Sunday, November 23, 2014

Warning: Major Goof Ball Alert!

I had such a fun afternoon photographing my cousin Jordan for The Love Bullet...she's such a beautiful soul, inside and out...stay tuned for the photos! For now, I'm gonna drop this glitter bomb on ya!
{ For more behind the scenes photos of my shoots, follow me on Instagram @loveandphoto }

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Healthy is the new Wealthy

Since this blog is about my life it's also about my lifestyle. I've been obsessed with my health lately...trying natural oil cleansing face washes, home made organic dog food, even minerals I apply to my feet to help me sleep...so if you are interested, check out my new blog Beauty is a Biotch! I named it such because yes, some of the teas I drink to detox are nasty and some of the oils I put on my face smell like feet, I'm not here to lie to you. Being healthy is hard. Ten years ago, I would have been trying to find a quick fix or spending hundreds of dollars on ONE face cream! But now, I spend my nights mostly in chilling with my dog, meditating, doing yoga or researching the internet for more homeopathic remedies for things that now a days people would rather take a pill to cure. Hope this helps you and I hope you enjoy it!

Thursday, November 13, 2014

All You Need Is LOVE

This blog is not only about my lifestyle as a photographer, my adventures and tips and tricks that I find useful in my trade, for sharing music that I find digging around on YoutTube, about photography tips...it's about Love. Tonight, I saw this video going viral on Facebook about a father singing the Beatles' "Blackbird" to his infant son, aptly named Lennon, a few hours after his wife passed away due to C-section complications. The community reached out and donated around $60,000 for this now single dad. I watched the video and cried, grieving for this family I've never even met. I kept reading the story only to find out that four short days later, baby Lennon died. Leaving this already heartbroken husband no longer a father, and I started thinking of these tragedies in life that occur, all the time, and why? Within a week, this man's reason for living, his wife and his new son, ripped from him. And what has he left? How will he feel getting up tomorrow, wishing it was all a nightmare. This is life. The reason this story feels like it's squeezing my heart so tightly, is because I identify with this man. I've loved and I've lost. The man's latest update, which he announces the passing of Lennon, is somber yet he expresses gratitude for the four short days he got to care for him, see him face to face after nine months of loving him when he was growing inside of his wife. Even though his heart must be shattered, he expresses gratitude! It makes me want to share this, not to be a downer on a Thursday night, but to remind anyone who comes to this blog to LOVE with all you have like it's your last day on Earth. To be grateful for every day you get with your family and loved ones! Don't let days pass in your lifetime when you could be with the ones you love, dont let pride or ego get in your way of what God brought together. Open your eyes that we are all human and make mistakes, forgive those who love you. Forgive yourself and love yourself, that will make it easier to forgive others. NEVER wait to love. Don't count on there being other days or months when you will work things out. Forgive NOW and love NOW! Never forget that within a week, your entire life can be wiped away, leaving you with nothing but the gratefulness of that blessing, that you had what some never find. Hold onto what you love fiercely, with so much strength that no sickness or fight could keep you away. The last words in this man's announcement of Lennon's death and his thank you to all that gave out of their hearts for him was "ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE". All else falls into place once you have that. I promise. My prayers for are all who find this post...May God replace all your fear and worry with His peace. 

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Singing Sisters

{ My sisters and I in Coronado beach last Summer }
I am having so much fun tonight finding acoustic song covers on Youtube... I just fell in love with this little sister big sister duo named Lennon and Maisy. I'm twelve years older than my twin sisters and I love them dearly, our relationship is sacred to me. I call one of them Smalls and she calls me Biggie :) I'm dreading them going off to college next year, so watching these sisters perform together touches my heart. Tell your brothers and sisters you love them, today and everyday! Enjoy these videos!

How To: Create Your Own Cool Boutonniere

If anyone knows me, you know I think bullets are cool { hello Love Bullets! } so I was blown away by the boutonnieres at Chelsea + Kyle's wedding that they made themselves. I was surprised at how simple they were to make...and I think anyone groom to be that loves hunting or shooting ranges { am I explaining every man ever?! } this is a creative option. The groom to be and his groomsmen shot these bullets themselves and used different color bullet casings to distinguish the groom, father of the groom and the groomsmen. They added baby's breathe to cotton to keep it simple, add elegance, but still keep the country chic vibe that the entire wedding had. Here's the brilliant part: to put them on the men's coat jackets, instead of the needle through the flower which sometimes leads to disaster to someone's fingers, they dropped magnets in the bullet shell and used the other side of the magnet on the inside of the coat jacket pocket! Be sure to test the magnets beforehand to make sure they are strong enough...but in this case, it worked out perfectly and was just another fabulous yet home made touch that made this event so unique and special to them. 

Do You Think We Can Change?

I love sharing on my blog acoustic covers I discover on YouTube... this one is my favorite Pink Floyd song "Wish You Were Here" covered by Fred Durst that's surprisingly touching with a live orchestra accompanying him and Trent Rzeznick. The lyric changes are a beautiful new touch to this old tune. Enjoy!

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Gardeners Get It!

I had such a blast being the still photographer for a spankin new garden hose {the last hose you'll ever buy!!!} last week and my mom even had the honor of meeting THE gardener guy! I'll post the link when it's an official infomercial!
If anyone knows me, you know I LOVE a good garden! 
xo, L
{ It was a two day shoot, ten hour days but so much fun!}

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

I love sharing marriage & love inspiration on this blog because I figure most people who visit it are looking for a wedding photographer and are getting hitched! This article I found online { here on Family Share and it was originally written and posted on Kevin Thompson's blog } and it touched my heart deeply so I hope you enjoy it and are as moved by it as I am. No one knows how long we each have on Earth so please cherish your loved ones like it's your last day. 
xo, L
"In sickness and in health."
On two occasions I have said those words with the full confidence that the couple repeating those words actually knew what they meant.
The first occurrence brought a smile to my face. She had endured and marriage was her reward on the other side of illness. Together they have journeyed through the struggles of a serious disease as boyfriend and girlfriend. Now they would be husband and wife. They knew what "in sickness and in health" meant.
The second occurrence brought a tear to my eye. She had weeks to live. The vow renewal was his gift to her. I almost cut the words fearing they might be too painful. But with a crowd gathered I included them as a testimony to all who would hear them say, "in sickness and in health." They meant it and everyone knew it.
{click read more below, it's a wonderful article}

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

New Real Estate Website Up!

 My new real estate photography website it up and running! You can find it at www.realestate.loveandphoto.com so please check it out and the info is on there for bookings.