Meet Jake Wood

I don't know where to start this blog. All I know is that I am awestruck with the man I am about to introduce you to. His name is Jake Wood. And he is my hero right now. I have touched on the part of me who is always dying to help others, and my wanting to join the peace corp, and my deep knowing that there is just soo much more out there that we can do. But we don't. None of us really do what we could be doing to help. Except Jake Wood.

I saw a quick glimpse on the news today, about some people in Haiti helping out. I saw this man on the screen and it said briefly that he was at home when the earthquake in Haiti hit, and he instantly got up and went out there. He called some people and was helping there within a couple days. He is doing amazing work, helping people medically. Giving people hope. Giving them back some health. 

They need money to continue their stay, so if you are someone who wants to donate to something tangible, real, where you can see and read about what your money is doing.. I suggest donating to this hero.

Click here to see more of Jake's story and to donate! http://badgerjake.blogspot.com/

I couldn't find a bigger picture of him so I apologize about the size.

New Wedding Albums!!!

Black, tan, leather, matted, flush, photo plate, raised frame, full bleed, bind, hingeless. And this continues on and on and on. I was picking out my album that will be included in my new packages. The album of my dreams. However, when I entered the world of wedding albums, I had no idea just how intense that world was! I had so many options that my head spun. But after 2 hours of looking, viewing and choosing. I have found the album of my dreams!

This album really represents what I am all about and what I think love should represent. It is classic, timeless, clean, sleek, simple and sexy. Yes, an album is all of those things. Who knew!? :)

Here are some examples of the album! 

The customized page layouts! I will customize your photos and the layout to tell your story in a timeless way!

These albums are made so fantastically and on such ageless paper, that your grandkids CHILDREN will be able to look at your album as if it were today!

I want to take a moment to say a big fat THANK YOU to Ira from Leather Craftsmen. He took an overwhelmed semi freaked out client (me) and spent 2 hours with me. Really going through every single detail until we found the perfect album for my clients and myself. He is a wonderful professional who has been doing this for 26 years, so he knows his stuff. But he was also able to be enthusiastic, excited and really listen to what it was I needed. Thank you so much Ira!! I am so excited for the many years to come working together on albums!

The Ruby Family

Sometimes you meet someone, and you just know that they are "good". When I met the Ruby family, I could see right away that they were a warm, loving family and that it would be a breeze to shoot them. And I was right. As usual. (KIDDING!) They were here visiting from Kentucky, and I was lucky enough to be asked to take their family photos for them! Chris and Sandy were so sweet, low key and relaxed. You can't ask for more. They were so at ease with the camera and with their seriously adorable daughter Emma. I really enjoyed hanging out with them! 

One thing that I will never forget, is how kind Chris was. When we drove to our location, he and Sandy noticed that my back brake light was out. I said thank you for letting me know and I would fix it that week sometime. Well, while I was inside yakking away to their family after the shoot, he and his cousin went to the store and replaced my brake light for me. without me even knowing. I was in shock. It really meant so much to me and I will forever remember their act of kindness. Especially since I am sure that I would have left it like that for FAR too long, ended up being pulled over and ticketed I am sure! :) But thank you so much Ruby family for a great time. Have a safe trip back to Kentucky! Here are a few of my favorites from their shoot. Sandy, you are gorgeous!

Logan Turns 1

This last week I had a blast taking pictures for a friend! Her nephew was turning one, and he was soooo adorable! One of the reasons I love shooting little ones, is the fact that they have no idea the camera is on them. They don't know how to pose, so what you get is them. Real and refreshing! These pictures from Logan's 1st birthday are just too adorable. He is such a sweet natured little guy, and when he got ahold of the cake, he went to town! Enjoy!

1 Year B-Day - Winter Wonderland

I recently had the pleasure of documenting Conner Alvarado's 1 year birthday, and boy was it a birthday! They had something at the party that we don't really ever get to see in Southern California.....SNOW! Jaime and Manny must have wanted to get the coolest parents award, because when the kids saw the snow you could see it in their sparkling little eyes that they were about to have some fun! Snowball fights exploded, snow angels were created, and the parents even reverted back to their youth and got in on the action. 

Then, after snow time, it was cake time. My FAVORITE part of a 1 year olds birthday. Not because of the cake, because I actually don't even really like cake. But because I love watching a little one try and dig into the cake and make a mess! It makes for the best pictures! I had such a blast and am so thankful that the Alvarado family asked me to work this for them! Your family is just adorable! Enjoy the pics... I did!!

The sweets and cake looked scrumptious! 

Snow time!

Enjoying his cake!

Time to clean up and unwrap gifts!

Train wreck? Shmrain wreck.

Sometimes we don't do things in life because we are scared. Scared of failure. Scared of rejection. Scared of being a train wreck. You know, where people just stand around you while you lay on the floor in agony and they are all saying.. man, I am so glad that is not me! Look at how terribly she failed! (ok, I may be exaggerating here slightly). I have done this throughout my life with so many different things. Love, business, life. I have recently figured out that this is absolutely no way to live.  Sure, we may fail. Like MAJORLY fail. And that would pretty much suck. But what if we don't? What if you give life your all and you soar? What if you stop sitting back and just go for it? Say, you know what? I want a change. And sure, maybe making a big decision may mean that you will have to sacrifice in the beginning. But in the end, you will be so happy you did it. I don't know about you all, but this year I am going to change a lot in my life. I will no longer sit back and try and weigh out the pros and cons. I am going to go for my dream. And if I happen to fail. At least I failed doing something I love, rather then being mediocre at something I hate. 

This video below just reminds us that even if we fail HARD, there is always someone there to help you. And if it isn't you failing, maybe it is you helping that person along to not fail, but to get them through it. 

Santiago Engagement - Slideshow

I have discovered an amazing way to post video and slideshows easily on the web! Vimeo! I love this site and just to test it out, here is a little video of one of my couples whose wedding is coming up this next year! The Santiagos, really they are too sweet together!

Santiago Engagement from Nicole Andrews on Vimeo.