Just a Healthy Little Pinch | ihavethoughts... v4

It finally dawned on me, after one year of marriage I figure out why it is that Lauren does not drive me crazy like so many other spouses. Don’t get me wrong she is quite often a pain in my butt which she claims is “just a healthy little pinch” but more often than not we get along great and compliment each nearly perfect.

Back in my dating days I would find girlfriends that I had a lot in common with or shared similar interests thinking this was the answer. The more things we have in common, the more we would get along, right? Well for a while this was true but as time past this became far from the case. Mind you, especially when I was younger, much of the drama or frustration was cause by immaturity or miscommunication but after time even with the most mature and open person it still fell apart. Those common interests were not enough to hold us together.

Lauren and I met many years ago, okay seven-ish plus, but didn’t start dating until a few years later. Oh, I wanted to date her right way but sooommeone need to “work out some things” (I love you dearly sweetheart..;)..). I knew… and yes I did really know, you don’t talk about frogs and play high card low card until 5am with anyone… that we were supposed to be together but there was resistance and what I call a “floozy stage” (she was really not.. I just like to exaggerate). During this entire stage that woman drove me out of my mind crazy!

It wasn’t until the other day that I realize why I unconsciously continued to pursue the girl that drove me to the metaphoric edge of frustration. It happened on a day we were driving to a photo shoot and I was venting away about my frustrations/ struggles with our photography business and the entire time Lauren knew just what to say to change my attitude and forced me to focus more on the positives. And it worked; she pulled me out of the negative spiral that I had fallen into. I showed up to our session and “NAiLed It!!” or at least I felt we did. But during drive home the car became the stage for a venting session from Lauren.

She was so frustrated with the lighting at the shoot that it made her question all her abilities in general. And within seconds, just like she did hours ago, it was me pulling her out of the negative spiral. We traded roles and I was the one pumping her up. This is when I realize that the trick to a great relationship, it’s not your interests, or your similarities, or your personality but it’s the way you complement each other.

Our personalities are far from the same, let face it she is crazy, and there is no doubt I’m weird at best. However, the good traits she possesses balance the bad traits I possess and vice versa. And the traits we have in common are for the most part positive… alright!…we are both lazy gym members… but honestly who isn’t?? We have very similar interests but it is the way our personalities balance each other that make us a happy couple. So now we know its up to us to keep each other happy. When I am down, Lauren always picks me up and I will always to the same.

PhotogShootout | The Beautiful Bride

Here are some of the "Bridal Portrait" shots with our wonderful group leader Wai Reyes .

We loved LOVED shooting at this location because of all the amazing architecture! There were cool doors, fountains, buildings, stairways, tons of amazing spots to shoot, not to mention the awesome streets and buildings surrounding it! Oh Pasadena, how I love thee! Take a peek..

PhotogShootout | The Ceremony

Continuing once again with the Wedding Shootout! Here are our pictures from the ceremony session with Professor Davis . I think one of our favorite things about the shootouts are the amazing leaders that are provided. Their willingness to share their secrets and knowledge with the rest of the photography community is really awesome--and greatly appreciated. So to all of the fabulous leaders from the Photogshootouts, Thank you!

How gorgeous is that belt/applique!? I am so in love with this new trend! May have to do a TTD shoot with myself ;)

PhotogShootout | Getting Ready

Continuing with our photogshootout wedding day fun--here are some of the getting ready shots!!

Our Very Own Podcast

Now this was a pretty funny experience. Talking to a microphone about who we are as photographers is way harder than I thought. By nature I have always dissolved a stressful situation with some humor to make it easier to handle, but this one was different. Don't get me wrong there were a lot of jokes passed back and forth to ease our nerves, my favorite was the Barabara Walter's personality I gave Kim our commentator, but we had so much to say about the thing we love the most that it was hard to isolate one particular thought without going off on some funny story or some random rant. There is no question that we love photography but the things we found out the most from this experience was we love our clients and the people we meet via photography just as much, if not more. We hope you all enjoy!!

JL Photographer Podcast

Btw... your own voice always sounds so weird!!

THANKS KIM!!!.... We hope you get an "A"!!

Just Warmin Up| Photogshootout Fun

Here it comes, the season is about to start. Valentine's Day has passed and we are warming up for the upcoming wedding season. In order to do so we decided to take some time to refine our skills via the SoCal PhotogShootout ( one year anniversary... wohoo!!) that took place last week. We were able to get back behind the camera to take some great shoots of a fun and happy couple. Its alway great to know that you still have it even when its be a month or so since the last one. There will be a couple other blogs to come with more details from this day. Hope you like....

our first couple: meet the Frenzels

VENDORS:
Venue: The Romanesque Room
Coordinator: Amanda Auer of In the Now Weddings

Florist: Honey and Poppies
DJ: Marcel Gonzalez of FirstChoice Entertainment
Rentals: Town & Country
Catering: Jay’s Catering
Venue Concierge: Mary Lallande
Bakery: Colette at Fancy That! Cupcakes 909.524.1864
Linens: Wildflower
Styling: Michelle Cunningham
Hair/Makeup: Kacee Geoffroy & Becca
Hair/Makeup: Alisha Baijournas
Specialty: Classic Party Rentals
MODELS:
Ashley Matthews
Joanna Calderon
Shane Johnson
Ashley and Sean Smetona
Dustin Smetona
Kristin Vaughn
Jennifer King
Mike Salmon
Kacee Geoffrey
Erik Geoffrey
Capri Geoffrey
Mackenize Trainor
Sam Dominick
Tim Wilkins