Erin and Adam~Engagement~La Jolla, CA

My grandmother has always said that good things come in small packages and I know Adam would agree with me on this one. Erin is petite and she fits perfectly in his arms.

If you recognize this beach it's because they were taken at Windansea. It's the hot spot for this month and for good reason; there are endless photography opportunities.

I am super excited for their wedding at the Bali Hai Restaurant. It is going to be a fantastic day and I am honored to document it with my camera!

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

Brittany and Rich~Engagement~La Jolla, CA

They traveled the world together, from New Zealand to Australia to Thailand to Laos to Vietnam to Cambodia to Mauritius to South Africa to Greece to Italy to Austria to Hungary to the Czech Republic to Poland to Germany to Switzerland to France to Spain to Portugal to the Netherlands to England and to Scotland.

Now they are ready to embark on their next journey together. And with the help of their handsome, well-behaved, chocolate Labrador Retriever, Jack, it will be the expedition of a lifetime.

For Rich and Brittany's engagement session we met at the noble Windansea Beach, which is famous for its epic reef break, but it also beckons photographers for its unique backdrop. It's tough to deny a perfect A-frame, but we still had a smashing good time.

 

  

 

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

Stronger

Have you ever wanted to jump for joy and cry at the same time? Well today was one of those days for me. I was driving when Brian called. "We had the best offer on the house so it looks like we could be home owners." "Cool," I said with some enthusiasm. It was tough for me to wrap my brain around the idea because I was headed to the doctor's office.

I have been afraid of going to the doctor since I can remember. For most people the fear is being stuck with a needle or stepping on the scale. For me it's what the doctor has to say, and today it was something I was not ready to hear, "With your condition you can expect to have surgery every ten years. It may not be what happens, but you should be aware of it."

Surgery? That seven-letter word made my palms sweaty and my stomach turn upside down. I had surgery five years ago and I am doing just fine. I finished listening to my doctor and I returned to the car feeling defeated by Crohn's Disease.

When I got home I looked at my work space and I picked up a card that I received from a client just yesterday. I began to read it. "Jackie--We just wanted to send a note of thanks for our engagement session on Saturday. We both enjoyed it more than we thought we would. We are SO excited to see the photos! You did such a great job and we are so happy to have you for our photographer. Until May! Erin and Adam"

Tears filled my eyes, and as I blinked I could feel them leave watery trails down my cheeks. Their thank you card meant the world to me and I am incredibly blessed to document their wedding day in May.

Today wasn't easy, and I feel more vulnerable now that I have shared this with you, but I cannot hide how my challenges have made me a better a person, wife and photographer. With my husband's support and my love for photography, I know I can achieve anything. We get one life so we must live it with love, passion and laughter!

Here is the picture of the week from Queenstown, New Zealand.
f/4
1/800
ISO 100

Contrary to the evidence I was not digging! Treat please!

It's about time I get some say in this blogging world. I've only been a part of the family three years now. Well, I am a husky of some sort, but everyone calls me a wolf. Even before I was adopted my name was Wolfy. It's tough for me to identify with because I have the stomach of a golden retriever; all I really want to do is eat.

You've probably seen some of my pictures on the blog before and that's because my owners are wedding and portrait photographers. I never really got into the whole photography thing, but somehow I cannot escape it. Jackie has the camera in my face all the time. But as long as I get a treat when she is done taking pictures; I will do whatever she asks. Usually I get a dog treat, but every now and then I'll get some raw meat or raw tuna. That raw stuff is to die for!

I dwell outside so I prefer not to stay in the house, even if it is raining. My coat is as thick as a wolf's and it's winter time so I do not need to be sitting around staring at four walls. Although sometimes I will stay up at night to have a one on one with the NSS, Neighborhood Skunk Squad, or I will hunt rats for the old man. That's when Jackie lets me inside for my morning nap. I give the glass door a little scratch and she can hear it from the depths of the house. She's a good owner like that.

So today I was out in the yard minding my own business when Jackie came outside to check on me. She looked at me funny and started laughing. I was out digging for gophers earlier because the ground is much easier to dig through when it's wet, but I thought the rain had washed the evidence away. Apparently I was wrong. She ran into the house and when she returned her hand was clenching that darn camera. Eventually I was okay with it. She took her pictures and I got my treat! Maybe I should dig more often?