Thursday, December 4, 2014

Family Mini Sessions - November 2014

It's holiday card family photo time. I always say I will be ahead of the game for my own Christmas card, but maybe next year..

I've photographed most of these families for a few years and I've loved seeing them change and grow! Plus, so many cute faces and personalities to capture. For these sessions we roamed all around the Orange Circle.

Thanks for taking a look at these lovely families!






















Tuesday, November 18, 2014

The Brackett Girls

I am so glad I got to hang with the Brackett girls for their Holiday Card & Family Photos.
I have known Allie (their mom) since we were in Elementary School and I love seeing her family grow. Check out their cute little personalities and poses!






I just love these cute and very different expressions!






Thursday, November 13, 2014

Perez Family | Mini Session | Fullerton

Thanks to some great word of mouth from a family I have been shooting for a few years I got to meet the Perez family and take their photos for the first time as a family. Being someone who takes pictures all the time of everything, I can't believe they didn't have prior photos. I loved getting to capture them. They were so fun and easy going as well.

Thanks Perez Family!










Tuesday, November 4, 2014

"See you later"

As many of you know, I have transitioned out of my staff role at Eastside. Having been at Eastside for more than 14 years and on staff for over 5, this was a tough decision and process. Eastside is where I really began to follow Jesus, where so many friendships turned into family and where I have grown a ton. From 6 years in youth ministry, many years of college ministry, 5 years on the Build Community team and many new opportunities - it's been quite the journey and I am thankful!

However, maybe you've heard that saying about "Giving up good for great"? I kept feeling God's nudging to do exactly that. So much of my heart wanted to be on the team but the other part of my knew I wasn't engaged in my best fit (passions, gifts, desires). It took me a loooooong time to hear and then take action on the nudging. But after much processing with Charles, we knew this was best for our family. We've felt so non-stop since we got married, divided in ministry and a little disconnected. So, it's time to change that too. I am looking forward to being more invested (actually mentally and emotionally present) at Ethos alongside my husband and seeing what God has in store there. I am looking forward to margin that allow me to see what could be next for me (although scared too). And right now I am really looking forward to rest. I am taking this week to really rest and do the things I desire with no major schedule to follow.

Anyway, this is more about the closing of this chapter.

There have been so many heavy conversations in this process. I wasn't sure what the end would feel like. BUT it was pretty special. I really feel so loved, honored, valuable and known.

Some pretty special ladies (huge thanks to Joyce, Marge and Laura) made sure a very special celebration took place. There was a Halloween gathering/Fall food feast. They really went all out and the team came to eat, chat and honor this moment. I am glad most of the focus was on the festivities and not me leaving; I'm pretty much all cried out. There were so many special details and I really feel so blessed to transition this way and be launched into whatever is next with such special moments.

I was surrounded by some of the best people, pumpkin treats galore and happy moments.

So, thank you dear friends. Thanks for being so valuable to me over the years. Thanks for navigating life with me beyond just office "stuff". Thanks for being examples of what it means to humbly follow Jesus.

And now we say, "See you later." I am grateful this by no means equals "Goodbye". 
















Thursday, October 23, 2014

Slowing down.

I've been doing a lot of reflecting on the pace of life lately. Well, for a while actually. I am making some shifts to navigate space for, well, space. More to come on that.

But anyway. I had a moment of clarity in regards to the pace of my life. Life has been so fast. And so full. And so busy. I wake up at night so tired but my mind can't rest. I get to one place only to be thinking about the next place I need to be. I'm thinking about how my day off should play out: what I should do first, what flow makes the most sense, how to use my time. What can I multitask? Who did I forget to text back? Can I rest now? Should I be working out? 

All that to say, I'm looking to save time, prioritize, get things done. I can't say everyone should slow down or that there is anyone to blame for my pace/pressure to move faster. But I feel it. And I'm going to get back to balance and presence in my marriage, relationships, surroundings..

So, confession time: I promise this won't get too detailed but I realized the other day that when I go to the restroom at work I start unzipping my pants before I get into the stall. Why? Just because I am in a hurry. Just because it saves a few seconds. Just because I can't slow down. 

What the heck? That's lame. What am I doing? 
Reality check.

I was already working towards rest but this moment of awareness was timely. It's a small thing but a total reflection of just how fast I'm moving. 

So yesterday, after some restless sleep and waking up at 5:30am, I eventually gave in and got out of bed. I took an hour to just make coffee, enjoy a waffle and watched morning light fill my living room. I spent a few moments in God's word and mostly moments just sitting. I watched our corner chair change as the sun appeared.  And then I did some cleaning as I got ready. I mean, I had a few minutes to take advantage of. Yup, still in the evaluating and tweaking mode. I am not sure where the balance is between rest and productivity. Time with others and alone time. When to say yes and when to say no. But I'm paying attention and making some adjustments. Slowing down and making space.

So, how's your pace?  What does rest look like for you? Are you getting enough?

"Where ever you are, be all there."

That's what I am working on.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Holiday Mini Sessions | 2014

The Holidays are quickly approaching and it's time to think about the annual family photo. Make it easy - 20 minutes or less and you're done and on to the many other moments your day can hold!

Saturday Nov. 22nd: The Orange Circle
9a | 930a | 10a | 1030a | 11a | 11:30a 
*afternoon slots available upon request

Additional dates and locations available.  

$75 | Your Mini Session includes:
 + 20 minute photo session with unlimited images
 + Online album with full resolution downloads & full image rights
 + Available online ordering for easy print purchase

Just click the contact form to the right to choose a time slot or send over any questions.