Valenzuela Family

Meet Andres, Kim, and Ana Sofia! There’s not enough good things I can say about Andres…truly someone I admire and respect as both a friend and colleague – and I humbly say colleague. When I first started out as a photographer, I knew nothing (and to a large degree, still feel that way). But in my naivete as a newbie, Andres came along side me and helped encourage and mold me into the photographer I am today.

My first official shoot was a wedding for a friend back in 2008. I had just purchased a camera and knew nothing about even exposing a photo properly let alone how to function as a wedding photographer on a wedding day. So I did what anyone might do in my situation – I called the guy who shot my wedding – Andres. I wasn’t sure how he’d take to my plea for help but I was amazed at his desire to help me out and even offer for me to second shoot for him and tag along on a couple of his weddings to observe and learn.

Since that first year I’ve had the privelage and honor of getting to shoot with Andres at numerous weddings every year and I always come away having learned something new, been challenged, and yet so encouraged. Both he and Kim are such wonderful people and so when I asked Andres to shoot a family portrait session for Lauren and I, I was humbled when he said he’d only do it if I would shoot a family portrait session for them!

Needless to say I was a little nervous on this shoot, but we had such a good time taking turns doing pictures for one another and it was such a great time to visit outside of shooting a wedding together.

Here are some of my favorites from their shoot!