It’s back to a high of sunny 70s over in South Florida and this time of year always makes me feel so lucky to be living here. The fact that we don’t have to shovel snow, wear four layers, and deal with hat hair always has me say an extra prayer of thanks. I know, I know… get over the hat hair already, D. It was a traumatic experience, okay? To ring in the new year, we traveled to a winter wonderland for 7 days with our closest friends and the truth is, the snow was beautiful. I loved waking up to eat breakfast by the window and watch the snow flakes hit the ground. I loved roasting marshmallows by the fire. I even loved looking for the nearest coffee shop while outdoors so that we can warm up. Notice, I loved all things indoor but once it came to being outdoors, I froze my Rudolph nose off. And I couldn’t wait to get home where the heater was on and my nose was safe. A week was perfect and just enough time to get our snow fix on (Adi has a different outlook… I swear that man was made to live in the caves of Antarctica).  Looking back, the thing I miss most is being in a house with 16 of our favorite people, late night games and conversations, cooking together, snow ball fights (ps. hiding behind an expensive camera is the BEST way to avoid eating snow and getting creamed), watching Elf, and the intense ping-pong matches we had. It was pure perfection and though I love my 70 degree weather, we can’t wait for next year! Here are the long over-due photos from our trip and warning: there are quite a few. As always, happy Wednesday to you!The house we stayed in was a dream. We wanted a home large and comfortable enough but couldn’t fathom paying the insane prices so instead, we found one that was about an hour away from the ski slopes and a fraction of the price. Score and score.
Adi looking like a handsome Russian with his hat:
Lucky for me, I have friends that listen to my “artsy” bright ideas and go with it: This is Brooklyn, our mascot. He is absolute perfection and the baby boy of our friends, Kiki & Andrei, whom you may remember from this shoot. He was probably the greatest source of joy on this trip and we all pretty much fought to hold him the entire time. I’d like to say I got plenty of good practice, but here’s the thing: he’s not your average baby. He sleeps through anything, is happy & content 99% of the time, and is just so darn adorable, it hurts. Him. Because we all smother him with kisses. Here he is with his gorgeous mommy:  I mean really, is there anything cuter? My beautiful sister-in-law and I:This was the coldest day we endured. And here they’re only smiling because we’ve found a coffee shop.I’m just going to come out and say it: shooting in snow is HARD. As in, really hard. The snow acts as a natural reflector and is difficult to meter in, as it is usually blown out, which was the case here. For anyone interested, the key is to shoot in raw. Pretty much saved all our rear ends… including theirs below: Brooklyn was Adi’s BFF for the week. We even dubbed him the baby whisperer because as calm as Brooklyn is, he just melts in Adi’s arms… which only makes me melt to a million weepy pieces. I love this man and can’t wait to see him with our own baby.BUT, no on can beat his mommy’s touch. I have to admit, I’m so excited to experience that soon!
Everything about this photo makes me laugh. How calm and focused Adi is, how nonchalant Brooklyn’s daddy is, and how absolutely terrified Brooklyn looks. Not to worry, he was just stretching. My girlfriend Ema and I are three weeks apart and it has been SO nice to go through this whole process with someone else that you trust and love. PS. Vermont was the trip where I really started to show, which was really exciting for us (chalk it up to all the roasted marshmallows)!We are definitely bonded for life, and no, we didn’t plan the matching sweaters. :)
These are my girls, my loveys, my support systems, my true friends. I grew up with many of them, some are newer to our group, but all are like family. I really don’t know where I’d be without them. And these are our silly, yet handsome husbands. Please pay no mind to David trying to hold my husbands hand. My girlfriend, Anca, caught on to photography so quickly, I may have to fear for my job. ;)
My beautiful BFF, Krystle and I, and of course, her husband (my cousin).We froze, and Brooklyn laughed at us.
One night, a brave bunch weathered the cold temperatures and went out to make snowmen. The next day, we couldn’t help but be cheesy and take a photo with “baby” snowman. I’ll end this extremely long post with my favorite photo. So what if it’s off-centered and a little out of focus. It’s my favorite because it’s all of us. Together. 

They met at the Hard Rock and though it wasn’t an immediate connection, Jimmy wasn’t one to take no for an answer. He believed in hard work and dedication and never gave up on Shannon. But if we’re going to be honest, it didn’t take much convincing. Shannon and Jimmy began their story and continued it until that one beautiful summer day in Central Park, NY when Jimmy proposed while on a horse and carriage ride. And that one day took their story to another level—to a forever kind of dedication, hard work, beauty, and love. Shannon is a nurse who works with the best kind of people: newborns. She & I went to college together years ago at good ol’ Florida Atlantic University for our Bachelor’s degree and I couldn’t have been more ecstatic when she found me through the web (really, web… I could kiss you). We reconnected through emails and I was thrilled to see her doing something that she feels was always meant to be. And that includes being with Jimmy. When I finally met the guy that swept her off her feet at their photoshoot, I couldn’t have been more happy with how happy he makes her. And I knew that it was meant to be for them.

Oh you two, thank you so much for letting me be a small part of your story and engagement. It was such a blast catching up, hearing your story, and Jimmy—thank you for your endless patience with us girls. I think you secretly enjoyed being a model for the day. JK! ;) Click here for your slideshow and enjoy your photos below! The Boca Resort never fails in providing picture-perfect back drops like this one:
After a quick outfit change, we ventured out onto the dock for some more photos and found some gorgeous light along the way…Love these below SO much: Umm hello there, gorgeous!

I don’t know how this month is passing by so quickly but I’m dying for a redo already. It’s officially week 3 and my goals—no deserts whatsoever (mom, I’m talking to you!), gym everyday, read a book a week—feel more like a Where’s Waldo? book. Nowhere to be found, that’s where. I’ve successfully failed every single goal but I’m not one to give up. February, prepare yourself for some serious love! Who says January should get the best of people anyway?

With all due respect to resolutions and all that jazz, I really hate the pressure that this month brings. If you don’t lose 10 pounds through Jenny Craig, pay your dentist a visit, and save 5k by January 31st, you have to face the realization that you are just one big disappointment. So, if you’re anything like me—a top-notch professional procrastinator—make goals that you plan to achieve by the end of the year instead. I’ve revisited my goals for this year and adjusted them to be less monthly specific, and more yearly oriented (book a destination wedding, read more books on business strategies and mommyhood, eat in more and out less, etc). That way, you have 12 months to achieve greatness and healthier aspirations rather than the pressure of starting in January and keeping it up every month (or worse, every day).  And.. well, if you still don’t reach your goals by the end of the year, then you really are one big disappointment. Ha! Just kidding! In all seriousness, we set both personal and professional goals to push each other to be better, to be more passionate, to lessen the pressure of the “here and now”, to keep us focused on things that matter, and to never lose sight of the fact that we can always do more. I strongly believe that there’s a great deal of danger in settling and a greater risk in complacency. <<How bout them apples? So, join me in what we’ve dubbed, “Dreams of 2012″ and do share your own dreams, goals, and desires for 2012… I’d love to here them in the comments below!

OH, oh! Here’s another one of mine: take more photos with Adi–much to his delight. This was from our winter trip to Vermont a few weeks ago, which I’ll be sharing this week. We may look like a bunch of puffer fish but it’s a memory I love.  Happy Monday everyone!

Just before the weekend, I decided to update my 2011 favorites folder on my Facebook page and then realized that my blog would get jealous. So in order to keep the peace, I decided to add some of my top favorites from last year’s weddings taken by myself and my ridiculously handsome husband, business partner, and second shooter. To see a ton more, make your way over here or just click on the slideshow below. I can’t say it enough, but I absolutely adored every single wedding, bride & groom, and memory in the form of a photo created. We laughed, cried (first looks always get the best of me), and felt like a small piece of such a big, momentous day. I came home each time falling deeper and deeper in love with love and life.

A few of the weddings have not yet been blogged but since my favorite part of watching a movie in the theater is the previews, I thought I’d sneak a few in here. This year I’m all about living on the edge. Holla!

In no particular order, below is a trip down memory lane of a few personal favorites from our 2011 weddings. If you’d like to see them all, don’t forget to click here for a slideshow.

A few days before the new year, I wrote a “Looking back at 2011″ post. I highlighted our business ventures along with some of our travels and happenings. I wanted to end it with what has been the best, most important moment of 2011 for us, but I felt like it needed it’s own post. This one event has been so special, so meaningful, so emotional, that I didn’t want to share it with any other memory. I wanted it to have it’s very own because that’s how it is in our hearts and minds. Pause and rewind. Heart racing…. here goes:

I’m not quite sure where to begin or how to say this so I just will… Adi and I are having a baby! On October 26, 2011, I took a test and discovered what my heart already knew: a little life was growing inside me. Tears of joy, some of fear, lots from love suddenly overcame my entire being and I silently thanked God. I felt elated, over the moon, and began to count down the 30 minutes left for Adi to come home from work. As I told him the news, our entire world suddenly changed. Though we couldn’t see this little miracle (other than in the form of that plus sign and my crazy spurts of hunger… seriously, that early), it was so very real to us. We decided to wait a few days to tell our families because we wanted a little time just to ourselves to really soak it all in. Those special moments where what we created was treasured and held just between the two of us. But after those few days, we were ready to shout it to the world. Though we decided to tell only our closest family and friends at first, strangely enough, I began getting text messages asking if I was pregnant and even a tweet so random, I began thinking we had hidden cameras installed in our home: 

Even stranger? My best friend touched my stomach on October 29, a few days after Adi and I found out, and asked if there was a baby in there. Shocked, but not wanting to lie, I asked her if that was a fat joke. She continued to tell me that she dreamt that I was pregnant and I dismissed it by guilt-tripping her about how this was really about me putting on a few extra pounds. Aren’t I the greatest friend ever? When we finally did tell her, we cried happy tears and to this day still laugh about her prophetic dreams.  **Side note—if you’re wondering how I remember all these dates, it’s not due to my stellar memory. I had heard of pregnancy brain and knew I’d have the syndrome full force, so I documented everything in a journal.** Our families were beyond thrilled (of course, my mom cried) and we made sure to capture their initial reactions on tape (is that what they call it these days?), which by the way, was unbelief at its finest. It took us a solid 5 minutes to convince them April Fools was not in October. By Thanksgiving, our nearest and dearest had known and after too much turkey, I swore I saw the first signs of a bump. So naturally, Krystle (you know… the prophetic one), documented it:

You may not see it, but I felt it. And at just 9 weeks, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t afraid there were twins in there. However, my next appointment confirmed there was only one jellybean growing comfortably in there, and both mommy and daddy breathed a sigh of relief. Now for the question I get asked most often: how have I been feeling? This question makes me feel simultaneously blessed and annoying. Blessed because I’ve been feeling absolutely great and annoying because that’s just not the norm and I almost feel guilty about it. With the exception of Thanksgiving week, I’ve had an insane appetite that I’ve tried to fill with healthy foods and I’ve managed to get through my first trimester without napping once, thankyouverymuch. At first, this had me worried that something was wrong but I came to my senses and realized I just needed to thank the sweet Lord for it and cherish every moment of feeling good that I have. My mom was the same when she was pregnant with me and though my doctor says it’s not hereditary, I still thank God for passing along her genes. Thanksgiving week, however, made me realize just how much of a blessing it is to feel good during pregnancy, as I soon discovered that our baby? Hated turkey. And gravy. I mean, who IS this child?!! Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays and I just couldn’t believe the ruckus this little one was causing. I felt sick for a solid week and prayed every day for it to get better. I’m actually thankful for going through that experience because I feel that it has helped me be more sensitive, sympathetic, and grateful to all that women endure throughout this process. Really, we can take over the world but it boils down to the fact that we’re just too dang busy to do it.

Remember that Holiday photoshoot that never happened as planned but yet still managed to happen in the very last minute? That was the way we wanted to debut our little guy/lady to the world (that’s you, dear blog). However, we had a ski trip planned from long before and combine that with the stresses of holidays, last minute photoshoots, baking for our Christmas party, and the never ending mall lines, I sadly never got around to posting them. So here are my absolute favorites from that day that I treasure with everything inside of me: God, do I love this man and pray for this baby to inherit his handsome genes. This was the first thing I made for our little baby… a keepsake seasonal box to hold our sonograms. Now that the holidays are over, I sense I’ll paint another one…

The second most asked question we get is whether or not we will continue to photograph weddings. Oh my stars…yes, yes, and yes! I actually struggled for a moment with whether or not to blog the fact that I was pregnant out of fear that I would turn people away. But I couldn’t imagine sharing my journey on here and leaving out the most important, beautiful part. I hope to continue to grow my business, work hard as ever, and hit the pause button to enjoy this journey to the fullest. I have weddings and photoshoots all the way up to my delivery date (we clearly didn’t plan this happening so quickly) and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love what I do too much to give it up and I’m sure that this baby would be just as bored as me sitting on the sofa all day. Despite my desire to keep on keeping on, I’ve made a promise to shut down the computer after 6, take off at least one day in the weekend (hopefully Sundays), and spend as much time with my husband as possible. We’ve had four and a half blessed years together and I’ll treasure the remaining months before we become a family of 3. Life is changing for us in ways we’ve never imagined. In beautiful, amazing ways. I’m crazy in love with the idea of growing our family, finding out the gender (yes, we’ll share), and all the excitement that lies ahead for us. I’m terrified, overwhelmed, ecstatic, and overjoyed about all that is to come. Each time we see an ultrasound, we’re amazed at the life that is growing inside of me—a little life that we created together. The mere idea of that brings me to my knees with gratitude. Little baby, you are the greatest gift we could have ever received. We already love you so very much and can’t wait to see all the ways God grows you, blesses you, and loves you. 

It’s about an hour away from midnight and we just finished having dinner. I wanted to quickly write a few things to remember this moment. This year, we decided to rent a home in Vermont and ring in the New Year with our closest friends. We packed up our bags with whatever clothing items we thought would keep us warm, hopped on a turbulent plane, and arrived quickly realizing that our clothes? Yea, not warm enough. For 6 days we’ve cooked meals together, bonded over Pinterest at home while the boys went snowboarding, made smores by the fire, defeated our husbands in Catch Phrase (twice, but who’s counting), and sled down every hill we could find. It’s been the most perfect last week of 2011 I could have asked for. And yes, I realize I just sounded like a Hallmark card.

Adi and I always go over our resolutions goals on New Years Eve and what we hope to accomplish in the coming year but this time around, we decided not to do that until we return home. For now, we’re just going to celebrate the year that was and ring in the new one without any thoughts or distractions of what’s to come.

May you all ring in the New Year surrounded by love and happiness for all that was and all that is to come… Hallmark style.

This year presented us with great joys in our professional and personal lives. We faced challenges together that strengthened us and brought us to the realization that we’re officially adults. We’ve learned that the good and the bad can either pull you together or push you apart from those you love most. It’s easy to get lost in your success’s or bitter in your failures and I’m thankful to have a partner who always reminds me that pushing away is not an option. That everything that happens to one of us, happens to the other. We’ve been blessed this year with new business ventures and clients we love so very much, friends we hold near to our hearts, and family. Oh, family… I don’t know where I’d be without the support and encouragement from my parents who make sure to call us daily and remind us how proud they are of us. Even if all I’ve managed to do is not undercook or overcook pasta.

Also making an appearance in 2011 has been the amazing opportunity to do what we love most, travel. Our journey has taken us everywhere from Mexico to St. Louis and we hope that the destination photoshoots & weddings come at us full force in the coming years. Aiming for Russia, South America, and everything in between o’her here.

Our dreams have begun to take shape this year and the realization that going after them is hard work—very hard work—has set in for us like never before. We’ve faced rejection, sleepless nights, and “bad ideas,” but I wouldn’t take back a single moment of it. I’m learning to find joy in simpler things, say no more often, and dream bigger. In 2012, I hope to work harder than ever and set both personal and professional goals to better myself, our family, and our future. We’re so very thankful for all that 2011 has represented and more than ever, I’m thankful to each of you who have written emails of encouragement, left comments to uplift, and have taken this journey with me. If I could, I’d send you all friendship bracelets to seal the deal. Here’s a look back at a few photos of us on the crazy ride that was 2011:

Earlier this year, we made our way over to Key Largo for a fabulous wedding and here Adi’s shooting the rehearsal dinner in what felt like paradise: During Stefanie & Nick’s wedding, I panicked for about a solid 5 minutes because I couldn’t see Adi anywhere. And then? Oh, you know… there’s my sniper-photographer husband.
Of course, you can’t go to Key Largo and not take a day to enjoy it…It’s a good thing Adi’s always prepared for a candid moment. Clearly, I am too…
On top of his full time job and helping run mine, as well as second shooting with me on weekends, he managed to graduate with his Master’s Degree. No big deal.
We shot a fabulous couple in Mexico documenting their engagement and vowed to return. Definitely a favorite trip of ours.
Good heavens. I’m not sure if that’s passion or anger on my face but really, I think we we’re just discussing shutter speed. We call the 70-200mm lens the big momma lens. We love it during ceremonies and usually end up fighting for it. Adi usually wins because that puppy is HEAVY. Just look at his form…
…and then there’s mine. Scrunched up shoulders, upside down wrists, holding breath… not the prettiest sight to see.
Sure, stand in the doorway right before the bridal party enters. No really, take your time…
A lot of meetings took place in Starbucks this year. In fact, we should probably buy one with all the time I’ve spent there.That’s right… I have my own personal pool boy. This year, we made it a priority to enjoy our weekends off to the fullest.
And I mean, to the FULLestThis year, we became parents to the most amazing little kitten, Molly Skittles. She came into our lives and swept us off our feet. I woke up 3 times a night, bottle fed her, snuggled her, and felt like a legit parent. But we couldn’t resist her and all her cuteness!

What’s that? You want to see more? Okay…. fine, but just one more…
Besides photographing weddings, we also attended a few and even took part in a few bridal parties. I’m used to photographing sparklers but obviously terrified of holding them. You’d think they were rigged to explode in my face.
I second shot this year a lot with my mentor, Ozzy Garcia and can’t say enough about this experience. To have someone so passionate about the art, so willing to share, and so gracious to teach has blown me away. I’m just so humbled with gratitude and definitely sending him 2 friendship bracelets. Give me beautiful flowers and a great dress, and I’m the happiest photographer. Give Adi a sports car and he’s suddenly shooting his dream wedding.
We’ve weathered storms and beautiful sunsets… both literally and figuratively.

We’re spending the remaining week of 2011 in Vermont with friends and we couldn’t have asked for a better way to bring 2011 to an end. There’s snow, late night conversations by the fireplace, snowball fights, and lots of hat hair. LOTS of hat hair. 

May you all enjoy the last few days of the year and may you ring in the new year surrounded by love.

A new tradition for us is taking annual holiday photos. Now that we both do this for a living, we realize that we have a). very little photos of us together & b). plenty of experience behind a camera but very little experience in front of a camera. So last weekend, we scheduled our holiday photoshoot to take place that coming Wednesday since most weekends are impossible for us. Outfits were chosen, haircut appointments were made, and we I couldn’t have been more excited. Sunday night, Adi began to feel a bit under the weather and I stink-eyed him down, letting him know that there was no way he could scheme his way out of this one. Come Monday we faced stormy weather and by Tuesday, my husband looked as if someone had knocked him to the floor because that stink eye he shot back at me? His looked like a swollen potato. I was forced to cancel our photoshoot and abandon all thoughts of a reschedule since our photographer was going out of town for the holidays. And then I wrote a nasty letter to Santa.

Well this Saturday, Santa must have felt pretty awful because he fed ex’d my wish overnight. Adi’s eyes were suddenly back to normal and my cousin/best friend/favoritepersononearth offered to take our holiday photos for us. I promised I’d set up my camera for her and shower her with all kinds of holiday cheer, peace on earth, and tidings of joy. So yesterday, after weathering storms & sickness, we finally got our holiday pictures done with a little under a week before Christmas. Last minute, maybe, but better than nothing… and for that, I’m thankful. Here’s one from yesterday that I absolutely love…. happy Monday! 

This post is one that is very near and dear to my heart. While doing this photoshoot, I was so filled with joy, admiration, and appreciation for women, life, and the immense love that consumes a person from inside out. One of my closest friends, Lauren Gabrielle, is having a baby and this past fall, I had the honor to capture her in the most beautiful stage of life. Not only will she and her husband Adrian make the most amazing parents, but I know this baby will be blessed beyond words. While I was in NY, I shot a wedding with Lauren and she completely redefined the word “hero” for me. I caught myself whining a few times on the way home and wanted to kick myself hard as she was, oh, you know, carrying an extra person around while I was carrying a vendor meal. No big deal. In all seriousness, Lauren, you are so beautiful—inside and out—and I’m so blessed to have had you in my life for the past few years. I can’t wait to see how you excel as a parent and I just know you will be the most incredible, loving, nurturing mother there is. This baby has already brought so much love and joy to your lives and I am so excited for all that lies ahead. Adi and I can’t wait to meet the little blessing!

Enjoy your SLIDESHOW! Cutest bump there is…Isn’t she just radiating beauty? I bet you’re dying to know what the baby is…. Well… It’s a GIRL! yay!!! Lauren’s husband, Adrian, joined us for a few photos as we shot around Tribeca, which provided heavenly light and backgrounds for us. And then there were 3!!!!
Why, yes, we are models and with looks like ours, I’m sure our baby will be too.  Really, guys. This photo kills me. A quick outfit change (hello Ralph Lauren models) for some night shots, which I can totally do in NYC thanks to the never ending surge of electricity. Don’t know why, but I just love this candid below:

Happy Weekend to you all!! xoxo

It’s day 2 and Adi is still home sick. I think it’s pretty safe to say that whenever this happens, I get NOTHING done. My long to do list for work suddenly turns into a topnotch daycare service I run, private nurse and all thankyouverymuch. Now, if I were to compare Adi to the rest of my pretend class, I’d say he gets top 10%, valedictorian, and biggest crush award (had to throw that last one in there) because he’s just not a person who whines or complains (I know girls, jackpot with this one). Still, it stumps me how I just kick into caretaker mode and want to shower him with homemade cookies and hot chocolate, remind him to take his medicine every hour, and fluff up his pillows. And getting snappy with the pharmacist for going on lunch break while my poor husband is home suffering with every bite he takes, left even me shocked. Mostly, Adi’s just as annoyed with the fuss as I am with myself but I just can’t help it. I guess deep inside there’s a mommabear inside us after all. Mess with my cub and I will… oh, shut it Diana, you’re irritating me more and more (why yes, I regularly speak to myself in illeism). Anyway, wishing you a germ free Wednesday and a happy one at that!

Wanted to share these below and if you knew Adi, you’d know the last one pertains to him the most…