Have a Rockin' New Year!

2007 has been a year of open doors for me. I formed valuable friendships, met amazing people, and found myself in places where I couldn't imagine photography would take me.
I want to say thank you to all my friends, clients, and ministries who each had a hand in molding me into the photographer and person I have become today. May 2008 bring new opportunities and blessings to you and your families! Have a Rockin' New Year!

Edit:
Here is a pic of Mr. Sanchez and I celebrating over the holidays!



I have posted one of my most favorite concert images of 2007. This is Brandon Mills of Decyfer Down. C28 Concert May 12,2007 Temecula, CA.

Merry Christmas!

"We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!"

Bella, Savannah and Isaiah 2007.

It's a Wonderful Life!

Whew! December is just flying by isn't it? In trying to keep up with the hustle and bustle I put some time aside to take my little darlings to a Christmas play at Lifehouse Theatre titled "It's A Wonderful Life". Since they are homeschooled I thought this would be a good opportunity to celebrate the season in true field trip form, so I called my sister and she came along with her son too. A big shout out to our favorite cast member Krista Curtis who played as one of the townfolk and was just fabulous to watch!

Here are a few pics taken with my point and shoot camera.

Isaiah loved the Theatre!
Bella and Krista Savannah and Krista
Good job Krista, we'll be back to see more shows again soon!

Date Night!

Our friends at Rallys For Christ spontaniously invited us to go see the Michael W. Smith/Katinas Christmas Tour concert last weekend at the new Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. Robert and I were totally excited to get out of the house and enjoy an evening of good company and great music! The Nokia Theatre is so beautiful and state of the art inside, while the crisp sounds coming from the live orchestra simply make you want to close your eyes and forget yourself.
I really love this time of year at Christmas, when there is so much to give and so much to celebrate!
Thank you Rick and Netty for including us in your family at Rallys For Christ, we have been so honored to serve with you this year in ministry. Merry Christmas!

Here are a few pics with the point and shoot camera.


We spotted our friends Andy Ramirez, of Air 1 Radio , and his wife Aracelli. After the concert we shared a late night snack with our friends, Leonard and Rebecca.
Look, it's an ornament tree! Yeah, kinda blurry but you get the idea, right?

Happy Birthday to Me!

No Coach purse, Jimmy Choo shoes, or Juicy Couture outfits...instead I opted for the Canon 50mm 1.4 lens, whoo hoo! Besides, what would I do with a fancy pair of shoes knowing my images were not the best they can be, right?
The 50mm is a fixed focal length lens or prime lens that is able to produce stellar sharpness to an image, while the f1.4 is fast and allows for low light situations like indoors or night shooting. I have to say I cheated and began using this baby a couple of weeks ago, so most of the past five blog entries and posted images were used with this lens. I love it, God has blessed me with everthing I need including a prime lens!
Happy Birthday to Me.

Fah rah rah rah rah...rah rah rah rah!

"Tis the season to be jolly, fah rah rah rah rah...rah rah rah rah!"
It's been so fun watching our kids be a part of the Kids Praise Club at our church. This week they were out at the Riverside Plaza each night singing Christmas carols and showcasing a few of their songs from a newly recorded CD project titled "Next Step"!
Here are a few pics I posted to share.


Isaiah and Bella
Should I be worried about that little smirk?

Savannah and her very first solo!

Gonzales Family

Meet Pastor Frank and Mercy Gonzales of Uplifting Christian Center in Chino, CA. When Mercy shared with me how she and Frank wanted family portraits taken with their adult children in front of the home they raised them in, I was honored to take the job!
I first met Frank and Mercy through Rick and Netty Reyna of Rallys For Christ. Netty is one of four daughters, and what a beautiful family they are. We also included the spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren...a blessed family indeed.


Frank and Mercy
Rick and Netty

Orange Crush

Last weekend was long.
Not only did Robert and I visit Skid Row on Thanksgiving but we also went to the recording studio. Orange Crush Studio in Orange County is home to Scott Silletta, owner/engineer and former lead singer of Tooth and Nail Records' band Plankeye. This was the final day to record for Robert and the band Project Worship, who were also joined by Heather Henry in assisting with vocals.
So, I just had to come along with my camera and snap a few pics for the archives but what I didn't realize was just how nostalgic this place was going to be. Robert had mentioned to me that the studio had a cool vibe to it but I had no idea. Once inside the studio my eyes began to dart around the room at all the interesting details and so I just had to ask Scott for permission to photograph and began to snap away.
Later we topped the night off with a Sushi dinner accompanied by Scott and his sweet wife Gianna.
Visit the link above to hear Project Worship's new songs and congratulate the band! Woot Woot!





Scott did an awesome job mixing and engineering this recording!



How many of you can remember 8 Tracktapes?

Robert warming up...doe, rae, me, fa, so, la...haha...
Heather and Scott at the end of the day.

Fred Jordan Mission

This year, my hubby and I, with Project Worship ,were invited to join Heather Henry and her band in providing music for the annual Fred Jordan Mission Thanksgiving Holiday on Skid Row in Los Angeles.
The Fred Jordan Mission is a ministry about serving the homeless, destitute, and inner city families with a day of hope and celebration for the holidays. The Missions Street Banquets are legendary on Skid Row and have been an annual tradition for several years.
This was our first time experiencing Thanksgiving Day on Skid Row and meeting Willie Jordan, wife of the late Fred Jordan, and all of her volunteers and staff.
Later as we drove home, Robert and I talked about all the interesting people we met and the conversations we shared with the homeless. We agreed that there wasn't anything else better we could be doing on this day than to serve in a very small role of a really large vision.
I remembered what my friend Leonard would say, 'this is how seeds are planted, and this is how we plant them'.


The lines seemed to never end until each person was served a meal. When we left, there was nobody else in line. They were all blessed with a traditional turkey dinner.
The view of downtown from Skid Row.

Willie Jordan - President of FJM, LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and Walter Contreras.

Robert Sanchez and Heather Henry.

There were many underprivileged and homeless children here with their Mothers.
These gals volunteered in assisting Heather Henry with backround vocals from Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, and were so excited to be here!




A volunteer helps this man to cut up his food because he is weak.

There were three dinner sessions. As one session ended another line was waiting to enter for the next dinner serving.