Taking a Risk

Taking risks scares the bajeebus out of me. If I send an email to someone I don't know very well proposing something new I will check it every five minutes, if I sent a photo I wait for it to show up on Facebook AND wait for people to comment. I, unapologetically, thrive on praise. It's part of my nature and both my mom and husband know it. I hate to feel like I might have failed and the anticipation of KNOWING that I even might have failed in even the smallest ways gives me a little anxiety and makes me eat. lol. So if I gain ten pounds today...you'll need no explaining. Oh, and all this stress could be for something minor.

I'm not writing this because I want a pat on the back, a hug that its okay or praise for what I do. I genuinely wanted to share this. Because once I get anxiety I have a chat will myself (and very often out loud) and tell myself that I'm not going to succeed EVERY TIME. But every time I put myself out there I'm one step closer to living my dreams and I've learned one more way NOT to do something. It's okay to fail. It's okay mess up. As long as every time you mess you keep going. John Maxwell calls it failing forward.

I'm going to learn to embrace failure. Failure is just one step closer to the life that I dream about.

Happy Wednesday <3

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He's One!

He walked, got his first haircut and turned a year old all on the same day.

And I didn't cry. My mom did though.

I just love my little boogerhead. He has been so much fun and I can't believe that he's a year old. I know it's SO cliche but time really does fly. Except at 3:00 in the morning. It is unbelievable how much time slows down at that hour when there are deafening screams echoing through the house. But he's getting better. I hope. Or we may have an adoption happening very soon...

We shot these at a park around the corner from my parent's house. I love, love, love them. The light was golden and beautiful. I practiced a new sun flare technique and love the results. There's no photos of me and Cash because...well...let's just say Mat isn't a photographer. ;) We're working on it. Family photos happen next month so hopefully we'll have some of me and boogerface soon.

Happy birthday Cashy-Cash! Mommy and Daddy love you to the moon and back again.

xoxo

Gilroy Family Photography: Summer Mini's

These beach photos are some of favorite photos EVER. I love them. I could seriously get addicted to shooting at the beach. Now is the perfect time to get your family photos done for the holidays. They are definitely coming faster than we'd like to think about.







Each of these sessions came with an 11x14 canvas. Sooo stoked to see them! The family with the 4 beautiful kiddos upgraded her canvas to a 20x24--I love big art and can't wait to see it hanging on a wall!!

Have a happy Monday lovelies.

Gilroy Family Photographer::

I can't even begin to describe how fun it was to shoot this adorable family. When Brenda told me what she had in mind I immediately texted my sister to let her know what kind of shoot I was doing on Friday. Yes. I was that excited! :)

Joe and Brenda celebrated their first baby girl's one year birthday to past weekend and decided to have photos done to commemorate. They went all out in the details bringing her favorite books, stuffed animals and tea set with each of them dressing the part. [Just a tip--if you want to have interesting and different photos its in the details. Details, details, details. Beautiful brides, remember that also! ;)]

Elly was adorable. I had such a good time. Truly. Enjoy some prettiness.










Happy Wednesday!

Summer Mini Sessions

Note to self: Blog more. I really do have a life. Just no time to blog about it. ;)

MINI SESSIONS!! Oh I am loving these sessions this time around!


As of right now the beach session will be happening at Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz. The only reason this will change is because it's crazy crowded so I'm going to go and scope it out a couple weeks before. It is summer so...we'll see.

Book your session before July 1st to receive a special little promo. ;)

If you are a repeat friend, contact me for your special promo too.

Want to earn $25 print credit towards your collection? Refer a friend! Once your friend is booked, cha-ching, money in your pocket.

Hope everyone is having an amazing summer so far! These are bound to be the best mini sessions yet!

P.S. I! love! exclamation! points!
P.P.S. Yes!! I!! do!!