I absolutely love what I do.  It's been such a blessing being able to use it create something timeless for my clients.  It's more of a blessing when I get to do that for my own family, who are my biggest supports and probably the only ones who read my blog, hahaha.  Either way, it is something that makes my job more fun and a bit cool seeing my cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. grow older right in front of my lens.

Dina, my cousin, named after my grandmother Delfina, has always been a huge supporter of my photography.  And I've seen her kiddos grow up so quickly right before my eyes.  I love seeing them and catching up and having a session just makes it all that more special.  We also went ahead and did some photos of her daughter Jackie, for her senior portraits.  

Here is a little sneak preview ;).  

Happy Friday!

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Location: UCR Botanical Gardens, Riverside, CA

When I go visit Riverside, it's bittersweet.  I see my family and friends, catch up on all the latest happenings, and the best part is when I get to photograph clients both past and present.  It's always such a great part of my visit.  

I'm going to be sharing many more sessions from this past visit during Christmas, but I leave you with a sneak preview of Jeff.  Who needed headshots... but we went ahead and did a full on session :).  

Happy Tuesday!

____

Cuando voy a visitar Riverside, siempre me siento un poco nostálgica. Veo a mi familia y amigos, me pongo al dia con todos los chismes, y la mejor parte es cuando tengo la oportunidad de fotografiar a los clientes tanto del pasado como del presente. Es siempre una gran parte de mi visita.

Voy a estar compartiendo muchas más sesiones de esta visita pasada durante la Navidad, pero yo te dejará con una previa vista de la sesión de Jeff. Quién necesitaba fotos para su currículum... pero igual decidimos en hacer una sesión completa :)

Feliz Martes!

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These two.  Where do I even begin?  They are the type of people you only have to meet once because after, they become your instant friends.  That is exactly what happened during the chaos of Expo Boda last year.  Amidst the crowd, vendors, and noise, we sat to talk about their wedding.  Carmen won me over the minute she suggested the Namurachi canyon as the location of their engagement session and then floored me when she said she was going for the vintage feel.  It couldn't have been a more perfect match.

During the months, we were allowed to see how their love grew with every day passing, getting closer to the big day.  And it was nothing short of absolute happiness.  I remember thinking that Carmen could not have been more relaxed and just utterly excited for the whole day to begin.  There was never a moment when she wasn't smiling.  As for Alonso, you can just see how much he loves her when he looks at her, tucks her hair behind her ear, and makes sure she is always first.  It's absolutely an honor to see such a day unfold when two people love the way these do.  

It was magical.

// 

¿Por dónde empiezo ? Ellos son ese tipo de gente que sólo tienes que conocer por primera vez porque después, se convierten en tus amigos al instante. Eso es exactamente lo que sucedió durante el caos de la Expo Boda del año pasado. En medio de la multitud, los vendedores, y el ruido, nos sentamos a hablar de su boda. Carmen me conquistó el momento en que ella sugirió el cañón de Namurachi como la ubicación de su sesión de compromiso. No podría haber sido una unión más perfecta.

Durante los siguientes meses, se nos permitió ver cómo su amor creció con el paso de cada día, cada vez más cerca al gran día. Y fue nada menos que la felicidad absoluta. Recuerdo haber pensado que Carmen no podía haber sido más relajada y simplemente totalmente emocionada todo el dia. Nunca hubo un momento en que ella no estaba sonriendo. En cuanto a Alonso, que se  puede ver lo mucho que la ama cuando él la mira, cuando le mete el cabello detrás de la oreja, y se asegura de que ella siempre sea primera. Es absolutamente un honor ver como un día se desarrolla cuando dos personas se aman la forma en que Carmen y Alonso se aman.

Hotel:  Hotel Soberano Chihuahua

Make up & Hair: Barakato

Tiara:  Eli Tiaras 

Video: Bride Motion

Church: Santuario de Nuestra Señora Guadalupe 

Reception: Castallia 

Music: Fiesta Malambo 

Assistant: Aldo Lerma

The other night, we walked around downtown to snap some photos of the decorations.   We were especially fascinated with the reindeers :).  

Counting down to Christmas has begun!  Happy Friday!

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Sometimes you just want a photo of yourself.  Just because.  Because you got your hair and makeup done and you're feeling pretty.  Sassy.  And when that happens, you can conquer the world one step at a time and maybe, maybe that guy at the party will smile at you and ask for your name.  

Sometimes you just want a photo of yourself.

Makeup/Hair by Vanessa of Bebe Salon, Chihuahua 614 192-75-03

I cannot wait to show you the rest... coming soon!!!

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We thought it would rain.  Earlier that week it rained non-stop and the clouds hung heavy and grey.  Upon waking, the day was more beautiful than ever.  No rain cloud could have dampened this special day, this day when Karla and Sergio were to say I Do to each other.

We met Karla and Sergio at the Expo Boda this past February and they were so kind.  They moved their date around and we were able to work with them so that we could photograph their special day.  I have to say that spoke volumes for me.  I was humbled when they chose us.  

It started with a day at El Salon where Karla and her mother were getting ready.  We headed over to the San Francisco Country Club for the portraits and the light was gorgeous through the trees!  I couldn't have asked for more perfect light for these two.  The ceremony was even more emotional and the amount of faith these two possess could move mountains.  It was wonderful to see.

Karla and Sergio:  Thank you so much for honoring us with the privilege of photographing your wedding.  It was every bit as special as the love between the two of you.  I wish you nothing but the best!  

Shoes:  Guess

Hair/MUA:El Salon

Portraits:  San Francisco

Temple:  Shalom

Reception:Casa de Los Olmos

Decoration: Xitle Company

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