Young Love.

Last night I went to the movies with a few awesome girlfriends, and we saw the movie Something Borrowed.  I was a little skeptical of it to start out, because I knew pretty much what the story line was about.. One girl stealing her best friends fiancée... no matter how you justified it, I couldn't see there being a happy ending. But I had heard a bunch of good reviews about it, so I went and tried to have an open mind. But no such luck. :) I just had a terrible time thinking the movie ended well at all... The underdog gets the guy, yes, but she loses her very best friend in the process. And everyone was hurting. I mean yes they are smiling and holding hands in the end, but there has to be so much damage lying underneath those smiles. I left wishing for a more "disney" love story I suppose. You know, the good sweet girl gets the honorable guy who is madly in love with her? Where are all the princes these days?? :)

But anyways.. As I was thinking about the beauty of simple love, I came across these photos I took of my sis and her boyfriend. Life in High School, simple love. It's sweet, innocent, and exciting. So I felt it was appropriate with my mood to post these sweet photos of two kids who love eachother and are excited to see where their lives lead. On the verge of entering the real world, there's a sweet spot of time without huge responsibility... That summer feeling we all wish wouldn't end. The point of this scatterbrained rant is that we should all try to Keep It Simple. Love without abandon, and appreciate the people given to us.

Hope you enjoy these photos. :)









I always love some chippy white paint!





I was thinking about this photo all day before I took it. Yeah, I like it. Okay, love it. :)














Cuties!



When I saw this I literally gasped. MODELS??? Whaaaa? {I was also a little mad, because my sister OBVIOUSLY took all of the photogenic gene's for herself..!}
Favorite.









Be Blessed & Be Thankful!

Sarah.

This weekend I was able to go on a Women's Retreat with High Desert Church women's ministries at the Calvary Chapel Conference Center in Murrieta Hot Springs. I had a great time taking some photos for the Retreat Program and I was able to photograph my lovely cousin Sarah while we were waiting for the ladies to come have their photos taken.
Sarah and I were just fooling around when we realized that she needed a portrait for her blog! My cousin Sarah is pretty awesome. Most of you probably say that about your cousin's but seriously. She's awesome. She graduated from Biola University a few years ago and after that she decided to pack up her things and move to South Korea for a year as an ESL teacher. {You can read all about her experiences there on her blog here! Check it out, the stories are hilarious! :) } She is so brave. The idea of leaving everything and going alone to live in a foreign country both fascinates me and scares me! But she did it, and that inspires me! Maybe someday... Hmmmm?
Now that she's back home and doing life with the family again I have been so blessed to have weekly lunches/coffee dates with her. I have learned so much from her and I love sharing about our love for design, social networking, blogging, and being delighted and fulfilled in Jesus. I'm so thankful to have her there to challenge me and understand me! She has a new blog now and you should read it. It's awesome. Check it out here!

Sarah, Sista I'm so blessed to have you in my life. Seriously. I loved spending the weekend with you. And I'm so thankful to have a wise and awesome lady to share my life and dreams with! You inspire and encourage me. And it means alot!!! Love You!
P.S. Hope you like the photos. :)



Modeling the Retreat Bag!





Isn't she lovely? :)



Gorgeous eyes!



And one of the 2 of us... Don't hate, it's really hard to get a photo of 2 people with a 50mm lens! haha.



Be Blessed & Be Thankful!

Cameron: Graduating!

I was  a little nervous going into this shoot. Cameron was my first non-photographer/non-family ALL guy shoot.  But as soon as we met up, and I told him I was thinking it would be cool to take some photos by the chipped blue paint wall. He smiled in his class of 2011 sweatshirt with his headphones hanging out and said "sure, you're the photographer!" I knew it would be easy. And it was. Cameron and I had such a good time driving on Old Route 66, taking photos, and talking. We talked about life after High School, the military, and the beach, and cooking! Cameron loves to cook, and I hope he'll continue with that throughout his life!
He was up for anything and it allowed me to take some chances, and I am really happy with the way this shoot came out.

Every time I drive past the bottle tree forest I desperately want to stop and shoot there. Cameron and I went there and got to explore and see all of the art created by a man who loves old bottles. We actually got to chat with Elmer for a while, and he told us about all of the different people who have traveled from across the world to see his art. He started collecting because his father did, and he has done something truly unique with what many may see as trash. I absolutely loved it there. And I have plans to go back and shoot there again! Cameron and I finished up the evening with a celebratory soda in a glass bottle. :)

Cameron, I had such a great time on our shoot. I'm so glad that you appreciated the Bottle Forest as much as I did! Made it 50x's more fun! :)  Congrats on graduating High School my friend! I know that whatever you do you'll be great at! Don't stop cooking, okay? God Bless!











I love stuff like this. :)





I was IN LOVE with this light!!!



Yellow? Heck Yes!



This is Cameron, Mr.Calm Cool & Collected. :)



Love this Light & Location. :)))







Nice Jacket! :)



Vintage typewriter.. Mmmmm...





There's something about this photo... It just makes me happy... :)



Love this!



Be Blessed & Be Thankful!

Reid: Graduating!

This is Reid. He is pretty awesome. He and I work together in The Island {like us on facebook!} and he is also my little sister's boyfriend. Now, like most big sisters I was not the fondest of the idea of her having a man.. cause you know.. she's young! And if anyone breaks her heart.. I break their face. :)
But then there was Reid. He is such an awesome guy. Not only with my sister, but with everyone. He is easy-going and funny. And he loves Jesus. It's always fun to have him around. 
The day after we took these photos it was Prom Day, and when Reid came to pick her up, he not only brought a corsage for my sister, but a rose for me, and for my mom as well. {Come on ladies.. who doesn't want a guy like this??} His Momma and Daddy raised him right! :)) 
All kidding aside, it really encourages me to see people like Reid are still out there. And I'm glad he and my sister have found each other and are growing together. No matter where the future goes, I know the Lord is growing them by having them together, and they'll both be better people because they spent time together. 
Reid, thank you for choosing/{being forced} to have me as your photographer! I enjoyed spending time with you and Parks. I'm so excited to see where The Lord takes you in life. I know you'll do BIG things! 
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." -Matthew 6:33!




















Handsome! 





This wall is RAD. {yes, I said rad...}





Shadow fun.. 





Marathon Finisher! Check it out!








Reid loves Baseball, and their senior prom was held at Angels Stadium! How cool, right? :)





Studying on a stump?





A little shot of Parks and Reid.. May I just say... My sis is GORGEOUS!!! :)