The only shot I had on my 25th birthday was a nice shot of Nyquil! Yuk!!! (and Im one of those sissy's thats plug my nose to take medicine!) I caught my son’s cold –hope it tones down by the New Year! The morning started off good, Jack made me my favorite breakfast (French toast & fried turkey, just like
my mamas). Then we were off to the park to shoot my new cousin n laws (Jack’s cousins) pre engagement session. Technically this session was for their save the dates. I was totally psyched, the weather was better than I expected for an end of December shoot, and they brought tons of awesome props. Kathleen knew exactly what she wanted, the guys were busy building the vintage tent, and the girls were decorating. I felt like it was a mini lifestyle shoot!  I made sure to move my feet to get different angles.   There were two times that I moved them to a new location and forgot to adjust my camera settings, but thankfully I caught both mistakes pretty quick. I noticed that whenever I feel like I get stuck on posing, I tend to make them kiss. I need to get out of this pattern.  After the photoshoot I felt great! I think I got some pretty good shots! 

     On my way home is when my sore throat hit me and hit me hard! We had plans to go out for a bday dinner and I just didn’t feel up to it. Instead we hung out at
my mom’s with my siblings and had Panda Express (you can’t go wrong with kung pao chicken and chow mein). I realized that this is the 3rd year in a row that I was sick on my bday; first a stomach flu, then a fever, now a head cold.Bummer!
 Today I got to sit in my pj’s all day editing photos and reading my Jasmine Star magazine. When I read her story it makes me want to get out of this condo and get my hustle on!!!   

{JON & KATHLEEN's} Love Story...
Five years ago Kathleen and Jon were set up on a blind date by a mutual
acquaintance. On their first date Kathleen was running extremely late and Jon
was contemplating whether or not to leave. As soon as Kathleen showed up, Jon
knew he made the right choice to stay. Kathleen fell in love with Jon’s kindness
and sense of humor and Jon quickly became enamored with Kathleen's giving heart and quirky sense of humor. After four years of dating, Jon proposed to Kathleen on a warm July day at the Huntington Library. He chose the location after a several romantic dates there. The natural beauty of the park and serenity one feels walking through the verdant trees and blossoming flowers created the
perfect setting to propose to Kathleen. Luckily for Jon she said yes and now
they are happily planning their wedding and counting down the days until they
can call themselves Mr. and Mrs. Kibbie.

Its Christmas morning and I woke up before anyone else… 
It was one of those mornings that you grunt at your clock because it’s so
early but your brain starts making a list of things you need to do for the day.
I was thinking about my Facebook contest, because the votes were getting out of
control and people were missing votes left and right that they said they could
see, but I couldn’t. So I am determined not to let my first Giveaway contest
Fail! But I have to sneak on the computer because I know if my family members
catch me on the computer on Christmas day they will give me guilt trips about
not spending my entire day with my family. So I tip toed in the living room
trying to not wake anyone up while I get some work done. 

I walked into the living room that was freezing, they had left the windows open
from the night before. My family looked like taquitos all rolled up sleeping
scattered around the floor and sofa. I snuck past them, and turned on my
computer and BUM BUM BUM!!! The doggone computer makes a loud noise as it starts up, of course waking up my mom and bro Mike. GREAT! Now Everyone’s going to wake up and I won’t get to fix this contest problem!

I decided to take a chance and throw a contest. I need to gain Referrals (possible future clients) so I thought what better than to give something away and gain practice at the same time! I was crossing my fingers that people would join the contest, and Thank God they did.  I have around 5 people who are really trying to win, and I’m so honored! I know I need to get better on how to organize a contest, so I am open to any suggestions!  

My son finally woke up and I could tell he wasn’t feeling well. He had those sicky eyes. First thing he wanted to do was open his gifts… he was thrilled to see that he finally got what he asked Santa for… the REAL toy story toys. This kid was so picky about having the real buzz light-year that shot a laser and the wings popped out. He’s too funny! And just when I think that my husband can’t get any better, he gets me the magazine that I’ve been wanting! Its not just any magazine -its thee Jasmine Star's story of success,  who is Famous Photographer! Its so inspiring!!! You’re the best boo! Happy holidays to all!

    SNAP!CRACKLE!POP!   -no, Im not talking about the cereal, I’m describing the sounds coming from the oil sizzling in the pan on the stove. The same oil that I decided to toss chopped papas (potatoes) in for breakfast & sprayed back at me BURNING the heck outa my arm! I have battle wounds from cooking this morning! But I gotta say those were the Best Papas I've ever made! 

    We started our own little tradition last year to have Xmas Eve at our place… which is so cool, stressful, messy, fun, stuffy, & did I mention MESSY! My brother
Mike, my son, and niece Savannah decorated gingerbread houses which wasn’t as easy as it looks. There’s no way you can get a house that looks similar to the
photo on the box, that’s totally done with piping tips, which is not included in
your kit. Can you say False Advertising! At least it held their attention for a
good 15 minutes until they devoured them! It was a long day, and a fun night of games and clowning eachother! (this is how we show our love!) Do you ever laugh so hard that your face is stuck in the funkiest expression?! I think I laughed hard enough to make up for the lack of excersize these past few days, or should i say months!

Its so hard to get my siblings to cooperate for family photos, so I thought it would be easier to get photos of them individually, for a gift idea I had... boy was I wrong... this is the final product that I framed for my Mamacita... its supposed to show each of our personalities...

It’s already the end of the year and I want to end it right, so I am having a “LIKE!
Contest”…  Whoever can get the most people to “LIKE” my Janelle Marina Facebook Page will win a FREE Photoshoot!!! –doesn’t matter what it is; couples, children, family, newborn, maternity, pets –you name it! (This includes an hour photo session with ME! & a CD with all of your edited -high quality images)This Contest will end January 1, 2012!!!

Just follow these 3 easy steps…

1- Like Janelle Marina Page (if you aren’t already a fan) 
 2- COPY & PASTE this message on your wall – "Hey Everyone! I joined this contest for a FREE PHOTOSHOOT with Janelle Marina Photography, and I need your help to win! All you have to do is LIKE Janelle Marina’s Page and leave a post saying that I referred you! The most Referrals wins, so please spread the word! Thank you!" 
3- Remind your friends to vote until  January 1, 2012!!!

(**Photoshoot must be redeemed by April 1, 2012!)

Good luck & let the Games Begin!!!

    My good friend Monique asked if I would like to photograph her son Dominic’s
baptism. I hesitated at first because I don’t have the right flash equipment that I thought I would need to get enough light in the church. But I think the photos came out pretty good, Thanks to my new baby -50mm! Here are a few shots of his Godmother getting him dressed & baby Dominic during the ceremony. Dominic is one of the happiest babies I’ve ever met! He was so chill during the ceremony and was one of the only babies that didn’t cry when he was dipped in the water. Enjoy...  

I also made these cute yellow fondant cross (vanilla & red velvet) cupcakes for his reception…