But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

As I sit here at Starbucks, that’s in the Barnes and Noble bookstore, (it’s a bit chilly in here, I feel the cool air on my ankles because I did not dress properly this morning for cold weather) I’m waiting for my friend to pick me up because my van’s alternator decided to die on me and I am pondering on God’s grace in my life and the wonderful Christmas He gave me this year. I spent it with some of my best friends, this sounds silly, but I was quite blessed to have some very touching texts from new friends…you know who you are! The gift of friendship is such a blessing from God. Sometimes gifts and time reflect the love that others have for us and I believe that was the most touching part of Christmas for me, the time and gifts that we exchanged were so overwhelming, I cannot praise God enough for His grace because it is for that reason that I am able to praise Him! I have never known love as I do now; love is sacrificing; time-consuming; patient, and so many other things that I am excited about, as a Christian, to discover!

Having Christmas on Sunday this year was absolutely wonderful! Going to church on Christmas and spending time with my church family was an experience that I don’t have the words that would do it justice. When I think about the fact that Jesus died for the church, such a painful experience for Him and we get to reap the benefits, such as Christmas morning in church, who has the words to express sufficient gratitude for that? Celebrating Jesus’ birth with my brothers and sisters-in-Christ and knowing why He had to come, just as it happened, how can it not be overwhelming! We have the freedom in this country to celebrate His birth in the open without any fear of persecution, it is not a holiday, it is a celebration, for He came for me and those who will come to Him by faith. He came to pay the debt that no amount of “good” works from me could or would ever pay. If we could do something for salvation why would He have to come and go through that which He went through?

I hope your Christmas was as blessed!

“For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone” (Psalm 86:10)

Merry Christmas everyone and a very Happy New Year!

Arjelia (Picture It!)

In order to stay atop of one’s profession, one has to be a lifetime student in that field and I am trying. I want to learn from  the best. I enjoy photography so much; I love the look on someone’s face when they see a photo they love of themselves or of a loved one, right Veidi? So here I am at my day job, during lunch, dreaming and working towards that day when it will all come true.

Have a great day!

Arjelia (Picture It!)

New discoveries: Joshua Payne, living on a budget can really be fun, and singing in the Cantata can truly be stress-free.

Joshua Payne is amazing, just discovered him while I was playing an iheart radio station, I love his voice, I ended up purchasing a couple of his songs.

Knowing where I am at with my finances is truly liberating, no guessing, no overspending, no guilt!

Not having a solo in this year’s Christmas Cantata is allowing me to enjoy it in a different way, I do miss not having a solo but it’s all good! There are some good, surprise soloists/duets, this year. I’m really looking forward to it. I hope YOU will be there.

I had the privilege to shoot a couple of events this past week, here are some of the photos:

Have a great day everyone!

Arjelia (Picture It!)

I praise God for the friends He has blessed me with of late. The gift of friendship is such a wonderful gift and there is one that sticker closer than a brother…the Lord Jesus Christ, my Savior; the fact that He gives us friends on earth, oh how He careth for us!

I received Priscilla and Mia’s Christmas cards yesterday and I don’t know who was more excited, seriously. These two have a special place in my heart.

Then there’s the birthday celebrations at work, two of them, I’m including the photos of there desk decorations. Happy birthday Adrienne and Ana!

Oh and I am including the photo of the cards and my little wrapping 8′)

Have a great day!

Arjelia (Picture It!)

Isn’t that so true?

Last Saturday we had the privilege of photographing Stacey and her family; we reconnected through Facebook, it is such a great tool! They wanted photos for Christmas cards and her sister and husband would be going home soon, since they were out here only for Thanksgiving. We planned this within minutes the day before, not bad Stacey! Thank you all for the opportunity!

I have to say my daughter did a great job in capturing some photos and moments that were not planned, my most favorites. Here are some of my favorite shots:

Have a great weekend everyone!

Arjelia (Picture It!)

A few days ago I received “Exposed,” Jasmine Star’s (photographer extraordinaire) first magazine and of course I hear, “your obsessed” from my youngest daughter, anytime I mention her name she says that, by-the-way, I’m not but I appreciate how giving she is. Most business owners would never share what gives them an edge over their competition, she doesn’t seem that way; anyway, the magazine is beautiful, filled with wonderful photos and Jasmine’s great humor and suggestions!

Once again, I love my vocation!

Arjelia (Picture It!)

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

We made new friends, my daughter and I fell in love with these two!

I had fabulous and fun Christmas Card-Shoot a couple of Saturday’s ago with Priscilla and Mia, we truly had a blast. They were so easy to work with and I know it was because they have such a close-knit relationship 8′). I am so glad that we were able to spend that time together, here are some of my favorite photos of the day.

Have a great week everyone!

Arjelia (Picture It!)

One of my biggest struggles is to not lean unto my own understanding but how I praise God for His word to remind me of things NOT to do and things TO DO!

I have been busy with photo-shoots, Church activities, homework, and a busy season approaching at work and unfortunately something has to give; that is usually my blog

The following photo is from my good friend’s sister and family; they needed a portrait to give to her mother for her birthday, I believe I blogged about the first photo-shoot I did with Rosie and her husband. Well we met up to do a quick set of photos and when I arrived the thing that photographers dread, or at least one of them, I take my camera out to check the lighting and I noticed I forgot my memory card, who does that? Obviously ME! So, I called Char and told her what happened and she said, “No worries, we’re not ready!” Yay, so my daughter and I jumped into my van and went back home grabbed my card and drove like a maniac back to the park.  We snapped some photos and then went to church.

I am looking forward to a great Christmas season, one because of the celebration of my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ’s birth and then photographing families!

Have a great weekend!

Arjelia (Picture It!)

Since this project is all about light and how to use light in photography, I thought that scripture was most appropriate. Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes light as something that makes vision possible and how important is that in photography; the single most important thing, I hope to take you with me on my journey to discovering light in photos. Let’s begin…

Maresa was my first victim, I mean, model 8′) I have known her all her life, give or take a few months, she attends our church and I am so glad she does. She loves volleyball and is now in college studying Cosmetology. She was gracious enough to come over and pose for my project. The girl is super tall and I had to get up on my ladder to be at eye-level with her, it was quite funny.

At this shoot I just snapped some shots of the different poses that David Ziser goes through in his book “Captured By the Light.”

First photo is the Full-Face View

Two-Thirds View

Modified Two-Thirds View

I will be sending out more invites in the months to come in order to finish my project, so keep an eye out. Follow me on twitter and/or my facebook page.

Have a great day/weekend everyone!

Arjelia (Picture It!)