10 Reasons I Love Photographing Weddings

I'm a total and complete romantic.  I believe it's possible to be incandescently happy spending the rest of your life in a loving, passionate, committed (adventurous) relationship -- assuming you marry the right person.  I also believe the day you get married is a beautiful beginning to an amazing journey and one of the most important days of your life.  

So, when a couple asks me to capture their wedding day, they're not only asking me to be part of one of the happiest and most memorable days of their lives, but to document it and document it well. Over the past couple of years, I have had the sweet opportunity of capturing weddings and started thinking about my favorite moments...

So, here are my 10 (favorite) reasons I love photographing weddings (through photos of course): 

1.) The laughter (and tears) from special friends helping the bride get ready for the big day. 

2.) The sweet moments between the Mother of the Bride and her daughter. 

3.) When the groom hugs his Mom. 

4.) The way the groom looks at his bride like she's magic. 

5.) The promise in their voice as they give their hearts to each other. 

6.) The cheer after the first kiss. 

7.) The Father of the Bride dancing with his daughter. 

8.) The little ones who partake in the day. 

9.) The happy wishes from loved ones. 

10.) and finally, the amazing and fun energy that surrounds the entire day! 

Why I (You Should) Volunteer

Wow. August was quite the month.  I've laughed, cried, loved, traveled, volunteered and learned a lot in the last 31 days.  

After coming back to Vegas on the 4th of August, I spent hours with my co-counselors laughing, painting and glittering in preparation for the week of camp.  After a few long days of ideas, crafting and shopping, we finally left to volunteer for Camp Independent Firefly in Big Bear, California.  We were paired with the 15/16 year old group of girls.  If you have ever hung out with this age group, you know they are witty, sarcastic, hilarious, somewhat inattentive (but who isn't?) impressionable, and just a great time. 

Overall, the week of camp is always a blast. It's always emotional, always exhausting and most of all: it's always life changing.  

As a counselor, you (willingly) take off a week from your job, family, etc. and leave to volunteer with some of the most amazing souls on this planet. 

The kids who attend this camp are considered "less-fortunate" because they have/had cancer, are living with a bleeding disorder, or happen to be a sibling.  However, the effect of their "misfortune" with disease or illness is often misinterpreted.  These kids are strong, loving, empathetic, funny, kind, brave and most of all, inspirational. They teach you lessons you never realized you needed. 

The week of camp is filled with singing, music, games, pranks, water fights, cabin time, highs, lows, obstacles, campfires, and most importantly love and laughter - it's truly magic.  At the beginning of the week the campers start off as strangers, but by the end you're wiping away tears in your eyes and they leave with a piece of your heart.  Watching them grow, try new things, overcome their fears, laugh, play and just be is both liberating and inspiring. 

If you're ever able to set aside 7 days of your year to volunteer as a counselor, I highly recommend doing so. 

"So until then, let's just do whatever we want."

One of my closest friends said this me the other day after I exclaimed that I "just don't know what I want to do with my life." 

I've recently realized I am strongly multi-passionate.  This means I care deeply for many things -- relationships (friends and family), health and wellness, giving back, photography, travelling and of course, learning. The list continues with other mini-passions (like cycling, hiking, baking etc.) and I truly find happiness in a variety of places.

This brings me to my next point: having many passions and several interests can lead to anxiety and stress to "figure things out" and become a real adult.  I'm currently somewhere between knowing what I want and deciding how I'm going to get there.

Here are some things I know for sure: 

1. I want to learn more. I know I want to go to grad-school, I just need to figure out the where (Europe, West or East Coast?), the what (Public Health or Education?) and the when (before, after, or during the Peace Corps?) 

2. I want to see as much of this world as possible -- and experience as much as possible.  I travel whenever I can and on a slim budget.  I only hope to travel more and experience more as the time passes. 

3. I want to do something meaningful.  I want to teach, help, coordinate, inspire, and be part of something bigger than myself. Having this in mind, I believe it will lead to several careers that are aligned with my morals and strong desire to give back.  

With these realizations and aspirations, I'm finding how I fit into this great big world -- and having a splendid time doing so.

Xx

A Love So Sweet

I've never been the girl who's always had a boyfriend for the sake of having a guy around - and people who make their lives about their significant other, and forget who they are, have my pity. 

BUT I HAVE always admired people my age (or really any age) who have significant others and are still their own person.

When I meet couples who have light-hearted, funny, and overall inspiring relationships, their joy is nothing but infectious.  Nicole and Rey spark me as one of those sweet (and hilarious!) couples, and I had such a great time capturing their love.  Not to mention, Nicole did an amazing job of crafting/preparing for the session (which made life easier.) They were also the FINAL session for The School Sessions. (so big happy for that) 

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Just an all around amazing session. See the rest here.

Death, Betrayal & Heartbreaks

They never tell you growing up about the hurt and pain you will overcome.  At least, in my case, those things were never a focus of my upbringing.  Part of me is incredibly thankful but another part of me is asking "Why wasn't I warned?" 

Why wasn't I warned about the death of loved ones I would experience, the betrayals from close friends I would endure and the periodic heartbreaks along the way?  On top of figuring out who you are, who you want to be and where you want to go in life, you are exposed to so many positive and negative experiences that mold and change you.  Who I was 5 years ago is so different from who I am today and I have my positive (and negative) experiences to thank for that. 

Although I believe strongly in human resiliency and I'm thankful for the support I have thus far, it's interesting.  We weren't exactly warned about death betrayal and heartbreaks...or given a heads up....and it certainly was not a class offered in high school. Just something we're left to deal with and figure out on our own. I guess it's painfully true, you can't have the highs without the lows.  

Rest in peace, Ms. Attleson. I was hoping to see you this summer, but your impact will live on forever in our hearts and in who we are today. 

Xx 

Why I'm Quitting My Job

I've never been a good "quitter."  

The way some people can quit over the phone, through a text message or simply not show up is something I am incapable of doing.  I believe in leaving on good terms (because, really, no one knows what the future holds) and usually, I've made friends with 80% of my coworkers -- so leaving abruptly means placing someone you care about in a bind....another thing I'm not good at. (because Karma) 

I'm quitting my job this summer so I can pursue a few other passions: 

Travel, Family, and Volunteering. 

Come mid-June I will officially be unemployed and off to Europe (Dublin, Copenhagen, Berlin, to name a few) and soon after my Euro-adventure, I will head to Hawaii to visit my loud, obnoxious family for an entire month.  I will then come BACK to Vegas, only to leave for Big Bear to volunteer as a camp counselor for Camp Independent Firefly (an amazing camp for kids with cancer and hemophilia).  By the time late-August rolls around, I should be ready to start substitute teaching!  (pending paperwork) 

Summer 2015 will be filled with adventure and new places and I can hardly wait! 

Stay tuned! 

Xx 

3 Reasons I love Sunrise Sessions

1. Waking up early.  I am a huge morning person, and love my morning coffee (and the beauty that is my french press). Sunrise sessions mean getting up early, and being able to drink coffee while watching a TED Talk, or reading...or just drinking coffee. 

2. Casual. Clearly, if you're waking up around 5am you get a way with being more casual.  Most morning sessions, I simply roll out of bed, brush my teeth, keep my glasses on, change into my favorite flannel, grab my camera and head out. 

3. Lighting. There is something so beautiful about that first ray of sun breaking into a new day.  Morning light feels fresh and new.  The photographs turn out brighter, with a sweet glow.  & so far, I've never been unsatisfied with this time of day. 

Besides, being up early gives you even more of an excuse to nap mid-day - and who doesn't love naps? 

Xx 

Where do I start?

Here is where you will find your "Cup of Jobe" 

I'll be honest with you...This will NOT be a consistent part of my blog/website/portfolio (whatever I am calling it this week) but this is where you are able to read about whatever I choose to write about.  This section will not always be funny, inspirational, relevant, or even necessary but I promise, it will be at the least, entertaining and most likely short and sweet. 

When I do update this section, I will let you all know via twitter (@ljobey) and you can come here and read what I've chosen to write about -- and get your Cup of Jobe.