CAYAMO HERE WE COME!

So the day has finally arrived! Emily and I are on our way to experience one of the most amazing cruises out there. Most of you have heard us talk about it for months, but we'll be cruisin the sea with around 35 different musicians on the Cayamo cruise ship. AHHHHH!!!! We both appreciate and have a strong love for music, so the thought of going to a concert every day for 7 days is heavenly:)

I'm really excited to just relax. To wake up in the morning, spend some time in my devotions, grab a cup of coffee, sit outside, lay outside, drink more coffee, and stuff my face:P Oh, and with Emily around I'm sure we're going to meet everyone and their mom:) hehe! Which should be fun!

I'll try to keep you up to speed with the many adventures that we're going to be experiencing, but internet access may be scarce.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

XOXO

Click here to read more about the Cayamo cruise, and to see who's performing/who we'll be hanging out with:)

The Bath House Girls

One of my favorite quotes is "A friend is a flower that never fades". I think I was in junior high or elementary school when I came across that quote, and I believe and know it to be true:)

Below is a photograph of four of the most amazing girls that I know. They are true, honest, virtuous girls who I'm so blessed to know. Not only are they amazing friends but at one point every single one of them lived in the "Bath House", which is another reason why we became so close:) The Bath House is a cute little beach house located in Santa Barbara. We have all been there for each other through the happy, sad, anxious, crazy and good times. Cry with laugh with, it doesn't matter they're there and they're all extremely dear to me:)

Meredith, who is in the middle just moved away and is going on a mission trip to Nigeria. Keep her in your prayers. Meredith, we miss and love you above and beyond:)!

Rain then Shine!!!!

This last saturday I shot an incredible wedding in Ventura. However, the night and morning before it poured, and I kept telling myself "all we need is five minutes of no rain". LOL ........ Well, it stopped raining in the early afternoon and turned out to be extremely beautiful the rest of the day. Not only was it beautiful outside, but Jaime and Bjarne are the cutest couple that just made my day even more enjoyable. Jamie is the type of person who is beautiful inside and out and I felt so lucky to capture their amazing day. And Bjarne is the sweetest, A +++++ kinda guy. Bjarne is from Denmark, and Jamie is from the States, so of course you wonder how on earth did they meet while living oceans apart. A CRUISE! Isn't that adorable:) I love how their story is so unique and special. What's even more adorable is how Bjarne just adores Jamie. His eyes scream "you're my everything"!:)

Jamie and Bjarne, you two are amazing! I feel very fortunate to have met you! Enjoy the beginning of the rest of your lives together:)

Much love
XOXO


Oh and a big thank you to Emily for coming along and shooting with me. Ain't no sunshine without you:P haha!

Click here to see Emily's blog:)

Opening my eyes!

Last Saturday Janey, Emily and I headed down to LA and volunteered at the Dream Center. When I contacted them a few weeks back I e-mailed them asking if they had any need for photography. A day later Shannon, who volunteers at the Dream Center, e-mailed me and said they had a huge need. So we were excited to use our photography and help in any way that we could.

At first the three of us had thought about staying together all day since we would be going into areas that we weren't familiar with such as Compton, Skidrow, and downtown LA:) Well the Lord had something different in Mind. Right when we arrived we were greeted by the sweetest amazing girl Shannon. She's someone who we are so excited to call our friend. She had three different projects that she wanted us to cover which meant we had to split up. We didn't mind and I'm so glad that we stepped out of our comfort zone.

The project that I covered was the food truck adopt a block. I loaded up in a truck with tons of produce and canned goods and headed down town. As we approached the site my eyes were in shock by the amount of people waiting for food. I couldn't believe the need was so great. As the volunteers passed out food to all the families, I had to fight back the tears. Right afterwards we headed back to the Dream Center where the whole center was filled with children from the surrounding area. They do a Bible study with them, play games, and feed them.

I learned and was reminded so much from the volunteers who so willingly and cheerfully volunteer every Saturday. First thing is a servants heart is a beautiful thing and one of the many examples of how Christ wants us to live our lives. 2. I was reminded that yes a meal relieves the hunger pain for a few hours, but a hug, smile, and kind words can make someone's day 3. I need to branch out of my comfort zone more often:). 4. I need to be less selfish, because giving is WAY better then receiving. 5. That there's a need and cry for help everywhere. Hunger, pain, and suffering not only exsists in different countries, or an hour and a half away, but it also exsists right next door. So open your eyes!

Click here to check out the DREAM CENTER. It's AMAZING! We're putting together a slideshow so stay tuned:)

Also a big THANK YOU to Shannon for being so wonderful and making us feel so welcomed from the very moment we contacted the Dream Center.

Love what you do!

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to speak with a group of photographers about Albumesque. One reason why I started Albumesque, beyond my love for design, is to help photographers free up their lives so they can spend more time doing what they really enjoy. Last week David Jay asked me if I would speak at his workshop and explain Albumesque and our roll in the photography industry, so naturally I jumped at the opportunity. I love talking with people, especially photographers, and hearing about their businesses. It was so refreshing to hear the excitement and passion in their voices about what they do and how they truly love what they do. One of my favorite quotes is "make sure you do what you love and love what you do". With Albumesque I feel so very fortunate and blessed that I get to do that and work with the people that I do every day!

Here are a few pics that Kenny Kim took while I was talking. As you can see I'm really animated when I speak. Facial expressions and hands were going crazy! LOL... Thanks Kenny for the pics, and a HUGE thank you to DJ for the invite and for always being such a joy and delight to work with!