Sunday, June 26, 2011

Risks.

I'm on the ground, climbing trees, rollig on the dirt... this is merely a description of some of the things I do to capture an image. I truly enjoy my job; no mountain is high enough to keep me from climbing it. I may sometimes, maybe even often, not climb it all but I will always try, always. At first glance, I do not seem like much of a risk tasker. But don't be fooled. Every decision I make, be it large or small, I ponder meticulously before jumping.

I may appear indecisive, but, really, I am just weighing my options. So when I decide, I feel confident with my choice and can move forward without peeking back. When I have a camera in my hands, my brain is often traveling a million miles per minute. I am constantly thinking about what to capture and how to capture it next; where to go, what to say, and what to do.

Yes, I may often have a confused look on my face during this process, but fear not my beloved clients... I am merely concentrating. As a photographer, you have to be constantly aware of your surroundings; you may never know what may be lurking around the corner...

When I photograph near the beach, on a dock and on a boat, I get sea sick and my knees secretly tremble at the tought of drowning. Today an alligator made me weak in the knees... and for once, thus far, I was oh-so-glad I was not on the ground to become someone's lunch!!!

Ah, the perils of my job... I love it!!!!!!!!!!!

{Okay, so I still get the chills at the thought of that alligator chomping on my little body... agh!!}

Make it a GREAT week my friends :)

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Love.

I know I said I'd blog Virginia and Omar's wedding today but I completely forgot today is my parent's anniversary... so in honor of their love, marriage and our family I'm writing about them....

I have realized that no relationship needs to be perfect to reach marriage. I have also realized, however, that one needs to be truly happy to attain love, real love. So at a time when I could have become a complete cynic and sworn off any future prospects of marriage, I am in fact more anxious than ever... anxious to be happy and find love. And, maybe one day, meet my soul mate and get married. Yes, soul mate. 

My parents celebrated another anniversary this year, twenty years of being with one another. Growing up together, learning each other's cultures, raising four children and many, many pets, and, most importantly, being in love.  I have seen them endure fights, endure sickness, endure trouble and reach happiness - time after time. 

I am saddened at the fact that my mom's first marriage never made it, but I have come to truly appreciate the fact that my step-dad came along, her prince charming, and rescued us both. And I am delighted that I was able to be a part of this wedding... too bad I wasn't a photographer in elementary school...

I believe in soul mates and happily ever afters. I believe in finding your prince charming and being swept off your feet. I believe. After all, I am a wedding photographer... 

Mom and Dad, Happy Anniversary!!! Michael, AJ, Brandon and I love you :)


I have asked my mother for wedding photos but, unfortunately, their wedding photographer never showed up on their wedding day. Boo! But there is a home video which we recently watched together as a family a few weeks ago (photo above is from that little video). My mother, just as I clearly remember, was truly beautiful. She radiated in her beautiful gown. I remember watching her walk down the aisle and thinking she looked like a princess. (I also remember being extremely bored during the ceremony... sorry - I was a little kid!) 

But of the entire wedding day, what I remember the most is how nervous my dad was waiting at the front of the altar. My mom was running late to the church and I clearly, very clearly, remember seeing my dad pacing. He looked nervous and at that exact moment, I think I completely accepted him. I knew he loved my mother, my beautiful mother. 

Their wedding was very much a DIY wedding... with the cutest two-tiered wedding cake. It was just the perfect size :) I don't remember much of the party... I wore a green bridesmaid dress my grandmother made and chased my little cousins around the yard. They held their reception at home and shared their celebration with a few of their closest family and friends. 

I am secretly hoping my mother lets me plan a vow renewal for next year or something because I want to photograph them both... and make heirloom memories :)

To semi-quote my friend and sorority sister Yva,  and in honor of my parents, I propose a toast...
... To everyone who above all believes in love and is searching for their fairytale.
Happy Anniversary to my parents!

Good night :)

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Bridal - Virginia :) Mission, Texas

Wowzers! One of my favorite parts of photographing weddings is definitely seeing the beautiful wedding dresses all of my brides choose to wear... they are a-m-a-z-i-n-g!!! And Virginia is no exception. 

I can finally share with you some of my favorite images from Virginia's bridal session back in May. We headed to the Lomita Chapel in Mission, Texas and I have to admit it has become one of my favorite places to photograph brides over the past year. It is a popular location for many of my beautiful brides and, well, I can certainly see why. 

The little chapel is so quaint and somewhat ethereal. Plus, when you add a beautiful woman in a gorgeous gown, the ambiance definitely screams love... at least in my view it does :)

Virginia and Omar just recently wed and Omar has finally realized Virginia's gown does not include poofy sleeves and a turtleneck... ha ha! So without further ado, I share with you Virginia's Bridals...

As usual, I had a lovely time spending an afternoon with Virginia, her mother and maid of honor. This is also a perk of the job... making new friends :)


Virginia, you are beautiful!!! While Omar and Virginia are in Jamaica on their honeymoon, I invite you to come back tomorrow to view their wedding photos.

Have a good night!

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Father(s).

On Friday I drove home and parked my car in the garage. A little light on the dashboard was blinking and I  made a mental note to inquire about it to my dad. The previous day, on Thursday, I was driving on the expressway and almost ran out of gas. I knew I had to stop midway through my drive to fill the tank back up. My dad was out of town and if I was stranded on the highway I would not have known who else to call. Granted my mom is superwoman, I don't think she would have been able to rescue me quite as fast. 

My dad

All this car-stuff had me thinking, where would I be without the important men in my life. Yes, men; plural. 

I am twenty five years old and can count the number of times I have spent with my dad, my biological father, on my two hands. Yet this number can never amount to how much I love him. He gave me life. I have his eyes and my crooked pinky fingers are his trademark. I think I may even have his sense of humor.

When I first met my stepdad over twenty years ago I hid under a chair. Leave it to me to believe I was invisible.  There he was, a stranger offering to give my mom and I the world. But I did not want it. I spent way too much time in the beginning quietly wondering why I saw him more than my other dad. 

Funny how our lives turn out. 

It's Father's Day today and my mood is bittersweet. I thank God for my wonderful father... he is not my stepdad; he is my dad. And my dad, mi papa, he is no longer with me. Although he never really was, it really hurts to know that when he fails to answer my call it is because he really can't. No excuses; he just can't. 

When my dad checked my tires out Saturday morning, it turns out they were ready to blow out. As a matter of fact, the tire man wondered how it had not yet happened. Lucky, he said. But it was not luck. Luck would have been me blowing out a tire and not swerving all around. Instead, I am blessed. Blessed to have my other dad present in my life to care and look out for me. 

While my father gave me a beating heart, my dad gave me a life

The food I eat. The shoes I wear. The car I drive. My education. My common sense. For all my wishes I dream up, he grants them. My dad became my father even though he did not have to be. For that, for that I am so very thankful. Thankful that I was blessed with two fathers. 

I wish every father a loving day but most of all, I wish my dads a very Happy Father's Day! I love you both. 


Make it a great week my friends!!!

*Note: If confused you in the form of which I refer to my dad and, well, my dad... ha! I am sorry but I refuse to refer to my stepdad as such... He's my dad ;) and so is my other dad... I did it again, didn't I? Ha! Good night :)

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Randomness.

I ate some pineapple today, yum!

I am so glad I gave my room a makeover this past Sunday because I absolutely love jumping into my comfy bed with lots of fluffy pillows and a great comforter... it's the good life ;)

Mom and and the boys brought a Great Dane puppy home; they named him Hercules. {He's huge!}

I {finally!} had a chance to watch t.v. tonight, yay!

I have the next three weekends wedding-free...I'm excited for some free time.

I am anxiously awaiting Sunday evening because Drop Dead Diva premieres with a brand new season. I LOVE that show... you should watch it - it's on Lifetime.

I want to see The Green Lantern... maybe because I have a mini-crush on the Ryan Reynolds, ha! That, and who doesn't love a superhero movie and popcorn?

I want to go fishing!

I want to slow dance under the moonlight.

I am really tired and since I am blogging from my comfy bed, I think it is time to call it a night. But before I sign of, I want to send a big Congratulations to my friend Blanca who just recently became engaged!!!!! Wohoooooo!!! :)

Good night.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Clean.

The past few months have been a whirlwind and as organized as my to do lists and planner have made me... they have inadvertently also managed to make a mess in my bedroom. Gaahh!!! Next time, I'll Clean my room to the lists... 

But today I f-i-n-a-l-l-y set aside the lovely day to clean it... from to to bottom! Boy do I love the smell of Pledge :) Now that my room is all clean with a scent of lavender (so relaxing!) I have just realized the weekend is over and I did not get to catch up on the Real Housewives! (Yes I watch, don't judge.) 

My doggies have been fed and gone out to potty and are now back in their cozy beds ready to sleep. And me, I am ready to jump into my cozy bed. And dream.




Good night :)

Friday, June 10, 2011

Bullies.

It's been a rough week... and today was the toughest.

I rode the yellow school bus from kindergarten up until the tenth grade. Every morning I woke up at 5:30, took a shower and went outside to wait for the bus. By 6:15 AM I'd grab my bag, walk outside and wait. 25, bus 25 was my number for so many years. I missed it many times, often by accident and more-so on purpose.

In the afternoon, when school was finished I would wait again for the bus. It was my routine but it wasn't one to complain about. Except for the fact that although my routine rarely changed, the people who rode the bus with me did. Some were nice, and others found it easy to pick on me. 

Frankly, it may be my demeanor and/or my quietness but I think I am an easy target to be picked on. When I was in second grade, there was a less-than-friendly boy who teased me regularly. I won't go into detail but man did I really dislike riding the bus in the afternoon that year. 

I am always too quiet or too loud. I am either too nice or not nice enough. I have yet to understand what it is I could possibly do wrong that makes it easy for people to hurt me, to hurt my feelings. Yet, I seem to do it constantly.

As a 25 year old, I can no longer run to my mommy and say help me. Albeit she'd would not hesitate to defend me, I cannot rely on my mother to protect me daily. But I do not have it in me to stop being bullied. 

Today, I thought about quitting. I wanted to quit something I truly enjoy doing. On the verge of driving myself insane wondering why, why pick on me I realized that I have to stop allowing people to bully me, to pick on me, to hurt me. 

Sigh. 

So while my mom could not step in to defend me today, she did protect me - with her words. In everything I do, she said, I will come across people who think differently. People who, unbeknownst to them, may maliciously hurt my feelings. Get over it Marisol!!!!!!! 

So tonight I take a deep breath. I am not a quitter. I refuse to quit. 

Instead I'll smile and be happy ;)

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Skype!

I have joined Skype!

If you have an account, feel free to add me... my username is marisol.izaguirre2. I think this is a great tool to meet my  non-local brides, wohoo!!!

Good night ;)

Monday, June 6, 2011

Jenny + John... Married! Harlingen, Texas

As my life began a personal transition a while back, I wondered if being a wedding photographer would make moving on difficult. But my brides and grooms, the wonderful people who are madly in love that I get to photograph continue to remind me that fairy tales do exist.

While some couples are openly affectionate with one another, and others gladly accept an embrace from their partner, Jenny and John are a tad bit different. Their love is evident not in the way they hold hands nor the way they sit closer together. Rather, their love is fully apparent in their behavior, their real life behavior. This is what I mean...

John is truly the epitome of a gentleman. He cares for his, now wife, in every aspect of the word. I can see he loves her by the way he speaks about her, glances at her, and, most importantly, is around her. Jenny is one lucky woman. 

And John? John lucked out as well. Jenny is an amazingly beautiful woman with an extremely kindred spirit. Her glances and her smiles give away the love she has for her groom. It was a beautiful moment to see her walk down the aisle... and as she came closer to the altar, I had to make sure to keep it together. There was love written all over her smile - a smile working hard to fight back tears. 

I am most certain those tears were of pure joy. Seeing Jenny and John joined together in marriage was truly an honor. They are two amazingly loving individuals made to love one another. 

Jenny and John, Congratulations on your marriage!!! Truly, you both are blessed. I wish you great health, love and happiness in a long marriage. Thank you for allowing me to spend a gorgeous wedding day with you as your photographer :) Thank you!

This wedding was a-m-a-z-i-n-g!!! I had such a great time from start to finish. John and Jenny really know how to throw a great party... perhaps it was all the Aggies in attendance?

 One of my favorite moments...
These boys sure know how to make you smile!
Ha! This was a great idea ;)
 We snuck in a more formal group photo... for tradition ;)
 Wind can be a friend :)
 This reminds me why I believe in fairytales! Prince charmings do exist :)
 This is one of the BEST bride and groom photos I have taken, don't you agree?!!
 Fun! :)

Again, congratulations Jenny and John!!!

I hope you are having a great week thus far :)