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Dance Like No One is Watching
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O ver breakfast with my best friend Brianna, JD animatedly recounted our recent packing experience for a one-night stay in San Diego. He was orchestrating a symphony of emotional suspense and hit the high note saying, ...and then, I asked if Jasmine was going to take her computer and she said No! Brianna let out an audible gasp. The kind of gasp one might hear if I said I made out with Barack Obama. Total disbelief. They went back and forth with their No ways and their But she never leaves without its. I soaked my embarrassment in syrup and rolled my eyes.
There's a reason I left the computer at home. And I have to thank David Wenzel for my decision.
Last week I sat in the stairwell of our home with the phone in my hand and sobbed. JD perched himself on the couch below and let me cry. I had just got off the phone with Amy Wenzel, and she informed me David had brain cancer. And just like that, my world stopped. Because, yes, it was about David and Amy...but it was also about me. Amy held a mirror to my life and it showed I was a hot mess. If priorities were articles of clothing, I'd definitely make the What Not To Wear List.
I cried in the stairwell and I apologized from a distance. Forgive me. I love you. I'm screwing things up. I'm a workaholic. I felt like I was in a 12-step program and, like most rehab groups, admitting I was messed up was the first step. When I started choking on my words and the tears took over, JD climbed up the stairs and sat with me. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and squeezed. Much like an orange, the tighter he squeezed, the more tears fell.
I'm making changes in my life to allow me to lead the life I want. I was caught up in moving fast, but I didn't know the direction I was going. With many thanks to David Wenzel, I'm finding my way back to the right path. And it's a path dotted with computerless vacations, long walks, deep breaths, saying no, and dancing in public. Sometimes when I'm unbearably happy, I bust out a dance. It doesn't matter where I am, I just dance like no one is watching.
Hey, JD, the next time you see me dancing in public, I'm dancing for you. I'm dancing because I'm happy. I'm dancing because while I don't know what tomorrow holds, today we have Life. And, dang, it's beautiful. |
| The photo above was taken on our trip to San Diego...thanks for your mad photo skillz, Bri! ;) |
    
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Announcing : The Workshop 08.04.09
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* *UPDATE: The Workshop is now sold out. I can't wait to meet the attendees as I know we'll have a blast! To sign up for the waiting list, Click Here to complete the form**
To be totally honest, I wasn't expecting the total wave of support and encouragement in regard to The Workshop. I've hosted two photography workshops here in Orange County and I've walked away a better photographer because of the many people I've encountered, but--more importantly--a better person. I've had a total blast teaching, learning, and getting to know my peers that I'm honored to invite you to join me at the next installment of The Workshop. |
I'm stoked to announce the next workshop will be Tuesday, August 4, 2009, and will be the last one in Orange County for the year. For more information and registration, click here for the 411. To those of you who have subscribed to my newsletter, I tried sending an email this morning, but have experienced technical difficulties (I was tempted to hoist my computer out the window!), so please forgive me for not providing advance notice.
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| Again, to the fabulous people who joined me in the past for The Workshop, thank you. I've cultivated a deep love for teaching and I'm blessed to share my experiences with people who love photography as much as I do. Hollllla! |
I supposed I never stopped. Never stopped needing the constant affirmation from you. The Good Jobs, the pats on the back, the You're My Favorite, followed by a sneaky wink. Though many years have passed since childhood, there's a part of me that still craves you're approval--and not from just anyone, but from you. Through the years, you've become my best friend and I count on you for just about everything.
From late night text messages (Good night Jazzy...stop working, go to BED!), to someone to talk to while sitting in traffic, to moments when I just need to pray, to random invitations for a taco run in East Los Angeles. I count on you for so much.
And after all these years, you still give me everything a daughter could ask for. The Good Jobs, the pats on the back, the You're My Favorite, followed by a sneaky wink. There are times, still, when I do something great and I look around the room to see if you'd nod with approval. And then I take comfort knowing you would. Because that what you always do...you nod, smile, and let me know you couldn't be more proud of the person I've become.
Daddy, Happy Father's Day. Thank you for being my best friend and I love you for the extra chapters at bedtime during childhood, the kisses on the forehead, and, of course, the taco runs. |
S he folded her clothes neatly and laid them in a closet, placing them the same way she might have had the pile been a baby. Delicately, slowly. Valerie turned and laughed, betraying nervousness and slight excitement. It was her one-year wedding anniversary and she planned to surprise her husband with boudoir photos. There in the Mondrian Hotel in Hollywood, Valerie melted into a gorgeous model, brimming with light and confidence. I have no doubt her husband, Phil, will enjoy her anniversary gift to him.
I was thrilled to work with Valerie again...I photographed her Day After session at The Viceroy Hotel last year and it's always a pleasure catching up with clients. She just graduated from law school and I'm certain the legal world will be a better place because she's in it. Val, much love to you. Thank you for spoiling me and reminding me how blessed I am to have clients like you. |
| Many thanks to the ever fabulous Tanya Bures for Valerie's amazing makeup and Tommy Cyr for hair. |
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Leather Craftsmen Guest Sign In Album
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| Some readers might remember The Untraditional Bride photo shoot I did a couple months ago with Mon Amie Bridal at Marvimon in Los Angeles. Once the dust settled, I had some time to focus on getting an album to Mon Amie as a thank you gift...everyone was incredibly awesome and I was thankful for their gowns. Before I drop off the album at the Orange County bridal boutique, I snapped a few photos of the finished product, an 11x14 Split Tone Euro Black Spine/Metallic Fabric Brush Cover |
When I was completing the order for the album, I received the Leather Craftsmen Newsletter about their new Companion Albums...and I was all, Whaaaaat?! So basically, any time I make a Print and Bind order for an album bigger than 10x10 (and all my wedding albums are), I'm eligible to order however many Companion Albums I want. Hmmm, this led me to ask my good friend Ira Gershoff if I'd be able to send him my Guest Sign In Albums to print and bind. So, yes. Because LC printed and binded my Mon Amie album, I was able to submit a couple Guest Sign In books I wanted completed.
I just got back the Guest Sign In Albums and I luuuurve them! They're 8x8 flush mount albums for guests to sign on in lieu of a traditional guest sign in book and it acts as the most perfect memento of the day...
This is Marisa and Robert's GSI Album from their engagement session... |
I love the photo on the front and the embossing of their names as it makes for such a personalized book. I feel so stoked because every one of my clients ordered a GSI album for their weddings this year and they're my favorite things ever! :)
If you'd like more info regarding the Companion Albums, feel free to email Ira (ira@leathercraftsmen.com)...as I'm sure he'll answer you WAY faster than I could! :) FYI, If you're new to Leather Craftsmen, you can receive a 50% Discount for a print&bind sample album if you use the Jasmine50StudioSample. You can also receive a 15% Discount for a print&bind client album if you use Jasmine15Discount.
Happy Thursday! |
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