First Comes Love...

Nicholas and Harmoni are IN LOVE. Like, head over heels, can't take my eyes off of you, you are all I think about, IN LOVE. I headed out at 4AM to the Abo Ruins (which can be traced back for CENTURIES on Nicholas' side..see history below), so we could catch the sunrise. It was COLD..but beautiful..I don't think they noticed..they only had eyes for each other.










The unexcavated pueblo ruins at Abo date back to the 1300s though there is evidence that Mogollon pit house builders had occupied the area beginning around 1150 AD. Located in a pass that opens to the Rio Grande Valley, this was a major trading center for the area.

Fray Francisco Fonte built a small church at Abo beginning in about 1622. Then in 1629, Francisco de Acevedo, who was assigned to the Salinas district by officials in Santa Fe, enlarged the Mission of San Gregorio de Abo to reflect its importance as the headquarters church of the Salinas district.

This church, which was completed in 1659, employs buttresses on the 40-foot high walls. It is one of the few remaining examples of medieval architecture in the United States.

At Abó and at Quarai, kivas or underground ceremonial chambers were built in the patios of the conventos. The presence of both Christian and Pueblo sacred buildings and symbols indicates that both belief systems were being maintained at these sites.

Abo Ruins Sneak Peek

This couple is getting married in October and guess who is taking their wedding pictures?? ME!! I am so excited!! Here is a sneak peek of their engagement session at the Abo Ruins. Aren't they SO cute?

Tattooed Tea Party

I went to "Rock the Ink" last October and ran into a tattoo artist who lived in Chattanooga. We started talking and he asked if I could take pictures, and of course I said yes. But then I had an idea..and here you have it. The girls fell in love with Tom..and he even toasted them with "my husband is richer than yours!" He is the NICEST guy in the world, and I must admit, it was pretty fun to go have a beer with him after the shoot.

Beautiful Bernadette and Her Little Son Too

This is my friend Bernadette. She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. We met on Facebook and became friends over our love of photography. Then we ran into each other at the fair..(ok, I accosted her), and we just hit it off. When she asked me to take her pictures I was (and still am) SO nervous. I hope you like them Bernadette! Oh..and this is her son..who is the CUTEST little thing ever. He followed me around saying "cheesecheesecheese." Please check out her work here.

>

More, More, More

These are a few of my FAVORITE boudoir shots of Ruthie. I think she looks amazing and (with permission) I wanted to show her off. I won't even tell you that she has 5 kids and a GRANDBABY!!! (seriously?) You can also see her in the post below.

I'm SO EXCITED

www.artsimag.com

Idolizing Bonnie

I've been following (ok, stalking) Bonnie for a long time. We met in an alley while we were both on shoots and I continued to stalk her, but I felt comfortable enough after meeting her to start commenting on her photos. But when she asked ME to take HER pictures, I seriously almost had a heart attack. I mean, here I am..idolizing this photographer and she asked ME. Since then we've become great friends and I so appreciate her...and she is the only person who will eat egg salad sandwiches with me. You can check her out here: http://www.bonniemitchell.com/

Rare Pink Sighting

I got Rusty to wear pink...and a side ponytail..with a "pretty"..and sandals. This moment deserved a photo shoot. It was momentous...HUGE. So I drug her into the front yard and took a few pictures of her (she had to take a break and read, which is SO Rusty). Of course Rory, not to be outdone, pretended to be a frog. And those crooked bangs? She cut them herself.

Craving

I recently went to Mardi Gras..and while I can't post most of the photos I took (hehe)..here is one of my favorites. I could eat crawfish everyday...I am half Cajun, you know? ;)

First Boudoir Session Sneak Peak

OK, so I would never actually post a picture from a boudoir shoot, but this one is tame and beautiful, so with permission, meet Ruthie. I met her at Bunco and her honesty and realness appealed to me immediately. And she's hot..there is that.

Kevin, Casey and the Cold (my 1st engagement session)

I think I said "poor Kevin" one hundred times during this shoot..he showed up for his engagement session with a serious cold. He was a great sport though and we barrelled through it and he never complained..I hope he feels better..poor Kevin.
Casey is a blast..she brews her own beer and talks to Kevin like they've been married for years..my kind of gal. I had a great time with the two of them. Her skin looks like porcelain and she's going to make a beautiful bride. I wish them a forever of happiness...and beer.

What a Catch(er)

Meet Garrett..he's my neighbor and a senior at Sandia High School. He is a catcher for their baseball team and quite a cutie. I can't believe we've lived on the same block for three years and have never met! His sister KK came along too, and she is just gorgeous. I love her freckles!