We’re so happy that the big day finally came! We’ve been through the whole process with this wonderful couple. They booked us within a week of their engagement, and we couldn’t have been tickled more pink. Below is the final image from the “secret” bridal session. It was so pleasing to see Jim blown away when they unveiled it. The wedding was at the beautiful North Chapel at the Naval Training Center, with the reception following at the Lafayette Hotel. Despite the torrential rain, the whole evening went off without a hitch. Good luck J&J; we love you! 
Yearly Archives: 2007
Jennifer & Jim
Back Surgery
This Friday is officially a week after my back surgery. I was taken care of by Dr. Finkenberg at Alvarado medical center . I am happy to report that my recovery seems to be going quickly and that the surgery went very well. I had been in pain since 2002 and being only 27, the thought of continuing to live my life with such high restrictions on my mobility was not something that I could even fathom. In the months before the surgery, it became very clear that even the ability to perform as a wedding photographer could be taken away if I didn’t get this operation. Since not doing what I love was out of the question, I decided to go through with it. I could not be happier with my decision as I feel the complete use of my body quickly coming back. If there is anyone out there that has this problem and could benefit from this entry I have this to say to you: See a good doctor and find out the facts about your situation (not from a friend that knows an uncle that had a cousin who got it…. get my drift?) and ask about your options. Surgery is not for everyone, and a good doctor will never suggest that as the first option. Still, there are things that could be done to alleviate the pain. In my experience I heard many horror stories about surgery that kept me from getting some much-needed relief for years. What I’m trying to say is that in good hands, there are good chances of full recovery. So why live in pain and fear? That is one of the things I learned from this experience: to ask the right questions to the right people and take the rest with a grain of salt… Hope this helps anyone in need.
To all our friends, family and friends/clients that sent flowers, prayers, and good wishes I love you guys and thank you for all your support in this trying time in our lives.
La Mesa Fires?
Our heart goes out to those families that lost their homes in the fires, and to those that were somehow displaced, even if just for a few days by this terrible disaster. We were fortunate enough to not have our place burn to the ground, but we did have quite a scare.On Monday the 23rd of October, we were glued to the news well into the afternoon, checking for updates, but still calm enough because La Mesa was somewhat far away from the action. All of a sudden we hear a helicopter fly by telling us to evacuate the premises. My husband looks out the balcony to the west and sees what looks like our complex going up in flames. After watching the mini movie of my life flash before my eyes (I thought your life flashing before your eyes only happened in the movies by the way), I heard my husband scream, “Pack what you can’t live without.” All of a sudden I ceased to be paralyzed by the fear of loosing everything we own, and in about fifteen minutes our car was filled to capacity. So we headed out of the complex with a full vehicle and the cat in tow only to find the fire had been put out (thank God!). So after we got home and had enough time to snap out of what can only be described as major shock, we decided to inspect what we did pack in an emergency situation. As it turns out the two things that we can’t live without are our photo equipment and our pet/child. Go figure … 
Death Valley
I had never been to Death Valley, yet had seen enough amazing photographs of its dunes to know that at some point we would end up leaving our own footprints there. We had been planning this shoot/trip to the park since May of this year, and I am pleased to have experienced perfect weather now in October (I would highly recommend visiting the park around this time of year). I still can’t believe we got back in one piece since we ended up shooting after dark inside the dunes with only the moonlight to guide us back to our car. The park is truly amazing, and any description that I could give would never do it justice. Needless to say there are thousands of opportunities to make great pictures, but one of the things that impressed me the most was the silence and the peace that I experienced while exploring the dunes and salt flats where we shot our pictures. It really made me want to close my eyes and sit there for hours. Unfortunately, ours was a working trip and there was no time to relax (needless to say we will be going back on a more relaxing journey). 
To Anna, our Death Valley model, and Nathan her husband, we are so grateful to have worked with you guys on this shoot. Your company was both incredibly fun and immensely helpful on this trip. Ana you are an awesome model and makeup artist and I hope to see a lot more from you soon! All I have to say is that I’m soooooo glad you contacted us to photograph you in your wedding dress because you became the perfect candidate for these two last shoots. Talk about serendipity!
