When I first purchased my little Canon Rebel back in the end of January, I had no idea what kind of happiness and great opportunity that little camera would bring me. But I do know that Tommy was a little dismayed because he couldn’t understand why I needed such a fancy camera when my “photography resume” over the past few years had only consisted of “long arm photography” that is, extending your point and shoot right in front of you and taking one of those infamous “Facebook” poses that are way too close for comfort, LOL.

For example, me and mom at dinner in Nice, France in 2007. And yep, you know a shot like this takes great long-arm skill hehehe …

So yeah, Tommy and I talked about my early camera days over a yummy seafood buffet dinner last night as we sat under a huge palapa-style hut with the rain pouring down like God forgot to turn off the faucet. We laughed over the irony of his initial anger and grief over my camera purchase as we sat back relaxing and listening to the powerful yet beautiful sound of the rain falling … in the Dominican Republic.

Yes, until next week, Tommy and I are here in Punta Cana for the first time, and we are truly taken aback by the reality of it all. While we are eager to enjoy the beauty this country has to offer, we know we’re here because we are lucky, blessed and very grateful. On Friday, we will be shooting our first destination wedding and I have to admit, I am both nervous, ridiculously excited and every few minutes I pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.

I think back to the early days when I first bought my Rebel and chuckle to myself when I think of how crappy and overexposed all my photos looked. I had no idea what I was doing, but I was LUCKY to have a brother and cousin who were willing to show me the ins and outs of using my camera, no matter how stupid the question. And trust me, I had some doozies!

But somehow, someway, through obsessive hours spent online and behind my camera trying to figure out how to make “pretty pictures” something clicked and a few months ago with the help of very kind referral from a friend (thank you my journo!!!!), I was BLESSED enough to have met a couple from Chicago who thought my pictures were no longer overexposed and crappy, LOL. But actually on the pretty side 🙂 And while my Rebel is now retired and I’m shooting with a brand new 5d MkII and 7d, I still carry the same passion and excitement I had as a brand new photographer because there is ALWAYS room to improve and learn.

Yesterday was a loooonnnggg day of traveling, including a red-eye flight from LA to Miami followed by a seven hour layover. PS, never take a long layover in Miami!!! The airport seats are not conducive to sleepers and we were slightly miserable until we found a restaurant booth to “fake eat” and pass out in, LOL.

Clearly, we were tired hahaha…

But the rough day of travels, only made us more GRATEFUL when we arrived in this incredibly beautiful country and began meeting so many graciously warm people, including our wonderful couple.

The most awesome greeting EVER at the airport ... live Dominican music!!!!!

I honestly can’t think of a better job in the world that allows you to travel to amazing places to capture the love and happiness between two people while they’re surrounded by their friends and families.

I am truly humbled by the great luck, fortune and blessings that have come my way in the short time I’ve been a photographer, and while Tommy and I are both a little nervous and anxious over what Friday brings, we are SO excited about being a part of something so wonderfully special. And so so grateful to be able to capture every intimate, powerful, and love-filled moment that takes place that day.

Until next time, here’s a little view of home for us this week … pretty wonderful huh?

PS, because we are away, I will not be able to respond to emails or inquiries immediately. But we do have internet access and I will get back to you as soon as possible!!! *thank you*