Sneak Peek {Boojum Tree Wedding Photographer}

Venue: Boojum Tree
Flowers: Endearing Floral Design @ Thee Wedding Warehouse
Dresses: Jennyvi Dizon Couture
Jewelry: Two Sisters Jewelry Boutique
Hair: Yours truly =) and Trinidad
Makeup: Me again!

S & D {California wedding photographer}

When I was out in California the other week I was able to schedule an engagement session for these two. She was a referal from the J family whom I photographed earlier this year. The day we met up it had been a long day for these two working and being stuck in California traffic all afternoon since they drove 3 hours to see me. I had to wait a while for them on a soft sandy beach with a cool breeze and amazing views. Geesh, the things I do for my clients =). She wasn't feeling so fabulous after a 3 hour car ride, but I think she still looked amazing. Internet, you can be the judge. BTW, do any of you actually say the word fabulous?? I use it a lot when I write, but never say it. I think it is a funny sounding word and kinda annoys me when spoken but okay when written?? Why is that?? Anyway there I go rambling. Let's get to some images!

D was really cute with his future wife. So calm. He is another one who I could tell wasn't too sure about pictures. But became comfortable quick. I remember asking them how their wedding planning was going and he said he just had 2 chores, to get tan and get his teeth whitend!



So someone was on my side during this shoot. I had my shootsac on and I decided to put it on the beach. Well as soon as I did that and stood a little in the water, a huge wave came up and soaked me up to my booty!! And luckily, again, I put my memory cards in my shootsac which I usually have in my back pocket!!! Whew. Thank you Lord!

These next two are my favs!

This last one was a little The Notebook inspired! I was playing around when editing and came up with this image. I love how their bodies make a tiny heart! Do you see it?

Thank you S & D! I had fun hanging out with you guys and getting soaked!! Your love is fresh and fun and shows in these photos! I can't wait for the wedding =)

Click here for their slideshow

Jasmine Star workshop: Part Deux

So for the shoot part of the workshop Jasmine showed us how she works with clients and gets those incredible shots. I was kinda nervous for the shoot because I am just weird like that. I don't know what my problem is sometimes. The night before we got together and did headshots of each other on the beach and I didn't really shoot. I notice I do this here too at photographer GTG......... I clam up......... I need to stop it! But I finally got in there and started shooting and got some decent stuff. I was lucky and got a few direct looks into the camera shots too! And it was HOT! Don't let California fool you. Poor guy was in a jacket! But he rocked it! He had the sweetest style. And he and his wife......(yes people they are a real life couple!).......were the cutest couple ever!

Location: The Club at Woodbury- so pretty, want to live there
Models: Melinda and Vern- stunning, stylish, artsy, madly in love
Floral: Carissa of JL Events & Design- perfection
Beauty/Hair: Vivian Tran-All Made Up Team- amazing, sweet, artist

Dress: Monique Lhuillier-haute

I could have photographed Melinda all day. She is absolutely breathtaking! Her eyes were doe-like it made her innocently captivating...........

Now let me tell you a little something about a woman named Vivian. She is a master! She can DO hair! When I do hair I throw in a Bump-it and call it a day. Hahaha. This lady sculpts masterpieces out of keratin. Seriously look at that hair! Mad-skillz that Viv!

I love this dress. It fits her body like skin. Delish. And love the uniqueness of the bouquet.

Jasmine's Mom and JD of course were there helping with the food, technical things, and just making sure Jasmine and us were taken care of. Mom must be so proud. She has an awesome daughter. And JD is the sweetest guy ever. Always taking care of his lady. You could just tell he was happy helping her. It was funny because at dinner someone asked him what his and Jasmine's work day is like. He replies scheduled. I joked and said he was a Babywise Husband. He looked at me with the cutest innocent blank face and me and another photographer who is with child just busted up laughing. Don't we all wish we had Babywise Husbands?? Geesh Jasmine's got it all =).

I had the best time at her workshop. Now I just want to just keep going to workshops. I think I am going to be a workshop groupie. Thanks you Jasmine, JD, and Momma Star for everything!

Jasmine Star Workshop: Part One

I'm back!! Betcha didn't even know I was gone huh? Cause I am sneaky like that and set up auto-posts! I am so 2000-and-late and still am the only working photographer without a laptop! I had to check my emails daily from the Laguna Beach public library. I guess whatever gets you to the beach right?? But it was actually nice to be kinda unplugged.


I have been setting little goals. And since I am very limited on money and time, I told myself if I book so many family sessions or another wedding, I can get more gear or go to a workshop. When Jasmine's first workshop happened, I didn't even know who she was yet. Then I signed up for her newsletter and got the notice for her 2nd workshop before it went public. I contemplated going then but ....yeah that sold out in a millisecond. So I told myself I am going to go to her next workshop, and since I get her newletter I will be one of the first to be notified. Well the day it was announced I wasn't notified......Burn! She had technical problems and no one was notified and it went public instead. So the minute I saw it on her blog I jumped at the chance! I either am really lucky I got in or it just solidifies that I have no life except to sit at my computer waaaay too much. I felt like I won the lottery!

I had an amazing time in Orange County learning alongside with so many other photographers. The only thing I do regret is not staying with everyone at the hotel. My family came along with me and we have a place to stay there. So I didn't get that extra time with everyone on a more intimate level. There were so many cool people! I get a little anxious and either don't talk or talk too much. And I think I may have talked too much at the dinners! Then the day of the workshop we go around and introduce ourselves and tell our story. Everyone has these great little monologues and all I say is..... Hi I am Tina....ummm..... Jasmine literally had to finish my sentence and say ........and she is from Arizona and has stagefright..... Feeling like and Arse Part 3!

Having the opportunity to meet Jasmine in person was priceless. She is everything she represents on her blog and more. All around beautiful, hilarious, grounded, smart........but most importantly REAL. The workshop focused on Branding and what defines you. That is a hard question! Because truly at the end of the day we are no better photographers than the next person. So what makes you special?? What makes you stand out?? I guess you can ask yourself this question even if you aren't a photographer. I am still trying to find the answer and not quite sure what I am looking for either! Most of you who read her blog knows she makes up her own words. She actually has her own catchphrases that are HILAR! My favorite is still Don't fake the Funk people! All I can say to that is WORD sista.

The starlet in action.....

Showing us how it is done ANTM style........Tyra would be proud.......that expression......Now that is ferosh......

Jasmine's gun show............

I love this one. She looks so adorable with her freckles! Here she is with the talented photographer/entrepauner Bernie Aho from Canada, whom I unfortunately didn't get that much time to talk to but love his work......

Now some sneaky peeks of the shoot coming up tomorrow with all the yummy details..........

H & M E-session {Scottsdale Wedding Photographer}

This guy I know was dreading the session! I could tell when I met them for their consult a few months ago............wedding pictures are boom boom, thirty minutes done right?? ............ummm, no. Then at the e-session the look on his face when we talked about a possible wardrobe change...........to a more formal attire...... meaning pants in the Arizona heat!!! I could tell he was praying I wouldn't make him change! He turned to his fiance and said..... Baby I am here for you....whatever you want! (please don't make me change, please don't make me change!) . Since he really was rocking it for me and since he was soooo sweet with his bride to be, I let him off the hook!!! But seriously he did so AWESOME!! He really started to trust me and got comfortable. He started to realize how I do things and was giving me great great stuff! We even brainstormed a little and he had some great ideas for the wedding! Oh, and she of course was......perfect!

Pretty girl! Doesn't she look a little like Helen Hunt?? Mad about You..ish?? Loved her in Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! (Click on the link it will make your day....prom). Best movie ever!

One of my favorites!

I love this one! Love her mysterious eyes!

Suprisingly these were taken at the end of the shoot. Probably could have used them at the begining! He is so funny too cause his drink is the red one. He switched them cause he didn't want to have a fufu drink! And can you believe $28!!

Look who finished first!! Hehe....

Thank you M & H! It was fun hanging with you guys! Can't wait for the wedding and so I can meet PapaG! Ha!

Click here for their slideshow

Sneak Peek- E:Session {Scottsdale Wedding Photographer}

I heart faces photo contest

I have never entered a photo contest before so I thought I would try! I saw this on Jasmine Star blog. She is one of the judges this week. I Heart Faces is just a fun blog that holds contests every week. You don't have to be professional. Most of the time they judge by adult or child but this week it is Wedding Bells. I only have 2 weddings to choose from, but when I saw this contest I knew which picture I wanted to submit.

This photo is one of my FAVES. The groom did a father/daughter dance and this is the bride watching on the sidelines with the girl's mom too. I love the bride's expression. I love that both mom and stepmom are watching. I love that dad and daughter are dancing. I love that it is all about the child. So lucky to be loved by so many. I love that it is about love and family.

J & J Wed!! {Val Vista Lakes Wedding Photographer}

So my second wedding was at Val Vista Lakes too! I got married there, second shot there, had my first wedding there, and now I was back again! I have been so blessed to have the most amazing clients. Especially the brides I have been given. First G and now J!! I could not have asked for a more laidback, trusting, and so fantastic bride! I expected it from G because I know her, but I just met J :). These two were a photographer's dream. They called me a month before their wedding requesting a meeting. Booking the complete package that day and paying in full. Then no questions or anything til the day of the wedding! I also did J's hair and makeup too, and again so easy. We had a trial run appointment set and she missed it because she was still sleeping! So we winged it the day of and you will see she was gorgeous!


Mr J you can tell is just so happy to just take care of her. Everytime I glanced at them he was always just looking at his beautiful bride. He was the one emailing or calling me and setting up everything. They actually have been married now for 2 years and decided to do the whole shabang wedding since they didn't the first time. It was cute when I first spoke with him over the phone he said whatever she wants, I've been saving for 2 years. And from all the speeches at the wedding, I get the jist that this is a good hearted man.


J's dress was so beautiful..........

This is Trinidad. She is an hair awesome stylist and works in another studio at my building. She is Robin to my Batman at weddings.

How many people does it take to get a tiny girl into a big dress?? Apparently more than we had because it took us a long time!

A few details.......









This one cracks me up of all of her paparazzi bridesmaids............





First Look........




So sweet. I don't know what he said but he was whispering in her ear and she was so moved........





















J & J met when they were both in military school. So I played drill sergeant and called ATTENTION! As you can see he is very good at this..........




Congratulations J & J! Thank you for letting me be part of such an amazing tribute to your love! click here for their slideshow

Sneak Peak: J&J {Phoenix wedding photographer}