College Grad 2012: Dawn

Dawn has been working really hard over the last four years, and her hard work is finally paying off. June she will proudly walk across the CSUB stage to receive her Bachelor of Bio Chemistry. Her dream is to use her degree working at either a vineyard or oil company. After my time with her during her graduation session though, I personally think she might be chosing the wrong career. She is absolutely stunning and so photogenic. I think her true calling should have been modeling. Wherever she decides to work will be one lucky business to have her apart of. She doesn't just have the beauty she has the brains too!

This last year has been an exciting year for her, not only was she finally finishing up her degree, but she got engaged! She hasn't decided yet if she will take some time off to plan for her wedding next year or if she will throw herserlf back into school in the fall to further her degree. I'm sure whatever she decides she will do it whole heartedly.

Dawn it was such a pleasure spending time with you! You are an amazing girl and I know you will go very far in life. Keep up your dreams and good luck in this next year. Don't forget to enjoy life some too amongst all your hard work, you definitely deserve a break!  

Super model status right here!

My Big Fat Greek Wedding: Demetri + Lorena

It's been four years since Demetri and Lorena were introduced. She lived in the bay area at the time her friend Kyle, who was also a friend of Demetri, decided they needed to be introduced. They spent the first year attempting to have a long distance relationship, often times meeting halfway to spend time together.

Who would have known the first year of their relationship would be the very symbol of the way their love for each other works perfectly. They compliment each other, best friends, two people that know what marriage takes; two people that know the importance of meeting in the middle.

After the most exciting, beautiful, proposal on the Hunington Beach pier, Lorena and Demetri began planning for their festivities. Since Demetri comes from a large Greek family it was only appropriate that they get married in a traditional Greek ceremony.

They created one of the most spectacular weddings I have been a part of. The entire day was a celebration that started with a traditional Greek ceremony and ended with some exciting Greek dancing. I have never been a part of a Greek wedding so you can imagine how excited I was to have the honor of spending a cultural day with the two of them.

 The families of Demetri and Lorena were so welcoming and friendly. I felt like a guest rather than just some camera person. During dinner I received one of the best compliments I've ever received; Lorena came and found us to make sure we were able to sit down and eat. I don't believe we have ever had a bride worry about our well being like that. It just goes to show what an amazing couple Demetri and Lorena are, and the only reason they are like this is because of the amazing families they have. The quote from My Big Fat Greek Wedding, "There are two kinds of people - Greeks, and everyone else who wish they was Greek" sums up the day perfectly for me. Greeks no how to celebrate and they know how to treat others.

Thank you so much Demetri and Lorena for this wonderful experience. You guys were so wonderful to spend the day with, and your families were amazing. Lorena I absolutely fell in love with your family. They are wonderful, and Demetri your family is so inviting, accepting, and loving. I love how tight knit they are. I could not have asked for a better experience. I wish you both all the happiness in the world.

Cheers to a lifetime of happiness you two!

"Our Miracle Josephine, Turns One!"

May 18, 2011:
You could hear the cries from down the hall, "Doctor needed, baby unresponsive!" Doctors and nurses dashed through the hospital halls, family members paced back and forth in the waiting room. What was suppose to be the happiest day of a mother's life, quickly turned into a parent's worst nightmare.

Daniel and Jennifer just gave birth to their first born child.  A precious little girl they named Josephine. They had dreamed of this day forever, but it went nothing like they had imagined. When Josephine was born she was unresponsive. It was a very trying time for these new parents. They could not believe after 9 1/2 months of anticipation for their little girl, they would have to deal with such a tragic event. After eight days were spent in the NICU, they were blessed with a miracle! Little Josephine was healthy enough to bring home for good.

May 18, 2012: This time last year my life changed with 3 little words: Baby Not Responsive. I never knew how much I could hurt because of how much I loved my daughter at first sight. Today we celebrate how strong our little girl is. Happy 1st birthday Josephine. -Jennifer

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Josephine and her parents one year after she entered this world. Never in a million years would I have known she had such a rocky start. She is the healthiest happiest little one year old! We first spent some time playing with Josephine and celebrating how strong she is now. Then the real fun began when we took some Smash the Cake pictures. I have to say Josephine gave me the best reaction to her cake. When Jennifer first set down the cake I wanted to take a quick picture of it before we let Josephine tear it up. Josephine was so excited she could barely contain herself. The moment her daddy sat her down she immediately went to town. I don't believe she stuck a single bite in her mouth, but she had a blast carrying it around like a football and smashing it up in her fingers. Once she got it shredded she then had to stand up and spread it as far as she could. It was a complete success and such a blast to watch! We all laughed the entire time. I wish all one year old's were as excited about their cake as Josephine. She is as cute as a button and so angelic.

Jennifer and Daniel, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of such a miraculous milestone in Josephine's life. You both are so strong and have done a wonderful job with her. Make each year the biggest celebration because the two of you are so blessed to have such an amazing daughter!