Last night I had my godson over for a lil slumber party! We try to have him over as much as we can because I don’t want my son to get the Only Child Syndrome (in other words becomes a Stingy Brat). I was watching the boys make they’re very own pizza & it took me back to my childhood years when I made my first pizza (wow I feel really old saying “Back in my day…”). Smearing the tomato sauce. Sprinkling the cheese. Loading up on the pepperonis! It’s a big deal, or at least it was to me. I think I’m just a sentimental person, because once the boys were done they jammed to play in the bedroom. They say there’s less pressure when your second shooting for someone, but I definitely am feeling the fire! I don’t know if it’s because it’s my first time second shooting for a wedding, or because I haven’t met any of the people I’m working for, or all of the above! I just joined a facebook group for inland empire photographers and a sweet lady asked if anyone was interested in second shooting a wedding with her. I wanted to jump in the computer, grab her by the shirt & beg… PICK ME! PICK ME! Of course there were already other girls who had left their info… so I added my name onto the list, feeling kinda bummed cuz my chances were slim to none. I sent her an email explaining how badly I wanted and needed to second shoot for her! (Yes some people would call it begging, but o well I have set my pride aside to achieve my goals!)This year’s goal was to second shoot as much as I can, to build my portfolio so I can start booking weddings. I never ever thought that I would book my first solo wedding before I got to second shoot with someone. I was desperate to get my feet wet before I go on my own (even if it’s just the tip of my toes). Something I said struck a chord because I was one of the chosen ones lol! Did she choose me because she liked my work, or maybe she felt bad for how desperate I was!? Oh well either way I GOT the GIG! I’m on my way to pick up my lenses that I rented and off I go to make my dreams a reality! Wedding Photography here I come!! Spread... Sprinkle... Nibble... Finished!!! Of course Jack & I had to make our own pizzas too!
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Monopoly is like the game of life... and I totally suck! Surprisingly I last till the end of the game because I'm pretty good at saving my money but I am horrible at negotiating! I end up just begging Jack to trade his cards with me so I can have all of one color to start buying apartments or houses. My son clearly got his fathers negotiating skills. I tell him he can have 1 cookie, he asks for 3! Two at the most! Hmm how about 3! nope then we're back at only 1! Ok. Ok. I"ll have 2! Never did I think that I’d be negotiating dessert with my 3 year old son! Nor did I think I’d be breaking down the roles of each super hero! Thank God I had an older brother who forced us to watch all these boy cartoons. The photos below have absolutely nothing to do with my above post, but I personally like to go on blogs to see photos; so I’m going to try to attach a photo on each post. I can’t believe baseball is already coming to an end. Time sure does fly! This is what happens when you take photos at noon, the sun is so bright that you get lots of hot spots! People have to keep that in mind when your planning a wedding or family photos. My dad got these cool Marine Corps pajamas for my son! Aren’t they bad to the bone! (Look he always gets into character... Hooo Rahhh! )
When Jack started his paramedic school, back in 2008, he put away all his video
game gear because he knew he wasn't going to have time for it and didn't want to have any temptations of playing it. Not only was he in a super intense program but he was also going to be a new father and the few hours that he did have in between, he wanted to spend with his son. Years have passed and he just got a xbox for Xmas. To be honest, I wasn't too excited. I really like having his whole attention on us when he's home, but now that I'm working from home it’s only fair for him to have something to do while I'm working. So I just had to get over it! We made a deal that he would play while I was doing work on the computer, and be sure to make family time a priority. Sounded good until we realized that our internet service totally sucks! If we're on at the same time the internet is extremely slow for me and his game starts skipping. Funny how things don't work out. Now we'll have to wrestle for the internet! So it took me forever long to watch a 5 day online workshop.And by forever I mean a few months! It literally takes one whole day to stream a one hour video! (This is why I am not a YouTube junkie) It was so much knowledge to digest and I now know what I need to do to get my photography from being an expensive hobby to an actual business. She says that branding is a huge deal, and to choose 3 words that describe your brand. I don’t feel like I’ve shot enough photos for me to set my 3 words in stone, so I just chose 3 words that describe me & see if it shows in my photo style; Simple, Silly, & Spicy! I know its Valentine’s Day & I’m supposed to write something all mushy gushy… but I’m not. I’ll keep it simple by wishing you all a happy LOVE day with whoever your Valentine may be; your significant other, friend, child, pet -whoever! Peace. Love. & Happiness! Today will go down in history for the biggest day in my Photography LIFE… I had my first bride consultation! I wasn’t nervous until I joined them at the Starbucks patio table. (Yeah I know its so cliché to hold meetings at Starbucks, but that was the first place that came to mind). I was trying to hide my hands because they were trembling. I don’t know why I was so nervous. I was as prepared as I could get; I had my samples, questionnaire, & contract ready to go. After choking on a few of my words & losing my train of thought a few times... we laughed & I felt more comfy. It felt like I was just chit chatting with friends. They are such a Cool couple, they couldnt be more perfect for my first wedding. O yeah... Did I mention that they booked me!!! Can you believe it!?! Lil Ol ME!!! It’s one of those feelings that are too good to be true! I am on the ultimate high, but need to float back down to earth and get ready for the big day! It’s literally right around the corner, March 10th to be exact.
So much to do, so little time! I also booked 2 other engagement sessions for this month! This photography thang is really taking off! Oh and remember I mentioned WPPI & how sometimes Lucky newbies get to go…Well… I guess I’m one of those lucky newbies because my school gives students a FREE ticket!! Holla Balla!!! I feel like the kid Charlie who won the Golden Ticket! I’ve also been working on designing some business cards… check em out! So I decided to add a category to my photography, it’s called LIFE (and its “Lifestyle Photography”). This will include everything, except for Love Stories & Weddings. Last week I had the pleasure of photographing my first large family! I was going to try to include all of their last names but there are so many & I don’t want to murder the spelling, so I’m just going to call them Ms. Carey’s Family! Ms. Carey is my son’s daycare advisor, & she has become a great friend of ours! Her family is growing by the minute so she wanted to get some updated family photos. They were such an easygoing group of people! I had such a nice time shooting them! This little blue eyed stud is my son’s best friend Michael! These are Ms. Carey's grandchildren, with one on the way... This is a photo of all her kids & grandbabies... Great looking Family! Mr Cool guy!!! I cant get enough of his eyes!!!
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I'M JANELLE MARINA
Wife, Mama Shark, + Photographer. Most days, you'll find me in mismatched socks and a top knot, working behind my computer with a smile on my face, listening to Zac Brown Band and R&B --or, dancing in the kitchen with my 3 littles and hunka husband, seeing who could come up with the coolest dance moves. I'm a wedding photographer, West Elm lover, aspiring advocate for our buddies with special needs, and a Certified Dreamer since 1986. We live in a cozy city in Southern California and are always up for a good adventure. I enjoy telling stories with my camera, grubbing on spicy food, and solving the latest Dateline case.
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December 2019
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