Wedding Preview... Happy Wednesday :)

Howdy! It's Wednesday and I'm excited... I have a wedding this weekend and I am oh-so-excited for the groom and bride! So in light of the upcoming wedding of Roman and Illiana, I thought I'd give you a peek at tomorrow's wedding blog post. ;) Enjoy...

 

In other news, I crushed my foot today with the computer's hardrive at the office. It hurt. It still hurts. So me and my swollen foot will be taking a much needed break for the evening. See you tomorrow ;)

Life is Good, Smile :)

No matter how much I loved photography, I never really thought I would pursue it one hundred percent after college graduation. Law school seemed to be the thing I wanted most. And yes, sometimes it still is, but I must admit that my camera is so much more interesting to me. All things start out with a dream, an idea. Last year I thought I would use the summer before leaving for school and pursue photography. It was the first free summer I had in a long time and I wanted to enjoy it but still be productive. Summer went and has come by again and I am still here. But I am very happy working as a photographer, I love it! 

I love the people I get to meet and I love talking to those who love me talk about what I do. Most of all, I love all the people who believe in me as an artist and see my creativity in the things I dream about. When my brother Nolan flew me New Orleans last May for an engagement session with his fiancee, I never really thought about the road, or in this case - sky, I would take for a brand new journey. 

On the plane ride I pondered about how I would feel photographing my subjects in broad daylight and in public. I thought about the possibility of people staring or asking me to move away. I wondered if I was even qualified to photograph in public in downtown NOLA. It may have been the fear of flying that caused my brain to ponder every fear and detail, but when I stepped downtown the next day and began the session I remember not one of those single thoughts crossing my mind. 

It felt natural and made me smile. I've already thanked Isabel and Nolan a million times for allowing me the opportunity. The unknowingly or perhaps willingly pushed me in a direction I have never felt lost in, and for that I thank them a million times more. Nolan and Isabel, Thank you. You two are partly the reason I have gotten to where I am today with my photography business.

I've previously blogged their engagement session. You can view the photos here... Nolan & Isabel 

But today I found some photos I took at their wedding. I was not their photographer for their wedding day but I brought along my little camera to practice photographing a wedding. It's safe to say, technically, this was my first wedding...

Have a happy Tuesday!

Roman & Illiana.... Engaged! ♥

When I was in 5th grade I knew a little boy in my class. He was taller than me, had short hair and wore round glasses. He, like the rest of the boys in our class, liked to pick on the girls on occasion. Granted, other boys were more malicious than he was, he still picked on me at least once. I grew up and so did this little boy and we both went off to middle school and later high school. Our paths never really crossed much other than the occasional "I went to school with that kid when I was younger" conversation that pops up when various middle schools merge into one freshmen class in highschool

In middle school I met a young lady named Illiana with a charming personality and extremly black and curly hair. She was a little loud but oh-so-funny. It wasn't until high school that we became really great friends and to this day I enjoy meeting up with her. Illiana was the typical All-American high school student. She was a varisty cheerleader, in student council and full of peppy smiles. I am more than sure that it was her great qualities along with her radiant smile that caught the eye of a special young man. Roman, the little boy I went to elementary school with, fell in love with Illiana. 

The high school sweethearts dated all the way through college and have grown together as a couple. Illiana and I saw many of our friends get engaged and married and we'd look to each other and I am sure we thought the same thing.... When will that be me?

Roman and Illiana love each other. It's been a fairytale they've lived for the past 8 years. Yes, you read right... 8 years! Chris made me wait 6 years but I definitely think Roman takes the trophy on this one. Kidding aside, I certainly didn't mind waiting so long for Chris to pop the question and I have no doubt Illiana would not have had it any other way either. Roman and Illiana share a fond love for one another, they are definitely ready to marry one another.

Illiana, I am beyond excited for your upcoming wedding and all the great new things the Lord is blessing you and Roman with. I wish you the best in your marriage and a beautiful and healthy family. Roman, take care of my friend Illiana and take care of yourself always so that two of you can raise beautiful children together. God bless you both and I look forward to photographing your wedding this coming Friday!

Happy Monday :)

Chinese Food.

It's been a great weekend for me, has it for you? I finally had the opportunity to spend a Saturday afternoon with my handsome fiance, I ate at a Chinese food restaurant TWICE in one day, and I actually tried something new... eating Chinese food. Whoah, I'm so wild, aren't I? I know, I should behave better... ha, but in reality this weekend was great and I hope to have many more Saturday afternoons with Chris more often. On the Chinese food, I should warn you - I am the definition of a picky eater. It's the worst thing :( but I manage to survive on the few things I do enjoy eating. My limited palate makes having lunch with and inviting me to dinner a tedious task. But for those brave ones who do and bear with me, thank you. I have to agree, part of the reason I am a picky eater is because I sometimes just don't want to try something new. 

This weekend some of my gal friends and I surprised a friend of ours with a bridal shower in her honor. Because we were so busy and everything was last minute, we decided on a restaurant dinner and gifts. The restaurant, some place called P.F. Changs down here in the Rio Grande Valley. I didn't know it was a Chinese cusine and they wouldn't give me a kid's menu. Alas, the kids menu, the waitress informed me, was just mini versions of the regular menu. I opted for a salad, and, no, I don't like salads either. But I felt brave ;)

When all the food arrived everyone suggested I try some of their meal, so I did. And I'm glad I did. I don't know what came over me but I said "Sure!" and with my fork picked from everyone's plate like it was a buffet. Such manners, right? I know, I know but I think I was still in the buffet mentality since Chris had taken me to - wait for it - a Chinese buffet restaurant earlier in the day. Manners aside, I'm glad the gals encouraged me and I was capable of thinking "free" and letting go of a little inhibition... I'd like to announce publicly that I will certainly be trying much more different foods than the usual five things I eat. My dietary pyramid will definitely be experiencing more than one food group.

To recap, I tried something new this weekend and it felt great. So you, my beloved friend, should attempt to do the same. Maybe you already like Chinese food, that's okay. But I'm sure there's been something you'd like to do but haven't for whatever reason. Don't over think it, just do it! I leave you know with one shot from Saturday's bridal session. ♥

Have an amazing week!

Engaged....JD and Greg ♥

Once upon a time I met a lovely young woman named Jessica on a an early fall evening as I inquired about joining Delta Zeta. I remember going to a second night event and I remember listening to this same young woman speak about the bonds of sisterhood and what it meant to care for one another in the chapter. I think I was hooked and as I became a Delta Zeta myself I admired the leadership skills of my new friend and my new sister Jessica. JD, as we like to call her, recently graduated college last year and has begun a prospering career. When she became engaged the chapter was exited and delighted for her. A few months ago we sat together with a couple of sisters around a Christmas dinner. Jessica then asked me to photograph her engagement session and she was full of ideas. 

Immediately, of course, I pondered away and wished for the warm weather to arrive quickly. December left and January came... as well as February, March, April and May. Finally, a few weeks ago we made the time and the commitment to shoot her engagement session and Greg found a perfect location. Jessica and Greg were so much fun to spend the early Saturday morning with.... I laughed every minute of their session. Greg is a fun and caring gentleman with eyes only for his lovely bride. Jessica is an intelligent and driven young woman with a heart full of love for her fiance. Together they make for one beautiful and loving couple with a very caring heart for each other and the world. 

On a quite more personal note, Jessica I want to thank you for being you... for being strong and for encouraging me always with your caring words. You gave me strength when you looked me in the eye and said you believed in me and called me talented. You could have called me a duck and I would have believed I was with the passion you spoke to me. I am blessed to have you as a sister and I look forward to your wedding day. Thank you for placing your trust in me on a little slice of your wedding. I wish you every blessing in the world and all the happiness your heart can contain. Congratulations to you and Greg!

H

Have a good night and a greater tomorrow :)

A simple kind of love... JD and Greg Engagement Preview ;)

I seriously considered heading to my bedroom, climbing in my bed and cuddling with Roberto until I fell into deep slumber. I've worked all afternoon and evening and caught up on a lot of stuff and naturally I am back to feeling tired. But I dared not go to bed without writing just a few words here and giving you a peek at JD and Greg's engagement session from a few weeks ago. Jessica, you may remember her from the Dominguez siblings post a few weeks back, had scheduled her engagement session with me a little more than a year ago! The wait, I believe, was well worth it. Jessica has hired a super-talented wedding photographer for her upcoming wedding so I will enjoy the day fully as a guest :) But she wanted me to take her engagement pictures and I was delighted. I can't wait to show you the rest but for now, I bid you goodnight and leave you bloggernet with one simple photograph of an extraordinary love ♥.

 

Now, I can go to sleep peacefully and with something less tugging at my to do list ;)

Good night and have a pleasantly amazing day tomorrow!!!