Its that time of the year when Im feeling like giving back! Facebook gives me a great opportunity to host contests to give back to friends that follow my page & to also gain new possible friends that will enjoy my services! What better time to host a contest then when wedding season has simmered down & before I go on Maternity Leave! So here it is the newest Facebook Contest...

ATTENTION EVERYONE & THEIR MAMAS!!! Win a FREE photo shoot!
Its that time of the year where your loved ones wants to receive a photo of your family; whatever that may consist of… You & your mate, You & your kids (no more than 5 people per family), You & your baby bump, Just your kids, or You & your pet! -whatever your family unit might be!

To ENTER just Follow these simple steps:

... 1. Enter by emailing your photo & Family Name to info@janellemarina.com. (No professional photos please!) Your photo will be placed in the “Contest” album at https://www.facebook.com/JanelleMarinaPage    on Friday, Nov. 2nd!

2. Tell all your friends, family, & coworkers etc. to go to my page (the link above) then follow these TWO necessary steps:
-1st: "LIKE" this page https://www.facebook.com/JanelleMarinaPage   
-2nd: Find your photo in the “Contest” album & LIKE your photo!

Note: there are TWO "Likes" needed for your vote to be counted! If you don't like the page first then your vote will not count :(

3. Voting ends at midnight on Friday Nov. 9th! The photo with the most legitimate votes will be announced Monday, Nov 12th! & will win the free photo shoot!

Ready! Set! Email yo pics! :)

Good luck to ya’ll!

I was excited to shoot with Aniram Photography  again! Marina excitedly told me about this awesome Bride and how she was planning this beautiful detail oriented wedding! I was thrilled because I love all the little details that personalize weddings! When I met Kim & Brian they were so sweet and welcomed me right into the groove of things! They were such an easygoing chill couple, I could see that they were perfect for eachother!

Kim's father wasn't able to be there with her to walk you down the aisle, but he was definitely there in spirit & on this sweet locket hanging from her bouquet!  

The Pastor was crackin jokes all day! It was very entertaining!

I love this special moment between the grandparents! Makes me feel all mushy inside!

Gorgeous!  

Goodies for everyone!!! I love the idea of a cookie bar!

Its little details like these Bride & Groom chair signs that tickle my fancy!

First dance as husband & wife!

That is the coolest fancy mason jar I’ve ever seen!

Stunning cake!

Ive seen some pretty cool cake cuttings but this one definitely takes the cake! (pun intended!) They didn’t hold back at all on attacking each other’s faces! This is definitely my kind of couple!

Kim & Brian wanted to take a few photos outside during the beautiful sunset! We got some sweet moments by this gorgeous tree! Love!  

I had the privilege of second shooting alongside with the fabulous Lucy of Lucy Munoz Photography   back in September. To call her sweet is an absolute understatement! She totally Rocks!

The beautiful wedding was held at the Green River Golf Course in Corona  (right down the street where I used to live and I had no idea this gem was even there!) The bride Anissa looked gorgeous! I fell in love with her beautiful gown, it was so fluffy and elegant. I felt a little soft spot for her groom Randy because he reminded me of one of my brothers! The whole wedding party & guests were so warm to Lucy & I, they treated us like we were a part of the family! Thank you Lucy for allowing me to shoot with you, it was a great experience!   

Ruffles! Ruffles! Ruffles!

Isnt she a doll!!!

In the hotel room next door the groom & his men were getting dressed...

I had no idea how many styles there were in tying ties! And they knew neither of them lol so they actually youtubed it!

Concentrating...

He figured it out! Woo hoo!

Nothing like a little Jack Daniels to get the party started!

Look what I found hovering around! Gosh i love hummingbirds!!!

They decided on having a first look before their ceremony! It was a great opportunity to get intimate photos of the stunning couple!

He was one happy groom walking to the altar!

Precious moments from the mother of the groom!

The next photo is my favorite! There were railroad tracks behind the golf course & it hadn’t bothered the wedding until they were about to exchange their vows… then three trains crisscrossed each other blowing their horns very loudly as they passed. Yes I said THREE TRAINS!!! Instead of freaking out, everyone started rolling with laughter! It was great! It just goes to show that no matter how well you plan for a flawless wedding, you can’t control everything! So just roll with it and laugh it off!   

The couples first dance as husband and wife!

Father & daughter dance!

Precious toasts...

It was one of Anissa’s bridesmaids birthday and Anissa surprised her with candles on her slice of cake! It was so sweet and thoughtful!    

Loving the Michael Jackson Kick!

Some people frame their first dollar that their business made & Ill frame my first paypal receipt for my first paid session! I’ll never forget the feelings I had when I booked my first paying client, Jamie!
Excitement. Shock. Nervous. Scared.
Jamie was a contestant of my love story contest & still decided to book me when she came in second place. She asked to change her shoot to later on in the year to get photos of her beautiful baby girl! Little Samira is going to be celebrating her 2nd birthday this December and boy is she a cutie with a cool name!!! Thank you Jamie for being the first to invest in my business!  

Look at those gorgeous locks!

Where did Dora go!?!

Pretty in Pearls!

Too Cute!!!

I think I surprised her a lil...

Fall Fun!!!

When I first began photography I decided to have a few contests hoping to gain experience, try to build some sort of a portfolio, & possibly clients. I say some sort because I was literally shooting anything I could get my hands on but I wanted to shoot actual people! Right before I launched my first contest I was contacted by a friend who is also a photographer; she wanted to book me to shoot her & her husband in their wedding attire for their 5th year anniversary! I didn’t feel comfortable charging her since I was just starting & was still trying to figure out my camera settings! So I told her about my contest & to my surprise she joined! She was able to get the most people to LIKE my page & vote for her! We agreed to have her shoot later that year on her anniversary!

Fast forward many months & here we are…  Let me introduce you to the lovely couple Marina & Josh who have been happily married for 5 years! They are the perfect yin & yang! She has a spunky personality & he is such an easygoing guy he’s happy to stand back & let her shine. I was totally intimidated to shoot another photographer but once we got past the first few clicks we were grooving with each other! Marina’s inner model came out & she rocked it! Josh was pretty nervous in the beginning but he became a total GQ model! Their passion & love for each other was so real & I think it shows in their photos! Cheers to many more strong years of marriage!

You can totally get lost in those beautiful blue eyes!!!

Can you say fierce!!

Lovin the wind blown hair!!

A nice stroll on the beach turned into a cold dip in the water!

And they lived Happily Ever After!