will be having both sides of the family here and there will be lots of happiness, laughter, food, and all that good stuff!  

Have an amazing holiday where ever you are and see you in 2016!

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I have seriously been so grateful for all of the work that I have been honored to have.  No, for real.  I can't believe that all of my clients are so beautiful inside and out and have allowed me a glimpse into their world as a family, as a couple, as a person.  More than anything, I am grateful that I was able to go to Chihuahua and to California to visit those that I haven't seen in more than 6 months.  

You know, it's weird sometimes because I forget that I live in an entirely new place.  Sometimes, the streets are familiar to me and I completely lose the notion that I am not from here... Could be that Tepic is just a friendly place and so it makes me feel like I've found my home.  My husband and I talked about this a while ago and all the places we've lived and how Nayarit just feels right. 

We feel like it's just right for us.  Perfect weather, great people, cheap drinks (haha), and lots of things to see and do.  I don't think I've found a downside yet... maybe the rain? It rains almost every day here.  Since July, we have probably seen 3 weeks without rain.  But I can't really say that's a downside, the rain is refreshing and since it's never really cold, it's perfect.

Everyone should move here haha! I know I sound like an advertisement, yet I suppose that when you truly fit in somewhere, you feel that way about the place.  If I could sum up this place with one word, I believe the only word that would do it justice would be Ambition.  I feel like Nayarit is full of ambition that overflows this small state.  

A little update on what/where I have been this past few months:

• Got to see family in Chihuahua
• Photographed an intimate and beautiful wedding while in Chihuahua
• Photographed a very important engagement session :).
• Took a bus ride to California
• Went on a camping moto-ride with my sister to Joshua Tree and made new friends!
• Celebrated my mom's birthday
• Got to photograph 9 beautiful families! Yay!
• Flew back to Nayarit to be with my hubby and pup (whoo hoo!)
• Flew out to Cancun to photograph another beautiful wedding (coming soon!)

I felt like I was on a world tour, haha.  I am super grateful for all that God has allowed me to do for my clients and for those who are dear to me.  There is nothing more gratifying than that! 

No black friday shopping for me, thank goodness! However, I will be working on a wonderful wedding and a few other things today and sip on some good coffee all while listening to the rain outside, pup at my side.

Happy Thanksgiving/Holidays!

Where do I begin?

The whole day before and the day of the conference was the worst.  I felt nervous, frustrated, not sure what I would say.  At one point I found myself staring at a blank screen for two hours with "Hi, I'm Jackie."  But I suppose it could have been worse, at least I had three words ha ha.

A friend had invited me to be a part of Festival.Com which was a festival created and organized by the students of the communications college at the UAN (the state university.)  The goal of the festival was to create workshops, masterclasses, conferences, and various media competitions for students.  Being that I majored in Communications, and when I was a student, there was so much to learn from people who were actually living the dream.  Real people doing great things in the media.  Journalists, photographers, cinematographers, social media mavens, and public relations specialists.  So I jumped on board and offered to give a conference.  

It was the worst best experience in my life so far.  

Let me explain, it was the worst because I was so nervous because I had never done anything like this before.  I am not a public speaker and I really don't like having everyone's eyeballs on me.  Ever.  I like to be the fly on the wall that no one notices and gets to observe everything.  The whole time I was unaware of what was coming out of my mouth and I felt that I had said the same thing over and over and over.  

It was also the best experience because I think it was amazing that I was able to share what I am most passionate about with others who are also passionate about photography.  Perhaps they don't do the same type of photography that I do, or maybe they're barely getting into the medium; either way, it was great to be able to share my experiences with them.  The Q&A portion was my favorite part.  Mostly because I was able to answer questions that they really wanted to know.  

Would I ever do it again? Hell yes. 

Even though I know I will be nervous and my voice will tremble.  Even though I will be stressed out and frustrated and stare at a blank screen for two hours (or six).  But if I can teach someone one thing they didn't know before, or inspired at least one person, then I have contributed to our industry and photography as a whole.  Because in the end, that's what its all about anyway.  Sharing, growing, and becoming a community of passionate artists.  And that makes it totally worth it.

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Life has been pretty amazing since we've arrived.  The long 15 hour drive was over as quickly as it had began - mostly I believe because we had hope in our eyes and confidence that we were living our dream.   It was close to nine o'clock when we ascended the jungle filled winding road when a light drizzle of rain began to fall.  We rolled the windows down and allowed the new air to flow through our hair.  Seeing lightening bugs, we caught a glimpse of the sign that read "20KM Tepic"  and our hearts fluttered.  We had stopped listening to music at this point and felt the wear of the 15 hours begin to veil over us.  We were almost there.  

The next day we began searching for the right apartment.  After seeing a few not so great, we had the energy for one last one.  One, my husband said, had a balcony.  He loves balconies. As soon as we walked in, we felt that our hopes and dreams had found a home.  A home with not one, but two balconies.  And so we started to settle in.  

And we're still settling in.  We brought all of what we could in our car and so we are slowly furnishing and decorating as we go.  I'm in no rush.  I know that it will eventually be a place that represents who we are now.  In this place.  At this time.

What I love most about this city is the way it feels bigger than it is. As if proving that it can give more to it's people.  I love that vibe of ambition.  I love that we can go swim in a natural crater lake lined with trees or go to the beach with it's warm waters.  I love the luscious green jungles that make up the parks and line the streets.  We have much to see and do still and we're eager to do it all!

We've also adopted a pup and it's been such a great addition to our little family.  I like to have family hugs and it makes all of us warm inside.  If you have a pet then you know what I'm talking about.  If you don't well, don't think I'm a crazy lady, ok? 

Let's just say that I don't want the adventures to stop and I think that I have finally found a place I can call home.  

Have an amazing Sunday!

Sasha the rescue pup

Santa Maria Del Oro Laguna

a natural crater lake in Nayarit.

Rincon de Guayabitos

beach in the Riviera Nayarit

Old Textile Ruins

this factory once was a textile mill and now, only it's ruins tell the stories of the past.

Indigenous Roots

It's easy to find authentic indigenous food here made with blue tortillas.  delicious!

Downtown

Downtown fountain just in front of the cathedral.

Rain

one minute it can be sunny and the next rainy and cloudy.

Fog

Fog looking out of one balcony.  

Sasha the rescue pup

Santa Maria del Oro

Crater lake

I was going to write this whole "Thirty things that I've learned in thirty years" but to be honest, I'm still learning the ropes of being a live and doing good.  I can neither confirm or deny that I've actually learned anything... so rather than making it all boring and long i'm just going for the YAY in BIRTHYAY!!

I turn 30 today and that is awesome.  Just for the simple fact that I'm alive and breathing and healthy! I'm going to indulge in a good ol' cheeseburger, some Netflix marathon-ness, and hugging my Husband and the pup.  I may or may not have a beer to top it all off.  Here's to another kick ass year!!! 

Whoo!!! 

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Since arriving, we have been busy trying to get the apartment in order and painted.  Man, painting is a lot of work!  Mostly though, we have been busy exploring!  Cue in the whole "Adventure is out there!" scene from UP.  There is sooo much to see here and so many beautiful beaches.  However, we didn't want to drive the hour+ to the beach and we were told of a laguna here named Santa Maria del Oro.

Legend has it, that the towns princess fell in love with the son of her father's greatest enemy.  Very much the Romeo and Juliet story with a twist.  Rather than the young love struck couple killing themselves for love, they were punished by both their fathers.  The tears that they shed in captivity are the same tears that filled up the laguna.  So they say... (True story is that it was a crater that hit the area and with time, rain water began to fill the laguna.  But I like the other version much more!)

The lake is about a 35 minute drive down the highway through luscious trees and lots of fields filled with agave, sugar cane, and corn.  Everything is just so green here, tropical, jungle.  Armed with our bathing suits we went.  Man, I've never seen such a beautiful lake before.  Not even Big Bear comes close to how beautiful this lake is.  Hardly anyone there and a few boats passing by but other than that, it was like finding a lake in the middle of a jungle.  

The photos were taken on my trusty Canon Powershot A495.  I bought this camera eons ago and it has always chucked on.  It doesn't have the settings that my big camera does but to be honest, I'm out having a good time with the possibility that the camera might get wet or damaged... so I'd rather it be this little camera than the bigger one.  

Anyway! Check out the lake... What do you think? 

Happy Monday!

Last week, I posted this on my instagram: 

Normally I would post something like this on my blog but given the circumstances I am going to use instagram to post. Back in February my husband and I decided to move closer to the ocean. We felt that the places we had backpacked through in December provided us with a vibe like no other. A place with people who think and are more like we are. A place where we imagined raising a family one day. A place where we could grow as individuals and as a couple. So we began taking the necessary steps to make this dream come true. A dream so big that we are astounded at our resourcefulness and determination to make it happen against all odds. We set a date as to when we'd leave and on July 15th we made it happen. Packed up our things into our car and drove the 15 hours to Tepic, Nayarit. We are in awe of this place and it's only been a couple of days. It was the most beautiful road trip with its green hills and excellent weather. And with the ocean an hour away, the adventures are going to be endless. This is the beginning of a new journey. A new HIStory. I can't even begin to explain how big a part God has been in this new beginning. I will leave that for my blog as this is becoming a novel. Stay tuned for more adventures! 

I can't believe that we actually put all of our belongings in our car and drove the distance to pursue a dream together!  In the span of  3 years I have done this twice.  Once for love and now for life.  Both working in tandem and offering the best of everything. I am truly truly honored that God has worked His plan and we stayed confident that He was going to provide us with the light at the end of the tunnel.  Man oh man, He definitely exceeded our expectations and we are truly grateful.  This city has been magical.  Beautiful.  And the way that it has received us has been the best experience so far.  Smiles everywhere you go, never a dull face, and lots of happy people.  Happy people equals a happy city and a happy city therefore creates a happy life.  That's the equation I've come up with for Tepic.  

We have a lot to discover still and so many places to get to know.  So stay tuned to this blog here because it's going to get interesting!!!

xoxo,
Jackie

P.S. Anyone from or been to Tepic before? Give me the insider tips in the comments below! 

Recently, a student criticized other students on how terrible their photos were.   I couldn't believe my ears!  I understand that perhaps not everyone was meant to be a photographer, and that is understandable.  Just like not everyone has the “it” to be a lawyer, doctor, yoga instructor, or what have you.  But no one has the right to shoot you down for trying.  

And I really mean no one.  My students are more illustrators than photographers, and some are going to be fantastic photographers.  So, when I asked this kid how does he know if the photo is a good one or a bad one?  Is there a rubric? Is there only one path to good photos?  The answer is NO.  There isn’t.  You cannot tell someone a photo is bad or good just like you can't tell someone who paints that their paintings are good or bad.  

What you can do is analyze and interpret what the artist is trying to say. Does having lots of noise in the photograph contribute to the overall theme of the photo? Is there more to the photograph and therefore the negative space is actually helping to understand the concept?

It made me furious to hear that this kid, thankfully not one of my students, judge other artists so simply.  Photography is not as simple as taking a photograph and watching magic reveal before our eyes.  It takes time, training, and breaking of the rules to find a style, a voice, a theme.  

The point of photography is to be moved by the image.  Either in a positive way or in a negative.  As long as you feel something, then the artwork is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do.  There are no good or bad photographs.  There is just art. 

Let me know what you think makes a good photo in the comments below.  And if you liked this post, share it with others!

*click on the photo above to download because art shouldn't be kept to oneself.

If you've been following my blog, you know that I teach photography at both the university and high school levels.  During the semester, I try to schedule a few mock shoots so that students can observe first hand how to direct, pose, and carry on a session.  There is no right way of having a session and I make sure to tell the students that everything depends on their style.  However, I believe that having them observe how I shoot, take control, and allow myself to focus on my models/clients, they can learn a little and apply it to their own sessions.  

Enter Jorge.  Jorge is an event planner and one of the best I know here in Chihuahua.  He is incredibly detailed and his candid nature makes it easy to know what you are going to get.  Jorge was kind enough to model for us and help me to teach the university students a little about posing, studio lighting, and how to use a reflector.  Thank you Jorge!

Where does inspiration come from?  

Each photographer has their own sources of inspiration and mine is a little quirky.  I get most of my inspiration by looking at images of interior design.  Home tours are my favorite.  Depends on my mood but the inspiration ranges from my outer bohemian hippy side to my inner clean lines and white interior side.  

There is something calming about these images and interior design photography that seems to inspire me.  I believe the reason that interior photography inspires me is because there are no people in the photographs.  Just lines, color schemes, lighting, and mood.  How the elements interact organically within the photograph from one side of the room to the other.  

Looking at a different kind of photography helps me to step out of my own day to day imagery where everything is love, couples, and people.  Getting away from that helps me to reconstruct my own images from the very basic and work myself up to creating the moods.  There is something in interior design photography that just gets me.  Could be the introvert in me that likes to see these spaces void of people, void of noise, void of distractions and just look at them be.  Nothing to hide.  It is beautiful in every sense.   

Where do you get your inspiration from?

click on the image to get taken to my Pinterest page for more inspiration boards!