THIS BLOG HAS MOVED

I am proud to announce that the Brienne Michelle Photoblog has moved!!! If your browser hasn't redirected you automatically to the new address, simply click here to see the new blog. And don't forget to bookmark the correct address:

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It's Coming...

All will be revealed on December 1, 2008. You don't want to miss it.

::b::

I Am So Flexible.

Do you remember the movie "Signs" with Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix? I totally love that movie (even though it scares me still - especially the sounds the aliens make when they talk...). I always end up walking around afterwards wondering if I should be wearing tin foil for a hat, but rarely give in to the temptation. Rarely.

Anyway, there's this one poignant scene in the film where Mel & Joaquin are talking about serious stuff as the world seems to be ending. They discuss "the kind of man you are - the kind that sees signs, or coincidences" in things (roughly). Joaquin's character tells this hilarious story about being at a party and almost kissing a girl, but turning his head to get rid of gum before kissing her only to turn back and discover that she's vomited in the interim (sorry for the grossness...). He uses this as his example of why he's a "Signs Man" since that was clearly a sign that he shouldn't be with that girl. And I totally sympathized with him. Because I am so a "signs" kind of girl.

If you're one of us, you know who you are. You see meaning in things like being caught at a red light only to pass an accident ahead of you that you would have been in had you run the yellow. You see it in small stuff too - like the sale price on the BCBG shoes you've had your eyes on for months (that is so a sign - especially if the only pair left is in your size...). But if you're like me, you wonder if you should ever take mundane things, like, say, fortunes from fortune cookies, as "signs."

Which brings me to my point. Fortune cookies. Preston and I had a wonderful dinner at one of our favorite SCV restaurants (Grand Panda) and finished our meal in typical fortune cookie fashion. I was amused when I read mine:



I mean, who doesn't want to be told that their life will be happy and peaceful? I laughed because I want to have a chat with the writers some days and say things like "Umm, hello? baby on the way... Just what is your definition of 'peaceful'?" My husband and I shared a laugh, and he opened his. This is where I sorta got bitter (yeah, I'm one of those people who struggles with not taking fortunes personally - maybe it's just pregnancy hormones, who knows...).



Flexible? He's the one that's flexible? Ok, Mr. Fortune-Cookie-Writer, show yourself! I am so flexible. I'm so flexible that I'm not moving until you come out here and explain yourself! While my husband continued laughing and totally enjoying the moment, I huffed and puffed for a few minutes at the clear insult from some writer who just doesn't know me. That's about when the ridiculousness of it hit me and I promptly went into female-recovery-mode (aka pretend like you didn't just do that and don't know what they're all talking about...).

Ok, ok. So maybe everything doesn't have to be a sign. Or maybe Mr. Fortune-Cookie-Writer meant it more literally since I can't even see my toes anymore, let alone touch them.

Yeah, maybe that's it.

::b::

Dance. Biscuit.

Sometimes you just need to laugh. One of the ways that happens for me (especially during the political season, though this video isn't political...) is thanks to Saturday Night Live. Last year's Thanksgiving special, hosted by Justin Timberlake, was HILARIOUS. I was excited when I heard he was doing it again. Unfortunately, he had to cancel, but he did come on this past week to do his whole special in under 2 minutes (he also danced for Beyonce in a sketch about her song "Single Ladies" where he refers to himself as a "dance biscuit" - you should watch that one too...).

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did! :)

Christian & Jolene ::Wedding::

I'm done. That's it. Finished. With wedding season that is. And what a way to end the season!

Meet Christian & Jolene. Their story is pretty unique these days. They met in high school (well, the met before then, but it wasn't more till high school) and started dating as seniors. They graduated, she went to Arizona for college to play volleyball, he stayed in California. There were a lot of cross-state trips, a lot of phone calls, too much missing each other. Eventually, she graduated and came back to California and the relationship only grew stronger. They have gone through a lot during their several years of dating, but they have clung to each other through it all. And finally, FINALLY, it was time to say "I do".

Thanks to the fires around southern California this weekend, Christian almost didn't make it to his own wedding and several of the guests were also delayed or unable to attend. Needless to say, things were hectic all morning and the phones were ringing off the hook. They managed to keep it together though and the details still came of beautifully. Check it out!







Jolene was simply gorgeous.


I love catching little cute moments like this.


The whole wedding party was amazing. I had to post this one. When I mentioned that they should feel free to "show their personalities", JP took it seriously. He would be the one hanging off the poll in the back...


More "personality"...


Ah. Yeah.






The fires were good for one thing - nice gorgeous fall light.


I love the emotion in this one - especially Jolene.




This was one of my favorites.


Bustin' a move on the dance floor


Did I mention that there was some hilarious, off-the-hizzy dancing? :)




Thanks again to you both for letting me be a part of all the crazy awesomeness! It was beautiful to watch and the party was fantastic (as was the food, btw)! I hope you enjoy the honeymoon cruise to Mexico!!

To see their full slideshow, *click here*.

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Jolene & Christian ::Teaser::

I just finished my last wedding for the season and it was amazing!! Can't wait to show you the rest of the photos, but first I plan on indulging in my prenatal massage my husband scheduled for me in anticipation of the glorious (and somewhat painful) moment in the wedding season (he SO loves me).

Enjoy the teaser! More images and slideshow coming soon!

Roman Family ::Creative Couture::

Whenever Liz calls me, I get really excited. Like silly, giddy excited. I guess you could say that, in my photography career, home girl and I go way back. Liz has been coming to me for her family photography needs for a while now and it's seriously so much fun to work with her, her husband and her kiddos. I've had the pleasure of watching little Izzy spring up in front of me since she was just months old to now being 2! Vanessa has grown into a beautiful young woman (these girls seriously look like their mom!) and I was lucky enough to shoot Liz & Alex's awesome Leap Day wedding. So, yeah, when she calls me, I get pretty happy. :)

This year, for their family portraits and Izzy's 2 yr. portraits, we headed back to Big Tree Park in Glendora. By the way, if you have never been there or haven't ever driven by it, when they say "big tree" they should probably say GI-HUGEMONGOUS. I have no idea what kind of tree it is, but goodness gracious, it's ridiculously big.

We started with Izabel's portraits in her cute-o red dress.




Awww, sisters....


Time for some family shots...








I don't like to talk about my flare.... (that's for the Becker fans out there)


Not hard to see where the good looks in the family come from with parents like this!


Mom got some extra special love. :)


Thanks again for letting me work your family! You know I enjoy it every time and I can't believe how grown up the girls are now! Looking forward to the next time. :)

::b::