Contest To Win Free Wedding Photography!!

Sound to good to be true? Can you image having saved over $2,400 on your wedding? Here's your chance! I've teamed up with wedding blog Soundtrack To I Do  to giveaway a full-day of wedding photography coverage!!

Here are the details:

The winner of the contest will receive: a wedding photography package, worth $2400!!! This includes a full day of coverage by two photographers – so not a moment of your day will be missed!! You will also receive 200 high resolution digital files on DVD. *Travel and lodging are not included, so please keep in mind there will be a reasonable fee if the winner resides outside Monterey County, CA. Also note: Contest excludes clients who have already booked my services.

How it works:

The contest is open for entries August 1st, 2013 and will remain open until September 30th, 2013 at 11:59 pm, Pacific time. Five finalists will be selected based on various factors. The finalists will be announced on October 1st, 2013, and then the contest will head over to the Soundtrack To I Do Facebook Page, where anyone and everyone can vote on a winner! Voting will continue until October 11th, and the winner will be announced here on the Soundtrack To I Do blog on October 14th.

How to enter:

1. “Like” Soundtrack To I Do on Facebook

2. “Like” Laura Hernandez Photography on Facebook

3. Email Colleen at soundtracktoido@gmail.com with “Photography Contest” in the subject line, and give us the following information:

• Your name (and your fiance’s name)
• Your wedding date and location (Note: If your wedding date is inflexible and Laura is already booked on that date, we will have to exclude you from the contest – our apologies)
• Your love story (As much as you want to share – we love this part!)
• Your wedding style and plans  (Please include as much detail as possible!)
• A photo of you and your fiancé

Can’t wait to see the entries!!! Ready, set, go!!

Workout!

Talk about being inspired! OK, I'll admit I'm 30-something. I'm a full time working mom who for the past year has totally focused on my new photography career and let myself go. Mentally as well as physically. What ever was closest and quickest, is what I ate. I was embarrassed when my daughter found my secret "stash" of goodness I kept in my bed-stand drawer that no one knew of. It was time for a change.

First of all I needed a time-out. I took a four day weekend and totally refocused on what's important, and my health was top on the list. I had been following Alissia from Rags to Stitches fitness journey these past few months and felt very motivated. So when she posted the 30-day ab challenge here, the same day my cancer-survivor now fitness junkie cousin said she's be my backbone support, and my teenage daughter hit her 30lb weight loss goal, I started. Not a diet. A healthier lifestyle. This week alone I've already lost 4lbs but right now that matters the least. I've exercised everyday, ate all healthy nutritious meals and feel SO ENERGIZED! Did I also mentioned I stopped drinking coffee cold turkey? Crazy right?!?! It hasn't been easy, but is getting much better. 

Highlight of my week: Mastered the frog stand. Yay!

I would love to hear your fitness journey. Let's keep each other motivated! 

Let's do this! 

DIY Patriotic Garland

Easy as 1, 2, 3...

Supplies Needed

• 1 yard of patriotic material
• Twine
• Scissors 

 Cut material into 1" strips. I used a 4' long string of twine and knotted the strips of material 1-2" apart from each other.

White Chocolate Patriotic Strawberries

A three ingredient recipe that's super cute and easy? Yes please!

Perfect for any patriotic party!

Here are your ingredients:

Strawberries

White Chocolate Chips

Blue Sprinkles

Baking Pan

Wax Paper

Prepare a baking pan and cover it in wax paper. Melt white chocolate chips on low heat. Roll bottom half of strawberry in white chocolate then immediately add sprinkles before the chocolate hardens.

Have fun!

iHeartFaces Spring Photo Challenge

{1 Photo – 31 Days} Spring Photo Challenge

{1 Photo – 31 Days} Spring Photo Challenge

I'll be the first to admit, I've tried these photo-a-day challenges before and failed miserably. I adore the photography community over at I Heart Face so I'm going to give it a go again. 

There really are no guidelines at all for this challenge (yay!)  But here are some tips to help you get started. See more HERE.

Make sure you use the hashtag #iHeartFaces if you share your image via Instragram, Twitter or Google+.

This is just a great way to get to know each other better. Can't wait to see your images starting this Friday!

 

There really are no guidelines at all for this challenge (yay!)  But here are some tips to help you get started: - See more at: http://www.iheartfaces.com/2013/02/instagram-photo-challenge-spring/#sthash.UnN9bkqN.dpuf

There really are no guidelines at all for this challenge (yay!)  But here are some tips to help you get started:
1| Submit one photo or many photos that follow the theme or inspiring word for that day.
2| Add your photo on Instagram, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Facebook or the I Heart Faces Photography Community.
3| Use the hashtag #iHeartFaces so that everyone on Instagram, Twitter, Google+, our Community and Pinterest can find your images.
4| On Facebook you can either tag I Heart Faces or upload your image directly to our page (we have found that the tagging option does not work for everyone on FB.)
5| Join in one day, 10 days, 23 days or all of the days!  There is no stress at all…just participate when you are able.
6| “Like” or comment on other images as you can.  It’s always fun to encourage another photographer in our community.  :)
7| Please feel free to share our {1 Photo – 31 Days} Photo Challenge graphic anywhere you’d like.  We’d love for all photographers to be able to join in the fun!
8| Photos can be taken with your nice camera, a point-and-shoot or your phone…it’s all good!  The quality of the image doesn’t matter a bit.  We just want to get to know YOU and have FUN!
9| This is a family friendly photo challenge. I Heart Faces is not responsible for crude or rude photos/tweets associated with our hashtag.
- See more at: http://www.iheartfaces.com/2013/02/instagram-photo-challenge-spring/#sthash.UnN9bkqN.dpuf

There really are no guidelines at all for this challenge (yay!)  But here are some tips to help you get started:
1| Submit one photo or many photos that follow the theme or inspiring word for that day.
2| Add your photo on Instagram, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Facebook or the I Heart Faces Photography Community.
3| Use the hashtag #iHeartFaces so that everyone on Instagram, Twitter, Google+, our Community and Pinterest can find your images.
4| On Facebook you can either tag I Heart Faces or upload your image directly to our page (we have found that the tagging option does not work for everyone on FB.)
5| Join in one day, 10 days, 23 days or all of the days!  There is no stress at all…just participate when you are able.
6| “Like” or comment on other images as you can.  It’s always fun to encourage another photographer in our community.  :)
7| Please feel free to share our {1 Photo – 31 Days} Photo Challenge graphic anywhere you’d like.  We’d love for all photographers to be able to join in the fun!
8| Photos can be taken with your nice camera, a point-and-shoot or your phone…it’s all good!  The quality of the image doesn’t matter a bit.  We just want to get to know YOU and have FUN!
9| This is a family friendly photo challenge. I Heart Faces is not responsible for crude or rude photos/tweets associated with our hashtag.
- See more at: http://www.iheartfaces.com/2013/02/instagram-photo-challenge-spring/#sthash.UnN9bkqN.dpufYOu

Customize Your iPhone App Icons

I was tired of "the same old thing." Don't get me wrong, I'm someone who loves routine, but my phone was so blah. I was under the impression that unless I jail-broke my phone, it couldn't be cute, and I wasn't about to do that.

 

I was more than happy to run across the app CocoPPa. I still have some tweaking to do, but now my phone is so much more me! Super cute right!?!?

***Just make sure you don't delete your original app's. I put all mine in a separate folder. These are just facelifts to your current apps, they're not taking their place.

I'd love to see what you come up with. Instagram or Tweet your screen shot and tag @_laurahernandez so I can check it out!

Valentine's Day Mug Swap

Happy Valentine's Day Friends! One of my favorite days of the year. Everyone's expressing their love for one another. Everything seems to be pink and sparkly and everywhere you turn there's chocolate!    Have you heard about the Valentine's Day Swap or #VDAYMUGSWAP everyone has been hash tagging? Alissa from Rags to Stitches and Caroline from Sew Caroline but together this awesome idea! Everyone who entered was blindly pared up with someone else. No rules, just make someones Valentine's Day extra special.    I was partnered with Skye from Neathering Our Fest. She is such a doll. I was SUPER excited when the box arrived! She had it cutely wrapped in pink tissue paper and popping bubbles. It was filled with all my favorites... Sweetish fish, licorice, a cute little journal and this ADORABLE mug! I don't know how she knew I was a little country at heart, the rooster had me cracking up!

This was a lot of fun and I enjoyed getting to know you Skye! Can't wait to do it again next year.

A Day with Spanki Photography Workshop

Hello Friends!

I write this with my heart almost beating out my chest with excitement. If you've been following my blog over the past year, you've seen how my posts have slowed because I'm devoting much of my free time to my photography career. I can't say 'Thank You' enough to all of you who continue to support me though this process. It's not been easy.

I have a HUGE announcement!

Have you heard of Spanki Mills? She is an AMAZING photographer and a professional role model of mine.

The other morning I was deep in The Word and reading my devotion Jesus Calling, and it spoke about fear.  Refusing to waste energy worrying, and you will find strength to spare. I start thinking... What am I afraid of? I mean really afraid of. What am I holding inside that is sucking my power and momentum? The answer hit me so hard I nearly fell off my chair..... Success. It sounds odd. Success? Isn't that what everyone wants in some form?

Why do I still get that pit in my stomach on a way to a shoot? Why did I complete my business permit over a month ago, yet haven't had it filed? Fear. I'm afraid to succeed. Success leads to the unknown. 

I spent a long time in prayer that morning, handing my fear over to God. I needed to take that leap of faith to take my career to the next level, but how? Later that same day, Spanki started a Facebook photog group. Within a few seconds, I was connecting with other photographers and learning I wasn't the only one with fears. Even Spanki herself has ups's and downs. Isn't that funny how we can put people up on pedestals and think they are perfect and don't have issues like us "normal" people. Well it grounded me. Spanki even commented on one of my posts (which made me do a mental backflip of excitement). 

Next thing I knew, I was inviting Spanki to visit me in my home town for a mentoring session. Better yet... I thought why not share this opportunity with others and host A Day with Spanki Workshop! YES! This was my answer I had prayed on earlier that day. This is what I needed to take that next step.

So.... This is YOUR invitation too! If you have any interested in perusing a photography career, this is an event you don't want to miss. The Sunday after the workshop we will be doing a portfolio shootout open to anyone!

Workshop: Saturday, August 3, 2013

Shootout: Sunday, August 4, 2013

Monterey, California

Read all the details here.

READY TO SIGN UP? Email Spanki at info@spankimills.com with MONTEREY in the subject line.

Hope to see you there!

Valentine Ideas!

 I heart Valentine's Day. {Sorry I just couldn't resist.}

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This year I promised myself to make Valentine's Day creative.  Here are a few ideas I ran across this week...   1. Canvas button heart. You could have fun and personalize it.   2. Mason Jar. Red Hearts. Twine. Simple yet super cute. I thought of filling this with tiny strips of paper, each saying a reason you love that person.  
3. Scrabble Pillows. Obviously it doesn't have to save LOVE. Maybe its a special word the two of you share or a nick name and the numbers are a date?   4. Marshmallow Heart. Yes this is a super cute idea but the more meaningful idea would be to have an outdoor hot-coco picnic together. Maybe where you first met?   5. Cork Stamp. Could be a heart, a monogram or something that means something special to the two of you. It also could be the cork from wine bottle that holds a meaningful memory.   6. Milk Heart Cubes. I just thought these were super cute. They could go in  glass of milk or bowl of cereal and as they melt, the milk turns pink.   7. Love Album. Each page contains a letter from the alphabet and warm words pertaining to that letter.   8. Root Beer Float Kit. Adorable right? I can just image surprising your  special someone at work for a lunch date and bring this along.   9. Mobile. I'm loving how this is hanging from a ladder but obviously you could  use anything. Then add the XOXO cutouts and old photos of the two of you.   10. Love Map. Where you got engaged, where you married and where you live now.   Are you font crazy like I am?  Check out my previous post of my top 12 FREE Valentine fonts HERE.   Love Never Fails. If you ant to see more of my Valentine ideas, visit my Pinterest board HERE.

Styled Photo Shoot Results

I've always had the urge to do a styled photo shoot.

You know a total girly day. Hair, makeup... the works!

Finally the day came. 

If you didn't catch yesterdays warmup to today's post, check it out HERE.

I teamed up with my bestie Melisah who stylized our models. Her work is amazing!

At the end of the day, all I had to do is grab my camera and click away.

Here's a before and after of each of our models...

Photo's by Laura Hernandez Photography Hair & Makeup by Melisah Bustos Can't wait to do this again! My senior girls are going to get pampered this year!

Styled Photo Shoot in Progress

Three beautiful models,

one amazing hair and makeup artist,

and a weekend full of fun!

Here's a sneak peek at the styled session in progress....

Photos by Laura Hernandez Photography Hair & Makeup by Melisah Bustos Come back tomorrow to see the outcome of the photo shoot!

My Favorite FREE Fonts for Valentine's Day

I know it's only the first week of January but I have a lot planned for Valentine's Day this year. This includes making backdrops and props for upcoming photo shoots. While working on my new design templates, I came across some fonts that are actually FREE. I wanted to share since they might inspire you to create something too!

JellyKa Saint Andere {Here}     Smell the Roses {Here}

KG All Things New {Here}     Janda Happy Day {Here}

Love Letters {Here}     Simon Script {Here}

Loveness Three {Here}     Heartland {Here}

Sunshine In My Soul {Here}     LoverBoy {Here}

Now don't you have the urge to create? Happy early Valentine's Day friends.

DIY Bride & Groom Mugs

If there was a group for Pinterest Addicts, I would be an honorary member. 

I love all the fantastic ideas its given me for the home and business.

This week one of our good friends was getting married and I refused to shop from their registry.

I wanted to be different. I wanted to be unique. I wanted something they would keep and treasure.

Pinterest helped me come up with the idea of a custom coffee mug.

I struggled with "Good Morning Gorgeous, Good Morning Hansom," "Mr & Mrs," and "I Do, Me Too." 

It's simple and easy...

Buy and two mugs of your choice, preferably white or a very light color.

Before you begin make sure they are super clean and dry.

You can either use a stencil or free-hand the design you want on both sides of the mugs with a fine tip permanent marker. 

Be creative! This is the fun part.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes so the design will set.

Simple, cute and totally in budget!

MIA

Last year, I made three new year's resolutions. One, start writing a blog. Check! Yesterday was actually my blogs 1st birthday. Second, quit drinking soda. Check! I actually have gone an entire year without my Sierra Mist. Dying but did it.   Third, live a more healthy lifestyle and lose weight. Well two out of three isn't bad, right? The first nine months of this blog, I posted nearly everyday. It became an addiction. Seriously.   Well the last few months my posts have been much less frequent. At one point, not even once a week.   A lot of you have checked in with me, making sure I'm ok (which I am). Thank you for that. About three months ago, something out of the blue happened,  and it changed the way we live our daily lives. Don't worry, we're all healthy. Depending on how you looked at it, you could either freak out,  or trust God that He is in control and will be by your side through anything. I chose the latter.   From this turning point in our lives, a seed was planted in our minds, and slowly  over the past few months, with Gods support, our new business is born.

This is where I've been. Creating a new career. Who says at thirty-something you can't pursue a dream?

My goal was on 01/01/13 to launch.

A new design. A new website. A new focus.

SO.... without further adieu, check it out HERE.

Here are a few sneak peaks...

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What do you think?  

I love reading your comments!