From my family to yours

It's that time of year when we are all busy or going crazy with the holidays. The smell of pine resonates from the Christmas tree... Lights are sparkling inside and out of most homes down the streets... the mall is the last place I want to be because everyone is there to purchase the last Elmo (remember that?)... There has to be some kind of safety violation code being broken with soo many people in one place, right? :) Anyway, it's one of my favorite times of the year because families are brought together regardless how busy everyone's schedule is. Yummy home cooked meals reign supreme, kids everywhere cannot wait for the clock to strike 12:00 and there are all around good times taking place.

This past year has been good to me. Despite of the economy, there was always food on my table. Could things have been better? Probably, but I still feel blessed to live in the land of the free & where prosperity is up to ones self. Happiness isn't defined if you have money in your pocket, instead being happy with what you DO have. 

A huge thank you to my husband. Edwin, I love you! Thank you to my family, friends, past clients who have become my friends & future clients... you all are a part of the reason why I can still smile today. 

The card below is from my family to yours! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Welcome to the world: Robert

I've been friends with Mariana since 7th grade. Yup, we go way back... after middle school we would write each other letters (hand written there wasnt email or texting back then) every other month or so. Though miles apart we've always managed to keep in touch. She has always been there for me & was at my side on my wedding day. Fast forward to this past Tuesday... Mariana gave birth to her first child Robert Felix ii, and has made me a happy auntie! I cant wait to spoil him rotten :) I was able to visit her the day after giving birth and here are the few images I was able to snap in between frequent doctor & nurse visits to the newest mommy in my life <3

Eight hours of labor.... all worth it to meet her baby boy! 

Baby Robert only wanted to open one eye ;)

Proud auntie (me), holding him for the first time!

*** iphone picture, dont hate ***

Finally as I was getting ready to leave he opened BOTH eyes!!! :)

Mariana, I know you will be a wonderful mother to your bundle of joy! I cant wait to see you both again & remember, I am always here for you! I LOVE YOU...
xoxo,
b.love

First time as a Second Shooter

As most of you may know, I assisted Damaris Mia this past Saturday with a fabulous wedding. I feel extremely blessed to have been able to shoot my first wedding & also second shoot for the first time all within passing my first year mark in the photography business. After shooting the first wedding as the primary photography I blogged about it here, so now I'm sharing my thoughts on this too. Hoping it can help someone who has never done it or will be soon! 

SIDE NOTE: Luckily for me, this wasn't the first time working with Damaris - she's very talented, sweet & definitely a rising star. Earlier this year she put together a styled shoot & invited me to join her, check it out here. It was a great learning experience for me and I am forever grateful D, I hope you know this. 

I never like to make my post go on for days, so I will do my best to keep it short & to the point. My duties as the second shooter were as follows:

• Dress accordingly - this was discussed days prior through email
• Ask primary for game plan of the whole day (don't want to smother with questions throughout the day) knowing before is key
• Stay clear of main photographer at ALL times
• Remember that you are there to compliment main photographer
• Find different angles to shoot
• Offer to carry equipment bags
• Shoot candids of bride+groom and guest
• During down time offer snack or energy bar ;)
• Make sure primary is hydrated throughout the day
• As primary was taking family formals, I was inside the reception hall taking detail shots of table settings, flower arrangements, cake, etc... *Note* If Naomi wouldn't have been there to assist with formals, more than likely I would have been helping direct family unless told otherwise  
• Keep speaking to a minimal, unless asked for opinion or suggestions
• ONLY pass out the main photographers business card

The bride & groom opted to do a first look session before the ceremony which left plenty of time for family formals and alleviated stress on their pictures, so I was asked to take the groom ahead and prep him to see his soon to be wife for the first time that day. It was a wonderful moment full of emotions. Image below was seconds before...

Cannot wait to share more from this excellent wedding, but as the second shooter, I MUST LET THE MAIN PHOTOGRAPHER BLOG HER IMAGES FIRST :)

If this post has been helpful, talk to me. I'd love to hear from you!

We are officially 15 days away from 2011~! HAPPY THURSDAY

xoxo,

b.love

The Crowder Family

Meet the Crowders... they are a beautiful family that participated in the Tonya Joy Workshop that I attended a couple months back. Finally found some down time to post these!

 Yup, she's a daddy's girl just like me ;) 

Work it!

Kelsey, I pray I look this good after having children... your GORGEOUS!!!

Many thanks to the Crowders for being excellent models!

xoxo,

b.love

Quote of the Week: William Arthur Ward

The quote speaks for it self so I'm not going to say much. Needless to say, after reading it for the first time yesterday, it instantly became my new favorite! It is a question to ponder on... A question to ask ourselves. 


I'm very excited for tomorrow, I'll be second shooting alongside the fabulous Damaris Mia! 


Happy Friday, stay safe & for you Southern Californian's, stay cool. Its suppose to be in the 80's! We are soo spoiled here!!!  :)


xoxo,


B.Love

December.

I cannot believe it. Or maybe I just don't want to. Another year has pretty much passed us by... Today is the 2nd of December, next thing you know it will be Christmas and then New Years!!!


This is what I'm doing & you may want to try it too. It can be a challenge, but I love challenges, thats just how I am. Instead of looking at it as "I'm a year older" I'm going to say "another year where I've been blessed and cant wait to see what the future holds." Seriously, outlook has a lot to do with how happy we are. I continually remind myself that life could be worse this instant if I didn't have the people I do in my life, if I was missing a limb, had a life-threatening disease or simply did not have food in the fridge to feed my family. You see what I mean? And it helps to remember that God is in control. If there is something that I need. He knows. If there is something I'm struggling with. He knows.


Let's all take a moment and reflect on the people, things and opportunities we've had in the past year... Like the quote below says "recognize & appreciate." Just do it. 


I took the picture below as I was scouting an area for future photo sessions... Photographers, you get me right? :)

Happy Thursday <3's!!