I have no problem admitting it.  When the lights go down low and I've got my nacho cheese in one hand and popcorn in the other I know I'm going to cry.  At the first sign of love, be it in the beginning, middle, or end, I know I'm going to cry.  I know that and I come prepared with tissue or rather napkins from the concession stand. 

I'm a hopeless romantic.  Like Notebook romantic.  No, like Moulin Rouge romantic.  Well, like all-the-chick-flicks-ever-combined romantic.  And I cry.  I cry because two people are in love and it's just so damn beautiful.  I also cry when love is lost or never found.  Because love is so. damn. beautiful.

Which brings me to my point.  When I first began this journey in photography I let my inexperience get the better of me.  I let it keep me from love.  From photographing the wonderful romantic world of white dress, bouquets, bowties, and YMCA-ing on the dance floor. 

Now that I have shot my own weddings and have second shot as well, I have realized that photographing weddings is my first row seat at love, romance and tear filled vows.  Did I mention the tears are mine?

And everytime I get to be apart of such a wonderful romantic tear filled day, I get warm and fuzzy inside. 

Because on these days,

Love is found.

Happy Thursday :)



If you would like Jackie to photograph  your wedding please email her at info@jackielamasphotography.com or give her a call at 951.732.7039.

With Christmas around the corner, I figured it doesn't hurt to post my wishlist on my blog for everyone to see, right? Who knows, maybe Santa reads my blog and is a fan.  Santa: if you need my address, just send me message although I'm sure you know exactly which window to come in through :)

1. The Fujifilm Instanx Mini & Mini Film 

2. Love this cute camera necklace from Verabel 

3. The iPad of course!  From Apple

4. Any 600 film from The Impossible Project for my Polariod Land Camera 100

5. Annie Leibovitz at Work book.  This book is just so inspiring!

6. Jewel Wall Clock from Kirkland's

7. Love these riding boots from Frye! I'm all about riding in style and keeping my lets protected.

That's all for now! Happy Monday!

I feel as if this year has passed by me at warp speed! It was summer and the beautiful hot sun would beat down and tan my skin near the waves at the beach.  And now?  It's freezing, windy, dark before 6pm and I'm getting sick.  The sun isn't shining and people can't drive in the rain.  Oh Southern California how I love thee!

Today I'm writing this post because seriously, I feel a little overwhelmed.  Thankfully overwhelmed that is.  I have a job that I love, I am passionate about what I do, and I can't wait to begin next year.  Start fresh and bring along all the good, the bad, and the down right learned mistakes I've endured this past year.

And although there are still 30 more days left, I'm going to make the most of them.  Especially the last day. This year has been a big year for me.  I was able to cross some things off of my goals list as well as my bucket lists.  I like lists.  I still have one major goal to cross off before the year is through and will be revealed in the new year.

As my family knows, I totally suck at keeping surprises hidden and so I have a little sneak peek!  This will be added to my main goal by the end of the year and I can't wait until it all comes together :)

Happy December!

Taken by my awesome photographer friend Sal Olivas!

Today is a day when we look around and be grateful for all that surrounds us.  I look around my surroundings and I am ever grateful of two people: My parents.  I am where I am because of their love and appreciation for all that they hoped I would accomplish.  Of the future I had before me.  And it was them that I say Thanks to because with out their giving I would definitely not be where I am today.

So today, when I sit down at a big table full of delicious food I will feel grateful.  Grateful for the chance to even have a Thanksgiving dinner today.  Thankful for existing and being able to walk the path of my life.  Thankful for finding God and knowing that I am truly blessed.

I ask you today, to really look around and be grateful for everything and everyone that surrounds you. Even if they may not be your family.  Even if they are mere acquaintances.  Let this be the day you say "Thanks" for all that you have, even if it may be a lot or very little.  And if you have some to spare, share the wealth of your thanks to strangers around.  You never know how much a simple "Thank you" and a smile will make someone's day.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Another wonderful film post.  A little late since some were taken at the pumpkin patch but with Thanksgiving around the corner I'm going to say it was for Thanksgiving :)

Happy Monday!  And remember, do life and remember to cherish the moments that make you smile. 

Sometimes, life gets busy.  Complicated.  Out of control with to-dos, life.  And the life in life gets a little lost.  Trust me, I've been there.  Frustrated, busy, overwhelmed, and down right unmotivated to do anything on the to-do list and in a bad mood.

But then I get the urge to get up and drive.  Get up and go someplace that gives me back my life.  And then, just like that,  I'm back baby!

So, every now and then take the time to get your life back.  Take a day and regain that spunk that makes you you.  Go to that place that gives you your life back and remember that all of those frustrations and to-dos will just have to wait until you are back and ready to tackle them down.  And they won't know what hit 'em!

Sometimes, life just needs a little wind in its hair.  Happy Wednesday everyone!

Last Monday I saw Matthew Seville (hi Matthew!) post up on Facebook that he was going to go to a photog meet up sponsored by Teradek.  I went to the registration page and saw it was free and well, I like free meet ups :).

So I made the long haul down to Newport and thought it'd be cool to shoot something out of my element: sports.  Skaters are hard to photograph!  And with flash, since I am flash illiterate.  But I got some cool shots that I think are cool.  With flash and with out.

Here are a few.  And the video by Robert of HD Pro Films whom I met (hi Robert!) at the meet up and put me in the video.  (Go to 1:19 if you wanna see my face! haha)

Happy Sunday!

The Bui Brothers were there too and set up this background by the bowl.  Here is one I got :)

This one below is my favorite of the night at 3200 ISO.

Teradek Volcom Skatepark Meet-Up from HDProFilms on Vimeo.

Hey Dad!

Remember that time when I was like 5 years old, maybe younger, when you drove your Toyota pick-up all the way to Chihuahua to visit grandma and grandpa for Christmas? We stuffed the truck with gifts and rotated in the cabin to keep you awake because you were the only one who could drive stick shift.  I remember all of the adventure stories of your youth, and how they have so resonated with who I am today.

Tales of how you jumped on trains, walked deserts, and even saved a mans life.  My mother showed us heart and you showed us adventure.  You opened the world to us.  We camped before there were any air mattresses and hiked up to the cross at Mt. Rubidoux and ate sandwiches at the top.  Remember?

We even had dates.  Riding on the motorcycle to LA or taking each of us to a Love Ride on your Harley.  Now we ride side by side as father and daughters and riding buddies.  You and my sister are my favorite riding buddies.

But aside from all of that, you showed us much more.  You taught me how to speak Spanish, even though I was embarrassed by my American accent.  It was you who taught the importance of respect, manners, and how to be proper people.  You would accompany us on the long bus ride all the way to Mexico so that we would know our grandparents, know our family, and know our roots.  You taught us the value of things.  The value of want versus need and we were never left with out.

You taught us the value of hard work and how it always pays off in the end.  And although growing up I didn't understand the value of yard work, hammering nails, and drawing blueprints... I do now.  Discipline and honor.  You taught us that.

And remember when we were riding once and I leaned over to ask you if you would ever consider sky diving? You said you had never actually considered doing it.  Then, on my 20th birthday we went and jumped out of a plane.  I wouldn't have wanted anyone else right by my side.  At 13,000 feet.

Dad, out of everything you have taught us, you have taught us love.  You love us.  And you showed us that there is a world so big and full of adventure and to never be afraid.  To go boldly and honorably.  You showed us that mistakes are part of the learning process.  You never failed to teach us new things and teach us that we should strive for better.

So, on your birthday, I want you to know that I am proud to have you as my father.  Proud to say that you have enlightened my life more than I can imagine.  And you that you loved me.  That you were the kind of dad that would bring home little knick nacks and pan dulce after a long day.   The dad that always kissed us good bye in the morning even though we were still asleep.  The dad that made us laugh and was always up for a good tickle fight.  You were the dad that would watch cartoons with me and laugh.  The dad that taught us how to not be afraid of the world.

You are my dad.  And I am lucky to have you and mom in my life.  I love you. And dad, you're the coolest dad ever!

Chancla

I get it from my mama.  She looks at something, could be anything, and doesn't see it for what it is but what it can be.  Very talented at transforming ugly and ordinary things into magnificent and beautiful decor.  She sews, paints, distresses, sands, and is pretty handy with the screw gun.

Well, the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree.  I've had bare walls in my bedroom for about 5 years.  Kinda boring and only because I tend to get tired of things pretty quickly or want to change things.  I like change. Anyway, we were at Office Max and strolling through the clearance shelves I found a cool tree peel & stick thingy and I automatically knew what I wanted to do with it.

Then I bought some canvases at Aaron Brothers and some spray paint and viola!

Hope this makes Monday a little less of a Monday :)

I absolutely love Borders and Barnes & Noble and every other book store around.  I love to stroll through the isles and find the art section, the photography section, and of course, the magazine section.  I thumb through the usuals: Real Simple, Vogue, W, and Vanity Fair.

As I sipped my small latte with extra foam and two Equals, I looked through

Vanity Fair

more closely.  Lindsay Lohan was on the cover and given her current situation with her addiction and recovery I was intrigued in the story.  And the photos as well.

She look amazing! The photographer, Norman Jean Roy did an amazing job.  He explains that he "...drew reference from Grace Kelly, channeling Old Hollywood to make her more like a classic actress."  And both Lindsay and Norman brought it and the photos are just absolutely amazing...and inspiring.

It was one of those moments when I said to myself, "Man! I wish those were my photos."  Now that's when you know I had to post the photos here on the blog and share them with the world.

Forget what Lindsay is going through, whether you like her or not; although I wish her the best.  Just look and think of the lighting, the drama, the wardrobe, angles, composition, etc.  I could go on and on.

All I hope is that these images inspire you on such a lovely Sunday.

Photo montage? Yes please!

She looks so beautiful in this one below!  Gotta love the lighting and how she's posed and balanced with the flag blowing.

Happy Sunday :)