So Surprised!

When I arrived at the studio today I noticed an unexpected package had arrived. It was from Ben and Laura Harrison of Ben Harrison Photography.

It was filled with a great note thanking me for sharing during my session at the Pictage Partner Conference in Chicago earlier this month. As well as a block of fudge, a tin of Pure Michigan Maple Syrup and two awesome Nooma dvds by Rob Bell a pastor at Mars Hill Bible Church.



Thanks so much Ben and Laura! I had a great time hanging out with the two of you at the conference and I hope to see you at future events.

Little did they know that I love Rob Bell's stuff. I haven't yet seen the films that they sent. For those of you who haven't heard Rob Bell speak, you're totally missing out! He is so good about digging into the scriptures and explaining the historical backgrounds behind everything as well as full explanations of the Hebrew texts.

Drying Off

Drying Off, originally uploaded by Jefferson Todd Pals.

These guys are taking a break to dry off after an amazing day at Laguna Beach with Anneliese and Jeremy.

Dana Point Bike Race

Dana Point Bike Race, originally uploaded by Jefferson Todd Pals.

There was a bike race going on in downtown Dana Point.



We're headed back to the house to get ready for another engagement session in Laguna Beach.

Dana Point Bike Race

Dana Point Bike Race, originally uploaded by Jefferson Todd Pals.

There was a bike race going on in downtown Dana Point.



We're headed back to the house to get ready for another engagement session in Laguna Beach.

Getting Soaked in Laguna Beach for Engagement

It's all worth it for the picture! (YES, that is me and my camera behind the water)


Here's the photo I was taking for Steve and Amy.


Thanks to my friend Regis for tagging along and taking some photos of me being crazy.

Nursing Graduation

I'm out in California for a few things on this trip. One of them is to see my friends Tegan and Lydia graduate from the nursing program at Biola University.
They have both worked so hard to get to this point and I'm so proud of them.


And I just met Anneliese and Jeremy at the graduation as well. I'll be photographing their wedding in just a few weeks. But tomorrow we're going down to Laguna Beach for some fun engagement photos.


Congrats Girls!

Bethany Learning Center Graduations

This is my second year volunteering to photograph the 4-year old, 5-year old and kindergarten graduations ceremonies at Bethany Learning Center. I really love being able to take some time away from my normal work to volunteer for stuff like this.



The kids are always a blast to watch and the parents are usually just as entertaining!



Photos will be available soon on the Proofs page.

Rachel and Eli Engagement at ASU

On Friday I met up with Rachel and Eli for their engagement session. What I didn't know until a week before was that Eli hadn't yet officially asked Rachel to marry him. They had decided that if they wanted a Fall wedding that they would have to start planning everything.

So, Eli called me to let me know that he had the ring and that he wanted to ask her at the end of their engagement session. We met up at ASU and walked around taking a bunch of photos.







And then at the end of our time we stopped at the bench that they had first met at. They sat down and I could tell Eli was nervous. But after a short while he pulled out the ring and officially asked Rachel to marry him! She of course said YES!



Here's their slideshow:

Check out the slideshow here ---> Rachel and Eli Engagement at ASU

Mimi at Mesa Arts Center

A few weeks ago I had a chance to photograph Mimi who is applying to some great ballet programs. We headed over to the Mesa Arts Center for some great location photos. Here are a few of the photos from her session.

Heather

Here are a few quick photos of Heather my amazing Studio Manager and Album Designer. She will soon me moving to San Antonio but I'm excited to know that she'll be able to keep designing our wonderful albums.





Heather and I are coming up with an amazing special that we'll be announcing soon. This will be a once a year event giving you the best price on our albums. So be sure to start saving up if you're wanting to get an album and be looking for an announcement by mail in the next few weeks.

Oh, and I almost forgot to post this wonderful picture of her on Wacky Day at the school she also teaches at! Gotta love it!

Matt Kitchen on Most Valuable Network

My friend Matt Kitchen has been busy writing a sports blog for a while now. And he recently was picked up as a sports columnist for MVN.com, an online sports news website.
And he's also been interviewed for an internet sports radio show. You can check out his blog here: Life Below the Rim

Lori and Jon at L'Auberge in Sedona, AZ

Lori and Jonathan held their wedding in beautiful Sedona at the L'Auberge de Sedona Resort.

We headed to the red rocks for some photos before the ceremony


I love this photo of Lori walking with a breeze in the air


Getting ready


Flower Girl and Ring Bearer


We had a little fun at the end of the night


And thanks go out to Margaret of VanDamme Weddings who helped plan everything so that it would all run so smooth.

Check out the slideshow here ---> Lori and Jon at L'Auberge in Sedona, AZ

Jennifer and Dominic at Hyatt Regency Resort at Gainey Ranch

Jennifer was rockin! And Nikki from Mac did a phenomenal job on her makeup.


Dominic will the guys


Wow!


It's gettin' hot in here!


Watch out here I come


The wedding was held at Hyatt Regency Resort at Gainey Ranch
And the amazing flowers and design were done by my friends Mark and Angela Karp at Angelic Grove

Check out their sweet slideshow:

Check out the slideshow here ---> Jennifer and Dominic at Hyatt Regency Resort at Gainey Ranch

Maximum Impact

Friday I attended a leadership conference with David Jay, Sarah Barlow and family.

There were some great speakers including: John Maxwell, Mark Sanborn, Tim Sanders, Malcolm Gladwell and Terry Bradshaw.

One concept that really jumped out at me was when Malcolm was talking about making decisions. He spoke about how sometimes we take in too much information before deciding on something instead of just acting on our gut instinct with just enough information to make the decision. He mentioned how statistics showed that we make better decisions in most cases with just basic information.

David, thanks for getting a ticket for me!

My Chicago Visit 2

I also called up my my cousin Samara who is going to school in Chicago. So we all met up for dinner near Wrigley.


Ron hanging out at Wrigley


Waiting for the train


Millennium Park during Looptopia

My Chicago Visit

Ron


After the Pictage Partner Conference I rode the train into the city to visit with my friend Ron O'Day for a few days. Ron and I worked together at Starbucks for over 6 years and he moved to Chicago about 9 months ago. He's currently attending the film program at Columbia College.

He brought me to an awesome cafe in the morning. It's called Julius Meinl and was founded in Vienna in 1862. I love how they serve a small chocolate and water with every coffee ordered.


After breakfast I went out on my own to see Chicago.
Here is the Bean.




Grant Park


There were tulips all over the city


The Train


Interesting water display


Go Cubbies!


Ron was hungry

PartnerCon Highlights

I'm finally back from a week in Chicago and my laptop finally has some juice so I can post some photos. I forgot my charger in the room that I was speaking in at the hotel so I had to get a new one.

I always love these events so much because I get to hang out with some many great friends while even more friends. Here are just a few of them.

Sarah and Shyla


Jared and Bronson


Shaun Anthony


Me and Scarlett


Leann and the infamous Pink Flamingo


Sara and Anna

Chicago Looptopia

Chicago Looptopia, originally uploaded by Jefferson Todd Pals.

Tonight my friend Ron and I headed into the city to check out the giant arts celebration. It is being held all night starting at 5pm to 5am. Here is the huge crowd hanging out by the bean. Everyone seems to be having such a great time.

My laptop now has a charger and is loading up with energy so hopefully I'll have time tomorrow while traveling back to AZ to post many of my photos from this last week.

Maximum Impact

Maximum Impact, originally uploaded by Jefferson Todd Pals.

Today I'm attending the Maximum Impact Simulcast in Elgin, IL. There are a bunch of great speakers teaching on how to be leaders. David Jay, Sarah Barlow and her father will also be attending which will be a lot of fun.

The Bean

The Bean
Originally uploaded by Jefferson Todd Pals.

Here's another photo. This gives you a nice perspective of what it looks like.



I love being able to keep you all up to date with my blackberry pearl.

Millenium Park

Millenium Park
Originally uploaded by Jefferson Todd Pals.

Wow! This metal bean is crazy to try and photograph!

Kaffee

Kaffee
Originally uploaded by Jefferson Todd Pals.

I love how they give you a small piece of chocolate with your coffee here.

Julius Meinl Cafe

Julius Meinl Cafe
Originally uploaded by Jefferson Todd Pals.

Rob and I are grabbing breakfast at this great little cafe in the Lakeview area of Chicago.



Mmm...I love my vanilla latte!

Chicago Fun

Well I've had a blast speaking at Pictage's Partner Conference for their photographers. My presentation went great and thanks to all of you who were busy praying for me. I'm really excited to see how people start changing their business with some of the ideas that I spoke about.



One the first night here in Chicago I headed over to Sarah Barlow's house for a wonderful family dinner. The house was full and we all had a great time playing King Ball and sitting around a fire roasting marshmallows for smores and singing together.



The conference is now done but I'll be sure to post more as soon as I get a new computer charger. I forgot mine at the hotel and the battery is about to run out.

And I'll be spending the next few days in Chicago to attend the Maximum Impact Simulcast conference as well as spend some time with my friend Ron who recently moved to Chicago from AZ.

Finally Arrived in Chicago!

Finally Arrived in Chicago!
Originally uploaded by Jefferson Todd Pals.

After a frustrating 3 hour delay I have finally arrived in Chicago.



Thought you all might enjoy this sign.

Off To Chicago

Off To Chicago
Originally uploaded by Jefferson Todd Pals.

We were set to leave for Chicago but the plane seems to be having some problems. So we're back at the terminal hoping that they can fix this soon.



I'll be in Chicago through Saturday speaking at the Pictage photographers conference and then hanging out with my friend Ron.



This weekend was great! I had one wedding in Phoenix and one in Sedona. They were both a blast but I'm totally worn out now and I'm planning on sleeping through Casino Royale on the plane.



Rock on!