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Football, Rivalries, and Redemption
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N ot too long ago, my friends and I lunched at TART. Over the course of the conversation, we recounted the many great times we shared together, specifically our trips during college to visit our best friends, Jennie Finch and Brianna Glenn*, at the University of Arizona. Jennie is the best softball pitcher in the United States and Brianna won Nationals (and they’re now training for the 2008 Olympics), so visiting them was always a treat because they were like mini-celebrities in the small town of Tucson.
As we laughed and relived great sports moments, a blank smile was pasted on JD’s face. When Brianna rhetorically asked if he thought college football was the best, he simply replied, I really don’t know…I’ve never been to a live game. We all fell quiet. And I felt like the WORST WIFE EVER. How did I not know he’s never been to a game?!
Long after the Sunday brunch at TART, I still couldn’t forget that JD hadn’t been to a real football game—complete with roaring fans, a stellar band, and nachos. Ooooh, nachos! So I decided to do something about it.
For our two-year anniversary, I surprised JD with football tickets to the best Southern California rivalry: USC Trojans VS. UCLA Bruins. The look of shock on his face when he saw the tickets was worth the cost of admission alone! We are so excited to go to the big game tomorrow and we know we’re going to have a blast! JD’s been away again this week, so tomorrow we’re planning on spending the weekend relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. After the game, we’re driving up the coast for a great dinner and a night away. I can’t wait!
And in case anyone is watching the game, be sure to look for us…we’ll be the ones donning the Blue&Gold and manically screaming for the best team! Go Bruins! ;) |
**As a sidenote: The lovely people from Blu Domain hooked Brianna up with a phatty website…I’ve said it before, but I appreciate everything they do! They’re simply awesome. And be sure to check out Jay Reilly’s images on her website…he captured the raddest pictures of Bri! He’s so sick!**
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The Common Denominator : Wedding Coordinators
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A s the wedding season slows, I'm able to reflect on the past year and think things through. Usually, every December I sit and assess my business and artistic performance-What can I do better next year?...How can I avoid my mistakes?...What did clients respond well to? I'm looking forward to doing this while on vacation, preferably over a bubbly drink and sand dripping through the crevices in my toes.
However, when I think back to my favorite weddings, I often find a common denominator: An awesome wedding coordinator! Words can't describe how lovely and freeing it is to have another professional ensuring the day is running smoothly. When clients let me know they're working with a planner I've worked with in the past, I breathe a HUGE sigh of relief because I know I'm liberated to focus strictly on taking pictures…I love it!
Here are a few of my absolute favorite coordinators…professionals who make me proud to work along side them in achieving the best possible wedding day…
Angel Swanson of Events of Love and Splendor…here she is pictured with her fabulous husband, Erik
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Courtney Toney of Joyful Weddings and Events…here she is pictured with a baby in her belly, but little Isaiah was born a few weeks ago…I gotta get a new picture of Courtney soon! ;)
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Jeannie Savage and her amazing team at Details, Details are awesome! Here I'm pictured with Jeannie and our good friend, Drew at the Bride&Bloom Magazine party a few months ago.
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| Trisha Haner of Hidden Garden. While she didn't work on one of my weddings directly (she actually coordinated a wedding I second shot for David Jay), I couldn't help but notice how amazing she is at what she does…here's a candid of her from Nick and Nicky's wedding… |
And although I don't have pictures with the following coordinators (but feel free to holla back if I can get you in front of my camera!), I'd be remiss not to mention their awesomeness…
Michelle Tortuya of Charming Events
Christina of Simply Modern Weddings
Kelly Aull of Mint Weddings
Stephanie Lairson of Stephanie Lairson Wedding Coordination
Kimberly Bradford of Kimberly Bradford Events
I have worked with and/or personally know this top-notch group of coordinators and I just wanted to give a shout out where it's due. I look forward to working with them in the future! |
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Shelly and Brett : Engagement
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A s the sun set behind the large, beige stones of the San Juan Capistrano Mission, Brett looked to Shelly with a teenage smile and said, I thought I was too old to still feel butterflies! She looked up to him, with sun falling on her pretty face, and sheepishly smiled. Brett explained the first time he saw Shelly, his stomach fell a few feet. And although his doctor instincts could have medically explained such a feeling, his heart was trying to decipher the mix of emotion.
Brett began his medical residency in Oklahoma, but returned to Orange County for his friend’s wedding…and lucky for him, Shelly was a friend of the bride. There was an instant spark between them, but whether the spark could remain lit thousands of miles apart from each other was another issue.
While Brett roamed the fluorescent-lit hallways of his hospital, a part of his heart remained constantly with Shelly. They employed every mode of communication and, though hard at times, they allowed themselves to fall in love. Again, Brett’s doctor instincts could have medically explained such a feeling, but this time his heart knew exactly how to decipher the mix of emotion. And the best part is that Shelly's heart did too! :)
Shelly and Brett have an awesome wedding planned at Rancho Las Lomas and I’m excited to be working with the fantabulous Courtney Toney of Joyful Weddings and Events again for their special day. Being around such a fun and loving couple makes me love what I do and I feel so blessed to be a part of their wedding!
Here are a few favorites from their engagement session... |
| To see more of their engagement session, CLICK HERE for a slideshow! |
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Chronicles of a Relapsing Dieter
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I sat on my couch and felt like a sinner. Perhaps I was. I transgressed against the ancient code of dieting. Ice cream. Yes, I totally sinned.
And to make things worse, I complained to JD about my lack of will power. He assured me that, really, it’s okay. As soon as I began rationalizing my dietary mishap, he said, And, besides, I like my wife how I like my milkshakes: thick. Oh dear lord, I started running laps around our living room. Panic driven sprints, if you will.
I guess I’ve been consumed lately because we’re going on vacation in less than a month. Vacation = Swimsuit = Panic Driven Sprints. I’m definitely in desperation mode because I work out at least four times a week, eat decently (vegetarians, unite!), and drink water exclusively, but—for.the.love.of.it.all—I cannot give up sweets. Like, really, I simply will die if I don’t eat something sweet after dinner. And this becomes a problem if a person is trying to shed unwanted pounds. Or, in my case, unwanted kilos.
So, in a last ditch attempt to keep it real, I’m blogging for accountability. If you’re a family member or friend and see me sneaking a few bites of dessert, please pinch my belly. If you’re a blog reader and cross my path while I’m eating something with inordinate amounts of sugar, please ask me how my swimsuit search is faring. And if you’re a stranger and see a small rectangular box from the Cheesecake Factory in my hand, please feel free to trip me.
And to make my weight loss endeavors sweeter (no pun intended), JD and I are competing to determine who can lose the most body fat percentage before we leave on our vacation. My prize is so juicy I simply must win…and then I can blog all about it!! In the meantime, I’ve been sending unhealthy snacks to work with JD…you know, just to make sure I win!
I’m so evil.
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Just in case I get the urge to fall off the bandwagon, I found this frozen yougurt...I'm hoping it'll keep me on track. Zero fat, and a mere 100 calories per serving. It's no Ben&Jerry's, but I'm hoping it'll suffice...
Please feel free to leave dessert-substitute suggestions in the comment box...and please be warned: FRUIT IS NOT A DESSERT. I tried on countless occasions to convince myself of this notion, but, really, a kumquat just doesn't cut it! ;) |
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Helen and David : Engagement
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H e noticed the pretty resident on her first day under his tutelage. They met and immediately warmed to each other, something that’s very welcomed along the frigid streets of San Francisco. It wasn’t until she completed her residency that David pursued Helen, but after their first few dates, they knew they were meant to be. Together. Forever.
The fog rolled in heavily over the Golden Gate Bridge, casting a pretty haze over the Exploratorium. Helen and David walked together—his dark coat sleeve slung over her small frame, keeping her warm—laughing and recounting memories. A self-proclaimed science-lover, Helen visited the Exploratorium often as a child, but never thought she’d one day walk the red clay path with her fiancé. Life is funny that way. It’s a series of circular patterns criss-crossing over a certain memories, forever intersecting lives and dreams.
I’m quite honored documenting the newly formed circular patterns of Helen and David’s love. They have an awesome wedding planned at Rancho Las Lomas and with the help of the amazing and talented Kimberly Bradford, their day will be simply stunning! I can’t wait!
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| I loved this moment...from behind my camera, I said, Alright, Helen, now let's have a little fun!...in that instant, she decided to be a little sassy with David's tie! ;) |
| To see more of their engagement session, CLICK HERE for a slideshow! |
2013
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2012
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2011
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2010
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2009
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2008
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2007
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