• Everyone has a blog nowadays.

    ...so THANK YOU for sparing a minute of your life and coming by to check out mine. It's truly an honor! Whether you're a friend, a photography buff, an old (or new!) client or a bride looking for a photographer - welcome and come back often. I'm happy to make your acquaintance.

    ~ Auey

    Most commonly asked question, "How do you pronounce your name?" Think Maui, without the M. Or, "It's Auey, like I have an owee." (boo boo, ouchie, auey ~ I'll be reduced to a scab soon).

2012 Love Life Photo Competition at California Academy of Science

undefined

One of my favorite places on earth, the California Academy of Science has launched its 2012 Love Life Photo Competition.

This photo competition is close to my heart, as I won in two categories last year. I’m not an editorial photographer, nor do I specialize in science – but I happened to have a ton of photos at the Academy because my two sons love hanging out there. When the contest was launched last year, I joined on a whim at the last minute. And I’m so happy I did because winning the contest paved the way for me to be hired by the Academy’s Marketing and Education department! I love sharing this story because #1) it’s such a honor to shoot for the Academy and #2) it’s a great example of how doing something you love leads to greater opportunities.

So, anyway….the LoveLife photo competition returns for a second year. There are more categories, including Mobile Phone photography. So – you really have no excuse about not having a fancy camera. Deadline for submissions is February 1, 2012. More contest rules can be found here.

Get to it, people! Visit the Academy and snap away!  And while you are there, check out last year’s winners in the Children’s Gallery.

 

no comments

Yay! We won the Wedding Wire Bride’s Choice Awards 2012

Just sharing the love people! I got word the other week that we won the Wedding Wire Bride’s Choice Awards for 2012! In a nutshell, this means we are in the top 5% of Wedding Pros nationwide! The WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognizes the top local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the organization, the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ are determined solely by the reviews from over 1.2 million newlyweds. So we’re pretty proud of ourselves! Pat on the back!!!
Okey, back to my hole now.
xo Auey

Weddings, Wedding Venues2012 Bride's Choice Awards | Best Wedding Photographers, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Cakes, Wedding Florists, Wedding Planners

no comments

Flummox and Friends Cast Photos

Last year, my friend Christa launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund this great idea. The short story of it is to come up with a great live-action TV show to help kids navigate the social and emotional world. The happy ending of it (so far) is that she reached her goal and got enough monetary pledges to produce a pilot.

On many levels, I’m so happy to be involved. My oldest son was diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum at the age of 5 and as a parent, I’ve been looking high and low for tools that may help him in the social arena. I have been literally waiting for a show like this!  Production starts this spring and I’ve been hired to do production stills and be part of the crew.  For those who don’t know, I was a TV producer for a children’s show in a previous life, and I just love the idea of being something that could help kids and their families.

In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek into Flummox & Friends via the the cast photos. Aren’t they the cutest bunch? undefinedundefined

 

 

no comments

Hello, 2012.

It’s New Year’s Eve.

And while we wait for the ball to drop, we have a few moments to reflect on the year past: what went right, what went wrong, and what we want to strive for the new year. That annual commitment to self-improvement begins once more. Isn’t it lovely how new beginnings work? At the stroke of midnight, we sweep out the old and usher in the new. We can renew, release and let go of yesterday. We have a brand new slate in front of us.

Resolutions are kinda corny, yet we keep making them. We make them, break them, then remake them. There’s nothing wrong with the idea of change and improving ourselves. I recall the Spanish Inquisition sketch of Monty Python. The torture room had a big comfy couch and sitting in this couch lead to death because the couch was so comfy, you didn’t want stand up anymore. When life gets *too* comfortable, we start to atrophy. We need change and discomfort. It’s almost integral to personal growth.

Besides, I am a notorious list-maker. They are comforting to me, And having a few resolutions (especially on a public blog) helps keep me  on track. Accountable. So here are mine, if you care.

1. Clean out my purse and wallet once a week.

2. Write in my journal daily. I recently procured a One Line a Day 5-year Memory Book and downloaded the Momento app on my iPhone for this purpose.

3. Edit and print the 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 Santos yearbooks.

4. Strengthen portfolio and promote the Beloved genre of photography for my portraiture business.

5. Eat more soup. Apparently, it’s good for my dosha type, Vata. (Reference: The Yoga Body Diet by Kristen Schultz Dollard and John Douillard.)

6. Play the ukulele more.

7. Hug, love, laugh more (not necessarily in that order, but do all in large quantities.)

8. Start a personal project (not necessarily finish, but at least brainstorm, conceptualize and plan.)

9. Finally get through the book “One Year to an Organized Life.” by Regina Leeds

I am just looking at this list and feeling a little overwhelmed. They all seem perfectly achievable (except for #3 – which scares me). So as a back-up to my resolutions….I like guiding words. Three words, to be precise that will help me keep on track. For me — 2011 was year of exploration, acceptance and clarity. 2012 will be my year of  balance, authenticity and mindfulness.

What are your three guiding words for 2012?

Oh, I forgot resolution #10! From here onwards, I will take a photo of the family on the last day of the year. Above, you’ll see the 2011 one. HAPPY NEW YEAR, friends.

May 2012 be your best year yet.

 

show hide 1 comment

Seasons Greetings from My family to Yours.

undefined

no comments

M o r e   i n f o