WHAT'S ON MY MIND: DANIEL PEREZ

Dear Baby,

What an awesome day we had!! It's days like this that I want to always remember how much fun we have. We woke up and had a hearty breakfast of yummy cereal. We decided that today we were going to hang out with our two year old niece, Shirel and nephew, Joshua. We picked them up and headed to the outlets. It felt so weird because we are not use to having kids with us, but it was fun. At times I felt like people were looking at me like what is she doing?!?!? I had trouble opening doors with a big stroller and I would bump into things at the store. But I enjoyed every minute of it. It was nice to have a Saturday off because I have been nonstop for the past few weeks. We shopped until we dropped. We kissed and held each others hands, something I will be missing while you are gone, and enjoyed being with family. It was nice to give your sister and my sister a break! I love the little things that you do, even though I had diaper duty! You are an amazing husband with a BIG heart. You are always thinking of others and making sure I am HAPPY!! I loved watching you get happy at buying the littlest things for yourself, you are so cute :) Everyday I learn to be a better wife, photographer, and friend!!! Thank you for being by my side and my new puma shoes!!! :)

Love, Mrs. Perez

WHAT'S ON MY MIND: GOOD COMPANY.

Last week was one of those crazy weeks. You know those kind of weeks where everything goes wrong and you think to yourself can it get any worse? I had one of those weeks where I was questioning God and myself on what I was doing. I was thinking, "Am I really doing what God has called me to do"? Am I really a good photographer? I have to remind myself that God has me where he wants me. It was a stressful week at work and my photography to do list was as long as the Nile River. Ok so maybe I am exaggerating a little bit, but for real it was long.

Last Thursday, I walked in our apartment and saw a half a dozen red,white, and pink roses on our dining room table with a card. As soon as I saw the roses I felt a warmth in my heart. As I read the card tears started to fall on my cheeks, not because I was sad but because it touched me and I was overwhelmed with something so small but yet so meaningful. I walked in our bedroom and saw there were more flowers and a Kit Kat bar (my fav). My husband constantly reminds me of who I am and what I can do. I am thankful for times like this, because it humbles me and makes me stronger.

Friday afternoon I drove to Pembroke, Ga to help my friend, Kimberly Wilson shoot a wedding. I had been looking forward to this all month, but with the week I had, I just did not feel like going. Of course I was still going to go, after all she was depending on me and I wanted to be true to my word. I stayed the whole weekend and had a blast. I don't think she will ever know how much it meant to me. We woke up early Saturday morning and drove to Waycross, Ga to shoot Tommy and Beth's wedding. This couple is adorable and I realized, I am doing what I absolutely love!!! I am in the process of editing their pictures but just thought I would post one picture.

Enjoy!!!

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

It was a beautiful sunny day. We woke up and decided to go to the park, ride bikes, and have lunch. Since the weather was perfect I did not want to stay inside. I wanted to be out and enjoy the day!! It was so relaxing, to not have to think about doing anything except having fun. We made sandwiches and had a nice lunch with the family. Baby, I don't want to ever forget moments like this. How much fun we have and how much we laugh!!





These two adorable boys are my nephews.



My sister, Jackie









Joseph (brother), Daniel (brother-in-law) , and Daniel

**Yes, my sister and I are both married to Daniels. Ironic don't cha think :)

PERSONAL: CRAZY LOVE

Remember how I was telling you all that I wanted to start reading more?? Well guess what? I have already read two books this year. I have been reading this book called, "Crazy Love" by Francis Chen. WOW, what a great book!! I've heard a few people talk about how good this book is and decided to buy and read it. Most of the time, I go and buy a book, read a few pages, and set it on my bookcase to collect dust. But not this one.

This book talks about how relentless God is and how much he loves us. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I don't know how much God loves me, but sometimes I get used to His love that I forget what it really means to love him with my whole heart. I went through a time where I thought I knew all about God!! It did't take God long to put me in my place but it did take me long to realize it. I felt burned out. I felt like reading my bible and having quiet time was something I had to do, so that God would not look down on me. I had a guilt cloud hovering over my head.

God wants us to draw near to him, not because we have to but because we want to. I love how Francis' says that our motivation moves from quilt to love. Whenever you are head over heels with someone, you are willing to do whatever it takes to spend time with them. You are not motivated by guilt but by love. Please don't think I have it all together. This is something that I am on a daily basis. I want to be captivated by the love of God. I want to love others because I have been loved.

I have been listening to Kim Walker's song - How He Loves over and over. I love this song!! Every time I hear this song it reminds me of how much God loves me. Here are the lyrics from the song. Read them and Enjoy!!!

Kim Walker: How He Loves

He is jealous for me Love's like a hurricane, I am a tree Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory and I realize just how beautiful You are and how great your affections are for me.

Oh, how He loves us so Oh, how He loves us How He loves us so. (x2)

Yeah, He loves us Whoa, how He loves us Whoa, how He loves us Whoa, how He loves. (x2)

We are His portion and He is our prize, Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss and my heart turns violently inside of my chest I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way

CALIFORNIA LOVE

I am so excited to tell you all that Daniel and I are taking a 2 week long trip to LOS ANGELES in September, before he deploys to Afghanistan. I can't wait for this trip because we are also going to have our pictures taken by Ala of Modern Type. I have been a blog stalker of her's for sometime. Her work is amazing and I love her style. I am trying to brainstorm some ideas, so if you have some send me an email or leave me a comment. We will be spending time with my family and driving the cost of California.

You know how much I LOVE "The City of Angels" - and if you did not know, well now you do. If it was up to me I would move there in a heart beat. I am so happy to see my family, I just love them and always have a blast whenever I go visit. I can't wait to eat my grandma's tamales - she makes the best Salvadorean tamales, eva. I can't wait to eat tacos from El Taurino, and cruise Santa Monica.

I am most excited about cruising the coast of California. This is something that Daniel and I have never done, so I am sure that we are going to enjoy this very much and have lots of memories. I can't wait to feel the breeze brushing my hair, smelling the salt water from the beach, feeling the sand between my toes, and most of all just being with him.

ARE YOU LIVING YOUR DREAM?

How many of you have a dream? Almost everyone has a dream, but very few ever achieve it or realize it.

These were the words that John Maxwell asked yesterday at church, when he was talking about a book he wrote called, Put Your Dream to the Test: 10 Questions That Will Help You See It and Seize It. These words left a residue in my heart. A couple years ago, I saw a documentary called, Born into Brothels that changed my life. Have you ever seen it? If not, I recommend that you watch it. This documentary shows how Zana Briski, a photographer based out of New York, use photography to impact the lives of several children that live in the Red Light District in Calcutta, India. Zana shows these children how to look at the world through the eyes of a camera. Zana gave each child a camera so she could teach them photography, and told them to take pictures of whatever they wanted. These children all have a special talent and take amazing pictures. She uses their pictures in a exhibit so that the children have a better chance in life besides living in the Red Light District.

One of my dreams is to start a non-profit organization like Kids with Cameras, in El Salvador. This little country in Central America has a special place in my heart and also happens to be where both of my parents are from. My parents came from El Salvador when they were young in hopes of a better future. I want to be able to take kids of the streets and show them that God loves them and has a plan for their lives. I know that this is not going to happen over night, but this is a dream that will one day come soon. In the meantime, I have decided to do whatever it takes to makes this dream into a reality.

CHANGE!!!

I just got off the phone with my husband, Daniel who by the way is away for drill. Last month when he left for drill, he found out he was being deployed to Afghanistan for one whole year. When I spoke to Daniel today, he was giving me all the details.When I was on the phone with him I was holding back my tears. I did not want him to hear me cry because he hates it when I cry. Besides I want him to know that I am behind him 100% and how proud I am of him. As I am writing this post my emotions are scattered. I am sad, excited, worried, and peaceful. I am excited for him because since he got back from training he has been ready to leave. I keep on telling myself that this is the PERFECT time for him to leave because, we don't have kids. I admire men/women that are raising their children while their husbands/wives, fiances, boyfriends/girlfriends are off fighting. My hat goes toward you LADIES/MEN!!!


Daniel and I both believe that this is God's will for the time being. This is one Valentine Day I will never forget. I feel the hand of God protecting him and I know that Daniel is going to be guided with the wisdom of God. Daniel is leaving in December and I know that 2011 is going to be a good year!!! I love my husband soooo much for his ability to give. Daniel has alway been a giver and I love him for that. I am constantly learning from him. God has been so good to us and continues to show us his grace and favor. I am so thankful for the people that God has placed in our lives and I will forever be indebted in their kindness.

IT'S SNOWING!!!

Yesterday, we had SNOW!!! I honestly did not think think that we were going to get snow, let alone a lot of it. I left work early just so that I would not be stuck in traffic and of course to PLAY in the snow. I just wanted to share with you all pictures of me and Daniel having fun and playing in the snow. It was such a beautiful afternoon.We are supposed to get some more snow on Monday?!?!?

I was going up a hill and fell. Daniel and I begin to laugh hysterically.

This picture was taken by my hubby. Not bad eh???





Another one of Daniel's picture.

The love of my life!!!!





What a hottie!!!

TO DO LIST FOR 2010

I know that a list is vital, but I've never been a list maker. I find myself making lists and not following them. So I have decided the heck with them. Today, I decided I would give it another try and make a to do list for 2010. Also, don't be a hater. Leave me some blog love with your comments!!! :0) *Have a great weekend!!

1.Absorb as much information as I can at WPPI 2010.

2. Grow as a person and as a photographer

3. Take a Photoshop class.

4. Attend as many workshops as I can.

5. Meet and second shoot with as many photographers as I can, so that I can learn.

6. Read, Read, and Read some more.

7. Grow closer to God.

8. Enjoy every moment with my husband.

9. Learn to love myself.

10. Create a website.

11. Take as many pictures as I can.

12. Attend a Jasmine Star workshop!!!!

13. Develop powerful relationships and friendships.

14. Be content with who I am and what I have!!!

15. Get out of Debt!!

16. Learn who I am.

17. Overcome fear.

18. Stop worrying about what others think.

19. Eat better and exercise.

20. Become a better wife.

22. Let go of rejection.

And most importantly......"Have the best YEAR of my LIFE"!!!!!!

FEAR OF FAILURE.....

Failure....Why is it that we are so afraid to fail but, at the same time we are so afraid to succeed? I have to ask myself this question daily. Have you ever wanted something so bad that it hurts? I know I have. That is the way I feel about photography. I eat, drink,and live photography - heck it's all I think about! I was so petrified to start a photography business. My biggest fear was, what if it fails? I have to keep on telling myself - A failure is someone that gives up without trying. If I don't try, I will always wonder what if in the back of my head. Will anyone like my pictures? What is my style? What am I good at? What am I not good at? These questions are constantly playing in my head. My fear of not making my parents proud. My fear of leaving school to become a nurse to pursue photography. What if I don't make it? Again, those what if questions playing in my head. Why are we so afraid to run after our dreams? Is it the fear of failure? I know that God provides, and that is something that I am reminded of on a daily basis. How about the time I went to Europe for six weeks by myself and was getting short on money, someone mysteriously deposited $1,000 in my account!! Again, God provides. What about the time, I got an email from Kate telling me I got accepted for her internship. That was totally a God thing!!! Someone taking the time to share their up's and down's to help someone else follow their dreams!!! Besides, isn't it our failures that make us better? I leave you all with a quote from Theodore Roosevelt: It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed. P.S I have some pictures of a recent session that will be posting soon!!!

liana's PARTY

Last Saturday, my friend Kelly and I had attended the launch party for liana photography's website at StudioWed here in Atlanta. We had such a blast meeting new people and checking out Liana’s new website. I had been looking forward to this all week and was afraid it was going to be cancelled due to the weather. It was such a pleasure to meet liana, Michelle White, and Megan. One of the photographers that I meet was Michelle White. We talked and we talked and talked some more. Through our conversations I found out that she knows someone that I know. What a small world!?! Michelle had also attended Jamine Star's workshop this past November and was telling us all about it. I was so jealous, but also happy that she was able to attend and learn so much. Michelle it was so nice to meet you. I can't wait to get together and hang out. One more thing....This was my first week of my internship. I will blog more about this later!! Till then enjoy my photos from Saturday!!!

Aren't these cute?!? Liana made these. Left to Right: Michelle, Me, Kelly, and Megan Kelly and I with Liana

BEING R.E.A.L

So where do I begin??? What a crazy week this has been for me. I hate it when you wake up on the wrong side of the bed and you feel like nothing is going your way. Is it just me or do you ever feel like that? This past week, I felt like Oscar the Grouch. As much as I hate it when I get in moods like this, God always has another plan behind it. I don't know where I would be without my husband's love and patience. This week I called him (I can't remember why) and he could tell I was not in a good mood. I mumbled some stuff to him and then I said,"Good Bye". A couple minutes later he called me back and asked me what was wrong with me and I told him that I did not feel like talking about it. Whenever I am in one of my moods he constantly bugs me until I tell him what is bothering me. As much as I hate when he does this I have to be honest and say that it really makes me see that I am being a little dramatic. Especially, when he is wright about something and I know he is but I don't want to admit it. Oh, me!!He always reminds me not to get upset about something I have no control over. I am learning from him more and more each day. How compassionate, loving, and patient he is. It's funny how we are so different but at the same time we compliment each other. The other day he came home and brought me roses, boy did he make my day. I just can't say how much I adore fresh flowers. I believe they are a girl's best friend, besides diamonds! Whenever I start to write a post on my blog, I always ask Daniel to proof read it for me. The last time I asked him to proof read one of my posts he gave me a look, and asked me if I was sure because when he tries to give me his opinion, I get upset. I told him I will try to not get upset. I hate to break it you but my trying did not work. I walked away to refresh my mind and when I came back we just looked at each other and laughed!! I apologized to him for getting upset. A couple of days ago we were sitting in the living room and I turned to him and told him," Baby, thank you for loving me with my flaws". I mean I have the best husband the world could ever offer. I would not trade him for the world and I am so in love with this man!! Sorry, if I seem too personal but I am just being REAL. I leave you with a picture of my flowers: Hope you have a great Sunday.

BOOKS ARE A GIRLS BEST FRIEND....

I know that New Years has not arrived yet but something I am going to do more of in 2010 is read, read, read, and read some more!! I use to be a book worm when I was a little girl. My favorite books to read was R.L Stine and The Babysitters Club. I could sit for hours and hours just reading away. I remember reading a book, and feeling like I was in another world. It helped me escape my every day life. My sister would always tell me that I read too much. Books are enriched with so much knowledge. The most important book I MUST read more of is my Bible. Where would I be without the word of God? I want to base my business on His foundation. Gods word sustains me and always reminds me to trust in Him. Whenever I feel like I can't do this or feel fear rising up His word is always there to comfort me.To remind me that God gives me the strength to do everything. What an awesome God we serve, to know that He is always on our side. I will end this post with a scripture from Psalm 18:30 (The Message) : What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth. Every God-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward him Makes it. Have a fabulous Thursday!!

Gwinnett County Fair

After church this past Sunday, I had lunch with my sister and her family and then went to the fair. I had such a blast. It reminded me of when I was a little girl. I had a good time even though I did not ride any rides. I know, I am no fun!! But I did capture some beautiful pictures to share. It was a beautiful day, especially after all the rain we just had. I just thought, I would share a few of the pictures with everybody. Enjoy!!! Got Funnel Cake? This picture was taken by Ivan.

My Hubby...

This post is dedicated to my husband...Daniel and I have been married for almost two years! Wow I can't believe how time flies by. Daniel joined the Military(National Guard) in March of this year. I am so proud of him and thankful for having such an A-W-E-S-O-M-E husband. I can't express how thankful I am for him serving our Country, not just him but all of our soldiers. Thank you baby for being supportive of my dreams and I can't wait until you come home. Hooah!!! I have the best husband in the world and I thank God every day for bringing him into my life. I LOVE YOU AMORCITO!!!!!

Trip to the Beach.

Well I finally got some pictures uploaded to my blog. It's been taking me forever to upload them. I've just been so busy with life and school! I feel like my to do list keeps getting longer and longer. Hey, well at least this is one more thing less to do. So I had an awesome weekend, and just thought I would share it with you through pictures. Took a relaxing trip to Panama City Beach with my family. Enjoy!! I want to go back. My sister, Jackie and my nephew Joshua. Vinny The Solano Family