“Are you nervous?” Jack asked as I ran around the house like a headless chicken scrambling to find my boots. 

“Not yet, I try not to think about it. The nerves usually creep up in the car on my way there, but mostly because I'm trying to avoid getting lost! Right now I have to focus on getting my hair and makeup done and get out the house on time!” I replied while I tossed all the shoes out of my closet searching for the missing boot!  

As I applied my last coat of mascara, I looked in the mirror and thought how the heck did I get in this situation? ME! The dork
that is afraid of her own shadow! Trying new things, meeting new people, building new friendships and going for her dreams! Who the heck is this chick!  

About a month ago I got invited to go back to the Sitehouse Design January workshop as the Hospitality Host. I was pretty excited
to go back to see the lovely crew and meet the new talents!  

But wait it gets better... two weeks later Ash (Sitehouse coordinator) emailed me offering me the opportunity to photograph the
workshop! My heart skipped a beat right then! Of course I said yes, but not without having to convince myself to take a step outside my comfort zone! The next few weeks was a roller coaster of emotions -honor to even be considered, excitement, then the self doubt sank in (their was no way I could fill the shoes of their usual photographers “Troy & Aimee Grover Photography”).

 After a good pep talk from Jack I realized that I had to jump in, give it the best I had, and if I failed I would just end up
right back where I was yesterday! Back in my comfort zone! Haha! On the other hand there was a chance I would come out smiling and proud of myself for at least trying something new.  

The workshop has came and gone and guess what I made it out alive! :)  I am beyond glad that I took the leap of faith! The team
showed no doubts in my abilities, never did they compare me to the Grovers or make me feel less of a photographer like I had feared! They were actually the opposite, they kept cheering me on! It was so uplifting and an overall awesome experience! Everyone was so thankful and appreciative! I was so honored when Promise asked me to be apart of the team photo! But I have to say thee best part was when the attendees used the headshots that I took of them in their new websites! Im such a sensitive moosh ball -I totally teared up when  one of the Attendees came up to me to thank me for the photos that she proudly displayed on her website! Right then I realized that I didnt need to fill the Grovers shoes, I could wear my own shoes and get around just fine! :)  

For those of you that want to try something different but the negative nancy thats stuck in your head is getting to you –just put a mussel on her. Take a leap! And dont over think your decision because thats when we bail out! I find that it helps me to prepare the day before and try not think about it until you've parked your car -so its too late to runaway! Just Go for it!!! :)   

So awesome to be on the list of Sponsors with some of the best in the industry! Holler Ballerrrrr!!!!

The Sitehouse Team photo :)

A few of the headshots that I took of the attendees :)

The Group photo!!! Such an awesome group of peeps!

Attention GENTLEMAN!!! I'm dying to photograph a PROPOSAL! Please SHARE this on
your timelines to hook your friends up with a free photos of this special
moment!!! Surprise your girlfriend with not only an amazing proposal, stunning
ring, and awesome photographs to capture the moment!

I have met some amazing people while pursuing my dream career as a wedding photographer! Lucy Munoz is a friend of mine that I met a few years ago at a photography meet and greet. We decided to work together on a stylized wedding photoshoot. Our vision was a Romantic outdoor wedding in a Pear Orchard. We wanted to show brides that you can mix glitz and glamour to the rustic outdoors vineyard. We couldn't pull this look off without this awesome creative team:
Wedding Venue | Rileys Farm
Furniture Rental & Styling | Sparkles and Vintage
Floral | Victoria Ivy Floral Designs
Photography and Concept | Janelle Marina Photography & Lucy Munoz Photography
Cake | Pretty Little Pastries
Invitations & Paper goods | Heart and Fox
Table Rental | Js party rentals
Hair & Makeup | Sarah Segura
Bridal Boutique | Chic Little Devil Style House
Bride | Sarah Liz
Groom | Andy Lee 

Somebody pinch me -I must be dreaming! I've already gotten 10 wedding inquiries for 2014!!! That might not be a lot to some people -but its a heck of a lot to me! My goal is to shoot 15 weddings per year -it might happen sooner than i thought!  

None of this could of happened without your support & referrals! I am very grateful! Ya'll ROCK!!! 

 I have invested so much time, training, & $$ (not to mention the sweat & tears -no blood) into this dream to make it a reality. So its time to take my Business to the next level! As of Jan 1st. my prices will be changing -this is the last month that my Wedding packages will start at $1,500!  

I still can't do this without you guys! All the love, support, referrals, comments, Likes, hugs + high fives  are always appreciated! So please keep em coming :) 

I dont know why but i feel the sudden urge to give a few shout outs to some special people that have dealt with me during this milestone :)

Thank you...

My husband for putting up with countless boring convos about photography settings, equipment, workshops, idols etc. Thank you my love for believing in me and being the supporter of our family so I can follow this dream in hopes to build it into my career! I promise to continue to rub ur back with my free hand while I'm editing on the couch whenever you want! One day babe Im gonna take you on a trip to paradise. Just u & me with our toes in the water, ass in the sand -without a worry in the world! ;)

My family and friends who have been supporting me through this -mentally, physically, emotionally! I can't tell u how special it is that you read my posts! You've had faith in me when I didn't even have faith in myself and I love you guys so doggone much! You know who you are -I just want to pinch your cheeks n give you a slap on the butt!

My business wouldn't be a business if i didnt have Awesome Clients that allow me to be apart of one of the most important days of their lives! They put their trust in me to deliver and that my friend is golden! It's also great when they are so willing share their images & refer all their family & friends to me! Gotta Love them!

My amazing photog friends who have given me the opportunity to second shoot or assist them at their weddings! You trusted me to represent your business while gaining experience to build my own -and that is why I love this industry!

None of this would be possible without the grace of God! Thank you!

From the bottom to the top of my heart, 

-Janelle :) 

Here's a sneak peak of what's coming next week! :) love Thank You signs!

I was so lucky to be apart of the SiteHouse Go Live crew the last two days! Promise Tangeman is an awesome web designer who designs for so many amazing photographers, musicians, etc! She's kind of a big deal! She has these really cool workshops to help you build your website.

The minute I walked in the door I was overwhelmed with Inspiration! It was in every corner! Fashion, interior design, web design, photography, super sweet people -it was all there in one room! I was just trying to soak it all in! Promise is soo doggone talented and super sweet! Her team is sooo amazing!!! It was a pleasure working with them! If yall are in need of a website checkout http://www.sitehousedesigns.com/ they have awesome designs! And try to go to one of her workshops they're totally worth every penny!

Troy & Aimee from Troy Grover Photographers were kind enough to take our portraits! It was nice seeing them again! I got to meet them this summer for their KISS ALBUM launch party HERE

And I just had to photo bomb her bathroom!!! It had the coolest wall design ever!!!