And here are some behind-the-scenes images courtesy of Andrew!

And I couldn’t resist this hilarious set of photos! “Hey…uhhh Mandy….there’s a horse behind you”.

Kimberly’s dad wanted to make something special for her for the wedding. Instead of a traditional ring bearer pillow, he had the idea to make this neat little box for the rings to be carried in!

Kimberly did such a great job with all of the DIY details! I loved everything!
Venue: Wilson Creek Winery

Florist: Sweet Petals Florist

Cake Artist: Cakes to Celebrate

Hair: Stephanie Ackerman

Makeup: Flirt Beauty Bar

DJ: Dennis Barela

Dress: Maggie Sottero

I had so much fun spending a day in NYC, sharing what I know with Aysha. We covered everything, from interacting with your clients, to taxes and the business side. Oh yeah…and we had a few laughs along the way too!

I am so honored and thrilled to have had the opportunity to mentor her. I hope I was able to be an influence in helping her achieve her dreams!

She’s got what it takes….the passion, the talent, the creativity, the personality that draws people in….I know nothing will stop her.

Aysha, thank you so much for being a part of my workshop. I can’t wait to see everything you achieve, I will be right here cheering you on! xoxo
Here’s a little glimpse of the bio photos I took of her….

And a few photos from the couples shoot demonstration. Thanks Melanie & Anton for modeling for us!

I must say, doing this has helped me A LOT. It puts urgency/deadlines on my dreams. I go out of my way to do things because I know it’s on my 101! Seriously, anyone who has a bucket list…or just wants to make the most out of their life….needs to make one of these lists!

Actually…looking back at it now, I wish I had dreamed BIGGER! I am surprised by how fast some of the things are getting done. I totally underestimated myself!

Here’s an update with the things I have completely finished. You can check out the full list HERE to see the other things that are in progress!

#3. Visit Ireland

Visited for 11 days in November

#9. Get featured on 10+ style blogs {10/10}

I completed this one WAY quicker than anticipated!

#28. Get a new Juicy purse

Andrew got me a gorgeous daydreamer bag for my birthday in October!

#35 Stay the night in a castle

I stayed at Dromoland Castle, while in Ireland!

#48 Second shoot for one of my favorite photographers

Last month, I shot with the lovely Amanda K, whom I admire greatly! Love her work and had a blast with her

#57 Re-try 3 foods that I’ve disliked my whole life

Avocado, onions, and zucchini. The onions and zucchini weren’t bad, but I still don’t like avocado!

#64 Get the Thierry Mugler, Alien perfume that I’ve been wanting

Picked it up in the duty-free shopping on the way home from Ireland

#70 Shoot a whole mini session of my boyfriend and I on my own, using my tripod

Did this one in Ireland as well, at Dromoland Castle!

#93 Find a better shelving system for all of my books

Finally got them all into a bookshelf that they can actually fit in! Now if I can just cut the book shopping habit, so it can stay that way. Ha!

{I will close this with some pictures from Ireland, where I accomplished numbers #3, #35, #64, and #70}

And upon telling them my real age, sometimes I ask why they thought I was older and the most common answer is: “Well, you don’t act like a 21 year old“ ….

Last Friday, I did the career fair at a high school and I can’t tell you how many students looked over my booth and took it all in, then asked “How old do you have to be to do this?” And while the new, confident, version of myself was eager to explain to them how you’re NEVER too young and to not let your age hold you back, I could remember a time when I thought differently.

Ohhhh yes…. How vividly I can recall the days when my biggest fear was my bride discovering that I wasn’t even old enough to drink the champagne she was trying to offer me….or how much effort I put into dodging every question surrounding age when I met with a new client at a consultation….Oh and how can I forget how thrilled I was when I turned 20 and I no longer had the word “teen” attached to me.

I have lived in fear of my own youth when it comes to my business. (And sometimes I still do, which is why this may be the first time you hear of my actual age!) I’ve feared rejection. I didn’t want people to think less of me because I was younger than them.

So many people seem to associate success and professionalism with age. The more years you’ve been around, the more you know, right?

That can sometimes be true. But what if you took just a few years and gave them your ALL?

Which is what I’ve done. And I think I’ve done a pretty okay job for someone who wasn’t old enough to step into a casino 6 months ago! Haha

Being a part of this career day, really gave me a new perspective. Seeing all of these teens with so much potential, I wanted to be the one who put their age aside and just let the potential shine on it’s own. So I encouraged them, to start NOW. To use their years wisely and start now, because they’re not too young. And neither am I.

So I made this sign below and displayed it at my booth. To show the students that I’m not that different from them and that they can accomplish whatever their heart’s desire….

And to tell them that success knows no age

My mind is always racing towards “What else?”

But yesterday, I took a walk with my boyfriend and we talked about my business. My plans for the year…where I am going with my brand….what my end goal is.

When we got to one specific topic regarding my brand, he suggested something that surprised me. Not just because it was a HUGE leap/goal….but because I had already thought of it…. awhile ago…it was a crazy dream that came to mind and that I had pushed aside and gave up on for some reason or another.

The fact that he was suggesting something that I secretly had given up on, blew my mind. I’m usually the one trying to plan a trip to the moon next week or figuring out how I can buy my own private island. I’m used to dreaming HUGE. Since when do I need someone else spelling out my potential for me???

In that moment…I knew I needed to DREAM BIGGER.

I can’t pinpoint the moment when I let that fire die down….but it’s back. My striving heart is out of hibernation.

Needless to say, that dream we discussed, is back on. I am actively pursuing it. I don’t know how I will make it happen…all I know is that

I WILL

I adore these 3 things this week!

{Thin Mint knock offs}

You know those yummy little round chocolate mint cookies that you order by the truckload from the girlscouts?

Then….when you’re all out….you pine for more until that time of year comes back around???

Well…I don’t! Cause I’ve found an amazing alternative. These bad boys shown below are sold at 99 Cent Only stores (yepp they’re only a buck!) and taste very similar to my beloved Thin Mints. Try em out!

This may be a dangerous discovery to some of you Thin Mint addicts out there

{Gifts from my clients}

After the family session I did today…the little ones ran to catch me before I walked out of the door because they wanted to give these to me! TOO cute. Love my clients…especially the little adorable ones that color things for me!

{Antique Shopping}

 Ashley and I went Antiquing for some stuff for the upcoming Fantasy shoot and we totally scored. I also just made some discoveries of awesome local antique stores, and I may just have to experience their amazingness ALL of the time. I am so addicted!

However, I must say, I was in NO way prepared for the amazingness that awaited us! Every last detail of this wedding was just screaming to be photographed. TOO. MUCH. PRETTY.

Nick and Ashley did an amazing job in selecting Holland Ranch as their place to tie the knot. From the barn….to the little lake and row boat….to the horses roaming about….to the mountain views….it was all just utter magic! I can only hope and pray for the chance to get to shoot their again one day.

 I am so stoked to share this wedding with you all!

Vendors:

Main Photographer: Christa Mortimore

Venue: Holland Ranch

Bouquets: Lori Boe Floral Design

Hair and Makeup: The Queen Bees

Catering: Testa Catering

Cupcakes: Enjoy Cupcakes

Band: The One Night Band

But there is much more. They take care of eachother. Laugh together like the best of friends. And are crazy adventurous. {Like the night they walked out of the movie theater and spontaneously drove all night to go see the Grand Canyon}.

I know they are going to get their “Happily Ever After” and I am so excited to be a part of their wedding day.

P.S. Kimberly’s amazing makeup was done by the lovely Sierra of Flirt Beauty Bar.

If these images weren’t proof, I may be thoroughly convinced that I dreamed it all up…..

Deli and Connor were the PERFECT couple to work with. Absolutely picture perfect and such a cute story, too! Deli was going to school here in her home of Southern California and Connor was studying abroad at her university, all the way from Ireland. When Deli expressed interest to the administrative office about studying abroad, they connected her with Connor so that she could learn more about the program. Who would have known then, what this would lead to! Their acquaintance eventually bloomed into something more and the California girl and the Irish guy, fell for eachother. Eventually Connor had to go home to Ireland, but with Deli not far behind. And that’s where I come in! I was so blessed to be able to document their love during their precious time together in Ireland. Shortly after I returned from Ireland, Deli’s semester ended and she had to return to California as well. It makes me so happy to know that they have these images to cling to during their time apart.

 I could write about 10 more paragraphs about how much I LOVED this session and how it was the shoot of my dreams. {Did I mention that I love it?!?!} But, I think I will just share the images instead. With no further words before or in between…..I will let the images tell the story