Allen's Wrestling

Well Winter is here and along with that comes a new adventure in Allen's high school sports. Allen has done wrestling before when he was in 7th grade. He was with a wrestling club called Peoria Scramblers. Tried it for a while but baseball was his main focus at the time. Now in high school he really wants to try it again, and seems to have picked up where he left off. He did amazing in his first tournament. He wrestled three times. First time he won off points, second one he got pinned, third one he won by pinning. So proud! He's 2 in 1 not bad.

The Gappinger wedding was a true delight. They got married at Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort. This place has my five star rating. The staff was very professional, and accommodating. Stacey Turner made sure everything went off without a hitch. Fantastic! And as you can tell Mr. & Mrs. Gappinger looked absolutely wonderful. And both had such kind friends and family. My good friend Tracy Kreck came with me to shoot for fun. It was nice having a buddy come along to talk to and get ideas from.

Halloween

Happy Halloween! I hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween. Steven dressed up as a MOBSTER... Mafia guy! He looked so good! He kept saying the whole night "You talkin to me" as he scratched his chin. ha! And got a ton of candy.... ugh!

Stephen & Miriam

Stephen and Miriam will be getting married at the Scottsdale Renaissance Resort. They are such a great couple and I truly look forward to photographing them on their wedding day.

Vangie...

Everyday when I wake up I get my cup of coffee and kiss my kids good bye as they head off to school. I move along with my day, and before I know it the day is gone. I take for granted that everyone and everything is good. Then someone or something comes along and reminds you of what’s important. For me that someone was Vangie. I am so honored in meeting her recently. Vanige is a strong woman who is fighting for her life. I was asked to photograph her and her daughter and grand daughter. I didn’t even need to think about it, I just wanted to do it. Because I know what it means to have that one photo with your loved one. That one photo that you can look at with a smile. That one photo means everything.

Thank you Vangie and to her amazing family for this opportunity.

Ana

Michelle & Lawrence

Michelle & Lawrence are a sweet couple who has been referred to me by a past bride of mine. I look forward to their big day. They plan to be married at Community Church of Joy. A fantastic church with a wonderful staff.

Crystal & Vicente

I'm so excited to be photographing a wedding in Tucson, AZ this weekend. Crystal & Vicente are getting married at The Oasis at Wild Horse Ranch. It's such a beautiful location, and a perfect time of year. They are such a sweet and kind couple with an adorable little boy who is always smiling. It's gonna be a wonderful day!

Baby Jacob

Our new addition to the family. I had so much fun photographing my new little cousin. He already has a very distinct personality. Absolutely adorable! hehe... ;)

Steven's Game 1

OK Steven #30 (his dad's number) just had his first game also about two weeks ago. I know, I know... I'm a little busy right now and I have been slow at posting. But I take allot of picture of everything! So keeping up gets a bit hard sometimes. Steven plays for ACYFL PANTHERS. He played awesome in his first game! He tries so hard and hangs in there with all these big kids. I'm so proud of his courage. They lost... bummer. It was a great game and the Panthers played hard. Go PeeWee Panthers!!

Allen's RSK Game 1

Allen #21 just had his first high school football game last week on Wednesday. Allen plays for Raymond S. Kellis High School. He played amazing! He scored a 45 yard touch down. And had five tackles and four asst. The thing I'm proud of most was he pointed at me as said this is for you mom! Made me tear up! ha! RSK won 14-12. GO RSK!

Barack Obama

Yes We Can!

Allen's RSK Football Pictures

Well I just got my son's football pictures in on Friday. They came out so good! The company who did the team pictures did a great job! Varsity Studios. Of course I love the subject they photographed but as a fellow photographer I appreciate the quality also of what I received. I can't believe my Allen is playing high school football now. His first game is next week on Wednesday. Stay tuned for his actions shots!   

Sheri & Joey

Sheri and Joey just got married this past weekend in Anthem AZ. They had a beautiful ceremony over looking the mountains. I loved having the opportunity to have worked with them, they are such a fun couple. The wedding was filled with allot of laughter and everyone had such a good time. Congratulations to them both! Stay tuned for the wedding pictures...

Ana ;)

Chrys Poes!

I would like to introduce you to another one of my good friends. Her Name is Chrys Poes with Poese For The Camera. She is an amazing friend!! Has always been loyal and helpful, and just a blessing to have in my life. Chrys and I have known each other for about 10 years and to this day our friendship has remained strong. Her photography is outstanding, very artistic. I just love her. She mite hate this picture I posted... (I know her well! ha!) but I love this shot of us. We took in a photo booth one year at her son's birthday party.  Classic! 

Baby Jayce

My cousin just recently had a baby boy in July. She lives in Raton, NM and sent me this picture via cell phone. She needed some announcements done so I fixed up the picture she gave me and made this card for her. He is so cute! Absolutely a beautiful baby boy! And not bad for a cell phone image don't you think?

My Day Trip!

This past Sunday we took a day trip to Payson, AZ. I wanted to take some time to spend with my parents so we decided to take a short road trip. Payson, AZ is only about 1 hour and 40minutes from my home. Me and my husband love to get away up in the Rim Country right outside of Payson. A big difference from the desert landscape we live in. I love living in Arizona! I had the best time with my Mom and Dad. Even though we live 20min away from each other. Sometimes we get to busy and I don't want to do that anymore, life is to short. They mean the world to me!

Steven (Tuffy)

My amazing Steven started football practice last week. Steven played flag football for a few years and then we decided he was ready to play tackle this year. Well he already has grown to love it! He gets really into the rough and rumble part of it. As you can tell from his pictures. As I was sitting watching him play an amazing sunset came around. It was breath taking! I love the Arizona sunsets!

A Fight For Cancer!

My cousin Jacque Martinez is doing this 3 day walk for cancer. I'm so proud of her! We (in our family) have lost loved ones to cancer. So I know this is a very personal quest for her. Please come out and support this cause! It's one worth fighting for!

Please go to http://www.lasbombas3day.com/

Ana :)

In Memory of Uncle Donald

My Uncle Donald just recently passed away last week. He's next to my dad in this picture on the right side. (Wearing glasses) He was an honorable man who served our country well. He was in the Army and was a paratrooper. When he got out of the Army he worked for and retired from the United States Post Office. You are a wonderful man Uncle! I found this poem and I thought it was fitting.

Light A Candle © J
light a candle, see it glow, watch it dance, when you feel low, think of me, think of light, I'll always be here, day or night, a candle flickers, out of sight, but in your heart, I still burn bright, think not of sadness, that I'm not near, think of gladness, and joyous cheer, I have not left, I am not gone, I'm here to stay my little one, so when you light a candle and you see it glow and you watch it dance in your heart you'll know that I would never leave you even when you feel so blue I'm sitting up here with the Lord and now watching over you Light A Candle ©J

Danielle & Shane

Danielle and Shane are a sweet couple who will be married in Spring of 2009 at Christ Church Of The Valley. One of my favorite places to photograph! We did their engagement shoot this past week at her mothers house in Peoria. Thank you Gina for being so thoughtful and kind! I look forward to their wedding day!

Ana :)

Save The Date: Etiquette

I just recently have had a few brides ask me about SAVE THE DATE cards and etiquette. It seems to be a popular trend, and a really cute idea. One of my future brides asked me if I knew when it was to late to send out a save the date card. I truly had no idea so I decided to look it up and find out for my self. The Knot is one of my favorite places to go for valuable information and ideas concerning weddings. This is what they suggested...

Save-the-Dates: Etiquette Q&A

"Q. When do you send them? As a general rule, it's best to start spreading the news at around six months prior to the ceremony (eight months for a faraway destination). This gives guests plenty of time to book their travel, save a bit of cash, and ask for days off from work. Any earlier, and they may toss the notice aside. Any later, and it might as well be an invitation."

I hope this helps!!

Ana ;)

Lyding Family

The Lyding family are truly one of my favorite family's to work with. Faithful, kind and just all around good people. Vanessa was a past bride of mine. She is the one with the pretty green eyes. Vanessa is an aspiring photographer. I have a feeling she is going to be wonderful at it because she has such a great personality and an eye for detail. I wish her all the luck in the world.

Ana