Feb 24, 2009

True Beauty


Tomorrow I am speaking to the Young Women from the Burbank wards. I am speaking to them about True Beauty. Because I work in the photo industry and have been working mainly as a photo re-toucher for the past 3 years I have come to learn that Beauty as the world sees it and TRUE beauty couldn't be further from each other. I have made people with amazing skin look flawless, I have made skinny girls skinnier, I have made genuinely beautiful people look 'perfect'. But what IS perfect? Is there such a thing? I suppose that someone could spend their life trying to attain the perfect body. But true beauty comes from within, comes from the heart and soul of a person.






As I have been researching Beauty from a Gospel aspect I have come across some wonderful quotes and talks on the subject and I want to share them with you because this is something that I feel is really important for women (and men) to learn about.

"Happiness is the most attractive accessory a young woman can have"

"Pray to see yourself as HE sees you"

"The world prizes body-baring 'beauty'. Hollywood markets it, advertisers exploit it, and the media promote it. The Lord however, 'seeth not as a man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.'" - 1 Sam 16:7

"The Light of the Spirit cannot be faked. All the theater lights and stages and cameras trickery and photoshop manipulation may convince the unaware... Artificial light ends with the flipping of the switch.. Christ is the Life and the Light - The Light that lightens hearts through thick and thin." - Truman G. Madsen



"You are literally a spirit daughter of heavenly parents with a divine nature and an eternal destiny. That surpassing truth should be fixed deep in your soul and be fundamental to every decision you make as you grow into mature womanhood. There could never be a greater authentication of your dignity, your worth, your privileges, and your promise. Your Father in Heaven knows your name and knows your circumstance. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations. And He knows what you can become through faith in Him." - Jeffrey R. Holland

"Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue..., who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind..., who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth." - Gordon B Hinckley

It has been a pleasure to think about this and to learn and grow in my own right, when it comes to thinking about true beauty. I am going to try to see myself and to see others as my Heavenly Father sees me. And I hope that anyone who is reading this will try to do the same. I am including pictures of some beautiful daughters of God that I have been lucky enough to have in my family!






I love my family very much! I know that there is not a picture of everyone up on my blog but if i put up a pic of EVERYONE, well then that would just be photos for days and days. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the pics!




Feb 23, 2009

Baby Natalie!







Over Christmas Rich and Heidi let me take some photos of 2 week old baby Natalie. It was so fun and good for me because I haven't shot too many babies. After Christmas I took my camera cards and put them somewhere so safe that I could not find them! I was worried and felt silly but the other day I found the photo cards and was able to process the images. I am seriously considering making a blog/website for just my portrait stuff. So I can have a place for Wedding, engagements, senior portraits, babies and head shot type photography. I don't feel like I have a PASSION for portraiture (nor do I really believe that I have the knack or talent for it) however, I think it would be a good thing to do to make earn some extra money and gain experience shooting people. I wanted to post the pics to show off how cute my niece and to see how people feel about me deciding to make a portrait blog. I will keep you all posted!










Feb 13, 2009

Happy Un-Valentine's Day


For those of you out there who are dreading this Saturday...
Here is my ultimate breakup/anti-valentines day mix! I love you guys! Enjoy!

1 Pat Benatar - Love is a Battlefield
2 The Magnetic Fields - If you don't cry
3 Beck - Lost Cause
4 The Beach Boys - Let him run wild
5 Aretha Franklin - Mr. Big Stuff
6 Convoy - Loosen it up
7 13th Floor Elevators - You're gonna miss me
8 The Mother Hips - Shut the door
9 The Clash - Stand by your man
10 Love - Always see your face
11 The Miracles - The tracks of my tears
12 The Carpenters - Superstar
13 Chicago - Look away
14 Justin Timberlake - Cry me a river
15 Erasure - Oh l'amour
16 Cat Stevens - Wild world
17 The Rolling Stones - Heart of stone
18 The Cure - Pictures of you
19 The Fiery Furnaces - Single again
20 Gloria Gaynor - I will survive

I just want everyone to know, where ever you are, whoever you are, whatever state you and your life is in, I appreciate you and dearly want you to know that I LOVE YOU!

Feb 12, 2009

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines day one and all! I have felt so lucky and so loved over the past year. So much has happened, getting married and moving to California has been such a wonderful change and so rewarding! I feel so grateful to Chad, and all my family and friends who have helped me become the person I am today (for better or worse! ha!) I just wanted to send out some e-love to all those who need a hug this time of year.

I know that V-day can seem like D-day to so many people because it makes people feel more alone when they are bombarded with schmoopy and cheesy valentine EVERYTHING at every store and right around every corner. V-day can kill a small blossoming romance stone dead because of all the expectations and hub bub! I know that Chad has even felt some pressure to live up to the 'perfect' day! I think Valentines day should be everyday, people should do sweet things and show our love to one another in small ways not just one day a year but all year round. Check out our Last Valentines day was amazing and I know this year will be too!

I just want everyone to know, where ever you are, whoever you are, whatever state you and your life is in, I appreciate you and dearly want you to know that I LOVE YOU!


As a Valentines day gift to you all I am posting a
Valentines Day Mix
(This is also my wedding mix tape, so I wanted to share the love!

1 Wouldn't it be nice - The Beach Boys
2 Pure - The Lightning Seeds
3 I Got You - Wilco
4 Hair from your face - Derek See
5 This will be our year - The Zombies
6 Tired of being alone - Al Green
7 Very Happy with - Cerulean
8 Baby I'm-a want you - Bread
9 My conversation - The Uniques
10 Just like honey - Jesus and Mary Chain
11 Romeo & Juliet - The Chambers Brothers
12 Heartbeats - Jose Gonzales
13 Temptation [Original 12" edit] - New Order
14 I found a reason - The Velvet Underground
15 A kiss to build a dream on - Louis Armstrong
16 Just like heaven - The Cure
17 I will - The Beatles
18 Everlong [KROQ acoustic] - The Foo Fighters
19 Every Reason - Sense Field
20 Into your arms - The Lemonheads
21 I believe - Stevie Wonder
22 Fade into you - Mazzy Star
23 At Last - Etta James

I hope you like it! Enjoy! and stay tuned for the ANTI-Valentine's Day Mix!

Here are some pics of My Valentine, just after getting a flat tire on the freeway, in LA rush hour traffic!


He cleans up pretty darn nice! Love you Chad!