Took a few pictures of Carla last time we road tripped to the Bay Area.
Location: Dinosaur Point, Pacheco State Park – one of my favorite places to be, and shoot.
First two photos taken with my new 14mmf/2.8 lens. Super wide with VERY little distortion. 
I love it.
The rest of the pictures taken with my all time favorite lens – the 50mm f/1.2.
I was on a flight from Mammoth back to LA yesterday. The guy sitting next to me was reading a book by one of my favorite authors – Don Miguel Ruiz. It was “The Four Agreements.”
It’s a great book and I mentioned to him that I need to re-read it because the last time was years ago. He said the same thing – that the last time he read it was about 4 years ago and that it’s amazing to re-read books like this when you are in a different space. I knew exactly what he meant. The book is on personal growth and discusses things such as not taking things personally, being forgiving, etc..
Then he said, “Reading it is the easy part, right? Doing it is a whole ‘nother thing.”
As soon as he said that we flashed each other a “Yes, most definitely” smile.
That short conversation inspired my blog post today, which is about JUST DOING IT.
Ever meet someone who gives great relationship advice but when it comes to being in a relationship of their own, they lose their sh*t? Or someone who has great ideas (i.e. “Wouldn’t it be cool if . . . ?”) but never takes the steps to bring it into fruition? Or simply someone who talks over and over about things they want to be doing (i.e. “I need to eat healthier.”) but continue to eat Skittles and bacon?
We are all guilty at some point. Doing takes practice and one thing that my close friends have in common is that they all make their best effort to be “do-ers.” They practice what they preach. You can learn, educate, and know a million things, but what actually makes a difference in the quality of your life is . . . yes, DOING IT!
So what are you going to do today?
For me, on a personal level, I am going to choose patience. On a practical level, I am going to the Shade Store and ordering some curtains for my place. Curtains . . . very important and long overdue.
You can think about it, talk about it, or do something about it.
Great post! I also chose patience as one my goals for this year. I used to be one of those people who mulled or talked things over forever. At some point though, one just has to stop talking and start doing.
I actually had to read this for work CC, it’s great.
One can be healthy AND eat bacon, dammit.
I always tell myself ‘I’m gonna read Christine’s blog!’
but, admittedly… I never do.
So today, thanks to your blog (paradoxically) I’ve done it!
I so rule.
I agree with Ivy. If “being healthy” doesn’t include bacon, I’m out. Besides, we’re all about to eat our weight in pork tomorrow night.
love your quote… and you! you’re amazing CC!
I just change my hair appointment to tomorrow so I can go kick boxing tonight. I’ve put it off for over a year! Shame on me!
Since I usually do portrait sessions outdoors, sometimes people ask where I go to shoot during winter if weather is bad.
Well, I live in LA and somehow we manage to work it out. 
One frame from Amy & James’ engagement session last week. Taken on the beach in the Palisades.
How lucky I feel to live here. It’s been 80 degrees all week!
And now . . . I am heading to the snow. Taking off to Mammoth Lakes! Have a good weekend everyone!
What a shot! I love it!
One of my favorite places to shoot in LA is Temescal Canyon.
Went on a hike with the pups over the weekend and all I could think about the whole time was how much I love it here.
Beautiful? I think YES!
Lou & Sam.
Had trouble focusing that day. Maybe it’s the fact that I didn’t have my glasses on.
Sam after the long hike. I thought we had to give her mouth-to-mouth.
If you are curious what photo shoots can look like taken at Temescal, here are a few that I have done. . .
Ciji – the red headed beauty.
Kevin Alejandro from True Blood.
Chris & Adriana’s engagement photos. You can see more from the shoot here.
Side note: Professional photo shoots are not allowed at Temescal without a permit so if you want to take pictures, just look like a tourist.
beautiful photos. i love it. keep it up. you’re such an inspirational.
Love the pics of the dogs.
Poor Sammie!
Dear Avril & Nick,
I hate you. I hate you for being a gorgeous couple and having a gorgeous wedding in a gorgeous location. Thank you for making it VERY hard for me to edit your photos.
Love, Christine
To everyone else, here are some photos from Avril & Nick‘s destination wedding in Thailand.
Magic happens when you take photos during those in between moments. You get some real . . . realness! I was with Joe Buissink (celeb wedding photographer) once and he showed me a photo he had taken of J.Lo on her wedding day to that back-up dancer guy (the dude before Marc Anthony). Anyway, this shot of Avril reminds me A LOT of that picture.
I walked into the guys room to see what they were doing. Couldn’t help but laugh.
Ceremony time!
I love watching their moms during the ceremony.
First hug from dad.
This makes me laugh.
Pretty pier.
Sah-wah-dee kha! (“Hello” in Thai).
The reception. I dig those paper lanterns.
Sweetness overload. Father/Daughter.
Mother/Son.
And of course the Bride & Groom.
In case you can’t tell, Avril & Nick are definitely a smash-the-cake-in-your-face type of couple.
Lantern release!
And then, there were FIREWORKS!
Before heading up to my room I snapped one last shot of the happy couple.
If you wish to see more, you can see other photos from my trip to Thailand here and here.
GREAT photos Christine and congratulations to the couple! Rayong is a nice place..Thailand is so beautiful. If the wedding party wants discount to the longest cable ride in Asia (also in Rayong) let me know (an American is running it).
Christine, these capture the moments so beautifully!!! You did such a great job
I love Marissa’a face at the lantern release – she’s obvi staring at Damon almost getting burned haha! And seeing the whole view of the ceremony.. and reception during the father-daughter dance – GORGEOUS!!
Can’t wait to see the rest! xo
Hi Christine: Thank you for posting such beautiful photos of Avril and Nick’s wedding. Looking through these photos really relived the wedding itself. You are really great. Could not wait to see the rest of the photos.
Isabella
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the one where the couple are walking on the pier and the groom is caught off both feet!!!
Lovely as always, Christine *heart heart*
Wow. I find myself scrolling through these gorgeous pictures over and over again. Thank you so much Christine for posting these amazing photos. I feel like I can almost imagine being there myself. You perfectly captured the fun, silly side along with the sweet, caring, loving side that makes Avril and Nick such a beautiful couple both inside and out.
[...] is some video footage from my trip to Thailand. I went there over the New Year to photograph Nick & Avril‘s wedding. I enjoyed my trip with this FUN-TASTIC couple very much. You can see some of [...]
[...] I started the year off in Thailand for my first wedding of 2012 – Nick & Avril‘s. They are now getting ready to welcome a baby girl! So exciting!! You can see some of [...]
gorgeous couple… gorgeous pictures!
Gorgeous shots! That park looks incredible. I want to stop next time I’m heading up the 5 to SF
That 14mm is awesome!
Carla’s soooo pretty!