Nothing to do With Photography...But Still Good!

As most of you all know, unless you have been living in a cave for the last week and a half, the Olympics are here...and they are incredible! Another thing you all know (because most everyone who reads this blog is either a family member or close friend) I am an athlete, always have been, always will be. One other thing you also know, I am NOT an Olympic calaber athlete...shocking I know! As I watch each and every one of these athletes compete in their respective sport, whether it be water polo or beach volleybal, it amazes me! The dedication they put into every aspect of that sport, their physical strentgh, their health, you name it! As this summer got into full heat swing (mid to high 90s, sometimes 100s) I have tanked when it comes to my running. "Why?" one might ask, well because 1) It's stinkin hot outside! and 2) I hate, let me repeat HATE, running lond distances on a treadmill, I get so bored, I need the changing elements of running outside. This "tanking" has led to some serious side affects, mostly an enlarging waste line, along with the tightening of my pants in my thighs, all because I couldn't suck it up and run outside on my off days of wellness at work. Now, back to the Olympics, as an athlete watching top notch athletes perform, I became very upset with myself. Again, I revert back to my previous statement: I am NOT an Olympic calaber athlete, but an athlete none the less and should be pushing through, not sitting back because something is hard or too hot. I went running, for the first time in months, on my lunch break a couple of days ago and, yes, it was hot! But, also, it felt so incredibly good! Throughout my run these athletes, who bring tears to my eyes when watching them particpate in their sports, kept streaming through my mind. When my calves would start to get tired and burn, what would I do? I'd just keep running! These individuals, no matter the country or sport, are such an inspiration and something I will continue to stream in my mind on those days when I'm too tired, it's too hot, it's too cold, or I just flat out don't want to do it. I'm an athlete dang it! Just like those incredible individuals participating in the sport they love for the country they love!

One of my favorite shots my dad took of me during my college softball years!

Inspiration?...Me?!?!

I had a close friend of mine tell me earlier today I have inspired her...what?! me? inspire someone? I can probably count how many times I've heard that in my life on one finger! Maybe no fingers! This friend of mine is a writer who has gotten away from her writing for many reasons (simply stated...life got in the way). So this message she sent me today was so encouraging and made me feel all melty inside, she said I inspire her by the way I have continued to charge forward with my photography and that has given her the drive to take a giant step out and start looking into some different writing options out there (just as something on the side and something to give her a creative outlet.)I have taken so many HUGE steps with my photography and have been terrified with each step! There were many times I could have just stopped and said "Nope! Too much time away from my husband and son. Too much stress, too much this, too much that, etc." But, with each opportunity I have embraceed it with somewhat timid, but very willing and open arms, and have come out a stronger person and a stronger photographer. This simple statement from my friend will stay with me for a long time and be one of the many drives I have to continue on this journey and see how far it takes me. If it simply takes me to the end of this year and nothing more, that one year will always be treasured as the year I took a leap of faith to do something I love to do and challenge myself in a way I have never EVER done before! Thanks "Friend" for your warm and wonderful words! Don't give up on what you want to do and what you love to do!

This is a wonderful shot of a wedding I will be blogging about very soon!

Heather & Juan

I had the opportunity about a month ago to be the second shooter for a wedding of an incredibly fun, loving and beautiful couple! I have a photography friend who has his own photography business and does some incredible stuff, check out Val's website: http://sites.google.com/site/valarmstrongphotography/ for more of his work. This was such a fun experience, being a second shooter; I was able to enjoy the day in a different way than if I were the first shooter. I was able to capture the beautiful moments from the wedding, but didn't carry the entire weight and stress of the day as being the first shooter. Heather and Juan had a small backyard wedding and let us take some time after the festivities were almost over to go to a local park and have some fun capturing their love and some incredibly fun moments between the two of them!

Thank you Heather and Juan (and Val) for the opportunity to capture some special moments of this special day!

A Few Bucket List Thoughts

I've never actually written down an actual Bucket List, but I have a mental list going on and wanted to share a few of those things I have added to my mental Bucket List... -I would love...ABSOLUTELY LOVE...to watch a movie being filmed! I don't want to be in a movie, I just want to be behind the scenes on set, watching how such a well oiled machine works. -I want to be on a season of Survivor, not sure if this one will happen since I haven't actually sent in a video to the people at CBS and I'm sure they're getting close to the end of the show (just a speculation of mine, nothing I've actually heard.) -Since I'm a huge Lord of the Rings buff, my ideal vacation would be to visit New Zealand, it's a beautiful country and to be on the grounds where my favorite movies have been filmed would be a dream come true! -I saw an online article documenting a photo shoot with Robert Downey Jr. that was so creative and fun looking. I really respect him as an actor, and as a person, because of the demons he's faced and overcome and I think he would be so much fun to shoot! So my wish would to have the opportunity to photograph RDJ.

This could be a continuous post, depending on how many more "Bucket List moments" pop into my head! Have a wonderful Hump Day!!!!

Boudior Shoot

A few weeks ago I was given the incredible opportunity to do a boudoir session with a close friend of mine, and let me say, I was so nervous when she first asked me to do this for her!!!!! 1) I've never had a shoot like this before, 2) We're good friends but the thought of, "Are we really there yet?" kept coming to mind, 3) Another thought of, "I don't have the right equipment!", I could probably get all the way up to 20 reasons why I was terrified to do this type of shoot, but I decided to jump in and do it. I was blessed about one month before the shoot with a new external flash, which is a MUST when shooting something indoors. Leading up to the shoot, my friend and I were bouncing all kinds of ideas off each other and were getting super excited and when the actual day of the shoot came the nerves in the room were palpable!!! We were both so incredibly nervous! But, she put on some jams, and I literally mean jams (we listened to Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, etc.) and it completely loosened us both up and I was able to capture some incredibly beautiful shots! The shoot was so classy, including cute lingerie, some costume necklaces, etc. Unfortunately, due to the privacy request of my friend, I'm not going to publish any of those pictures, but felt the need to share the experience of this first time opportunity.

Alexis Senior Pics

Alexis is a beautiful young woman who will be graduating high school this month...WOOT! We decided to go to the UNM Duck Pond because Alexis wanted to take her pictures in a place where we could capture the spring flowers in bloom...what an awesome location it turned out to be! We had such a great time, Alexis was so easy to photograph, she gave me such incredible opportunities to capture her beauty. Congrats Alexis on your graduation and thank you for the opportunity to capture these moments before you enter into the new journey of your life!

Adriene + Don Engagement Session

I don't think, no...I know, I haven't had as much fun with a photo shoot as I did with Adriene and Don and they're ADORABLE 10 month old!!! Adriene and Don met while they were both going to school at Oklahoma Central University, and were together while they were both going to school, until Adriene decided to move back to her home town of Albuquerque, NM. It didn't take Don long to decide he wanted to move to Albuquerque in order to be with Adriene and, to coin a famous phrase, "We'll now tell you the rest of the story."
Adriene and Don are getting married in July at Nature's Pointe in beautiful Tijeras, NM and I am so blessed to have the opportunity to shoot their wedding. Here are some of the shots from their incredible engagement session!

Racquel and Jeff = A Beautiful Couple

Jeff met Racquel while on a trip to the Filipins and was immediately hooked. Throughout the next couple of years they would make trips to visit one another, until Racquel decided to move to the States and start a new life with Jeff. I had a wonderful time with this couple, the love they share between one another is so palpabal it made it incredibly easy to capture some very touching moments on their special day.
They were married at the San Felipe church in Old Town, NM ( a place I love to shoot at!) and the ceremony and the atmosphere were both beautiful! Thank you Racquel and Jeff for letting me be a part of your very special day!

Racquel, you are gorgeous!!