At the workshop Dane encouraged each of us to get focused about what our contribution is to the photography world and really, more specifically, to our clients. What do we do, what do we love to do, etc etc.?? This sort of platform research on our vision was the major premise of the 3 days we all spent together. I left that third day with a totally new and more specific vision. That was the beginning of change for me as a photographer, and especially as a small business owner.

I began working on my most passionate area of photography- Seniors. I’ve known since college that I’m meant to work with high school and college age people. I just didn’t realize that that would trickle over into a business plan that incorporated another passion.. photography and design. Praise God that He works mysteriously, and still leads us where He wants us.

So, I started changing my brand.  The blog, the order of things, workflow, pretty much every area of what I had been doing changed. I now had a vision. Gear, tech, tools, products and so on that didn’t fit in the vision were eliminated, and new ideas and products and an order of working emerged seamlessly. It was shockingly easy to see what needed to happen after committing to a vision. By December I began to realize that my brand identity needed to shift. I had originally started out thinking I wanted to be a wedding photographer, therefore branding was done with that in mind. What did it look like for me to get specific with my brand and make my look more catered to that client? What did it look like to go all in, to be fully invested in my business?

My next call was to Dane. I wanted to go all out; to do everything really really well. Although I’m a trained graphic designer, I felt that I was too close to the project to get the results I was looking for. I really needed some outside help. Someone to help me think through my ideas and help me get clear on what to keep and what to ditch.

Dane recommended Courtney of Smallwerks. Smallwerks is small business marketing firm that works alongside Elevation (his go-to marketing team) and specializes in a small business marketing and design solutions. Courtney was fun and cute, and smart, and well, I trust Dane, so I hired her. Together, we started to look into my vision, my current brand, and my dreams for my business. After careful consideration, much dialog and tons of emails, we knew a name change was in order. With Courtney’s push, three “descriptors” for my business needed to fit the new name: “empowering”, “stylish” and “personal”. From there came FLY, an acronym for Free The Lovely You.

Four months, over 200 emails, meetings, and several phone calls, Blackbird Portraits is now officially FLY Photography, complete with new logo, a brand new website, blog, print media, product packaging and everything else to match.

People have asked me int he past where Blackbird came from originally. My answer: the Beatles song. The lyrics state, “Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly.” The name came from a  very personal place of brokenness. I wanted to take tragedy and loss and turn it into something beautiful which was why I started Blackbird. What is so completely powerful is that that brokenness has since been redeemed (Praise God), and my life is in a far more healed place. What’s next is to fly.. and so, with that, I move on from brokenness, and we FLY.

This is my last post as Blackbird Portraits. I hope you will check in on the new brand and new website and blog. Many blessings friends!!!

Several weeks ago I entered the Small Spaces Contest at one of my favorite interior design blogs, Apartment Therapy. If you’ve never been to the site before, prepare yourself. It’s addicting. Amazing design, cool interiors and fantastic inspiration; I’ve been reading the AT for a few years and love it. So of course when I heard about the contest, I was all over entering. Why not?! The categories are split by size, and my place, ringing in right around 650 square feet, fit into the “Little” Division. The editors get hundreds of entries everyday, then decide which homes they will post for the contest. Several weeks went by after my submission, so I just figured my place didn’t make the cut, but then a few days ago, I heard back from AT and my place was posted! Yay!!! Fun!!! And so far, I’ve got all sorts of fantastic comments and votes!!!

So, for those who want to help with the next stage of the competition, your “favorite” vote is much appreciated, click here. People keep asking me what I win if I win, and the answer is I have no idea, but I totally want to win, lol! So, if you’re interested, help me out… you WILL have to register to “favorite” my place, but all you need to do is confirm your email, and make sure to uncheck the box about receiving info from Apartment Therapy. The entries with the most amount of “favorites” move on the the final round of entries on April 30th…

Blessings friends!! I’ll keep you posted if I move to the next round!

Not quite a Senior, Simran couldn’t wait to have her photos done for 3 more years, and so, for her fifteenth birthday her mother agreed to make it happen. How sweet and completely special!

I picked Simran up from Bree, looking gorgeous. Fifteen next month, Simran is a sophomore at Diamond Bar High School, and a real sweetheart. We had so much fun on our shoot day in Pomona.. discovering cool walls, and messing with poses.I got to learn about how a saree is wrapped, and Simran and chatted it up about music and boys and friends and life…

Simran and her mother had chosen two incredibly beautiful traditional saree”s for her shoot (coming later), and they were absolutely magnificent against all of the bright and interesting textures and colors we discovered. It was really fun to learn that Simran is involved in a traditional dance, and also is an avid, yet humble, tennis player at DBHS. Her shoot was fun, funky, and fierce, and I can’t wait to post the rest of it… for now.. just a sneak peak!

Yvonne is seriously as cute as a button. I want to put her in my pocket. And man.. this girl can rock it out. Her shoot was way fun, and she was such an amazing poser and yet so natural. After a visit with Bree, per usual, Yvonne and I headed all the way down to Pasadena for her Senior Portraits. When we initially met up to discuss her shoot, we talked about an urban environment with lots of textures and interesting color. Having recently photographed in Pasadena, I had noticed all sorts of areas I had yet to explore, and if just felt so exactly right for Yvonne to be photographed in this urban yet old world looking, super cool area. A  perfect location for this cute little fashionista.

Yvonne is one of those inspirational Seniors you hear about. She’s intelligent (future Bio-Chem major), beautiful (obviously), funny (see laughing goofy photos soon), and incredibly socially aware. As the president of a local club at VHS that helps fight Child Abuse, Yvonne, together with a few other Seniors at VHS, is in the middle of planning a huge benefit concert to raise several thousand dollars for her cause. Pretty amazing.

I can’t wait to release the rest of this photoshoot, seriously, it totally worth waiting for. Our day was absolutely fantastic, and we discovered all sorts of incredible areas. More to come friends…

Fabio is from Italy. Can you tell? Maybe it’s the name? He immigrated to the US when he was only 14 years old, and then picked up a trumpet… the rest, as they say, is history.

Ok, is Fabio seriously not the most adorable man? And so so much fun too, BONUS! When he asked me to do some head shots and lifestyle photography in order to help him update his website, I was totally excited… I don’t photograph that many men!! I was really eager to see how I could create something really cool and expressive for this true artist.. and wonderful man! What a great opportunity! Play time!

Fabio plays trumpet, and has for many many years… and.. well… he’s pretty amazing at it. He has been touring throughout Europe and the US, performing and pursuing his passion for several years. He’s actually performed with several jazz legends and gospel groups, and currently teaches music at Citrus College and gives individual lessons, all while still performing throughout the Los Angeles area.

For the shoot, I wanted something gritty and “musician” feeling, but I also wanted to get some rat pack references in there. Pasadena seemed like a perfect location with all its old brick and dirty alleys, and of course the most magnificent, though weirdly tortured, bridge ever (The Colorado Street Bridge), which I have always wanted to photograph. I’ve loved downtown Pasadena for years, and it finally seemed to suit my styling and ideas for a shoot. I’m so glad it did, it was such a fabulous location, and our day was perfect! I will totally be back there soon!

Fabio is soooo cool… and approachable, kind, and thoughtful. He’s hysterical and goofy, and works hard at everything he does… and man, he will give it to you straight. He knows his stuff and is truly exceptional at everything he does… praising God the whole time. Truly, Mr. Personality. It’s been a real privilege to get to know this man, and to get the opportunity to photograph him. I can’t wait to see what he does with these images as he begins the process of updating his site! It’s going to be awesome!! And dude.. can I just say again… SMOKIN HOT!!!!

Kathleen is just the cutest thing. Sitting in my living room for our consultation, Kathleen, her incredibly sweet mother Michelle, and I discussed her hobbies and likes and things that inspire her. I was able to discover this amazing young woman’s love for her French Horn, which by the way is probably the coolest instrument ever! A Harry Potter fan, a huge huge Disneyland lover, and an alt. rocker listener, Kathleen is cool and easy going. Super low tech. and chill, which is so much fun. I knew our shoot would be really light and fun and free- so when I picked Kathleen up from Bree’s at the Grand Salon, it was absolutely wonderful to see this natural beauty all glammed up and excited for our day. And of course.. willing to play around and experiment! Awesome! Bonus!

I designed a photo experience for Kathleen that included photoshoots in several locations in Orange, Yorba Linda, and Anaheim, and ended our day at….bum-da-da-dum.. Disney’s California Adventure!! I’ve never felt like Disneyland would be a great photo-shoot location, but after discussing Kathleen’s interests, and her love of the mouse, it just seemed fitting. And then I did some research and discover all sorts of gorgeous inspirational photos, and the shoot began to emerge in my mind. Where I would take her, and so on. We snagged a close parking spot (that NEVER happens), and made our way through the maze of people and into CDA, stopping only for Cotton Candy.

What a fun photo-shoot! It was such a joy to get to know this cool french horn playing Senior, and to design something for her. We had such a blast talking about high school, and Kathleen’s super wonderful boyfriend, and all of the amazing things they have done together. I wish you every blessing Kathleen, as you graduate and move on to college. Such an exciting time!!Thank you so much for the privilege of photographing you.

What started out as a simple business profile head-shot turned into a fun filled rainy day photo-shoot! Win!

I met April when my RHF Lifegroup relaunched this past September and instantly liked her. {If you watch the new girl, I’m convinced she could double for Nick’s ex-girlfriend Caroline in the show.. right? right?!! ok.. anyway…}. A few weeks ago, my new friend emailed and asked if I would be willing to just snap a few photos for some head shots her company needed for their website. I love how April was like- I just need like 2 photos.. haha.. as if I can seriously limit myself to two! That’s funny. I told April to bring a second outfit “just in case” and to meet at my place and we could wander around and get what she needed.  Of course a few quick photos turned into a full out photo shoot. Hey- why not?! It was a rainy day and the street was all glossy and pretty. And.. I’ve been photographing so many Senior’s lately which is my heart, but it was so much fun to photograph a gorgeous woman my age. This shoot was a lot of fun, and it felt really personal and empowering. Love!

Now I love a fedora. Love. And April brought a dress too- and in the rusty-orangey color I am most obsessed with lately! How amazing is that orange up against the overcast weather?! I love it! So, I think it is safe to say that April has a fun sense of style and a cool, easy going way. Probably the best part of our adventure was after our shoot. We sat around on my couch and just got to know one another one on one. I can say with confidence that this woman is amazing. April is one of those highly relational, welcoming and thoughtful people and I’m so excited that she is a part of my life-group. I’m looking forward to many more fun adventures ahead!! Thank you friend for the fun afternoon and great conversation! You are fabulous!

The rehearsal was on Thursday. I attended because I was just that excited (or maybe obsessed with doing a great job) for my friends Kevin and Abigail. The past several months have been all about wedding planning mode, so attending was one way to actually see my friends! When I arrived at the venue to watch the all-exclusive sneak peek, it was already evident that an incredible amount of planning had been done to make this day the most incredible day of their lives. Toasts and thank yous and joyful, grateful tears over the best BBQ ribs and cornbread ever is the best way I can describe dinner. That and of course a few last minute planning and scheduling decisions. It was wonderful, such amazing families all joining together. Beautiful.

On Saturday, my team and I arrived at the Women’s Club of Orange. The venue was already lovely to begin with, but the ridiculous amount of detail and work that went into transforming this space into the perfect feel is well more then anything I’ve experienced before. Both families and all sorts of friends came in to help set everything up- and let me tell you- there was a lot to set up. The lighting was the biggest job of all, and it turned out amazing. Incredibly beautifully designed flowers, centerpieces, and all sorts of lanterns and wood blocks were set on each table. Kevin had designed a logo for the wedding and used it in all sorts of amazing ways. On the centerpiece wood block base, the “KA” logo was burned into a corner, on glasses and vases it was etched. “KA” was also on all of the print media for the wedding. Every detail was accounted for, and everywhere you looked, the space felt designed and entirely thought through. It was truly stunning. Good job team!

Abi arrived, hair and makeup done by my favorite stylist (Bree) at the Grand, wearing a button up Angels jersey and bright orange flowered flip flops. Too cute. Crazy eager to put on her dress and get the day going (adorable), she sat in her get ready room chatting and sipping and enjoying her time with friends popping in and out to check in. Kevin got ready in maybe 10 minutes. Typical. Then he was off to finish making sure that everything was exactly perfect for his bride. It was lovely to watch just how much he had thought of her, and prepared everything for her, and worked so hard to make sure it was perfect… all for her. Love. I love my friend and his heart for his bride. It was amazing.

One of my favorite moments of the wedding was seeing Abi and her mom and dad in her getting ready room. Abi’s dad makes jewelry. In fact, all of the rings were made by Kevin and Abi’s father in her dad’s workshop from various gold donated from old family pieces, melted down and formed into these incredible symbols of love and faithfulness and commitment. Abi and her dad had warned me that tears were unlikely. Ha! As Abi’s dad saw her for the first time- I cried- so there! Actually, it was tearful on all ends, as there was so much joy and happiness and excitement for the day. Abi’s daddy placed a gorgeous handmade necklace around her neck and along with mom, wished his gorgeous daughter blessings for an incredible future with Kevin.

Then, they saw each other for the first time. There are no words. I love the first look.

A super cool photoshoot in the Orange Circle (my friends are AWESOME!), and then it was time to say I do.

The ceremony was lovely. Truly beautiful. The ring exchange, epic. An absolutely perfect ceremony. They kissed. A long kiss. Perfect. Then turning around to see the joy on their guests faces, Abi jumped up and down, and Kev grabbed her to walk down the aisle as husband and wife.

Of course there was dancing, and a sparkler exit, and a decorated car, and all sorts of silliness and fun. My friends are a beautiful couple, and the night was truly epic. But honestly, what’s better then all of that is knowing that this couple is perfect for one another. They will last. They love each other beautifully, passionately and humbly. Their foundation is on the word of God and in Him they understand their true value and purpose. Their families will support them always. They have a community of people who will encourage and love and support them on this journey and it is going to truly be a beautiful life together. This is just the beginning!

Thank you my incredibly lovely friends for allowing me this privilege of photographing your absolutely beautiful day. I love you both so very much!!! Huge thank you to my incredible team: Amber Fox of Amber Fox Photo and Jason Filner…. amazing team! Blessings to all!

God loves me. I know this, but sometimes there are circumstances that unfold before me that show me just how much that statement is in fact truth. My new place is a love story, a “little Jesus hug” if you will {that’s right peeps, I’m finally coining that}…

So here’s how it is…

Over a year ago I went to a tattoo party at my friend Gabe’s house {the same Gabe who did my tattoo a few weeks ago, yes}. I’d never been to his place before, so when I typed in the address on my iPhone, and made it there, I was shocked that my tattoo artist friend lived in absolutely the cutest house in Fullerton. Then I went inside… man pad. I’m not gonna lie- it was a total dude house, complete with brown microfiber couch. {Sidenote: I have this theory that all single guys have brown microfiber couches. It’s been proven on multiple occasions.. or maybe I just date the same guy over and over???}. Anyway, I looked around and saw the bones of the place. Hardwoord floors, architectural details, authentic vintage door handles, and a claw-foot bathtub {I die}. I loved the balcony and how much outdoor space he had. I turned to my girl Lindsay Arnold, and said “If I ever had to live alone, this is exactly where I want to live”. And in my head, I started decorating. What would I do here, or here??… ahhh possibilities!!!

At that time, Lindsay and I had been living in a home we had purchased together 2 years before, and she had only just started dating her now husband, Chris. My friend Gabe had lived in the Amerige place for almost 2 years, and had no plans to move. Several months passed, Lindsay and Chris got engaged, and then one day shortly after their engagement, Gabe announced in lifegroup that he was moving across the country. Seriously. Out of the blue. I looked at Lindsay and she knew exactly what I was thinking (sorry Gabe, love you man). Chris had just been talking about wanting to move up from Aliso to be closer to Lindsay during wedding planning. So.. the rest I’m sure you can guess. Chris moved into Gabe’s place and saved it for the next 9 months, until this past November when I moved in. There was a 3 month gap between each of the guys leases, and in this economy, it was pretty amazing that both landlords were willing to flex and no money was lost for the guys.

How often in life have you ever said, “Lord, this is exactly what I want”. And then He gives it to you? This almost never happens. There have been many situations lately that have proved to me just how much the Lord hears me, cares for me, and loves me. This is just one of the many, but a true love gift. For some it wouldn’t matter- a home is just a place to live, but for me, my home is my place of rest and peace; a place where I bring my friends and love on them, feed them, and live life with them.. a place to enjoy the company of my clients and feel a sense of warmth and care. I love that my clients love my place and ooo and aahhh when they come to see me. My girlfriends tell me I live in a romantic comedy (hmm.. interesting..). I’m still in awe of how the Lord allowed all of that to work out. I mean, its pretty ridiculous, right? So very evident that the Lord gave me this place, and I’m so very grateful. I love it. Truly. It’s perfect.

The Amerige house is really a treasure. It is a registered historic home in Fullerton, built in 1895. I seriously have a skeleton key for my interior front door (I also have a target I’m planning to hang in the hallway, if you know what I mean.. a new hobby). My friend Kevin painted the entire place for me while I was in South Africa this summer, and then I came in and did some stenciling on my living room wall (check out Royal Design Studio). I also painted stripes in the bathroom, replaced all of the lighting in the place, and the ceiling fans and kitchen cabinet knobs and every single window covering. I spent most of the year waiting to move in, and planning, so Criags List was a major resource, along with Overstock, Home Goods, Anthropologie, West Elm, and of course the decorating blogs Young House Love, and Apartment Therapy (I’ve submitted pix to both, so we will see). If you’re curious about some of my décor, check out my pintrest from decorating. There are all sorts of links to stuff you will see in my home. I’ve seriously given up Facebook for Pintrest- its bad. I’m a little obsessed. But it was a great distraction, and a great source of fun for me.

Anyway, enjoy friends. Can’t wait to have you over for some wine!

Living Room: The wicker stools were free on Craigslist! You’ll also see a vessel with my BB logo on it. That was a handmade Christmas gift from my friend Kevin. Love. The glass vessel with corks is a collection I’ve had for a long time. If you’ve ever had a bottle with me, I assure you you are in there somewhere! I have a ton of books, so they have all been somewhat hidden in the white bookcase. And if you’ve ever wondered why my place smells so incredibly good, that gorgeous mercury glass candle next to the “I like you” book is my anthro Capri Blue, my absolute favorite. In the white  bowl, I’ve got all sorts of striped eggs from my South Africa trip. You’ll also see other Africa stuff around…. and of course Mable and I had to make a few cameos.

Kitchen.. my landlord is absolutely wonderful. In fact, she’s planning to upgrade the kitchen counters.. AND.. she’s letting me choose! The chairs were a Craigs List win- they were a hideous cherry colored wood with ugly fake leather seats, but I painted them white and recovered the seats in this awesome burnt orange fabric. Love the result. Eventually I’ll be replacing the clock with this one… perhaps for my upcoming 30th birthday??? Eeekkkk!

Bathroom, and bedroom detail…. check out that TUB!!! Ahhhhh!!!! Shower curtain is anthropologie. People always ask me where I got that awesome distressed wood shelf- Home Goods baby! And that cute little white Instax Camera was a win from WPPI last year around my birthday. That camera is awesome! More books.. they are hidden everywhere!

Bedroom…. That rad orange blown glass vessel was a gift from my Grandfather (Pop, as I call him), and I’ve also been collecting vintage cameras for a little while now. The Audrey canvas is from Ikea, and that awesome rug is West Elm (on sale!). My desk chair (which you actually can’t see all that well) was from the Salvation Army. I painted it white, and covered the seat with cool black and white fabric… same as what I did at the kitchen counter with the white and orange chairs. That cool distressed wood slatted thingy behind my leather chair was a shelf I found in an alley on a photoshoot (not kidding!, lol) and my “headboard” is handmade, just foamcore, padded and wrapped with fabric. The vintage chest, Craigs list..

And the balcony (I made those pillows, and stitched together the rug)… and I’m obsessed with succulents. I know its  a trend, don’t judge, I still love ‘em. The lights are “magical”… best place in the house, I’m out here pretty much everyday. And bonus, you can see the Disneyland fireworks out here every night! The grey wicker chair, rocking chair and table were Craigs list (the whole set was only $40!), I resurfaced them and painted them a dark grey. That was actually the very first thing I bought for my new place!

So thanks friends! Love and hugs…. Come over!!!!