neil + aileen are awesome

gracie and I shot with these two super early yesterday and it was a ton of fun and we got really cool pics, they were fantastic models! Super excited for their wedding at firestone winery next year :D


p.s. we finally stopped at some cool places I've always wanted to go on the way back from Buellton, here are some shots of me and the gracie. who are the models now?! LOL jk!

Pray for Salina

Dear everyone and anyone,

have you a spare minute, please pray for Salina. She is the sister of a good friend of mine, and was in a very serious car accident. I know there are so many faith-full people willing to pray that read this blog, so please pray for the recovery, healing and restoration of Salina and the strength of her family in this time. ("...the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much..." James 5:16) You can read more about what happened and see updates here:


www.salinabutterfield.bravehost.com


(sunwest photography)

jerilyn + tyler wedding

this weekend's wedding was so perfect. the weather was perfect, the lighting was perfect, the family was so gracious and organized and everything went off without a hitch. It is obvious that they are meant to be. heres a shot from the day, I will try to post some more soon!

rachel larson

alright I just want to let the whole world know how great of a sister I have! (I have two, and they are both great but this is just for Rachie!) I have been sick all day, again D: and she, in her pajamas, went to the store, bought oranges, CUT AND SQUEEZED THEM INTO JUICE for me so I could get all the vitamins that are filtered out by the time it gets down to regular orange juice in a carton. She even bought me another box of kleenex (the soft kind with lotion!) I am so blessed to have her, she is an amazing sister, a great daughter to our parents, a perfect wife for Mike and she's gonna make one heck of a mom someday! Thank you again so much for taking care of me Rachie!!




(mike & rachel on their wedding day in 2005)

:D

I can't help smiling while I'm shooting smiley people!!




**random pic provided by the fabulous Tara at flare productions.**

thoughts :]

okay so first I apologize for the lack of wedding-y posts, but there has been so many other things happening in my life that I want to share :] so this morning I went to a volunteer breakfast for Tender Life. I am new there so I don't know many people, but I made some new friends! when one girl was sharing with everyone how the volunteers have helped her so much, and she mentioned how when the babysitters leave (myself and a lovely woman named Dea) her son Justin says "wheres Anna?? wheres Anna????!!" My little heart melted right there inside of me. I think it is so important for us to remember, any place in our lives where we interact with people, how much of a difference we can make. Something small that you do could be a gigantic blessing to someone else. It is really neat how relationships work, and how we are all meant to know each other for a reason, and to effect each other forever in one way or another. I am realizing more than ever how AMAZING of a 'job' I have as a wedding photographer. I am so grateful for all of my wonderful clients this year and in the past and how their love stories have made my heart grow in a new way. It is so wonderful to be a part of such a monumental time in the lives of couples. anyway, there will be more photos coming soon, of the babies and ladies at Tender Life, wedding pics, maybe a peek at the new annajoyphoto.com (!!!) and much much more! Stay tuned! p.s. fall is the best time of year! can I get a witness!?!

a cool little bracelet I got in my 'thank you' bag this morning...



"praise the LORD, O my soul...
...who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,"
Psalms 103:2-4

jerilyn + tyler

this evening I met up with the wonderful jerilyn + tyler to go over the final plans for the big day. we walked around the beautiful stow house in santa barbara and they were swinging their held hands the whole time and smiling huge grins. their afternoon wedding next saturday is going to be a blast! anyway, we had an impromptu 3 minute engagement session (lol!), heres a few snaps...





loves it!

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear His voice behind you saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21


I read this verse this morning and it stood out and reminded me that God is so faithful to guide us :) Anyway, have a great day everyone!