A few weeks ago we went to Victoria Gardens out in Rancho Cucamonga for some shopping. Okay, mostly just to go to Crate & Barrell and buy a cookie sheet I needed, but it was such a nice day that we just had to get out. On this day, Kris took over the camera. The whole day!

Snapshots from the day, just a few.

My favorite necklace right now, Eiffel Tower. From Forever 21.

Didn’t find anything on the sale rack from one of our favorite stores, Urban Outfitters. But aren’t these albums so pretty?

Next time I will turn the camera on Kris, it’s only fair. And set-up the self-timer for a photo of us, baby steps.  ;)

I love the life that we have built together. Thankful and happy to have you by my side. How is it that I still get all gitty when you call me on your lunch or call to say that you are coming home?

These are the latest photos of us. From last month during my birthday weekend. And I love that you said “Wow, we need to take more photos of us!”. Maybe we should call Jose Villa and see if he’s available?

Happy anniversary, my love. You’re my everything!

I love this team. It’s been almost 2 years ago since we shot our first wedding. And it was only by accident that Kris started second shooting with me, but then the photo bug bit him. He got a taste for it and said he wanted more. After every wedding I still ask him if he’s still enjoying it. The answer is always yes. There is something so appealing about a husband/wife team. I love the feeling the morning of a wedding and waking up next to my partner, knowing that he is dependable and ready to go. We have a great routine going and I hope it just gets better with time.

Thank you my love for being my right hand, I couldn’t do this without you!

This past weekend I spent an afternoon with her, a little spa time for her and lunch for her birthday. Most of the time I spend with her is just listening, but this time around our conversation turned into more like girl talk, big laughter and a good mother and daughter moment. See for yourself.

Mom, November 2010

Me: “Mom, I almost took you to one of those Korean spas where nudity is a must… so glad I did my research otherwise that is where we’d be going right now.”

Mom: “What? I’ve never heard of such thing. You know a man was behind that idea and he’s laughing, having a good time somewhere watching the video from the hidden cameras.”

Me: “OMG! I wouldn’t doubt it, mom. Isn’t it crazy that the idea of being naked would be relaxing? Don’t get me wrong I’m comfortable in my own skin, but I don’t need to see nobody’s nakedness at the spa!”

Mom: “Crazy is the right word, but I’m not surprised. There are always woman comfortable with nudity, just look at all the young and grown women walking around with their chest and booty out like they’re for sale. They have no idea how ridiculous they look. I’m so glad you never dressed like a floozy. And I’m sure your dad is thankful too, that is the most embarrassing thing for a father.”

Me: “Mom, I don’t think both these things are related. I don’t think someone is a floozy because they go to a nude spa. Just don’t think it’s a good time. For the record, I did dress like one a few times when I started going to clubs at 18. I quickly learned that men as it is gawk at you, I don’t need to bring more attention to it. Especially that kind. It just doesn’t look cute, first impressions are everything. Thank you though for giving me great self esteem, to respect myself that much. You were always a good example of that.

Mom: ” I’m so proud of all your accomplishments, you always were a fighter. It’s a good thing to follow your dreams and be ambitious.”

Me: ” Thank you mom. I’m glad that you and dad always taught me to have an opinion and voice it, research my facts, a love for reading, politics, gardening and to have confidence in myself. Oh, but most importantly how to be a good cook. You have no idea how much that has come in handy!”

Mom: “I’ve been thinking. You really would make a great mom, when are you and Kris having children? I want grandkids now!”

Me: “Mom, that is so mean. I don’t know, don’t have time to think about it. Maybe I will and maybe I won’t. You have three other children, go pressure them.”

Mom: ” I hope the first one is a girl and has curly hair just like you. “

And that my friends is the random, funny and sweet conversation I had with my mama. It is very rare and so I wanted to document it and remember it. Like forever and ever. Although, her pressuring me is pretty mean, right?

When a friend had approached me to attend their employee fair at BCBG a few months back I was nervous about it. Mostly because I didn’t have any of the materials needed to display a booth. The response was amazing, people who were not even interested in photography just wanted to look through my business cards which display photos on the back or wanted to view the wedding album. I’m so glad I did it. It was a really good learning experience.

Thanks Darlene for inviting me to participate, you’re awesome! A huge thank you to the bestie for assisting me that day, I couldn’t have done it without her.

Last Saturday Socorro and I carpooled together to visit our friend Vy who lives two blocks from the beach, yes, two blocks! You might remember her from the shoot I did of her and the family last year here. She is moving up north to Sacramento temporarily and I wanted to visit her one last time. Just because. She is just one cool gal and her family is too, so it’s just a good combo. Plus, I wanted her to make me her famous garlic shrimp with noodles. Delicious as it sounds, can’t wait to try the recipe myself at home. Sadly, I was helping with the prep work and immediately after indulged in the dish so no photos here, next time.

The day was perfect. Gloomy, but kind of nice since we had two days of heat. We had so much fun seeing the kids playing and interacting. It was the typical boy meets girl: boy is a little aggressive, girl is annoyed and both want to play together, but are hesitant. Cuteness! Add a few treats and small talk with a side of laughs and that pretty much sums up our afternoon.

Julia is the sweetest. She wanted her picture taken she said, just like last time.

Hey, I kind of like this.

Vy, thank you for the invite and making us lunch. You’re the best-love & hugs!

It’s funny because the only times I’ve been to the Hollywood stars and all the touristy stuff in LA has been when family is visiting from out of town so it took me awhile to map out and figure out where to take them. I guess you take it for granted that you live so close by and there is so much to explore in LA that you’d need weeks to fully explore everything. I gave them a good taste though. We started off on Hollywood and Vine to walk around by the Kodak Theatre and the Hollywood stars, then we went off to Santa Monica Beach to cool off. Later in the afternoon we had a late lunch with my brother Erik at UCLA and showed them around in Brentwood. We ended the day at Griffith Park/Griffith Observatory just before sunset, one of my favorite places for hiking. It’s so peaceful there you’d hardly know you’re still in LA.

At Santa Monica Pier.

Proof that just because someone has an expensive camera doesn’t mean they can actually take great photos. I was brave enough to ask the guy with the tripod and all sorts of camera equipment that I thought might be able to handle my camera, I was wrong. I salvaged as much as I could from this photo, my uncle looks so tired!

Victor and tio Gonza if you are reading this, thank you for coming to visit the family and spending time with us. Hope you enjoyed your stay.

Un abrazo!

My daily work and home routine is out of balance, but all worth it to spend time with family, always. Also had the opportunity to second shoot a wedding in San Diego this past Sunday and grab breakfast with my good friend Shelina, amazing weekend.

The beaches are so beautiful right now, I love October.

Newport Beach. All SOOC shots, no time for processing and I think they look great just as is.

Laguna Beach this past Saturday and mom even got to enjoy the day with us.

I’ve got some great photos of the whole family during our bbq this past Saturday night, so I’ll be back to share those.

We met each other as a boy and girl when we were just 19 and today we stand all grown up as a man and woman that have lived a life full of laughter, love, sadness, stress, travel, joy and all the madness that life brings! It’s funny how 11 years can really change someone because for sure you and I have changed since then and I am so grateful that we managed to grow together and create a life of our own unlike no one else. I’ve always loved our hippie tendencies! We just do what feels right for us and I would not change a thing.

Today I love you more than yesterday. You challenge me, support me and love me like I have never known and for that I could never thank you enough!

I absolutely adore every way that you love me. I enjoy feeling like the most beautiful woman when you tell me I’m pretty and clearly I look like a tornado swept through me. You always cater to me, not only when I’m sick or in need, but everyday. You worry about me and are protective of anything or anyone that wants to harm me, it used to drive me crazy, but I get it now. I am happy when you buy me the most perfect cd or little trinket that I wanted or didn’t know I wanted yet because you just know me that well. I love that we can say very little and just know how we feel or talk for hours and just find comfort that we have one another. Most of all I love our date nights at the movies and Barnes & Noble or spending quality time with you in our home. It’s the greatest gift.

The best is yet to come.

It’s funny because me and my friends have been talking about our big 30 for sometime now and how we are so okay with it. I am happy to report that I still am, even with all the extra grey hairs and ever so slightly slower metabolism. I say bring it on! Okay, maybe not the grey hairs because I really don’t want to have to start dying my hair quite yet.

This last year I took a chance and have been working my face off to get my photography business going along with learning how to balance stress in my life. I haven’t been as successful as I’d like to be, but I’ll get there. I’ve also learned to clear some of the clutter in my life. Like relationships that I chase and don’t reciprocate the same feeling, keeping a distance from negative energy and taking more time to invest in those who invest in me.

For this year I am committing myself to concentrate more on my yoga, shoot more weddings, do more creative photo projects, write more and work with Kris on a new business venture that I’m really excited about. Umm, yes, that should keep me busy.

To celebrate here are some photos from the photo swap and Beka’s take on me.

Embracing all the curly noodles, yes!

© Mod Photography

Here I am 30 with open arms, I’m embracing you. Just be good to me and I’ll be good to you. While I’m at it, I would love to thank my parents for planning my birth in the summer, specifically August since Leo’s have great power qualities (just look up how many presidents and leaders are Leos, I dare you) and it makes birthday celebrations a lot funner. Like going to the spa for free on my birthday!!!!!