This session was so fun!  There is something so fun about brothers.  Especially when they like to have fun!  We spent the first half taking the traditional shots, the smiley ones.  The ones the boys do not like.  And then, I gave them the green light to get dirty and that's when the fun started! They tackled each other and rolled around on the grass.

When I came home, I was greeted by this comment from their mom Diana:

"My boys (ages 10, 9 and 8) had a wonderful time - and they usually HATE getting their pictures taken! On the way home, they said, "Can we do that again tomorrow?". How great is that?!"

Doesn't this one look like something out of The Outsiders??  I love the seriousness in their faces.

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

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'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!

Senior session have to be one of my favorite kind of sessions.  Being ready to leave all the childish things behind and move on to bigger steps, larger buildings, and a whole new life.  When I graduated high school, I stayed home for a couple of years before moving out, I commuted and made little connections with Cal State.  However, those little connections have grown into life changing ones.

From meeting the girls that would be my best friends for life to the invaluable experiences of having to grow up and learning just how the real world really is.  All of it while studying before exams, working a full time job, and learning that sometimes, the 91 freeway hates everyone.  If you live in Riverside, then you know what I'm talking about.  

Wide eyed and ready for the newness of what was to come.  Ready to throw my cap in the air and leave it where it fell.  What I didn't realize was that being a senior is a pivotal moment in one's life.  A right of passage that shouldn't be over looked and left so quickly.  Instead, it should

preserved

.  Because as it stands, it's the last time you get to feel like a senior.  And the first time you take that step towards the unknown.   

This should be a time to preserve you, just as you are, right now.  

I pulled out of the parking spot, smiling, happy, and with the energy of a 2 year who just got chocolate and soda wasted.  Jumping around singing along to what ever cd has been in my car for the last few months.  When I got home, I began to tell my mom about the session I just had, talking a mile minute and gasping for air in between sentences.  Tripping over my words and making absolutely no sense.  An hour later, I crashed and found my equilibrium once again.  

Then it hit me, this happens to me every time I get home from a session where kids are present.  By kids, I mean those under 11 years of age.  

Most recently, this happened when I met with the Baeza Family at the UCR Botanical Gardens for their session.  This was probably my most memorable family session to date.  Their 4 year old son would not look at my camera.  He'd talk to me but when the camera went up to my face, he'd look away, shut down.  Or, run away from me.  I was at a loss, trying to think of what to do, which technique to use.  

I know God was listening because in that precise moment, he began talking about Diego and Dora the explorer.  He looked up at me with bright eyes, and said, "You can be Dora and I will be Diego."  From that moment on, I had him.  

It takes a lot of energy to photograph children.  You have to be willing to jump around and act a fool.  Sing along and clap your hands.  Spin around and chase.  Make believe and be the kids best friend.  And when a kid tells you to be Dora, you damn well better be Dora.  Otherwise, you might miss the real expressions that make their personality so unique.  

Hasta luego amigos!

Jackie

**In all fairness, I do kind of look like Dora, lol. 

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

On December 22, Living Social ran a promotion for a family portrait session with yours truly.  Last friday, the promotion ended and I am so thankful to those families that I had the honor of photographing.  

I am also sad that it is over.

In the past six months, I have photographed lots of cute babies, adorable kiddos, and great parents and some grandparents.  It has been full of playing peek-a-boo, dancing, and tickling mommies.  But most importantly, it's been about creating photos that will add to the story of these families' lives.  They will be able to show these to family and friends and share them through future generations.  Real, professional, and genuine photographs.  

Not only was I able to give to these families something irreplaceable, they have also given me an unforgettable experience.  I have learned so much as well!  As a photographer, I am always learning and expanding.  I have learned much about finding different and new poses for families.  That the candid is also just as important as the posed.  And that each family is unique and special.

At the bittersweet end of this experience, I have walked away with a new family.  Many new families.  Each and every one of you have taken me in and made me feel such a part of your family.  I have never felt so humbled and honored to be a part of so many wonderful families.  Some of you invited me into your home to photograph you and others trusted me with bug-filled fields.  Thank you doesn't even amount to what I feel.  

Each of you hold such a special place in my heart and I look forward to photographing your beautiful and wonderful families again! 

With love,

Jackie

Here is a quick sneak peek of baby L!  She was so quiet and calm.  We'd feed her and she'd fall right back asleep.  We kept it warm and comfy for her while she modeled for us :).  She has some awesome parents too.

More coming soon!  

First of all, I want to thank these beautiful people for putting up with crazy flying bugs that attacked us the whole session.  Borderline, gross.  I had no idea that it would be that bad.  And they toughed it out light champs!  Despite all the bugs, we had such a great time with such gorgeous light!

Thanks Stacy + family for toughing it out.  We got some amazing photos and I can't wait to show you the rest!!!

With ♥, 

Jackie

Happy Thursday!