Wow...2009 is around the corner....

I think I have made it through my first solo wedding season....whew... I feel like I can finally take a deep breath and relax. This reprieve couldn't have come sooner.. Christmas time..my favorite season.. it is so easy to get caught up in shoots and work and life and not stop to enjoy the simple things like the smile and laugh of my daughter and seeing the gleam in her eye as she looks at me like I am superman..I am reminded once again to stop and reflect and enjoy these times because I know there will come a day and a time when she will be "too cool" for me =).....I can now stop and enjoy....the smell of mom's homemade sweet potato pie and candied yams on the stove...the gentle and cold winter breeze across my cheeks... this is what life is all about. Its about enjoying people and things while you have them. its about not taking anyone or anything for granted. Or at least making an attempt to not. I have seen so many people come and go in and out of my life..I truly long for the day when I will never have to say good bye to those closest to me. The images here are from a family that I did a couple weeks back.....the Moss family... seeing Sarah's niece picking up handfuls of leaves and throwing them in the air and dancing and laughing and playing around them as they fell and swayed in the wind that morning landing wherever they felt like... reminded me again of a truthful statement.. There are certain things I can control and certain things I cannot and so I must enjoy life and let God work out the details. I can pick up the leaves and throw them into the air...but where they land and how they fall..is not my choice. So I must do all I can and let Him work out the details of my life .. enjoy....Merry Christmas. For those of you who actually read my blog... I want to say thank you and also..I want to let you know that January 1st or before, My website will have a brand new look...so be on the look out...Greater things await all of us in 2009 !

Michelle Vargas Maternity Shoot

I love maternity shoots...there is always a quiet ..peaceful....elegance about them.... I don't want to say too much...just enjoy the pics...

Marlon

Kim and Dawn's Wedding

These two were crazy about each other....and they truly had friends and family that loved and supported them.... They were so much fun and such good sports about everything...how could you not love them? I must say this ...there was a guest there that spontaneously broke out and did a rendition of Rihanna's "Umbrella" while holding a little cocktail umbrella....you have not lived until you have witnessed that....lol... =) congratulations guys!

Chad and Sharon's Wedding day...

Wow... what a beautiful day and ceremony this was.... so full of emotion. The only thing that was missing was the releasing of the white doves... =0) There are some shoots that as a photographer you feel like you are capturing some very sacred, almost..heavenly moments.... what I call "God-Kissed" moments, where you know this is a truly divine appointment you are witnessing..this wedding had so many of those kinds of moments... there were moments where even I actually got teary eyed. amazing day. very humble and amazing people. They have officially named me their "photographer for life"....I am very honored and extremley blessed. Congratulations !.....

Hector and Giselle's wedding day....

Family. This is what comes to mind when I think of these two. They have really open and warm hearts..... They really made me feel so comfortable every time I was around them..there were a number of times that Hector told me to put down my camera and dance , drink or eat...=) Its always a good thing when people treat you more like a family member and a guest rather than hired help =) I am so blessed to have met and know them and their family .... Congratulations you guys!

Mark and Angie's engagement shoot and Wedding Day

She was soooo nervous all the days before the wedding and on the day of ... I have never seen a bride more nervous...it was so cute. Angie has such a warm heart and she would always give you this cute , little, motherly "I'm-so-proud-of-you-wink" to let you know that you are doing a great job. She has such a quiet and strong way about her and she completely compliments Mark.. he is like a mans' man. They have a "Brady Bunch" blended family of all girls.. although they are have very distinct and different personalities they really have a strong love and bond with each other and they all love the parents the same... the seem like such a fan of their relationship and marriage..i know they will all go far in life. These images are from the engagement shoot and the one from the wedding day...

Lee and Racquel's engagement shoot

I used to work with Racquel at a mortgage company before the whole meltdown.... in fact, she was one the first people I ever shot back when I only had a point and shoot camera!... humble beginnings I guess... Anyway... she is engaged to a great guy who just got back from a tour over in Afghanistan. She is a great person and he seems like a great and humble man.. they are so in love... you can see it when they look at each other...even though there is not a word said between them. I remember I used to see on Racquel's MySpace page..." I Love My Boyfriend" plastered all over it. I was always a little envious of that ...I had always wanted a woman to say that about me and plaster it all over her MySpace page (if she had one of course)... =) they seem so meant for each other.... I am so happy for the two of them and i can't wait to have the honor of capturing their special day in November... you guys are a blessing! see you then!

Mark and Susan's Engagement shoot

Good morning all!... These two have hearts the size of Texas... Mark is an attorney and Susan works for Honda... these have to be the nicest most thoughtful people I have met in a long time... they never treat me like I'm just a photographer..they, from day one; have treated me like an old friend. It is almost unheard of nowadays with the rush and bustle of life to stop and give things or people our full, undivided attention... but with them... when you are speaking to them...they really make you feel like they are giving you thiers. I love that quality about them... it seems like a rare quality these days where you typically find that as you are telling someone about your day , they are texting someone else about theirs......lol.. anyway...this place was beautiful....the Mission Inn in Riverside was so majestic and so historic..I can't wait to go back there again someday.... see you guys on The Day ! =)

Jamil and Simon'e engagement shoot

These two have so much class and style.... they showed up dressed to the nines...suited and booted as they say... and talk about into each other... Stevie Wonder could see how into each other they were. The whole shoot just flowed and felt so natural ..warm like the morning sun... the day seemed so peaceful and elegant....so blessed...

enjoy..

Chad and Sharon's Engagement shoot

This was my first shoot at this location..The Americana in Glendale...this was a fun day ...I felt like a celebrity paparazzi following them around steathly capturing them candidly shopping .. in fact one of the store clerks went up to Sharon not realizing that I was with them and whispered in her ear..." hey.. excuse me mam...did you know that there is a guy over there with a camera taking pictures of you guys?"....lol.. my goal of the day was to stay out of the way as a photog and let things happen naturally between them....well....mission accomplished =). Can't wait to see you guys again on the Big day!

The Quintana Wedding

So ..Mario and Brittany tied the knot!!! I had a blast with these two and their friends and family!! They were wild!! the reception was just ridiculous..lol..felt like it was New Years Eve.... these two love each other and it showed in so many ways... They say you should marry your best friend..I think they are the picture perfect example of people have have married their best friend... I hope you guys truly enjoy married life and I know that God will bless you tremendously!!!

Hernandez Family Shoot

Finally...whew....... I have had time to catch my breath and blog again... its been crazy! This is my first solo wedding season and It has been really busy but I have been learning and loving every minute of it.... I am always surprised by how many ways I have been able to touch many lives through my photography...God never ceases to amaze me every single day... I thought I would kick this off again with this image captured at a recent family shoot.. This is Tina and her two daughters Mercedes and Marlene and her newly born grandson Nathan Andru Hernandez. The thing I love about this picture is you can almost feel how much love they have for Him. It is almost palatible. There is so much peace and warmth and radiance as they look at his face and he looks up at their faces.... enjoy!

Cindy and Jimmy's lovers shoot in Downtown Los Angeles

What can I say about these two...hmmm... "passion" is the word that comes to mind. These two were really into each other and it showed...big time!.. Cindy's sister Tammy (who by the way is just as cool, down to earth as her sister; arranged this whole shoot and and I am really thankful she did because I have never met more down to earth people than these two...They were so easy going and so "whatever is cool" about all my crazy "poses" and shot ideas.. I really appreciated their attitudes. It was a hot day but I don't know what was hotter...the heat of the sun or heat between these two...lol... sometimes I think they forgot I was even there... I can't wait to work with you two again... hopefully on a cooler day =)... still waiting for the invitation to Jimmy's weekly kitchen "get down" =) I am always game to eat good food......be blessed you guys and thanks again!

Banh and Esther's Wedding...

These guys are truly a gift to me in so many ways.. They are both really good photographers and each have the "eye". In fact, Banh is going to second shoot with me in October. I really felt honored to be a part of their special day...and to be chosen to capture their moments was really humbling. They were actually the first to book me as a solo wedding photographer so i think they will always hold a special place in my heart... plus their just cool peeps in general =) The day was amazing and the slide show during the reception was ridiculous !! I can't say thank you enough guys! I hope you enjoy your new life together as Mr and Mrs. Hy.... is that strange to hear? lol... be blessed!

Mario and Brittany's Engagement Shoot

You guys were so much fun and a such a blessing! I had a blast that day! Mario, you are just crazy .... I think you missed your calling man... Zoolander called and wants to recruit you into his army. Brittany, you are just a sweetheart and you guys were so open to trying new and different locations which made this shoot so much fun! can't wait for the wedding this Friday! see you guys then