Merry Christmas!!!- Inland Empire Photographer

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! Enjoying time with friends and family making new and unforgettable memories. Coming from a family with multi traditions I had two days full of enjoying it all! One of things I remember as a childhood tradition are the times my mom and aunts would get together to make tamales. Tamales is one of those meals that tastes amazing, but takes a lot of time, preparation, and heart to make. I received a call from my Mom on December 23 asking if I wanted to come over to help prepare some tamales for Christmas. I was so happy to tell the kids to get ready because we are going to go to grandma's to make a childhood favorite meal! They looked at me puzzled...okay! Happy with my camera in hand I couldn't help but to capture a few shots. It wasn't long before my brother saying c'mon put that camera down and let's get to work!!! hahaha. My kids noticed that their cousins were there and decided playing outside was funner , but my little girl Sierra! She found that putting the masa, filling, and folding was just plain out fun. With her little apron on she went for it, and for those of you who know my little girl she is a yapper. Keeps the conversations to it's most fullest humor. It was a great feeling to be surrounded by my siblings, their children, and just have fun with our Mom to keep us in line. Sometimes it takes some good hearted cooking to bring us together, but that's what traditions and holidays do is bring families closer. I am so blessed to have an amazing family on both my side and my husbands, that our holiday was two days full of unforgettable memories! Today I post our adventure of tamale making, a book my mother read to my daughter, and a sneak peak of weddings to come! I know I have been away from blogging for a few weeks, with shooting two weddings, over 9 family shoots, a Christmas party shoot, 40th glamour shoot, booked 3 new weddings for next year, and two of my kids celebrating another year this month I have to state this is the most busiest ever. Looking forward to sharing new shoots and my new years resolutions for 2010. 

My mommy!

Sierra so ready for the challenge! I just learned how to spread the masa and she had it down packed!

Some of the ingredients we stuff our tamales with.

My son captured us girls having fun, while my brother found no humor in us! Growing up with a bunch of girls he has become immuned to our craziness!

Here is a sneak peak of Luanna and Ryan's wedding!

Here is another sneak peak of Jon and Aubree's wedding! 

Mr and Mrs Alvarado - Riverside Wedding Photographer

Joey and Natalie planned their small and intimate wedding on Friday the 13.  As you can see, this is not your traditional wedding day. That is what makes it personal and represents their style. They wanted a wedding that was simple yet surrounded by their closest friends and family. Here are a few of my favorites images from the day.  Joey and Natalie congratulations on your wedding and I wish you many years of happiness.  Trust me you don't want to miss this slideshow to see more of their wedding day please click on the link http://cliftonphotography.myshowit.com/joeyandnatalie/index.html

click here to view the slideshow http://cliftonphotography.myshowit.com/joeyandnatalie/index.html

Thankful!

When Thanksgiving approaches we know how quickly the year is coming to its end, but more importantly we reflect on what we are most thankful for. This post is to share an idea I had with my children yesterday as I wanted them to let me know what they were truly thankful for. So before we went to be with family and share some grub food at my sister Brandys house I grabbed a few shots of my kids. When I look at these photos it makes me so thankful to God for all the blessings he has brought into my life. I am blessed to be a wife, mom, sister, auntie, cousin, and friend. As I write this post I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving with their family and friends.

Michelle Pinkava - Vista Murrieta Senior - Murrieta Photographer

I've known Michelle for years, and when I received an email from mom asking if I can do her Senior pictures I was more than excited. Michelle is very well rounded young lady, very active in school with sports and community. As you can see on her Letterman's Jacket she has hardly any room to add any more activities! On our way to our shoot I had the opportunity to listen to her goals of becoming an RN and the schools she is applying for. It's great to hear how her enthusiasm is to continuing her education in a field that will help others and save lives. Here are few of my favorites from part 1 of her shoot. We will have one more shoot in the spring with her prom dress and cap and gown! Fun, Fun, Fun!!!!

Mr and Mrs Westfall - Seneca Falls, New York Wedding Photographer

This wedding holds a special place in my heart. I have known the bride Brittany since she was only 16 years of age. There was a time she worked for me and we would always talk about the day she were to get married. I remember her always saying when I get married you will be my photographer. Almost 8 years later she kept her word and hired me as her wedding photographer. I couldn't have been more happier and more excited for my first ever destination wedding. What was even more comforting was going across the United States with amazing friends.
Their story is quite different than most. Steve is a mechanic for a professional motocross rider and Brittany's family have been in the racing scene for many years with their brother. Brittany's sister Samantha met Steve at a race out of state and thought well this guys seems really cool for my sis. Long story short Brittany and Steve started speaking on the phone and arranged to meet. Keep in mind Brittany is a Cali girl and Steve is from Seneca Falls, New York. Brittany said she felt ok buying a ticket and flying to New York to meet Steve for the first time. As she boarded off the airplane she looked for the face she had only seen in pictures, nervous, scared, and their he was. With a warm embrace in that instant they knew they were destined for eachother. Which brings us to this day.



































To see more of their wedding day please click on the link. http://cliftonphotography.myshowit.com/steveandbrittany/index.html