Your Life, My Lens

We’ve moved…

2011-02-14T10:43:00.001-08:00

Come check me out at my new blog by clicking here!

Valentines Day Cards

2011-02-12T10:08:00.001-08:00

I am a total hopeless romantic. I love love stories. I love chick flicks. I love happily ever afters. I think Disney nurtured what was in my nature with all their love stories like Cinderella, Snow White and the Little Mermaid at a very young age. My only Ken doll is a polygamist because I made him marry all 33 Barbies that I owned or maybe he was living a double life to the 33rd power?!? I am totally hooked on shows like The Bachelor because in my heart of hearts, I REALLY want them to live happily ever after. So, when a holiday that is specifically dedicated to love comes around…I am ALL.OVER.IT.

When Chad and I were first dating, of course, we did the whole going out to dinner for Vday, gave each other gifts, cards and had a romantic evening together. That carried on until the first years of our marriage…and then…we had kids. As much as I want to believe that “everyday is Valentines'” …um, that is NOT reality with kids. There is nothing romantic coming home to a wife that is STILL in her pjs at 6PM…not the sexy PJ’s ..the ones that are SO comfortable but hideous. Life happens, kids happen. We do have plenty of love, we do share plenty of kisses, we do do the special things that say “ I love you” for each other throughout the year but it IS nice to have a day dedicated to just that.

So, instead of Lighting McQueen or Thomas the Train Valentines Day Cards, I decided to make little Valentines Day Cards of the two biggest loves of my live. For our family and close friends, we mailed them personalized photo cards and for Travis’ classmates, I cut out wallets and got some scrapbooking paper and mounted the picture to the paper. I don’t have the final product in hand since we are still visiting family, but here’s a little sneak peek of what was involved. I’ll share the larger pictures on Valentines Day, but until then, this is your 48 hour warning that the world is going to be flooded with pink, red, flowers and hearts….all.day.long.

Read the Directions Michelle!

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I waste a lot of my time by not following the directions. This is definitely not reflective of my personality since I am a very structured person who loves relying on routine. I have no imagination when it comes to cooking so I follow the directions to the T…ok, maybe I add a little more sugar to my baked goods, but whose counting? I love shopping at Ikea and in order to get the “look” that Ikea displayed in their store, you HAVE.TO.FOLLOW their directions since all of their furniture requires assembly and with out that, you’re pretty much screwed. Learning how to operate my camera….all instructions. So, why why why did I skim the “instructions”/get started section over a year ago when I opened my zenfolio account? Err..had I actually looked through their site, I would have know that my account featured a homepage for me to display my photographs and other information…sorta like a website but kinda not really like a website but good enough until I get a website…ya know?!? I’ve been using them to upload my sessions into private online galleries for my clients and that ALONE was worth the fee….so having this additional feature is the icing on the cake. One less thing for me to have to pay for, since I already pay for it. Sheesh, read the freakin’ directions Michelle!

So please humor me and come take a look. You go visit by clicking here! There’s also a guest book at the bottom for you to sign and say hi! And please, don’t hold it against me the music that is playing in the background. Trust me, it was the best option they had….and if I had my way, I would choose my love Michael Buble. Since posts are always better with a picture, here’s one of Travis in front of Grandma and Papa’s house in Canada. The Great White North takes winter to a level that most will never fully be able to understand. This is the pile of snow that the city’s snow removal equipments shovels from the curbs.There are piles on every street like this allllllll throughout the city!

Life is a Highway…

2011-02-07T10:57:00.001-08:00

“Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window.”
Peter Drucker

We are very familiar with the 1200 mile drive to see our family in Canada. We know all the McDonalds with playgrounds from Denver to Central Alberta..all of them. We know exactly how far we can drive before our tank is half empty. We know we can drive from Shelby, Montana to Grandma and Papa’s house on a tank of gas, with about 50 miles to spare. We now know where there are Red Boxes along I-25 so that we can rent and drop off a movie all in the same day. We know where the gas station is where we can change the kids in their pajamas for our last stop before we hit Great Falls and load up on energy drinks for the long drive through the night. These are the things we know. What we don’t know is if there is going to be a deer jetting out at us in the dark on the one lane drive from Billings, Montana to Great Falls, Montana…so we white knuckle it all the way (BTW, road kill is on a whole different level in the middle of nowhere). We don’t know if we are going to get a flat in the middle of Nowhereville. We don’t know how much the weather will change as we progress closer north or if we are going to get caught in a freak storm like we have been in the past. There are SO many unknowns, not just on road trips but in life.

Just this past Thursday, we got an call that a family member had passed away. Shock, disbelief, extreme sadness and lots of tears were some of the initial emotions we experience. On the same day we were celebrating my *ahem* “22nd birthday (humor me puh-lease), we got the phone call of his passing. Without going in to too much detail, whether expected or unexpected, death is such a hard thing to deal with. It’s not something you can ever prepare for emotionally. It’s not a feeling that you ever want to feel or experience. It’s not ever something you want to talk about or even take your mind to. It’s just devastating.

I was preparing to write about journey to define my “brand” as a photographer…talk about how indecisive I am when it comes to making decisions about me, how bi polar my fashion sense is, how much interior design and fashion will play a role in my “brand”, bleh bleh bleh. But really, as much as I want to discover and embrace a brand that truly represents me, it’s times like this that make me realize how much energy and emotion I waste on things that are trivial. Bottom line, when I die, my obituary will not tell of how creative and unique my photography brand was in depicting me as a person. Yes, photography plays a large role in my life, but my loved ones will not care if I used grays, blues, greens or blacks as my blog theme. They won’t care if my camera logo has lots of sparkles coming out of it’s flash. They won’t care what 3 types of fonts I chose. They won’t care if I had my own domain or if I use blogspot. NONE of this matters to my family. So why should it matter to me?

As I helped edit the preliminary drafts of Uncle Lenard’s obituary, what stuck out was all the precious memories that each person encountered with him. The memories reflected the joy that he brought to all his nieces and nephews playing “pick a hand”, his funny sayings, his love for bonfires, his love for his children, his love for his family, his character, the things that made Uncle Lenard unique and loved. When I think about the day that my obituary will be read, it really shifts the focus from what I “thought” was important to what IS important. Does this mean I neglect the other things that in the grand scheme of things are considered trivial? Nope, it just means I put them behind the list of things that are most important to me and not allow them to take priority over the things that I treasure. I am not guaranteed tomorrow, so if takes me a life time to define my “brand” as a business, I will be okay with that because I spent a lifetime branding the character and legacy that I wanted to be.

“Impart as much as you can of your spiritual being to those who are on the road with you, and accept as something precious what comes back to you from them.”
Albert Schweitzer

And to the sweet lady who was a complete stranger to us in Great Falls, Montana…thank you for sharing your birthday cake with us. The gift of generosity and kindness was the best gift you could have given me on my birthday!

Capturing Your: Heart

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The best compliment that a client can give me is a referral. If they are willing to share my information and refer their family and friends…that means the world to me because it validates their love for their experience and their pictures. That’s exactly how I met this next family. I was contacted by Amanda a few months back after she saw pictures that I took of our mutual friends and booked her photo shoot. Amanda wanted to get some pictures of her twin sons and it was perfect timing since they were just turning 1 year old.

As a new mom, the first birthday is always a huge milestone, but when you have two 1 year olds, that just takes the one year milestone to a whole other level! Amanda and her husband are my hero’s! I can’t even imagine what it is like having two babies, the same age…let alone two little boys! Their boys are absolutely precious and have these beautiful contagious smiles! I loved seeing how they each had different personalities, different temperaments, different interests, and connected differently to each parent.

We spent a little time outside taking some pictures but had to come up with plan B since in true Colorado fashion the weather turned on us….for the worst. I share the same sentiment with the boys in that I don’t care for the cold weather…at all. So after we tolerated as much cold windy weather as we could, we went to a nearby indoor playground that was warm, full of vibrant colors, and was more of their element Then, after play time the boys got a chance to dig in birthday cake and get as dirty as they wanted! It’s always fun to see a 1 year old's reaction to sweets since typically their birthday is the first time they have any. At first they just dug their fingers in it, smashed it with their hands, then took it to the next step and tasted it. They both had a “I am not sure what to think about this” look but then gave a big smile for their approval. It only took seconds for it to be in their hair, their mouth, on the floor, on the shirts…everywhere! Now that’s how a birthday should be spent! Happy Birthday to two incredibly beautiful and sweet boys! Thank you for letting me share in such a special day!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE his expression! Priceless!

Make the cold go away!

I LOVE his reaction! He’s unsure of this unfamiliar taste.

There was never a question of whether or not he liked cake…he LOVED it. And, he was so sweet, he tried to share it!

Sneak Peek

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This past weekend I was in beautiful sunny Californian on a whirlwind tour, sans the kids and husband. I hopped from one location to the next, doing and seeing as much as I could within my strict allotted time. I hate having to have my time limited but am grateful for the few minutes or hours I can see familiar faces and grab as many hugs and hellos as I can get…I’ll take anything! In between the chaos, I was able to schedule 2 photo shoots…two very special photo shoots. I can’t wait to share the pictures and why these 2 photo shoots have a special place in my life and heart!

My heart sunk as the plane took off from LAX last night, and I cringed even more to find out that it was going to be snowing and brutally cold. However, when the mommy mobile pulled up to the curb, I could hear all the squeals and“mommy mommy mommy!!” which immediately made me feel at home…snow and all. Happy Monday!

Have You Laughed Today?

2011-01-24T13:02:00.001-08:00

I always love a good laugh. Laughter is like oxygen, I need it to survive. Growing up with my two brothers made me crave laughter since my brothers are seriously two of the funniest guys around. All throughout our childhood, we loved to play pranks on each other, tell funny stories, make funny faces and get a good laugh at tormenting our younger brother David to do the funny things that we wanted to do. I was the mastermind, Richard was the enforcer. My earliest memory of us playing a prank on my brother David was when we moved into our new house, David was just learning how to walk, and Richard and I were hiding around the corner waiting to scare him. We were successful, we scared the daylights out of him, and just last week, 28 years later, David learned how to walk. As we got older, David was no longer our target for our pranks and jokes, but our entertainment. I remember us staying up late at night, watching David do the funniest impersonations, performing the most silliest dances and imitating Pee Wee Herman’s laugh….making us laugh until we nearly peed our pants or until one of us had an asthma attack. Now, David gets chances at paying me back for all the pranks on him when he was younger by acting like a “Cholo” in public and speaking “Spanglish”. Yes, he is so good, that it is totally believable, and that is why it is totally embarrassing. This past Christmas we went to the Nokia Center in L.A to watch George Lopez perform live. H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S! I also took advantage of Netflix and lounged in front of the TV watching comedians for about 3 hours a day. Now, that’s what I call a vacation.

And my crave for laughter extended itself in my friendships. I have ALWAYS had funny friends…always! My best memories are from high school and all the fun I had hanging out with the funniest people on campus. Alina, Erika, TK and Jordan….do those names ring a bell? For those of you who went to HS with me, you’ll know exactly who I am talking about and agree that they are seriously some of the funniest people around. In HS, I honestly would have asthma attacks from laughing so hard and TK and Jordan telling jokes and doing the BEST impersonations….oh, those were some of the best times. And to this day, my best friendships in the world are the ones who bring laughter into my life and allow me to be the goof that I really am.

So, it isn’t a surprise that one of my favorite shows is Saturday Night Live. That show is one of the most brilliant shows with the best parodies ever! The talent there is amazing! I’ve been a bit out of touch with SNL since now that I am a mommy, it airs way past my bedtime. BUT….thank goodness for technology like DVRs and the internet, I never have to miss an episode again. And since Monday’s are my dreaded day of the week, I’ve made it my resolution, among the many, to wake up to something funny to start off my week. So, if your Monday sucks or you simply need a laugh, just click below! Happy Monday!

Sneak Peek

2011-01-23T17:14:00.001-08:00

I’d like to say that taking pictures of my kids is easy, but that would be a bold face lie. Ok, candids, when we are just hanging out, are a cinch…but an actual photo shoot…hmmm…now that is a recipe of a not so happy mama. ESPECIALLY when the weather is “suppose” to be nice and then it turns out to be crappy and windy. No, I’m not the least bit frustrated..hehe. So, after all that is said and done, I LOVE the pictures I just took of Travis’ upcoming 5th birthday. It is still 28 sleeps away (Travis is on countdown mode) but since February is pretty busy and there is no guarantee of nice weather, we got them done early. So, here’s a peek, just a peek.

Sneak Peek

2011-01-22T15:45:00.001-08:00

Let the 2011 year begin! Today I started off the New Year with a twin photo shoot and next week I fly to Los Angeles to attend my BFF’s baby shower and to do 3 photo shoots! Can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait! Until then, here’s a little sneak peek from this afternoon. And let me say, this little guy is such a trooper…in true Colorado fashion, the weather changed on us dramatically but this little guy kept on smiling!

Fontucky

2011-01-16T13:36:00.001-08:00

I am a city girl and a beach girl…all.the.way. How can those two co exist? Um, easy….be a native Californian. On one hand, I love being able to wear flip flops 358 days a year (the other 7 days is dedicated to rainy days). have ponytail days, wear tanks and shorts, but on the other hand, I LOVE being able to get dolled up and enjoy the city life at night. I love the hustle and bustle, but I also love the soothing sound of the crashing waves. When I got married, we lived literally two minutes from the beach. The beach has always been my oasis, a place where I can escape to be refreshed and renewed. I went to the beach 6 out of the 7 days a week…to run, to ride my bike, to soak up all the energy, to meditate, to “bronze” since I am already tan, and to never regret not taking advantage of the Oasis that was my backyard.

I am accustomed and comfortable in the environment that I grew up in. I fit right in. I am secure. Everything is familiar. When I first moved out to Colorado, I was comforted by the signs that read “Coming Soon…” on vacant lots. I hated the smell of manure. I hated the open space. I hated the dilapidated barns. I hated all the dirty cars. I couldn’t understand why there were SO many streets that still had not been paved but were just dirt. Nothing of this was familiar, nothing of this was comforting….and all this made me feel was like a fish out of water. Back in California, we referred to the cities like this as the 909 (area code for the Inland Empire) or Fontucky (Fontana+Kentucky=Fontucky for those of you who are not native Californians) It is amazing how time can change everything. Things that I once avoided like the black plague (like driving down dirt roads to save time…no thank you..I’d rather spend time in traffic with signals and asphalt roads), I can now appreciate. Those ugly dilapidated barns are now appealing because of the character and unusual background it makes for a photo shoot. Those dirt roads (I still don’t understand why they aren’t paved, especially since it turns into mud when it snows), I love taking because I can drive all the way to Costco which is about 8 miles away and only encounter 3 signals and still make it in 9 minutes. The “Coming Soon…” signs, well, bad habits are hard to break, so YES, I still get excited when I see them (unless it’s another stinkin’ strip mall with the token dry cleaners, nail salon, liquor store but I don’t mind the hole in the wall restaurant they put in because I don’t like chain restaurants).

I love now finding the beauty in things that I never appreciated. My life isn’t one dimensional and neither is photography. I have always challenged myself (and my parents ), especially when something doesn’t come naturally. For me, that is about everything (except being able to put on makeup and style my hair without a mirror…yes, that is talent)…I just have a strong work ethic and I am a very driven person. Last week, Jessica and I explored some abandoned homes with our cameras. Both of us were out of our comfort zone since there wasn’t a person in front of a camera…just some abandoned houses, barns, random furniture and junk all over the lot. I mean really, sign me up for that…um, nope. But, I love a challenge, I love an opportunity to learn, I love an opportunity to grow, and most of all, I love an opportunity to appreciate the place, both the familiar and unfamiliar, we call home.

Check Out Jessica’s Pics….

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Jessica made snow look fun! Go check out her blog…just click here!

This one is my favorite that Jessica took. (Photograph by Jessica)

Capturing Your: Future

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Meet the beautiful Emma Kate, weighing in at 7lb 14 OZ and 18” long. This past Christmas, I was able to meet beautiful Emma and I could not believe that she was already 4 weeks old. I met Tim and Kathy during our child prep baby class for my first son Travis, and since then we’ve remained close friends. Words cannot express the how special and what an amazing gift Emma is to her parents since she surprised both of them with a positive pregnancy result. I will always treasure their story and how God chooses to answers prayers, but in his own timing…and sometimes, how he uses humor to go along with it. I loved holding Emma, the smell of her, her beautiful blue eyes and having her fall asleep in my arms. This is such a precious time and I know that Tim, Kathy and her big Brother Wesley will treasure these beautiful moments for a lifetime. Congrats to the new family of four! I am sooooooo happy for you!

She didn’t like her parent’s wedding rings on her cute little toes, so just as she was kicking it off, I caught her quick balancing skills.

And no one is more in love with Emma than her big brother Wesley!

I couldn’t resist sharing this picture of Wesley. He’s such a sweetheart!

Published!

2011-01-07T15:26:00.001-08:00

I have been seriously been putting off updating the blog because I am slowly recuperating from our two week vacation in L.A for the holidays. It’s not so much the time spent there, just the long 1000 mile continuous drive that sends me over the tipping point. However, how can I NOT share this exciting news that one of my pictures is being used by the company Similasan in their online and national campaign?!? I am so completely flattered and grateful that I was contacted about using a picture of mine taken last spring! This is definitely a first for me and I can’t help but be over the moon about this opportunity! So, here’s a first look at one of the advertisement Similasan will be featuring my picture in their ads. As more become available, I will share the images! And since most of my clients are families, please go visit their website by clicking here! They have lots of products are perfect for our little loved ones!

Capturing 2010

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CampbellThis past year has been such a difficult but rewarding journey. Difficult because of the many late nights I spent researching, learning, editing, brainstorming, discussing…anything photography related. My thirst and drive to grow consumed me because of my need to satisfy and win over my clients. I no longer wanted to be the “cheap” photographer but a desired photographer based on of the quality of pictures, style, creativity, and personable experience that clients would get when choosing me as their photographer. I have always been a driven person when it comes to mastering something that is foreign to me. Things may not come naturally but I have been able to be successful in areas that have been foreign to me because of my determination and strong work ethic. On the flip side, this past year has been so rewarding because of the many families, mommies to be, brides and grooms, newborns, and graduating seniors I got to meet! Each session was special in it’s own way and each person I met added more spark to my flame.

I could go on and ON about this past year and all the lessons that I have learned, but this blog post is dedicated to the people who trusted me with their pictures, who encouraged me in more ways than they know, who supported my passion and who gave me the confidence to continue pursing what I love. You are all the reason why my photography business has continued to grow and I thank you for your support and loyalty to my dream! Thank you for making 2010 a year never to forget.

As a thank you to my clients, they are eligible to receive a mini session in the upcoming 2011 year. You can help them win by voting for your favorite picture…here’s how:

1) Leave a comment on the blog with a description of the picture or their name found above their series of pictures. You must sign in with your username or check the anonymous option if you don’t have an account, but will HAVE to leave your FULL name in order to qualify. All nameless entries will be disqualified.

2) Leave a comment on my Facebook page with a description of the picture or their name (must click the “like” button to leave comments FB). Click HERE!

3) Leave a comment in the FB Album under the picture that you choose as your favorite (must click the “like” button to leave comments on the FB album). Click HERE!

Each person can ONLY vote on ONE picture per family. They can vote up three times using the three different ways listed above. All nameless entries will be disqualified and no emails are eligible. Voting ends Sunday, December 26th at 12PM.

Again, thank you to all who have encouraged me with my journey! Cheers to 2010!

Please do not copy images or take images from Your Life, My Lens. Images are protected under copyright laws. Thank you.

CampbellOlsen

King

Sheaves

Forbes Vallejos Vecchairelli

Jared and Hallie Milani

Tamayo

Newbold

Monzingo

Robinson

Aween

Clara

Baby Ally

Mitchell

Laurin

Boynanon

Savell

Witte Ethan

Walston

Carissa

Slattery

Kaylee

Marette

Potter

Jessica

Mursch

Villalovos Courtney

Young

Capturing: Jessica’s Journey

2010-12-16T14:06:00.001-08:00

It’s one thing to be picked up in the uncool mommy minivan as a teenager, but it’s a whole ‘nother thing to be picked up in it in front of your friends only to be embarrassed. Here’s an example of me torturing Jessica…went to pick her up one afternoon after school…she walks to the car…puts her hand on the door…and I pull forward. She laughs, looks around to see if anyone saw, then walks up to the new spot, puts her hand on the door…and I pull forward…..again. I am cringing as I typing but always laughing under my breath because of how lame I am and how much I am going to embarrass my boys when they are teenagers. This is definitely the tomboy inside of me since I grew up with two brothers who STILL love to embarrass the heck out of me and play pranks on me.

Well, aside from all the embarrassment Jessica has to endure from me, she is flourishing in her quest to learn about photography. Jessica has been so diligent every week…taking time out her busy schedule to commit every Thursday to learn about photography and all the roles that are required. In addition, she has also given up many of her weekends to assist me with photo shoots and has even had some opportunities to take some pictures on the side. I can’t stress enough how I am impressed with Jessica and her ability to pick things up quickly and I admire her dedication to her future. It truly comes natural to her and many times she has offered the solution to my dilemma. Here’s where Jessica stands with her experience: Jessica is shooting exclusively in manual mode and in RAW format, using Lightroom and Photoshop to do all her editing, she now has a blog that she will be posting and maintaining to document her experience and build her portfolio, she has designed her own logo to use as a watermark on all her online pictures, she is learning how to create Photoshop actions to help her expedite her work flow and she will be doing a few photo shoots as the main photographer in the upcoming months to add more pictures to her portfolio…and she’s just 15. Impressed? I am!

I don’t claim or even humor the idea that I have this whole photography business figured out…and it seems the more I learn and feel like I am starting to get a solid grip on it, the more I realize how much I don’t know and how much MORE I have to learn. There are soooo many roles to fulfill…marketing, finances, administrative responsibilities, networking, making time to find new locations and visualize new ideas, maintaining and properly storing digital images, participating in forums, attending workshops….on top of all the editing, blogging, and actual photo shoots. Jessica has really been able to experience this first hand and is starting to get a thorough understanding of what being a photographer really entails, without any pressure to her reputation since she still has a few years before she pursues her own business. I am more than happy to share my journey, have her witness my mistakes, participate in new discoveries, explore new opportunities as I encounter them as my “firsts”, brainstorm together for new fresh ideas and marketing opportunities, share the tools that makes running a business less painful and more time efficient and even though she doesn’t realize it, really reinforces the little that I know and helps me take another step forward in the direction that I desire my business to grow.

I’m inviting you to visit Jessica’s photography blog that she created a few weeks back. As I mentioned earlier, she will be posting pictures that she takes along her journey and will also be sharing some of the things that she has learned along the way. Just this past week, she recruited her sister to be her model and was able to take some beautiful shots of her sister Julia. I simply went along for the ride and gave a few pointers as Jessica took control and lead over the whole photo shoot. In addition, all the pictures she has displayed have been edited by Jessica through Lightroom and Photoshop. Honestly, if it weren’t for the logo, I would have thought I took the picture. I am so proud of Jessica and all her hard work! I can’t wait to see what 2011 holds for her! Click here to see her blog and be sure to send her some blog love!

Capturing Your: Future

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I just love the anticipation of waiting for a baby to arrive! There is so much excitement, a little bit of fear and just lots of thoughts whirling around in your mind wondering what he or she will look like. And…..then there’s the unglamorous part about waiting…the frequent trips to the bathroom, the cankles, the sleepless nights, the contractions, the uncomfortable and sometimes unbearable back pain, the crazy hormones and who can forget the little foot lodge up in your ribs? By the time most of us are wheeled into the hospital, we are more than READY to meet this little baby and finally “evict” the temporary resident. Aside from all the uncomfortable, painful and craziness that our bodies experience, the end result is more than worth it! That’s why we do it again, and again, and again….and that is where we stop with this family.

The handsome Mr. Brady was born last month to Janet and Jesse. Less than 24 hours out of his mommy’s warm and comfortable belly, Brady was exposed to the harsh realities of life….pictures. I mean really, who wants their pictures taken when there is so much to deal with like adjusting to the new elements, needing beauty sleep because 9 months wasn’t enough, having to adjust to wearing clothes when this whole time he was perfectly fine being au natural, seeing everything double since the eyes can’t quite focus and are all cross eyed? I mean really, how can us mommy’s complain about pregnancy when these little guys have all these issues to deal with at birth? Consider this mommy’s redemption for all the kicks to the gut and ribs, sleepless nights because of the constant urge to pee and for the need to eat KS doughnuts by the dozen. Congrats to Janet, my beautiful and sweet friend….your family is now complete! Jesse, we have a spare room in our basement if you become tired of the couch

Capturing Your: Laughter

2010-12-07T12:38:00.001-08:00

There may be something a little familiar about the picture you are looking at. If you can’t pin point it, I’ve included some pictures that may be quite family and take you on a trip down memory lane. This is Miss Clara, the beautiful daughter of our best friends Carrie and Austin. When I first was dabbling with photography, I practiced on Clara…lots. I seriously had NO idea what I was doing…just put my camera on “auto” and started clicking away. I learned a lot through practicing on Clara…like about “noise” in pictures, shooting in low light situations, shooting in artificial lighting, and removing blemishes…lots of blemishes. For those of you who know Clara, you know that she is a daredevil. She can climb on the highest counters, chairs, trees, swing from lights, and even pull down 15 ft Christmas trees…with one finger. If you think that I am exaggerating, just ask her parents. Don’t be fooled by this Angelic face….she is tough as nails and I think every time I’ve taken a picture of her, she’s sporting a new battle wound. But despite her adventurous spirit, she is such a sweetie pie, loves anything pink and girly, loves shoes, has the most stunning blue eyes, and the cutest girly giggle. Our family loves Clara as if she was our own niece and we have enjoyed being a part of her first two years of life. We are so grateful for the friendship we have with her mommy and daddy and love that we have been able to share in so many milestones, laughs, cries, and stories that we will be telling for a lifetime. Happy 2nd Birthday Clara! We love you and thank you for all the joy and laughs you bring to the lives you touch!

And yes, we’ve arranged Derek and Clara’s marriage.

Christmas Tree

2010-11-30T15:14:00.001-08:00

I’m always amazed how fast the transition is from one holiday to another. One day I am saying Happy Thanksgiving and the next day, we go full throttle into the next holiday. Well, like the rest of the world, we wasted no time getting our Christmas tree and jumping in to the Christmas spirit. The boys are loving seeing all the Christmas lights on homes and Travis is eagerly waiting for it to snow so he can go outside and play in it. As much as I am dreading the snow, I am enjoying the new change of pace since during the winter season, life slows down….thanks to the cold

A tradition that we have in our family, all the way back to when I was born, is getting a Christmas ornament each year. Each ornament represents a reflection from the year, either a milestone, a favorite cartoon or a vacation that we took. When I got married, I was loaded with 24 ornaments that all shares a special sentiment. Chad and I decided to carry on that same tradition to our boys and I know that it is one that they will appreciate and enjoy just like I did. The boys loved looking at their own personal ornaments, as well as hearing the story behind mommy and daddy’s special ornaments. I love that there is history behind each ornament and that as a family, we can reminisce about these special times and share our stories with them all the way back to our own very first Christmas.

Travis liked making faces in the Christmas ball

More faces…and even Daddy joined in!

One of Daddy’s first homemade Christmas ornament.

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T14:13:00.001-08:00

The other morning, as I rolled over, I looked at the empty spot next to me, a spot that had probably been vacant for the last 3-4 hours. There was no longer any body warmth, just sheets that had been turned over as Chad got out of bed to go to work. I lie looking in that position just thinking, thinking of how much I appreciate Chad all the hard work and sacrifices that Chad makes for our family, sacrifices that I know I would struggle to make had those responsibilities been put on my shoulders. As I roll over to my other side, I am startled by these big brown smiley eyes behind a blue blankie that are nearly inches away from my face. Travis knows that he surprised me and immediately greets me and apologizes for scaring me. His little sweet voice asks if he can climb in bed with me and snuggle, and within minutes, we are laying side by side. Let's face it, no one wakes up in the morning looking their best, and I for one, get scared by the image that greets me every morning in the mirror. Pillow lines, crazy hair, dark circles and scrunchy eyes aren't exactly my definition of beauty. But, one of the first things Travis says to me after he asks how I slept, is "mommy, you're so beautiful." and at that instant, my heart melts and I am ready to face my day.

I am lucky to say that every morning, I wake up to the pitter patter of my little boys...either pitter patter that is running back into his room to make sure he doesn't get caught outside of his bedroom, or pitter patter into my room, to snuggle in bed with me. I also hear laughter, thumping, and squeals coming from Derek's room as he patiently awaits for us to come get him out of his crib. These sounds and moments bring so much joy to my heart and I am so grateful that I get to be a part of our boys everyday life, even the times that are difficult.

I am so thankful that God has blessed me with such a loving, thoughtful and selfless husband, and two beautiful boys who bring so much joy to our lives. Everyday isn't always perfect, but the fulfillment and love that we have for one another is what makes life perfect. Today, and every day, I celebrate all the blessings that God has given us, although they are too numerous to count, they are evident in our everyday life, starting with the laughter of our two beautiful boys.

Capturing Your: Heart

2010-11-24T14:46:00.001-08:00

You know the expression, “if you don’t like the weather, wait 15 minutes?”, well, that is definitely the case with Colorado. Growing up in Southern California, I’ve only experienced one type of weather…warm. Ok, maybe it’s not always warm, I mean…after all, we have June Gloom and occasionally we have “Storm Watch” for the trickle the newscasters like to refer as “rain”. But here in Colorado, it’s a whole ‘nother story! I can wake up to bright sunny skies, by lunch experience whipping winds, and by dinner be outside shoveling 2 feet of snow. And what is even more crazy, is that the weather is very local. I can call Chad who works about 20 miles from our home and he is getting slammed with snow and at our home we have nothing. I love the “pocket” we live in since it protects us from the more extreme weather.

Well, sometimes this crazy fluctuation in our weather system can disrupt a perfectly well thought and planned photo shoot, like it did with this beautiful family. The weather was beautiful, there was still some golden leaves on the trees…but the wind was out of control. So instead of waiting 15 minutes, we waited 7 days to get some stability in our weather for our second attempt. I am so grateful for the families that I work with because they are understanding and know that some things are just beyond our control. I had a great time meeting this fun family and getting to know all the sweet personalities of their children. I absolutely ADORE their little men of the family….they are SUCH handsome little men. And really, why is it that boys always get the long eyelashes? And of course, handsome boys means beautiful sisters! Both McKenzie and September (isn’t that the coolest name?) have radiant smiles and were such sweet little ladies. Thank you Stephanie and Derrick for such a fun time with your family and enduring the not so fun weather. I loved your family’s energy and hope you enjoy the pictures of your beautiful family for years to come!

To book your session, please email me at yourlifemylens@hotmail.com

Capturing Your: Heart

2010-11-18T13:47:00.001-08:00

I can completely understand how a three year old would feel a bit overwhelmed and shy at our initial meet. I mean, we are all taught not to talk to strangers, and yet, I’m a complete stranger with a big ole’ camera pointing right at her. Isn’t that something just reserved for parents and grandparents? That is exactly how Madison initially felt upon our meeting and I don’t entirely blame her. I mean, there are more important things to a three year old than taking family pictures…like dolls, cartoons, snacks and playtime. Well, that shyness didn’t last too long and Madison eventually warmed up to me…after all, she only had to take “12” pictures…but who’s counting? What a beautiful family Madison comes from….Grandparents who she refers to as Baca and Bama, who have been married for 46 years but who met when they both were 3 months old in their church nursery! Now, 65 years later they are still in love and beam when they tell their story of how they met! Madison’s mommy and daddy have a fun story too…they met at a golf tournament that they both were working/volunteering at, have been married for 5 years and welcomed Madison 3 years ago.

I had such a wonderful time meeting this sweet family who adores one another, especially Madison. And, I had no shortage of pictures of Madison, who luckily wasn’t keeping track of the “12” pictures that she was only going to take! At the end, her reward for taking her pictures was a HUGE sucker and a trip to get the new Toy Story movie. As we left, Madison gave me a sweet kiss and on my drive home, my cheek was all sticky and I smelled like a berry lollipop! I just love the sweetness of children and am so grateful that I got to meet this wonderful family. Thank you for such a wonderful evening!

I love her enthusiasm when she was told she as all done :)

To book your session or inquire about availability, please email me yourlifemylens@hotmail.com

I Think I’ve Made My Final Decision….I “Think”….

2010-11-16T18:44:00.001-08:00

After playing around with different ideas, experimenting with different logos, colors, fonts, placement of all of the mentioned above, I think….”think”….I have found the combination that I like. First of all, I have been desiring to move forward with finding a brand that represents me. This was so hard for me to think about because on one hand I LOVE fashion, things that sparkle, getting dolled up, the night life and on the other hand, I LOVE simplicity, could live on a island wearing nothing but a sarong and flip flops, and natural beauty. Yes, I know, very bipolar. So, I decided that I would approach the decision making processing by projecting where I would like to be in the next few years and what I intend on accomplishing in my photography. So although my heart longs to be living on an island, sipping mai tais and going to Luaus for dates, realistically I know that will be something I will have to wait until retirement.

So I went for the glam, the sparkle and the modern design that I am so attracted to. I found my inspiration in a design catalogue called Chiasso at my girlfriends house in L.A a few months back. I have always LOVED interior design and actually studied it for 4 long years in college. From the time I was able to know what Barbie was, I would spend hours playing with all her furniture, designing and arranging the perfect Barbie house. If I had my way, I would replace all the kid friendly furniture and neutral decor for sophisticated furniture, contemporary accessories that would add glitz and glam and be perfect for DINKS that love to entertain. So…since this is not going to happen in my lifetime, I figured I could put a little of that in my logo. Below are the pictures that helped Graphic Designer Michele Kuns create my sparkly camera. I LOVE how she nailed it on the first try! Below is a picture of sculptures that created the vision for the camera body, particularly the middle sculpture. I knew that boxy wouldn’t cut it, so I wanted the “body” of the camera to be a little more abstract. The second picture of the array wall sculpture was the inspiration for the sparkle that came out of the camera as the flash went off. For those of you who know me, I love to complete my look with accessories, especially ones that sparkle…and the bigger the better :) And lastly, the pillow is the inspiration for the color scheme in my logo, stationary, blog background, etc.

So after all these attempts and revisions, I finally made a decision…..

and here it is….

Sparkly, simple, glitzy, and modern….Me.

Capturing Your: Heart

2010-11-15T11:24:00.001-08:00

I think this first picture sums of the energy of this family…playful! A few weeks back I met with this great family and had fun frolicking in the fields taking their pictures. Ok, maybe I wasn’t a frolicking Fraulein Maria, but I did have a great time capturing the playfulness and uniqueness of each family member. All the kids are so talented and are involved in many activities such as dancing and football. And of course, none of that talent is left at home and I had fun capturing the talents that make them tick! I think what is most beautiful about their family is their commitment to be such godly role models to their 5 beautiful children. Jim and Laura are such faithful servants to the church we attend and their love for the church and God is reflected throughout. Thank you Jim and Laura for giving me the opportunity to take your family pictures! I had such a great time and hope you enjoy the memories for years to come!

To inquire about pricing or to book your session, please email me at yourlifemylens@hotmail.com

Sneak Peek

2010-11-14T14:29:00.001-08:00

Legacy

2010-11-12T20:15:00.001-08:00

I am beginning to appreciate the quietness and alone time that I get to spend while editing. I am left alone with my thoughts, funny memories, smiley faces on the other side of the screen and the opportunity to exercise my creativity. I also love that I can listen to music, which perks me up and helps time pass by quickly. I LOVE music, and if you saw my playlist, it would include all the genres….everything from Black Eye Peas to Stevie Wonder (I love me my Stevie!). I just came across the song “Legacy” by Nichole Nordeman and it instantly struck a chord with my heart. Her lyrics completely spoke to my heart and the state that it is currently in. I’ve been through so much spiritually, emotionally and mentally this past year and I am so grateful for the grace God has shown me through all these hard times. My heart is at times overwhelmed by God’s grace, I can’t help but want to share it and be a reflection of it. I love that he changed a hurt heart, into one that is willing to love even when it is not reciprocated, forgive, even when it is undeserved, give, even when it is not received, and grow, even when there is suffering.

These words, “I want to leave a legacy, How will they remember me? Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough, To make a mark on things? I want to leave an offering , A child of mercy and grace who blessed your name unapologetically, And leave that kind of legacy.” …are straight from the depths of my heart and reflect the way I choose to live my life….no matter if it is received or not. It’s the heart, it’s the intention, it’s the act of love, it’s the mercy, and the selflessness demonstrated that is important. It’s the little things that count, so cliche, but so true. This is the strength and will that God has given me, which I intend on being obedient to. I thirst to hear at the end of my legacy, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)

Please listen to these words....

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

Construction Zone

2010-11-10T20:31:00.001-08:00

There’s this awesome hole in the wall Mexican restaurant called Los Sanchez that our family has been going to since we were really young. The food is absolutely to die for and I can recall the many late night runs we would make just to get their nachos and bean and cheese burritos. One thing that has always caught my attention, besides the food, is the mixed match decorations they have throughout the restaurant. I mean, NOTHING matches…nothing. If there was open space on the wall, they filled it with the most random things…posters, wicker fans, t shirts, pictures of Caballeros in the fields with the horses, calendars…I mean, nothing was off limits. And what is probably even funnier is that they were completely unaware of the randomness and the horrible decorations they had throughout the restaurant. I remember sitting there with my mom and designing in our minds the “proper” way to decorate and just LAUGHING at how silly everything looked. The fun part about going there too was the fact that it would all be different the next time we went.

Well, that is what I feel like my blog emulating at this current time. Nothing matches, nothing flows, I have mixed match logos, colors, font…it is just the blog version of Los Sanchez. I am currently in the process of updating my “brand” and with some of my limitations, it will continue to be a WIP. And you know, it may always be a WIP because as I evolve, so will my brand and what I want to project. So, although I may not have awesome nachos to offer, or cheesy calendars, I am offering bits and pieces of my journey as I continue to evolve in my photography.

And since each blog is better with a picture, here’s one of my lil’ guy Derek. He is thrilled because daddy was just about to launch a large rock into the stream.

Capturing Your: Heart

2010-11-09T13:29:00.001-08:00

I met Ambree this past summer at the park through our mutual friend Janet. Although I had never formally met Ambree, the little that I did know about her, I knew she would be lots of fun. So, when we all had a playdate together, Derek wasted no time and ran up to Ambree, held up his hands, and then snuggled with her for the next few minutes. Although Derek had NO clue who Ambree was, it was as if he instinctively knew that Ambree was a beautiful person. Today, several months later, I can testify to Derek’s initial thoughts that Ambree is a beautiful woman, with an infectious laugh, vibrant personality and a great sense of humor! I absolutely LOVED our session with this wonderful family. They all came so beautifully dressed, with their cute props, big smiles and eagerness to have a great time. I can’t say enough good things about Ambree and her family….and am SO happy that Ambree wanted to use part of the session time to get some beautiful pictures of her and Matt….since like most couples, the last “formal” pictures of them as a couple was their wedding. Alright, so enough of my babbling and on with the pictures! Thank you Matt and Ambree for such a FUN time!

To inquire about pricing and availability, please email Michelle at yourlifemylens@hotmail.com

Sneak Peek

2010-11-08T12:20:00.001-08:00

Here’s a little sneak peek from the ever so beautiful Clara! You might also notice that “framing” is a bit different….and *ahem*, I am using my new logo ;) More on that later!

Sneak Peek

2010-11-03T17:43:00.001-07:00

Capturing Your: Heart

2010-11-01T19:06:00.001-07:00

One of the benefits of photography is meeting new people and going to new places. I was so happy to meet this beautiful family a few weeks back and be a part of their Saturday morning. First thing that caught my eye as they got out of their car was these GOREGOUS little girls! Kennedy made my job super easy because she was so photogenic in front of the camera. I have to thank Roni, their mommy, since she also enjoys photography and gets a lot of practice taking pictures of her beautiful girls. I love being able to get my “girl fix” during photo shoots, seeing pink, tutus, cute head pieces and fabulous shoes. Even though Addi was shy, she still “wowed” the camera with her stunning brown eyes and contagious smile. I loved watching this family of four, interact, play, laugh, and just enjoy their time…..and I even got daddy to give me a few laughs too :) Thank you Roni for allowing me to take your family pictures, especially since you love photography and are a talented photographer yourself!

To book your session or to inquire about availability, please contact me at yourlifemylens@hotmail.com

My Reflections

2010-10-30T22:08:00.001-07:00

These past few days I was able to get away to go on a retreat with some women from my church. I’ve been looking forward to this time away, to be with friends, to make new friends, enjoy some downtime from the daily routine, and to enjoy the meals that I didn’t have to cook or clean up after. This was my plan. However, I am so grateful that I have a God who loves me and desires to trump my agenda. I did spend time with my friends, met new ones too, but I never anticipated the impact that these relationships would have on me. Lately, I’ve been very guarded in my friendships with others because I want to protect my heart from being broken. This is a very unnatural feeling for me and an exhausting attitude to maintain because I desire to be authentic, vulnerable and transparent in ALL my relationships. This is simply me. I feel like I have been out of my comfort zone for quite some time now, which isn’t exactly negative in all aspects but definitely a reason to be guarded. If I said I didn’t have any reservations about this upcoming retreat, I would be lying.

I am so grateful for the women that I got to spend time with this weekend! They were authentic, they were vulnerable, they were transparent, they were encouraging and loving. It wasn’t just the women that I spent time with, but the women who were courageous enough to share their testimony. These stories were heart wrenching, were deep, and were traumatic…..but….so full of grace, promise, hope, mercy and love. They were a reminder of God’s love for us….for me….and the relationships I struggle with, the issues that nag at me, the fears I face and the challenges that I can’t defeat on my own. I left the retreat feeling renewed, refreshed, loved, hopeful, encouraged and ready to be victorious over the trials that weigh me down….knowing that I don’t have to face them on my own, but proceed with the strength that God has equipped me with and wisdom and guidance that He will provide for me.

So, as I cull through all these pictures, choose the ones that I want to share, my tendency is to fix all the imperfections before I posts them for the world to see. But as I let this thought enter, I quickly reminded myself that life isn’t always perfect. Life is full of trials and triumphs, heartache and healing, bondage and freedom, fear and faith, loss and hope, weakness and courage. As I look at the faces, my heart is filled with warmth because I vividly remember the smiles on the other side of the lens, the love for one another, the deep belly laughs and the heart that desires to encourage one another and walk alongside through the peeks and valleys of life.

I realize that what I am sharing isn’t photography related. Just like photography embodies many of my passions… my faith and relationship with God is an extension of my heart and soul. I want my life to reflect my heart and soul. I am so thankful to the women who planned this retreat, who prayed in advanced, who shared their testimony and heart and for this opportunity to spend this time with God and His beautiful glory. Here are the reflections of this time. Enjoy.

Nothing breaks the ice like a good ol’ game of beach ball….or…..

….who is Simon?

Spa time!

Photography class!

Friends..

Dessert time…

God’s Beauty…

Capturing Your: Heart

2010-10-27T18:54:00.001-07:00

They say that 3’s a charm. Well, in this case, 5 was our charm. It took us 5 times of rescheduling to finally get our session complete. Three times was due to weather, one due to a sunburn that caused the raccoon look and the 5th time because Chris decided to shave his goatee after having it for several years. So, after the weather cooperated, the sunburn healed and the goatee grew back, we finally met…and I’ll tell ya, it was definitely worth the wait! This was Heather and Chris’ first time doing pictures outside since their previous pictures were done in the studio! It can be a little nerve racking for both the family and photographer because it’s a different way to be photographed and to me as a photographer, I was afraid of not meeting their expectations. However, I think we can both agree that it was an awesome time that we were able to spend together, with TONS of laughs and really, Kaitlynn and David were the model children for taking pictures. They knew EXACTLY what to do for the perfect pose and I was in heaven….and shock…because it was so natural for them. It’s people like Chris and Heather who validate the love I have for photograph, to be engaged in their lives, who bring so much laughter and richness in my life, and make me want to continue to grow so that I can give them what they deserve and love their experience. Chris and Heather, thank you SO much for our time together. I have seriously been so blessed by so many families and Chris and Heather add to that joy. Despite all the obstacles we had to juggle to get to our session, it was so worth it because we couldn’t have had a better summer morning! Enjoy!

This is my FAVORITE picture of allllllllll time!

I LOVED all of David’s expressions! He definitely wasn’t interested in doing “tummy time” and after a few clicks and a few jokes, I was able to get him to smile for me!

I LOVE how Kaitlynn is forcing David to smile for the camera!! That’s a big sister for you!

To book your session, please email me at yourlifemylens@hotmail.com

Capturing Your: Heart

2010-10-26T12:40:00.001-07:00

One year later…a new city, a new home and a new baby! Sounds like my story three years ago but this time it’s our old neighbors who get to experience all this change! I’ve gotta give Amber big thumbs up for embracing all this change and excelling all these life changing moments. A few weeks back I got to visit Amber and her family in their new home and their little town that they moved to. There is lots of charm to this small town and I can see why Amber and her family love this change of pace. I also got to meet her new little guy Colton! He is a DOLL and his daddy’s little clone! Wyatt and Noah LOVE their little brother and it was very sweet to watch their admiration and care for their little brother. It was great to be able to take their family pictures again, especially with their newest member! Congratulations Jason and Amber on your new lil’ guy! Thank you for being so hospitable and big thanks to Wyatt and Noah for letting me sleep in their Outer Space room!

After some pictures in front of their home, we switched gears and went to a local park.

Oh my goodness…I LOVE LOVE LOVE his little chunky thighs!

To book your session, please email me at yourlifemylens@hotmail.com

Fashion Faux Pas

2010-10-24T23:14:00.001-07:00

This is the reason why it is important to have daily contact with the outside world! Bright color socks and Crocs together? Um, this is not a fashion statement/mistake I thought I’d ever make but the proof is here. Fear not, this was me doing some DIY projects around the house…and I know it’s NO excuse, but at least I am coming clean with it. It’s all about accountability. Not sure what is worse, the Crocs or socks?

Capturing Your: Flavor

2010-10-24T23:00:00.001-07:00

Chocolate. A smell that permeated our house for 4 hours. Four torturous hours. I came across a dessert recipe in my slow cooking cookbook the other day and was determined to try it out. It was DE-Licious! After making this for the first time, I’ve determined that the agony of waiting can be minimized by baking it in the oven. I am not exactly sure the correct amount of the time needed in the oven, but based on the size and amount, I’d put it in for at 30 minutes at 375F and check it periodically thereafter. Here is the recipe for Chocolate Croissant Pudding:

1.5 C milk, 3 eggs, 1/2 C sugar, 1/4 C unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1/4 tps salt, 3 plain croissants cut into 1” pieces, 1/2 C chocolate chips (I added more) and 3/4 whipped cream (optional)

Beat milk, eggs, sugar, cocao, vanilla and salt in medium bowl.

Grease 1 quart casserole. Layer half the croissants, chocolate chips and half the egg mixture in casserole. Repeat layers with remaining croissants and egg mixture…but I would recommend eyeing the amount of remaining mixture because adding too much may make it soggy. One thing that I also added that was not listed was Dark Chocolate covered pomegranate from Costco. OH MY WORD…that took it to a whole ‘nother level! Again, I would watch the timer after 30 minutes in the oven.

Enjoy!

Capturing Your: Heart

2010-10-23T15:31:00.001-07:00

This past September when I was visiting L.A, I was able to make some time for a photo shoot with some friends I met 4 years ago during my child prep class when I was pregnant with Travis (wow, that was a long sentence). This is my second time that I’ve been able to take pictures of these beautiful girls, except now they are much bigger and even more beautiful! Our kids were both born within days of each other so I am definitely familiar with this age and their interests. We took our pictures just minutes from where Chad and I lived prior to moving, where we got engaged and where we use to ride out bikes…so familiarity was all around me and so was a sense of home. I just love visiting with friends, seeing how much their lives have changed, watching their kids grow and seeing the beauty of their family and their unique connection. Even though we live in different states, I love that no distance can break the bond of going through a pregnancy together, watching our kids grow up and continuing the journey together, through distance…and Facebook :) Thank you Dave and Sheila for letting me be a part of your Saturday morning and your photo album!

Capturing Your: Heart

2010-10-20T15:11:00.001-07:00

Just a couple weeks back I headed down to Lamar, CO to do a series of mini sessions for a few of their residents. I had a great time reuniting and catching up with an old neighbor as well as meeting two new families. I’m always nervous meeting new people but was completely at ease with this sweet family. I gotta admit, this little town is by far one of the friendliest communities! Everyone waves at you and you can tell this little town loves their community and the people who live in it. Thank you Zeke, Sheila, Ashtyn, Zane and Zack for letting me a part of your Friday evening!

The $4 Ice Cream

2010-10-20T14:51:00.001-07:00

Yup, that’s right, $4 for those two measly fudge ice cream bars..two to be exact. When I think about $4 ice cream, I think of some fancy italian gelato, or some frozen yogurt from Pinkberry loaded with my favorite toppings. Not the bleh fudge bars that you can buy from Target for $2 for a pack of 12. But…that’s what I paid when we heard the ice cream truck roaming our streets. We happily ran out, screamed stop, jumped up and down and ran over to the truck. My boys were so excited they kept changing their minds but I had to make it for them…the $$$ spoke. We bought the cheapest ice cream….most ranging from $2-$5. Seriously, the first thing that ran through my mind was, “And they say, California is more expensive?” Sheesh, the most expensive ice cream truck ice cream is $2. Aww…but the whole point of our ice cream truck experience was for those priceless smiles. It was definitely worth being robbed for $4 bucks….definitely.

Sneak Peek

2010-10-17T19:26:00.001-07:00

Sneak Peek

2010-10-16T19:41:00.001-07:00

Capturing Your: Reflections

2010-10-12T18:06:00.001-07:00

Meet Courtney, Class of 2011! When Courtney stepped out of the car, I was shocked on how tall and stunning she was. Then she smiled and I immediately noticed her perfect teeth. Her outward beauty isn’t the only thing that stood out during our session, but also her inward beauty. Courtney has this sweet giggle and I got to hear it a lot…mostly because she was laughing at my crazy requests and probably because she thought I was a dork. Regardless, I was able to capture these beautiful pictures of Courtney that will be a part of her High School Senior experience. I love taking pictures of seniors and Courtney was no exception. All the best to you Courtney as you finish your Senior year and pursue your dreams!

The sun was so yummy that evening and so complimentary to the beautiful fall colors.

Sneak Peek From This Weekend

2010-10-09T20:12:00.001-07:00

Road Trip

2010-10-09T19:07:00.001-07:00

This weekend I took a little road trip down south for some mini photo shoots. I had a great time meeting some new families and visiting our old neighbor who graciously invited me to stay in their home. On the way to and from, I had a lot of time to think about nothing and everything since radio stations were intermittent and also because there was really nothing to look at. I found it funny that in the middle of Nowhereville, there was “traffic” and construction going on….annnnnd that there city car was a VW Bug. How awesome is that?

I’m In Love….

2010-10-07T20:35:00.001-07:00

…..with Mark. First name Canon, last name Mark…and he’s a II. My new camera arrived yesterday and I am in HEAVEN! After I took my first picture, I nearly gasped. Everything was different. The creaminess, the crispness, the high ISO capabilities and the coloring! The SOOC look was virtually flawless and for that, I am so grateful for. This is the step in the right direction for me and I am super excited to start snapping away. Here’s the first of MANY to come!

Capturing Your: Heart

2010-10-06T05:00:00.001-07:00

I was blessed with two boys…Travis and Derek. Boys that love to run around…all day, who love to wrestle with each other, who think burps and farts are something to announce and be proud of, who instantly gravitate towards dirt whenever it is in sight, who think it’s funny to pick their nose…and eat it too. Boys. Two of them. My dream of ever having a girl is over and for me, photographing a little girl is my dream fulfilled. I get the tutu, the butterfly wings, the cute little ruffled dresses, the bows, the flowers…everything!

This past photo session, I was given that opportunity and absolutely loved it. Mckenzie, almost two, was all personality and such a joy to photograph. It was beautiful to see the strong bond that she shares with her daddy…. defining daddy’s little girl. Mckenzie is full of energy, very bright and very animated. Hands down, she gives the BEST animal impersonations ever…my favorite being the coyote! Recently, this sweet family added baby Colton to their family. Colton was super smiley, very easy going and so alert. He was such a trooper during the whole photo shoot! I love meeting new families, hearing about how they first met, their interests, and their lives. So thank you and Melissa and Keith, for letting me be a part of your weekend and inviting me to capture your beautiful family. Congratulations!

A Little Change…

2010-10-04T14:11:00.001-07:00

When I first started toying with the idea about doing photography as a business, I was so naive about what being a photographer really involved. I thought it was just about taking pictures, making them all purdy, then giving them to my clients to hang on their walls. Wrong. There is so much more involved than that….we are marketers, blog stalkers, writers, creators, accountants, shoppers, Facebooker, HTML writers (or aspiring), researchers….everything you didn’t think photography was. I am definitely not at a point where I can outsource in the areas that I need help with but I am definitely at a point where I am able to recognize my limitations. Last night, I thought I would research how to change my blog background, only to discover I completely erased all my settings and was stuck with some generic Joe Shmoe template provided by Blogger…I just about died. Since dying wasn’t an option, I temporarily denied access so that no one could see the mess that I made. Phew. But this is an example of my limitations with one of the many aspects of photography. I have managed to create a few things here on my wee little blog to personalize it, but again, I am limited because of knowledge. I have BIG ideas and little expertise. So, yes, I have decided to outsource some of the changes I know that I simply cannot and will not be able to do on my own…like create a new logo…and banner. I am working with Michele Kuns, who is graphic and web designer, to help create a logo that will represent my business. I am excited to have my vision of what I would like my photography to exude and will be slowly making those changes during the upcoming weeks. I am aiming to create a brand that really represents me, my passions, my strengths, all in one.

So, after all this, why is Jessica the featured photos for this post? Well, that’s because she is going to be a part of my team! I met Jessica through FB when I first added my Your Life, My Lens Facebook Like Page. She clicked on the “Like” button so I check out her profile (yes, I do this to all of you peeps…hehe!). Instantly, I could tell that she had an eye for photography and going beyond your basic snap shot pictures. I sent her a message and from there on, we because fast friends. Jessica LOVES photography and desires to become a photographer after she graduates from High School. Since she still has two years before she throws her cap up in the air, I offered her the opportunity to work alongside of me so that she can get a strong “feel” for what photography is and is not. Now, I am not claiming that I know everything about photography, I am sooooooo far from that, but I am willing to share, teach and guide Jessica based on the knowledge I do have and also have her experience some of the changes and process of those changes during our partnership. I have discovered that the more I learn, the more I learn I still have A LOT to learn. I have worked incredibly hard this past year, losing more sleep with photography than the sleep loss with having newborns…combined. I know the long road that lies ahead, so I am all about paying it forward and extending this opportunity and learning experience to Jessica. We totally click, even though I am an old fart…she totally get’s my lame humor, my mommy brain and is cool with being picked up in a minivan in front of her high school…so she is definitely a keeper. Jessica, I am so excited that you trust me to teach you about photography because really, I have no idea what I am doing. I hope at the end of this you will discover your passion, learn from my mistakes and yours, discover your style, continue to improve and decide if photography is still what you want to pursue after you graduate. And if it isn’t what you want to pursue, you will be billed $478, 325.05….ok, maybe not that much, but I am willing to work out a payment plan for you. No, but seriously, regardless of what you choose, I hope the lessons you learned will last you a lifetime and guide you through your journey of discovery. So Cheers, my right hang gal!

Capturing Your: Inspiration

2010-10-03T22:03:00.000-07:00

Sweet Dreams Derek

2010-10-02T20:56:00.001-07:00

Our bedtime routine includes reading a book, praying and singing a song. Derek is absolutely a book worm and has been since an early age. He loves reading the stories and just tonight, I realized that he has memorized a good chunk of Goodnight Moon. Doesn’t take much for this little parrot to learn…everyday I am more and more amazed on how bright Derek is. So, last night, we did our usual routine, I read him a book, we prayed together (I LOVE hearing his little voice as he repeats the words back to me during our prayer) and I sang to him “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. As I began singing, Derek quickly joined in and we sang the whole song…together. It was definitely one of the most precious moments that I have had with him at this age and this truly made my heart melt. I immediately said, “Oh my gosh Derek, that was so awesome! You sang the whole song with me…mommy is so proud of you! You sang it so beautifully, you are just soooo precious!” To which Derek replied, “I’m not precious, I’m Derek!”

So tonight, we did the same routine, read a book, prayed, and sang a song. I intentionally sang Twinkle Twinkle again because I wanted to see if I would get the same reaction. So after we sang together, I cheered him on again and before I could say how precious he was, he interrupted me to tell me what I told him last night. He paraphrased exactly what I said to him last night, “Derek is so precious, yes I am. I made you proud. My voice is so beautiful. I’m such a precious singer.” Um, hullo, you’re just two and you just said that whole mouthful to me! My parrot has once again stolen the words right out of my mouth. It’s moments like these that make me feel so lucky to have such beautiful boys, my heart skip a beat and one proud momma! Sweet Dreams my beautiful boys.

Capturing Your: Heart

2010-09-30T21:10:00.001-07:00

The last few weeks have been just a blur. I was able to take some time to visit with our family in California and take a break from the day to day responsibilities (ok, that’s just a partial truth….hehe). So this wee little blog has been full of neglect with just a bunch of sneak peeks. I am happy to jump back on board with this super special family! Last May, I completed my first year as a photographer and now I am enjoying some repeat families. Last winter, I was invited to take pictures of these two precious boys just weeks after they were born. They went from being little baldies, to have full heads of hair, from cooing to giggling, from being completely immobile to crawling….all within a few months! I love seeing how much children change within the first year and even though you anticipate those changes, they are always such a shock to actually observe. I commend Marcus and Halle for raising such beautiful children, making those tough sacrifices and applaud them for doing twice the amount of work with twins…and a active toddler! You both are truly amazing and the proof is your three beautiful and healthy children. So once again, enjoy the pictures of this beautiful family! Thanks again for letting me be a part of your morning….even though it was early for Marcus and I :)

Here’s the sweet and beautiful Miss Aiden! She Aiden has the most beautiful piercing blue eyes and was a total ham for the camera. My lucky day!

Meet Mr. Ryan! Ryan could go from serious to giggles in nano seconds….and I just LOVE his precious little giggles!

Meet Ryan’s partner in crime, Mr. Ronin. He’s definitely a daddy’s boy, very active and enjoys being roughed around. That a boy!

The boys were just fascinated with their reflections in their daddy’s sunglasses. I love the following pictures!

Ronin is fearless! He definitely enjoys an adrenaline rush! I thoroughly enjoyed watching Marcus roughing him up!

Annnnnd…we’re done!

I LOVE Ryan’s expression…it’s priceless!

Sneak Peek

2010-09-29T20:26:00.001-07:00

Ok, I promise I am not just going to be posting sneak peeks! I am trying to catch up from my time off in California and the photo shoots that I had pending…as well as keep up with the photo shoots that I have booked. I am so excited to have so many fun sessions coming up in the next few weeks! Here a sneak peek from my senior session tonight with Courtney. She’s beautiful!!

Sneak Peek

2010-09-26T21:37:00.001-07:00

Sneak Peek

2010-09-25T23:32:00.001-07:00

2010-09-22T20:18:00.000-07:00

Nope, I didn't fall off the earth....more like I've been blending in with the millions that live in L.A for the past week. If you've been following my blog, you would recall that my youngest brother David was diagnosed with cancer this past month. He just started his first round of chemo therapy this past week, so our family flew out to be with him during his first treatment. My husband flew back to our home to hold down the fort while we stay here for a few more days. We've loved every minute of our time here and are so grateful that we have the ability to fly back and forth. So, pardon my little break...I will resume my blogging upon my return. It's a good thing I don't have access to LR or photoshop to convert my RAW images or else my mind wouldn't be able to focus completely on the REASON why we flew out here in the first place. Since blog posts are always better with a picture, here's one of my son Travis. He actually asked me to take the picture of him.....without asking for a treat in return! WOW!!!