It was the party of all part-ays!   The event was on Thursday night.  I am talking everyone in the San Antonio Wedding Industry was at this annual event that was hosted at the beautiful La Fontana Event Center.  The editor of San Antonio Weddings, Todd Kabes, was right on target when he chose this beautiful wedding venue to host the annual event that celebrates those individuals who cherish opportunities to work with wedding clients.   A few of the vendors I met that left a stamp on my soul and were Breanna from Powerhouse Studios, Carol from Cakes by Carol, Mike from VHT, Elaine from Elaine’s Custom Cakes & cookies, Peggy from the Candy Lounge, and all the awesome people at An Event to Remember who provided a scrumptious dinner, decor, and table linens (all of which were accompanied by a genuine smile).  It was a party for all of us vendors who frequently are in attendance at super fab parties, every weekend, events that we document (in my case with photographic memories),  or construct, or host, or decorate, or cater, etc….  we call these super fab parties… San Antonio Weddings.  La Fontana Event Center, owned and operated by my cheerleaders, Cesar and Nancy Trivino, left no detail unturned, nothing but perfection from the floor to the ceilings, to the gazebo, to the bar.  Beautiful silk fabric draping adorned the eating areas, the chairs, and matching table linen, bouquets, and place settings accented the tables. 

Each table was filled with passionate people talking with giddy excitement of their business and love they have for brides and the grooms to be.  The energy was contagious and warmed my soul.  If you ever want to have a fabulous wedding, I’m telling you, get married in this South Texas sweet city of culture, perfection, and detail.  We call this home, or San Antonio. 

I met so many fabulous people that evening whose energy was palpable and truly extraordinary craftsmen (and craftswomen…if that is a word) in their field.  I just know  with my new found relationships, I am going to get lots of BFF’s.  I am a lucky girl, in a fabulous wedding industry. 

Cheers to brides and grooms, you are in good hands, when you have your nuptials in San Antonio!  

Beautiful Magazines added to the decor of the evening

Laughing, networking, dancing, and talking shop

Awesome flower arrangements by Events to Remember

San Antonio Weddings Magazine- Premiere Reading and so much more for all Brides!

I have always loved being outside.   I can remember picking veggies in our garden (eating the cherry tomatoes right off the vine), playing in the backyard in my “little house” that mom & dad gave me for my birthday when I was 4, playing in the sandbox (after it had been wet with the water hose of course…better sand castles), smelling mom’s roses that lined the chain-link fence, running through the grass with no shoes on…the stories go on forever.

These days I still love being outside.  I think if it wasn’t for the mosquitos, I would live in the tree house, hang from the branches of our live oaks,  whistle like a cardinal, and pretend that tomorrow does not exist.  I would live in the now.

My hubby loves me.  He brings me joy (literally).  He fills my bucket, he brings me happiness, he spoils me.  Chad tolerates all of my nature addictions, the several bird feeders, the flowers, the seeds, the cement garden decor, the bird houses, the green grass I run my toes through, my rock paintings, my veggie garden, my fruit orchard, all of it.  Lately he had been talking about seeing some “yellow birds” outside when I was at work (I have an addiction to bird watching).  The next day, he took me to the savy bird store and we bought a finch feeder. ..Now look what what I saw this week….bringing me joy.  I  am such a lucky girl.

On Thursday I called my sister and told her, “I think Chad forgot our anniversary, again”.  She giggled and so ohhhh…nooooooo….  Yep, when he forgets he usually does not get to use/see his gift from me…that is usually for me…. (wink..wink).  This is the third time he has forgotten.  I will give it to him that he tries to remember, he sets his alarms (watch, computer, calendar) to buzz the sound of love about a week before “the day”.  Nucklehead, though, he forgets about it by the time the day comes around.  Between you and I, it is funny and I secretly love it when his eyes bug out, face turns pale, and stops breathing when he sees his Victoria Secret present…..and realizes that he must have forgotten about something.  

This year he claims that he did remember, he was just planning to celebrate a few days later.  He thinks I am not on to him, but honey, yes you are lame when it comes to remembering.

This year he swore that he remembered but could not celebrate until, Saturday because he was perfectly planning the most perfect-est gift for me and it was not released until Saturday, June 6.  Hummmm…..  

Early Saturday morning I had an engagement photoshoot with a super cute couple (which I will post later this week) and got home to see a kazillion “Ivory” soap bars lined along the stairs leading to my hubby.  My thoughts were 1.  either he knows that I felt really sweaty and smelly and needed a shower  2.  he realizes I need a full time housekeeper  to “CLEAN” or 3.  their is something behind his madness.  Well this was our 14 year anniversay and the “theme” for this year was “ivory”…..  so he wrapped my new phone as the last  ivory soap bar that was closest to him …..  I swear he is so cleaver.   Tada… I am giddy and forgot all about the tardiness of his memory .  BTW…he does the “theme” thing every single year.  I swear he loves me.  

I love gadgets… I don’t even think that I know what most of my gadgets do, they are just shiny, new, pretty, have a neat organizing feature (you guys know how much I love that), and calendars, text messaging, music….and  ewwww-la-la….great camera in this phone 3mp.  Oh yeah, and the accessories are cute and fun too!

I love you Chad and I so love “Ivory” (yes, I named my phone).  Cheers to us, our love, our friendship, our marriage.  I can’t wait for the many more we have to come!

PS…tell Lissy not to feel sad anymore that daddy only got mommy some soap….haha….the kidlet cracks me up!

That is what Memorial Day is about, honoring those heros near and far who have provided us the freedom that is not free. 

My 7 year old was excited that there was no school today, but she asked, “Mommy, why do we not have school?”  She knew it was a holiday but not really sure what it was about.  Unfortunately, she was not even sure of the holiday name.  Daddy was in the car when she asked and he offered her the explanation, because he understands what it means to be willing to fight for freedom and peace and serve our country.   Alyssa still does not really understand what death is about and that everyone eventually dies, much less the willingness of soldiers to die for our country,  but Chad managed to explain to her that others have made sacrifices for our country and on this day we pay tribute and respect to them for their heroic deeds.  She got it.

 Some day she may remember some fallen heros ….  (US Department of Veteran Affairs) 

 Civil War……140,414 (Union)…..74,524 (Confederate)

World War I….. 53,402

World War II….291,557

Korean War…  33,741

Vietnam ….47,424

Desert Storm … 147

War on Terror…2333+

Okay, last night I got this email from Kim at Kimtown and she said my blog proof was ready to look at.   She was my Santa no…better…she was my  Santa Claus and all of his reindeer.  When I first talked to Kim I had a vision of what I wanted, told her my favorite store was White House/Black Market, and told her that I am starting my branding campaign of providing fun photography for REAL PEOPLE.  REAL MOMENTS. REAL LIFE.  She took off with the idea and ran.  This morning when I “opened” my blog for the first time, it was better than the Christmas when I was 5 that I got my Easy Bake Oven….yes…that good!  I am so excited!  I know it is not the fanciest blog and I know there are photographers out there that have much better pictures that I do, but it is mine and MY opportunity to connect to my peeps.

I have been thinking about getting a new blog for some time now, but I have to tell you that when you first start a business each decision is quite thought provoking.  Should I do this…should I do that….is it worth this amount or that amount…. the questions never end and often times keep me up at night….contemplating rather than dreaming of sweet nothings.

So where do I find myself today….. well…..I swear, if I had it my way I would walk around with a camera in my hand 24/7.  Even though I launched my business over a year ago, I still am in love with the idea of capturing some images of strangers who later become friends.  One of my girlfriends once said to me, “Wow, do you realize that those portraits are going to hang on the wall of someone’s home and be in their family, possibly forever?”  The thought of my simple click of a button becoming a family treasure melts me.  I am humbled.

So I owe it to my family, my friends, my clients, and even the many unknown internet friends to share my journey of owning a photography business, sharing the message I learn from each photoshoot, and living life in a world that moves way to fast and makes me realize that life is not long enough to do everything I want to do.  I am a hard worker who loves to learn, reflect, and laugh.   This blog has given me the freedom to release my inner thoughts.  I won’t feel ashamed of my mistakes, but rather learn from them, and I will cherish the opportunity to share my life.

Thank you for riding with me on this journey and a special thanks to the many clients I had this past year who have been my cheerleaders and have taken my business to a whole new level that I never knew existed.  These special people trusted me with their precious memories and sometimes had a level of confidence for me that I was sometimes lacking.

And because every post is better with a picture, here is a beautiful bride whose wedding I photographed last night.  Sheri…. one word…. “Beautiful”.  I will be posting more fantastic memories of both George and Sheri this week!