Welcome!!
Here you will find all sorts of things: tips and tricks, book reviews, stories of my adventures, client features, and so much more!
Spring in a Small New Mexican Town- Los Lunas, New Mexico
Every year, on March 1st (or 2nd if the 1st is a Sunday!) the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District comes around and opens all of the flood control gates so that all of the farmers and ranchers up and down the Rio Grande River Valley can begin to irrigate and flood their fields to prepare for the Spring planting season. For all of us, this is a sure sign that Spring is just around the corner- and it’s one of those annual markers I was just writing about over here!
You Wouldn't Think It, But...
One of the things that I most enjoy doing (beside taking photos and reading) is quilting. I love selecting the colors and patterns, and watching as each block comes together to form a beautiful quilt top that can then be painted with even more shapes and patterns through the quilting process. More so, though, I love the time I get to spend with my mom and the stories that form as we work on our blocks together.
VHS Cross-Country
From June through November of each year, there are a select group of kids that can be found running (literally, not figuratively!) around town for miles on end. They often run through sand dunes, up hills, and ‘round and ‘round large structures to build their endurance. These kids are members of the Valencia and Los Lunas High School’s Cross-Country teams, and they purposely run through our desert for miles for FUN!
Would Grandpa Be Proud?
I never knew my dad’s parents- they both passed away before I was born. I only know the stories that my aunts and cousins tell of them. But, I did get to know my mom’s parents incredibly well. Grandma stayed home to take care of my brother and I until we were old enough to stay home alone. She came to every band concert, every football game, and almost every other important event in my life, right up until I graduated high school. She was at my wedding, and she was even there in the delivery room on the night I became a mommy. She’s still here. Teaching us about love, hard work, and having your own inner strength.
A Family Photo Session in Ruidoso, New Mexico- The Edwards Family
I absolutely love traveling down to Ruidoso for portrait sessions and weddings! The town itself is in the mountains (which I love!), and is just big enough to be comfortable, but completely small enough to be a tight-knit community.
Life in a Small, Small Town- Los Lunas, NM
In past posts, I’ve shared about how our small town life means that we are connected- and interconnected- with a LOT of people, both friends and family. And, it’s true! And, I really do love this aspect of life in a small town, because there is always someone to visit with, help, or to provide help. But, another thing that I love about living in our small town is that there is a certain rhythm to the days, weeks, months, and years here. I know it sounds crazy, but stay with me here!
Angela and Karen Ruiz- an ABQ Party Space Wedding!!
Angela and Karen actually connected over Facebook several years ago, and after taking the time to get to know one another through Facebook Messenger, emails, and phone calls, they knew they had to meet in person! So, Karen made plans to come visit Angela here in Albuquerque from her home in SoCal. Personally, I think these two knew in their hearts that it was love at first sight, but secretly didn’t want to admit it. That first trip was a wonderful time for the both of them! Over the course of the next year, Karen flew to Albuquerque to visit Angela and her daughters a few more times before deciding to relocate here permanently, with her mom and her mom’s partner.
Valencia High School Football- Los Lunas, NM
One of the things that I absolutely loved about high school band was getting to sit in the stands with my friends and watch every home game the Los Lunas Tigers played. I loved seeing the community come together to support our team, and to spend time with friends and family. It also helped that my parents, brother, and grandmother were also there supporting me! I have to say, though, that there is nothing like watching a small-town high school team play in their home stadium. Even though we lost more often than we won, the town, the team, and the school all had a great Friday night.
Girl Scout Silver Science Event at UNM-VC
In 2014, Ms. Casey Hoyt and Ms. Donna Angelus, seeing the importance of STEAM in girls’ futures, planned an executed the first Girl Scout Silver Science event for Girl Scouts in Los Lunas, New Mexico. Event activities included Kool Aid Bottle Rockets, Baking Soda Rockets, Mapping DNA, Film Cannister Rockets, and an introduction to First LEGO League- a group that encourages people to form teams to build a LEGO robot and program it to complete certain tasks before competing to see which team has done the best job each year.
The Valencia Classic- a Marching Band Competition!
I was a band nerd. I played flute from 6th through 9th grade, and then switched to saxophone for the rest of High School and College. My husband- Justin- was a band nerd- it’s how we met! So, it’s safe to say that band nerds always have, and always will have a special place in my heart. But, it’s much more than that! There is a camaraderie that develops when you’re in band, that I’ve never seen replicated anywhere else.
Karissa and Steven’s Wedding
This wedding may have been one of my most challenging to date, because Karissa and her mom have been close friends of mine for a number of years, and just six weeks before the wedding they unexpectedly lost Karissa’s dad. And, the loss was felt throughout the day by all of us.
Fall Mini Sessions in Los Lunas, NM
Each year, the Rio Grande River Valley begins to sparkle and shine with bright hues of red, orange, yellow, and even a little green mixed in. That’s how you know it’s October in New Mexico! And, each year around this time, I try to do family mini sessions for my clients. This year, however, I didn’t charge for my time and talent. Instead, I asked each family who signed up to bring in at least one cleaning supply to donate to our local children’s home, El Ranchito de Los Niños.
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta- 2018!!
Guys, I love going to the Balloon Fiesta every year. I feel like a giddy little kid when all of the balloons start inflating and launching! I absolutely love to see all of the shapes and colors that pepper our beautiful New Mexico skies!
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
2018 was the second year that I had the pleasure of photographing the Albuquerque Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk, sponsored by the American Cancer Society. This year was the 19th annual Making Strides for Breast Cancer event in Albuquerque, and over $270,000 was raised to fund research and treatment. Over a QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS!!! What an incredible amount of money from our small area!
Christmastime in a Small Town
As I type this, I’m sitting in my car waiting for traffic to clear out of Los Lunas’s McDonald’s parking lot after our town Twinkle Light Parade. Yes, the traffic sucks, but it is a small price to pay for this simple, small-town event.
Photography, and My Battle with Depression
In my mind, I’ve begun this post a million times, and in just as many ways, but now that I’m actually writing it, my mind’s gone blank so I’m winging it.
Alameda Open Space, Albuquerque, NM- Rebecca and Kyle's Family Portraits
After meeting several years ago in what could be termed a ‘Shady Cookie Deal’, I have had the sincere pleasure and honor of getting to know Rebecca, Kyle, and their two daughters.
New Mexico Tech Senior Portrait Session- Socorro, New Mexico
This post is LOOOOONNGG overdue, but I still wanted to share the photos with y’all!
I had the pleasure of photographing Daniel and Thomas’ Senior Portrait Sessions at New Mexico Technical University in Socorro, New Mexico this last April.
What is a Bridal Portrait Session and Why is it Important?
When it comes to weddings, no matter how much a couple plans or how organized they are, there are always some unknowns before the wedding.
Dorinda’s Maternity Portraits- Los Lunas, New Mexico
I honestly can’t recall how many years Dorinda and I have been friends now, but it’s been a long time. I watched as her and her husband Nick (also a good friend) became parents half way around the world (Nick was stationed in Japan with the Navy), and again after they’d been reassigned to Chicago. After they finally moved home a few years ago, I finally got to meet and cuddle their sweet kiddos. So when Nick and Dorinda announced they were expecting baby #3, I jumped at the chance to capture her pregnancy this time around!