Obviously weddings are well underway in the Lone Star State.  I have learned that people from afar and near love getting married in San Antonio, Texas.  It is such a privilege to document the love story of two individuals who have decided to commit to each other for the rest of life.  So sacred, so wonderful.  The 2013 summer is beautiful in the hill country of Texas.  Favorite places to get married include La Fontana Springs Event Center, Spring Hills Event Center, Sonterra Country Club, Canyon Springs Country Club, and La Cantera.  If you are not getting married in July 2013, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your dreams and the possibilities.  Cheers!

I often tell new found friends that call or email me about photography services that the most important thing they can do is hire a professional photographer to capture images of significant times and events in their life.  A professional photographer is able to tell a story, a complete story that uses no words but evokes so many emotions.  I am not sure why God gave me the gift to learn about shutter speed, aperture, lighting, etc., but I sure am glad he did.  For with my camera I am able to stop time for a moment and that moment will be a treasure forever.  When you work with a professional photographer, you will be granted elements to treasure.  One of my custom designed products, that most clients elicit, is the lay flat leather album.  Ummmm…..it is devine, beautiful, and quite frankly breathtaking.  I have made a mental note, several times, to share a glimpse of one of these beauties, so here you go my friends…. some samples of treasures.

We are lucky to be humans who have been created to live life to the fullest and sometimes make difficult decisions.  This is where I have been.  I loved the frequent emails from clients, online friends, and blog stalkers who have missed my presence on this World Wide Web, however I had to make a decision to embrace myself in a little bit of a miracle.  I have still been ever so busy with weddings and photoshoots, and have so much to post, but wanted to start with a picture of me (some weeks ago) to document our blessed life and where I have been.  Our sweet Olivia is now here and life is in full swing (along with lots of diapers, cuddles, and hugs). I have so much to post and beautiful brides to share…. stay tuned!

Hugs~

Gina

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

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….

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.

I told her to smile at me with those gorgeous eyes of hers, laugh from her belly, and rock it like it was nobody’s business.  Lauren stole the show that day.  Every passerby, even other brides who were getting their portraits at the same location, could not take their eyes off of her.   The beautiful white gown, the super fabulous hair, and the hint of red lipstick … she carried herself with glam, style, and grace.  Lauren is stunning.

I absolutely love everything about Lauren, inside and out (I tell her that all of the time).

I am thinking about using one of her images in my marketing campaign this coming year, what do you think?  Which one is a fav?