Lilianna - Anytime Sneak Peek

We met a several years ago in 2003, although neither one of us remember specifics. It wasn’t until recently that we realized our paths happened to cross all those years earlier. It was when I first flew out to Florida, from Arizona, for a visit and while I’m in the process of pulling up my archived photos I’ve realized what a sweet friend and woman of God that He’s placed in my life… and it all started years ago. When I finally moved out to Florida in 2006 Lili and I were attending the same church, we went on the same mission trip to Ecuador and were even roommates on the trip but even after all those years it hasn’t been until the last year and a half that I can say my heart and our friendship was truly knit and I know it’s all in God’s timing. The more I got to know Lili, the more I liked her. She's a radiant ray of sunlight, funny, super talented, a gorgeous woman of God, hip-hop dancer, photographer and has the most infectious laugh...all the things wonderful! Several months ago, she let me know she was pursuing photography professionally and I couldn't be happier for her. I have no doubt she's going places and going to do amazing things in her life and in the photography industry. When she asked if I'd be able to be a mentor to her, I was honored. No, really, I was. I was pretty much sure she'd be tired of me (and my annoying useless facts) after her months together, but, nah. We’re cool :) And I'm happy to announce she still likes me...especially after I photographed her yesterday. I was a little bummed when I found out it would be a constant downpour the entire weekend but we worked it anyway! I had driven by this old brick building that housed a really eclectic thrift store inside about a year ago and instantly envisioned a shoot being held outside! With the chair and everything! Thank God all the pieces of the puzzle came together even the overcast weather was perfect mix in the recipe and I’m happy to say God parted the clouds if only for a few minutes to allow some amazing photos to come through! I’m so in love with the pictures from the shoot and I hope you all love it as much as I do!

Lili, you (and your beautiful heart) rock my world. You’re super fierce and I can't wait to see all the amazing things you'll do! Stay humble, work hard, and everything will fall into place. Love you girl!

xoxo
J

This one's for her sweetie Marlo.

To see pictures from the entire shoot click here and check them out on facebook.

Ruel - "Anytime" - Sneak Peek

I recently had the privilege of doing an Anytime shoot with one of my very dear friend's Ruel. Not only is he a knock out but he's got the guns to prove it! Joking... but seriously he's definitely a fitness buff and he's single ladies! lol But really I loved these photos and had such a blast working with him! Hope you love them too!

New Beginnings ...

Like most things new beginnings are tough. Turning over a new leaf, admitting defeat, looking fear in the face and not backing down... it's all a step or rather a leap of faith. None of it is easy and more often then not it takes a lot of effort to do. Deciding to trust God in the midst of trials and circumstances takes guts... but when you run with arms wide open... total abandonment it's liberating! Freeing to know you're not alone. If you fall someone who loves you is there to catch you. Better yet, God himself is there to see you through. I've lived the better part of the last year learning this. Though I'm far from crossing the finish line... for the first time I can see my life clearly. Who I am. What I'm meant to be. Where I'm at in life. Where I've failed but more importantly how God has lifted me up from defeat into His loving arms of grace. For this I am ever grateful. I never want to loose sight of how precious new beginnings are. They are the start of an epic journey but that's the key: Starting.

Today at church we had an missionary and his family come and preach. Though the words at times were raw and not always eloquent, the power behind them was gripping. He asked us, "What will we give our lives to?" and I thought about that for the rest of the afternoon? I asked myself am I really willing to pay for what I want? I'm giving my life away to something... is it really what God called me to do? I know what I want to do but when will this seed of want turn into conviction and conviction into action? The truth is it happens when I make it happen. There's no need to sit around wanting to do something with my life anymore... life is living on purpose and it's time to step out and take action. Sometimes we may want the next step so bad we don't count the cost... when we make decisions we don't really have a clue of the reality check that's about to slap us in our face. The truth is living life on purpose isn't easy. But... it's far more rewarding than floating by day to day with only a mediocre sense of existence. The best part is when we choose to live and trust God... He's there to walk us through it! We don't have to do it alone! I think too often we may find ourselves on the wrong side of a bad decision. We may feel lost or alone, like a failure or worthless but if we let thoughts negative thoughts, those "what if's"... those fear drenched worries come and steal our joy they will steal the life right out from under us! We will be constantly kicking ourselves for those bad decisions and condemning ourselves to a life of defeat. Truth be told there's freedom from condemnation in Christ! (The Bible says so!) :) God so loved the world that He gave His only Son for us... He didn't come to condemn the world but that through Him we can have life and life more abundantly! All it takes is trusting God! It's as simple as that. Too often we've been trained to try to do it all on our own... make our own path... fulfill our own self righteousness... but let me ask you, how's that working out for you? Isn't it time to start over? To have a fresh start and a new beginning? What are you giving your life to? God's here for you and so am I! If you need to talk, I'm here!

You know something? I had something totally different to talk about tonight! LOL... In fact, I even wrote it out half a page longer than this but the blog deleted it. I wasn't even planning on talking about any of this but I do hope somewhere someone got something out of it!

Well, speaking of new beginnings I did want to share another exciting chapter in my life... my new jewelry collection! For years I've had this love obsession with vintage fashion and melding it with a modern bohemian twist and this spring I decided to venture out and create a collection to share with the world! (even if it is only my small influence of the world... he hee he) Now some of it is inspired by fellow artists but all of it is me and custom made with love! They are one of a kind and are for sale (ohhh... ahhhh) ;) Truth: I love them all and would wear each piece! I posted the bulk of the pictures on my personal facebook page so if you want more photos to check out feel free to click here for a link to that page! If you're interested in a piece shoot me an email! Now, with out further ado I present to you ladies and gentlemen... "Beloved - Jewelry Collection by Jalene"