November 13, 2008

Jason & Stephanie...E-sesh

Ok, So this post is a LONG time in coming! I'm So very sorry to Jason and Steph...I promised I would get a blog up, and a slideshow up, but I really havent been able to do that!


We have hit the point in our lives where all our friends are getting engaged....in rapid sucession!!! It's such a blessing to walk through these times with such amazing friends. Jason and I have know each other since we were...well...since I was born! We actually have video footage of his first birthday party where I was just a few months old! Despite our different colleges, and such, Jason (or J-Le, as a we dubbed him years ago) is one of the people I have remained really close with. So, when we met at chipotle for lunch a year and a half ago and he first told me about Steph, I was thrilled! They had only started dating a couple weeks earlier, but there was a definite sparkle in his eye. I have since grown to adore Steph, (in all her Texas charm) and we have become the best of friends. When I read the text a few Saturdays ago "I'm betrothed" from Steph, I couldn't help but call her and shriek with joy! A few days later, I asked if I could shoot their e-sesh, as my gift to them! Here are some of my favorites!


**click on any of them to see a slideshow!





A couple Sundays later, with the help of a few friends, we threw them an awesome engagement party! 40 college age kids were there! :) It was wonderful to see such an outpouring of love for these two!

...please pray...

Hi all. For all your photographers and blog readers, please pray for our fellow photog David Baxter and his family. He lost his Grandma a couple days ago, and is working through the grief of losing the woman who practically raised him. They were very close, and he is struggling to push through. thank you!

Jolie & Josh: e~session preview!

a sneak peak at our e-session from tonight! more to follow!

...I don't even know...

have you ever felt like you have invested time and energy and life into something you love, something you're passionate about, only to have it stolen out from under you by someone? 

how does it make sense to anyone that when you part ways with someone, suddenly all you know and all the connections you've made are hijacked by that other person...especially when its not even truly an interest you share? 

I have spent the last 4 years of my life creating connections, and absorbing tips and information, like a sponge, and forging friendships with people at the top of their craft from whom I have so much to learn. and now I feel like that foundation is being yanked out from under me, stolen even, by someone who has no right to do so. how is that fair? (yes, I'm aware...life isn't fair) I continue to glean everything I can from those connections while at the same time feeling stabbed in the back by so many of them. I cannot even begin to explain the hurt, and frustration I feel. it's enough to make me seriously consider where I have placed my trust, and to whom I look for advice, both business wise, and "elsewise..." and the path my life is taking. 

***I'm sorry...I really just needed to vent my frustration. It's been weighing on my for a week or so, and I've become a semi-grumpy (mostly just quiet) person because of it. 

Happy Birthday to you!! Happy Birthday to you...

So, today, 2 of the most important people in my life are sharing a birthday! First...The love of my life...Zachary!!! Happy 25th! I am so excited to be a part of what God has in store for you in the next year. I cannot believe how quickly the last 9 months have flown by. It seems like a few weeks ago we met for coffee that fateful day! ;) It's hard to imagine that the rest of our lives are going to get better than this time I've spent with you. Like you said last night, this is our first birthday together in a VERY long time! Like 6 years! Everyone with whom you come into contact is blessed by you, including me, of course! I am constantly reminded of how incredible you are...truly a man after God's heart. Time and time again, week after week, I have the privilege of watching you impact the lives of adults, and young people alike. A pretty awesome accomplishment at 25, if you ask me! :) I am so very proud of the way you treat people, and the way you are a consistent encouragement to everyone around you. You are wonderful, and I am so blessed to have you in my life! Happy Birthday my love!

Us on Valentines Day @ Disneyland

Us @ Ryan (Zach's brother) & Whit's wedding end of July

Steph!!! :) Happy 21st!!! I'm am so thrilled to be able to spend a fun night with you and our friends in celebration of this! Your friendship has been such a God thing in my life! I'm not sure whether its your effervescene, or your smile, or what....but your "joie de vivre" is truly contagious! I love having girl friends like you! You are so very loved. I pray your day is amazing, and your evening even better! ;) 

Steph & Jonathan (her boyfriend's brother) @ APU's graduation:

*** I also need to mention that Caeser's (my boss) birthday was yesterday! Happy B-Day C!!! Your love for the Lord is overflowing! I am so thankful that your family is part of my life! You are a blessing to all those around you! 

HELP!!!

Hi everyone! I'm hoping to go to New York to model for a friend's workshop in october...the only thing is there is no budget $$ for a model! Sooo, I found a cheap-ish flight out and back, I just need someone to stay with! Anyone have any ideas!? please please please let me know! it's be october 19-23

...it's been awhile...

Wow! I just realized it's been almost a month since I've blogged! I'm so far behind! Since Brian and Britt got married got so much has been going on! Zach and I went to Palm Dessert with Caeser and Linda and the girls for a little bit of a respite in our busy schedules, we went to a rodeo in Norco with Alex & Rachel, and Brian & Britt. We've had dinner with Brian and Britt @ their new place. I went with a friend of mine to pick out possible engagement rings for her. Zach and I went up to Santa Barbara Labor Day weekend to hang out, and spend some us time together...and we even got to see fireworks! We went to an angels game.....and it feels like something else too, but maybe I'm forgetting.  Hopefully I'll be able to put up pics from most of those things, but it seems like my p&s is having issues, so we'll see. 

I'm really excited! I have a friend with whom I grew up whose engagement session I get to shoot this weekend! Jolie was the winner of the Miss Los Angeles County Pagent, and I went to elementary school with her! We were in Brownies (little girls girl scouts) together, and have all kinds of crazy stories about growing up! I'm soooo excited! I was able to meet her coffee yesterday, and catch up a little bit about the last 8 years of our lives, and we had so much fun! I'm really looking forward to meeting her fiancé Josh.

In Studio 22 at church this fall we are starting a new series called Kingdom Culture....I'm super stoked about it! The high school department is going to to be partnering with the Jr. High and college departments to be a student ministry-wide series. We'll be focusing on Matthew 5 and how we can live out God's desires for us in this kingdom. The high school room is going to be re-vamped into an awesome "urban-esque"  mood with photographs, and art and some sweet wall displays. Check back soon for more details, and to see images of the awesome room transformation, and even better, hear (or read) the stories of how God is working in students' lives!

OOO!!! In other news, my new site is up! It's not NEARLY finished, in fact, I haven't even put galleries up yet, but it's up and running, none-the-less! Thanks to David Jay's ingenuity and his Showit Sites team! Special thanks to Andrew Barlow of the tech team! I was having issues, and he worked really hard to get everything solved, and working properly! Zach and I are working on developing a new logo for me...something really reflects my personality. We need to fine tune some of the details, but hopefully the finishing touches will go quickly, and it will be unveiled soon! 

I lead the freshman girls in Studio 22 with two other young women, Wendy, and Britt. Well, I still live at my parents house, which means that my house is still a prime target for Toilet Papering! And, leave it to my wonderful freshman, they got me good! I drove in right as they were starting, so of course they scattered like cockroaches in the light, then a little over an hour, they showed up again! I was JUST falling asleep, and heard the faint "ppffftt" tearing of the TP. I got out of bed, walked to the front window, and watched as my front yard was transformed into a world of white. After they left, I went outside and grabbed a couple shots on my iPhone cam of the damage, and cleaned it up before it had a chance to soak up the water from the grass. At least they love me! right? :)

yes, those are post-it notes ALL over the front of my garage...with notes, and all kinds of cute things on them!

Anyway, that's all I have time for right now. Hopefully more will come later! 

love love!

B & B Lyskoski...the wedding

August, 2007...

"Britt, I met the one."

"Brian!!! What?! Where?! How?! When?! DETAILS!!!"

"Her name is Brittney, we met at camp, she was on hos, and she's perfect. I'm going to marry her."

"Ooooo...Well, I gotta meet/approve her!!!"

December, 2007...

Brian - "I'm going ring shopping today!"

"You better let me know what you find!"

(a little while later...over text)

"I got one! The perfect one!"

"Oh my goodness Brian!!! I can't believe it! I'm so excited"

----------------------------------

Brian and I go way back. We have been friends for about 8 years (His older bro and I were friends even before that). We have been through everything together, walked each other through some pretty difficult times, near death experiences, and some amazing ones as well. Always there to lean on each other, and count on the other for guidance. We even went to homecoming together one year! The rollercoaster of high school, and his first couple years of college (he's a grade younger than me).

One night, up at QMC, we were laying in the field with some other friends just staring at the amazingly black ad starry sky. Talking about life, and growing up, and getting married some day...he randomly interjected, out of the blackness "Britt...when I get married...you're shooting my wedding." I sort of laughed it off, while half-heartedly agreeing...

All these years later, the day he proposed I got the phone call..."Britt, I'm getting married! You're shooting my wedding!" I hadn't even really met Brittney yet! After an engagement session at the end of December, and a few double dates, I knew that Brian and Britt were perfect for each other, and was elated at my friend's joy.

Saturday, August 9 2008, my heart swelled with pride, and excitement and love for these friends. I had the privilege (along with the help of my dear friend Katee Grace) of capturing a day full of unbridled love, and uncontainable excitement. I was nervous! It's been a while since I've been nervous before a wedding. The prep went smoothly, the girls formals, and the boys formals all went perfectly. At the church I position myself in the sound booth above the aisle, the wedding party heads down the aisle...the crowd stand for the Bride. The doors open, and my lens is focused on Brian...his eyes adjust, his head tilts back, the movements of his mouth form "WOW" in utter wonderment at the woman walking toward him. Seeing her for the first time that day, and realizing that she was walking to be by his side forever brought tears to his eyes, and in turn to mine. I lost it. The last time I cried at a wedding was Richard and Wendy's about a year ago. But this was so personal, and so very perfect... 

Thank you Brian and Britt for being amazing friends, and giving me the opportunity to share in the romance of your day. It could not have been more perfect, and I am blessed to have been a part! Have an amazing Honeymoon in St. Lucia!  I love you both so very much!

At rehearsal dinner, Bri gave all the boys converse, the classic black and white ones...these were the ones the dads picked out...

**funny sidenote... Zach was Brian's small group leader in high school, and they became close. So he was in the wedding, which was fun. Brian is actually partially responsible for Zach and me getting togther...haha. long story. but here's a pic from high school...although, I will say that I like the latest addition to the group very, very much! In fact, I can't remember what it was like without her!

the goings on of the next week and a half...

:) busy busy busy....

thats all I seem to be these days! but most days I love it. I love seeing God work in the lives of my 25 high school freshman girls, I watch Delaney and Sidney become more mature everyday, I love seeing the excitement and anticipation, as some of my best friends prepare to get married aug 9, I love watching my relationship with Zach grow daily in Christ. I love spending time with the Steigers, and doing wedding prep with them for this weekend, and cooking, and baking, and bonding with people that are fairly new in my life. my Daddy made a comment to me the other day, "you fill every spare moment with volunteering, and helping, and socializing." (every spare moment besides those in which I'm working that is!) and he's soooo right! but what better ways to spend my time? :) I love being able to possibly make a difference in peoples lives! 

Ok, tonight is Friday...We have rehearsal dinner for Ryan & Whit's wedding. The ceremony and reception are tomorrow. 

Then, Monday morning bright and early, we leave for Quaker Meadow Camp. it's about a 6 hour bus ride up in the high sierras. I went to QMC every year from the summer I was going into 4th grade, to the summer before senior year of high school. it's the type of place where incredible memories are made, lifelong friendships are forged, and most of the distractions of our everyday OC life are forgotten for the week. 

I can't wait! This year I'm a counselor with my friends Wendy, and Brittney...we have something like 25 freshman girls, it will be amazing! 

If you feel inclined to send mail....here's the address! :)  hehe...keep us in your prayers!

Brittany Leigh Gebler

c/o Quaker Meadow Christian Camp
HCR 3, Box 601
Springville, CA 93265

have a great weekend!

North Carolina - day 2

Cindy and Bruce Marshburn, along with their adorable kids (Drew, 12 and Madi, 7) opened up their home in Cedar Point, North Carolina to us for the week! Its beautiful here, and although its 10:30 pm, 80 degrees, and 85% humidity, I love it! Bruce and Caeser have been friends for years, so on this trip to the East, it only seemed right that we spend time with them! They have a beautiful home, and an awesome environment. More photos to come as adventures are had!


my new favorite thing.....a fully screened in back porch! there's a specific seat that I love...the swing. its sooo quiet out here!

Bear....he recently got shaved...
(don't shave the bears...they don't like it!)






Cosmo, the Italian Greyhound...sooooo tiny! twig-like


a few shots from the little town we visited today...

absolutely, hands down, the UGLIEST birds I have EVER seen!





Delaney, adjusting her hairLinda and Sid
a quaint old dock
i'm not really sure this drain is doing what its supposed to
haha, no one wanted to be in the pic
D's choke-hold on Sid
Drew and Madi....looking uncomfortable
what a name! "Salty Sheep Yarn Shop"
Church St. Deli....awesome sandwiches!
only in a small town!
black & tan. 'nough said.
This guy, in a gallery, had his little station where he carved, and painted beautiful wooden birds. Almost decoy-like!
is this not the epitome of the images that comes to mind when you think North Carolina? I LOVE black rocking chairs!
Drew, Delaney, Sidney, and Madi
shes just so sweet!
sisterly affection!
D with her HUGE (and upside down) goggles

cuuuute... lol