Bring on 2011...We're Ready!

As you look back on 2010, are you happy? Content? Satisfied? Regretful? Sad? Dazed? Blessed? I think most of us tend to feel a little of all of those things. When Terry and I look back over this last year, I think the feeling that most describes us is blessed. It seems as though the years are flying by faster and faster and sometimes we have a hard time keeping up! We have been blessed in both our family life as well as our professional life.

We made a commitment at the beginning of 2010 to spend the year growing Eternally Yours Photography. We wanted to make sure we had a solid foundation for our business and that we were headed in the direction we wanted to go. We have made so many great friends and had so many awesome clients along the way!

For a year that was dedicated to growing our business, we were extremely busy! We are eagerly looking forward to 2011. This next year promises to be an awesome one. We are looking forward to spending time with old and new friends, and capturing priceless memories for old and new clients. Once again, thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for making 2010 amazing! Bring on 2011...we're ready!

Merry Christmas From Us To You!

This is our favorite time of the year...it's cooler (which Terry loves!), there are a ton of reasons to eat with reckless abandon (which Terry loves!), and there are amazing sales (which I love!). But more than any of that, it's a time to celebrate...no matter which holiday you celebrate or how. This is a season of generosity, peace, love and hope.

We would like to take this time to thank all of you for your support and love over this last year. We have been focusing on growing Eternally Yours Photography, and as many of you know, we have been successful! We have so much to be thankful for this year...our amazing families, friends and clients. Without all of you, none of this would even be possible. We are eagerly looking forward to 2011 and all it has to offer. So from our home to yours...Merry Christmas and may God bless you in the year to come!

Eternally Yours,

Terry & Seleta

Anytime ~ Ann"e" (Ventura)

Remember, back in high school, when there was someone you looked up to, admired, and wanted to be like? Or remember that person that you totally got their quirkiness, because you were the same way? Ann"e" is that person for both Terry and me. She was my flute section leader my freshman year in high school. She played a mean piccolo and was one of the best student leaders. And she was just plain cool! I don't think she will ever know how much she influenced me throughout high school, even though she graduated my freshman year. For Terry, she was the one that got the Star Trek inside jokes, was a huge fan of cheesy '80s cartoons and could go toe to toe in the useless trivia category.

We reconnected with Ann"e" through Facebook, like many of our high school friends. In the midst of all the witty banter, small talk, and catching up, Ann"e" asked us about doing a portrait session. She had spent the last year transforming herself into a lean, mean, mixed martial arts machine and wanted a fun way to show off her fit self. Let me just say, point me to the nearest MMA studio and sign me up! Ann"e" looks hotttttt!!!

So, I bet you're wondering why her name is spelled Ann"e"? It's pronounced "Annie" but with an "e." We've always said her name where the quotes were implied. Seems kinda silly unless you know her! Thank you Anne"e" for letting us capture your gorgeous self and it was so much fun hanging out again!

Beautiful Family ~ Wolff (Fillmore)

It was a very brisk autumn morning when we met Carol, her daughter Kaily, and her parents, Tom and Linda. The sun was shining, spilling out absolutely gorgeous light. Of course, the weather took a back seat when we started photographing this darling family. They had so much fun goofing off, teasing one another, and laughing. And Tom was on cloud nine since we were at the train station in Fillmore...he LOVES trains!

Don't these two look more like sisters than mom and daughter? And we mean that as the highest compliment to both of them!

Kaily and Amber were quite the pair...and both so gorgeous! They are cousins and extremely close.

Three generations of loveliness

So, at the very end, we asked Kaily and Amber to jump off the steps Fame style. After it came out of my mouth, I realized that I had dated myself. *Sigh* But they figured out what I meant and went for it...several times!

We had an absolute blast with this family! Thank you Carol, Kaily, Tom, Linda, and Amber for spending your morning with us. Oh, and we hope you enjoyed your breakfast at the Double AA Cafe!

Beautiful Family ~ Greg & Krista & Dax

We couldn't wait to get to their house. We hadn't seen Dax since he was a few weeks old and we knew he would be even cuter now...eight months old and MOBILE!!! Originally, we were supposed to do their session at a park near their home. But Greg had a vision...it involved the rooftop of their apartment building. When his mother was a child, she and her family lived in an apartment building on the East Coast. All the kids in the building used to go up to the roof to play, lay out in the sun, and hang out. At night, they would lie under the stars, enjoying the warm summer evenings. Faith Ringgold wrote a book, called Tar Beach, about those black tar rooftops where kids spent their summers. So, this vision, in a sense, is dedicated to Greg's mom. The view from Greg and Krista's apartment building was STUNNING! You could see for miles and miles and the Getty Center was in the background. Even though it was quite chilly up there, we had a blast!

This is probably our most favoritest (I think that's a word!) photos of the day!

Thank you once again, Greg, Krista, and Dax, for inviting us into your home! We are so excited that you will soon be a little closer to us and we will get to see Dax grow up. You are such a beautiful and special family to us!

Beautiful Family ~ Adams (Fillmore)

To a photographer, finding a new location to shoot at is a little like finding a $20 bill in the pocket of a jacket you haven't worn in awhile. You don't want to waste it on just anything...you want to treat yourself to something special.

When Megan called wanting family portraits, Terry and I were excited. When Megan said they didn't want anything traditional, we (ok, "I") squealed with delight. When Megan agreed to try out our newly discovered location, we (ok, "I") did a little dance. We found our special treat!

Michael, Megan, Taylor, Neil, and Ebbie the dog are such a lovely family. And typical in many ways...when we asked Taylor to put her arm around her brother, she rolled her eyes. When Michael and Megan started kissing (something they truly enjoy doing!), Neil grimaced. And yet, when no one was looking, Taylor hugged Neil a little closer, Neil's grimace ended in a smile, and Michael and Megan beamed with pride at their family. And Ebbie...well, she was just about the most perfect dog!

We feel absolutely blessed to have spent an afternoon with this beautiful family. Thank you guys for being such an awesome bunch and allowing us to capture your awesomeness!

Beautiful Baby ~ Meredith (Ventura)

When Terry and I arrived at Boomer and Megan's home yesterday, Brady was peering out of the playroom window. His big blue eyes stared at us inquisitively. His eyes grew to twice their size when the cameras came out...Brady loves having his photo taken! And we could take his photo all day!

One of the reasons for our visit...Baby Meredith. The newest addition to this sweet little family. She was born on October 14th to the waiting arms of her parents and big brother. For such a young little one, she had the brightest, most alert eyes. And her expressions...to die for!

There was no way his little sister was getting ALL the attention!

Brady decided to get in on the shooting action. What was even cuter was how he kept saying "Cheese" every time HE took the picture!

We cannot get over how absolutely adorable this family is! And so in love! Their home is filled with photos and snapshots of their life...carefully framed and displayed. It feels as though we have known this family and have been on their journey with them the whole time.

Congratulations Boomer, Megan, and Brady! Baby Meredith is absolutely precious! We can already tell she has each of you wrapped around her tiny finger! Thank you again for inviting us into your home and into your family to capture some beautiful and special moments. We look forward to many, many more...