A different take on a maternity session.  More coming soon!

Editing this beautiful wedding from the last weekend of September.  More definitely coming soon :)

I sent the email nervously.  I didn't know how they'd react to

"I don't live in the US anymore, but, I would love to photograph your wedding!  Let's set up a FaceTime meeting..."

 I had just moved and settled in.  I was still unpacking when I replied to Brenda's email.  I didn't they would ever agree so when they did, I was so excited and got even more nervous!  I had never had a meeting over FaceTime or Skype or anything like that... And especially not from a different country.  We chatted for about two hours and it seemed like I had known them my whole life!  These two were people I could relate to.  Talk with and laugh about everything and anything!  

Months passed and we used email and iMessage as our way of communicating.  When I went home to California during Easter, I met with them to talk about their engagement session and the details of the special day.  This was the first time we had ever seen each other face to face.  We talked and laughed and got excited over all the details!  

Fast forward to their engagement session, I was back in California on vacation and we had a blast.  Brenda and I were way too excited for Marcos... but I think he had a great time!  

You can view their session here.  

Finally, their wedding day came.  I was so nervous to think that these two amazingly sweet and beautiful people trusted me with one of their most important days of their lives.  They trusted me to come from a different country and photograph their wedding... I can not even begin to describe how honored it made me feel.  It was truly an honor being there.

Brenda + Marcos:  Thank you, thank you, thank you for trusting me and giving me the absolute honor in photographing your wedding!  But more importantly, for getting the opportunity to meet you and get to know you on a much deeper level.  You two are beautiful inside and out and have a love worth admiring!  It was an incredible day with incredible love and I am truly blessed to have been a part of it.  Thank you so much!

Love,

Jackie

Second shooter:  Crystal Bruder (Thanks girl for ALL of your help!)

Assistant:  Aldo Lerma (you are invaluable!)      

Dress: Maggie Sottero-Divina      

Shoes:  Enzo Angiolini

MUA + Hair: Daniel Marrone

Hotel: Hyatt Express, Diamond Bar

Church:St. Denis Church, Diamond Bar, CA

Cake:Cucamonga Cakery Company

Florals:Floral Sensations by Robert Torres

Reception:  Indian Hills Wedgewood Banquet, Riverside, CA

Music:  Lil' Ceasar

Working on this wedding right now.  From the first meeting we had, I knew they were my kind of couple.  Such a beautiful day with lots of laughter, happiness, and loving friends and family.  Can't wait to show you the rest!

my dad playing the guitar at the beach when we were children.

my mom hand making halloween costumes and dressing up with us.  every year.

that feeling of standing at attention after an amazing field show.

first day in college.

first day out of college.

when you know you rocked a session.

sitting on the stoop watching the rain fall and talking about traveling the world.

recent trip to Rekowata, Creel

MUA + Hair:  Studio One Salon

Church:  San Antonio de Padua

Reception:  Recepciones Luxxor

Bride + Groom Portraits: Parque Acueducto

In life, you're given lots of firsts.  Lots of new and shiny.  Lots of opportunities to do something you've never done before.  Or perhaps do it differently.  Or in my case, do what I do in a new place.  And each time you discover new things.  

I discovered that weddings are different in different places.  Love, is not.  The way that Jose looked upon Karina as if she is the most beautiful creature he has ever seen is something so inspiring.  Love is the same here as it is back home as it is anywhere in the world.  And the privilege to document such a great thing as love is truly amazing!  

Karina + Jose had such a beautiful day.  Starting with Karina getting ready and a few quiet moments before the first look and emotional ceremony all the way to the reception which was so much fun!  Take a look!

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En tu vida, te encuentras con primeras.  Mucho de nuevo y iluminante.  Muchas oportunidades de hacer algo que nunca has hecho.  O quizás hacerlo de una manera diferente.  O como en mi caso, hacer lo que hago en un lugar diferente.  Y cada vez vas descubriendo cosas nuevas.

Descubrí que las bodas son diferentes en diferentes lugares. El amor, no. La forma en que José mira a Karina como si ella es la criatura más hermosa que jamás haya visto es inspirante. El amor es el mismo aquí, y de donde vengo, en cualquier parte del mundo. Y el privilegio de documentar una cosa tan grande como el amor es verdaderamente increíble! 

Karina y José tuvieron un día hermoso.  Empezando con Karina preparándose, y unos momentos de tranquilidad antes de la previa vista luego, una ceremonia emotiva, hasta la fiesta que fue super divertida!  

Everyone has a story.   

My life recently changed in a way I can't even begin to describe, I moved to another country.  For love. In a million years, I never thought I'd pack up my life into the back of my car, drive 1200 miles into another country and move for the person I love most in this life.  It has been the best decision of my life.  

And one day, when we are old and wrinkly, our wedding photos will be something to show our children and our grandchildren.  To show them the story of how we came to be as one.   Those photographs will become my story.  

I have always been a romantic which is why when you see my work, you see intimacy, you see adoration, and most importantly you see LOVE.  Which is the greatest force in the universe.  

Thanks for visiting my blog!  I like to post a mixture of things from recent work to more personal experiences in being a foreigner in a foreign country.  It has been a whirlwind of a ride and I'm excited for what is in the future!  

**I  am available for international travel.**

Call me at USA: 951.732.7039 or MEX: 614.502.02.85 or via email me hello@jackielamas.com for pricing.

Sometimes you just feel inspired to try something new with a big softbox and funky make up.  And when your model is fun and up for anything, even have wild lion hair and jumping, nothing is off limits.  Just a little shoot for fun.  

We were laying on his couch and I was showing the bf photos from Huapoca, since he wasn't able to go with me, and he grabbed my iPad eagerly and disclosed that he reads every post, every word, and looks at every photo.  He wanted to read the words that I used to describe my journey...even though sometimes I feel that I am such a bad blogger and my words fall flat.  After, seeing the post, he turned to me and told me that I was the best photographer and girlfriend in the world.  

That is us.  That is who we are together.  We sit and enjoy the simple pleasantries of the in between moments while talking and always laughing about anything and everything.  Our days, our childhoods, our thoughts and opinions about life, perhaps what we're watching on tv.  And sometimes we sit silently enjoying that we are given the chance to sit next each other breathing each other in.  Being able to love wholly.  Being able to appreciate and awe in that we have found each other through all the noise in this world. We support each other in each of our goals and are cheerleaders for one another.  It is rare to find someone you can see much of yourself in and yet, be completely different.  That is us. 

Today, we embark on year two.  And this past year has been such a great journey.  Four months of distance and then 8 months of getting to know each other on a different level and with each of us traveling and coming back to talk all about it.  It may seem like nothing to couples who have been married for years or have been together for years, but I feel utterly blessed to have found someone that sees me for me, accepts all of my flaws and annoyances, and who laughs with me until our stomachs hurt.  This year has been remarkable and I couldn't believe that I would keep falling in love with him over again each day.  

Happy one year hunny.  I love you.  And let's keep being nothing but Us.  

          

Sneak peek of this adorable wedding!