I’m sorry it took me so long to finally present this beautiful couple to you.  Originally we had scheduled to have a second part of this engagement shoot this week, but the weather here in Southern California did not cooperate.  It has been raining cats and dogs this past week; we had to reschedule our second part.

When I first spoke to Michelle on the phone back in November, 2009, I had a feeling we were going to hit it off.  She had the warmest personality and she was such a sweetheart.  When we finally met–at a Starbucks Coffeeshop in Long Beach, CA, I knew in my heart, we would have a great time working together.  Michelle and David’s big day is in August of this year.  After this shoot, I have decided it will be very hard to wait until August…you’ll see why.

Michelle + David, Long Beach, California

I cannot tell you how excited I am to present to you this cute couple. We have another session (part II) next week, and you will see the rest when everything is done. I promise.

****update****oops, forgot to add the disclaimer!

Alright..here we go.  It has been pretty darn tough trying to think of a clever way to participate in this week’s contest.  I came up with gazillions of ideas, but when I tried to put these ideas into action, only one came out.  One.

I heart faces.  I heart my children’s faces.  I heart my children’s faces when they are standing next to the onesies that once fit them, but no longer.

I also heart faces.  I heart younger looking faces.  It wasn’t until I took this shot and looked at it I laughed out loud.  This is me, au-natural, with no make up, no anything… just me, looking no longer 21.  Oh, well.

I am submitting this photo into the I Heart Faces logo photo contest. By entering, I am granting I Heart Faces LLC permission to consider my photo for use in the marketing and promotion of their website

I wish I have many words to reflect my thought.  Every year I get to this part, I am at a total lost.  Whatever was on my mind ten minutes before I started typing is now gone.  All of them.  But I know this: 2009 is coming to an end, and it’s going to be 2010 soon..sooner than I can fathom.

This past year, to say that I have learned many things would be right.  But there is so much more to that.  From learning how to juggle between two walking (and running) toddlers and still have a (semi) normal life to learning how to trust the Lord completely, no questions asked had been challenging at times.  But I did it.  By God’s grace.

And then there is…photography.  My passion, obsession, way to survive, daily dose of addiction..whatever you want to call it.  I purchased my first DSLR, spent money on my first lenses, became somewhat aquainted with   Photoshop and Lightroom, started a Flickr account, challenged myself at iheartfaces (and won, TWICE!), shot three weddings, branched out a photography business, made some great friends through blogging, discovered that I love photography way more than just making money from it…all in the past nine months.  Crazy?  A little.  Having every single dream come true because it was the Lord orchestrating every single event?  Absolutely.

When I first held my pre-owned DSLR back in March, all I wanted to accomplish was to get to know my monster-looking camera well, so I was able to shoot my first wedding in August.  I never imagined this “homework assignment” would evolve into a love affair with this hobby.  During this time, I questioned my ability, my future, and whether or not I should go after this dream.  There were doubts, confusion, not to mention fear.  Then one day,  I asked myself a very important question:

“will photography still be a part of my life, even if I won’t ever make a penny out of it?”

And my answer was yes.

That was when I knew, I had to go after this dream.  That was when I realized, I saw photography as a way of life, a part of me, instead of just a money-making talent that God has blessed me with.  The truth is, I have just started this incredible journey.  Each day I look forward to becoming better than I was yesterday, and I thrive in seeing the world differently through the frame of a viewfinder.  I had an incredible year this year, and I cannot wait to see what else is coming my way in 2010.  Thank you all again, for your loving support, whether you are sending your encouraging words via emails or commenting.  Without reading your words, I wouldn’t be where I am today–content, passionate, ready to take on new challenges.

To my friends, my readers, I wish you all a safe and happy new year.  I pray that the Lord will show you many things and more, guide you, and lead you to an adventurous journey that belongs to only you.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches.  Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.  For apart from me you can do nothing.“  John 15:5

Having grown up with two sets of grandparents, I knew all too well about the special bond that the older and younger generations share.  Nothing was more exciting than seeing Grandma and Grandpa.  They just had a way to make me feel extra protected, loved, and special.  This intimacy is beautiful, beyond my understanding, and it is priceless.  I would do anything today just to experience that kind of love again.

I had the privilege to photograph for some good friends before Christmas.  This session was a special gift for Grandpa and Grandma.  Seeing the children running to them, it reminded me of my own childhood.  It brought back so many good memories.  The only difference was, my grandpa didn’t have a beautiful Harley like Randy did.  Still, it didn’t matter.  After this day, I drove home wishing I was little again, so I could look forward to spending time with Grandma and Grandpa.

This year has been a very interesting year, filled with many surprises and blessings.  Things were not always perfect, but I am so thankful, beyond words, for the many faithful, supportive readers like you.

I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in mind for the year 2010.  I pray you will have a safe and fun-filled Christmas, and a happy new year!!

For those of you faithful readers of my blog, thank you for always checking back.  Your support and encouraging words mean the world to me.  I like to receive comments, but I love to receive thoughts.  Your true, genuine thoughts.  We all know everyone is beyond busy during this Christmas season, there are things to do, people to visit, and gifts to purchase.  For us “photographers”, oftentimes our “success” is measured by the many appointments we book, the sessions we shoot.  But I am here to tell you, I don’t really care for how full my calendar looks.  Especially during this time of the year, when relationships need to be nurtured, when family togetherness is standing at the top of my list.  I am also not forgetting what the true meaning of Christmas is.  It is a time of the year when I am reminded that there is no greater love than the One who gave.  Jesus was born, so He would die, for my sins.  He came down to serve, and I am called to do the same.  Photo shoots can wait, but building relationships cannot.  Photo shoots give me an instant, earthly gratification, whereas serving others gives me an eternal, priceless peace.  As I write, I cannot believe Christmas is just a few days away.  I am so grateful for all of you who are my regular readers, and I am here to wish you and your loved ones a merry Christmas.  I am so excited, and cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for me in 2010!

Back to the original purpose of this post.  I had an awesome time doing a family portrait session for my old friends Chara and Josh.  I’ve known them since almost ten years ago.  At first, when I was told I was about to shoot a large family, I didn’t give it much thought.  Not until I arrived at the location, saw all of them, did I realize what a challenge I was about to face.  But it was a good challenge.  I was able to make everyone happy (or so I hope), including myself.  Merry Christmas to you, Josh, Chara, and everyone else in your family.  It was such a pleasure, and a privilege to have done this for you!

I wasn’t kidding when I said, large family.

Ok..I told myself I was not going to participate this week…mainly because I have been working on how to photograph still life.  I have been spending a lot of time on Flickr lately, just browsing through other people’s work, and learning.

But I can’t help it.  She is way too cute not to be showcased.

Lola.

Be sure to check out more pets this week at

*******I had no idea how much my entry this week had touched many of you.  Many of you told me how you can so relate to this photo–because you have a loved one who is currently serving.  So from the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you.  Because of these brave men, we get to enjoy our freedom today.  THANK YOU!!********

Not sure if these gentlemen were going home, or taking off.  I took this picture in August, when we had to stop in Atlanta on our way home from Maine.  Either way, I’m sure all they could dream about was going home, to sleep in their warm beds.  Home, sweet dreams.

Oh, how time flies.  I still remember visiting little Peyton the day he was born, holding his tiny little body in my arms.  I also remember all the oooooh’s and the aaahh’s exchanged between Peyton’s Mommy and me that day.  “What in the world??!!  We’re both moms now.” was what I said.

And that was already more than a year ago.  Today, little Peyton is not tiny anymore.  He has grown into this sweet, curious toddler who always smiles.  The joy that he brings to his parents…I can’t even begin to tell you.

Merry Christmas, Kurt, Hermi, and Peyton!