High school sweethearts!  They followed each other to college where they had their off and on moments, but in the end they were really meant for each other.  And now they’re having a baby!  There’s not much more in the world I enjoy more than hearing the love stories, that turn into baby stories.  I can’t wait for this little surprise baby to arrive!

Bolivia, a land of lost hope, beautiful settings, divided people, and dried up salty seas.

Check out the crosswalk sign.  Proof that aliens really do exist.  They’re just hiding out in Bolivia.

The picture on the left is Ali my wonderful friend and fellow photographer.  We met in Santa Fe at a workshop, and she invited me to come stay in Bolivia with her and her wonderful family.  I loved every second!   Oh and she rides horses, yah, we were BFF’s immediately!

These pics were taken on the Island Del Sol.  It’s considered a living museum because the people here are Incas and live off the island in all the traditional ways.

The sign says pick up your trash.  However, there’s dog pooh right in front.  These small things are just jokes from the universe.

On the left is what Jon and I saw when we walked out the front door of our villa.

In the back of the church of Copacabana there is a room where people can light candles and pray, make wishes, or send good luck.  The pictures we captured were amazing

These are the traditional outfits of Bolivian women.

People come from all over the bless their car.  How fun!

This guy climbed all the way down to say hello.  Couldn’t resist sharing.

This popcorn was a lot like kettle corn.

Did you notice all the kids have red pants.  I didn’t until I picked these pics.

Copacabana, Bolivia

Llamas were very popular in Bolivia, and actually run wild.  I loved it, however I would never leave my llama this close to a cliff.  Dangerous!

We got to watch a traditional Inca ceremony.

That’s Lake Titicaca in the background!  One of the most famous lakes in the world.

A wild llama!  So beautiful!

Yah, no lie!

Downtown Bolivia

This gets sad.  Llama fetuses.  I never got a clear answer as to how the get the fetuses, but apparently they are good luck if you bury them in the foundation of your house when you build it.  This is in the Witches Market, just down the street from a huge Catholic Church.  I love Bolivia!

Me on the moon!  Or in the Salar de Uyuni.  A humongous salt flat.  So big that you can see it from space.  I’m so glad it’s not in the US.  This thing is totally unregulated, natural, and real!

It’s crazy but in the dry season the salt dries into a pentagon shape.  Pentagons everywhere!

Jon’s pic of our hotel.  It was made out of salt!

Salt pile!

My favorite!  I hope you love them!

]]> http://www.allisoncarenza.com/2012/01/bolivia/feed/ 1 http://www.allisoncarenza.com/2012/01/3-one-year-olds-in-one-day-blue-springs-missouri-photographer/ http://www.allisoncarenza.com/2012/01/3-one-year-olds-in-one-day-blue-springs-missouri-photographer/#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:03:04 +0000 Allison http://www.allisoncarenza.com/?p=3853

Three one year olds, all in one day, and I loved it.  Each had their very own personality, their own look and style, and their own set of pictures.  I hope you enjoy.  I know I did.

I get my albums printed at United Albums, if you decide to give them a try tell Dorothy I said hi!  She’s hilarious and loves to take care of me.

And, while I love getting the album, I don’t love designing it, so I outsource all those hours to Elizabeth Lauber.  You can see her work here.  She’s super fast, she’s oh so easy to work with, and she really makes an effort to learn my style.  In fact, after working together for a year there were absolutely no changes that needed to be made to the album.  She ROCKS!

She has the most perfect little lips!  I fear the boys are going to like them someday as well!

She was the most chillaxed little one.  Not overly excited, but content, happy, and laid back.  I loved photographing her.

And she’s got two very obsessed parents.  I always love watching the new parents.  There is no love stronger than that between a parent and child.  POWERFUL!

Oh beautiful little one, I just loved taking your pics!

She’s like a porcelain doll.  Perfect from her big, blue, shiny, blue eyes to her chubby cheeks, an of course her flawless skin.  God has blessed this one!

But, I have a feeling she’s going to have a crazy side!

Meet little River, her momma and big sister and kinda in love with her.  I think she’s in great hands with these two strong women.

Lexi and Heather have such a bond, it’s kinda awesome to photograph.

Yes River, it is indeed all about you!

River, you are loved, but you’ve got big shoes to fill.

This little dude is so cute I could just eat him up.  I wanted to wrap my arms around him, and hug him, and squeeze him, and keep him as my own forever and ever.  Unfortunately, his mom kinda feels the same way.  So yah, I’m gonna have to make my own baby.  But for now, I can just enjoy the adorableness of other people’s kids.  :)

This little man might look familiar because this is his 3 shoot since he was born, and he just keeps getting cuter!

Watch out!  This cuteness is genetic!

I have the best job EVER. Period!

Meet little Marlow.  I goo goo, gaa gaad over this baby to the point of embarrassment.  What is it about cute babies that has us all talking in higher pitch voices?  Saying the same silly sounds over and over again, and grinning ear to ear like it’s our  job?  I’ll tell you, it’s babies like Marlow.  Big brown eyes, cubby little thighs, and a smile she saves for only the most ridiculous adults.

Marlow is a very loved little girl.  She’s got one very loving mom, and 2 very obsessed grandmas.  I think she’s going to be just fine.  Maybe even a little spoiled.  But in a good way.

“Hey guys this tummy time thing is hard.  Can you just like roll me over.  Look I’ll be cute.”

Marlow you are complete perfection.  From your bald head to your cubby toes!  Can’t wait to capture you grow!

It may have taken them awhile to find each other, but now that they have, they aren’t wasting any time.  They just love to be together.  Dana loves to make Rose laugh, and Rose loves to watch Dana do his thing.  She’s all smiles when he’s around.  Their wedding was about bringing two people, and two families together.  It was joyous, beautiful, and all about their bond.

You can’t ask people to look this cute.  It just come naturally to them.

There was music on, and she was jammin!

Dana with his wonderful and sweet mother.  They are so close, they need each other, as much as we need air to breath.

Yup, Dana making Rose laugh.  I think he’s singing to her.

And this picture says it all.  Dana with Rose’s boys.  It’s all about the family.  So happy I’m the one that gets to capture these priceless moments.

I love you Rose, Dana, Garrett, and Dalton!  So lucky to know you guys!

xoxo

1. Grow my business, I mean really grow my business. That means following up with clients, asking them for referrals, and being brave enough to put myself out there. Part of this will come from being a part of a business networking group.  

This will always be a goal.  However, this year I rented two different studio locations which have been perfect and good for business.  I think it makes me look and feel more legit.  I have a sign!  :)  Jon has taken on the job of CFO.  haha  He hopes to restructure my processes. I hope that works out.  

2. Run a photography workshop, I want to share what I know with others, and hopefully learn something too.

In 2012 I hope to add another workshop to the linkup and possible plan a wedding workshop.

New Goals…

3. I’m working with some of the most ambitious women in the world to start a charter school for kids with low IQ’s.  They receive no help in the public school setting and it’s just not fair to anyone.  I still have a very soft spot for teaching and I hope to help if I can.

4. I have an invention I’m working on.  It’s slow going, but one little step at a time.  I hope to have a working prototype this year.

5. Jon and I are building a shopping cart for photogs.  It’s in the BETA phase, but we want to share it for free with options to upgrade.

6. Still need to find someone to help out with the workload, but I’m getting so close.

7. I hope to get more commercial work.  I need to put myself out there.

2011 challenged me, pushed me, rewarded me, and helped me see that ANYTHING is possible.

Happy New Year!  May all your dreams come true in the next 12 months!