September Contest Winner October 1, 2010

Well, life happens. And it always seems to happen when I am determined to blog every day…funny how that works.

So if you haven’t noticed, I only blogged through about half of the month, sad day.

I think sometimes I just set unrealistic goals for the workload I have. If you don’t know, photography is just something that I do part time. I still work a 40 hour week at a desk job. And I work nights. And sometimes weekends. And when I’m not working weekends at the 40 hour, I’m out shooting weddings or family portraits. And when I’m not doing that, I’m trying to catch up on cleaning, my DVRed (totally made that up) episodes of whatever is on that particular season, and trying to find time to spend with people that I love. I am also planning two baby showers (one for my sister and one for my bestie), making homemade invitations, and homemade Christmas gifts for the family. And working on finishing something I started for my grandparents 2 years ago…YIKES!

Oh and I forgot to mention, football season has rolled back around and boy do I love football Sundays! Really there’s no sarcasm intended there. And this season Chris is playing fantasy football so we’re watching a lot more then just our Boys play this time around.

I don’t think I have enough going on in my life! Maybe I should throw in something else, like training for a marathon! (haha yeah right, maybe one day!)

But anyways…enough rambling. Like I said, life happens. I hope you all will forgive me and I promise to set more realistic goals in the future.

I appreciate all who commented for the contest. I hardly ever get comments and it makes me sad. lol

Here’s what the entries looked like… (not too many but I appreciate you avid commenters, Danielle and Eni! I hope you still decide to comment even when there’s not a contest going on!)

Every entry folded and shaken around in the cup.

And finally, the suspense is over…the moment you’ve all been waiting for…

AND THE WINNER IS…

ENI!!!!

Congrats Eni! Be sure to be in contact with me about when we can set up your shoot!

And again a BIG thank you to all of those who participated, you made me smile with all your comments.

Well, I’m off to get the rest of my to-do list done…wish me luck! See you back here on Monday! (Promise )

Carmen & Martin | Engaged September 14, 2010

Carmen and Martin chose to go up to Jemez to take their engagement pictures in July. We got up super early to get there by 8am before it got too stinkin’ hot to move. I had a lot of fun exploring with them and we went to a part of Jemez I haven’t been to before!

I loved how they were always smiling at each other and laughing constantly! They are so cute!

This was also the first time I really got to try out my new 50mm 1.8 lens, and it didn’t disappoint! It let amazing light through when were in very shadowed areas. I’m going to start investing in better prime lenses now!

I’m shooting their wedding at the end of this month and can’t wait! But until then here are a few pics of their engagement session.

And in other non-related news, I decided to make the family handmade Christmas presents this year!!! I have all the ideas written down and now I’m just waiting for my supplies to come in! Here’s a picture of what I’m waiting for in the mail that i just ordered today!

Can’t tell you much more than that, I might give it away!  But let’s just say I can’t wait to start working on them!

Happy Tuesday! We’re that much closer to Friday!

Manic Mondays | Weekend Update September 13, 2010

So a couple of weeks ago I pulled a major blonde moment. On Thursday night when I got home I had a package in the mail. It was my long awaited adapter so i can listen to my iPod in the car. So I go out to my car and turn the key halfway and plug everything and to make sure it works. It’s works perfect and hey, it also charges my phone battery!

After jamming out to a couple of songs, I decided that was enough for the night and go inside. So I grab my phone and head in. The next morning I’m getting ready for work and when it’s time for me to leave, I can’t find my car keys. After searching for about 5 minutes, I think maybe, just maybe, I left them in my car the night before. So sure enough, I open the door and there are my keys still in the ignition and halfway turned…DOH! So of course my car doesn’t start.

Thank goodness for my sister Toria and my good friend Danielle, they both saved the day for me!!!

Then on Saturday night, after we washed Chris’s truck, he started messing with the speaker wires under the hood and next thing you know he sees smoke and hears a popping noise…then the truck won’t start!!! I’m writing this now as I’m waiting for the tow-truck to come pick it up.

So needless to say, we have not had good vehicle luck these past couple weeks. Please just say a little prayer that it’s nothing too bad and it can be fixed fairly cheap.

I had this whole last week off and today will mark my first day back to work I’m not looking forward to that at all. We spent the whole week just relaxing and not really doing anything, it was much needed.

On Saturday I went to my nephew Jaden’s first soccer game. It was so fun! He did great too! So here’s some pics of him playing for you.

They did an awesome job! They won the game 4-3! Way to go Scorpions!

Happy Monday everyone!!!

Resurrection Life Skate Jam 2010 | Events September 10, 2010

My friends Dominic and Michelle moved to Los Lunas a few years ago to start a church, Resurrection Life.

Their congregation has been growing and growing and I know that they are touching so many lives they wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.

They really enjoy being part of the community and getting out there and reaching people to let them know the love of Jesus. One of the ways they do this is the Skate Jam.

This was the 2nd year for the Skate Jam. They provide free food, free skate registration, and  a jumper for the little ones.

It’s a great way to meet new people and spread the word and works of Jesus through his followers.

They asked me to come out and take some photos of it this year. I had a blast and the kids were really talented!

They were sponsored by a few companies including Monster and they were able to throw out prizes.

Abby also handed out some stickers.

My niece Tatyana giving boards to the winners.

Tatyana and Dominic.

They had a really successful year and hopefully next year will be bigger and better for them! Thanks for asking me to be a part of this fun and inspirational event!

Mona & Matt | Just Because September 9, 2010

Mona is one of my nearest and dearest friends. We met in high school and honestly, I didn’t like her! After I got to know her though, I found out what an amazing person she is and we’ve been friends ever since!!! I think it’s funny how most of my best friends are people I didn’t like at first…I guess I shouldn’t be so quick to judge! Kind of like that saying – “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” I’m learning!!

Mona asked me to take her and her boyfriend Matt out for a Just Because session. Of course I couldn’t resist! They are super-duper cute together!

Enjoy!

Mona and Matt attend Texas Tech School of Pharmacy, so it was only appropriate that we took pictures there!

So I’m pretty sure that you’re not supposed to get on the horse, but it was Sunday and we didn’t get caught!

Mona, thank you for always being such a good friend to me and sticking by my side! I wish you didn’t live so far away…so I’ve decided you should transfer to UNM! Love you!

Monica and Cameron | Family September 8, 2010

I shot Monica‘s first maternity session back in October of last year. The plan was to go out again when she got bigger, but those plans never panned out. We kept having to reschedule for one reason or another and then go figure, the day we have them planned and everything seems good to go, she goes in to labor! I guess her little man Cameron wanted his face in the pictures – LOL!

Cameron was born on March 28 (same birthday as Chris!) and we got to go out a day after his 2 month birthday and take some mommy and me shots!

Time to meet Cameron!

Look at that cute face!

At the end of the session, Cam gave me some knucks as a good job lol

I always enjoy getting to spend time with you Monica and I love how great you are at being a mommy! I can’t wait for our next session!

Manic Monday! On a Tuesday… September 7, 2010

So this weekend was AWESOME!!! Saturday I shot Jennifer and Chris‘s wedding. I left my house at 10:30 am and didn’t get home until 1 am the next morning – it was a completely full, busy and fun day. I just wanted to give a couple sneak peek detail shots. I can’t wait to share them all with you, but I’m waiting on Jen and Chris to come back from their honeymoon – they went to Cabo San Lucas – a guaranteed good time!

This flower shot has got to be my favorite so far!

The bridesmaid’s purse and necklace.

The bride’s shoes and the bride and groom’s rings.

All the groomsmen and the best person (Chris’s best friend is Chantielle -she was awesome!) wore black, white and red Jordan’s. I thought this was awesome.

For the day, I had 2 second shooters.

First was Alena, she was with me pretty much all day. We started out at the house were the guys were getting ready and I caught this shot. Alena is the one with the camera on the right, she’s in black.

And as always she had my back all day and was amazing! I love how well we work together!

Then, I had Aimee come in for part of the reception. She is going to be my 2nd shooter when Alena has other events already planned. She did a fantastic job!

And I’m sure the whole night she was getting ideas of what she did and didn’t want for her own wedding…she got engaged on Friday night!

For this weekend, I rented my friend’s brand new Canon EOS 7D to try it out. I had just decided that this was going to be the next camera I’m going to get and I see a on Facebook this post that my friend Lynda had just got one! I talked to her and she was awesome and let me rent it for the day to try it out. I LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED this camera! I know I’m totally making the right choice with this one! So shout out to Lynda for being an awesome friend and trusting me with her brand new baby!

Sunday and Monday were just spent relaxing. Chris and I are on vacation and for the first time in a long time, we’re not going anywhere. We’re just staying at home and recharging. It’s much needed!

That’s it for today. Don’t forget about the contest for a free portrait session so be sure to leave your comments to be entered! Happy Tuesday!

The Adams’ Family | Family Photography September 2, 2010

Savannah and I go back, way back. Like back in high school. (I’m getting old lol)

A LOT has changed since high school. Her and her high school sweetheart Justin (who I’ve also known since high school) have since gotten married, had three ADORABLE daughters (man I feel sorry for Justin when they get older! ) and are both on very successful paths in their lives.

I got the chance to reconnect with them on my last visit to Amarillo and take their family pictures. It was great to see what awesome people that they both turned into and how great they are as a family. Their girls are so cute and so respectful, even at such young ages!

So without further ado, I’m pleased to introduce you to Savannah, Justin, Zoe, Ansley, and Emma! (And just FYI, the girls look like they could be triplets but they’re 7, 6, and 3!)

The girls were being silly here. I think this is probably my favorite picture of the day!

If you haven’t noticed, I love the walking away shots…they make me

Daddy Justin and his girls. There’s something about a dad and his girls that just makes my heart melt.

The whole beautiful family!

Momma Savannah and her girls.

To me the girls look so much alike so I hope I get this right!

Meet Zoe,

Ansley,

and the baby Emma!

We took some time out to do a couple of just Savannah and Justin. They came out gorgeous! I love how happy they are!

Savannah and Justin, you guys are WONDERFUL parents and the girls are very lucky to have such great role models in their lives. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to capture a moment in your lives that you’ll be able to look back on in the years to come!

Hope everyone has a great Thursday. It’s almost TGIF!

September Contest!!! September 1, 2010

Things got a little crazy last month…I was doing really great at keeping up with the blog and then things came up, so the blog got put on hold. But this month I have a blog post planned for every weekday – with the exception of Labor Day.

What I’ve decided to do this month is give away something as a thank you to those of you who read my blog!!! Here’s what I will be giving away -

Are you ready for it?

I don’t think you’re excited enough yet!

You’re getting there…

Ok, ok I’ve left you in enough suspense lol

I will be giving away a free portrait session to one lucky winner!

Here’s how you enter. Each time you comment on a post, your name will be entered into the drawing. You can have one entry per day, but feel free to leave as many comments as you would like! If you comment on every post this month, your name will be entered 21 times. Then, on Friday, October 1st, I will draw the winner’s name and announce it right here on the blog!!!

Today is the start of the comments so good luck to everyone and here’s to an exciting month on the blog!

 

And in closing, here is something my fellow photog and friend posted to her blog recently. Also to see a couple of pictures from the latest wedding I shot with her, check out her blog Alena Swanson Photography.

Paige, Brooklynn & Emilee – Take II | Family Photography August 18, 2010

The first time you met these gals was back in February when I posted their family Christmas pictures. Since then, Brooklynn and Emilee have grown so much!

I was excited to have the opportunity to take this family out again with nicer weather and warm sunshine.

Here’s a few of my favorites from the day!

This next one is my FAVORITE!!!!

And this one STILL just cracks me up!

So sweet!

Paige, your girls are growing up so fast and I’m honored that you’ve had me document a small part of their childhoods. I look forward to watching them grow into amazing little girls!