Omar my brother, support, and inspiration.

Omar, is the best older brother anyone could ask for. The BEST! We have a 10 year difference, and it's a good thing. We never fight, or have that sibling rivalry. We support and respect each other. And always look out for one another. Him more than I. If you know Omar, you know above all he is a giver with a gigantic heart. He is the person to take the shirt off his back to hand it to you. I should know, he gave me his camera! Yes, if it wasn't for him giving me his OWN camera, I would have never found my love and passion for photography. How can i ever thank him!?!

As I mentioned before, I have an amazingly supportive family. Really its incredible. I know i'm blessed to have such a family, and I don't take them for granted. They all inspire me so much. And Omar is nothing less, he would support me if I chose to be a photographer, or a circus clown. And he would be willing to support my dreams in any means, weather it would be financially, or morally. Im so blessed to have such amazing loving brothers, being a little sister is awesome ;) 

Omar is not only supportive but inspiring, he wakes up every morning enjoying each day, never complaining. He worked hard to get to where he is. He has an amazing job which he loves, and never feels like labor to him. May I be like my older brother one day, living day to day doing what I love and always giving back in any way I can. 

I love you Omar thank you for all you ever do for me, when I think about it all I have an urge to cry. You are more than anything I would ask in for a brother. I love you. I love you. I love you. 

Josh Lopez, he is more than just a boyfriend.

I met Josh in church, a little over 2 years ago. I cant say it was love at first sight, more like miss-judge at first sight.Yet I didn't deny he was an attractive guy. I just wrote him off to be an irritating egocentric musician, although we never exchanged a word. All it took was one conversation. Our first real (face to face) conversation. I don't remember how the conversation came up, or why we got so intimate. We shared our most personal experiences and hardships. The kind of hardships that shaped us into who we were and are today. We both went through almost a similar experience. And we understood. We knew what the other felt. We connected. And after that conversation, I knew. I knew his heart, and I loved it.

Today, I enjoy each day we spend together. He is my best friend. He is my support. He is my partner, my helper, my graphic designer, my assistant, my model, my glue. He is anything I need him to be. And i'm so blessed to have him in my life. Yesterday he sat in my living room for hours, designing my new logo, business cards, and blog banner (to be up soon) and I love them!! It only took him hours because he patiently sat through, changed, and followed all my little picky request.

Josh is amazing. He is such an example to me in many ways. 

Josh never lies. He taught me to be straight forward. 

He is so smart! He does all the mental math for me. (Seriously!! aghhh its the little things people<3)

Josh keeps it together. He always stays positive, and always talks me out of my unnecessary over-dramatic breakdowns.  (Im a girl! I cant help it!) 

And the two most important things he has taught me are how to love selflessly and how to live passionately. These days its rare to find selfless loving man. And when I see it from him, it turns my heart inside out. He apologizes when I should. He forgives me in seconds. He loves me when I wouldn't love me. Im the lovey dovey type person, I love all hours of the day, but when it gets tough, thats when I get tough. But Josh is the opposite, he loves through the tough. He taught me about passion. He is a very passionate man. His passions; God, family, worship. He taught me the importance of passion, persistence and excellence. Never giving up, and always giving your best.

This man means so much to me. I can go on forever. Im so thankful to  have him in my life, and I look forward to continue to grow and learn by his side. 

Im so in love with you Josh. Im thankful for who you are, and for who I am because of you. 

My Inspiration and Support

I didn't just wake up one day with courage, and motivation I stirred up all on my own, ready to take on the world. It took counciling,  guidance, and approval from those I love. Now maybe that may seem unnecessary to most, but what I wanted was in such a different direction from where I was going, that it wasn't something I would have been able to do without the support of my loved ones. And photography as a career seemed sooo unrealistic. and EVERYONE makes sure to tell you that. Its hard to believe in yourself. But im so blessed to have AMAZING people in my life. People who I love more than anything, people who inspire me, people who support me in anything and everything, people who I know love me as much as I love them. I call these people family. My entire family is truly amazing, I cant stress how incredibly blessed I am with all of them in my life. And Im hispanic, so you know there is too many to name, but my mother, my brothers Alex & Omar, and my boyfriend Josh, AAAAmayZinG!! ! They each get their own blog post!! why? well... 

1.   Simply because I call the shots on this blog :P 
2.   Because they each are a reason I am where I am, and if one of their roles was missing I know, I wouldn't be writing this today, and I wouldn't be doing what I dream to do. 

so If you care to do so join me to celebrate these people for the next few days hopefully we can all appreciate our loved ones way more then we do. 

Its Monday!!... although it almost isn't.

So I went to work pretty early today, so I didn't get to pot this morning, but alas here I am! Promise NOT broken ;) (and by the way, what I meant by posting everyday, is Monday through Friday Duh!) So any-who, today was day one of class, and i'm geeky excited! I almost couldn't stop smiling all trough class as 

I sat in front of an IMAC (ohh how those puppies make me swoon) thinking thats where editing dreams became reality. Not that i'm throwing my 13 inch macbook under the bus, but come on, one cant compare. I did get a new toy today though, to help my little macbook boost up its cool. I got a super nifty (geez i sound old, who says nifty) Magic Mouse from Apple, and its magical ;) So today i'm happy. 

Random Friday Post

Its been a while. I don't have a super awesome story but I can say so much has happened. And this is where i'm at… I left my full time job (i'm free!) I must admit even on the last day it was a scary thought. But I now know it was the best decision, I took a leap, I took a risk, I made a move. Life is good. I wake up every morning grateful for each day. Im working in new habits and writing down big goals. I feel more confident as a photographer, but most importantly as a whole person, with purpose and direction. and I have more time!! More time for my camera, more time for my puppies, more time for my crafts, speaking of crafts… I decided to start a small jewelry line. I've had so much fun making some pieces, and I love wearing them myself, I may open up an etsy account soon, so I may share them with everyone. Anyway so last week I had an amazing experience!! I attended the wppi road trip conference, a day full of talented, amazing, speakers and photographers. Including the woman who inspired me to take the leap and fight for my dreams. I had the privilege to speak to Jasmine Star and her sweet husband JD. And they were so amazing and sweet just like i thought. I learned so much and i am so ready to make mistakes and all that comes with making dreams reality. And i'm just so excited for all to come!! Today I have a shoot scheduled with Latin Skulls Tattoo Shop, that should be fun!! And in the following weeks I have big birthday cakes due! I love spending all of my time and energy on things I LOVE to do :) with that said hooray for today tomorrow and forever :)

P.S. I promise this will become a daily habit. ;P

Three years, Downtown you never disapoint

After three years, next week will be my last week working in downtown. Ill be happy to be out of the 9-5 scene, but I will miss downtown for all it is. My favorite restaurant ever, Mendocino Farms my love for you will never fade. <3 Taking trips up and down Angels Flight, visiting the farmers market in Pershing Square every Wednesday, and just taking lunch strolls and enjoying people watching. You wont find people watching like Downtown's anywhere else!! that's an event all in its own. Ive seen so many things!! Some I really wish I never did. But mostly all entertaining.

Today I saw the most awesome thing ever!!! So im walking out of subway in the corner of Hill and 5th, heading back to the office. And before I try to walk up to the street corner to cross the street, a guy in a bicycle comes speeding around the corner in front of me, so I quickly step back, but what caught my attention was the blond slender twenty-something year old girl chasing the guy yelling after him, She was so determine to stop him she was being dragged by the bike! DRAGGED!!!! While being dragged she was able to snatch a black purse the guy seemed to be holding on to, her purse is seemed. she lets go of the bike now holding her purse yelling to the coming pedestrians to stop that guy. An older fellow in a suit tackles the bike down and the blond jumps on top of the guy and pretty much beats him up taking her Iphone back from his hand telling him to never take her phone again, along with some curse words. The guy now scared out of his mind does what he can to get up and rides away. A crowd gathers up, asking the girl if she is ok, and of course she was!! she just beat a guy up, im sure she feels pretty awesome. I felt pretty awesome for her!!

 CHEERS for blond chicks with courage!!

Celebrating & Capturing Life

This weekend was a great weekend! a long weekend, with little sleep. But a good one! It was my amazing boyfriend's birthday, and we celebrated everyday :) My favorite cousins from out of state visited for the weekend and we had fun. And I went to work!

A month ago I got another job, a job I absolutely love!! As a newborn baby photographer!!! I have the privilege of spending time with beautiful newborn babies and have fun taking their photographs while I make mom and dad happy. Its so rewarding!!

This weekend I had a different experience than most days. I was scheduled to photograph a baby boy named Adrian Jose Lopez. And you better believe he was cute as a button!! and so tiny!! As I prepared the set up for the shoot, Dad walked in the room. He was gleaming!! You could see such a joy in his face to see his baby boy, it was overflowing and contagious! Both mom and dad were through the roof filled with love, excitement, and pure joy. You could tell it was their first baby. And he was perfect. Their happiness was so beautiful!! I almost had an itch for my own child!

As i'm almost done with the set up, in comes the doctor. (that happens a lot) They usually check the babies by poking and stretching them, making them cry right before I get them! :/ Not ideal before a photo shoot but I live with it. So doctor quickly checks the baby then says he will check the X-rays and be back. When he comes back he tells mom he looked over the x-rays taken yesterday and there seems to be something different. "You will have to take your baby to a neurologist, and take any test they ask of you." Very calmly mom agrees, and asks the doctor whats wrong. The doctor tells mom that there are signs of a prematurely closed skull, but he wouldn't be able to take necessary test since he wasn't a specialist. Mom once more very calmly asked what that meant. The doctor explained that a prematurely closed skull does not allow the brain to fully develop and grow and that can have fatal results. In that moment the energy in the room changed, it went from feeling bright and joyful, to dark and desperate, it was so unexpected for everyone. Mom started desperately crying. Dad tried to remain strong. The doctor gave his apologies. And I wanted to melt into the floor. I couldn't believe this was happening. why did I have to be in the room. What should I do.  Why didn't I walk out before. All these thoughts went through my head, and I felt my heart break. I wanted to hug mom, I wanted to tell dad everything would be ok. Their baby was perfect. But I couldn't. I gave them time, and when they were ready I took baby Adrian in my arms, feeling joy again, as I laid him on the soft cloud like pillows.

I knew what I had to do, I would spend hours if I had to, but I was going to capture the best memories I could of the little happy family and their beautiful and smart baby boy. It actually didn't take long, Adrian was indeed perfect. Soft rosy cheeks, cute button nose. moon shape eyes. Not to mention he was so cooperative!! He was born to be a star. And in front of a lens. I finished with some portrait shots of baby, mom and dad. And once I showed them the results, the room was bright again. My job was done, I thanked the parents and let them know Adrian would be in my prayers, but I believe Nothing will stop that boy from being a star.

Bellow are some photos I took with my phone, so excuse the quality.

I feel so blessed to be doing what I love and having it be so rewarding, its moments like these that make me firmly believe I could never give up on my dream.

CHEERS to the power of photography!!

*And for those of us who pray, please pray for baby Adrian Lopez.

receiving a push, and taking a Leap..

Sometimes I need a little push...

Blame it on my constant need for approval, my ability to think things over for days weeks months, plus my undeniable talent of cooking up excuses. Talk about the perfect recipe for the P word (Procrastination!).

So maybe I should have have written this entry, six months ago, like I planned. but all I needed was a little push..

Now im on my way Internet! :) Im taking a GIANT leap and fighting the odds! I'm chasing a dream I've had since the age of nine.Yes nine! While most kids voiced their dreams of becoming doctors, teachers, veterinarians, and astronauts, I had a different dream. I talked about traveling the world and being a photographer. It wasn't a common dream for a nine year old, but I was in love with photographs. 

On my ninth birthday I received two of my favorite gifts as a child, a Pocahontas purse with a matching wallet (of course), and a thick olive green photo album. I carefully spent days filling the album with family photos I collected. Every few weeks I would carry the heavy album to a quiet place. As soon as I would open it, I would travel through time, reliving moments and feelings, filling me with laughter or tears. Since then I've known the power photography holds. But lets be honest! Back then I wasn't your ideal photographer.. I tried, but every negative was a NEGATIVE! (no pun intended). So I put the camera down, and kept my dream a secret, yet the escape of my olive green album kept me content.

Today I'm a different me! Although I sometimes need a little push, I don't need my hand to be held every step of the way. I know what I want, and I wont give up until I get there.

I want to create photographs that move people. Photographs that not only help them travel through time, but melt their soul when they revisit. Photographs that hold that very essence of that moment in their lives.

So as I take this leap and fight, I will be writing about my journey. So I can always look back and remind myself that its not just my dream I'm fighting for, but the nine year old who put her camera down and gave up.

CHEERS to learning how to turn negatives into positives! :)