Parilla Family | Whenever

Last year I photographed a favorite family, and realized I never posted it on here!! This year, the Parilla family invited me back to photograph their holiday photos, featuring Baby Dean. When we first met last year, he was weeeeeeks old!! Ok.. maybe a few months old. He was itty bitty and we had so much fun. This year, we faced a challenge of keeping him focused on the camera and standing still. When his amazing parents weren't grabbing his attention with the bubbles they brought, Baby Dean was a maniac running around our favorite place.. Disneyland. Duh. :) Since I failed to blog their photos from last year, I'll include them in the post here. Enjoy!!















Poor Deany threw up quite a bit after many attempts of this shot on the Carousel. :X


And here's Baby Dean, one year later. :))









Running around Small World Mall with dad. :)








I didn't have an on-camera flash with me last year during their visit with Santa. By the drastic reaction from last year, I'm so glad I brought one this year. Baby Dean was NOT pleased with Jolly Old Saint Nick. HAHA
It was SUCH a pleasure and so much fun hanging out with the Parilla family. I just can't BELIEVE how big Dean's gotten. :') Tiffany & Mark, thank you so much for having me again. Until next year!! <3

My sister; my best friend.

Sisters share that unique and special relationship that combines friend and family - a bond that is at the same time supportive and enduring. The woman who shares her life with a sister is blessed. ~ Anonymous

There was a time where my sister and I shared everything. Then there was a time where we couldn't stand each other. Now, we are the closest we've ever been. I'm blessed to find a best friend in my sister. It's hard to believe that only 18 months separate us. But that can definitely explain the period in our lives where we did not get a long. Ever. But after establishing ourselves as individuals, we finally were able to establish ourselves as sisters, and work on that relationship. Whoever says they have the best sister in the world, hasn't met mine. :) She's beautiful, smart, artsy, spunky, hilarious, and knows me all the way to my core. I'm thankful God didn't listen to me when I was younger, back when I wished to trade her in for another sister. But don't tell her I did that. ;) Cheers to all the sisters in the world, who make life a little bit more bearable and a lot more exciting. <3

A compilation of photos from a beautiful day with my beautiful sister. :) Happy Sunday!! xoxo

Post-Wedding Reflections..

This past weekend, I photographed a wedding I feel I've been waiting my entire life for. This was a wedding I was referred to August of last year, before I had any wedding photographs to show for. But Tony and Anna saw my potential, and put their trust in me. Because of that huge leap of faith, I spent this past year studying and practicing everything photography in order to prepare for this momentous occasion. I literally sat in bookstores scouring over photography books and skimmed through endless wedding magazines for inspiration. It was because of this wedding, that I started my 100 Faces Project. And I must say, Internet, that I must have done something right over the course of this year. The day of the wedding, after getting over a wave of nerves and anxiety (thanks Hanh!!), family and friends of the couple approached me to express that they enjoy my work, and to let me know what a great job I was doing before I even produced a single image for them to see.

This was the first experience, EVER, where everyone knew what I was there for, and respected me for my work. This might not be a big deal to some people, but for me- it is confirmation that I am growing and gives me reason to keep running toward my dream. Not only that, but it was being there as a photographer, but being welcomed as a loved one. It was capturing a moment shared by the couple that moved me to tears behind my lens. It was being immersed by the happiness of the celebration. It is just pure, simple, amazing, true love that captivates me. All hopeless romantics will say this, and I will happily chime in: I love LOVE. And to pursue a passion that puts me smack in the middle of it, makes me a happy camper. :D

Although this highly anticipated day has finally come and gone, I am still walking in a love-dazed trance from the oh-so-beautiful, and perfect celebration. And my favorite part of the day, was when the bride surprise her man (and everyone else!!) by singing a song. If my heart swelled up and my stomach tied into knots, I cannot imagine the waves of emotion the groom went through. It was beautiful. And I am thankful I was there to witness such an amazing love.

And because everything is better with a picture, here's a preview of what's to come.



Happy Monday!! xoxo

Kelly + Armando | A Garden Room Wedding

Remember you love me! Kelly teased over the phone after making last minute wedding requests to Armando. For someone who was getting married a few hours later, Kelly was her normal, calm and sassy self. I had arrived at the apartment she shared with her soon to be hubby, just in time for her cousin, Kelly, to get her hair and make-up done. Kelly is not your average bride, and definitely no bridezilla. She was ready to get that ring on her finger, seal it with a kiss, and begin her life as Mrs. Armando Rodriguez. All she had to do, however, was get through the prepping and festivities. Poor her. ;) Anybody who knows Kelly, knows no conversation can be had without a little sass. And her wedding day was no exception. We all argued about how her hair and make-up should be, Kelly wanting to much rather have her hair pulled back in a ponytail and perhaps throw on a little lipgloss. But after her cousin Kelly won the bridal make-over war, our simple little Kelly transformed into a glowing beautiful bride.

Kelly & Armando- thank you so much for allowing me to capture such a special celebration in your lives. You both are perfect for each other, and your wedding definitely validated this for me, and all your loved ones. I hope your love continues to flourish and that you, Kelly, continue to drive Armando mad with your sass. And Mando, I hope you continue to adore Kelly because of her sassiness. Much love to you both. xoxo























This is the sass we all know and love. :)




















Thumbs up from the groomsman.
















Kelly's twin sister, Kim, made one of the best speeches I've heard. And Kelly's expression in the next photo will show just how great it was. :D












My favorite moment of the day..













Possibly the only bride I know who smiles after getting cake smashed in her face!!




Someone snapped this photo of our Guest Relations family. :) It was surprising to see how many were present.. and who was back at the Park running the show..?




And now, I'll finish off with my favorite photos of the day.





A special thank you to Seve Chong for second shooting with me. YOU ARE THE BEST!! Happy weekend!!! xoxo