What a beautiful day for Valentine's Day!  Even though, I have never had one of those really cheesy romantic dinners with roses and chocolates in a heart shaped box with someone special, it doesn't take away from the fact that Valentine's Day is here to really appreciate those whom you love.  Family, friends, and those close to you.

And what is better to post than a couple that got engaged at Disney World!  We shot their engagement photos at Disneyland and what is more romantic than that :).

I hope all of you have an amazing wonderful day, whether you're single, taken, married, or whatever.

I am so lucky to have met such wonderful families over the last couple of months!  I look forward to the families that I have yet to photograph.  There is something special about having photos of your family just the way they are.  Remembering each persons personalities and characteristics.  Especially of kids who change with every year that passes.

Thank you to all of you who have let me into your families, allowed me to be your daughter's bff for the day, run around with your boys, and rub your tummies.   Your items are being delivered this week so keep an eye out for the post :).

Tiffany called me.  As we spoke about the details regarding her portrait session, I could not ignore how upbeat and positive the sound of her voice was.  As if she had just returned from Disneyland.  Through out the conversation, I smiled back and threw some excitement into my voice as well.  We hung up and that was that.

Come the day of the session and she was just how I pictured her, full of spark and excitement.  We talked and walked and as we both were getting comfortable and into the the groove, she said something that resonated with me:  I'm doing a lot of new things for myself this year.

Year after year, we grow older, time passes faster, things change, and we lose the passion for doing something new.  It could be anything, from a portrait session that makes you feel like a model, to a day rock climbing making you face your fear of heights.  I want to feel that way.  Not just for this year, but every year after this one.  That excitement of trying something new, pushing yourself farther, and learning new things about yourself.  Growing, learning, and changing.  But appreciating life and the time we've got here.

Tiffany, thank you for opening up this concept to me and reminding me, that sometimes, we must experience something new.  I'm glad that I was able to photograph your first portrait session and making it into your book of New.  You are a beautiful gal inside and out :).

As by now, I'm sure you've heard of Pinterest.  I remember going on the site about 6 months back and getting overwhelmed by all the pinning and following and commenting.  So I quickly logged out before I got lost and forgot all about it.  Until one day, I saw it popping up on the many blogs that I follow.  From design blogs to home blogs to photography blogs, it seemed like everyone was loving it.

See, I clip and save photos from the web in a folder on my desktop named "Inspiration".  The problem: never remembering the source, except for the ones that are clearly Jose Villa.   After seeing how everyone was using Pinterest to organize their inspiration, I went forth and conquered the new social platform and installed the Pin It button and started pinning.

Ohh emm gee... is Pinterest the best thing evah!  It has brought finding and clipping inspiration to a whole new level.  And the best part?  Knowing exactly where the original piece came from and being able to credit the rightful owner.  Which now a days, gets lost in the sharing and reposting.

So if you're on Pinterest, happy pinning!  And if you like my pins, follow me :).

I've got soooo much coming up soon!  At the end of December, Living Social ran a promo for family portraits and they featured me!   I have 63 new clients to photograph and have already had 6 wonderful sessions!  I've met such great families, energetic kids, and some beautiful individuals.  I couldn't be happier and can't wait to meet more of the families that purchased the deal!

In the meantime, I leave you with some sneak peeks!  Now, onto more editing, an album to design and more sessions!  

It was a perfect day.  A sunny day.  A perfect, sunny day for a wedding.  All week it had been gloomy and cold.  But not on this day.  Because this day was for Amber and Kevin.

Amber and Kevin were introduced by my previous bride, Analicia.  Being a mutual friend, she knew that they were perfect for each other.  And they truly are.   Each one compliments the other in many ways one of which is LOVE.  

Upon arriving at the Riverside Arts Museum, I knew that it was going to be a special day.  Amber and Kevin had opted for a small and intimate wedding filled with rustic and artistic details, much like their personalities.  The whole wedding was a reflection of what their life will be like as one.  

Amber & Kevin:  Thank you so much for allowing me to photograph your beautiful intimate wedding.  I cried during the dim lighted ceremony, danced along to your first dance, and happily drank some of your Mexi-Colas :).  I hope that I have made it as memorable as you two did.  I wish you much happiness!

Whew!  It has been a whirlwind and I kicked 2011 in the butt with a wedding, four portrait sessions, and a Living Social deal that ran for 6 days during the holidays.  I am more than ecstatic to start the year off with a whole new list of clients, families, weddings, and tons of work.

I can't believe that 2012 is here.  2011 was such a great leap for me both personally and photographically. I am truly grateful for all of my clients and the trust they give me when they have me photograph them.  Be it a wedding or family session, I am a better person because of my clients.

I look forward to many more tears at weddings, laughter at family sessions, and fierceness at portrait sessions.  Here's to giving all of these new clients a little piece of their life story in 2012.

In the meantime I edit all the wonderful sessions I've had and will have coming up, I leave you with these three that are up next on the blog roll!

2012, I have a feeling you and I will be BFFs.

Amber & Kevin's Wedding

A little fashion!

And a new approach to head shots :)

 I remember sitting below the hideous fluorecent lights at my full time receptionist job hoping that the phones would stop ringing long enough for me to drool over all the beautiful images on photographer's blogs.  Yes, I confess, I spent more time gawking at beautiful photos than taking messages.  And no matter how many full time jobs I got, or how many different desks I sat behind, I was still under hideous lights and still hoping for the phones to not ring.  And that the office had great internet connection.

Never in a million years, did I think that I would be sitting here writing about photography.  From the time I was 10 until around 12, I wanted to be a lawyer.  I was certain that my life would be full of black suits, briefcases, and a corner office in a big city somewhere.  I'm sure being a lawyer is just like it is in the movies, I am glad that my life was given a different path.  

I spent a lot of time afraid of what would happen if I jumped head first into something that I couldn't deliver.  I also spent a lot of time writing out goals to which I knew I would never cross off because I was too afraid to do them.  Then one day, earlier this year, I woke up and finally asked myself, "Self, what the hell are you afraid of?"  

2011 was a turning point for me.  The year when goals shifted in a new direction.  And were finally getting crossed off, one by one.  Many of them will be on next year's goals list, some will never see the light of day again, and others will never get crossed off.  But you can be certain that tonight, I will be sitting my bed, with my large sketch book and favorite pen in hand, writing them out.  Ready for what ever 2012 will bring.

I just hope that 2012 will be ready for me, because I'm bringing it.

Happy New Year.

As I close out my fourth year of blogging, yes, this little blog completed four years in October, I look back at how far I have come.  At how far my friends have come.  At how far my family has come.  And how everyone in my life has grown, changed, learned, failed, and kept moving forward.  Through the highs and lows that life often slaps us in the face with, we're still here.  Breathing and very much alive.  Through money troubles, houses lost, and days of darkness.  Through new beginnings, blessings in disguises, and new baby cousins.  It's been a whirlwind of a year.  And I am happy to say that I wouldn't have it any other way.

This year, I decided to make photography my official occupation.  It was a bold step towards a dream that had been getting bigger and bigger each day that passed.  Kind of like a balloon ready to burst.  But one of those really big ridiculous Disneyland type of balloons.  And finally, it bursted and let out all of it's confetti making my life colorful, joyous, and at times difficult.  Confetti is a pain to get out of your hair!  Metaphor (or is it an analogy?) aside, I made the leap.  Like many greats before me.  And, now there's no looking back.  

As I enter my fifth year, I hope to make many more leaps.  Take more risks.  Dream even bigger, and run wild.  After all, you don't get anywhere by sitting still :).  

Here's to eating homemade cookies, sipping champaign and making resolutions.  

Merry Christmas and May you all have a glorious and fruitful New Year.  From me, to you.

It's a matter of he said she said.  The all time classic story of lives intertwined by fate and each side, telling an entirely different yet similar story.  

He says she was checking him out.  She agrees but argues that she was noticing him noticing her.  He says that she was with a friend, so naturally he didn't want to over step any boundaries.  You know, just in case the friend was her boyfriend.  Once she made it certain that the friend was indeed only a friend,  he says he began to talk to her.  

He said.  She said.  However, no matter the minor difference in details of how it all when down, they will both be saying "I Do" in August.  

Deanna & Edgar:  I had the most fun getting to know the both of you and your wonderful fun story.  I am honored that you have chosen me to photograph your wedding next August!  ♥ Jackie

Location: Wedgewood Wedding & Banquet Center, Corona

Oh hello gorgeous!  Deanna, you are going to one beautiful bride!

Had to get one of the bling!  Edgar: good job :)

Happy Tuesday!