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Tanya and Cesar : Anytime
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A friend of a friend. That's how it worked. Sort of.
Cesar saw Tanya on his friend's profile, and there was something about her that popped from his computer screen. Her smile, her long brown hair, her looks. He immediately called his friend and asked for a good word hookup. After a self-proclaimed terrible first date (complete with his car being totaled), Cesar doubted Tanya would give him another chance. But she did...again and again and again. They married close to three years ago and are completely in love, both with each other and their photography business.
They flew from Dallas, Texas last week and sat warming in the Huntington Beach sun along Main Street. Cesar stood holding his camera bag, making awkward shadows on the grey sidewalk, and Tanya gazed at surfers will their longboards perched on their heads as they walked past. They arrived prepared for the engagement session they never had and were ready to have a little fun in Orange County.
Tanya and Cesar, thank you for making my afternoon so enjoyable. It was great meeting you in person and I think nothing but the highest of you both. The passion you possess is evident and I'm honored to allowed me to document your love. Yes, I was quite possibly the MOST nervous I've ever been before an engagement session, but I thank you for immediately putting me at ease. Again, thank you and I look forward to our paths crossing again soon! Much Love...J*
Tanya and Cesar wanted to start the shoot with a more urban feel, so we walked around Huntington for a bit before heading to the beach... |
| To see more of their photos, CLICK HERE for a slideshow! |
| **I've never done this before, but when I saw this picture, I fell out laughing. So I have to post it. Tanya and Ceasar had their cameras out while I was shooting and snapped the following picture and posted it on their blog...hilarious! I'm quite sure I'm going to get a frigid email from my mother insisting I couldn't possibly have been sane in dressing the way I did for this engagement session, but, hey, I wanted to be comfortable while I was shooting! :) |
    
I'm such a sucker for good marketing. No, I'm not into commercials or slogans, but I love good marketing when I see it.
Just Do It.
Got Milk?
Think Different.
When I was a child, AT&T launched its Reach Out and Touch Someone campaign and--even after all these years--the words have always stuck.
As a full-time photographer, I find myself alone more than I find myself interacting with others. I love working from home and the silence of my work space, but there are times when my desk--complete with its myriad of colorful post-its and a bottle of water--feels lonely. Polo keeps me company and even though I know he understands me when I speak to him (sort of, anyway), he just snuggles up next to my legs and naps most of the day away. I call JD at least 1,762 times a day, but it's still not a true substitute for human interaction.
A couple nights ago, myself, Jessica Claire, Marisa Holmes, and Kelly (Marisa's good friend) got together for dinner in Laguna Beach. We dined on the rooftop of Mozambique and if it wasn't for the continuous music of U2 playing in the background, we might have heard the waves crashing. It was an amazing evening! Not merely because of the great company, but because we were able to simply connect. The whole reach-out-and-touch-someone feeling, if you will. We spoke about life, business, and--ahem--boys, and when the time came for us to go our separate ways, we realized we needed to do it more often.
If you're a photographer right now and you're wondering about the last time you went out with some friends, it's been too long. If you haven't spoken to your best friend in over a week, it's been too long. If you've spent more hours in front of the computer than you have been away from it, you need to go out and smell the roses. Or the salty Laguna Beach sea air.
Reach Out and Touch Someone! |
L ast night I arrived home from dinner with a few friends and was greeted by a ball of white fur relentless licking my toes. Polo grabbed his leash and began running in circles, letting me know it was definitely time for his walk.
JD and I strolled hand-in-hand and spoke about our day as Polo led the way down the darkened path. Work, editing, what I ordered for dinner. Okay, so what were you doing this night exactly two years ago, I asked JD. I knew the answer, but in lieu of our wedding anniversary, I wanted to hear the story again. I’m like that.
This time two years ago, we were on the beach in Oahu, Hawaii for our destination wedding. Without a shadow of doubt, it was the happiest time of my life. JD and I were surrounded only by the closest family and friends, and promised our unwavering love and devotion to each other.
So much has changed in two years, yet nothing has. Life on the margin is entirely different, but life at the core is undoubtedly the same. I’m still insanely in love with my husband and—even though I doubted its feasibility—I love JD more than I did when I married him. Love spills from my heart and into my soul for him.
JD has morphed into my every being and I now see his reflection in my fingerprints. I feel his spirit when I speak. I hear his voice when I dream.
As we crawled into bed last night, JD said that while he’s proud to make it to our two-year anniversary, he’ll be extra happy when we make it to our 25th anniversary. I turned to him and said, Are you crazy?! I want to make it to our 250th anniversary!
JD…I mean it. I want to be 250-years-old with you. I want to grow old with you. I want you to comb my grey hair and hold me like it was our first night together all over again. I love you.
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As I was searching for pictures of us to post from this past year, I realized that the ONLY time we were in front of a camera was last February while in Cabo San Lucas. This is one of my favorite pictures that the fabulous Jessica Claire captured.
**I will be taking the day off, so please forgive the delay of email responses. I'm shooting a wedding tomorrow, so I won't be responding until Monday. Thanks!** |
That's right, folks. This here little 'ole blog just passed her 2000 comments marker. Hollllla!
As many of you know, I unabashedly love comments. Lame? Trite? Banal? Yes, yes, yes. But I still love them and they make my day, so THANK YOU to everyone who sprinkles a little love around these here parts. Why am I writing like I'm from the South? I don't know. Perhaps when I'm happy I speak with a twang...or so I've been told.
Lucky Commenter 2000--Scott Wharton--will be getting a $25 iTunes card! |
| And in keeping with the comment celebration, I randomly typed in "2000" in Google Images and this is what appeared. Yes, this blog and that comic book now share something in common. Or should I say, 2000 things in common?! ;) |
C ourtney and David sat in the nursery—complete with its blue accents in every nook and cranny—and read aloud their favorite childhood books. Because when Baby Isaiah is born in a couple months, they want him to know fine literary pieces such as The Giving Tree and Love You Forever. This alone qualifies them to be amazing parents and I’m positive the precious soul they bring into the world will be destined for great and mighty things.
When Courtney asked me to photograph her maternity session, I was honored. We have worked together quite a bit this past summer (she runs the fabulous Joyful Weddings and Events), so being able to document this personal chapter of her life was a blessing.
Courtney and David, I wish you the very best on your journey into parenthood. Words can’t express how much I enjoyed your company and I can’t wait to see you again soon…perhaps by then I’ll be holding a little baby in my arms! ;)
Talk about getting life started on the right foot! Little Isaiah will have miniature Uggs, Baby Vans, and Baby Converse...lucky! ;) |
| Courtney later decided she wanted a series showcasing her belly, so we had a little fun experimenting with such a cool change of pace (photos blogged with permission) |
| To view more of Courtney's maternity session, CLICK HERE for a slideshow! |
2010
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