Thoughtful Thursday- I Yam who I Yam- Sacramento Wedding/ Portrait Photographer

A few months ago I joined a photographer group on Facebook. For the most part it is so informative and helpful, but sometimes I see people get caught up in what other people think/do. Sometimes, I see myself get caught up in what other people think/do. I have to remind myself from time to time, that my clients hire me for who I am, and for what I do! I think there is a lot that can come from asking help, getting advice from peers, and learning from people who have more experience than you. The truth is, if everyone did the same thing, photography would be SO BORING. Photography is an art form! It's creative and one of the reasons, I believe, there are so many photographers out there. It's easy to see someone with success and wonder what are they doing that I'm not? How can I learn how to do it? In most cases, they are just being themselves. They aren't copying another photographers work. They found what they love and do best.
In photography there are many rules/ technical aspects. I believe it is important to learn but what's that saying we all know? Rules are made to be broken!!! Be who you are, not what other's say you should be! I think the biggest thing that makes a photograph memorable, important, inspiring, is the emotion contained within it. Although I have studied the technical aspects of Photography, I tend to try and focus more on the emotional aspect. What's the point of a photo if it doesn't tell a story?
Another thing that seems to always stick in my mind, is what so many photographers have told me is appropriate to wear when shooting a wedding. I've seen/heard of many photographers who think all black is the only thing that should be worn. I have to say, that I don't agree! While I do agree that you don't want to take away from the bride or the wedding, all black shouldn't be the only option! As a creative person I love to be able to express myself through all outlets, including fashion. Even though I wear color at weddings I'm never distracting. Oddly enough, there has been quite a few times that I actually ended up wearing the same color pallet as the wedding I'm shooting. Which actually allows me to look cute but blend in enough with the wedding! I can't help who I am, and honestly I don't want to help it! Be who you are, not a clone of the person next to you! Whether it's your business model, your style of editing or shooting, or what you wear! BE YOU!!!! I'll be over here being who I am!

Enjoy a few photos from the wedding I second shot and the wedding I had last Saturday. So fun to finally have some photos of me working! FYI, I make super cute faces... JUST thought you should know that! HAHAHA

see super cute face huh ;)

Why yes, I more often than not shoot with my mouth open!

You can't really tell from this picture, but I'm pretty sure I was dancing here...

Yep, I realized when I was driving to the wedding that I matched their colors! 

I will be using a second shooter on quite a few weddings this year so I will finally have more photos of me in ACTION! Stay tuned, and stay YOU!

Angela & Jake- Chico, Ca Wedding Photographer

This was my first 2013 wedding and it started with a bang! This wedding was full of fun. Everything took place at Gates Estates in upper Magalia. It was easy for me to decide where I wanted to shoot because I had already done a wedding there last year! This was my first repeat location. I'm loving how these photos turned out and I hope you do too. I've had some great responses to the sneak peeks I have already posted so I hope you like these ones just as much! The full album will be up within the next couple weeks! Congrats again Jake and Angela, thank you again for trusting me with your photos!

Valerie- Chico, CA Maternity Photographer

Valerie and I go WAY back! We met at our old church, Calvary Chapel Chico in junior high. She is such a sweetheart and I know she is going to be an AMAZING mommy! We recently got reconnected on Facebook; see so awesome how Facebook reconnects me with old friends! A couple years ago Valerie actually made the move to Texas and has really made a new life for herself there. It's amazing the places God takes us! I was so excited when she emailed me telling me she was pregnant and was going to be coming to Chico and wanted maternity photos. Honestly, I think this was one of my favorite maternity sessions to date! I really LOVE how all of the photos turned out! The lighting was PERFECT and she is such a BEAUTIFUL momma to-be! We decided to go to the cover bridge on Honey Run because we both felt it was a great mix of her old town mixed, while still giving the feel of her new home in Texas. It was so awesome to watch her interact with Del's children, which was one of the many things that showed me what a great mom she will be. Valerie has always been so good with kids and I know she will only be better with her little boy Kaden. I so wish she lived here so that when he is born I could take his newborn photos! Congrats again Valerie and Del! Kaden is so blessed to have you as his parents!!!

thoughtful Thursday- Five years, here's to Fifty more!

I CANNOT BELIEVE IT'S BEEN FIVE YEARS!!! I can't believe how fast time flies when you are having a BLAST! My wedding seems like it was so long ago and yet seems like it was just yesterday. I have to say that God really blessed me when he brought my husband in to my life. For those of you who don't know our story I'll give you the shortened version. I have known Jason since I was around thirteen. We went to the same church and had some mutual friends. In the beginning I would have NEVER imagined us ending up here. When I was fifteen we started hanging out a bit. We would both go to Thursday night market and I would always look for him to give him a hug. A year or so ago he told me that for a long time he couldn't remember my name but always wanted to see me at the market! We started officially dating just under a month after I turned sixteen. In the beginning there were a lot of people who doubted our relationship, but we knew that God had brought us together. He later proposed to me in May before I graduated high school. I know crazy right... I know a lot people thought we were! We were married one year one month and one day later. In case you didn't know, 111 is my favorite number. I hadn't realized that until after we were married! Since we got married our lives have only gotten better. We had our first son Josiah, I started my photography business, had our second son Asher and moved to Sacramento. I absolutely this roller coaster life of ours! I can honestly say I love Jason more now than when we first started dating, when we got married, even since last week. He has brought so much joy to my life and is my biggest supporter! HERE'S TO FIFTY MORE, AND THEN SOME!

                                                            I was probably 16 or 17!

Don't you love my old editing skills?!

On our honeymoon  

The day we found out I was pregnant with Josiah!

 walking the halls, waiting for Josiah to come!