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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!
Where Your Dreams, Goals, and God's Purpose Collide
A new month, a new year, and a new decade. This is usually the time of year when we all sit down and evaluate our lives, set new goals, and begin new habits. But often, with in a few weeks- a few months at most- most of us have given up on those dreams and goals, and we’ve reverted to old habits. Oftentimes, it’s because we become too scared to keep going. Suddenly, those dreams seem too big, or too hard. Those goals take more time to accomplish than we thought they would. A challenge gets in the way, and we give up because it feels too hard to overcome- not that we couldn’t if we tried.
Why Look at the Camera?
Have you ever noticed how we all seem to be trained to look at a camera anytime someone pulls one out? It doesn’t matter what kind of camera it is, either! It could be a phone camera, a pro-grade DSLR, or a point-n-shoot, any time someone pulls one out to take a picture of a moment, we all stop what we’re doing and look at the camera! Now, there is a reason that we’ve been trained to do this, but this isn’t necessarily what we should be doing any more.
Wedding Vendors: What's the Difference Between a Service Provider and a Product Provider?
Earlier today I shared an article from Huffington Post entitled “The Most Common Wedding Emergencies, and How to Deal with Each”, and while their advice is spot-on, one of the underling, but unsaid ideas was to choose reliable and trustworthy wedding service providers. It made me think; do people know the difference between a service provider and a product provider? You need both when planning a wedding, but which ones are which? Well, in continuing the conversation started by the Huffington Post article, I’m gonna break it down for you!
Christmas and My Testament of Jesus Christ
Christmastime is- and has always been- a magical time of year for me. I love living in a small town that still decorates the streetlights for Christmas, as well as sponsors an annual twinkle light parade. Oh, and then there is the town-sponsored business decorating contest! And, almost every single year (there was that one year when I was pregnant with Andrew, but we won’t go there), we put up our own Christmas tree covered with Hallmark and assorted homemade ornaments.
Estevan's Senior Portrait Session- Los Lunas, New Mexico
Estevan is one of the most impressive young men I know! He has overcome so many challenges in his young life, that it’s hard to even know where to begin writing this blog post! See, Estevan has a fused spine and Autism, but NEVER has he let those things get in the way of anything he wants to accomplish!
Rebecca Engle, and Family! An ABQ Uptown Family Portrait Session; Albuquerque, NM
I have had the pleasure of photographing Rebecca, Adoli, Nora, and Kyle several times throughout the years, but this is the first time that I’ve met Rebecca’s siblings, their spouses, and their children, and what a fun family! The attempts to get the kiddos to smile were making me crack up!
I'm a Latter-Day Saint
When I do blog, Thursdays are the day of the week I usually reserve to write about whatever I feel like. I do this so that it forces me to let you get to know me a little bit better. However, there is a part of myself that I haven’t shared with y’all up to this point, most because I was scared. I don’t want to alienate anyone, because I want this community to be a safe space for all of us. But, with my faith continuing to grow, and my circle of close friends changing, I know I need to share this part of my life with y’all as well.
Our Trip to Disney World
Justin, Christopher, Joshua, and I just got home on Saturday evening from an 8-day trip to Walt Disney World with Justin’s side of our family. We went to celebrate my Father-in-Law’s retirement. It’s what he wanted in lieu of a huge party. He paid for almost the whole family (we left Andrew at home with my parents) to spend a week at Disney World! It was an incredible gift to all of us!
A Road Trip and a Lesson on the Value of Photography
About two months ago, I took a road trip with my mom, my grandma, and my two-year-old. I know, it sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but it’s not. We left on a Saturday morning for a small town in Southeastern Kansas called Yates Center. It took us two days to get there, but we made it. Yates Center is the small town where my grandmother and my grandfather met. Its the town where my great-grandparents and my uncle are buried. Its the town where I spent a few days almost every summer of my childhood. And this trip may be the last time I see the town for quite some time to come.
Taryn and James Thompson- A Farmington, New Mexico Wedding
I have had the pleasure of knowing Taryn from almost the beginning of my business 5 years ago. I’m not sure how she found me, but I’m so glad she did! I have had the pleasure of watching her boys grow up, and getting to know one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Taryn and her family have since moved out of New Mexico, but when she got engaged to James earlier this year, and called asking if I could photograph her wedding, of course I said yes!
American Cancer Society's Relay for Life- Albuquerque, New Mexico
Attend an American Cancer Society event. I challenge you to do so. Because if you do, you will learn what an incredible event and community that the people who regularly participate in these events have formed. These events are both emotional and physical. They are sad and exciting. They are fun and serious. And all that goes on at these events comes together cohesively.
How Can You Trust Me?
I’ve been reading a biography of Fred Rogers, the guy behind ‘Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood’- you know, the children’s t.v. show we all grew up watching on PBS- entitled The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King. In reading this book, I came across a quote from Dr. Margaret McFarland who was one of Mr. Roger's professors at the Arsenal Center of the University of Pittsburgh that has made me do quite a bit of thinking.
How to Tie a Windsor Tie Knot with Justin Bradshaw
Justin was wonderful in helping me create this video tutorial for y’all! He has been tying his own ties for church every Sunday since the age of twelve, when his father first taught him how to tie a full Windsor Knot. Through my experience as a wedding photographer, I’ve learned that not every groom or groomsman knows how to tie their tie the day of the wedding, so we created an easy-to-follow video tutorial to explain how to do it!
Botto/Torcich Wedding- Paradise Hills Golf Course, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Gary and Jacquelyn were married on May 25th, 2019 in a very intimate wedding at Paradise Hills Golf Course in Rio Rancho, New Mexico! Read on below to learn more about their wedding!
To Taos and Back: Day Three
I’m sorry to say that Day Three found us heading home early! We were completely worn out from this camping trip, and our one to Carlsbad not even two weeks before, plus a Cub Scout overnight a few days before that! We were all feeling tired, so we packed up and headed home.
To Taos and Back: Day Two
Day two in Taos found us driving to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico to see the National Boy Scout Museum. The drive over from Taos took us through the Cimarron Canyon State Park, and I have to say, it was gorgeous! There were so many places I wanted to pull over, take out my camera, and start shooting! It was wonderful to see such beautiful mountain landscapes, but we didn’t really have time to stop. The boys were anxious to get to the museum as quickly as possible because this was the stop they were most looking forward to on this trip!
To Taos and Back: Day One
In real life, my boys and I were actually home for about a week between these two road trips, but I’m a little behind on my blogging, so I’m gonna go ahead and start telling y’all about this trip!
We left bright and shiny early on Monday morning, headed for Taos, New Mexico after packing our bag and our camping gear once again. We once again grabbed breakfast at McDonald’s and Lotaburger, and hit the road.
Cynthia's Newborn Portraits
This little cutie is Cynthia. I have had the pleasure of knowing her mom, Kendra, and her aunt and grandmother for a number of years, so when Cynthia was born, I got to create her newborn portraits!
Adam and Milly Little's Temple Sealing
I have known Milly and Adam for several years, specifically since we moved into the Los Lunas Ward in the Los Lunas Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Milly was one of the first Sisters who reached out to me, and welcomed me into the Ward. I’ve never forgotten her kindness, so when she reached out and asked if I could photograph her and Adam’s Temple Sealing, of course I said yes!
To Carlsbad and Back: Day Three
Day Three of this trip found us packing up our campsite and heading home. Which was probably a good thing, because we were pooped! Carlsbad took more out of us than I thought it would. After breakfast, we broke camp and loaded up the car to head toward home. I had a few stops left, though!