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Here you will find all sorts of things: tips and tricks, book reviews, stories of my adventures, client features, and so much more!
Life in a Small, Small Town- Los Lunas, NM
In past posts, I’ve shared about how our small town life means that we are connected- and interconnected- with a LOT of people, both friends and family. And, it’s true! And, I really do love this aspect of life in a small town, because there is always someone to visit with, help, or to provide help. But, another thing that I love about living in our small town is that there is a certain rhythm to the days, weeks, months, and years here. I know it sounds crazy, but stay with me here!
Angela and Karen Ruiz- an ABQ Party Space Wedding!!
Angela and Karen actually connected over Facebook several years ago, and after taking the time to get to know one another through Facebook Messenger, emails, and phone calls, they knew they had to meet in person! So, Karen made plans to come visit Angela here in Albuquerque from her home in SoCal. Personally, I think these two knew in their hearts that it was love at first sight, but secretly didn’t want to admit it. That first trip was a wonderful time for the both of them! Over the course of the next year, Karen flew to Albuquerque to visit Angela and her daughters a few more times before deciding to relocate here permanently, with her mom and her mom’s partner.
Valencia High School Football- Los Lunas, NM
One of the things that I absolutely loved about high school band was getting to sit in the stands with my friends and watch every home game the Los Lunas Tigers played. I loved seeing the community come together to support our team, and to spend time with friends and family. It also helped that my parents, brother, and grandmother were also there supporting me! I have to say, though, that there is nothing like watching a small-town high school team play in their home stadium. Even though we lost more often than we won, the town, the team, and the school all had a great Friday night.
Girl Scout Silver Science Event at UNM-VC
In 2014, Ms. Casey Hoyt and Ms. Donna Angelus, seeing the importance of STEAM in girls’ futures, planned an executed the first Girl Scout Silver Science event for Girl Scouts in Los Lunas, New Mexico. Event activities included Kool Aid Bottle Rockets, Baking Soda Rockets, Mapping DNA, Film Cannister Rockets, and an introduction to First LEGO League- a group that encourages people to form teams to build a LEGO robot and program it to complete certain tasks before competing to see which team has done the best job each year.
The Valencia Classic- a Marching Band Competition!
I was a band nerd. I played flute from 6th through 9th grade, and then switched to saxophone for the rest of High School and College. My husband- Justin- was a band nerd- it’s how we met! So, it’s safe to say that band nerds always have, and always will have a special place in my heart. But, it’s much more than that! There is a camaraderie that develops when you’re in band, that I’ve never seen replicated anywhere else.
Karissa and Steven’s Wedding
This wedding may have been one of my most challenging to date, because Karissa and her mom have been close friends of mine for a number of years, and just six weeks before the wedding they unexpectedly lost Karissa’s dad. And, the loss was felt throughout the day by all of us.
Fall Mini Sessions in Los Lunas, NM
Each year, the Rio Grande River Valley begins to sparkle and shine with bright hues of red, orange, yellow, and even a little green mixed in. That’s how you know it’s October in New Mexico! And, each year around this time, I try to do family mini sessions for my clients. This year, however, I didn’t charge for my time and talent. Instead, I asked each family who signed up to bring in at least one cleaning supply to donate to our local children’s home, El Ranchito de Los Niños.
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta- 2018!!
Guys, I love going to the Balloon Fiesta every year. I feel like a giddy little kid when all of the balloons start inflating and launching! I absolutely love to see all of the shapes and colors that pepper our beautiful New Mexico skies!
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
2018 was the second year that I had the pleasure of photographing the Albuquerque Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk, sponsored by the American Cancer Society. This year was the 19th annual Making Strides for Breast Cancer event in Albuquerque, and over $270,000 was raised to fund research and treatment. Over a QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS!!! What an incredible amount of money from our small area!
Christmastime in a Small Town
As I type this, I’m sitting in my car waiting for traffic to clear out of Los Lunas’s McDonald’s parking lot after our town Twinkle Light Parade. Yes, the traffic sucks, but it is a small price to pay for this simple, small-town event.
Photography, and My Battle with Depression
In my mind, I’ve begun this post a million times, and in just as many ways, but now that I’m actually writing it, my mind’s gone blank so I’m winging it.
Alameda Open Space, Albuquerque, NM- Rebecca and Kyle's Family Portraits
After meeting several years ago in what could be termed a ‘Shady Cookie Deal’, I have had the sincere pleasure and honor of getting to know Rebecca, Kyle, and their two daughters.
New Mexico Tech Senior Portrait Session- Socorro, New Mexico
This post is LOOOOONNGG overdue, but I still wanted to share the photos with y’all!
I had the pleasure of photographing Daniel and Thomas’ Senior Portrait Sessions at New Mexico Technical University in Socorro, New Mexico this last April.
What is a Bridal Portrait Session and Why is it Important?
When it comes to weddings, no matter how much a couple plans or how organized they are, there are always some unknowns before the wedding.
What You Need to Know About Photography Business Models
I was recently watching a masterclass for photographers, and the speaker- another photographer by the name of Matt Kennedy- was teaching about pricing and business models for photographers. I realized right off that there is A LOT of confusion about business models for photographers, not only among photographers, but for our clients as well! If we can't event figure out what business model we follow, how can we explain it to y'all?! Well, I'm going to try to clear up some of the confusion for you.
Rancho Rendezvous 2017
One of the things I look forward to every year is returning to my childhood Girl Scout camp for an Adults-Only weekend. There is a magic about the place than none of us can explain, nor do we even want to try.
My Family Reunion
When anyone mentions the phrase ‘family reunion’ most people think of the most boring, long, and hot day of their summer. You probably conjure images of almost-ancient distant relatives pinching your cheeks as a child, your parents reminding you to play quietly while the grown-ups talk, and cousins that you barely remember from the year before. But, have you gone to this same reunion as an adult? I have. And this is why I went.
Perfect Wedding Guide's Diamond Dash Wedding Show- Hyatt Regency in Albuquerque, New Mexico
About a month ago, I had the opportunity to participate in the Perfect Wedding Guide's Diamond Dash Wedding Show at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The show itself was an amazing experience, allowing me to meet a lot of brides that were planning weddings in the Albuquerque area. But, it was a LOT of hard work before the show to get this booth ready!
Styled Wedding at Nature Pointe Wedding and Event Center in Tijeras, New Mexico
Nature Pointe Wedding and Event Center in Tijeras, New Mexico is definitely one of New Mexico’s hidden gems. Nature Pointe is a convenient 30 minute drive from Albuquerque, but with a definite feeling of being in the forest. I recently received the opportunity to work with them and some very amazing other vendors on a styled wedding session. Below are all the people that contributed to this collaboration:
How to Get a New Mexico Marriage License and Change Your Name
One of the many things couples have to worry about during the wedding planning process is how to obtain their marriage license and- if you’ve decided to- how to change your last name. Surprisingly, these are easy things to do, but they are oftentimes confusing or overwhelming to think about doing on top of all the wedding planning. So, here’s how to do it in New Mexico: