So with that in mind: I used to be an interior designer. It's what my bachelors degree is in and I owned a busy pretty business for 11 years before switching to photography. The people that knew me then often ask, "why did you give up design? Do you just like photography better?" And the answer I've been giving for years now was that design was 20% design and relationships and 80% paperwork, while photography is 80% photography and relationships and 20% paperwork- so since I love art and relationships it was an easy decision. The thing is, that answer is true, it's 100% true in fact – but it's not the whole answer.
I hit upon the rest of the answer at an engagement shoot a few months back when a soon to be groom asked me why I did photography. I started talking about art and beauty and helping people see how beautifully God made them- it was like a light went on. When I was designing spaces I loved it because a person in a beautiful space is so much happier than a person in a disorganized ugly space; how much more that holds true for photography! A person who feels beautiful in their own skin is so much more confident and happy than someone who wears their skin heavily with the burden of insecurities. We all have insecurities, myself as much as the next one, but the longer I do this the more I find that there is beauty in each of us and as a photographer I get to take that cliché and make it a reality that lifts my clients confidence. What else would I possibly want to do with my life? (Other than raise babies to love God and loves others which I get to do at the same time, lucky me).
I recently went to a conference with a small group of women creatives. As the date for the retreat/conference grew closer all of these women kept talking about how excited they were to dive into relationships with each other and as much as I love me a good snuggling sleep over I just kept thinking "well I have my friends, and I have my people, can we just do business please? I don't need any heart wrenching, gut spilling sessions, I just need some networking and some great ideas on how to do business better." Ha! You will be not surprised to know that I didn't get my way.
I went into this retreat with only one or two people that I actually connected with or felt any resemblance to in the group and I am emerged from it with my jaw on the floor over how strong, courageous, broken, and beautiful all eight of those women are. Over three days we learned from each other, got some great ideas on business practices, and found beauty in each other's brokenness. What I would have thought was a group of women who could not be more dissimilar ended up being a gathering of people whose hearts were all so very alike that it was easy to see the grace in each other and to take what had been perceived as annoying habits and suddenly call them adorable quirks.
You see those freckles above? She's a busy, loving, tired mom; and a kind and funny friend; and I bet her husband counts those freckles with love. See that smudge of a tattoo below? It reminds her of the love between her and her mother, and even though it's not quite how she wanted it, it's perfect in who it says she is- a daughter that finds comfort and safely and peace in her family...
Oh what an incredible reminder of the joy I find in my job and in the ability to reveal to people their own loveliness and how they are perceived by the world around them. Hearts and souls are all so very similar; weighed down, dented, and sometimes a bit ripped: but so useful and beautiful and valuable- a five dollar bill found in the gutter will buy you the same amount of tacos as one fresh off the press- in fact it's way less obnoxious because it won't stick to the other bills in your pocket.
How incredibly grateful I am to have the opportunity to make an occupation out of showing people their intrinsic worth. And these photos? Well we did get around to doing some business and these head shots are proof that these lovely ladies are as gorgeous on the outside as they are on the inside.
Thanks to the amazing friends I found in these women creatives: Janae Hoffman (another interior designer and photographer- except she still does ID), Traci Patterson of Traci True Photography, Janelle Baty (MUA), Katherine Beth Evans of Katherine Beth Photography, Tracy Van Dam of Tracy VanDam Fotografie, Wendy of Chris and Wendy Weddings, and Larissa Lillis Annen of Daisy Portraits.
His name is Kurt, he's the one with just a hint of a smile on the left. He is my friend Judy's husband and a member of our church; sadly he passed away last Saturday. I was looking through photos three days ago for anything I could find of him for her and several things struck me.
Quite honestly I didn't know him well, but I remember talking to him several times as I worked the coffee cart at church or stood talking to his wife. He always seemed very quiet, but the good sort of quiet that made you feel like everything he said was important and that if he gave you a complement you might stick it in your back pocket and hold onto it for a week because it wasn't lightly given. The sort of fellow who might be loyal to a fault and quiet in public but who's wit kept those close to him calling him the life of the party.
The thing is, I would not have remembered all that except that I was looking through these photos of a wedding I shot over two years ago and suddenly all the little bits I had seen of his character came rushing back to me. The photos are not brilliant, I've grown in my craft since then, but that's the thing about photos – they don't need to be perfect to evoke a memory.
I remember standing there and laughing with these boys as one of them tried to make the statue “decent”, and after seeing this photo I remember that Kurt was the first to laugh. Take photos my friends, and even more, as Missy MWAC says, "print what you want to preserve." Get those photos out where you can see them every day, where the memories hold you up in rough times and make you laugh in good times- print what you want to preserve...
Please pray for Judy as she finds her feet in walking this path before her and take a few minutes to look back through your photos and remember why you love the people in them.
]]>Jake and Lizzy's engagement photos:
and then sweetness herself with her daddy, the handsome best man.....
A little bit of her uncle, the groom, with baby brother- and then hand in hand between uncle and daddy just made her day!
Kisses for the bride and brand new Aunty...
Vendor Love
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The men's handsome suits were by way of A Better Deal Tuxedos & Suits
more vendor's to come in the final reveal post...
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Isn't she just the sweetest? Keep checking back and I'll have the other darling flower girl up early next week!
Vendor Love (clickable links)
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Lucy Lu Of Eselle Events was our organizing mastermind
Campbell Creek Ranch Estates was our stunning backdrop
Wholesale Flowers provided the gorgeous blooms
and the bride's dress was by Demetrios
(more vendors to come on future posts)
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I've long had a small love affair with pink plastic flamingos- no idea why- something about their sheer "ridiculous meets whimsy" factor makes them one of my favorite things. Furthermore I've always thought that my love for them was one of my more adorable quirks...I've been firmly assured that this is not the truth. I mentioned how much I like them to my, now husband, then boyfriend, when we passed a certain home on the Santa Monica water front that was forcibly covered in them. He was unimpressed and tried to persuade me that this relegated me to the likes of a mid sixties Florida snowbird, I agreed, but fourteen years later I still don't see the problem. The response has been much the same over the years as I've discussed their charm with this friend or that- ranging from "really? that seems so unlike your classy self," to outright disappointment in my character. No matter, I stand by my convictions- plastic flamingos are chic. I have six...all given to me with love from my mother-in-law, (okay so technically some of them belong to the children- whatever). They can't come out all at once, that would be tacky of course, there's rules of deportment, but one or two is in constant residence. This is Charles and Mavis, they're very happy in their kingdom of struggling plants, (I do not have a green thumb). Today, on National Pink Flamingo Day. I salute them and their unfailing stance to let me be myself and like what I like. I like you C & M- I like you.
(and three cheers for poor Mr Donald Featherstone who invented said birdies and passed away yesterday, thank you sir for fueling my imagination).
]]>This girl could not have been more relaxed or delighted to marry her groom and it shows all over her face- which I love! So without further ado, here is the lovely Heather in her wedding gown...
Leave her a comment telling her how stunning she looks! I'll be back soon with more- until soon...
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Congratulations on five years you two. May the next five by twice as sweet and half as hectic...
Happy Anniversary!
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Kisses from the littlest big sister- sweetness itself.
And brother snuggles too for good measure. Welcome little one and thank you Dilenna for letting me cuddle your baby and have your whole family in my life!
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Getting ready and waiting for James
One last hug from Mom before becoming a Sizemore.
Two families becoming one.
No one can laugh with you quite like a sibling,
although sisters are definitely different than brothers...
First married kiss perfection...
I'm so happy for you both- congratulations James and Laura!
Some vendor love:
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DJ- San Diego DJ's (https://www.facebook.com/MrDJ.SanDiego)
Photography- Z Photography (https://www.facebook.com/zphoto619)
Reception Venue- (Marina Village)
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Some vendor love:
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Coordinator Margy Seifert with Hollins House at Pasatiempo Golf Course * DJ Jack Crawford with Music Now
]]>Thank you guys for letting me be a part of your lovely day. Courtney, you are gorgeous- and Jay, the tenderness in your eyes for your new bride was something to behold. I am blessed to know you both. Enjoy the memories of this first page in the story of your family...
Thank you so much to all those who made this day so easy and fun: first my fantastic second shooter Louise, (you were an amazing assistant- thank you so much!), Elizabeth the best wedding coordinator I've ever had the pleasure or working with, and sweet Paul and Heidi who opened up their lovely home- so wonderful to meet you last three and Louise I was so glad to have you there.
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Well here it is: the Cliff notes of the Cliff notes- happy two month and five day anniversary you two!
Have a lovely fourth!
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Such a sweet little family- thank you guys for letting me come along on your adventure.
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My dearest friend had a birthday. Not recently , but way back at the beginning of June. We celebrated with our annual birthday date this past weekend and because the birthday and the birthday date were as close as we have ever managed to get them, in our nine plus years of friendship, it seemed like a good time for a commemorative post. Hasn't she aged well for twenty eight? Don't let the sweet playful eyes and bouncy curls fool you, she's as sassy as they come. She's going to love on you, and stand by you, and encourage you- no matter how hard you kick. Happy birthday darling Jen! I'm so thankful to have you in my life. You rescue me weekly and sometimes daily with your encouragement, and laughter, and sometimes just when you tell it like it is. The world is a better place for having you in it and those of us who know you will just try really hard to not "nanny-nah" the rest of everyone too hard. Keep on being the lovely woman God made you- we love her!
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