REFINE & FLOURISH

Writing | Designing | Creating

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Wedding Preview: The Hubbards

It was so amazing being a part of this couple’s wedding yesterday at Los Rios Rancho, a historic Southern California apple farm in Oak Glen. I met Robyn in high school, and our sarcastic humor quickly made us friends. Fast forward to almost 10 years later, we got to reconnect when she asked me to take her engagement and wedding photos. Clark is so perfect for her, and I’m honored they chose me to help them remember their special day. Here are a few favorites!

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Wonderfully Made

April 1, 2017

I love how photography freezes time. This ability is especially treasured when creating images of newborns, who change so much even in their first month of life. Knowing that each baby I photograph is not only unique, but tailor-made for a good purpose and marvelous future is so encouraging! 

God had a plan in mind when He made baby Dahlia, pictured above, just as He did for each one of us. That truth is comforting; God is rooting for you, He wants you to succeed, He wants to grow and refine you, all because He loves you! God has never made a person He did not love, and He declared mankind His masterpiece, with Jesus Christ as the center point for everything. 

If you’re in a place of uncertainty or anxiety about the future, know that God designed a life for your advantage. It won’t always be easy, and most times the growth process is uncomfortable at best, or just downright painful. But never for one second is it without purpose. 

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” - Romans 8:28

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Featured Artist: Kristen Lemmon

Kristen is passionate about photography. In her words, “There is nothing I'd rather do than this.” She also loves Jesus! These two things are evident from the moment you meet her. Kristen’s photographic style is very relaxed (she is from Southern California, after all) with an eye for the little moments, and that’s where the charm of her portraits shines through. She also has a gift for sharing what she has learned from walking with the Lord, which you can read on her blog, kristenlemmon.com.

Kristen was kind enough answer a few questions:

What are you currently reading? The Bible! 😂 Currently in 1 Peter.

How do you take your coffee? The same color as my skin!

Name a place you’ve always wanted to visit, and why: Iceland! The rolling hills. 😍

Do you remember when you first started falling in love with photography? I fell in love with photography when I was little! At the time I didn’t have a camera but I would just obsess over old photos and I would look through them over and over again. I got a camera 4 years ago & that’s when I got the chance to grow in my passion!

What was your career path? I’m about to graduate with a degree in Communications but I taught myself photography & I’m going to attempt to mix both together and go into visual marketing.

Is there a particular message you’re hoping to share through your photographs? Yes! I want my photos to capture JOY! I’m so thankful I get to be a part of people’s most joyous memories and I want them to remember how they felt during that time.

Favorite Photographer(s): @indiaearl

What’s next for you? (2017 Goals) Graduate & grow my photography business ❤ 

Make sure to stop by her website and check out her Instagram! 

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Fred & Laura | Lifestyle

I love dogs. I love that they are so cuddly and huggable, and they always greet you like you’re their favorite person ever (because you are). They are always down to play, or just chill with you as you binge-watch your favorite Netflix shows. They come in all shapes and sizes and colors (and fuzziness levels). They never fail to find their way into your heart. Dogs really make a house a home. 

Here are a few favorites from Fred & Laura’s lifestyle shoot, featuring their little pup Bernard the Beagle! 

Thanks for sticking it through til the end. Luv u guys!

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35mmoments

February 2, 2017

Growing up, I would constantly bring single-use cameras to school field trips and family outings. Then I got my hands on cameras like the Diana Mini and Nishika N8000 3D. My dad and I would drop my collection of film off at Costco and I couldn’t wait to open up the yellow & white envelope holding my prints an hour later. A few years ago, I was gifted an SLR of my very own, complete with a 50mm f/1.2 lens, and recently bought a 35mm fixed-lens viewfinder camera from the mid-50s.

As a visual person, I’ve always wanted to capture my life in pictures—it was the first way I learned to see the world creatively. And when you print them out, photos are a tangible memory of people and places inhabiting the world as it was in a moment that will never be here again. Before things happened, before a big heartbreak, or before a big breakthrough. 

I also like looking at old photos of people I don’t know—in museums, books (like this one: Images Of Our Times: Sixty Years of Photography from the Los Angeles Times) and thrift stores (Treasure House Mall in Barstow, CA is pretty neat). I get caught up in imagining how the people in these photographs lived, and why they took the photos they did. I try to imagine their story. 

All that to say, film is cool. It lets you slow down, contemplate composition, make mistakes, and capture great mems in gorgeous tones (10/10 would recommend). My photos probably won’t end up in a museum or published, but these are the moments that make up my life, and I love them. I am thankful for the beauty, the brokenness, and the beats in between.  

Thanks for scrolling <3 Now go forth and take some pics!

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Adorable pirate-themed cupcakes from my niece’s first birthday party, because I’m craving cupcakes. A big thanks to Kayla Kelley (@kaylakelleycupcakes) for making these. They were perfect, and so yummy! If you’re in the Riverside area and need desserts for your celebration, she’s your girl. 

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Erick & Bianca | Anniversary

This past Monday evening I got to photograph my lovely friends Erick & Bianca for their 3-year anniversary! It’s always amazing to see what God can create when He brings two people together. Spend even a couple minutes with them and you’ll see that their relationship exudes selflessness, humility, adoration for each other, and most of all, a heart for honoring Jesus through their love story! Here are some of my personal faves:

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Mermaids & Sailors

I’ve always wanted to make my own pillows from scratch! When I finally settled on a design I liked, I ordered a yard of fabric from an incredible company called Spoonflower that specializes in eco-friendly printing of fabric, wallpaper, and gift wrap. The best part is there’s no minimum, so I ordered just enough for one pillow set. The anchor print fabric and polyester filling were purchased at my local Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft store. 

Working with my hands always makes me think about the love and care God put into making each & every one of us. The bible tells us we are God’s masterpiece! Every time I make something, I’m reminded of that.

Check out the process & finished product:

♡

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In visual perception a color is almost never seen as it really is—as it physically is. This fact makes color the most relative medium in art.

Josef Albers, Interaction of Colors

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Bonnie Christine is one of my favorite designers! She’s amazingly talented at creating surface patterns. After taking one of her online classes on CreativeLive, I made this calamansi illustration inspired by a tree in my front yard.