“..for them these names “Painter” and “Architect”…they weren’t job descriptions, they were ways of looking at the world”

Many of the designers/architects from the post-war era continue to provide us with inspiration.  Can’t wait to see the rest..

Last week Lauren and I had the privilege of capturing a story about little Reagan who since birth has been diagnosed with a super rare brain disorder called Holoprosencephaly or HPE.  So rare that only 1 out of 10,000 have it…my spell check is even telling me that it doesn’t know the word!

Reagan Gracie Martinez turned one last week, a feat that not many who have HPE reach and in honor of her and the families with children who share the same disorder, in conjunction with Families for HoPE and Biola University, Southern California’s 1st ever 5k for HoPE was created.  The goal of last week’s 5k for HoPE was to simply raise awareness and support for HPE and the turn out was amazing.  Totalling around 400 people which included participants, volunteers and those that simply came to support, they raised over $14,000 in donations for the cause!!!  Talk about a blessing!

If you’d like more information, please click the hyperlinks above.  It’s also where you can make a donation if you’d like.  You can also check out their Facebook page here. We’re hoping the 5k for HoPE here in Souther California becomes an annual race but that’s TBD.

And in case you were wondering, the yellow balloons were part of the Balloon Release…something that was started by Families for HoPE which represents the infants and children with HPE who are no longer with us.

To the Martinez Family, we love you guys and we were more blessed than you know to have shared in such an awesome day with you, your family and friends.  We’re here for you guys and we hope you love the images as much as we loved being a part of it.

Our hearts and prayers go out to little Reagan and the rest of the Martinez family.  We were blessed to have been part of such an amazing amazing day and we love you guys.  Can’t wait to share the images.

Please visit www.reaofhope.info if you’d like more information on HPE and if you’d like to make a donation.

Sometimes the coolest images are the not so “perfect” ones

This is the Holstee Manifesto and probably the best $30 I’ve ever spent.  When I came across it on the web, I had to have it so it hangs high in our office. It spoke so much into my life then and it continues to provide inspiration to keep doing what I love even until now.  This journey in the world of Photography has been amazing and we truly believe that through His grace, it’ll only get better.  From lifestyle portraiture to weddings and in telling the story of awesome causes such as the 5K Run/Walk for Holoprosencephaly, we feel that we’re exactly where God wants us right now.  Is it a walk in the park? No.  But is it a sacrifice we’re willing to make to persue what we love?  Absolutely.

So as the Manifesto states…”Do what you love AND DO IT, OFTEN”.

My boy Ja posted this on his blog and thought it was pretty awesome.  Enjoy…