Laughter

While the whole wedding day is absolutely amazing, there are some moments that especially impress my heart after a long day of shooting.

For example, the moment when the guests stand to their feet and see the Bride for the first time. The sentimental toasts to the Bride and Groom. And my favorite...laughter. The kind of laughter when it's candid and unexpected. The kind that makes memories. The kind that says "I love you".

There is nothing more beautiful on a Bride than her smile and much laughter.




Happy Saturday!

Claremont Senior Session | Marissa

Some of you might remember Marissa who I photographed earlier this year for her senior cap and gown picture. Well, she's back! And I couldn't be more happy to share her fabulous-ness with you.

Marissa, It was an honor for me to be included in documenting this wonderful milestone in your life. Knowing you in this short amount of time has reminded me to celebrate life the way that you have. Wishing you much joy and happiness in the years to come my friend.



I love it when a client brings their own props to incorporate into the photo session. It creates images that are more of a personal reflection on who they are and what they're about.




Marissa is a talented musician, fabulous dancer, and avid reader. I like to think of her as a keeper of all things classic--movies, books, swing dancing, the list goes on.







Pride and Prejudice? Helloooo Mr. Darcy! I love that she owns a copy of this book. In hardcover. And yes, Mr. Darcy makes me swoon.


* For more information on senior pictures by Jeanette Sanchez please email to: jeanette@jeanettesanchezphotography.com

Little Kisses

Introducing Little Kisses! Most of you are already familiar with the Kiss Wedding Books in my product line which I recently posted about here.

The Little Kisses are mini versions of the Kiss Wedding Book. They are offered in a 4x4 size and are covered with genuine leather as the larger books. These mini books are perfect for keeping at your workplace, carrying in your purse, or gifting them to your bridesmaids.



These Little Kisses also come with the no gutter lay flat quality you will see in the larger book.



As seen in the leather color swatches, there are seven hot colors to choose from...


Click here to see the larger 10x10 Kiss Wedding Books! Kiss Books are offered in three sizes: 8x8, 10x10, 12x12.

Kissbook Goodness

My first experience attending a wedding photographer convention was at WPPI in Las Vegas. It was described to me as the super bowl of the wedding photography industry. I remember walking the trade show floors filled with wall to wall booths of album company vendors from all shapes and sizes. With each page I turned and book I inspected there was only one book company that remained practical to me in every way.

KISS Wedding Books has been the perfect fit for my business. I'll share with you a few images of David and Becky's wedding album that I recently delivered.


Below, is a 10x10 size album with 40 pages. These pages are 2mm thick.


Made of 100% natural full grain leather and delivered in a special swanky designed cloth dust cover.



Shown below, in the center of the book there are no gutters. Just a beautiful lay flat quality.


Albums are available in three sizes and seven colors. Simple.
Shown below is 'Smoldering Brown' leather goodness.

There are seven swatches of different colors shown in my post here.

And the truth is...I really didn't have to go all the way to Las Vegas to find KISS, the company is based right here in Southern California. Sweet.

Canvas Wrap

I was really impressed when I received my first studio sample canvas gallery wrap from Pixel 2 Canvas. The turn around process was fast and easy while the quality was not sacrificed but rather improved from other companies I previously sampled in the past.

Below, is a 16x20 canvas gallery wrap of an image of Bella, who I photographed from our trip to the LA Zoo this past year.


I can't wait to display this in my home studio even though it may give me random cravings to run out and buy myself an ice cream cone!

Another nice feature is the convenient hardware the canvas comes with for easy hanging right out of the package. No framing. No hooks to buy. No measuring. That's my kind of decorating.


How does this work? Your image is printed and stretched over deep gallery stretch bars. These bars have a depth of 1.5 inches and allow the piece to be hung directly on the wall without a frame. Sizes vary and are available from 8x8 up to 20x30 and beyond!


Happy Friday!

I've Been Kissed!

Yes! I've been kissed, by KISS wedding books that is...MUAH!

In the beginning when I was considering different album companies, I was attracted to Kiss Books because of how simple it seemed to choose products that didn't require several options or pricing, not to mention the sexy look and feel of the 100% full grain natural leather. For me, Kiss Wedding Books is a good fit.

Each Kiss Book is delivered in a swanky patterned cloth bag, very cool.




I outsource my album designs to Albumesque, because they rock.
Pictured below is a 20 page 10x10 Kiss Book album.


Seven sweet colors to choose from like this album color titled Smouldering Brown, love it!

Tuesday Tidbits #2

Cinco De Mayo? - I couldn't quite remember this morning WHY we celebrate it. I knew it had something to do with a war that happened somewhere at sometime. I thought, and I call myself a Mexican American? What would my Father say?
So, after a little Google search and learning it was a dispute with the French I thought what better way to teach my kids about the history than to make them french toast for breakfast? So, I did.

Olvera Street - I should be there today. Walking around in my leather sandals and browsing around the open air markets holding a warm fresh sugar covered Churro in my hand...but I'm not. So, moving on...



The Macro Lens - I want one. After borrowing, renting, and playing around with this lens...I have finally decided I need it. I really wanted to believe I could get by without it and the extra weight in my bag, but it's a must have for those small detail and ring shots, in my opinion.

Feliz Cinco De Mayo!

Mr. Flashy

Diffusers, off camera flash, triggers, and shutter speeds...those were just a few of the topics our guest speaker, Paul Edward, covered at our monthly network meeting this month. It was cool.





We were all so very grateful to him for driving miles and miles to speak among 15 chatting ladies and to endure our trouble shooting questions with Mr. Flashy!



Also, a special THANK YOU to Rowena for opening her studio to our group each month to use, it's perfect!

From The Mailbox

It's always a pleasant surprise to me when a client is thoughtful in sending me a wedding invitation, thank you note, or a save-the-date notice even though I am the vendor/wedding photographer.

Most of my clients are first my friends or acquaintances before they become clients who contract my services for wedding photography, so it's the best of both world's to not only be a witness of the celebration but to tell the story through the lens of my camera as I document the couple's glorious day as it unfolds.

I received this save-the-date card in the mail of Jason and Melissa's wedding this summer, it's a picture magnet from one of their first dates. Cute!



I cannot wait to shoot their engagement session next week in LA.

A Video

The other day I came across a blog post by photographer, Zack Arias. I met Zack last year in San Diego when I registered for his One Light Workshop, which is amazing by the way.

I have a lot of respect for him as an artist and his philosophy regarding the photography industry. In Zack's particular blog post he created a video project for Scott Kelby. I want to extend the video's exposure by posting it here with hope that a few more readers might see the video and connect with Zack. I hope you find it as interesting as I did.




Have a great weekend!

WPPI: Archived

It's here again and in full swing! The Wedding and Portrait Photographers International convention at the MGM in Las Vegas has arrived. Thousands of Professional Photographers will flock to the tradeshow floors and lectures from around the world as the super bowl of photographer conferences chalks up another year of education and fun.


Weather permitting, I will be attending on Tuesday and Wednesday. So far, the drive isn't looking so safe through the passes.

In the meantime, I found some of my favorite pictures from last year's WPPI when we passed around the point and shoot camera among ourselves to document the hoopla. I'll spare the photobooth shots, lest I be sent to walk the plank.


WPPI 2008.


Note: In case you wondered...that's me in the red checkered pajamas. Photo by: Melissa Koehler.

A New Year

Hello 2009! It only took me 14 days to think about how to approach this new year. I thought of immediately posting my new resolutions for all to read but was not inspired to list such grand changes in my life.

Instead I have had a couple of weeks to think about the little things that matter and if I could make these more practical resolutions in my daily life.

Like not interrupting Robert when he talks, reading books to Isaiah and Bella more, and taking my vitamins which taste so blah. Or really listening to Savannah when she randomly explains her reasoning as to why she likes this rock band over that one. I guess less of me and more of others is the bottom line.

So here I am at the beginning of this new year, excited to see where my photography will take me, what clients I will meet, and most of all, how those "little things" will make BIG changes in the days ahead.

Here's to an awesome 2009.


Harlem, New York 2008.
My friend and videographer shot this image of me while we covered a Rallys For Christ non-profit ministry event in a Harlem neighborhood park.
Thanks guys!

Macbook Pro

I used to wonder what the big deal was with these Mac's, I mean a computer is a computer right? WRONG. Since the start of my business and having to rely and use a computer for more than just email and online shopping, I have slowly realized that there is much more convenience to a Mac than I thought. I would explain in more detail if I could but I would not know where to even start! For now, let's just say I have finally crossed over to the DARK SIDE.

The 2nd Shooter

Looking back on 2008, it's been a long and adventurous wedding season. For me, this was the first year I consistently shot wedding after wedding either as a primary photographer, or second photographer, in which I was then subcontracted by another photography studio.

I saw different churches, with different cultures, in different locations. All of them with families bursting with much happiness and joy of the celebrated occasions. I photographed it all...laughter, tears, sincere toasts, personal moments, and some play-that-funky-music-white boy-dance moves!

I want to say thank you to the photographers who invited me to be experience a small part of their 2008 wedding season as a second photographer and shoot along side of them and their associates. You have all helped sharpen me to be the professional I am today and for that I am grateful.
Karen Barnes, Louis Palos, Rowena Curtis, Jules Bianchi, and Eddie Roman.

photo taken on Dec. 6, 2008.

Happy Birthday To Me

Robert gave me this cool gift today and though I'm not one for the spotlight, I think this pocket Flip video gadget is going to be pretty fun! I may take it out for fun when shooting or when I'm out and about with friends...beware. Look for video snippets here and there on my blog!



Thanks Robert!

Happy Halloween

Ha! You may have already seen this goofy image floating around your emails. So, when my sister sent this over to me, I thought I would share it here with my readers too.
HAPPY FRIDAY!

Orange Circle

My friends and I got together last month for a little fun in the Orange Circle, a downtown area in Orange County. This was my first time visiting this cute little antique village hidden by all the development of freeways, sports venues, and nearby Disneyland. But it was great to hang out, visit, and enjoy a nice lunch with the girls from my church.

We all love photography and brought our cameras along for fun and sharing geeky info. with eachother. Sadly, I don't have a group picture to show you of the five of us, but as we walked around the shops together I was able to capture whatever caught my eye...check it out.


This one reminds me of Alcatraz...



You've heard of Turkish Delight? How about Turkish Coffee?



This one's my favorite!


This must be the Fort Knox of Starbucks. Really, I think it used to be a bank?


Inside the shops...

This one is for Robert and his love for music.


Mirror, Mirror on the wall...when will I own the 50 1.2 lens!?


Outside in the antique alley...


I love books, but all of these books were from waaaay before my time!



Crissy, Mariann, Patty, and Olivia, thank you for such a fun day out and for your friendship!