This family holds a really special place in my heart.  Ruth and I were class mates in high school.  We were in marching band together.  After high school, we parted ways as life has a tendency to do.  We reconnected on Facebook, which is such a wonderful tool for doing just that.  She contacted me for her wedding and confided in me even though I was just starting out.  You see, I had a lot of experience second shooting and assisting.  I had one wedding before Ruth + Mark's, but still kinda green.  It was such a special day, intimate with only her closest family and friends.  It was a perfect day.

So when she told me that she and Mark wanted family photos and if I would be visiting soon so we could set it up, if not, to refer other photographers to her.  I gasped and said, "There is no way another photog is taking photos of this family, they're mine!"  Luckily, she felt the same way :).  I have the best clients!

We set it up during my visit at the Getty Museum.  Such a great place to run, laugh, play, and have a good time!  

Thank you Ruth, Mark, and little Markie for playing with me and catching up!  I wish you guys many, but oh so many, years of never ending happiness!  Love you guys!

This family is so dear to me.  I photographed Ruth + Mark's wedding three years ago!  Markie is their super handsome boy who has grown up since the last time I've seen him!  We had such a fun time playing around and catching up!  

More to come for sure!  Ruth, I'm almost finished editing the rest ;).

The thing about teaching, is that you end up on the same schedule as the students.  Holidays apply to you.  I've been working on my own for about the last two years and well, I could take a holiday if I wasn't feeling well or when I didn't find the creative juices flowing I would go somewhere to get them started up again.  So when they give you 7 days vacation, you take it.

I took it and went home to visit my parents.  They may not want me saying this but it bears some weight to my story as a person and it has a happy ending so I suppose it's not so bad ;).  My parents divorced 10 years ago.  I was a high school senior and I felt my world collapse around me in tiny pieces.  The kind that you can never put back together, or so I thought.  After all of these years, in 2012, they decided to give it another go.  I was very reluctant and honestly really angry.  After some time, and seeing the changes in them for the better, and seeing them together (although it was awkward and different), I am very happy that they've reconciled.  Being in a different place has made me appreciate that now I can enjoy them together, at the same time as well as individually.  Which is something I had not had in a long time.  

You know, God works in mysterious ways and sometimes our faith is questioned by things that are in His control.  We don't know the why's and don't see the answers until years later.  All we have to do is just trust that everything will work out the way they're supposed to.

So I went to see them and see a lot of other familiar faces.  Six days were not nearly enough and I didn't see some people that I wished I had.  But do not fret, I will be back to visit soon!  

Here are some photos from the trip.  My dad came to the border in Texas to pick me up and we drove together a whole 12 hours.  Had long conversations and even stopped along the way to drink a cup of coffees and listen to a live salsa band.  Other days were filled with time with my mama at the Getty and in Santa Monica for some lunch.  And my nights were filled with catching up with friends and even snuck in a beach day.  Let's also not forget some riding.  

It was a perfect 6 days.  Summer will be even better :).

There are definitely more photos of the other days, which I'll get around to posting... probably on facebook :).

My dad said something to me a while ago during one of our long distance phone calls and it went something like "... You are proof that life can change completely..." Hearing his voice on the other line and knowing that he was 1000 miles away, the declaration stung a little. It was bittersweet and very true. Life can change from one moment to the next. Never knowing exactly how things will play out. And although I was worried about a plethora of things, I followed my heart and kept my faith that the big man upstairs would lead me on the right path. There are times when I feel that I'm living a dream. That tomorrow this could all end when the sun rises and i will find myself back in my north facing bedroom. It hasn't happened yet. I find myself sleeping a little longer, a little better. Finding my way through the city while I drive. And enjoying the sights. Enjoying life. Here, life slows down. People aren't in a rush and take the time to eat with their families. Where Sundays are mean as a day to rest and talk about Saturday night. It still feels like a dream, and I am happy that it is real. God is truly amazing. My faith over the last few years has grown to something incredible that I cannot believe I have lived without for most of my life. Everything has fallen into place seamlessly and I am pretty darn sure that it was all in His plan. Every thing just feels right about being here. And slowly I am finding my place among the crowd.

When I arrived in January, I hoped to be able to procure a stand at the bridal show here. To my disappointment, it was already full. Nevertheless, I passed my information to the organizer in hopes that someone would back out. After a couple of weeks I received a call and was offered a booth! I didn't hesitate and quickly sealed the deal. Only God can make stuff like that happen.

This past week we set out to get everything done, the prints, frames, the booth, painting, putting together, and setting it up for the weekend. My family here has been indispensable and I thank them so much for their help and support. As well as my mom and dad without whom I couldn't have done the expo at all. And let me not forget my wonder bf who helped me with every step, keeping me on track and organized, and made sure that people stopped by our booth. We were able to welcome a few new couples to our wedding family for this year and that makes me feel extremely blessed.

If there were ever a word more appropriate at this point in my life it would be blessed. I am truly blessed and humbled by so much that is happening. The love that I feel from everyone close to me. It has been a wild ride, a life changing one and big G never ceases to amaze. I thank Him each and every day.

And I'm more and more exciting for what is to come!

Here is our booth from the expo :)

Our flush mount albums

my uncle constructed the booth because what we were offered were flimsy plastic with aluminum poles that were just hideous   and you couldn't hang anything or stick anything to it.  very cumbersome.  so we built and painted this one better and we were able to hang frames.  soooo much better!

 
Some behind the scenes setting up...

ready for all the people!

Deanna + Edgar waited.  They waited to have the wedding they dreamed of.  Of Deanna in her white dress and Edgar in a tux.  And for their son Adrian to be old enough to watch  his parents give themselves to each other.  In front of family and friends.

Deanna wanted everything to be perfect.  She made sure every detail was like it was in her dreams.  And she had her dream wedding.  She married the man who stole her heart. That is something to definitely celebrate!

It was such a beautiful day in September at such a beautiful venue.  Everything about it made their day lovely, calm, and memorable.  She was nervous to see him and he was ready to see her.  During their first look they laughed and shared quiet kisses.  It was a perfect day, in every way.

Thank you Deanna + Edgar for allowing me to be there on your special day.  It was so incredible to see you promise forever and to be there to make your special day last a lifetime.  You have no idea how much I feel honored to have been there.  Thank you so much!

With Love + Happy Valentines Day!

Jackie 

______________

First Looks just make me smile!  Doesn't take away from the bride walking down the aisle at all.  Just look at that grin!

And I leave you with their first dance.

I don't believe that there is anything more important than the photography on your wedding day.  With one exception:  Albums.  An album, coupled with the photos from your wedding photographer has to be the most important product you invest in.  Please, please, please invest in an album.

I can't stress how beautiful these flush mount albums are.  How after seeing the album, holding it in their hands, and smiling over the photos, my clients relive their wonderful day.  Their beautiful day.  The day when they promised to love and cherish each other.   

It is the one product that begins the legacy of your new family.  Read that sentence over again.  It is the one product that begins the legacy of your new family.  It is your first album as husband and wife.  The first album you will share with your families, friends, and people you will meet along your journey.  It is the one you will show to your children.  And your children's children.  

It is the perfect addition to your new legacy as a family.  It is what tells your love story the way you remember it.  Over and over again.  Like you're favorite movie.  It never gets old.  And it always gets better over time.  

These are the albums I offer my clients.  Leather cover, thick pages, and a flush mount design with photos that go across both pages.  Timeless and clean.  

This post is long over due.  Moving took a toll on me for the last four months and finally, I am finding some stability.  I was going back and forth between Mexico and California and California and Mexico.  A lot happened in a little bit of time and now I can get around to posting that which deserves to be posted.  

Laura and Eddie were referred to me by another client of mine (thanks

Anastasia

!) and during our first two hour long conversation, we knew that it was a match made in bride-photographer heaven.  She was sweet and excited.  He was quiet yet inquisitive.  I wanted them to hire me so badly.  I wanted to be a part of their special day.   Laura opened up her wedding binder to show me all that she had so far.  She put my collection pricing in one of the pockets as we sipped on a coffee.  

On the day of her wedding she radiated with happiness.  Couldn't wait to see her man during the First Look.  Trying to find some alone time while getting ready.  Eddie was ready to marry this beautiful gal that meant so much to him.  His quiet disposition rapidly opened up when he saw her.  It was a sweet sight of two beautiful people enjoying a quiet moment before they became one.  

I cried... After getting to know a couple for months and months, meeting after meeting, coffees, and dress previews, you feel so honored to be a part of something so special.  Something that unfolds right before your eyes and it is your job to make sure you photograph justly.  I only hope that I did that for Laura + Eddie.  

It was truly, truly an honor to get to know you two!  I wish you only the best because both of you are a match made in heaven.  And when I go visit, we're definitely grabbing some coffee and catching up! 

With love!

Jackie 

P.S. Thank you to Veronica for being my awesome assistant and driving down 2 hours to help! :)

_______

It all started at Dapper Jay's in San Diego.  A little shave and hair cut and some beer to get the day started for the boys.

Oh Laura... rawr!

Hello Eddie!

Why I love the First Look:

Today, we went exploring.  Walking and taking photographs.  And I quickly remembered that my abuelita, when we'd visit for the summer, would take us to the centro and buy us sodas in plastic bags.  So today, we had one.  And my heart was full of happiness.

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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I met with Linh + Manny over a year ago.  At a little boba cafe tucked in a corner of Riverside.  I knew of Linh from high school.  I also knew Lihn's cousin,

Thi

, who I photographed when I was first starting.  Thi referred me and Lihn and I understood each other.  Our no bs, honest, and upfront styles meshed well and we hit it off.  Manny was quiet but knew exactly what he wanted.  As a graphic designer, he definitely knew what he wanted and that was a God-send because I like a couple that knows what they want from me and can articulate it well!  Makes my job more interesting to create what they want and still hold onto my style of doing things.  It's a great mixture!

I will stop here because I intend on blogging more of this wedding with it's beautiful details, wonderful couple, fun bridal party, and an awesome party!  So stay tuned...