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CHERISH PHOTOGRAPHY



Hugs~
Gina

Special

I recently had the pleasure of meeting the daughter of a beautiful mother. Ms. Grace is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. She is always so positive and optimistic and just an angel in disguise. The apple does not fall far from the tree and Miss Mindy has the same awestruck traits. Besides having such wonderful characteristics, Mindy is beautiful,has the best personality and is a ton of fun! She rocked the camera and I swear, we could have done this all day. Happy Graduation Mindy, the best is yet to come for you! Every once in a while my camera feels like an old worn out glove...just comfy and does the job, the perfect job, every time. On this photoshoot, that is the way I felt. Ahhhh....I love my job!

Cutie Patootie and Hot Momma!

I recently met a super mommy. She is now a client friend. I swear, something always happens and I fall in deep like with my clients and call them my "friends" I hope they don't mind. Heather and I planned a great morning of taking pictures of her growing belly. She was super fab and up for any of the shots I wanted to take. Her little cutie was on her way to mommy's day out and we snapped a few of her as well. Thanks for making me smile, momma to be, it was fun!

Beautiful Pictures and Special Messages

Remember my new puppy?  The breeder who blessed our life with this 4 legged friend has sent me a special message.  I don't think she knows that I am a photographer, but sent me beautiful images and also a  beautiful messages.  Who knows, special messages sent for special reasons.  Go to the bottom of your screen and turn off my playlist music to hear the special music that goes along with the special message.  Enjoy!

Provided by this Internet Marketing Business site.

Carina + Brian

A story that can only be told by soulmates is what Carina and Brian have.  She is a triathalon athlete and at one of her enduring events, she saw him at a distance and her beautiful brown eyes were drawn to him.  One simple glance and Brian must have been overwhelmed by her beauty, intelligence, and love of life. Carina is from South Africa, a beautiful person inside and out (her family is just as generously friendly as she) and this American gentleman is truly one of the lucky ones that has found a gem to share the rest of his life with.

There wedding was adorned with family and friend that traveled across oceans, continents, mountains and seas.  The beautiful La Fontana Springs, hosted the special event.  This venue was artistically and gorgeously detailed with shimmer, gems, and style.  The owners of La Fontana Springs make it their mission to ensure that every bride's dreams are fulfilled on such a joyous day.  Carina's special day was no exception.  I had a great friend and extraordinary photographer assist me in capturing memories for my new found clients/friends.  With large weddings it is always fun to have a second photographer and I always encourage brides to contract a second photographer to capture alternate angles.  Lovely Ashley of Picture Me Married Photography, clicked her camera and captured timeless memories for the special couple.  Thanks, Ashley.   Everything came together perfectly for Carina and Brian and their love filled the room and made all of our hearts sing.  

Thank you Carina and Brian for allowing me to capture all the details of this special time in your life.  Cheers to your love and to the wonderful years you have to come.

What Type of Music Does Your Soul Sing?

It has been found that music can change behavior. The right kind can turn depression into joy, anger to calmness, hate to love, and fear to courage. Beautiful music has an effect on people and it can soothe and take away feelings of frustration and anger.

On a Saturday morning I was invited to listen to some music and take a few headshots of an amazing musician.  I had no idea what kind of instruments I would see nor what melody would ring through my ears, and to my sweet amazement, I left feeling like I wanted to go to a musical program.... CATS, Phantom of the Opera, or even Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, and I have such an urge to go.

John Godoy is an amazing artist who studied at the prestigious Juilliard.  He is a percusionist to no end and sure does surpass my melody when I use my pots, pans, and spoons in the kitchen for a pseudo-music lesson with Lissy.  

Speaking of music lessons, John offers music lessons as well!  If you would like his contact information for you or your little one, shoot me an email and I will forward his contact information!  

Thanks for a fun morning John, a little mini concert all to myself!

Cranberry Wedding

I sometimes wondered what it would be like to get married at Christmas.  What better way to celebrate the most important day of the year than sharing nuptials with the one you love and professing to God to keep your love strong; heart clean; and honesty pure.  This past Christmas I had the honor of capturing some beautiful images for an event venue, La Fontana Springs, they love decorating their website with beautiful images of their attention to detail and strong creativity.  The room was adorned with beautiful cranberry details and shimmery silver threads.  I swear, I feel like I am one of the luckiest girls alive to witness the beauty that a room can hold.  I photograph a wedding and want to get married all over again (to the same guy of course).  

Here are some details of the room that Nancy at LaFontana designed.  I found them now and realized that I had forgotten to share with bloggie readers. 

Family Ties

I love having a photo shoot with family members who have fun together and cherish the sweet moments that life brings. It is so apparent that every member of this family has his/her own specialness that is cherished and appreciated.

A Little Something that Makes Me Smile

Change

Change Is.....

Change is something that presses us out of our comfort zone. It is destiny-filtered, heart grown, faith built. Change is inequitable; not a respecter of persons. Change is for the better or for the worst, depending on where you view it. Change has an adjustment period which varies on the individual. It is uncomfortable, for changing from one state to the next upsets our control over outcomes. Change has a ripping effect on those who won’t let go. Flex is the key. Even a roller coaster ride can be fun if you know when to lean and create new balance within the change. Change is needed when all the props and practices of the past no longer work. Change is not comforted by the statement ‘just hang in there’ but with the statement ‘you can make it’. We don’t grow in retreat, but through endurance. Change isn’t fixed by crying, worrying, or mental treadmilling. Change is won by victors not victims; and that choice is ours.

Today my hope is for you to go to the polls and vote. It is your right in this great country of ours.

Sisters are BFF's

This past weekend I had a photoshoot with an awesome family.  Unfortunately they had to come together at a last minute notice due to a family circumstance, but fortunately, I was able to capture some special memories of their family for these special girls.

We went out to their mom's place in Boerne and had some fun in the hill country.  Our morning consisted of playing with horses, sitting on hay, climbing trees,  and playing with doggies.  It was great fun.  They were so easy going and did not even complain about the various settings and portrait field trip moments we took around the property.  

Thanks, gals.... it was a blessing to meet all of you.  Here is a sneak peek.  

I have found yet another Love....

I have fallen in love with a girl...a little grey one with blue eyes, floppy ears, and puppy breath (literally).  She is the newest member of our family and has stolen my heart.  My friends and vet at Churchill Veterinary Clinic say that I have no idea what I have in store for myself (I have never owned a big dog).  I have wanted a Weimeraner for a really....really...long time but  I often let people talk me out of some "great" ideas.  Well Chad gave in (I swear he loves me) and got us this little biting and pooping/peeing machine.   Despite the trails so far, I love her.  I must say though, it reminds me of those early morning hours when I had a human newborn some 7 years ago.   Needless to say, I don't miss those every couple of hour wake up calls.  

She has these really huge paws and is only 7 weeks old, OMG.... Lord, please don't let her be as big as a horse.  I think my little Isabella "Bella" Lexie is GT (gifted and talented in the education world) because today she learned how to "sit".  Woooo---- to the Hooooo!  Bring it on crate training!

Happy Thursday!

Happy New Year, a Few Days Late :}

Hello Bloggy Friends!

I have had quite the holiday vacation (as evident by my many days of absence).  So many blessings have showed themselves in my life over the holiday season, I sometimes think that perhaps I am not worthy of the watchful eye God has on my life. 

Wedding season planning is underway and brides are booking up the calendar for me to preserve their special memories.  Meeting with the beauties and their hubby-to-be warms the soul.  Their love and commitment so enduring.  I remember having that same feeling 15 years ago, and yet again today...that feeling of finding your soulmate, never goes away.  

We actually took a family vacation (grammy and sis made us) and it was the best couple of weeks in a long time.  We took a trip to New Mexico, stayed in a cuddly cabin, drank a ton of hot cocoa, caught fresh trout at 6am, ski (and crash) down a mountain side, and watched wildlife and snow from the window.  Ummmm....doesn't get better than that!  

So back into our real world, full of Texan friends, wonderful clients, soon to be born babies, and beautiful brides.  Cheers!

Santa is on His Way

This past week I was driving through a neighborhood and saw some of Santa's spies lurking around San Antonio. I know they are spying and trying to find out if we have been naughty or nice. I personally think that I have been nice..."Santa, did you hear that?". In San Antonio, we have white tail deer everywhere, in fact some San Antonian's hate them because they eat up all vegetation. My yard is deer free thanks to our neighborhood brick wall and gate (if deer want to get in they have to punch in a code ;)

However, I am willing to give the code...if they are working for Santa.

A Treasure

A treasure can take many forms. This past week I have found many treasures. Unexpectently, I had to go back "home" to New Mexico this past week to be with family. My dear aunt Dodie was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma and immediately left our arms for the arms of our Lord. She is a treasure.

The love my dad has for this person... his sister, his friend, and in sorts, his mother figure, compares to none. The love they shared is a treasure.

The warm welcoming and love my aunts, uncles, grandpa, cousins, and wela bestowed upon me was so genuine. It seemed as if time has stood still for the last 20 years, as if I had never left. That is a treasure.

The warmth of my grandma's hand and the smell of her beautiful jet black hair as she lay and take a nap. Her small body and big heart is such a treasure.

The pictures that had been tucked away in a box that I never knew existed, is a treasure. My dad realized that I have become a photographer/historian. I realize that time stops for nobody and all we have are those precious preserved memories. I think that is why I am such a perfectionist when it comes to my photography work, because I want my clients to embrace those memories and leave a legacy or a "treasure" for the day that one realizes that time can stop if you allow it....in a magical portrait image. The pictures shared with me this past week, are a treasure. This picture is a tribute to my aunt Dodie, who helped teach me the importance of family, love, and God. You are a treasure in my heart and I will miss you.

A picture taken, in my grandmother's writing..... "Christmas Eve, December 24, 1955". I am a better person because of you.... grandma....grandpa....dad....doy....and lando..... each of you are my treasure.

Special Heart Footprints

Great friends happen to come into our lives every now and then.  They tend to leave a special imprint on our hearts that last forever.  This year marks the 18th year of having a special person like that in my life, she is my best friend.  We have lived through final exams, mud puppy, lamprey, cat, and shark dissections in college, marriage, divorce, graduate school, childbirth, etc.  We have shared so much with one another.  We are alike, yet so different.  I love that in my friends.  They help complete who I am as a human being,  they give me that "something" that the good Lord did not provide in me.  Allison....thank you for taking time out of your life to come visit me this past week and add you dash of "life spice" to mine.  Together we are quite the recipe.  

Santa's Little Helper

Christmas photo sessions are well underway, in fact, only 2 more weekends of photoshoots left. Oh, yeah, and I guess I should fit my family and my camera self timer in to take our own Christmas card...dang...forgot all about that. Thanks for the reminder dear bloggie.

This little angel was a favorite. She is super duper cute and her sister, mommy, and daddy are just as gorgeous. This little one was so easy going and let me snap as many pictures of her as I wanted, ummmmm....I love it. Mom and dad were so easy going with their kiddos, truly an amazing family. Thanks Reifenberg family for letting me capture some images for you and your angels who could easily be Santa's little helpers, they are so dang cute in their red holiday dresses!

Bye....Bye...Birdie

Another day to give "Thanks" has passed us by. All day I talked about how many blessings I have in my life... my family, my friends, my job, my new found friends/clients, my internet friends (i.e.  momology) , the blogs I like to stalk (Jasmine Star), my MAC and even my other MAC, my health, my.... the list goes on and on. As I get older I am more aware of how thankful we should be for everything, things I always took for granted.

This Thanksgiving was wonderful because we had family and long time friends visit. I cooked up a turkey feast for my visiting queens and kings. I hope they enjoyed. For a first time this year I used one of those "turkey bags" and yum-to-the-O. Delish! The little guy even browned in the bag!

So this is what is left after the pumpkin and pecan pie is gone and all the turkey taquitos were made the following day.... bye bye mister birdie...until next year.

I hope your family had a wonderful and blessed feast!

I Met a Super Mommy

Jenny called and wanted some portraits made of her little ones. Come to find out we are almost neighbors and our kiddos go to the most awesome school district in San Antonio, NEISD. I had no clue that all four of them (and of course the parents) were so stinkin' cute! The kiddos were super fun to be around. They invited me to play with them on their swing set, trampoline, and in the grass. Each kid was so different, but yet the love they had for one another was so alike. At the end of the shoot they still had a ton of energy to go play soccer. Mom was so easy going, beautiful, and seemed so organized and "put together". Now that is a super-MOM! Jenny, thank you for letting me capture some memories of your kiddos, I loved it! And kiddos, thanks for letting me play!

Fall in South Texas

I often think about the cool breeze (sometimes freakin' freezing cold wind) that the Carolina's would bring to my skin. I loved the season wearing of a nice fluffy scarf, wool jacket and maybe even some ear muffs as I would pack my teacher bag full of graded lab reports and projects and head out the door to my wonderful "Tiger land" (our mascot was a tiger). I loved so many things about North Carolina that I was sad so many times... I missed my classroom, my friends, my house, my neighbors, my dirt that did not consist of limestone rock. Well finally this past weekend I got my fix of what was a glimpse of the color changes that I would see in NC....right here in my backyard at the Guadalupe River. I went up the road a bit to our nature river and captured this. My little North Carolina born angel playing in a fall background...it takes me back 4 years ago...ummmm....my fix.