I am humbled by the experience had this past weekend.  Approximately a year ago I was asked to be the event photographer for a special weekend, the “Brides Against Breast Cancer Weekend“.  I was not sure what it was about, but I knew I wanted to be a part.  I mean, really….who doesn’t want to stomp out cancer?  I volunteered and it was one of the best experiences.  Brides and bridal shops donated fabulous dresses to be sold at prices that were a steal!  (We are talking about thousand dollar dresses sold for a couple of hundred…wow!)

Here in South Texas, we are in the middle of our wedding season and calendars are booked out the kazoo, days/hours off are seldom, and us wedding folks live and breathe glitz, glam, and fabulousness.  With all this said, it was amazing how many of us “wedding vendors” took time to dedicate to giving back. Everyone organizing the event was a VOLUNTEER.  Pablo Vasquez, was the organizer of the entire event and such gratitude is owed.   Some of the vendors at the event included the following…. Bisli (gorgeous flower arangements and a warm happy smile), San Antonio Weddings magazine, San Antonio Wedding Guide, Granberry Hills Event Center, and many other vendors whom I would call friends and experts in their field.

There is so much greatness to have and share.. go take a piece of it, it will warm your soul.

Here are some images to share…

“The Eyes are the Window to the Soul”

What exactly does this mean?  I know it is a proverb, but I can’t help but to wonder how the famous quote, which is used ever so often, came to be.  I have always been a “huge talker”, in fact, sometimes hubby says I talk way to much.  I never have problems with striking up a conversation.  I love to talk, I love to listen, and I love to look into people’s eyes so that they know I am present and with them in that moment.  What I have realized is that not everyone is like me….not everyone talks with their eyes.   Not everyone realizes that there eyelashes are about .5 mm apart from one another, or that the iris looks like a netted sponge, or that tiny red blood vessels squiggle through the whites of their eyes.  Yes, this is strange..I know.  Who knows, maybe I am fascinated in eyes because of all my schooling as I became a biologist in both my undergraduate and graduate school careers, but I think it is more than that, I think eyes are a window to the soul.  I am fascinated.   The contact people make with their eyes… how they smile with their eyes, how they blink, all tells a story… a story of what is inside.  A story of who that person is, how they think, how they feel, and how they treat and perceive others.   I hope my eyes always have a welcome sign and help me tell my story because  I love life.

I take pictures of fabulous people.  That is what I do for a living.  Countless times, the fabulous-ness has to be found and it is sought after in the eyes.  My shutter gives a happy click when my clients smile with their eyes.  I can’t explain it, I can just see it.  One of my cheerleaders told me about a contest on “eyes” in photography.  I love me some freebies and have decided to upload these three.  Their eyes (and souls) are smiling at me.

In the shutter clicking world we have been very busy!  Whew!  My little finger is click-clickin’ away!  Spring and Summer is traditional wedding season in South Texas.  Literally, every single day is filled with a little bit of lovin’ from brides and grooms, bridal fairs, photographer colleagues who wanna share, and so many opportunities that come my way.  I am blessed.

Today I sent out my monthly newsletter to share a little of our world.  Please let us know if you would like to be part of our list-serv!  To view our entire newsletter sign up to be a friend on FACEBOOK by typing in the following address into your address bar:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cherish-Photography/169339730393

or

send a “friend request” to Gina Christenson on FACEBOOK

Some of my favorite people in the whole wide world let me take pictures of them every so often.  I love Kelly, John, and Davis.  This little family is full of joy, understand what family is about, love each other to no end, and oblige to my every request at the click of a shutter.  Even Alyssa begs to go on the photoshoots when Davis is the model.  Davis is Lissy’s “littlest best friend”.

On this shutter clicking journey we knew we wanted something a little city-ish, a little fabulous-ish, and a little fun-ish.  I think we achived it and had a great morning.   The fabulous outfits were especially picked out by Kelly, my beautiful friend who matches everything so perfectly.  She is such an awesome friend, mommy, and wife, and oh my gosh…so good at color coordinating.  Oh yea, and she accents everything with that beautiful jewelry (she sells some fabulous jewelry..if interested shoot me an email).

Sometimes I get a little crazy with my layering of clothes, you should have seen Kelly’s expression when I asked to put that purple tutu on Davis….”what purple…that does not match the green and brown”.  Trust me Kelly, your little one would look great in a potato sack.  So, cheers to the three of you for looking fabulous, having fun in front of my camera, and loving each moment you spend together.

Introducing the fabulous and famous “pup-pup”.  Miss sweet thang has been snuggling on this little guy since she was born.

I told ya, this family is awesome!

This is Davis working it for the camera.

Every once in a while I meet a couple who shares a strong chemistry of love.  I was recently able to feel the chemistry between two people who will be uniting as one this coming year.  Ursula and Kevin have that bit of something that some can only wish for.  He smiles when she speaks, catches her if he is afraid she might trip, and loves her unconditionally.  Her energy is contagious, her smile is gorgeous, and her shoes are fabulous.  Together they make quite the pair.  This couple now live in Austin but grew up in San Antonio and went to high school together.  They hung with the same crowd and now members of that crowd will dawn grins of joy as they witness Ursula and Kevin pledge their love to one another.

I can’t wait for the day they say “I do” and catch some more of their happiness.  Their love is good for the soul.

I often wonder where the hours go, the days go, the weeks go…..you get the point.  It is wedding season in our world and busy.  In fact I may get carpel tunnel syndrome in my “shutter clicking finger” (if that is possible).  Sometimes I feel really guilty about my lack of blogging, but those of you who know me realize that my world is fabulous and crazy busy.  Sometimes it ends up as a choice, “hummm….Gina, do you want to blog post or do you want to call a bride and discuss some ideas, paint tiny toe nails on my daughter, or tell my husband that I love him”…. most of the time I choose the latter…sorry bloggie friends.  I swear I just love way to many things.

One of the things I love is the San Antonio Weddings Magazine.  They spoil me with sweet comments, act as cheerleaders, and share my fabulous brides with others….this posted on their blog today….

Location:  Club of Sonterra
Wedding Coordinator:  Events by Reese

I met Mallory over the phone and immediately took a liking to her bubbly personality, charisma, and the contagious joy as she talked about her plans for the special day that she would become the Mrs.

Mallory’s special day was nothing but perfection.  She and Russell vowed their love to each other as God, family, and friends became witness. Mallory and Russell stole a bit of perfection from mother nature and had a beautiful sunset ceremony in the posh wedding event location at the Club of Sonterra .  Their wedding ceremony was beautifully decorated, elloquently expressed, and told a story.  The bright sun bathed our Lone Star State with golden rays as the wedding began. Mallory and Russell promised to love, honor and hold onto each other from now until eternity.    They promised their love under the shade of a large oak tree.

The grand event began as Mallory and her father (who’s love for her is palpable) floated down the stone walkway as her wedding onlookers wiped tears and smiled with joy.  Mallory radiated joy, peace, and happiness as she took each step, knowing each one would eventually lead her to seeing her future husband.  Russell patiently waited to capture a glimpse of his beautiful bride, the girl who is his world.

Mallory and Russell, I am humbled to document your love story and forever thank you for allowing me to share in the tears, laughter, and joy on your wedding day.

I usually know exactly what I am going for.  I am definitely a perfectionist and look at tiny details as if they were bigger than big.  However, when it comes to an upcoming ad that will run in San Antonio Weddings Magazine in 2010-2011, I am baffled.  I am not sure which layout to pick.  I like each layout for a different reason, but can’t pick a single one.  Can you help Me?  A, B, or C?

I have a special little client that rarely finds an opening on my calendar for her very own photoshoot.  She is sweet and loves flowers, painted toes, curls, lip gloss, chocolate ice cream, and lemonade.  She is my best little person, and anytime I try something new she is always the guinea pig on my new photography adventures and regardless of the outcome, tells me, “Mommy, I love you more than that”.  I am not sure what the more than that is, but I know I love her more than that.  Chad and I could have never asked for anything better than our sweet Alyssa.  This spring I reserved a Saturday for a photoshoot for our best girl.  One simple request she had, “Mommy, we have not had blue bonnets in Texas since I was 5 and I want my portrait taken in the blue bonnets”.  I am a photographer who aims to please, so we hit the road, ice cream custard in hand, searching for the perfect spot for her perfect photoshoot.  It is spring in the Lone Star state and flowers adorne every knook and cranny along our state highways and open fields.  We found our perfect spot to run in our cowboy boots and dresses, roll in the flowers, and pretend that tomorrow or yesterday did not exist.  We live life in the present, each minute better than the last.   We feel blessed every single day, and we celebrate having our good Lord watch over us.

We celebrate this Easter Sunday giving thanks to God.  Thanks for….. well everything.

Location:  San Antonio Missions
Wedding Coordinator:  Events by Reese
Wedding Day Venue:  Club at Sonterra

I met Mallory over the phone.  During the first minute of our conversation, I knew she was the girl for me and my camera.  Mallory is the girl who is fun, takes life by the horns, sincere, and enjoys all that life has to bring.  I had such a hard time keeping Mallory’s bridal photos to myself. I had the desire to share them with the world.  I am sure that Russell must have been breathless on his first vision of his wife (those fabulous images from their wedding day will be posted soon).

Mallory is beautiful and I felt that her images captured so many sides to who she is.  Some of her images caught her genuine laugh, captured her spirited soul, projected her serenity, and even when the wind was blowing we still managed to capture her grace.  I immediately took a liking to Mallory, her mom, dad, and grandma.  Their love for Mallory is palpable.    A wholesome family who knows how to love and embraces life.  Mallory, I thank you for allowing me to capture some of the first glimpses of your bridal beauty.  Pure elegance.