1 Question + 2 Answers = Bigger Faith

Whenever I have doubts I ask God for an answer. Sometimes the answer I am longing for takes a little more time than I would want, but at the end His timing is perfect and He knows what is best for me, so I believe the answer will come. 

A couple of weeks ago I was asking God if my photography dream came from His heart or I made it up. I asked for a sign or something that could let me know that this dream of pursuing a career in photography was coming from Him, and as always he answered, not once but twice.  

First, He reminded me through my aunt how and when my dream started. And it gave me chills. My memory raced to that day when God helped me connect the missing dots in my life and it all pointed towards photography. I was standing in a room filled with people with tears running down my cheeks, looking back to all those times when photography was part of my life but I had taken it for granted. I don’t want to take it for granted! I want to pursue it with all my heart! I want to run towards it knowing that it is a God given talent.

Two weeks ago I was doing a commercial shoot early in the morning, sunrise to be exact. Due to light showers during the night, it was a humid morning with beautiful clouds in the sky. We don’t get clouds very often so I was a happy girl =). I was capturing the last images of the shoot when I saw this little but sweet rainbow coming from behind the building I was photographing. And once again I was reminded of His promise, I felt reassured in what I am doing and felt so much joy in my heart that tears built up in my eyes and I thanked Him for answering His doubtful daughter.

If these two are not confirmations then I don’t know what are.

Happy Monday!! 

Quinceañera

I have 10 minutes to write this, so I will try to keep it short.

This week has been full of surprises, blessings, unexpected twists and turns, ups and downs and as I walk out to cover a Quinceañera (Sweet Sixteen), I know where I stand and who is walking before me. I thank God for His opportunities and His providence.

I was incredibly happy when a reknown photographer from Mexicali called me in the beginning of the week and asked me to help him cover and event on Saturday, as in today, I happily said yes and thanked him for the opportunity. I think I can call Francisco Arce my mentor. I really look up to keep working with you and I hope I do a good job. Thank you one more time!

I am nervous and happy at the same time; I hope I don’t squeal too much tonight with excitement and emotion. Pray for me, so I can pull this out the right way, representing Francisco’s studio correctly. I will be back on Monday telling you about the experience! See you then!! 

Happy Saturday!!

Finding my voice

It has been a while since I last wrote here and I have been anxious to get back to writing :) 

For the last couple of weeks I have been thinking, getting the strength to get out of my comfort zone and find my identity as a photographer. All this comes as a result of watching the fabulous Jasmine Star in her second CreativeLIVE online workshop.

I was stressing a little about not finding my voice after just a couple of months of starting my business and I want to thank her for being honest and open about her career and letting us know that it took her a couple of years to find her style, because it gave my permission to take my time and find it, at my own pace, at the right time. Saying that Jasmine gave me permission might seem a little funny, because as an adult sometimes we don’t need a many permissions to do stuff, but this was different. This is a FABULOUS woman, with a GREAT career and AWESOME life and she inspires me, she gave herself permission to take her time, to find her voice and that means I can too, we all can.

Jasmine thank you for being honest, for keeping it real, for inspiring me (and the whole Internet) for pushing me to fight for my dreams, and to dream big! 

Conociendo al Barón

Aprovechando el fin de semana largo que tuvimos por el 21 de Marzo, organizamos un viaje a los viñedos de Barón Balch’é para asistir al 1er Festival del Olivo en el Valle de Guadalupe.

Invitados por las chicas de Oinos Wine Bar nos fuimos a disfrutar de un frío pero agradable día donde probamos quesos, aceites de olivo, panes, una rica comida y una muy buena compañía.

El evento fue todo un éxito y a los más de mil asistentes nos dejaron con un muy buen sabor de boca, tanto por su comida y sus vinos, y nos dejaron con ganas de regresar.

Aquí les dejo mis fotos favoritas del día.

 Me gustaron las etiquetas :) 

Barón Tinto.

 El souvenir para la colección.

=)

Laura y Eduardo

I met Laura when we were little girls. As time passed by we became like family, we became cousins. That’s why when she asked me to photograph her wedding I was really excited and honored. 

Laura looked really beautiful and radiant with happiness. Eduardo looked handsome and calm. They planned the entire wedding together, taking care of all the details that would build their beautiful day.

The ceremony was lovely officiated by her uncle that came from Guadalajara to bless their union. Intimate, cozy, beautiful are the first words that come to my mind to describe the day.

Laura and Eduardo thank you for letting me be part of the most important day of your life, I was honored to capture every look, every detail, every moment of your wedding. I wish your marriage is filled with love, laughter and happiness forever. With much love, Jess.

Starting with a touch of pink in her hair piece. 

Pink chocolate kissed for dessert! Yum!

I just love when bride and groom hold hands. Pure love.

 Gorgeous!

 You guys are awesome!!

I have to say that the cake was d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s.

Details all around the place were lovely in place.

First dance.

 Proud father with his beautiful daughter.

I loved this picture. Can you see the love?

Oh yes they enjoyed dancing.

I want to end with this picture because it perfectly represents their love.

Life's Surprises

Life is just full of surprises. Some good. Some not so good. Some  just plain bad. During my transition from three part time jobs to fulltime photographer (yes it’s been less than a week) I’ve already had a couple of these experiences, and they make me question my decision-making abilities.

The reason I quit school is gone, I don’t have the job anymore. Why it happened I don’t know, all I know is that this is that, yes is hard to face it but it also pushes me to keep going, to keep learning, to never stop studying, to never leave a bump in the road stop me from my goal. We will always have bumps, falls, scratches, bruises down the road, but it all depends on how we stand back up again after we fall. I decide to raise brush off my knees (and yes my pride too) and keep walking.

I might not know exactly where I’m headed or how I’m getting there, but as long as I trust in my God I know I’m safe and good to go. I’m blessed to have a lovely family and great friends in who I can rely and go for comfort when I’m hurt.

So let’s embrace a new day, the goals set firmly in place and keep walking! I share with you a video my brother shared with me.

Day 1.- 1st Conference

I got there without knowing where the Conference Center was. Overwhelmed by the greatness of the hotel I walked to the front desk and asked for directions. To my surprise a nice lady said they didn't have a Conference Center :O what?! Was I in the right Hotel? The MGM right?? Yes, I was looking for the MGM Conference Center, where WPPI is being held. After what it seemed a long thought she nodded and gave me a map for me to follow because, even though her directions were clear, my mind was blown away and didn't understand a thing she said.

I started walking following my yellow MGM map and it was a loooong walk. Really I thought I was going to be late! But finally I saw the last hall that took me to the famous conference center. The room was half full and I looked for a good place to sit. I took my binder out, a pen and I got ready to take notes. After EscalateLIVE last year I won't forget to take a notebook or notepad to write!! Did you read newbie? Yes!

First speaker of the night, inaugurating WPPI-U, the amazing Dane Sanders. In one word his conference was ENCOURAGING!! He's such a great speaker. He shared with us many important questions to challenge us and push us to be better. A better person to be a better photographer. He advised us to take our life experiences and use them as inspiration for our work. Next my favorite quotes from Dane's conference:

* "Train like your life depends on it... because it does"
* "Fail early and often"
* "Watch beyond what's in front of your eyes"

Here's my fan photo with Dane Sanders! jajaja

This is only the first of ten conferences. Come back to read about the incredibly funny Jerry Gihonis!

Happy Wednesday!!