Highlights of 2013

Last New Year's eve I made this jar. I have been writing down the good things that happened throughout the year and put them into the jar. Here's the list (in no particular order):

I finally decided on a name for my photography business (with the help of my friend)

That same friend helped me make an official photo website too. Thanks Marissa! 

I visited Utah for the first time with my sister-in-law.

I met Emily and Jessica while in UT. 

We went to the Carlsbad Caverns. It was another first for me.

We also went to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Another first! 

I was selected to be New Mexico's "Style Ambassador" for H&M's 50 States of Fashion campaign! 

I had my first art show displaying my photography. 

I was interviewed by the school paper about the show. 

Ryan wrote me the cutest song for Valentine's Day.

Ryan and I made a "music video."

I reached three years of blogging!

I quit Sonic (not sure if that counts as a good thing, I'm broke now)

I went ice skating for the first time.

I took Santa photos for the first time at a local Christmas fair.

I had a successful senior art show. 

I graduated college! 

I got straight A's for the first time ever! 

My best friend had her baby, Christmas morning! 

There's one more that's a surprise. No, I am not pregnant.

I plan to continue this tradition for 2014. And I have just a few DOABLE resolutions for the new year. 

1) find a job 2) save up for a new camera 3) book at least 25 photo sessions (I had 18 this year) 4) redesign the blog 5) get rid of stuff 

Happy New Year! 

We're going to our annual White Elephant gift exchange tonight. 

It's going to be wild. 

My Nativity

I received a nativity this Christmas. To be honest, when I unwrapped it, I was a little disappointed with the paint that came with the kit. I obviously didn't voice my opinion, but then my father-in-law said, "you could just paint them all black." He was joking, but then I realized what an awesome idea that was. I knew that I didn't want to paint the figures black and leave it at that, so I added some gold leaf to each one. I watched this video for help with the gold leaf. So chic! I love how they turned out

Christmas

(photos by Visual Brew Design and Photography)

These top photos were taken a couple of weeks ago at our photo club ugly sweater party. 

I love Emilio's sweater! 

Yesterday was awesome. We received so many thoughtful gifts, but more importantly, we spent lots of time with family. The older I get, the more love I have for these people. 

My favorite present! 

Oh!!! And one of the best surprises of Christmas was receiving a text from Holly that her baby was born yesterday morning! Baby Ruby Sensiba! I'm so excited to meet her and take her photos. Speaking of photos, I have an engagement shoot later today, and I have a lot of wedding photos to edit as well. Tis the season to get back to work. 

Albuquerque, Ice skating, and a Happy list

First of all, lemme just say that Ryan is pretty good at ice skating, especially since it was only his second time. And I was surprised that I didn't fall. Not once! Ice skating is almost exactly like roller blading, and we both had done plenty of that when we worked at Sonic. We went to Albuquerque because I was hired to photograph a wedding and Ryan went with the youth for a temple trip. It just so happened that Ryan's sister and her husband planned a trip up there for the same weekend, so we were all able to spend time with his other sister and her family up there. It was good timing since they won't be able to come spend Christmas with us. 

December Happy List:

ice skating

new manga

holiday episodes

jamberry nail wraps

making christmas presents

ramen with eggs and avocado

catching up on shows on netflix

graduating college (how weird is that)

people actually dancing at a wedding reception 

seeing christmas trees from people's living room windows

feeling super grateful for the awesome friends I've made in school

attending a temple sealing and taking photos of a super happy married couple

I've Graduated!

Wow wow wooooowww!!!

Let's start off with these photos from my senior art show.

I photographed my family for my last photo project. 

The other side of my photos are these awesome charcoal drawings by Cynthia Gutierrez. 

More of my work! From my alternative process photography class: salt prints. I used appropriated images from my dad's old photo album. The big one in the middle is actually a screen print. 

And this was my favorite corner of the gallery. It's a collaboration between Beverly Davis and her daughters. So cute! And I loved the interactive aspect of it also. 

After the exhibition we went to eat at Genghis Grill with Ryan's family. 

And in the morning I graduated! 

And then partied with friends. 

So now what will I do? 

Well, I took this day to clean my neglected apartment and do lots of laundry. I'm photographing a wedding this weekend! And next week is Christmas. I suppose finding a job will have to wait until the holidays are over *wink*