I was doing so good within my little bloggie world and then things got a little crazy, a little fun, and a little happenin’!  I have neglected my blog and swear to get slapped with a wet noodle.  Every single day I think, “Okay, Gina…today you are going to post some of the kazillion images you have captured…and yet the day goes short.  It hit my heart like a bad bout of hurt today when I had a bloggie reader www.slsmithphotography.com send me a message reminding me that I had not blogged.  Yes, Steph, I know, and this one is for you.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting  be back in the world of something I love, my internet friends.

I made a wonderful mistake of booking myself for a last minute bridal fair in San Antonio.  Triple OMG!  On this day I was truly blessed to meet some of the most wonderful people.  I shared giggles, ewwws, and ahhhs  with vendors (thanks for showing me the ropes Charlene, sharing a smile Valerie, San Antonio Weddings staff, my now clients, and love filled brides and grooms to be.  I walked into that cold Henry B. Gonzales convention center with no expectations, just the determination to have a great time and anticipation of  lovin’ the glitz of the wedding industry.  That day I signed contracts and have been getting called by such awesome now brides…and soon brides to be.  Mallory, Anna, Jessica, Theresa, Sandra, Calie….you are beautifully fabulous and so are your images!

Long story short, it was on this January day  that I started to drop off of my bloggie world.  I had brides who needed my immediate attention on engagement photos, bridal portraits, and even a couple of weddings within a months time.  So, as you can imagine, things have been a little hectic in the Cherish world.

Every one of my brides I met that fateful day, thank you for building my spirit and trusting a love a have for capturing memories.  So many of you told me, ” Gina, there are lots of great photographers, but my gut felt you were the girl for me.”  That is the client I want, one who connects with my energy and passion.    I am truly a blessed girl who happens to carry around a camera.

This is Theresa and Andre.  They were one of the happy couples who I immediately had a connection with on that January day.  They have already gotten married and I will post some of those fabulous images soon.  Their love is funny, full, and forever.

I can finally share her beauty because Zach was able to see her “stunning-ness” as she walked down the stone walkway this past weekend in her beautiful wedding dress.  Amanda is stunning, inside and out.  She is the most calm, funny, and down to earth person.  I love her.  Amanda became the Mrs. this past weekend.  Her wedding was beautiful (which I will post later this week), she was beautiful, her sister, mom, friends, new hubby, were all stunning.  

It is very warm in South Texas, today we are reaching 102 degrees.  Holy cow, where is the swimming pool and sunscreen?  On the day of her bridal shoot, the temperature was no different, and  Amanda was up for treking her way through the dirt, rocks, stairs,and water puddles.  She was wearing those gorgeous shoes and we did play caution to keeping them glam.  By the end of the shoot Amanda had to sit down to take a breather and funny enough, that last shot was one of her favorites and the one she choose as her bridal portrait.  I’m telling you, this bride looked just as gorgeous at the end of our 2 hours worth of shutter clicking as she did during the first frame.  She had so many super fab images to choose from, it was so hard for me to pick favorites for her gallery!

A heartfelt thanks to you, Amanda & Zach, for allowing me to share in your special day.  

I saw her in the hallway and she quietly whispered a reminder that she wanted to do a photoshoot with her family.  I anxiously obliged, she is my friend.  Then, the thought occurred to me, “Wait, why are we waiting, why are we not taking images now, she graduates with her doctoral degree tomorrow!”.  I quickly retracked my paces and chased her down and whispered back, lets capture some images tomorrow for your big day and this new journey in your life.  So modestly she said, “Do you think? Are you sure?  We can just do it later, its okay, Hummm”.  I swear she is one of the most genuine and sweetest people I know.

I am telling you I soooooooo (yes I need that many o’s) believe in photographs, not only because  I love the “click, click” of my shutter, but because it captures those moments and emotions that are easily forgotten.  On this day of my bribery and coercion, I realized one thing.  I realized that sometimes we fail to celebrate ourselves but are always eager to celebrate others.  Hardwork, dedication, perserverance, that is what made us who we are and where we are, so we should cherish those moments (big and small) in our life, those moments of joy that burn within our souls, but gone tomorrow.  I am so glad that my friend  “Dr. Olga” let me celebrate with her on that following Saturday morning.  On this morning she celebrated being a scholar, being a doctor, being a mommy, a sister….etc…etc….  That was my wish for her.

Congratulations, Olga!  Go celebrate some more girlie, you deserve it!

PS… we did eventually also have a family photoshoot session which I will post soon

If you have never been to South Texas, you must take a trip.  The air is warm, the food is good, and the wedding venues are grand.  Feliece and Darrin chose to celebrate their love at the beautiful hotel  Westin La Cantera .  Endless expanses of Live Oak trees line the perimeter of this luxury hotel.  The view is breathtaking and my new found friends and Mr & Mrs. were equally as breaktaking-ly gorgeous-imous (not sure if that is a word, but it is my word).

I admire the couple for they are part of the heros who have signed up to fight for freedom, defend our country, and preserve peace.    Both are in the US Army and have a tough job as leaders  in the recruiting sector.   Many of you know from my previous posts that I know the hardships that families face when it comes to the valor of Army life.   Long days, long nights, and many miles apart … but true love is like Feliece and Darrin’s……their love continues to grow and they foster a stronger relationship than many.  I admire them.  Congratulations on such a special day and may you love continue to grow.    Oh, and by the way…the color scheme came from the Mister and a piece of fabric…. awesome…..

This past weekend I attended a wedding fair.  The wedding fair at Ratama Park in San Antonio.   I had never been to such a gala (not even when I got married some 14 years ago) but I sure do wish that I would have had that experience as a blushing bride to be.  It is an idea experience!  I went to the bridal show to deliver a “something nice for you” to my friends Nancy and Cesar at La Fontana Springs.  La Fontana participates in just about every bridal fair, always have a beautiful set up and greet each person, whether bride or not, with a smile, that is important to me and one of the reasons I think they are so successful in their business.  Sunday was no different.  The owners of  La Fontana are not only my friends, but also my cheerleaders…. and I love their place!  Each turn of a corner is gorgeous and perfect for a backdrop.  Prospecting brides need to witness the beauty of this place to truly appreciate.   I have taken hundreds of images at La Fontana and wanted to share a little of the love and share the promo cards I provided La Fontana at the bridal extravaganza.

Alyssa made me giggle because when we came back around, she said, “Mommy, all those girls are taking “YOUR” pictures from Ms. Nancy.”    I learned early on that it is so much better to give than receive in this business.  No strings attached, just appreciation for relationships built and a gesture of kindness.    Warms the soul.

And at the wedding fair I was able to also hear from a 3 of my of my upcoming brides -to-be…they had made the event an idea-fair…I love it, and I love them!   Here is one of the beautiful brides……. 2B…. and her fun hubby  2B….