Kate Noelle Photography

Exciting News!!!!

2009-10-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

If you've been around this blog recently, you will recall that I mentioned something really cool was in the mix for Kate Noelle Photography... something amazingly new, fresh, and fun? Well, I really can't wait any longer because it's SO COOL! Wait for it....

Kate Noelle Photography has a new BLOG!

Hooray! I'm so excited because it's awesome and it was a really cool and growing experience working with a designer for the first time! That's right... designer! :) Many thanks and grovels go to Drew Tufano of One Massive Point for being such a cool person to work with, for having a heart of gold, and for being an awesome designer! If anyone needs a blog/website/branding/logo/hugs/encouragement ....call on Drew and tell him you love him!

So, if anyone's wondering what will happen to this wonderful blogger blog... it will still be here.... to look back and read where I've come from. Just as the entries in my older Xanga blog are fun to look at and remember the adventures... so will this one. :)

So if you're a fan of this blog, and want more of Kate and Kate Noelle Photography... come join us at...

The New Blog

Ready Set Go!

Late Night Inspiration

2009-09-24T00:39:00.000-07:00

So tonight I had a random urge to watch Disney's Hannah Montana: the Movie. I know... I know... Now, before you discount everything I've ever said about being a person of depth and decent maturity... hear me out. Wait for it... yep.... something in me moved and I found myself inexplicably on my knees worshipping my Jesus to Miley Cyrus' "The Climb." You're probably thinking "Kate's gone off the deep end... she needs more sleep or something!" Well the funny thing about this experience is that it's still got me high. I don't think it's dumb. God created everything so why couldn't he use any of it to speak to his children?

Anyways.... I wanted to share this song with you because it spoke to my heart tonight and I hope you'll hear His whispers in Miley's words:

"I can almost see it, that dream I'm dreaming, but

there's a voice inside my head saying, 'you'll never reach it.'

Every step I'm taking, every move I make feels

lost with no direction. My faith is shaking.

But I, I've gotta keep trying.

Gotta keep my head held high.

There's always gonna be another mountain.

I'm always gonna want to make it move.

Always gonna be an uphill battle,

sometimes I'm gonna have to lose.

It ain't about how fast I get there,

it ain't about what's waiting on the other side.

It's about the climb.

The struggles I'm facing, the chances I'm taking

sometimes might knock me down, but

no I'm not breaking.

I may not know it, but these are the moments that

I'm gonna remember most, yea I just gotta keep going.

And I, I've gotta be strong.

Just keep pushing on.

There's always gonna be another mountain.

I'm always gonna want to make it move.

Always gonna be an uphill battle,

sometimes I'm gonna have to lose.

It ain't about how fast I get there,

it ain't about what's waiting on the other side.

It's about the climb.

Keep. Your. Faith."

If you've had conversations with me lately (or ever), I'm sure you've heard me say over and over, " I just want to get there already.".... or "I just want to be perfect and the best RIGHT NOW!" I don't like to wait. I don't like the hard journey of climbing. I want to be "there" already. I don't like making mistakes. I don't like struggling to find my way. I don't like not knowing everything. I'm constantly thirsty for more. I'm always striving for the mark above perfection..... and it gets exhausting.

"Kate, there's always going to be another mountain that seems to be in the way. And knowing you better than anyone else, I know you're going to want to move the mountain so you can keep going at warp speed toward your dreams. Stop. Breathe. Look around. It's not about how fast you can get 'there' and it's definitely not about that place you seem to want to get to so badly. Security in finances? You won't find that 'there'. Satisfaction all the time? You won't find that 'there' either. You think there won't be any more mountains once you get 'there'? There will be. Stop. Breathe. Look around. The beauty of it all is in the climb. It won't all be easy. It won't all be hard either. Once you get to a higher altitude and closer to the peak, new obstacles will be presented to you... like lack of oxygen. But enjoy the climb because I'm with you."

One last thing... when I was reading last night in the furious longing of God, by Brennan Manning, I was challenged by a reoccurring question. It wasn't reoccurring in the book as much as it's been reoccurring in my personal life.... "If Jesus were to ask you, right now--what do you want?--what would you say? Seriously, what would your answer be?" I was first asked this question in the forest in Herrnhut, Germany when walking alone with God. "What do you want?" And even though it's been a while, and quite the journey since then, my answer remains the same.... there are so many things I want and dream of. I'm a dreamer. I'm a goal setter. But when it comes right down to it, I want to be able to trust that God will take care of me... but not just take care of me.... I want him to make my dreams and desires come true. I want the man of my dreams... I want to be the best wedding and portrait photographer I can be... I want to have a beautiful house to call my home... I want to see the world and bless missionaries.... I want to show the world Your measure of beauty through my eyes and my lens. There are so many things I want... and it's completely freeing to know, in my heart and in my head, that He is a good God who wants to give me my heart's desires. I know this because He told me "[You] are my [Beloved]. And [my] desire is for [you]. (Song of Songs 7:10 NASB)"

So enjoy the climb. I'm doing my best to.

(End Note: I took this photo with a "point and shoot" camera in May of 2007... a whole year before I realized my dream to become a photographer. As my good friend Debora once told me, "trust in what God's put in you." He put a love for photography in me.)

Help Portrait

2009-09-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

Hey guys... I just wanted to share something really quick. Lately I've really been critically thinking about what

I'm bring His kingdom here to earth in the now. What am I really doing to help the situation? What can I be doing better?

What difference can little 'ole me make in this ginormous world?

Lots of thinking, lots of praying, lots of conversations later, I "coincidentally" came upon this campaign called

Help Portrait. The premise of this campaign is for photographers/anyone who's willing to bring His kingdom to our world

using the gifts and talents He's given us...all on one day (December 12) as an act of love for people.

I'm currently in the process of praying and figuring out what I want to do, but I wanted to share this with all of you to

possibly inspire you to take part in this as well. You don't have to be a professional photographer, to participate. As said

in the promo video, we need volunteers, we need donations, we need make up artists, we need hairstylists, we need

locations and venues.... etc. I would encourage you to find a way to help out with this... whether it's gathering your

courage and offering your photographic skills to someone as a surprise... whether it's finding a photographer and donating

funds or needed supplies/talent to their project... or whether it's finding your own way of blessing someone.

This isn't about me. This isn't about Kate Noelle Photography. This isn't about you. It's not about publicity. It's about

blessing someone or some people with what God's given you. There won't be images blogged from this event.... but

there will be stories. Share your stories about how God uses you... how God shows up to what you're doing to bless

someone else.... because He WILL show up.

Let me know what your thoughts are tell everyone you know.... if you have any ideas...

what you might want to do to participate... don't be shy!

Check out the promo video here.

Bill and Jenn's "Will You"

2009-09-15T14:07:00.001-07:00

When I first spoke with Jenn, it was through email. She said that she was friends with Christina Kohlenberg and was really interested in talking more about getting engagement pictures. I met with her and her fiance Bill at my office (Coffee Bean... for those of you who are just now tuning in...) in San Clemente.... and we talked for, what seemed like, hours. We talked about Bill's company and Jenn's new nursing job, we talked about what they like to do in their free time, about their adorable new puppy "Roxy", about life and where it's taken them, about the proposal in San Francisco, and about their love.

Ever since Jenn went up to Bill to invite him to do homework with her and some friends in high school, they've been friends... then more than friends.... then long distance friends... then lovers. Their journey has taken them many different places, through many high and low points, through the aches and pains of changing into their own personas, but their paths have finally come together for good.

They're excited about embarking on this new leg of their journey as future husband and wife, and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time doing some of the things they love.

We began with a small hike through the Caramel Mountain area in San Diego and enjoyed the evening breeze as it cooled the hot September ground.

I loved this area because it had lots of trees with character and age.... This is definitely one of my favorite shots from the evening...

Although Bill has lived in California for a while, his roots still run deep and his heart is that of a midwestern MAN'S MAN. He hikes, he bikes, he shoots... and he loves.... His blood even runs the colors of Navy and Orange. (Chicago Bears colors... holla!)

Bill and Jenn weren't the only ones enjoying the outdoors during our shoot... their new puppy Roxy REALLY enjoyed the hike. And, like most good looking puppies, Roxy stole the show. She shot just one sweet puppy glance and seduced mountain bikers, hikers, Christopher, and .... me. She was just so sweet!

What a good looking pair!

From there, we headed down to La Jolla to get a little beach time in before the sun went down... and holy guacamole.... was there a sunset! The light was DEEE-licious and we soaked up every bit of it as we could! Here's just a few of my absolute favorites from the beach...

This picture, I think, encapsulates Bill and Jenn. They're comfortably in love with each other. I love how they don't feel rushed to love, and how they've spent time building their friendship into each other through laughter, and just doing life together. She can rest knowing her best friend will be by her side for the rest of her life... and he can rest knowing the most beautiful woman alive has chosen him. I'm all smiles thinking of where they'll be 10 years down the road...

As the sun set a beautiful orange-y pink against the purple clouds dispersed over the vastness of the San Diego shoreline, we all got a chance to pause and take a deep breath.... God is faithful. He's faithful in the small things and faithful, even still, in the big things. He promised to pursue our hearts and to be with us always. I feel like a broken record, but sunsets and sunrises "get me." There's just something so unfathomable and awesome about something so beautifully colored. I guess, in a far fetched sort of way, that 15 minute span of time when brilliant unfathomable color fills the skies...it is a reminder that He Is Here and He is still "I Am". So we can sit on the edge of the seemingly endless ocean, and breathe deep in the stillness and promise of his GOODNESS....

Bill and Jenn I am so excited that you've made the choice to spend your lives together as husband and wife and I'm SOOOO excited to celebrate with you and your families next May! Hurrah!

Rylan Gregory Dunn

2009-09-10T12:31:00.000-07:00

There is something scary, yet free-ing about challenges. They're a mountain that seems to block your path and the only way is to climb up and back down again. On the way up, the mountain seems to go on forever, it's unpleasant, and you may find yourself winded and your muscles throbbing from the exertion.... but you keep plodding on, one foot in front of the other until you summit. It's only when you reach the summit that the free-ing part comes in. You made it. You're alive. You're exhausted, but the view from the top.... the view of the journey behind you and the new horizon in front of you... makes it all worth it. You accomplished something. You persevered and pulled through the hard times. And now, in the words of my home boy Bebo Norman, " you can walk down this mountain with your heart held high."

Rylan Gregory Dunn made it. And so did Valarie and Barrett.

(Side note: I've known Valarie for about 5 years now and she's always been the trailblazer. I'm so proud of her, of her courage, and of her heart. She's an amazing woman of God and I hope you all get a chance to meet her one day...)

So.... long story short, Rylan graced this world with his presence a little earlier than planned. But everyone's so glad he's here and...he's cute as a button. Here's my favorite shots from the day....

I thought this was such a great picture... partly because he looks like me every morning....

I know this is doesn't show his face, but I love it because it oozes comfort. With his little blanket and little arms... Love it! :)

Rylan was definitely a happy baby... Val and Barrett are very lucky parents!

This was such a sweet moment... I love the way Barrett holds Rylan...

Aaand... these pictures have nothing really to do with Rylan, but I love Valarie's style with all the owls everywhere... even Rylan gets to sport the owl look with some of his baby toys :)

I absolutely love the "tiny everything" about Rylan...

These were my absolute favorite "dad" pictures... I love the way Barrett looks at Rylan, how he holds him, how he talks to him..... Love it!

On our way back from the beach, I decided I wanted to include a little "hot mama" pictures for this HOT mom..... Someone should call the fire department because Valarie's on fire! ..(lame joke..... I know.)

Look at this girl!.. I hope Rylan gets some of her looks...

And lastly, I had to include this picture because it's so sweet. This was taken at the end of our shoot... he was cold and tired, but he was a good sport. I just thought this sad little face was so cute.... melts my heart and I know it melts his parents' hearts too...

Twas a great day to be alive and twas a cool experience hanging out with these awesome people... and Rylan... I'm glad you were born.... you're going to do great things!

Reminiscing: Thailand 2008

2009-09-08T17:18:00.000-07:00

I was looking back through old images and I came upon my Thailand 2008 folder. It’s been a while since I shared images from my YWAM outreach and I thought maybe you’d like to reminisce with me….
This picture is from the Hills Tribe village called “Hui Tatop” and this is the former witch doctor of the village. Hui Tatop is a village of about 50 people 3 hours hike into the jungles of eastern Chiang Mai. They used to worship their own Karen gods, but they’re now an entirely christian tribe who are were so encouraging to my team. This guy wanted prayer for healing because he was getting old, was deaf, and was too feeble to walk to 200 yds. to the village church to participate in services…. such a sweet man.

This is when part of our team went on a prayer walk to the border between Burma and Thailand right outside the Akah Village we were staying at called “Beleham.” On our way up, we ran into some of the village women coming home from a hard day of gathering things from the jungle. They giggled as they saw all these random white people walking along on the path… although they might have been laughing at my German teammate Uli saying, “Sawadee-crap” in his German accent… This was by far, my favorite film picture I took on my trip.

These were some of the rowdiest little Akah boys I’ve ever seen… you can see the craziness from this picture…. I loved it.

These little boy on the left was from the Akah tribe in a village called “Beleham” and he stood and looked at me forever with this heavy stare… not carefree and curious like most little boys his age…. he had a very heavy gaze like he’s been through hard times… prayed hard as I smiled best could. The old lady on the right was called “tadpole lady” by our team because she invited us to dinner. Enough said, however I will say that she was just the happiest lady EVER despite her consistent backpain. She was so grateful for our prayers for healing that she invited us to dinner… and served us some wicked hot green curry soup with all sorts of unique things she’d caught….tadpoles, spiders, frogs, jungle potatoes, jungle rat…. who knows what else was in there…. yum.

Anyways… I just thought it was fun to remember… and put into perspective my photographic origins. First a missionary photographer… now a wedding and portrait photographer. I hope one day soon, I’ll be able to go out into the world beyond the US again to bring some good news. For more from my humble beginnings…. click here.

Happy Holidays = Portrait Special Offer

2009-09-05T12:02:00.001-07:00

Hello all,

The past month has been one big ball of busyness for me, but the funny thing is, in hind sight, I have nothing to show for it.... because it involved brainstorming, planning, and experimenting. So a million sticky notes and a bazillion Evernote notes later.... I have something to show.

If you're like me, you start planning for the holidays now. I plan so far in advance partly because I'm excited for the cool weather, scarves and mittens, and all the holiday smells and decoration.... and partly because it gets about 10x more stressful as December rolls around.... and I like to prevent as much stress as I can. So to help you guys out, I came up with an awesome holiday offer!

I wanted to offer my services at a lower cost so that anyone who wants a photo shoot of themselves and/0r their families this holiday season CAN!!! WOOOO! All portrait sessions start at $100 and you can add on cool things like cards, larger prints, digital copies, etc. And I even want to offer custom designed Holiday cards! :)

So tell all your friends, and take advantage of this super deal!... because how often do you have a professional photographer take time to capture the beauty of you? Do it. I dare you!

To book now, or to inquire, CLICK HERE.

Lance and Laurie's "Will You"

2009-08-17T12:47:00.000-07:00

Laurie is one of the coolest people I know. For the longest time, I knew her as "Little Angel", the strikingly appropriate camp name given to her at birth by her parents. We worked at Forest Home's Junior Winter Camp way back when... and we enjoyed many late nights talking and laughing as roommates. As we grew older our paths parted for a while and the next thing I know I'm hearing talk of a boyfriend from her older brother. Finally the day comes in June... this guy proposes and she says YES! :)

It wasn't until I got to spend some time with Lance and Laurie that I really got the bigger picture. I asked Lance to tell me their love story... because I had only heard bits and pieces from Laurie's brothers. As I listened... I got that oddly familiar tugging sensation on my soul... the kind of sensation that happens when I see God so clearly involved in someone's life. Their stories make these pictures all the more sweet... like sugar on summery ripe watermelon....

Their families had been friends for years, but neither Laurie nor Lance had ever paid much attention. Laurie was the straight A beauty who got accepted to California State San Luis Obispo. Lance was the strapping young guy who went off to serve his country with the United States Army... and even though their families were close, their paths never crossed....that is... until tragedy struck.

In 2007, Lance was injured in Iraq. He wasn't just injured... he was hanging onto life. The short list of his injuries included 3 shattered vertebrae shoved into his spinal cord, all the bones in his chest were broken, he had a collapsed lung, his heart was bruised, both his eye orbitals were crushed, his face had been crushed, and it took about 70 staples to hold his face together by the time the many doctors had done their best to fix everything. He spent a lot of time in many hospitals... and doctors didn't think he would be able to walk again. All this to say... his injuries were tragic and his family back home was devastated. The tiny light in the midst of all this tragedy was Lance's faith that God was not finished with him yet. He clung to that hope in his pain and suffering, in his fear and disappointment.

His story inspired many people through the email updates his mom so faithfully sent out. And it was through these emails that Laurie fell in love with Lance's character and faith in God. She noticed there was something different about Lance... something that transcended the fact she had never met him. They wouldn't meet until later.

After spending some time in a hospital in Germany, then traveling to Georgia to recover even more, he had the chance to come home for a week to be with his parents in San Luis Obispo. While hobbling around the kitchen in his neck and back braces, he noticed a picture on the family refrigerator. The picture stopped him in his tracks and he asked his mom immediately, "WHO. IS. THAT? She's BEAUTIFUL!" The picture was of Laurie. (insert sappy "aw's" now) It was love at first sight for Lance.... and before he left for an insanely long recovery period in a Georgia hospital, he told his mom... "Mom, I know you're always right about things when we argue, but I'm going to be right about 2 things this time: One, I'm going to be completely better, home with you, and retired from the army by July 2008 (10 months from then). And two, I'm going to marry Laurie Kohlenberg." She laughed at the thought of both of those things, and saw him off. Little did she know.... he would be completely healed, home again, and retired from the Army all by July 2008. And little did she know, that Lance and Laurie would fall in love... forever.

Again... stories like this, of people whose paths cross simply because they're following the voice of God... they remind me of how intricately involved He is in our lives. Makes me wanna jump up and down, raise my arms in triumph, and shout His praises into the vastness of creation. (kinda dramatic, but it's true)

So for this shoot, I was really excited to shoot with a thematic purpose... I wanted to capture the tension of being in love, the sense of heading out on an adventurous journey, and the tender connection between two lovers. We all had so much fun on this shoot, and I'm so excited with the results! Without further adieu, here's the mini photo story of Lance and Laurie...

Many thanks to John and Christina Kohlenberg for the AMAZING vintage suitcases, and to Christopher for being the best prop/bag carrier of all time! :)

I can't wait for Lance and Laurie's wedding in November... it's going to be so much fun!

P.S... Lance... you're awesome.

Stealth | Shoot: Billy Jack and Alissa's "Will You"

2009-08-14T12:51:00.000-07:00

We knew it was coming. The minute we saw their smitten faces whispering sweet nothings laced with words and sign language foreign to everyone except themselves..... we knew. This is it.

I've been friends with them both for years prior to dating each other and as I've observed and watched them together, it's clear to me how amazing their relationship is. They bring the absolute best out in each other, they're freaking HAPPY together....I couldn't wish for a better match. From the bottom of my heart and back again, I'm SO HAPPY for you two and I can't wait to see how huge your love will be as your roads merge to become one. (tears...)

His proposal was nothing short of excellence (not surprising at all) and her reaction was priceless.... Here's the short version... He took her on an adventure all around LA, Orange County, and San Diego to visit all the memorable places they had been throughout their relationship. From her sorority days at UCLA to long talks in a favorite coffee shop called Claire de Lune in San Diego, they visited and reminisced about their love story. It was at this particular coffee shop on a specific couch, in which they shared some milestone moments... and on Wednesday night, it was there that BJ decided to ask Alissa to spend the rest of their lives together.

As I was situated in the balcony above the targeted couch area hidden by a customer's bags and my own black hooded sweatshirt, I watched them silently through the lens of my camera... waiting anxiously for the moment he pulled out the little white box and got on one knee. It seemed like forever, but finally the moment came and I watched him sneakily pull the box out of his pocket while she wasn't looking.... I saw him say an opening line leaving her in blank readiness for him to finish with his pertinent question... I saw him kick the table back and get on one knee. Immediate realization and shock swept over her eyes as her hands moved reflexively up to her face... she said yes. Her emotions, exploding like fireworks, signaled to the baristas that it had happened and they all ran out cheering and congratulating them. And on cue, all the family and friends who had gathered in secret outside the store paraded in adding to the excitement and celebration. It was an evening to remember... not just for them... but for all who were present. August 12, 2009 was a night to remember their journeys and to celebrate their love.

Here's just a glimpse into the night... from a stealth shooter's perspective...

Sneak Peek: Billy Jack and Alissa's "Will You" Stealth Shoot

2009-08-13T21:13:00.000-07:00

So I'm STILL working on a bunch of things all at once... even this late, but I wanted to share my excitement that two very good friends of mine are ENGAGED!!!! :) Congratulations to Billy Jack and Alissa! I'm so excited for you and documenting this huge day in your lives brought me incredible joy... brought Stealthy tears to my eyes! :)

Here's my favorites from this Stealth Shoot.... more to come... I PROMISE!

Pageant of the Masters-Media Night

2009-07-26T14:35:00.000-07:00

In the beginning of June, Christopher and I had the unique opportunity to join our friend Ernie Castello, a news reporter with OC Skyline, at the Pageant of the Masters Media Night. My dad used to take his Choirs from Santa Ana High School to the Pageant for years and years, but I, personally, had never gone. Since I'd heard great things about this art pageant, I was stoked to have the opportunity to go. Media night is a night at the beginning of summer when everyone from the media (eg television channels, newspapers, journals, magazines, etc.) could come and get a preview of what would happen throughout the summer. There were a few artists' work displayed with demonstrations in their medium of art, wine and chocolate tasting by the Ritz Carlton, a grand tour of the behind the scenes studios, and a preview of a few of the famous pieces on stage, followed by an after-party complete with yummy foods, wines, and desserts at Tivoli Terrace! It was definitely a packed evening and I am so glad I got to attend, and shoot along with the esteemed members of Associated Press and other VIP members of the press! Here's just a few shots from the evening...

Our name tags... (we're such nerds...)

Artists' live demonstrations of their medium...

Mini workshops on how to do the different featured mediums at home... this one is print making. They demonstrated how to roll out the ink and create custom prints...

Here's a shot of the artists finishing up some of the backdrops that are being used this summer in the pageant. These artists are GOOD... let me tell you! So talented to be able to recreate masterpieces so flawlessly!

Christopher, being the excellent teacher he is, spent some time learning about print making and asking a bunch of questions on how he could use this in his classroom to educate students in this fine art... he's so good! :) I love the expression on this kid's face... he's thinking "who is this guy?"

The pageant is famous for recreating fine-art masterpieces in real-life size. So they recreate the paintings and they incorporate live people posed to look like the original painting... it's fascinating to watch the process of the backdrops being created, the props placed, the people's faces being painted, the costumes, and the lighting.... it's a tedious, but spectacular display of art! Here's some shots of the makeup design on mannequins....

And then recreated every time the pageant goes on stage... but on a real person... it's looks unnecessarily unreal right now, but just wait to see what it looks like in the painting... So COOL!

Here's some shots of the full pieces

It was so fun to meet and shoot with so many people from the press and it was so inspiring seeing so many artists using their talents to create the pageant! I hope you have a chance to check it out this summer... it will be an experience you won't want to miss!

Photo Date 1: Balboa au Ralph Lauren

2009-07-19T14:35:00.000-07:00

In the past year, I've definitely seen a lot through the lens of my camera, but I've forgotten to document me in the world I so earnestly want to photograph. As one can imagine, it takes quite bit of energy and tactfulness to take decent self portraits and I just haven't given it any thought or consideration until Christopher sat me down and said, "something's missing from our relationship." As alarmed as I was to hear that, I was even more confused. He continued, " we have no pictures of us." I breathed a sigh of relief and we began discussing what we could do to rectify the situation. We came up with the brilliant idea of "Photo Dates."

Basically we set a date each week/every other week to do self portraits of ourselves and of each other. This way, we get pictures of us as times goes on, and we both get practice in themes, styles of photography, lighting, and posing. For me, this is a good outlet and an excellent opportunity to experiment and learn more with no pressure. For Christopher, this is probably the best way to improve all around. We decided that when we set a Photo Date, we will also set a theme/style of the date. From there we researched images within the theme/style and studied poses, lighting, and post processing techniques to get the desired look we wanted.

This past week was our first one... kind of a test run. Christopher took most of the responsibility for this one as I was super packed in my work load. We decided to go with a classy preppy look and researched Ralph Lauren ads for our references. Here's what we came up with....

Christopher found the place, posed, and took this one...

Self timer self portrait...

Self timer self portrait again...

Christopher took these of me...

And this one is definitely my favorite of his shots... he posed and captured this one... I was IMPRESSED!

So anyways, I just wanted to share this with you all because it was so fun and a good diversion from work. There's some big news dropping soon... stay tuned!

Funky Town

2009-07-06T22:34:00.000-07:00

I suppose you could say I've been in a funk for the past couple weeks. I usually consider myself a person with a killer mental edge... I can take on stress, I can take on unpredictability, I can take on curve balls God tosses my way... for the most part. But lately I've allowed seemingly little things to get the best of me and pile on top of each other. May and June have been my busiest months and I've put work above family and friends, and I've felt the stretch in my relationships for sure. My room is a mess (anyone who knows me knows I can't think straight when things are messy). It's been difficult this year financially... as it is with most entrepreneurs in their first year... I've allowed it to get the best of me at times. And, I went through a phase of a week or two when I was convinced either my Dad, Christopher, or I would die at an early age of some unpreventable and unforeseen tragedy... I think it partly has to do with a tragic happening in a fellow photographer's life recently. I was convinced it was going to be reality and it terrified me that I had no control over it. But then God spoke very clearly one night as I was reading through some scriptures. I had been reading through Isaiah and it was kind of depressing reading about the wrath of God upon the Israelites and neighboring countries.... didn't make my anxiety any better. Before I blew out my candles for the evening, I had the urge to flip through Psalms and Psalm 91 caught my eye. (Side Note: This normally doesn't happen to me. I'm usually the person more likely to doubt God's ability to speak directly through scripture at coincidental times. He definitely has the ability, I just don't encounter Him in this sort of way too often.) It read as follows:

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. [I totally haven't been trusting Him] For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. [Scuse me... are you talking to me? Haha...] He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. [OKAY... Thanks for reminding me SPECIFICALLY] Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer. I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation." (Psalm 91, NLT)

So yeah... He nailed that one! I love hate it when He speaks to me like this because on one hand, I feel like a complete idiot, but on the other, I LOVE LOVE LOVE hearing Him and recognizing His voice. It was so reassuring to hear from Him that He's a GOOD God. The old testament is chalk full of times when God pours his wrath on people, but it's also full of His faithfulness and goodness. Even, at times, he showed his faithfulness and goodness in times when He also poured his wrath out on the people. I'll never understand the complexity of why He does what He does, but I do know that My God is GOOD. I really have to forcibly remind myself of this fact... He is Good. He is Good. He is Good. Because I'm denser than dirt sometimes... I forget how Good He is even when the sun's shining, the flowers are all in bloom, and birds are chirping contentedly...

Thank you for reminding me. Thank you for having patience with me. Thank you for being so creative in how you show me you love me and that I'll always be taken care of.

Here's just a few shots from my 4th of July weekend, just another way He has shown me recently how Good He is. The 4th was a Uber relaxing day and miraculously, I got to do everything I needed to that day... and got to spend some quality BBQing time with family, friends, my sister Melissa, and Christopher.

Christopher took the picture of me... pretty good eh? That's my bestest 2nd shooter for ya!

I absolutely adore this picture of my sister... she's so silly :)

Aaand I really like this series of pictures.... the 2nd was totally unplanned and definitely gives you a little picture of Christopher's new favorite thing to do... give me wet willies. He thinks he's SOO FUNNY.

Happy belated Independence Day... and remember... don't be like me. Remember everyday that just because we have our independence and freedom doesn't mean we don't need Him. Being in relationship with Him and seeking him to be our shelter and trusting Him even with the hard things (like our money) give us the freedom to give back and rest deeply in the fact that He is good and has our back ALWAYS.

Peace Out.

Tim and Chelsea's "I Do"

2009-07-01T13:03:00.000-07:00

Chelsea and Tim are now husband and wife. Crazy! It seems like just yesterday when I met them and we took engagement pictures at the Santa Ana Zoo. On the day of the wedding, I met up with Chelsea as she was getting her hair done and I noticed how relaxed she was. Normally brides have the jitters on the morning of, when they realize they're getting married in T-minus ___ minutes. Chelsea was just all smiles... excited to be finally be marrying her prince.

During the process of meeting Tim and Chelsea, planning the day, and finally shooting the event, I noticed something very unique about this couple.... the way Tim and Chelsea related to one another. He is her Prince. She is his Princess. I noticed this in the way she carries herself when she's with him, and the way they designed their wedding day. She had the long flowy dress and beautiful handmade headpiece. There was love and a royal feel to the ceremony. There was a sword with a golden hilt. I love that. Every girl dreams of having a man who will see her as his Princess. Not in the sense of her getting everything she wants, but in a way that shows his upmost respect for her, his pride in her, his regard for her beauty and dainty-ness, and her allowing him to seek out her love continually. I was honored to have shared in experiencing the day they promised devotion to each other forever... and I was honored to have witnessed the princess being swept away by her prince.

The ceremony took place within the doors of Lighthouse Coastal Community Church, and the super cool reception was held at the Santa Ana Zoo. Something super cool about their wedding was how many people were involved in the day. Chelsea's friend Veronica Fish made all the girls' jewelry, and her friend Beth Brady of Lilian Ray Designs made her beautifully jeweled head piece. Their friend Fran Tracy acted as Florist and did a beautiful job on the flowers, and probably the coolest, was Kent Yamaguchi (Director) of the Santa Ana Zoo! Many thanks to Country Garden Caterers for the lovely international-tasting dinner, and to Tim's Uncle Ed Bryant who made some STUNNING wedding bands for the two of them! That's right... he MADE THEM! And last but not least, thank you SO MUCH to Mr. Christopher and to Jack Ratana for being the best and most supportive 2nd Shooters/friends ever! I seriously have so much fun shooting with you two!

Brendon and Shannon's "I Do"

2009-06-21T07:22:00.000-07:00

The immensity of the blue sky meets the silhouette of the snowcapped Rockies and the contrast of color strikes you speechless. White fluffy clouds float by casting shadows on green pastures occupied by wild horses and an occasional chirp is heard from a bird. In the beauty of all this, with the sounds of the rushing "Popo Agie" river a few hundred yards away, Brendon and Shannon became husband and wife. Everything about this wedding has been about beauty... their relationships with their God, Shannon's heart, her dress, the location, and the love that was evident in their family and friends present. Beauty. It's what we crave.

I feel so honored to have been a part of their day and document their story for all to hear and see. A love story like theirs is one everyone should know about because it's such a picture of how God's kingdom can be present on this earth. He's here. He's present and active in our lives whether we realize it or not. He is good. He wants our dreams to become reality. Brendon and Shannon realize that and they're chasing after Him with their whole lives and their love story is no exception. Shannon... you have your prince, your husband, your ring, the dress... and in the background, white lilies... the ultimate symbol of of your prince sees you, and now, how your husband also sees you. It makes me so happy to know that you've found that. Don't forget to share it with everyone who will listen. :)

Many thanks to everyone who helped make their day awesome! Brandi Russell of Mel's on Main Hair Salon did Shannon's lovely hair, the awesome BBQ was catered by Raymond Benson of Porta Chef out of Colorado, Shannon's makeup was done by her best friend Kendra (who's an awesome graphic designer too... ;)), and Shannon's flowers were done by a local friend. :)

Brendon and Shannon's "Will You"

2009-06-19T20:51:00.000-07:00

She had a HUGE crush on him. He secretly had a HUGE crush on her. They went to Vienna for a mini outreach with the YWAM Herrnhut base for the World Cup last summer. She got "stuck" with him one night. God spoke. Their worlds shook. Now here I am in Wyoming documenting their love story so all will know HE IS GOD.

So the intro is a bit dramatic don't you think? Me too, but the thing that kills me is it's 100% true. You think I'm joking... I'm so glad I'm not! Here's a bit more of an explanation...

I met Shannon in 2007 in Germany during our Discipleship Training School for Mission Photography. She was brushing her teeth when I introduced myself... and immediately we were friends. I love this girl. She sweeter than cupcakes, gorgeous, energetic, and such a woman after God's own heart! I met Brendon yesterday. HA! But from what she has told me about him, he himself, is a man chasing after God and they're PERFECT for each other!

There are very few stories I've heard that involve God so tangibly present in the relationship. For Brendon and Shannon, God is the ONLY reason they're together. Shannon's the kind of girl who throws God curve balls... she loves to test Him. As she's been praying for her future husband over the years, she's told God a few requirements... the next person she dated had to be her husband, she wanted a ring to know how much He loves her, and she wanted Him to give her a SIGN that that man was "the one".... not just any sign, but white lilies.

They got pizza in Vienna one night. They walked around afterwards talking and found an awesome cathedral. They decided to explore inside the cathedral. Inside the cathedral was hundreds of white lilies and no one else inside but the two of them. Shannon almost peed her pants because He gave her the sign. Brendon was the one.

Brendon is such a man of faith and prayer. When he heard God's voice saying Shannon was the one, he freaked a bit because he didn't have a ring and he lived on a missionary's salary... nothing. So he prayed. He prayed hard. He talked with his friend in the states who did YWAM with him the year prior and they prayed together. Hard. That same friend had a sister who had a ring she didn't know what to do with. That sister prayed and decided she wanted to give the ring to Brendon. Brendon praised Jesus and proposed. The ring fit like it was made for Shannon's finger. God is GOOD.

And now, I'm in Lander, Wyoming to document the day they make vows to love and set themselves apart for each other with their family and friends and their God present. Here's some shots from our little last minute engagement shoot we did today...

Aaand a taste of main street in Lander... I feel a bit like a country girl :D

The weather was beautiful and the contrasting colors of the red rock, the green pastures, and the blue sky was breathtaking... we soaked it in for all it's worth!

Shannon found this awesome little door in the side of the mountain. This door and the surrounding run down farm was dated back to the early 1800s.... CRAZY!!

If you haven't noticed, I'm a HUGE fan of photo booth style portraits... the couple really comes out and has fun in them!

We even hung out in a country western bar complete with cowboys, beer, and a pool table. Here's a cute shot of Shannon pretending she doesn't know how to play pool... ;) Look at that look!

And this was my absolute favorite shot of the day... they swore they aren't photogenic. BAH HAH... whatever! How good do they look!?

Needless to say, I am STOKED to be shooting their wedding tomorrow and I just know it will be one I'll never forget. In going to the rehearsal tonight, I was taken aback at how BEAUTIFUL the place is. I can't wait to show you! Stay tuned....

When Times Get Tough...

2009-06-17T10:50:00.000-07:00

I think you'll all agree with me, there are times when life just seems too hard... like there's so much out of our control and such difficult circumstances, it would be easier than making Top Ramen to just throw in the towel and say "I GIVE UP!" I couple summers ago, I was in that place and it seemed that all life consisted of was heartache, working to make money, going to the gym to blow off steam, and sleeping. One of my best friends Cricket suggested I "seriously" start an art journal. She used the word "seriously" because she knew I do art when I want to, but learning how to channel everything I thought and felt into art was different. I took her up on the challenge after I found a sweet papyrus accordion fold journal at Paper Source.... and since then, it's been one of the few outlets that "gets it all out", if you catch my drift.

Life has been more difficult than I wish recently, and there's way too much lack of control for my liking. So when Christopher told me he wanted to spend a Saturday afternoon with God, I jumped at the opportunity and readied my art box. I slowly set up shop with everything I had... my "schuff" took up the entire table and then some... and I began to paint. These are some of the things I made and I just wanted to share them with you because I think they're awesome!

This painting was basically heart overflow onto canvas. Life stemming from giving my cares to Him and the hope that He hears me.

This one I named "Growing Differently"...

I think it's awesome that, with the things God put in me, I am able to give everything straight back to Him both when life is beautiful and the sun's shining, and also when everything seems to be going wrong. Thank you Jesus! What are the things God put in you (aka gifts)? What are the things you love to do? How do you de-stress? Do you de-stress by doing what you love to do?

Dan and Hyunjung's "I Do"

2009-06-10T12:46:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I had another chance to shoot with my buddy Justin Lee in San Diego. I wasn't sure what to expect, but all Justin told me was.... "Girl... this is a SWEET couple and a SWEET location!" Okay... so I left knowing just about that much and maybe a little more. We show up to The Grand Del Mar a little before we're supposed to be there, the valet parks my (Christopher's) little silver Honda Accord in between a beautiful Lamborghini and a classy Bentley, and then Justin and I got some lunch at the beautiful cafe and ate our lunch while enjoying the sun in the sunroom...

We met Dan and Hyunjung in their suite with the family all around.... it was a calm afternoon and the family was just beaming with anticipation. Here's some detail shots...

They were dressed in their traditional Korean outfits... so beautiful! I loved the colors and Hyunjung told us about how the outfits characteristically are made with contrasting colors like theirs. I loooooved them! Look at the detail of these clothes!

The grounds were AMAZING and so elegant! We took the happy couple all over the place taking Grace Ormonde worthy images. Here's just a few of my favorites I took throughout the day...

Side Note: This little guy was so cute in his little bow tie and tux... such a happy kid :)

Overall, the day was VERY relaxed, sophisticated and elegant, and intimate... I loved how there were less than 30 people involved and they enjoyed a simple and intimate ceremony with chairs set in a circle, and a private dinner in one of The Grand Del Mar's wine cellars. Many thanks to Paige Levy, the wedding specialist, for the amazing details and service for Dan and Hyunjung's day! That girl knows how to throw a wedding... let ME tell YOU!

Josh and Katie's "I Do"

2009-06-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

Preface: I arrived a little before schedule at what I thought was the Wyper residence. Got my stuff, grabbed my coffee, put on a big smile and rang the doorbell with anticipation of what Katie looked like thus far in her "getting ready." A dog barked and a disheveled and rather sleepy looking woman I didn't recognize answered the door. A bit alarmed.... I asked "...is Katie here?..." Silence and stares. "Nope... I think you have the wrong house." Pause. "Sorry... " Door shuts. "Yup," I thought, "I'm an idiot." And that was the beginning of a rather clumsy day on my part.... good thing the wedding and people were AWESOME.

Real story: So I drove up the next street... (the correct one) and found the real Wyper residence. And as I hoped, Katie ran to get the door with her moussed hair flying and big smile extended to welcome me into the wedding day craziness. Her girls were all there getting ready in the bathroom.... curling irons were out, straighteners were heating up, bobby pins were scattered on every inch of the bathroom... and old friends gabbed about old times as they got beautified for the day. Katie immediately found her prized decor for the day.. her rings and her cowgirl boots and said "have fun!" I thought to myself, "Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet! This wedding's gonna be AWESOME!" And it was just that.... nothing short of AWESOME.... cuz that's how Katie and Josh roll.

She designed her invites, decided her colors, picked her dress, found the venue, decided on a caterer, had her cake designed and picked her decorator all within a few weeks of being engaged..... this girl planned a Martha Stewart-worthy wedding all on her own in less than 3 months. Katie's pretty much the awesome-est girl EVER.

If you're wondering what Josh brought to the table for the AWESOME-ness of the wedding day.... he brought MAN-ness. Yeah...I made up my own word for it.... Josh is THE MAN. His face says MAN, his smile (Katie calls it his "smoldering" look) says MAN, and his dressy/casual/classy white button down, navy pants, and big silver belt buckle was the epitome of MAN. Katie the colorful, lacey, girly, beautiful bride... and Josh the solid, navy and white, tall dark and handsome groom. LOVED IT!

The celebration was painted with the love and full support of family and friends. Their choice of classical music filled the afternoon air as the sun shone bright and beautiful, illuminating her summery colors of white, turquoise, and pastel yellow. It was a beautiful wedding, and it was so much fun to be a part of! Here is just a feel for the day... (ps... give it some time to load)

Special thanks to Christopher for being the world's best 2nd shooter yet again, to Jay's Catering for the wonderful lunch, to the Wyper family for having the entire wedding and reception in their beautiful backyard, and Melody Brandon of Sweet and Saucy Shop for the super cute and yummy cake!

John and Christina's "I Do"

2009-05-26T13:26:00.000-07:00

The day started at the Botsford's house. Christopher and I pulled up with our coffee and Hector's burritos and chatted about the plans for the day as we waited for the bridal party to arrive. Christina and her maid of honor Carrie pulled up and I was amused to see Christina in the front seat in her sweats, her veil and a big smile. Thus began the day. As Christina got ready, her bridesmaids enjoyed a morning jump on the trampoline and the moms bustled around busily steaming things and checking on the bride to be. When Christina was finally ready to go, she was a brilliant bride! Her dress was perfect for her... that's all... just perfect.

We made our way over to a friend's house to meet John before the ceremony and when we arrived.... I was in AWE! The place was beeeaautiful! Many thanks to the Gamboa's for letting us use the property for a while! It was such a privilege to be included in their day and I felt such joy and peace as John and Christina saw each other for the first time before the ceremony! It was such an intimate and romantic moment... it made me all misty-eyed.

There's so much I could say about John and Christina, but I'll save you a week and just say this. It was my honor and such a blessing to be your wedding photographer, I couldn't have asked for better friends or better clients than you. You truly are my poster couple! Enjoy... (ps... the slideshow takes a little while to load... please be patient... )

Just a few shoutouts: Thanks to Diane Reichenbach of Whimsey Florals for Christina's perfect flowers, to Annie Botsford for the very professional looking cake, to I Love Tacos for the delicious food, and to the best 2nd shooter in the entire world.... Christopher!

Cross Training

2009-05-17T22:28:00.000-07:00

It used to be that I cross-trained for soccer by swimming... now I cross-train for photography with art.... here's just something I was "doodling" with today and I happen to love it :). Christopher looks pretty cool if you ask me...

That's all.

The Latest from the Craft Box

2009-05-16T16:06:00.001-07:00

Anyone who knows me well knows that I don't do mediocre. Sooo... once again, I spent waaaay too much time on an art project, but my sore and bloodied fingers say it's worth it. Last time the project was custom-designed napkin holders for my birthday dinner; this time it's Media Cases for client Image Files! Yessssss!

Now, I've been kind of unhappy with the delivery of image files to clients, but I haven't found a company that makes them how I like them... for a price I can afford. So WHAT did Kate do? Yes sir/ma'am... I made them MYSELF! These beauties are made from faux-ostrich skin, bloodsweat&tears, buttons, and premium hemp cord.... and as you can see... pure awesomeness.

And so... if you're one of the lucky clients who have yet to receive your image files from your Wedding day... I'm proud to say you won't be receiving just an ordinary jewel case in the mail... you'll be getting one of these babies! Hollaaa! If you can't tell... I'm excited... I hope you are too!

Josh and Katie's "Will You"

2009-05-14T14:41:00.001-07:00

Katie Jesch (aka "Meadow"), who's best friends with Kate Porath (aka "Kora") was introduced to me, Kate Noelle (aka "Bam Bam") last summer when I spent some time up at Adventure Mountain subbing for Katie Jesch. The funny thing is, my cousin's girlfriend Kate Erickson (no other alias) also grew up with Katie Jesch and Kate Porath in Tustin... and she recognized Katie Jesch in some of the photos I took at camp. It's a good thing Kate/Katie is a good name because we're definitely all wearing it out.

After summer, I had the chance to meet Josh at a birthday party and I was pleasantly surprised at how PERFECT these two are. Seriously... they're two peas in their own little crazy pod... and it's HILARIOUS to observe.

When Katie Jesch, the brilliant creative behind Katie Jesch Designs, sneakily emailed me through my website contact form about shooting her wedding, I literally almost peed my pants with excitement and I called her on my way home to say YEEEEEESSSSSSS! Since then, we've been able to meet a few times and chat, she showed me her dress and her ring and told me all about the colors and invitations and distressed painted doors and old rusty cars... all the little annoying detail stuff that both she and I live by. And slowly but surely, she's built up crazy anticipation on my end. I have dreams... both the day and night kind.. about how AWESOME her wedding will be May 31st.

Anyways... I love these two and I'm super excited to spend some more time with them as their day draws closer. On Monday, I caffeinated myself up to spend some time shooting some engagement shots with the future Mr. and Mrs. Wyper... and we definitely shared a lot of laughs! Katie may say she looks awkward in front of the camera, but I don't believe her... these photos proved her wrong... and it makes me laugh just looking at some of them because we had so much fun!

Just a little Katie humor for you... I say "ready set FIERCE FACE!" and this is what happens...

I have to say... Josh is the ultimate man's man. They met working at REI for goodness sake! I love how they mesh so well... Katie is the beautiful, tiny, and fiery blonde one, and he's the tall, dark, and handsome one. Can you say sweep me off my feet?

Intertwined in their giddy sense of humor, there's tremendous passion that comes out when you least expect it. I love how in love they are.... it shows and it's beautiful!

Here's a great one of Josh instructing Katie on the proper delivery of a "Fierce Face."

This series cracks me up every time because it looks like a proposal... Josh mouthing the words "Will... You...Marry... Me.... PLEASE?" What really happened should probably stay under wraps, but it definitely involved a thorn sticking someone in the butt, and a dramatic removal of the pinnately compound perennial. Never a dull moment!

These last ones are my absolute favorite...

I'm counting down the days until their much anticipated wedding in Redlands... I'll be sure to keep you posted!

Feedback

2009-05-12T17:00:00.000-07:00

I grew up with the little children's rhymes "Sticks and Stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me", and "I'm rubber, you're glue... whatever you say bounces off me and sticks on you." And for a long time I allowed myself to make these my life's mantras when people didn't agree with me. But as I've gotten older and I've had more of life's experience, I've learned that those mantras have the best of intentions when it comes to raising strong willed children, but they do little for when those rhymes can't filter the more piercing words spoken into our hearts. It's interesting looking back at the times when people's words have stung worse than a physical slap in the face... they usually happened with regard to things God was speaking into my heart.

When I was deciding what to do after my DTS was over in Germany, I was contemplating doing something with my photography, but I wasn't sure what. Wedding photography had always been a secret love of mine, but I was still not convinced I could actually pull it off as a career. During this beginning phase of my future pondering, someone I looked up to photographically spoke these words and they pierced straight through my filter and changed how I saw myself and my passions... " Wedding photography is a joke.... it's not even real art. I hate it. Anyone can pick up a digital camera and take good wedding pictures. I've never actually seen a good wedding photographer." This was the beginning of the road to deciding to become a wedding photographer for me, and these words put me back a ways and caused me to reconsider the voice of God in my life, my worth as a person, and my worth as a photographer.

When I came home and continued the search of the next step in my life and photography, I attended a Missional Photography class at Rock Harbor where I experienced the most healing and productive feedback that gave me enough confidence back to believe I had something to offer as a Wedding photographer. One of the instructors, Dane Sanders, chose one of my images as one of his favorites. He talked about what he liked and also what I could have done to make the image better. Just the fact that he thought my images was good enough to talk about and to show to the rest of the class helped heal the damage done to my heart from past experiences. From that night, I praise God for the confirmation and encouragement received from such a small thing... and gathered enough courage to leave everything I knew to pursue a dream.

There have been several instances where people's words have affected my view of myself, both positively and negatively. But both kinds of feedback have been lessons in giving it to God and letting Him be the only source of truth in my life. In the hall of fame of best and worst feedback I've ever gotten from people in regards to my photography are as follows:

Best: "I will never use another photographer as long as I live. Kate Noelle was the best choice I could have made for my wedding day."

Worst: "You have ruined my reputation. I am completely disappointed in your work and my choice to use you as the photographer. And I would like you to hand over every image you took, straight from the camera, so I can give it to another photographer to try and salvage the images."

One thing I've learned is there are productive ways to effect change, and there are negative ways. The positive ones are not always comfortable to hear, but they usually are delivered in a manner that says, " you did something wrong, but I want to see you succeed, so here's my suggestion and I want to be in conversation with you about this." The negative ones are uncomfortable as well, but they're harder to hear because it brings up defense shields and the feelings towards the deliverer are usually disdain and fear.

So in regards to recent comments about photographs, I apologize if I've offended anyone; it's not my intent or my heart's desire to see anyone negatively affected by my work. However, I've learned it's impossible to please everyone. I do my best to uphold my beliefs and morals in my work and my images, but know that I am human. I do make mistakes and I do fall short of perfection. Feedback is pivotal to my growth as a person and as a photographer and I want you all to know that I welcome feedback both positive and negative. I still am amazed when I get comments from blog readers that talk about how much they love my images, how my words inspire them, and how much they value me as a photographer... it never gets old and it always makes me feel like a million dollars. On the flip side, when I get negative feedback from readers or clients, it affects me even more. I struggle with taking things personally and it's a struggle to see the silver lining when I fall short of perfection. Anyone who talks with me often knows I'm the kind of person who wants to be the best and perfect RIGHT NOW and it's frustrating to me when I can't do it on my timeframe. I'm learning, and hopefully growing... and your feedback is a big part of that. So keep your comments coming. I love hearing what you all have to say.

On a lighter note, here's some shots I took during Veritas this past Sunday. Christopher's cousin Michael is in town and they led worship together. I've loved observing their relationship for the few days I've been back and their music blended perfectly together on Sunday... like they've been playing and singing together their whole lives. Here they are... because I definitely think a blog post is better with pictures.

Joel and Carrie's "I Do"

2009-05-10T20:39:00.000-07:00

The Sun's rising over the North Carolina horizon. Brilliant pink and orange illuminate the purple storm clouds and give shape to the silhouettes of the surrounding forestry. All's quiet on this end of the terminal at Greensboro International Airport and as I sit here in the stillness, I find myself thinking back on yesterday... how this has probably been the most emotional wedding I've ever shot.

This trip has given me the chance to catch a glimpse of His face... to catch a glimpse of His glory here...I crave it. I got the chance to spend the past few days celebrating with two extraordinary people. Carrie and Joel are AMAZING, and through their love for each other and how they live their lives, they have given their family and friends... and me... a glimpse of Heaven on our earth. It's not like we haven't seen two lovers before and this isn't the first wedding we've been to. But love like theirs is as rare as a beautiful sunrise. Few people rise early enough to see one, but when you do, it takes your breath away knowing that something that beautiful can happen. It stops people in their paths, even in airports where everyone is going somewhere and and there are agendas and time clocks to mind.... people stop and stare because there's something that happens when we witness true beauty.... we're moved to be still.

Something happened in me at the rehearsal. Something in me released the floodgates and I couldn't figure out, for the life of me, why I was so moved by the REHEARSAL of the ceremony that would take place the next day. Both Carrie and Joel want nothing other than to see the face of God everyday of their lives. They have a fiery boldness to them that's often mistaken for meekness. This is what it's supposed to be like.... a wedding, that is; a stark reflection of True Love and True Beauty coming together to make the vow to never leave or forsake each other... like it means something. It's three cords are entwined with Love's first kiss as Man and Wife with God, Bridegroom and Bride with the Father. And then it's celebrated with food and dance with happy hearts and reckless abandon. The tension, the introduction, the invitation, the vow, the celebration.

Carrie and Joel are not just clients, they're deep friends of mine and I am completely humbled by their request for my photographic eye at their wedding. The hospitality shown and the intimacy shared amongst those present on their special day renders me without words to describe the joy I have in my heart. I leave today with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper burning in my heart for more glimpses of His face. I hope this slideshow does the day and Carrie and Joel justice... make sure to grab some tissues....

Joel and Carrie's "Will You" and such...

2009-05-08T20:24:00.000-07:00

I woke to the familiar sound of my "Viva la Vida" alarm, but to a different place than I expected.... then I remembered I'm in North Carolina with Carrie. I blinked and stretched the jet-lag out of my body enough to make myself get up just in time to see Carrie bolt across the room with her hair in a towel and mumble "morgen...". There was no music this morning, but I attributed that to the late night everyone had talking and laughing. I got up and brushed my teeth, excited to start the day. This morning was the morning I got to spend some time with Carrie and Joel, just the three of us, and shoot some last minute engagement shots before their big day tomorrow. With Joel behind the wheel and us girls packed into the car, we headed into downtown Kernersville in search of character, antiquity, and weather damaged architecture... and we found it. Unlike shooting in Orange County, it wasn't a hard thing to find old buildings with character and history behind them... I've absolutely loved the "colonial meets country house" feel to all the old homes in Kernersville! Here's some of the shots as promised for ya'all (I'm determined to come home with an accent!)

Getting some dance practice in before they get hitched...

And then... much to my delight we found an old caboose abandoned on some tracks. For those of you who know me... I'm sure you can feel my joy cross country :D

Carrie is the closest thing I know to a Southern Belle... sweeter than most I'm sure! Joel's one lucky guy to have such a beautiful and very photogenic lady as his future wife...

I love this shot because I think it totally captures Carrie. Gentle, peaceful, beautiful, dainty... and Joel looks so content to gaze at his beautiful lady...

This is my famous "ready set I'M GETTING MARRIED face in 3...2...1" pose... pretty much sums it up right?

On another note, tonight was the rehearsal dinner and wedding run through with everyone. It was the real deal. My camera, family, music, walking down the aisle... all in her small country family-style white church with a steeple. I lost it. I was a complete basket case of a wedding photographer... so much so I couldn't take pictures because I was sniffling and my eyes were pouring too much liquid to focus. This is bad. I blame God. Yup... I'm blaming Him. You see, I'm not just the wedding photographer at this wedding, I'm a friend who's seen it all. I'm the friend with whom Carrie cried with the first week in Germany because we were both ridiculously homesick. Carrie and I were bunk mates, prayer partners, secret keepers, dream co-pilots, and soul mates. And she's found her prince charming... for real. Joel is perfect for her. He's everything she needs and has dreamed of... and they're getting married tomorrow.

I'm not entirely sure why this is such a teary thing for me. I'm not sad. I'm not scared. I'm happy, but it's more than just happy. In talking with Christopher (yes I called him in tears and sobbed unintelligibly for a while until I calmed down) I came to realize it's more than giving her away to her groom. It's witnessing what it's supposed to be like. Family and friends are surrounding them and all coming together to help them out and send them off in prayer and celebration. Friends came from all different distances to be here... with them. Nothing special has happened except conversations, catching up, singing, and laughing. Tomorrow, we'll all gather in that white church in the country, watch Carrie walk down the aisle in her white dress to the song recorded by Joel and Her while we were still in Germany a year and a half ago.... we'll get to see a glimpse of Him. We'll get to see a glimpse of true beauty and His glory in a wedding... a living example of when Christ comes for his bride. Visions of true love strike untouched depths of my soul through my senses and it brings me to my knees. I've come to the conclusion.... that experiencing love like theirs is payment enough for the many hours of work I've put in and will put into giving them the best wedding images I can. Renewing the source of my heart for wedding photography and reminding me why I'm here.... to prepare His bride for her glorious reuniting with her Groom.... radiant with love, gushing with anticipation, and beaming with beauty perfected by relationship with the Almighty. Stay tuned in the next few days for their Wedding blog and tell all your friends... this will be one for everyone to celebrate!

Group Hugs and Cute Babies

2009-05-07T11:05:00.000-07:00

It's been a little over a year since I last saw Carrie and Joel and our friends from YWAM. Yesterday I flew across the country to come and celebrate and shoot their wedding, and to spend some quality time with old friends from around the continent. Jenn flew from Vancouver, Rebecca and Lauren flew from Kansas, I flew from California, and Joel's friend's and family flew from Seattle.... and Milly will be joining us soon! It was wierd when we all first arrived at the castle in Germany and it was surreal seeing people from literally every continent coming together to learn, love, and serve Jesus together. I feel so honored to be able to spend time with these people and to be a part of this "something sacred" we have. This morning I woke up (late and jet lagged a bit) to the sounds of everyone in the living room worshipping with guitars and song.... where else does this happen? Love it...

This is a shot I got of Carrie and Joel at the airport as we were waiting for Justin's flight to come in...

The group thought it would be fun to make and hold up signs for Justin with his name on it... this is what we came up with.... such a creative bunch! Justin loved it...

We sat in rocking chairs... and sang old inspirationals and country songs as we waited for Justin's delayed flight.... what airport has rocking chairs? Loved it!...

This is Carrie's niece Lilly... she's probably the cutest thing since the Kumquat was made. And this is a shot I got of her inhaling her mandarin oranges! So cute!

Well... we're off to Walmart and to do some last minute shopping for Carrie's Partaaaay today! I'll keep you posted on events of the weekend!

Tom and Monica's " I Do"

2009-05-03T23:31:00.000-07:00

I know that a photographer's goal is to book and shoot their own client's weddings, but I think part of the fun of learning and "becoming" is spending time shooting with other photographers. Yesterday I had the privilege of shooting with the esteemed Justin Lee and the super fun Gabrielle Fox from San Diego. Justin was so fun to work with and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to learn and have fun with him at his client's wedding! Danielle and I had a blast helping him out for the day. So although this wasn't my wedding, I thoroughly enjoyed playing and experimenting and capturing all the details of the day!

The day started at the ritzy La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla. You know it's a nice place when the name's written in gold on pavement.

An elevator as old as my grandfather took us to the correct floor and as we walked through the hotel to join the girls as they got ready for the day, I noted the glamourous vintage chandeliers, the antique finished furniture and ginormous (which, by the way is a word now... it's in the dictionary!) mirrors that decorated the hallways. As we walked through the door of the room, we were greeted with big smiles and this view through the room's european style windows.

Can you say Gorgeous? ...Yeah! Here are my favorite shots from the day...

It wouldn't be a Kate Noelle blog without some shoes!

This shot makes me want to jump up and down I love it so much... as we were walking through the hotel taking some quick shots before the ceremony, I saw this balcony and the lighting was fantabulous... we couldn't resist! And Monica's dress was just amazing...

Wanna know what she was looking at through that picturesque doorway? This scenic view of downtown La Jolla... blue waters... palm trees... warm weather... a perfect Socal day if you ask me!

Grandma was precious with her Swarovsky Crystals... just so happy to be at the wedding!

Monica's mom was probably the best dressed MOTB (mother of the bride) I've ever seen! She just looked simply stunning in her sequined charcoal boat-necked knee-length dress and that chic Vogue style coat to match. She was just so happy to be taking part in her daughter's big day! Man... when I'm a mom her age, I want to look like her... and I hope I have her fashion sense too!

There were two precious flower girls by the names of Macy and Nina. Macy was super cute, but was all over the place! That girl could move... as you can see. But it was always a pleasure to see her little curls blowing in her wake...

This is Macy's sister Nina. Nina loved two things that day.... being photographed and Monica. Nina was just plain stoked on life to be a part of Monica's wedding and you could catch her gazing admiringly at Monica's beautiful dress and bouquet.

One of the highlights of the reception was Tom's song he wrote for Monica. It was a total surprise and I think everyone was very impressed and touched by his attention to lyrical and musical detail... brought some to tears while others just listened in agreement with his words. He was quite the talented guitarist strutting his stuff with a "Weezer meets OMC" style acoustic piece... epic Tom!

And, just to be clear.... just in case you were wondering.... this is NOT my 50mm lens. Nikon all the way baby! And even though I was the odd man out between Justin, Gabi, and I.... Nikon sure can deliver! Holla!

Sum = Great day+Beautiful weather+Beautiful bride+Fun party+Great Wedding.

Beans N' Things

2009-04-30T14:52:00.001-07:00

You should know that, at one time, our backyard was filled with plants of all shapes and sizes. A gigantic palm tree that dropped flowers all over the pool, a huge mint plant that took over half the side yard, Yucca trees (?), Birds of paradise, Poinsettia, Hibiscus, Cherry Trees, Lemon Trees, Orange Trees, Apricot Trees, the whole back perimeter of our property was infested with Blackberry bushes, and we had just about one of each kind of Rose plant possible. But over the years, my dad's pulled them out one by one and hasn't replaced them with anything... so we have dirt and a pool now.

So imagine my surprise when I come home one afternoon to a kitchen and backyard full of seed packets, plants, and potting soil... yeah.. pretty surprised. Apparently, my parents spent part of their spring break down in Carlsbad at the Flower Fields... and they were inspired (after all these years) to plant stuff...

My mom's new babies are her wee little green bean plants she carefully soaked in water for three days, and planted in her little pot of rich potting soil.... I swear she's almost spent the night out there with them to make sure no bugs eat their little leaves. I decided to document their first steps the past week... here's some shots of my new siblings...

After a week of growing the beans in her little pot, she moved them all carefully to a bigger planter.... those little buggers are growing so fast they grew out of their crib! Time for a big kid bed...

I'm happy my mom's so happy with her Green Beans... and I'm glad to know that, in the off chance the world goes crazy with Swine Flu and we can't get groceries anymore, we'll have her green beans to eat. :)

Oh... and P.S. I lied when I said we have NO plants in the backyard... my dad recently planted these beauties in a few of our planters outside in honor of Betsy coming to visit.

Part-ay Time!!!

2009-04-27T23:17:00.000-07:00

News Flash: I'm not 18 anymore... sad and happy thought at the same time. Sad because I don't get to go to school everyday, I don't get to be a boy-crazed teenie-bopper without excuse, and I don't get to get all prettified for proms and winter formals anymore. Happy because I have a MAN for a special friend, I get to work for myself, I get to play wedding with brides all the time, I own my own carrrr, I have money (sometimes).... so I guess it's more of a happy thought than a sad one. But still... I have those creepy thoughts about crows feet and smile lines that give me day-mares...and night ones too.

Saturday was MY birthday dinner... you might recall last Saturday was a day filled with Christopher's special wishes and friends.... but Saturday was MY day. I woke up to the Socal morning sun streaming in horizontal lines through my shades, a cat on my feet, and the promise of a fun filled day. The parents, Christopher, and I headed to the UCI farmers' market to get our weekly quota of fresh and brightly colored fruits and veggies (yet another reason I could never leave Socal for too long....) and some morning Java from Peet's coffee. (Side note: I decided something over the course of the past 4 months. I do NOT like Peet's espresso. It's A Grind's Espresso tastes SO MUCH BETTER. Just thought you should know.) We came home, ran some more Saturday afternoon errands, broke a sweat at the gym, and then... I got sidetracked decorating my birthday table. Last week's dinner table was decorated MAN style for Christopher's birthday, but this week was decorated KATE style.... what can I say... I went a little overboard with the creativity.

If you're wondering what the heck these are... I decided it would be a great idea to custom create napkin holders out of whatever was in my art box. It just so happened that I had a bit of 30-gauge wire, some wire cutters, and some buttons & beads... and a bit of the Sunday Newspaper. I had a ton of fun being creative and making something fun for the table... this little project of mine consumed most of the late afternoon..s causing me to be a little late to my own party.... haha. Oh well... such is the life of a crazy junk-hugging artist.

This one is, not by far, my favorite of the bunch... it was hard to choose a favorite...

My birthday would not be complete without some BEEE-yootiful Gerber Daisies to accent my creation. Every Saturday I look hopefully through the flowers at the Farmers' Market for colors to make my heart sing. I don't find colors I like most of the time... they're alright, but they don't make me hungry. Well.... in honor of my birthday, I'm convinced He special picked some just for me :) If you don't know, white Gerber daisies usually have an ucky yellow tinge to them... but I found some beautifully white ones with black centers! I could sit for hours and just look a them!

I also found my favorite shade of orange... a "sweet corn meets butterscotch" yellowish orange. and both of these colors together definitely made my day 153 times brighter! My mom noticed how happy the flowers made me and decorated my cake to match :) Go Mom!

Notice the Japanese writing above my name on the envelope? Yeah... that's my awesome sister's writing.... she's half Japanese... taking Japanese in school! And for my birthday, she actually wrote it for me! I feel so SPECIAL...

When it came time to partake in the family tradition of telling the birthday person what we're grateful for in their lives, I was blown away at everyone's words. I think it's always slightly awkward being the dead center of attention and praise, but it's what fans the flame of dreams and goals for me. Last year on my birthday I was still finding my place in the dreams and goals I had before leaving for YWAM...& I was treading through all the "shoulds" and "coulds" left in the wake of my life changing adventure. This year on my birthday I am a wedding photographer... I own my own business... and I get to do what I'm most passionate about--live for Him doing what He created me to do.... and it's only been a year. I wouldn't have gotten here without the words and consistent support from the family and friends that celebrated with me in this 23rd year of my life.

Father, thank you for breathing life into my lungs.

Thank you for creating me like I created my napkin holders... with complete and utter excitement... unique and beautiful in my own way.

Thank you for another year to try my best to hear your whispers in the colors and people around me.

Thank you for the eyes you've given me to see in Your measure of beauty.

Thank you for loving me first.

Draw me close.

Hold me tight.

Show me You.

April 21st

2009-04-21T12:31:00.000-07:00

As I sit at my computer this morning I'm not entirely sure what to think. Today's my birthday--woop woop!-- and it's not the same as it was when I was 12. When I was younger, the whole month of April seemed to be filled overflowing with anticipation and everything else in life seemed to fade to grey as the day approached. I won't lie... I had countdowns when I was younger... 365 days...364 days...etc. Yup.. I was all about birthdays. This year though, as lame as I may sound, I had a different kind of anticipation a month before....more like anxiety! Seriously.... but, being the hypochondriac I am, I was sure I felt my back start going, wrinkles on my face suddenly appeared, and I lost the desire to stay up past 9pm. I feel old.... and I know everyone older than me is rolling their eyes at me and walking away, but IT'S TRUE!!!

No... it's not really THAT bad... I've just become conscious of how fast time flies and it makes me nervous thinking about how much I want to do and how much of an impact I want to make on my world.... if I think about it too much, it gets overwhelming and then the hypochondriac-monster kicks in. It feels kind of like the heater you left on in your last night blasting you the second you turn the ignition... on a hot day. "Baahhhh! Turn it off! Turn it off!"

At the same time, life at 23 has perks that life at 12 didn't have.....like getting roses and a love note left on my car from an amazing and incredibly good-looking boyfriend, driving my car to the gym to work out because I can, going with my best friend Cricket to get a manicure and pedicure because that's what we do, and working...for myself....on wedding pictures and portraits....what I love doing most. So I guess the lesson in the number 23 is learning perspective... and to never blink. Thanks be to God... <3

This shot is from Gwen and Dom's Engagement shoot I did in December... I just love this picture and I love this girl!... I feel so blessed to be able to share in the special events in my friends' lives with my camera....

Christopher's Birthday Dinner

2009-04-19T11:28:00.000-07:00

Usually on Saturday's, I either have one of two things going on.... nothing special... or a wedding. But yesterday was neither a "nothing special" Saturday, nor a wedding Saturday... it was Christopher's Birthday Dinner Saturday... which means I was busy ALL DAY doing stuff to make it the best birthday that boy's ever had. And I have to admit, I got a little carried away with colors and buttons and egg rolls... I'll explain.. don't worry.

I love special event dinners at home because it means tons of good food, fun people coming over, games, laughter, and... it means I get to decorate the table. I twittered earlier in the day about trying to find "man flowers" at the farmers' market... but I was unsuccessful so I went home, pulled out my art box, went to "Kate Land" for a while and this is what I emerged with. I was definitely proud of myself for coming up with something "man-enough", yet decorative enough to grace the table we would be sharing his special meal on. As you can see.. I was in a button-y mood.... I think I have Christina and Emily to account for the inspiration since I recently received their wedding invites laced with a button and twine...

Cuff-Link napkin holders.... hurrah!

Here's some shots of Christopher opening presents... he definitely had fun and got some pretty cool stuff from the friends that came... a poop book? Hmm... such a boy present.... thanks to Mr. Kory Kraning of K2 Fitness.
Christopher's meal of choice was Teriyaki Kabob's with rice, fruit salad, and Mom's famous Carrot Cake.... needless to say... we were STUFFED... Kory and Christopher were so full they both had a little food coma going on afterwards...
Even though he's one year older, I think he's definitely become a wiser, happier, and more godly YOUNG man...
Thanks to my family and our friends Kory, Andrew, and Hayley who made it happen! Stay tuned next Saturday for "Birthday Dinner Part 2- Kate turns another year older"...

Stop and Smell the... Ranunculus

2009-04-16T16:44:00.000-07:00

Last week I blogged about my ridiculous inability to stop, smell, and savor life's metaphorical roses sometimes. So I decided to do a little impromptu rose smelling to celebrate a semi-momentous occasion in my life. Today, a year ago, I spent 7 hours of my life chatting with a guy named Christopher.... but I knew him as "Phoenix" back then ;)

He asked for my number because he wanted to hear more about my life altering international excursion. He wanted to hear more and see pictures... and to ask questions like "what was the hardest thing about being a missionary?"... and "what was the most important thing God taught you on your trip?" He didn't want to date me. He was leaving on his own adventure to Venezuela and Honduras for missions and teaching... for two years. It made sense he didn't want to date and that he honestly just wanted to hear about my trip to prepare himself for his. It made sense. It did. And then we talked for 7 hours about who knows what... and then we hung out again when I helped him pick out a camera for his trip. Then we hung out again.... and again. Then I overhear him tell his friend at dinner that he cut his contract with the international school so he'd only be gone for one year. WHAT?! Then he cut his contract all together and moves to Orange County. WHAT?! And now... a year later... we're dating. And... I love the guy. Who knew? There's only one person I can honestly say knew before we did... Alyssa Issenberg aka "Soliel." She knew a whole year before we did.

So back to smelling the Roses... or Ranunculus... whatever. In commemoration of that fateful day, I surprised Christopher with a trip to the Flower Fields on our way down to San Diego for a shoot. We walked around, took a hay ride, learned the history of the flower fields, and smelled hundreds of beautiful flowers. Here's some of my favorite shots of the day... I got to whip out my macro... HOLLAAA!

We had a leisurely lunch at Rubios (for old time's sake), got some hot tea and coffee and walked through fields rich in color and poignant in memories. We talked about how good our God is, how far He's brought both of us, separately, in our journeys. We stood surrounded by colorful reminders of God's provision and thanked him for how much He's given us in such trying and stretching times in our lives. Twas a good day to smell the roses... it felt as if their fragrance wafted whispers of His smile. I could stay there all day everyday...

And now... a digi flip book yo!

John and Christina "Will You" Part 2

2009-04-14T12:57:00.000-07:00

I think beards are funny. It really depends on the person, but it's really a hit or miss idea. Some men (and sometimes women :( ) sport beards just because they can....and really shouldn't. But some men (not women) sport them because they actually add personality and maturity to their appearance in a good way. I've heard that it's a gift many men covet... a secret and silent acknowledgement of ultimate masculinity. Yet others still argue that it's an old world commodity to be retired along with mullets and white wigs. While they are itchy sometimes, I still think they're becoming.

If you recall, John and Christina asked me to shoot their engagement pictures in January....with the intention of shooting "Part 2" closer to their wedding day. The reason behind this random request was this whole beard business. Christina agrees with me... beards are nice... sometimes. For her, John's beard made his look more rugged...mature... True. Here's a shot from Part 1.

But she also really likes him with no beard... his face is less scratchy to kiss, he's a different kind of handsome, and his beardless face shows his youthful glow. I agree... John's quite the handsome young man both with a beard and without....so here's Part 2 "Adventures of the Beardless Future Kohlenbergs"...

For this shoot, John and Christina wanted more of a fun and carefree feel. They chose to take their shots in Ocean Beach, San Diego... on their home turf. We started a little before sunset and made our way around town having fun and taking some pretty sweet shots! Thanks ever so much to Christopher who was, yet again, an amazing 2nd shooter and lighting guy! :) (P.S. it's his birthday tomorrow...you all should show him some love!)

I love this shot (I know...another shoe shot) because their shoes are SO THEM! John's crazy casual off the wall retro style Vans.... and Christina's sweet and practical complimentary off-the-wall style lace up vans.... at the beach. Too good :)

This one just cracks me up...

The shoot wouldn't be complete without a healthy serving of their crazy-cool sweetly-romantic style of just being themselves in front of the camera...

I CANNOT wait to hang out with them and shoot their wedding on May 24th... Make sure to check out their wedding website and show them some love!

Spring Break Recap... Norcal Adventures

2009-04-09T19:19:00.000-07:00

As Christopher and I made our way through the rolling green pastures in the outskirts of Brentwood, I drowsily thought about my time with his family. And as I sat there sipping my coffee, a rather disconcerting thought came to me. I am not a patient person. Wonderful. As much as I try sometimes, I want to just "get there now" and "be a perfect person/photographer now." NOW. I sat there just thinking about how impatient I had been the whole week. I wanted to get to Brentwood sooner than the 6.5 hours it took to get there, I wanted to be comfortable with meeting new people faster than it happened, I wanted to get to San Francisco faster than the 1.5 hours it took to get there. I wanted to park right across the street from Pier 39 instead of walking 5 miles. And I wanted to get to the mall faster than the hour it took to get there. There's never been a "stop and smell the roses...for a while" part of me... it's been more like "stop and smell them as you take a picture of them." I guess, when it comes to life on this earth, I need to relax a bit more and actually enjoy the process of things instead of just getting there already.

Note to self: Stop and SMELL the flowers... not just take pictures of them.

Overall...Spring Break this year has been fun, relaxing (for the most part) and a much needed change of scenery. Meeting new people is never easy for me, but it's made easier when the people you're meeting are so wonderful. Brentwood definitely isn't home for me, but it has it's beauty and character that I wish parts of Orange County could have. Now it's back to work and back to the gym for me!

P.S. I'm craving some good soccer playin' time... anyone know of some pick up games in Orange County happening soon?

Spring Break: Day 5

2009-04-07T22:58:00.001-07:00

Today was a day centered on one person.... Christopher's younger sister Robyn. We took her on a shopping spree (where we randomly bumped into Traig Smith... haha!) and then spent the afternoon traipsing around Brentwood and the neighboring area shooting her Senior portraits. Big thanks to my lighting guy Christopher :)

I first met Robyn last year around this time at Disneyland when she came to visit. She greeted me with a big hug and her smile reached from ear to ear. And now, getting to spend more time with her and her family, I've seen that smile over and over and it never gets old. Not only is she just the cutest thing ever, but she's sweet, very smart, and just stoked on life. I love how much she loves her family and how loyal she is to her friends....such admirable traits for someone just coming out of high school! :) Here's some snapshots of the fun we had today....

I have to add.... when brainstorming ideas of places to shoot, Christopher suggested something with book since her favorite thing in the whole wide world is reading. And sure enough...as we pulled out to start shooting, we asked her if she had a book and she did! I love this picture because it totally captures her spunk :)
Thanks Robyn...and the entire Kernutt family for such a fun time with you guys! I'm positive that this is not the last you'll hear of this girl....

Peace for now...

Spring Break: Day 3 & 4

2009-04-06T23:32:00.000-07:00

Day 3:

Mr. Kernutt says to us "we're going to dinner to celebrate everyone's birthdays (Chris', Mrs. Kernutt's, and Mine) tonight so make sure you're dressed a little more fancy." We leave and none of us know where we're going... all we know is we're going to dinner and then dancing (?). So we show up to this place... and I'm stoked because I've never eaten here before.

We had an amazing dinner of prime cut filet steaks paired with a perfect merlot and... to top it all of each of the birthday kids got to choose a dessert compliments of Ruth's Chris. Yesss... this was one of the desserts after we all got done with it. This chocolate explosion cake definitely exploded...

Shot of us on our way to dinner....all prettied up :)

The family and me at dinner

Day 4:

Aaand today Christopher and I went on an adventure to San Francisco....and WE HAD SO MUCH FUN! The adventure started like all adventures begin... with conflict. Neither of us knew where to park or where anything was with all the tall buildings blocking our view. I mean... how is anyone supposed to navigate when you can't see anything? So we ended up parking by a museum and then decided to walk to Pier 39 for an "early lunch." As we walked, my internal compass red alerted me so I asked where exactly we were headed. Christopher thought he had some sort of direction and so he said "we'll just head down the street to the right" ....but all I saw ahead was a HUGE STEEP hill. We went with it and walked for, what seemed like, a mile into China town. My internal compass was red alerting along the way and finally I decided to check my Blackberry for some GPS help. LONG walk short...we ended up walking close to 4 miles before we found Pier 39. (long sigh...) This is us after we found our way and I had some coffee.... we liked each other again.

We finally stumbled across Boudin Sourdough Bakery on Pier 39.... my San Fran Mecca. And we ate our "early lunch" around 1pm....and it was SO GOOD! Probably the highlight of my day was the awesome Tomato Bisque Soup in a Sourdough bread bowl!

Yeah.... I dug in and it was REAL GOOD.

After lunch, we wandered around a bit more and headed down toward Ghirardelli Square to get some free samples! After a short trip to chocolate land, we stood in line for a ride back to the general vicinity of our car... on a famous cable car (since Christopher had never been on one).

Once on the cable car... we sighed as we rested our poor feet. And I sneaked peaks at Christopher taking in his first cable car experience.... he was a happy boy on that ride :). Just look at that contented face!

The last portion of our adventure included some shopping, dinner at CPK, and some night shooting of the city sights. Here's some of my favorite shots from the day of Christopher sunglasses shopping... he decided he needs to broaden his fashion horizons... and this is what he came up with :) I was entertained for sure!

And now... as I write and reflect on the day... I'm grateful to be under a roof with a full belly and with my feet elevated with Christopher dead asleep on the couch beside me. We saw so many homeless and hurting today... breaks my heart and leaves me feeling small again... but also reminds me of how blessed I am. Hearts breaking... seems to be a reoccurring theme this Spring Break. Thanks be entirely and fully to Him for all He does...I pray for courage to do my part.

Peace for now...

Spring Break in Norcal: Day 2

2009-04-05T22:54:00.001-07:00

Day 2 of Spring break entailed a leisurely breakfast at the Kernutt house...a HUGE dog sighting (ask Christopher to tell you that story....it's like his "big fish" story....the dog just keeps getting bigger and BIGGER) and then we stopped by his good buddy Robert Noel's house in Antioch. I haven't been able to spend much time with Robert, but in the few encounters I've had, it's been a blast and I can tell these two have been partners in crime for a LONG time. When Christopher first mentioned his friendship with Robert, he mentioned that his occupation was a Chocolatier.

(my thoughts) Sold. We're best friends.

And then the three of us got to have some good conversations about life and God... and chocolate and I've come to the conclusion that Robert is a top shelf friend and I'm stoked that Christopher's been blessed with such a solid guy in his life. Here's a cute one of them catching up on Robert's 1930's style porch...

Aaaand the three of us.... kind of blurry, but it get's the point across. We had fun.

When we first pulled into Robert's neighborhood... I'm not gonna lie... I thought to myself, "what is this successful YOUNG chocolatier doing living in this kind of neighborhood?" The place looked like downtown LA... just a very "rough" part of town. Then the three of us had some conversations that made me realize just how deep and amazing Robert's choice to live here is.

Yes, Christopher's friend Robert is a young and successful business man. He's extremely talented in marketing and is a colorful people person... the kind of person people just enjoy being around. But his heart is with the broken and the needy and that is why he chose to live in the rundown part of Antioch. So he could live in the midst of the people he's grown to love and with whom is heart goes out to. He has given much thought to how his life needs to be in line with the call to live and love as Christ teaches in the New Testament. He told us stories about kids he gets to hang with...about the hardships they go through with drugs and violence as an everyday thing. One story, in particular, broke my heart as he told us of this girl who has everything going for her except a family who gives a rip about her. This girl's mother told her she was going to give her up to foster care simply because she didn't like her. This girl has no money for food. No money for clothes. No money to wash the clothes she had on her back. She literally has nothing.

One might feel a bit overwhelmed by just one story like this...and yet there are SO MANY. There's so much hurt and pain and twisted things happening everywhere... makes you wonder what one person could actually do to make a change. Robert decided to buy a house in that neighborhood... Norcal's equivalent to skid row. He wants to dedicate his whole being into this program he calls C.O.C. .This youth ministry is a part of Golden Hills Community Church and is based in Antioch, California. They have small groups, serve meals, hang out times, they tutor the kids, and they offer a place for the inner city youth to have some "away" time with people who care about them.

Inspiring. Moving. Encouraging. I love meeting people like this because it reminds me of my purpose. I'm not just a wedding photographer...I'm a part of the body. Makes me really think about what I need to be doing to bring more of heaven to earth... about what my sacrifice needs to be. For some, sacrifice for His glory means giving up their lives entirely.... for others it means giving up the luxuries this world has blessed them with... and still, for others it may mean something entirely different. Keep trekking. Keep chasing after Him. And keep laying your life down for the sake of others...and you'll find it.

P.S. there are a ton of ways you can help C.O.C. out. Make sure to check out the facebook group:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=57599055674&ref=mf

Much more to come tomorrow...so stay tuned!

Peace for now...

Spring Break in Norcal: Day 1

2009-04-04T12:41:00.001-07:00

Christopher is an elementary teacher and he is STOKED that his job allows for a spring break. A while ago, he said he wanted to take me to the place he grew up in... Brentwood, CA... to show me around and to spend time with his family. So that's just what we're doing this week... and it's definitely been fun and restful so far.

We left my house around 12:30pm yesterday and headed north through LA and up through the grapevine. These are just some shots from Chris' camera documenting our trip and I thought I'd share some with ya'all.

As you can imagine....there was traffic up through LA till the start of the San Fernando Valley.... and knowing me... I was bored out of my mind. And of course... there's nothing more fun than taking pictures! Baha!

The absolute best part of the trip was the BEEEautiful wildflowers painting the hills yellow and purple! I told Chris it looked like someone spilled mustard all over the hills... he rolled his eyes as my rough analogy... but agreed it was beautiful.

The second we made it down the grapevine, we HAD to stop at a Starbucks...partly because I had enjoyed drinking a little too much iced tea and had to use the little girls' room...and partly because it's definitely an Akamine family tradition on roadtrips to stop at this Starbucks.

Aaaand this is totally unrelated, but I was snooping through Chris' pictures on his camera and found this one. I love it because of the color and the composition is totally cool! He said he was getting an oil change and decided to practice taking pictures... aw. Way to go Christopher! That's my guy... the photographer! Haha...

So Mom.... that's a recap of yesterday... today has been a good lazy Saturday, but I'll be back tomorrow with some fun and interesting updates of SPRING BREAK 2009!

Peace for Now...

Deep Thinking

2009-03-28T21:13:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been doing a lot of pondering and searching as I read my friend Dane Sander's book Fast Track Photographer. There's a lot I've been trying to conceptualize in regards to my identity as a photographer and as a disciple... definitely not "before bed" kind of reading for sure. I'm still in the process of putting words to it all...

So in the mean time here's a little bit of what my day looked like...

I took a break from editing and pondering to take part in a "Socal Shootout" with some old friends and some new ones from all over Southern California. We went out to Fullerton and hiked through some beautifully flowered hills to a not so beautiful graffitied concrete storm channel. And together with some super fun and gorgeous models, we juxtiposed (did I just make up a word?) the two to create some pretty cool and funky fresh images this afternoon...

This is, by far, my FAVORITE from today...I LOVE the colors and this girl's style! YUM!

Betsy Lackey's "What now World!?"

2009-03-25T11:09:00.000-07:00

I had just stepped off the plane in Dresden, Germany on my way to YWAM Herrnhut. I was scared out of my mind being in another country not knowing the slightest bit of German and not knowing which way was home. I stumbled upon a group of girls holding signs with my name on it....Paige, Carrie, and Stephanie. "Thank God!" I thought, suddenly a bit relieved I wouldn't have to find the train myself. Thus the "Betsy's" began.... Every other sentence from beautiful Paige was about this amazing girl named Betsy from Texas. "Betsy was suppose to meet us at the airport", but Betsy's flight got super delayed. "I wish Betsy was here." "Betsaaaaayyyyyyyy." Bah! Who was this Betsy person?! Then I met her.

Paige was definitely right to be Betsy's biggest fan....Betsy is totally worth being the subject of every other sentence! We were photographer newbies, then roomates, then Best Buds, then penpals...and we're perpetually competing with each other for the best photograph contest in our heads. But it's hard to compete with someone who just does what she loves and excels at it.... :) So I just try for the fun of it!

Betsy came a couple weeks ago to shoot Daniel and Heather's wedding with me and to stay for a week to catch up, take pictures together like old times, and to just be Best Buds again...in the same state. It was a BLAST to say the least and I wish she was still heeeeerrre (whiney voice). Towards the end of her stay, she asked me if I would be willing to shoot some shots for her blog and website. So here's beautiful Betsy...and if you're interested in booking her as your Wedding or Portrait Photographer...she's available and SO GOOD at what she loves!

Check it...

Look at those Blue Eyes! I'm jealous.... :)

One of Betsy's favorite things in the entire world are images with Sun Flare...so I obliged...

She's rockin' that Canon 40D!

Gorgeous Girl!

Aaaand then there's her sense of humor... Ha Ha

One thing she absolutely couldn't get enough of was all the orange trees. This one is my neighbor's...

We had a ton of fun and hopefully she got all of California packed into these images! :) Portrait sessions just because you can...are probably the coolest thing you could do in 2009! Because honestly...who doesn't want amazing images of themselves? We all have mom's and dad's and uncles and friends who have digital cameras...but there's just something about spending a couple hours feeling like a rockstar that you can't get with just anyone!

Many thanks to my bear...Betsy Lackey of That's Betsy Photography!

Daniel and Heather's "I Do"

2009-03-20T16:06:00.001-07:00

Twas a crisp and cool spring morning on March 14th as I left my house for Coffee Bean with Betsy Lackey. We arrived sharply at 8am with our Hazelnut Lattes and gear to a half sleepy Heather clutching her Starbucks, and bridesmaids cluttering the room getting beautified. Her dress was perfect, and her beautiful red hair curled perfectly into her Taylor Swift updo. Heather was a stunning bride...that's all there was to it. Jack Ratana and Christopher came a little later to hang with the boys as they got all handsomed up for the big day.

There's so much I could say about Daniel and Heather, about the significance of their big day in their own lives...their families' lives....their students' lives, even about the significance of this wedding in my life. But for the sake of your eyes and your time, I'll keep it as brief as I possibly can.

I've known Daniel for as long as I can remember. He's been around and in my life through hard times and great ones...and through many peaks and valleys in my faith in God. He's been a pillar and a compass for my faith at times, and he has been one of my biggest supporters. I got to know Heather when Daniel moved from Irvine Presbyterian Church to Presbyterian Church of the Covenant years ago. Together they've led the Junior High and High School groups through the years as coworkers and friends, and now, finally they will be leading as husband and wife.

The thing that stands out in their relationship is their deep desire to put their relationships with the Lord above all else. They found meaning and importance in "loving the Jesus" in the other person because they know that He is the one who inspires their love for each other. Their wedding day was nothing short of a celebration centered on Him. They celebrated who they are, they celebrated their choice and commitment to love each other forever, and they celebrated the God who is the master of all the beauty and love they see in each other. Everyone who came had the opportunity to encounter Him in the laughter, the tears, and the just plain fun that followed Daniel and Heather everywhere they went.

Not only was the wedding SWEET, but I had THE BEST team that day. First, my super beautiful and talented YWAM friend Betsy Lackey came all the way from Lubbock, Texas to shoot with me and spend the week. Second, my super duper OC photographer friend Jack Ratana came out to help me as well! We've been shooting weddings together for a little while and I'm always amazed (and often jealous) at his AMAZING eye. Last, but not least, Christopher came and was the BEST assistant anyone could ask for! Not only was he backup king, but he was thoughtful and helpful and positive all day long...and even picked up a camera to shoot a bit at the reception! These three were my super heroes on Saturday and I definitely couldn't have done everything we did without them!

So...without further adieu... the slideshow (sidenote: I apologize for the fast pace of the show...I went from 250 images I LOVED to 120 because of time constraints in the song...even though I should have just stuck to like 50.....there are a ton of images that were outstanding....I couldn't choose.... :( So don't have any seizures from the images racing....and enjoy just a brief feel for Daniel and Heather's Wedding Day)

Dogs

2009-03-10T12:10:00.000-07:00

I've recently been on a house sitting adventure with Maggie and Reggie. Maggie's a "who know's what" and Reggie's a Dachshund ... and I've definitely learned how much they are creatures of habit (including the morning ritual of wanting to use the doggy restroom..aka outside at 6:30am sharp.) and are much more needy than Figero. So...needless to say I've been there without Mr. Internet and not here working as I should be.

This week, however, I'm STOKED because Thursday, Betsy's coming to town for a week to shoot Daniel and Heather's Wedding on Saturday. Aaand... not only is Betsy shooting with me, but she's joining my team of Jack Ratana and Christopher Kernutt to rock this wedding! Daniel and Heather are gonna have an entourage for sure! Can't wait to keep you posted!

The Latest Breaking News (Part 2)

2009-02-27T15:30:00.000-08:00

So a couple weeks ago, I mentioned that yours truly would be featured on the City of Irvine TV News....and finally I'm on! It's been a couple days and I'm currently trying to figure out how to blog the actual video clip.... but I'm not as tech-saavy as I'd like.

I kind of see this whole experience as being a "God thing"...I've had very few television adventures in my life and it just seems too random and awesome to not be from Him. And all the glory definitely goes to Him... and not me. So without further adieu...

Here it is.

Make sure you check it out! It's only on the City of Irvine site for a limited amount of time so share this will all your friends and family! Heck yes!

Day Trippin' to the Salton Sea

2009-02-14T13:47:00.001-08:00

When life gets crazy and "the biz" starts wearing on you...sometimes you just have to get away and shoot the "anythings" and "different-things" to feed your creativity engines again. This is exactly what I got to do with some new friends from [b]school last week. I was definitely feeling the fine art bug that day at the Salton Sea, so most of my images are not of people, but of lines and color...here's some shots from the day...

This place was "emo kid paradise" ... an abandoned night club right on the smelly dirty Salton Sea...

I was super surprised to find this bit of vandalistic art inside the night club...my first reaction was "well this is ironic"....but later I found out that the "Mamen" I was thinking of is actually spelled "Mammon". Mammon was the old testament pagan god of money...so I thought it was interesting how someone had taken such time to write "F*** you Mamen" on a wall of an abandoned nightclub that was trashed...

I was really feeling an Ansel Adams-ish style that day... probably because I miss my exploratory photography buddy Jonathan Lau.

One of the cool people I got to hang with that day was John Mireles. He's not only a fun guy but he's so helpful! He had an engagement shoot that day at the sea, but he totally let people observe and shoot with him.....so cool! For all you photographers, he's developed this really cool shooting tool called a Look Book! And he's totally using his own product here...haha

This is the beautiful couple John was shooting that day...and they were gracious enough to pose some for me as well! Thanks so much you guys!

The sunset was gorgeous...an amazing end to a very insightful and fun day!

Here's a shout out to all you amazing photographers I got to meet and hang with all day! Jack Ratana, Hannsie Trainor, Joe Photo, Becker, John Mireles, and Shauna Couri ...You guys are so talented, I'm honored I had the chance to hang with you! Until next [b] school day trip...

Happy Valentines Day!

2009-02-14T10:50:00.000-08:00

Valentines Day has always been more of a family day in my house...my parents, Melissa, and I always get each other cards and we make cookies and give gifts...all for the sake of showing each other how much we love each other. I love Valentines Day...I always have...even though a "special someone" hasn't always been a part of my life. But this year, I do have a "special someone" and I was surprised when he brought me four of my favorite things last night (Friday the 13th...not Valentines Day). Originally he wasn't supposed to be around this weekend because he's Junior Winter Camp staff at Forest Home. But circumstances and weather forced him to head back home last night...and he was stoked he could actually do "special someone" things for me after all (poor guy was feeling like a horrible person for not being around on the day o' love). Needless to say, I felt loved and I enjoyed our impromptu "day before Valentines Day" celebration. Here's a little sample of his surprise....the four things I love...

1. POM Pomegranate Peach White Tea

2. Brilliantly colored Gerber Daisies

3. Pinkberry with Strawberries, Pineapple, and Granola

4. And Him! :)

So Happy Valentines Day everyone! I hope you all get to celebrate the love you have in your life, even if it's not the romantic kind!

"Love, Actually is....All Around" - Love, Actually

Jean-Luc and Jacqueline Lajoie's "I Do"

2009-02-12T15:44:00.000-08:00

I love shooting for other photographers just as much as I enjoy shooting my own weddings...and I especially love shooting with Jack Ratana! The day began later in the afternoon so we made the long and, periodically rainy, trek down to Misson Bay, San Diego to shoot Jean-Luc and Jacque's wedding. Before we got there, Jack gave me the 411 on the Lajoie's and he began with saying "this should be a fun wedding..." and it definitely was fun! Jean-Luc and Jacque are so lucky to have the family and friends they do....and it was the coolest thing to see how highly they valued relationship with those friends and family.

The ceremony was intimate and touching...and I found myself misty-eyed behind the lens as some of the most heart-felt things were said about the Lajoie's, to each other, and to the people gathered to celebrate with them....here's just a taste of the day...

Aren't these Shoes beautiful?!!!! Loved them!

This is probably my favorite shot from the day...I love how Jack's flash illuminated her veil! And I love the passion in this first kiss! Sigh....

By far, the most touching thing in the ceremony was how Jean-Luc not only wrote vows to Jacque, but he also wrote vows to her handsome little boy Tyler. After Jean and Jacque said their vows to each other and exchanged rings, he knelt down and called Tyler up to where they were on stage. He proceeded to tell Tyler how much he loves him and what he vows to do and be as Tyler's new dad...and then he put a ring on Tyler's finger too! This was such a beautiful picture of a Godly marriage and I was truly touched at the display of dedication to Jean's new wife and son.... AMAZING.

The ceremony was laced with the sounds of a familiar voice and it added just the right touch to the ceremony... I could feel the presence of God in that church. And as everyone worshipped with the music, Jack and I got to worship with our cameras :)

And yes...that IS who you think it is...Jeremy Camp. He happens to be the groom's best friend.

Such a beautiful bride! :)

Many thanks to the Dana, on Mission Bay in San Diego, for the beautiful reception!

After Jean and Jacque's first dance, they had another first dance with all three of them...another beautiful addition to the traditional ceremony and reception.

I know I mention it every time I shoot a wedding, but I really truly love being a wedding photographer... and I'm honored when clients choose me, because I get to share such a profound and beautiful celebration of love. So thanks Jack, Jean-Luc, and Jacque for allowing me a glimpse of heaven on your wedding day! Congradulations!

The Latest Breaking News

2009-02-05T15:34:00.000-08:00

So a couple weeks ago this guy named Ernie Castelo (an It's A Grind "everyday-er") comes up to me while he pours his steaming hot coffee at the counter... "So I was wondering if you would be interested in letting me do a story on your business."

Floored.

Me: "Sure...what does that mean exactly?"

Ernie: "Well, it would require a live interview...I'd ask you some questions about your business and how you started....and I'd like to get some of your best shots and some footage of you actually shooting a couple."

Floored.

Me: (stuttering) "That sounds amazing! Let's do it!"

Ernie: "Okay I'll email you with details later today. I'd like to get this done in the next couple weeks." He walks back to his computer.

So...that's how the initial conversation went and at that point...I didn't know what to do with myself. I was standing behind the counter with nothing left to do, but worry about hair and makeup and working out and clothes and what I would say.... all the things I don't think about unless I'M GOING TO BE ON TV.

I'm still not sure of the exact details for all of you who read this in different countries or in different states, but the segment will be on ICTV-30 (the City of Irvine Channel... channel 30) on Wednesday, February 18th at 7pm PST. It will be airing everyday for a little over 2 weeks and after it airs on the 18th, it will be available online. So once it's all up and running, i'll post the link so all of you not in Irvine can see it too!

I'm super excited, but also super nervous because I'm not sure how I look or what I sound like...and frankly...I don't really remember what I said... :-/ So we'll see what happens...haha.

Here's some shots from the day... just some fun ones for Daniel and Heather to keep even though we already took some stellar ones at Angel Stadium in October...make sure you check them out!

John and Christina "Will You" Part 1

2009-01-31T19:56:00.000-08:00

I was sitting in the loft above the Creekside Dining Hall at Forest Home Junior Winter Camp. It was Saturday night and we had just finished a full day of craziness with 4th-6th graders. Christopher (camp alias: Phoenix) and I (camp alias: Bam Bam) were sprawled across the couches contemplating foregoing hang out time for bed when Christina (camp alias: Sky) comes in and proceeds to tell me... "So John and I were exploring today during free time and we found this really cool looking run down carnival truck...and I was thinking it might be fun to take some pictures there...is that okay?" Blinking away the sleepiness and trying to manage my spastic excitement about old carnival trucks tucked away in the mountains....I managed a "Sure!" Probably a less enthusiastic response for how excited I actually was.... and that was how we decided to take pictures at the old abandoned carnival truck...who knew Forest Home was hiding such a genius photographic shooting location? I didn't.

If you didn't catch the images from the EPIC Stealth Shoot I did of John's proposal in November, make sure you check it out!

Now before we get to my favorite shots of the day...I have to warn you...John and Christina are some of the most beautiful people I know (ahem...and handsome...) and they're truly electric together. I can't emphasize the importance of "being into your fiance" in engagement shots enough...it definitely makes the shots SO much better when I get to capture LOVE through my lens! So...with that said...I couldn't just pick a couple good ones. They're all SOOO GOOD! So I apologize in advance for the amount of images I had to blog this time around... I hope you'll forgive me....and I hope your mouse doesn't cramp as you scroll and scroll and scrooolll.

The entire weekend, it rained off and on...was warm...then cold....then sunny....then cloudy. And it didn't let up for the shoot...so I had to constantly adjust my metering and we bounced around different places trying to make the most of the weather and the lighting. We began taking pictures by the truck when suddenly the overcast sky lit up with sunbeams that illuminated the clouds that lingered at about 1500 ft. So being the young and agile people we are ;) we ran to the edge of the cliff and they climbed the mountain of half cut timber for these shots...and they are "SO HOT!" (Christopher's new favorite one-liner)

This is my absolute favorite shot of the day! Blue skies chased by dark clouds... leftover snow packed in the mountains for a background... beautiful lighting... and these two love birds :) (happy sigh...with birds twittering in the background)

For some reason... Vogue seemed to be my inspiration for a lot of these shots by the Truck...

Classic John face...

This happens to be my second favorite picture... aren't they amazing together?

This makes me want to jump up and down... I love it so much. That truck was a great idea huh?! I dig...

For this picture, I told them to give me their best "we're getting married" face...and this is what happened... I almost fell off the rock I was standing on I was laughing so hard...

And naturally adventure finds us when I hang out with these two... the mystery of why Moose and Filly would be chopping wood way up past the Noble's house and leave this sign for all the people who needed to bother them while they cut wood... way up in the middle of nowhere... it's a mystery...

We left the mountain and headed down to Redlands where we had more adventures. This is one of my favorites from the Orchard we walked through...

And for those of you who know Yucaipa, CA well... there's this house on highway 38 with a huge Paul Bunyan statue (among other things) in the front yard and all around the house. John decided he wanted some engagement pictures at the house. I didn't put the majority of them on my blog, but look for them on my Facebook. Love this shot of them looking over the fence into the yard...

I'd like to end with this shot. We all have grown to love John Kohlenberg and his beard... but this awesome woodsman shot marks the end of the "Beard Engagement Shots."

And just to clarify, I labeled this post "John and Christina 'will you' Part 1" because this is only part one of their Engagement Shoot. They wanted to have shots in several different locations, but our schedules only allowed shorter spans of time... so sometime in march, we will continue with their "No Beard Engagement Shots." Stay tuned...

Just a Teaser

2009-01-25T23:15:00.000-08:00

John. Christina. Love. Colors. Beauty. Mountains. Clouds. Snow. Old truck. Random.

Love it.

Today I shot an amazing engagement shoot (part one of a series...) in Forest Falls and Redlands. These two amazing people were SO fun to shoot and Christopher and I had a blast hanging out with them! It's been a long weekend and a long day so I'm going to be working on the rest of "John & Christina...the Future Mr. and Mrs. Kohlenberg...Part 1" later....buuuut I wanted to show off a few favorites to keep you coming back for more later ;) Enjoy!

Tides Turning

2009-01-20T21:23:00.001-08:00

I've been feeling it build for the past two weeks. I journaled about it. I talked with Christopher about it. The tide's been building and I haven't been able to put my finger on it until now. Tonight It's a Grind in Irvine closed. I've felt like my time at It's a Grind was coming to a close, but I couldn't figure out whether I was supposed to quit or whether I was just being dumb and resenting the daily ritual of cleaning windows and waiting around for someone to order something. I didn't want to quit because I love the owners and I liked working there...plus I really needed a steady flow of money. But I still felt like my time was coming to an end. My feelings and journalings and my gut were all right...and it's such a wierd feeling knowing it's over. I have to say...it's a terrifying place in the water after being drop-kicked off the boat ( I hope you all get the Peter reference here...). But in my head, I know He's good. He'll help me figure out the meaning behind no steady money flow and He'll be here every step of the way...even still... thoughts and prayers would be greatly appreciated.

So for now, I guess all I have to do is pray, learn, and prepare for the fun engagement session I have planned for Sunday. Talk with you all soon friends...

Showit Sites Contest

2009-01-17T20:02:00.000-08:00

Towards the end of 2008, I grew tired of having so many things half finished with my business. It seemed like I was pulling everything slowly together over the months, but it was always so awkward telling people "I have a website...but it's not done yet", or "I'm a wedding and portrait photographer...but I'm still starting out".... just not the best marketing. That's why I set a goal for myself... to have my website completely done by Dec. 31st 2008... so I could bring in the new year with a fully functional site and portfolio people could actually visit and get a sense of me and my work in. A couple weeks after I had set that deadline, I received an email from David Jay with Showit Sites about their 2008 Site of the Year contest! I was STOKED and worked even harder with the 1st place prize in the forefront of my mind. And since January 1st, I've been obsessively checking the site hoping they had chosen the finalists....FINALLY thursday they began the voting process on Open Source Photo. (Side Note: Some of you complain about how much I Twitter...but it was through Twitter that I found out they had begun the voting process! So Ha!) I began to tweet out to all those who follow me to vote for my site until I realized I had no idea if I was a finalist (kind of arrogant of you Kate...I know... :-/ ) So I went on the site and BOOYAH! I'm a finalist! So now, all the members of the online community Open Source Photo will be voting until next Thursday when they tally the votes and come out with the results. Apparently there were about 50 entries and they narrowed it to 30...not too shabby! As I was looking at the sites though, I was put back in my bowl of humbled-sauce because not only were the other sites AM-azing, but there were so many that were VERY good. So I probably won't win, but I was so excited that I made the consolations the first time around :). But hey...it's nothing prayer and an Almighty God can't make happen right? ;)

Check it out!

December

2009-01-11T16:21:00.000-08:00

Today I finished reading "Jesus Wants to Save Christians" by Rob Bell and Don Golden. I'm a huge fan of Rob Bell's writing style and what he has to say about Christianity and relevant spiritual issues...so it was really a no brainer I wanted to read this one. Okay...funny story (well not really funny...but...anyways...) I got this book for Christopher for Christmas...and as I was previewing it (to make sure he'd like it), I got hooked and ended up reading 95% of it. I know...I'm a horrible person for giving a book I read first. But as it turns out, he was stoked I had chosen to read it first because more than anything he LOVES to talk about books. But that's a sidenote. Back on topic... I found it extremely interesting that they began the book by talking about Genesis and how things got to be the way they are today in the world, in the sense that America is somewhat of a modern day Egypt. I won't ruin the book for you because you all should read it, but it was strikingly similar to how Daniel Quinn, author of "Ishmael", depicted how the world came to be the way it is today. How the Egypt that oppressed the Israelites can be paralleled to Babylon... and Rome... and America. I won't spoil it, but it was probably one of the better books I've read recently...and Christopher would agree with me.

This past weekend has been pretty much awesome. Even though I had to work everyday of it, I got SO MUCH DONE! I don't know about anyone else, but I LOVE checking things off my checklist.... I pretty much make lists for everything... just because I like checking them off when I finish them. I'm a nerd. What's new? A.D.D. ...sorry. Yes, I got a lot done this weekend and even got in 8 miles in the in-between times. One of the items on my to-do list has been to back up every single image I've taken in the past couple years and catalog them in my brand spankin' new external hard drive WOO HOO!!! It's so cool! And as I was going through the images, I remembered the random good moments I had behind my lens last month. December wasn't too busy with weddings and engagements so I had the chance to shoot more for fun than anything else. Here's my favorite moments from December...

I got this hat from GAP and I absolutely love it. But my family makes fun of me... they call it my "Pattington Bear Hat" after the cute cartoon bear who wears a RAIN COAT AND RAIN HAT...NOT my cute GAP hat that makes me look British and artsy :)

My mom is obsessed with Nutcrackers. We have an army of them lining the stairs during the holidays.... it's a bit ridiculous. (But... the cats love scaring themselves silly by knocking the top one over so they domino down the stairs making a big racket.... my mom get's so mad... it's funny!) So my sister Melissa and I decided to get her one from Germany... the home of all Nutcrackers :) I contacted my YWAM friend Jasmin Alber in Nurenberg and she went Nutcracker shopping at the famous Christmas Market there. She emailed me several times saying "we met many nutcracker" and she finally found us the perfect one. So then I sent her Euros and she sent the perfect Nutcracker. As you can see... my mom was a happy lady Christmas morning! Thanks Jasmin!

I love Christmas Colors... one of my favorite smells of Christmas is the scent of pine in the living room :)

I am lucky enough to live in southern California where it's somewhat tropical, but not really. I am also lucky enough to have family from Hawaii... who love to grow plants from Hawaii to make it feel more tropical. This is our Plumeria plant in our backyard and I was quite amused that it's in bloom in December... it still is in bloom...

We had some incredible rains in the beginning of December and I loved every second of it. One of my favorite things in the world is to fall asleep to the sound of rain outside while I'm warm in my bed... so comforting!

After the rains came beautiful clean blue skies! The clouds were beautiful.... loved it!

A week before Christmas, Christopher led worship at Irvine Presbyterian Church at their contemporary service called Veritas. The guys in the band were solid and it was so cool to see Christopher explore a new avenue... one in which he gets paid to do what he's gifted in and loves... making music to the King! If you get a chance, come check Veritas out at 7pm on Sunday evenings! Christopher and the band will be leading worship.... don't miss it! :) I'll be there for sure.

Not only does December mean Christmas time, but it means birthday time. Both my mom and dad's birthdays fall in December... in fact, they're a week apart! (How cute) This was my dad's awesome birthday cake... my mom makes the BEST carrot cake in the entire world... no joke. I'd bet my Figero's life on it ;)

As I continue to run into past photos that are particularly special to me...I'll keep 'em coming in between weddings and other photo gigs. Yeehaw!

I guess it's that time

2009-01-08T21:07:00.001-08:00

So I have to say....one of the first thoughts I had this year has been "holy guacamole...EVERYONE is getting married!" I guess I'm in that span of life when every other month a friend of mine get's married and...it's definitely a sobering thing to think about. We're no longer "post-high schoolers" and we're no longer "college students"...we're young adults. ....SCARY! I'm not wishing I was married....in fact, thinking about getting married at this point in life stresses me out a little bit...I still feel like it's the first year after I graduated high school. I still feel super young....yes... 22 is young in the bigger picture of things....but it's so wierd to think about people my age and younger getting married! Okay...that was just a little vent of thoughts I've had recently. Aside from the momentary lapse of freaking out...I get so excited about my friends finally experiencing what they've dreamed about their whole lives. When I was shooting John and Christina's Stealth Shoot in November, I could barely hold back the tears enough to see sharply through the view finder ( I did, mind you...the pictures turned out great!). I LOVE that love has found these important people's lives and it boggles my mind thinking that one day, it might find me in the forever kind of way it's found them. :) On that note, here's a couple other shots from Dom & Gwen's engagement shoot that I really liked... just thought I'd share them with ya'all.

P.S. I'm still quite open for bookings in 2009 so if you're looking for a wedding or portrait photographer, please holla at your girl! And if you haven't checked out my website, please do! It's been live since new years eve 2008! Wooo! That's so cool to finally say...okay..I'm a nerd. Bed for me....website for you!

Peace for Now

[Insert some phrase that does justice to what I feel]

2009-01-06T22:18:00.000-08:00

Tonight I caught up with two friends I hadn't talked to or seen in a long time and it was SO GOOD. The first of the two conversations I had was with a friend from Forest Home named Emily. Emily just got engaged to such a cool guy named Braden and the two of them are so ridiculously good-looking...it makes you want to throw up a little bit (in a good way of course :) ) and their story is so beautiful! I hadn't had the chance to catch up on life with her since, well....before I left the country in Fall of 2007. So much has changed since then in both of our lives....and I cannot even begin to describe how much I miss her and love her and how excited I am to know she's engaged to the love of her life! Braden and Emily will be married June 6th!! Dahhhhhh! My smile is making my face hurt! The thing that was such a blessing in our conversation tonight was the topic of redemption in our hearts. I think, sometimes, the term "redemption" in Christian jargon gets lost in the translation to our everyday lives. We hear it, we may believe it's true, and yet we have no sense of what it means in our own lives. Sometimes I get the chance to hear amazing testimonies from ex-drug dealors who almost died a million times in gang fights/drugs and alcohol and how they found Jesus...how He redeemed their lives and how they now live for Him in their "rough around the edges" leather jacket and studs kind of way....from those "other people" stories, I get somewhat of a sense of the definition and meaning of the word, but still it gets lost on its way from my head to my heart. She brought up how our hearts can be redeemed from past hurts and bad experiences and it was so cool to learn from her and bounce ideas and thoughts on the subject together...I miss those conversations.

The second conversation I had tonight was with Laurie....a lifelong friend who happens to be a smarty-pants studying Early Childhood Development/Psychology at Georgetown in DC. She's home for the holidays and leaving later this week. It was sooooo good to catch up on life with her as well. And again, the topic of redemption in relationships was brought up. I'm beginning to realize it doesn't take an ENTIRE life alteration for me to experience redemption first hand...I'm learning more and more that redemption could take place in friendship and in romantic relationships. I guess we read over and over in the Bible of how God redeems his love relationship with the Israelites and how it's just a bigger picture of what our relationship with Him is like. It's neat to see it fleshed out in my life and I have to say, I love it when knowledge of who God is makes the journey from my head to my heart. I love it when I can honestly tell someone why I believe what I believe and examples of it in my life....so my words "Jesus Loves You" aren't just words, and my orthopraxy can actually be....practiced.

You all might be wondering/thinking..."that's kind of a deep conversation to be having with yourself on the internet Kate." And, indeed it is. But this is just another facet of what I love to capture with my camera. I love to capture stories, and the story of redemption is something that resonates with every single one of us, whether we understand what has been redeemed or not. This is something I've found resonates with me when I think of the word "redeemed" and I'm still in the process of finding more areas where I've been redeemed, going through the process of redemption, or need redemption in. I love it when couples can tell me how they've found the meaning of Christ's redemption in their lives through relationship with each other. I'm always brought to tears when I hear a woman tell me their husbands are the hope they searched for their whole lives. And I'm moved when I hear a man tell me he's marrying the most beautiful woman he's ever met, that she completes him fully, and that she's helped teach him to be the man God created him to be. I love stories of completion and redemption. Brings a smile to your face eh? It sure makes me smile! My face is still hurting! Love you both so much and you've been such a blessing in my life!

2008 in Retrospect

2009-01-01T11:28:00.000-08:00

So I realize it's now a couple days after the new year, but I just came back from a wonderful family vacation to Breckenridge Colorado! We did some serious boarding and skiing and had a very relaxing time bringing in the new year at 11,000 ft.

This past year has been one full of change...for those of you who received my Christmas card, you read a little about, and for those who haven't...here's just a little taste:

Merry Christmas and Happy 2009!

My goodness 2008 has flown by and I feel like so much has changed! Normally I don't write an "update" letter during the holidays, but I feel like a horrible friend for not keeping more of you updated with all of life's happenings. So here's my attempt at catching you up and I hope you all will forgive me for not keeping better correspondence these past 6 months.

I'm currently sitting in my pajamas at the dining room table with a cup of homemade mocha and my computer, listening to the steady sound of rain pattering outside and the Weepies singing sweetly in the background. Christmas decorations garnish the house and the living room smells slightly of pine and cranberry candles....Christmas is upon us...and probably already passed by the time you get this letter. December has been a month of reflection and uncomfortable nostalgia for last Christmas when I spent the holidays with the Boettinger family in Ulm, Germany. I think it's ridiculous how every time I hear the song "I'll be home for Christmas" I immediately get homesick...because I'm home this year....my family's near. In over-thinking this curious homesick feeling I've come to the conclusion that home is not a place for me...home is in people. Let me explain...

The beginning of 2008 was brought in at the top of a hill in a pasture...in the smallest town in East Germany called Herrnhut. I found myself a Californi-American popsicle standing with a bouncy Texan, and an artsy Chinese guy from Hong Kong listening to all of Herrnhut and the neighboring "Willages" (Germans pronounce "V" as a "W"...haha) explode with fireworks and cheers laced with German phrases we didn't understand but repeated to blend in anyways. From there, I traveled through the south of Germany to Frankfurt where a team of 9 others and I left on a plane to Thailand...stopping in Sri Lanka for a layover. I feel like I was catapulted through January, February, and March because so much happened. In Thailand we went from Bangkok to the north in Chiang Mai, and spent 7 weeks there helping out City Gate Church and traveling through some of the Hills tribes in the jungles, then traveled to Pattaya in the south and worked with prostitutes for two weeks before heading to Ko Samet (probably the most beautiful Island I've ever been to in my whole life) for a week...then back to Germany. Whew! Needless to say...I slept 14 hours a night for a week after that whole adventure. It completely blows my mind thinking back on all the places I went and all the crazy things I experienced in three months...and it's one of those things that point directly at the presence of God in my life...because I know for sure I would have never done any of it without Him taking me. The craziest thing is how my home became people from every continent (except Antarctica...although I wouldn't mind being friends with a penguin :) ). So this year...I'm feeling a bit homesick for international buddies who are in crazy places like Texas, North Carolina, Washington State, Germany, France, Hong Kong, Africa, and Canada. But my year didn't stop there...in fact, it only started the snowball rolling, gathering dreams and plans and excitement on the way.

I got home in the beginning of April and spent some much needed time with family and friends. But all the while, I was praying about what to do next...go back to Whitworth? Work at the pool again? What about photography? And all I heard on God's end was "wait." Naturally that went over well with my overachieving and obsessive compulsively planning self..."wait"....for what exactly? Well, I waited from April till the end of May. And in that period of waiting, a new development in the romance department sprung out of nowhere. Christopher and I actually JUST met for coffee because he wanted to hear about my YWAM experience before he took off in June for his two year long excursion to Venezuela and Honduras....and we ended up talking for 7 hours. (Wonderful God....way to just show up out of nowhere.) We spent all of April and May JUST hanging out... and being freaked out that it felt like God had put us in each other's lives for specific reasons....reasons we didn't understand or care to understand because we both had PLANS. Then we gave in. And we kept giving in because...well...we had both separately made pacts to make room for Jesus in our lives...and the room that we had both made seemed to be the perfect size and shape for each other. What the HECK God?! So we threw our plans out the window, and, as scared as we were, we started taking steps down the same path...together...and it's been crazy as God has opened our eyes periodically to the "reasons" He put us together...a beautiful thing to witness together. It's been 7 months now and we both agree that we have a bone to pick with God when we get to Heaven for stomping on our plans.... But...Christopher has probably been the most awakening thing that's happened to me since coffee...I hope you all get to meet him someday.

That period of "waiting" also brought about the decision to work as a barista (since it's on my "things to do before I die" list) at It's a Grind Coffeehouse in Irvine. It was a bit of a tough decision since they don't pay incredible amounts of money, but it's been a good one. I've been working there since the middle of June and my work schedule has allowed me time to develop my BUSINESS!!! That's right...I am the proud owner of my own Wedding and Portrait photography business. I'm still currently building it and taking care of the business aspects like taxes and licenses and such, but I'm on my way. Working at It's a Grind has also allowed me time to take two classes at the local junior college, and time to build my website. So although paychecks are kind of anti-climactic... it's allowed me very valuable time to develop other parts of life.

And finally...the biggest development of 2008....starting my photography business. For those of you who knew me pre-YWAM, I was a biology major at Whitworth University and I was on my way to studying medicine and possibly becoming the world's greatest surgeon...just kidding. But seriously...I had been planning on going to medical school since the first year I was in college, I had my EMT certification, I was going to work in the health center at Whitworth as a nurse's aid and I was preparing to take Organic Chemistry and Genetics and Physics. Even though science still fascinates me, I've found something in photography that makes me feel alive and used. Even more than I've loved science, I've loved weddings longer and more passionately. My best friends and Christopher can back me up when I say I'm obsessed with weddings and love... "Barnes and Noble" means Wedding magazines! So...in the waiting period of April and May, God continued to speak to my heart about weddings and how they should be connected to photography. I was terrified and fought it because I always thought being a wedding photographer was out of the question. I didn't want to step out into a field I knew nothing about because...well...there are a million wedding photographers in Orange County alone...and I knew absolutely nothing about it...except that I loved it. And, sure enough...God held fast to His habit of giving me a little kick in the pants and I stepped off the boat into the storm with only the faith that He'd provide almost $8000 in equipment and programs, and clients, and that He'd give me the talent and experience I needed. Sure enough, the beginning of July I connected with a wedding planner who was in need of a photographer for two weddings later in the summer and she hired me. In the same summer, my dad decided to buy the new Nikon D300 and some lenses for himself and for me to use in addition to my own camera. So I found myself at my first wedding with two great cameras, more than enough lenses, memory cards, an external hard drive, and a web domain name with my name on it. (www.katenoelle.com) It was fascinating to see the gigs multiply exponentially as the months went on and totally humbling because I knew it was God. It couldn't have been anything or anyone else's doing...and with Him giving me everything I needed, I was defying the impossible. At the end of August, I found myself with a brand spankin' new computer in a photoshop class. And in the middle of September, I found myself with two new powerhouse editing programs....the best of the best.....Adobe Photoshop CS3 and Lightroom 2 (although CS4 came out a month later). Also, I acquired membership to a website designing and hosting program and I've been designing my site slowly since then. All I can say looking back is Holy Guacamole God is GOOD! I prayed and prayed " God, if this is you pushing me to start my wedding photography business, you're going to have to provide all I need to do it to the best of my ability. So I'm trusting you to come through." And He has and continues to! Here's a a quick look at his multiplication:

From May to December 08, He's provided one stealth shoot (proposal), three portrait sessions, one event shoot, five engagement shoots, and four wedding shoots. And He's begun to provide for next year as well with an engagement session and four weddings already in the books. I even get to fly to North Carolina for one of them! God is GOOD!

So, this is the brief version of life recently....HA! Again, I apologize for not keeping up correspondence the past couple months, but I hope this letter finds you all just as busy and just as excited about God moving through you. Even though I just gave you a lot of information about all the exciting things that have been happening, the good has been outweighed sometimes with HARD things. My first wedding was a nightmare that almost caused me to give it up and hide forever. There has been more heartache and more difficulties than I would care to think about but it's just made everything else much sweeter. Like salt is bitter and...salty...on it's own...so are some things we go through. But salt added to good food....makes it that much better in the end.

So friends and family, keep trekking through the salty times (especially with so many of us dealing with economic issues) and find those people in your life that can help you find the good parts of life and share them with you. Those friends are the ones you just might find yourself homesick for during the holidays...but it's a good kind of homesick...it will end one day when we'll all be together in our new house with the BEST of friends there to share it with us...THANK YOU JESUS!

Peace for now,

Kate

And now that I'm embarking on a new leg of my journey in 2009, I wanted to share a little taste of my year last year...the places I went, the people I saw, the new friends I made, and the shoots I enjoyed best. Thank you for being a part of my life this past year, blog readers, and I hope to continue another amazing year in blog world with you by my side!

So without further Adieu...

Brief Update

2008-12-29T20:06:00.000-08:00

Hello again...I know...you're probably thinking Kate Noelle who? The past week has been a great Christmas vacation with family and friends...and the vacation isn't over yet! I'm currently in Breckenridge, Colorado with my family and we're bringing in the new year on the slopes! :) It hasn't just been a vacation though, I was able to spend an afternoon with Dom & Gwen (I blogged about that last time) and I was also able to do a spur of the moment wedding shoot with my new friend Ryel J! Blogging will be scarce until the first of the New Year, but that's because I'm putting the final touches to my website and my deadline is fast approaching! So look for the new and (hopefully) amazing www.katenoelle.com on New Year's Day 2009 and blog posts for the wedding and such will be up later next week! Enjoy your holiday with the friends and family and I can't wait to usher in a new year filled with new goals and new exciting adventures...and you! I'll keep you posted :)

Dominick and Gwen's "Will You"

2008-12-21T23:18:00.000-08:00

It's been a while eh? Well YESTERDAY...I met Dom and Gwen....aka... "GWOM"...in Laguna around 12:30pm and we headed out to San Juan Capistrano to shoot their engagement pictures. I'm excited to announce that their official wedding date is May 30th, 2009!!! Hooray! I've known Gwen since 2003 and not only is she a good friend of mine, but she's been a role model for me as I went through the last years of high school and through college....so I was honored when she asked me to do her and Dom's engagement photos. Here's some of my favorite shots of the day...

I love this one because Gwendolyn is such a medieval sounding name...I know the famous princess is Guinevere, but everytime I hear her name, it reminds me of a princess...so I love this shot of her in the window because it's like she's in her castle :) ...and such a beautiful princess she is! Her prince charming must be a lucky guy huh Dom?

They were quite the silly couple to shoot...and this picture shows their more playful side...haha!

Vogue Wedding Shot? Love it!

reflections

I couldn't resist this shot...... silhouettes... love... blue sky...what could be better?

Okay...maybe a shoes shot could be better than reflections...again I couldn't help myself. Gwen is just too cute in her cowgirl boots and dress...and the step did say "Watch your Step" so let's all take a moment to watch Gwen's step... Ha!

How am I friends with such a beautiful lady? Good golly God did a good job!

It was a beautiful day for a shoot...and it was made even more beautiful by their love. I loved laughing and posing and chatting with them all afternoon. And I'm so proud to call these two awesome people my friends...who knew anyone could be so blessed! :)

Dancin' in the Streets

2008-12-10T17:08:00.000-08:00

(Warning: Random Rambling...might not make any sense)

Sometimes life is nuts. The busyness consumes our lives and we only begin to realize how quickly the current's running when the unexpected comes and tosses us back into the baby pool to re-learn how to swim. Beneath the "grandeur" of growing up/graduating/getting a job/finding that special someone/getting married/settling down/having kids/having grand kids/growing old/dying peacefully in sleepy bliss, I've found there's a rip current...and although finding this rip current is like fitting a freaking camel through the eye of a needle...once you find it...it takes you further than you could ever hope. Dreams become reality. Money is no thing. Strangers become friends. Love is found.

The other day there was this awesome sunset that painted the entire Socal sky a deep magenta and the clouds turned a dark royal purple. As the sun set more and more into the ocean, the clouds took turns being illuminated a brilliant orange and I found myself feeling the familiar and delicious urge to fall on my face, burst into laughing tears, and thank Him for being Him. Sunsets have always been something He gives me to SHOW me He loves me....His way of romancing the crap out of my heart. A man gives the woman he loves flowers to offer a physical reflection the beauty and perfection he finds in her; My God paints ridiculous sunsets with colors that fill me with childish laughter, and overwhelming joy to remind me He's the one who knows my heart best...and knows what takes my breath away. Sigh... unfortunately I have no words for what I feel when the HS does things like this...I only know I want it to happen all the time.

This life is filled with people and plans and work and stress and money issues and family problems and hurt and confusion and papers and car trouble and desires and distractions and other gods and the middle east and Barack Obama...and we don't notice the Holy Spirit in any of it most of the time. Well...I want more of the HS. I want dreams to become reality. I want to find love in its truest form. I want to be one of those people doing and working exactly in what He created me to do. I want to hear His voice the first time. I want courage. ...I want to never miss it when He dances in the middle of a busy intersection like Justin Timberlake singing "I'm bringing Sexy back..YEYAH!" (And I realize that might be slightly non-conventional theology....but I believe Jesus was quite the non-conventional savior if I'm not mistaken.) Why would He dance for me in the middle of an intersection? To make me laugh. To remind me He's in the midst of my everyday. To be with me. To have fun. To bring me joy. Because He's God... :)

This probably won't make sense...and don't worry if it doesn't...I never intended it to. Thoughts and feeling likes these really don't have appropriate words to describe them. Just know He's here and I love it, He's big and I know it, He'll show up if you ask Him to and I'll prove it. (laughing) I have more proof than I know what to do with...just ask me and I'll tell you.

On another note...I was feeling a little cheesy and hopelessly romantic and created this ridiculous piece of art for all ya'all's entertainment. Enjoy and let me know what you think! :)

Okay...maybe you can laugh a little...

....untitled?

2008-12-03T19:00:00.000-08:00

Who knew He could speak through Dove chocolate? I mean...I always knew chocolate had some divine qualities... but really? Ha... always surprised and that's just another reason to love Him more.

Jon and Christina are ENGAGED!

2008-11-30T22:24:00.000-08:00

Okay...earlier I could barely contain myself because two friends of mine were about to get engaged. I know for me, I've been dreaming about the day I get proposed to since I was in preschool, but to be a part of someone else's dream...is....AMAZING.

I had a very general idea about the plans that would unfold today, but when I got to Pines Park in Dana Point....it became real. All of Jon's family was there a whole an hour and a half ahead of time setting up the table for them and it was sooo romantic!

The table was beautifully set up and was complete with sparkling cider and a "Reserved" sign....elegantly designed in black and white.

Everyone was so excited and anxious for the proposal to happen and we all met on the beach down below to assemble the signs...at the right moment, all their family and friends would hold up signs (specially crafted by Jon and his dad) spelling out the letters to say "will you marry me?" How cute is that? Jon definitely took a LOT of time and put a lot of thought into planning the perfect proposal for Christina...and it paid off. It ran seamlessly and you can see the surprise and joy on Christina's face when it happened....dream come true in the making.

I don't know about you, but I live for moments like that...when dreams become reality....living life to the full. Mmm.....gives me chills.

Jon and Christina's friends...they definitely have a sense of humor. After Christina had seen the signs...they decided it would be funny to change the words around. Good thing Christina was too busy being proposed to...

Funny Sidenote: When the moment came to pull the ring out of his jacket (where he'd secretly kept it all day)...Jon had some pocket issues. He described it as a panicky "where's my pocket?!!!!!!" moment...but luckily...he found his pocket and the ring...and it was all worth it in the end. Just a fun story to tell the grandkids eh Jonny?

It ended up being a brilliant day and I feel so alive after it all. I am completely head over heels in love with love...and I'm so happy to have spent the day with Jon, Christina, and their friends and family. Congrats!!!!

Thanks to everyone who helped out with this Stealth Operation today!

I....AM.....SO.....EXCITED

2008-11-30T11:21:00.001-08:00

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I'm excited and nervous and I can't sit still so I think I'm gonna go run for a bit. Today I shoot the first of (hopefully) many stealth operations. Unfortunately I can't talk too much about it because it would give it away....but I have to tell someone how EXCITED I am!!!!! I was watching "Love, Actually" last night (I adore that movie) and I can't get enough of the first line "Love...Actually....Is....Everywhere." The movie shows different loves in such a real way and it made me even more excited to be able to witness real live love today.....and take it captive. (side note: I don't think this coffee is helping my already excited jitters....I'm definitely going running now) Anyways....stay tuned for the results of today...not sure whether I'll be blogging them, but we'll see...I just might ;)

Tim and Chelsea's "Will You"

2008-11-28T21:07:00.000-08:00

So...a couple months ago, Tim emailed me inquiring about a possible wedding photography excursion in June. As it turns out, a mutual friend of ours, Barri Brown, suggested he consider using me for his wedding photographer. And I love the reason she suggested he contact me....our interest in missions. I had just come back from a 7 month long excursion abroad with YWAM doing missional photography and these two lovely people have a special heart for missions....in fact, they specifically wanted someone to help capture their heart for other cultures in their wedding pictures.

Tim and Chelsea's story is way cute and it turns out, that despite Chelsea's international upbringing....they met at college....UC Davis to be exact. Their end goal is to live in Africa!!!! How cool is that?! She wants to do medical missions as a Physician's Assistant and he wants to do work in wildlife preservation and education. They're too cute together and it was so fun going to the Santa Ana Zoo and hanging out with them this afternoon! Tim had worked there for a long time, so it was nice getting the official tour and inside information about all the cute animals on exhibit!

These were my favorites...loved those orange flowers on the fence!

Tim took us to see his Eagle Scout project he did for the Zoo...this awesome Tiki bar complete with Bamboo and thatched roof! He's had quite the history with the Zoo and it was fun to see him so excited about coming back and showing Chelsea a part of himself.

Tim and Chelsea....I had a lot of fun with you two! It was so cool to see how in love you two are...and how much fun you have without even trying! It was a good day...fun...educational...and beautiful.

Rain Rain Stay and Play....and then come back another day

2008-11-26T09:33:00.000-08:00

I love love love it when it rains. I think it's somewhat of a commodity since I live in Socal, but still....I love it. I love the scent of rain before it comes and I love it even more after it rains. I love how everything looks cleaner and greener after it rains. And I love falling asleep in my warm bed listening to the rain pelt the roof of my house.

Thank you for Rain last night!

Christmas Tree Hunting

2008-11-22T15:38:00.000-08:00

Thanks again for everyone who voted for the bio pictures! Someone brought it to my attention that it's not an easy thing to figure out how to comment on my blog entries so...here's how you do it... at the end of each post there's a link that says the number of comments for the blog entry. If you click on it, another window will pop up and show the other comments. At the bottom of that window there will be a place for you to leave a comment of your own. Fill it in and it will ask you how you want to be identified. If you don't have a blogger account or a google email address, you can be identified by your website or your name or as an anonymous person. I'd love to know who you are so please use your name as your identity :).

And for all of you who comment voted yesterday, I decided to go with Option 1...partly because I was partial to that one and you guys all confirmed my choice :). Thanks for your participation!

So this morning...at the crack of dawn...Christopher and I set out to Peltzer Pines to wait in line for a Christmas tree. Now, you're probably thinking we're crazy going out at 6am in November to pick out a Christmas tree...but little did you know...it's a family tradition for the Irvine Akamine family. BUT, this year my parents had to be a conference and couldn't be there....and so....it was Coffee Bean Hazelnut Lattes, Christopher, and me in line behind 30 other people at 6:30am this morning. We stood/sat/wandered in line for a couple hours and got bored...so we figured this would be a great opportunity to take fun pictures for the holidays. (We're Christmas fiends...)

It was a bit chilly in Socal this morning...

There were more people than trees...I think...the line was LOOONG. Good thing we were there earlier. Christopher wanted to make sure we got a tree so he "borrowed my tripod"...just kidding.

Then we couldn't find the tree we liked.... and got a bit lost

Then we found it and posed with the receipt....yeah...we're avid Christmas tree hunters...that's our baby right behind us...and in two weeks, it'll be in our house! Hooray for Christmas!

After posing with our tree for a while, we all started to wonder what the Christmas trees must be thinking with all these people walking around, trampling them, and gawking at them. These next pictures are our attempt to speak for the trees...like Ferngully (spelling?) for Christmas trees...I know...we're odd people. But try to understand...

We had a ton of fun being weird, finding our tree, dressing like emo indie woodsmen hollister models, and celebrating the birth of our savior 32 days early :)

Drug Deals and Glamour

2008-11-21T14:32:00.000-08:00

I showed the bio section of my website to my teacher Professor Shalat and he had some very good and slightly flattering advice. He said "how am I supposed to know you're the photographer? You could just be a model....where's pictures of you with your camera?" Good point...and thank you. So yesterday I found myself in downtown Santa Ana on 4th and Main in an alley waiting for a friend, Troy Grover. As I was waiting...I definitely saw a guy drive through in a spiffy looking convertible (I'm car retarded.....what's the brand with the two racing flags?)....and stop next to another guy on a bike. They were looking around suspiciously to make sure no one was watching...and I quickly caught on that they didn't want me watching...so i pretended to be super interested in photographing my shoes.....which isn't usually too far from the truth ;). Yes...drug deals...but hey, the location is worth it :). I love love love the old and worn buildings with caged windows and dumpsters everywhere...

Oh yeah...I forgot to tell you the reason I was sitting in an alley in Santa Ana watching a drug deal...I was getting pictures taken for my bio pages on my website. So there's some good ones Troy took and I'm trying to decide which ONE to put on the first page of my bio....

So...cast your votes people!

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Option 4

Option 5

Option 6

Thanks for your input! :) And hey!....those of you who followed and commented when I was gone last year....you're more than welcome to comment and follow even though I'm not having crazy adventures abroad. I'm definitely having crazy adventures of a different kind here in Irvine...and I'd love to include you in the craziness!

Peace for Now

Stealth

2008-11-20T11:53:00.000-08:00

Hey ya'all (that's for you Betsy)...new and exciting news! Check out www.katenoelle.com (yes, it's still under construction...I'm working on it daily...) and on the first page after you enter the site, there's a "hidden" icon...click it and be curious...I dare you!

El Fuego

2008-11-15T22:22:00.000-08:00

So....fire. Yup...everything is on fire....first in Santa Barbara...and now in Orange County. It's wierd watching the coverage on the news...it never seems real. Even with an evacuee living in my house (Christopher)...it still doesn't seem real. I guess it isn't real until it happens to me? Who knows...I just know that there are a lot of people displaced at the moment....lots of stress in the air...and I'm sure this is the last straw for many people after living the past couple months in complete recession and depression. I've had more friends get laid off than I've ever experienced. Life is changing. Life is temporal. Things are not forever. I know I probably have no idea what I'm talking about, but it seems to me that the things that really matter in life--the things we should be paying more attention to--are the things that aren't affected by our economy, and those things that cannot be burned or ruined by any natural disaster.

What to do now? Trust. Okay but seriously.... . Trust. Alright. Peace.

Time Suckers

2008-11-12T21:55:00.001-08:00

After spending the whole day in front of the computer, I've come to the sad realization that...my computer is a time sucker. For real! I sat down and 7 hours FLEW by. And what do I actually do for 7 hours on the computer? I work....on photos...and design the website (keep your fingers crossed for a launch date that's sooner rather than later)....emails....and who knows what else. It doesn't help that half my friends are scattered on pretty much every continent...

I've come to the conclusion today...that re-prioritizing should be a priority as soon as possible if I'm ever going to be able to keep track of my days...since my current priorities seem to be times suckers.....and if I continue on this track...I will be 40 before you know it. Sad day.

Friends on different continents: I love you and miss you more than you know!

Jodi and Mike's "I Doooo"

2008-11-09T22:35:00.000-08:00

Mike and Jodi....before today I knew them only as faithful It's a Grind customers....but after spending the day with them as they tied the knot, I feel like I'm part of their family now. Not only did I get to capture all the big moments of the day like the traditional Jewish ceremony (complete with the breaking of the glass and the "MAZAL TOV!'') but I also had the privilege of capturing the small ones too ( like sharing in Jodi's "getting ready party.")

The wedding and the reception were held at Fleming's Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Newport Beach, and, thanks to Christina Glenn, the event flowed seamlessly, the rooms were elegantly decorated and the food was GOOD. So thanks, Christina and the amazing private dining staff, for making Jodi and Mike's day special!

Okay...I just have to say that this pretty lady.....Jodi.....is BEAUTIFUL and Mike is one lucky duck to have her as his wife :)

Classic beauty....through and through

I couldn't help myself....I loved the shoes!

One of the coolest things about their day was the emphasis they, and their whole family, put on the marriage contract. To most, the signing of the contract is just a formality that needs to get done before the party...but I loved how the symbolism of their promise is so important to them. Their contract was written in Hebrew and in English and it required the signatures of the bride, the groom, the rabbi, and two witnesses. Take a look at this thing! Beautiful....I want one at my wedding.

Sisterly love....

Their cake was made by Layer Cake Bakery in Irvine...and it was so simple and elegant.

A big part of Mike and Jodi's lives revolve around their nieces and nephews....and two pretty ladies definitely played their part today. Vivian and Mia were both good sports as they got their nails and hair done....and even a little make up.

At the end of the day...all that really matters....is family.