IVE MADE MY PERMANENT HOME AT WORDPRESS!!
WWW.ARAXIPHOTOBLOG.COM see you there!
Leather Craftsmen is in the building!
I have nothing but love for Leather Craftsmen. I knew I wanted a good album company when I started, so I researched a few before deciding to go with LC and I am so glad I did. They have a new client orientation that I went to a few months back and we were able to go into the plant and actually see them working on the albums. Every part of their albums are hand made and can be custom designed based on what you want. I left with a deep appreciation for their work and so much gratitude towards the people that work there. From the time I placed my order the communication was just awesome. I have some pictures of the album and big thanks to Nick for being my designer, this is definitely something I will be leaving up to the pro :) Sorry but the pictures don't do the album justice. In the coming months I will have more album pictures and album designs to share including infant and senior portrait albums.
These little 4x6 albums make great guest books!! You can take the engagement pictures and when designing the album we would leave ample white space for your guests to sign. I suppose you could do one with a maternity shoot and use it as a baby shower guest book. The possibilities are endless!
Pictures anyone?
Ok so yesterday I had a bridal shoot with a really sweet couple and in the middle of the session I started having some ideas. Now normally I would jot them down in a little red journal that I have but for obvious reasons I couldn't. Well luckily something finally stuck with me and I was actually able to remember! (this does not happen often)
Ok now to the point. I think there are maybe one or two of you out there that actually read my blog lol I need your help. If you or someone you know is willing to help me out on a project I need you to email me with a picture at info@araxiphotography.com. I will probably be doing two of these sessions for now. You will receive a disk of images from the session along with an 8x10 print.
Requirements:
1. Must have a wedding dress (please no puffy shoulder dresses, I need something a little more modern :P )
2. Willing to get the wedding dress dirty. Not trashed just a wet and a little dirty.
2. Photogenic and comfortable in front of the camera! You need to be open to trying something different.
3. Available in the next month on a weekday.
Here is one of my favorite shots from yesterday that got me thinking.
Happy Birthday Mom!
My mom celebrated her 60th birthday on Friday! I am so excited for her this is such a big milestone. A new beginning of sorts. She has endured more than her fair share in the last few years and it is so great to see her looking so good, feeling so good and doing so well for herself. My mom is the type of mom everyone loves! When I was a teen she was the one to schlep me and all my friends to the mall, the movies, or she would open up our home to sleep overs, even when my friends and I made a big mess and ate all the food. If you know her you love her and if you don't know her you would lover her. Isn't she beautiful? Happy Birthday Mom!! We love you!
**ETA: I just noticed we smile the same***
I love this shot of her and Alex.
My Dreams Have Come True
I just saw this at Target the other day, Im not sure where I have been because it seems as though it was re-released in 2006! Why didn't anyone tell me??? I absolutely loved this system as a kid. I remember getting one for my birthday and thinking I was the coolest kid in my apartment building. Soon everyone flocked to apartment 1 to play video games. Kids where lining up from apartment buildings down the street. Ok a little exaggeration but thats how I saw it in my 6 year old mind, and that is truly how I felt about getting this game system. I have never been able to get into gaming and games since then. Its just too complicated now I love the fact that the ATARI had a joystick and ONE button. Not one hundred and thirty buttons, and a million different ways of pushing those buttons for CHEATS! There's no cheating in PacMan. You run around and eat ghosts, occasionally out of the blue a pretzel or a piece of fruit will hop around but thats it. The next level brought the excitement of a new color and all was right with the world. I MUST get me one. Anyone with me? Up for an ATARI PacMan tournament? Glamorous I know but its the little things.
oh no he didn't!!
So I went to the local camera shop to rent a lens to play around with this weekend and because Alex had the day off from school he went with me. Welllllll outings with him seem to always make for a rather interesting and sometimes awkward moments and today was no different. I think he was channeling his inner Nick today. This is short so pay attention or you might miss it lol
Me: handing my credit card over the the cashier
Alex SHOUTS: HEY MOM WHERES YOUR CASH!
Oh no he didn't.
I do love him for this sort of thing though. He totally has my personality, we are in so much trouble.
And with that I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
[Chuck and Nancy] I do
I love weddings! I had the honor of shooting Chuck and Nancys wedding a little over a week ago and let me tell you it was a blast. Its great when couples incorporate cultural traditions into their wedding. It was easy to see that Chuck and Nancy made sure that their guests were going to have a great time and they would be taken care of the whole night. They were married in a beautiful church in Pasadena, followed by a reception at Twin Palms. Their DJ Dann was awesome and kept the party live the whole night! Chuck and Nancy thank you so much for trusting me with your special day! Have fun on your honeymoon and Ill see ya when you get back.
The gorgeous bride.
He could not keep his eyes off her. So sweet.
I shot this through the carving in the door of the church.
I love this one.
Nick was kind enough to be my second shooter and he was amazing. He got this shot of Nancy that I think is just so sweet.
Chinese Tea Ceremony
They also had the Immortals do a traditional Lion Dance. This was the coolest thing EVER!
I have so many more pictures look for the slide show soon and some more shots that Nick took!
Its Marathon Time
A fellow photographer Brian Khang (i dont know him personally but I do admire his work) is offering a photo session with him if you make a $250 donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. You can read his story on his blog and the details of the session.
If you know me and have followed my previous blog you will know that this is something personal for me as well. This is a great opportunity not only to give to a wonderful cause but to get a session with a rockin photographer!
Happy Birthday
Today is Nick's birthday. I wont tell you how old he is or he will kick my ass. As I write this, the poor guy is stuck in traffic, heading back from Santa Monica in the pouring rain.
This is my best friend. This is the best father a little boy could have. He is the best son a mother and father could have, and if you ask my mom, there is no other son in law that could even compare to him. Without his love and support there is no way on this earth I could follow this crazy dream of mine. There is no way I would be able to leave a sure thing job to pursue something, so new and a road less traveled if you will. I am eternally grateful to have him in my life and I thank God everyday for him, and so does Alex.
We love you and happy birthday. Alex made him the coolest cake, complete with marshmallows, chocolate chips, and enough candles to keep the entire place lit should we have a blackout from this storm.
I'll take two please
One of my dearest friends is expecting TWINS. Yes twins. She is the second person I know who's second pregnancy has been twins (and those around me wonder why I haven't tried for a another) Well a few weeks ago we did a mini maternity shoot with her. Here she is looking all cute and very pregnant.
She came up to me last week and asked if a person could die of heartburn. lol
the rest of the gang
So rather than posting all the pictures I have chosen a few to share and I made a slideshow of the rest. The slide show can be seen HERE Thank you again for letting me spend some time with your family.
Here is the crew. They all share the same beautiful smile!
Here is Bucket's mom isn't she hot?
He deserved his own post
I photographed a very special family this past weekend, some faces you all might even recognize from previous posts but I felt like their dad deserved his own post. He was quiet and didn't say too much while I was there, but you know when you look at someone (especially through your lens) you feel like they are telling you a story. I feel like that with everyone I shoot. I really truly feel a connection. Im not just standing behind the camera pressing a button and checking exposures. I feel like the people I shoot are telling me something. Teaching me something. Well he is no different. You can tell he love his family and is deeply proud of his heritage and his culture. He still rides horses in Mexico every other weekend, and was proud to take a picture in his charro outfit. Not only did he get to take a picture in his charro outfit but he had his grandsons dress up as well. Of course they are teenagers and giggled, and laughed, and thought it was hysterical, and to be honest for a second it was really a crack up to see them walk out in their outfits, they were so cute. I can tell you this though they are so blessed to have such a grandfather, and I hope that when they look at the pictures years down the road that they too will be proud just like their grandfather.
Here are a couple of shots of him. Ill share more of the family tomorrow. Their mom is beautiful!
