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Here you will find all sorts of things: tips and tricks, book reviews, stories of my adventures, client features, and so much more!
Los Lunas, NM Relay for Life- An Interview with Karin Trujillo
I've had the pleasure of being the Los Lunas Area Relay for Life event photographer for the past couple of years, and every year I look forward to this incredible event. One of the many reasons that I became involved with this organization was because of the many people in my life who've had cancer. I've had several relatives pass away because of cancer, and I've been lucky enough to have several friends who've beaten it. Using my talents to give back to this organization is my way of honoring the people in my life who've come up against this horrid disease.
How Photography Can Make Genealogy Come Alive
As I type this, I'm sitting here watching my boys decorate gingerbread houses with my mom as part of their Christmas fun. My dad is relaxing in the living room, and my grandmother is doing heaven knows what while puttering in her kitchen. We're currently at my grandmother's house sitting at her dining room table while all of this is going on. One of the things I love most about this room (besides eating dinner in it, and the people I'm surrounded by) is that it's covered in photos of our relatives. My grandmother's parents, their parents, and their parents are all represented on the walls of this room, as are my grandfather's.
Cracking the Code of Receiving Lines: Are They Worth the Hassle?
If you've ever been to a wedding, you've probably participated in a receiving line. You know. That crazy long line to greet the bride and groom on their special day directly after the ceremony so that you can pay them your respects and give them your well wishes. They're long, irritating, and mostly just annoying. I recently photographed a wedding where the receiving line carried on for over an hour and a half! Anyway, you've probably plotted various ways of ditching this long-time wedding tradition in hopes of not having one on your wedding day. Some of those plans may even involve invisibility cloaks and magic wands...
10 Tips for Letting Go of Your Body Insecurities on Your Wedding Day
This day in age it's easy to look at our physical appearances and only see the things that we'd love to improve- especially when your wedding day is approaching. You know you'll be the center of everyone's attention (as you rightfully should!), and you want to look and feel your best, but it's hard to have that confidence when you're ambushed with 'picture-perfect' models on magazine covers, social media posts, and on T.V. shows. So, how do you let go and enjoy your day?
What is a Wedding Planner, and Why Should You Hire One?
Hey, y'all! I've invited Jessica from Jessica Lynn Weddings & Events to write today's post about what a wedding planner actually does, and why you should hire one. As a photographer, I highly recommend that you at least have a wedding planner at your wedding for day-of coordination services. Oftentimes, I find myself filling in this vital role at weddings, as well as trying to do my own job of photographing your wedding, and it can get a little crazy (okay, a LOT crazy) when I'm trying to fill two very different roles. So, I'm gonna turn the rest of this blog post over to her, and I hope you guys will give her a call for your wedding!
Confessions of a Los Lunas, NM Photographer
It's hard to believe that I am once again writing this annual post. It seems like I just wrote the one at the beginning of 2016! But, here we are at the beginning of 2017.
What is the Golden Hour, and Why Should You Care?
Even before I knew that this special time of day had a specific name, it was my favorite part of the day. Simply put, the Golden Hour is the 30 minutes before sunset and the 30 minutes right after sunset each day. This is the time of day when the sun is at an angle to the spot you are at on the Earth. Specifically in New Mexico, it's the time of day when we get all those pretty skies and colors. You know- the pinks and purples and blues that have made our sunsets famous.
How to Get Pinterest-Perfect Wedding Photos, Even With a Tiny Budget
This day in age, just about every couple is looking for wedding inspiration on Pinterest. Even those who are married (me include) have boards of ideas for their perfect wedding. We all see those detail shots that photographers take, and dream about not only having a photo like that, but having whatever detail, action, or moment that the photograph shows at our wedding. So, how do you get those photos at your own wedding?
An Old Town Christmas in Albuquerque, NM- The Bennett Family
I had the pleasure of meeting and working with the Bennett Family a few weeks ago to capture their Christmas Portraits this year. Little did I know that Ms. Gianna had just turned 1 year old as well! It truly was a special- albeit very cold- portrait session!
An In-Home Session in Peralta, NM- Harry and Maryanne McCormick
One of the many joys that I have in my job is getting to meet some really incredible people and learn their stories. That was the case that brought me to the home of Harry and Maryanne McCormick, but first a bit of backstory.
An Old Town Christmas Session in Albuquerque, New Mexico- The Simpson-Parrott Family
I had the pleasure of photographing my friend Meg's family again this year for their Christmas portraits. Its always great to get to work with a friend, but one of the things that struck me most this year is that Meg is a mom to three wonderful boys, and an awesome little girl. She has done (and is doing) an awesome job parenting all four of her kids, but it is great to see the relationship that has developed between her three boys. While they tease and torment each other (what siblings don't, right?!), they also obviously love and support each other just as much. And, it goes without saying that the three of them would do anything for their little sister.
The Martinez Family- At-Home Session in Los Lunas, NM
I recently had the pleasure of meeting and working with the Martinez family to capture and create their family portraits for Christmas this year. Mark, Stephanie, Mark Jr., and Lillyana were kind enough to invite me to their home to create these beautiful photographs.
Johnathan and Michelle- Los Lunas River Park, Los Lunas NM
I had the pleasure of working with Michelle and Johnathan to create a session full of beautiful photos for their Christmas Cards this year!
The Johnson Family- Carlito Springs Park in Tijeras, New Mexico
I was honored to serve the Johnson Family by creating their fall family portraits! This awesome family chose to use Carlito Springs- and Open Space park owned and maintained by Bernalillo County in New Mexico.
Los Lunas, NM Wedding Vendor Styled Photo Shoot
A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to have the privilege of working with some of the best wedding vendors that can be found in Los Lunas. These amazing small businesses are not only talented, creative, and hard-working, but are also kind and generous. I would like to say thank-you to each of them for their time and their talents to make this photo shoot happen!
Why You Should Choose a Local Photographer Over a National Chain
I admit it. I used to be one of those people that went to a national chain to have my family's portraits taken. In this particular case (the photo on the left), it was Portrait Innovations, and my eldest son- Christopher- was two. This was two years before I picked up my camera, learned how to use it, and started creating portraits myself. The portrait on the right, I took myself earlier this evening. Oh, and Christopher is now six.
What I Carry in My Emergency Supply Bag- Los Lunas, NM Photographer
Weddings are wonderful, happy, exciting times, but because of this, things tend to happen. Oftentimes, if a couple doesn't have a wedding planner or coordinator, I end up functioning as both the photographer, and the coordinator. That means that a lot of the small issues that arise throughout the day fall to me to take care of. Because of this, I carry an emergency supply bag that is full of all sorts of items wedding parties tend to need, but often forget the day of the wedding. Here's what's in my bag:
We're Excited to Announce...!!!
Justin and I are excited to announce that we are expecting a new addition to our family! Christopher and Joshua will have a new little brother or sister coming in February!
Henry Estrada's Final Band Concert- Los Lunas, New Mexico
Henry Estrada has been the driving force behind the Los Lunas High School Tiger Band for the last 33 years. He has taught hundreds of students- including my husband and myself. He's given up time with his wife and three children, time with friends, and the pursuit of fishing in August to provide his students with the instruction that they needed to be the best that they could be.
Kathey and Craig's Vow Renewal- Albuquerque, NM
I had the pleasure of photographing Craig and Kathey's 25th Anniversary Vow Renewal at the end of May this year. These two have an amazing love story!