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You have been blessed!
Posted on January 22, 2010
Dear Cristina,
You have been blessed with one of the greatest joys of all…motherhood. I’ll never forget how I felt waiting for my chance to be called mommy. I dreamt about all the things I would get to do once I had a little baby. I dreamt of all the books we would read together, the booboos and owies I would kiss, the pages and pages of coloring we would do, the cookies we would make, and so much more.
Now that I am a mommy, the feeling is incredible, you never knew the love your heart could hold, until you love a child. As Lucy is my greatest joy, the love I have for her is immense, Natalia will be yours and the love you’ll have for her will be grand. I am so happy that you too will feel this joy. I am so happy that you have found Kevin and Dustin, and I’m so happy that you will soon have Natalia. Congratulations Cousin, I’ve never seen you this happy, and I can guarantee that the best is yet to come!
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Why I do what I do
Posted on January 21, 2010
I know that pretty much every blog post I have is a story about my Lucy. The truth is she’s the reason for my photography. Photography has always been something that I enjoyed, but it was an art that lied dormant in me for a very long time. When she arrived, I fervently tried to document every breath she took with my camera, and boom! My photography was born.
Tomorrow is her 3rd birthday. Happy Day Before Your Birthday, Love!
I’ve never really talked about how I actually do have another life outside of Lucy, Mario, and photography. I actually am a high school teacher and I teach English and Journalism. As much as I love being around my “kids” and all the hubub that goes on on campus, it sometimes becomes too much, and stress takes over. During this winter break, I’ve really had to reflect on what is important in my life at the moment and decide what my priorities are.
A friend of mine named Dustin, told me once that I need photography. He told me that photography to me is like a breath of fresh air. It’s a chance for me to be in my element, and be completely at peace. Thanks for those words, Dustin.
I love photography for many reasons, and all the reasons tell me that my life is going in the right direction. I love photography because of the joy it brings other people, and of course the joy it brings to me, and most of all because it’s a chance to focus and spend more of my time and energy with my family. And they are number one on my priority list. So that’s why I do what I do.
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The Natalie Show *Riverside, Ca Portrait Photographer*
Posted on January 12, 2010
I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon than hanging out in what I call, Riverside’s Art District.
Don’t make that face!
I love the downtown Riverside area right around the Mission Inn. There are beautiful old buildings, churches, art museums, a photography museum *squeal*, yummy restaurants, and my favorite old bookstore. Soon the Fox Theater will open it’s doors and host an amazing array of Broadway shows and concerts. It’s one of my favorite areas for date nights, family afternoons, and photo shoots!!!!!
I recently got to spend an afternoon with a beautiful little girl in Downtown Riverside where it gave us the perfect setting for her birthday portraits. Here she is! Enjoy!
Introducing Natalie!
This little firecracker is celebrating 3 fun-filled years of life next weekend.
If you ever get the chance to spend some time with her, she’ll tell you all about it.
When you first meet her, you are consumed with just how darn cute she is. Then you get to talking (and talking) and you realize that she is poised, well-spoken, hilarious, and so full of spirit. Which I think leaves her with 2 possible career choices (a) Miss America, and (b) the next Oprah.
Simply breathtaking. Right? Admit it, don’t be shy. How many of you gasped when you saw that image. Natalie you are gorgeous!
We just had a blast on our afternoon together. She knew exactly what to do as soon as I raised my camera to my eye. We talked about all the important goings on in her life, her upcoming birthday party, her big sister, princesses, Disneyland, and of course, panties. Being a mommy to a toddler myself, panties are a HUGE deal, and I completely understood her eagerness to share this new development in her life! 
I just adore these next few images. They need no color commentary from me.
Natalie’s mommy is a friend of mine and she warned me that she may not last too long. Well, over an hour later, Natalie showed no signs of slowing down. Honestly, I could have taken photos of her all day, she was so much fun to follow around.
But alas, all good things have to come to an end, so we did some final shots with mommy.
Natalie, you are rays of sunshine! Happy Happy Birthday!
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A special sneak peak for a special birthday girl
Posted on January 9, 2010
Here’s a special preview of Miss Natalie! She is delightful, spunky, and she’s turning 3!
More to come! You don’t want to miss this!
p.s. I’d love your comments below…if you don’t mind
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Do you see what I see? *Santa Ana, Ca Family Photography*
Posted on January 8, 2010
It was almost a year ago that my new little clan had our family portraits done. Those were days of non-stop bliss. Pure. Unadulterated. Sugary. Bliss. I mean come on, the blessings were everywhere I turned. We finalized our adoption, threw our first little girl birthday party, had a baptism, and on and on and on. I knew that on the inside, my heart was going to spontaneously combust with all the happiness I felt. Then, when I first saw how our family portraits came out, I got to be on the outside looking in. I got to see for myself what others see when they look at myself, my husband, and our precious Lucy. For one thing, we couldn’t stop laughing and giggling. Another thing, I love how my husband looks at me when I don’t know that he is staring. A third thing, how breathtakingly gorgeous my daughter is. And the best thing? How we as a family looked together…complete.
I hope that the awesome families, who invite me to be a historian for them for one day, see their photographs and are as pleased as I am when they get to see what I see.
Right before Christmas I finally got the chance to photograph my cousin’s family. Crazy schedules kept getting in the way, but luckily we got together just in time for the Christmas card deadline. 
So…Lisa, Scott, Pierce and Leighton, I ask you…do you see what I see?
because I see a family who is completely devoted to each others’ happiness and well being. I also see parents who will do anything to offer their children the world on a silver platter, because they are precious and loved beyond measure!
I see a little boy who is super sweet, frighteningly smart, hilariously funny, and fiercely independent.
I see a little baby who is a gentle, calming spirit, a pretty princess, and cheerful as the sun is bright!
I see a little boy who has a “Please stop taking my picture” smile, just like his cousin Lucy, and a little sister who thinks her big brother is silly.
I see Scott madly in love and wrapped around a tiny little finger.
I see joy. Plain and simple. Joy.
I see how a hug from Mommy magically makes everything all better.
Do you see it? Lisa, Scott, Pierce, and Leighton, you are a lovely family and I enjoyed our afternoon together!
Okay…are you ready for this? My newest niece, Leighton, posed for some close-ups to celebrate her 6 month birthday. Styled by her super-chic Mommy, these photos need no words to accompany them, I don’t think there are any superlatives that properly describe her sweetness and her adorableness.
Being a super-model baby can be tough work!
I hope this little piece of sunshine has brightened your day as it did mine!
I’m Back! Happy New Year!
Posted on January 4, 2010
I had a fantabulous winter break. Christmas was literally a marathon of fun and unforgettable moments. About two thirds of our family gathered from all over the globe into my mom’s home on Christmas day, all in all it was about 75 people. It was nonstop laughter at a volume so high that my ears were ringing for days after. A few of my cousins were there, about 20 or so, we were missing quite a few. My Christmas wish is to get us all together someday, every single one of us, I really don’t know how many cousins that means, I’ve lost count after 30.
I handed off the camera to one of my aunts, can you spot me in this picture? It’s not perfectly in focus, everyone is looking at a different camera, but everyone is consumed with so much bliss that it makes it one of my favorite images from that day.
Cousins – we seriously have to have a cousin party sometime. Maybe something huge, like VEGAS? What do you guys think?
Currently my little bug has 3 cousins, not nearly as many as I have, but the excitement that builds up inside her when I tell her we are going to visit them is grand!
It was a great Christmas. It made me focus on what is truly important in my life…my family. That’s for another post coming up very soon!
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