The Gift

Monday, February 18, 2008

Craig & Tina's Engagement Shoot!

Craig & Tina

Engagement Shoot

Huntington Beach, CA

The Big Day: April 26, 2008

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Ryan & Jackie's Big Day!

Who: Ryan & Jackie Peck

What: Wedding Day!!!

Where: Newport Beach LDS Temple/Orange Hill Restaurant

When: December 28, 2007

View their Slideshow: www.blueskyvideos.com/klkphotography/Jackie_Ryan_WED

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Tonight I went to Free Chapel (http://www.freechapel.org/). An incredible new church in the Irvine area that just started about 6 months ago, so this was my first time attending. Within the first few moments, I was all ready feeling at home and if i've been there before. It reminded me of all of my favorite things from each church I've ever went to, all bundled up into one.

God is Amazing. One of the most amazing feelings is just walking into a room and feeling God's presence. While listening to the words of the first song and watching people shout out and raise their hands to praise God, I felt shivers come up from my toes to the top of my head. It's so overwhelming and emotional when you accept it that tears just start to fall as you surrender to God, knowing this is just what you've needed. To be with Him, to worship Him, to be loved by Him and give Him praise.

Tonight's word was spoken by Pastor Jentezen Franklin. He shared with us how in today's society a father's role is SO important. He started with unbelievable statistics on how children that come from fatherless homes are a huge percentage of the rapists, high school dropouts, homeless and drugatics today. He stated that 88% of the people in the Texas State Penetentry grew up in fatherless homes. This shows right here the positive or negetive effect a father can have on a family. "Fight for your family, fight for your kids, fight for your marriage. Where you are right now, you have the choice to either bless your home or curse your home".

One of the most important lessons I was reminded of is to keep God first, Family second then Career third. This is one of my biggest goals this year and something I continue to challenge myself with everyday. I know that God can bless you beyond measure. He is amazing.

Bless your home.

I am so blessed to have had and have the opportunities I share with you and your families. You all have been so supportive and I have met some amazing couples, individuals and families along the way and hope to continue to be a part of your life. This Gift of photography is truly a blessing from God and I could not be more grateful. Thank the Lord and thank you all!!! :)

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"
- Joshua 24:15

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Woohoo! I'm Engaged!!! :)

This may just look like an ordinary picture to you, but when someone asks me, "what's the most amazing moment you've ever captured?" i believe this might just be it! This shot is not just any man looking down at the ring he's about to give his love, this is Paul Bennett, my love, my everything - smiling as big as the moon right before he looks up to ask me the big Q! If you wanna know how exactly i got this shot and how my amazing day went with the most incredible man of my life, read on....

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Sunday: 12.23.07

Oh my goodness, I would never expect today - "his day" to be THE day! That's why he did it, such a little smarty pants! Today was Paul's birthday, our day at The Getty Center, our Sunday off, the perfect day...

We had a day at The Getty Center (an awesome museum in LA) planned for over a week! We definitely have to plan our days off together since we're both crazy busy. This day worked out perfect, right before the holiday, we had two more days reserved with eachother as well.

We got a late start after cleaning and picking up last minute Christmas gifts, we finally arrived at The Getty Museum around 3:30pm - we had one hour til sunset. Now that I look back, i realize he had this day planned from the beginning (minus all my lolly-gagging, which he should know by now, to always leave a ton of extra time:)). His goal was to relax, get down to the gardens to watch the sunset together and ask me to marry him!?!?!? Of course, my mind wondered and thought of about 10 thousand other things to do on the walk down there, I even caught myself taking pictures of rocks, yes rocks...how does this man put up with me!? :)

We get down to the gardens and of course, the ONLY time I ever want a few pictures taken of me, is this time. He patiently takes them as we claim the bench with all our camera equipment. He shoots a few of me, i hate it. No wonder why i'm behind the camera, so i take the camera from him and say, ok, sit down, i'm taking a real shot of you for the website. He takes a minute to get something out of his camera bag before he sits, not thinking anything of it, i'm still shooting to get my exposure just right for his headshot. He sits down in front of me and I I shoot "the shot". I don't notice til I look back up from the screen what he was doing. I get my nervous giggles going and say, "What are you doing!?"(i'm such a blonde), he looks up with tear-filled eyes ( I then knew this was serious) and says, "I'm asking you to marry me...will you?" After all this worry about a ring, i don't even look at it, and say "Of course!" Hugging and sharing tears of joy, i realize this is it! I am so happy! What a moment.

We both sat there - silent - with speechless smiles, and unfathomed feelings, overwhelmed with joy, hopes, dreams and reality, as we watched the most amazing sunset we've ever seen, knowing this - was the beginning of forever.

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The Ring: Ok, don't freak out - the center of the ring isn't a diamond :) It's a beautiful "Aquamarine" (blue) stone, i wanted this, to be different and to put our money towards the wedding. Oh, and we don't plan on having our wedding til Dec '09 or Jan/Feb of 2010 so we can get our business' going full-throttle and have the destination wedding we have both dream of... AND I have NO CLUE who will be our photographer :)

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Saturday, November 24, 2007

Greg & Helen's Wedding: Castaway

Who: Greg & Helen Hiroshima
What: Wedding Day!
Where: First United Methodist Church/Castaway
When: November 24, 2007

View Slideshow! www.blueskyvideos.com/klkphotography/Helen_Greg_WED