The photo above is hands down my favorite photo out of all the photos I have ever taken. Whenever I think back to the thousands of photos I have taken and try to pick one shot that I love… I always go back to this shot.

This was long before I bought a dSLR, studied what aperture and ISO meant, and even considered trying out photography beyond the amateur level. I love this photo. I love how the spot where this woman was standing in the moment I took the picture put so much depth, scale and perspective into my photo. You can see just how majestic the beauty was at the top. Lastly, I love the story behind this photo.

The year was 2005. I was obsessed with waterfalls at that point of my life and on this particular day in October we had just spent all day hiking up Vernal Falls and then Nevada Falls in Yosemite National Park. With adrenaline pumping massively through my veins, I was amped and thrilled beyond belief at the sheer accomplishment of hiking up two waterfalls. I am by no means a great hiker, but being on top of the world in Yosemite was an experience that I will always cherish.

The photo above was taken in a moment when we had reached the very top of Nevada Falls after many hours of hiking and many moments of I can’t make it. I can’t go any further. My quads and glutes are burning too much. There were also some I wonder if anyone can come pick me up in the middle of hike. A helicopter, perhaps? thoughts as well. But once we reached the top, it was SO worth it. I saw this woman standing at the edge of the waterfall and quickly snapped a photo to capture that moment. I originally hesitated for a millisecond because I was distracted by all the beauty I was trying to soak in, but stayed behind for a quick second to snap the photo and then proceed to go stand on that same edge myself. I love capturing “God moments” and looking back. I’m thankful that God allowed me to capture this one.

(This is the same spot that woman was standing in the previous shot. It just makes my knees knock and my stomach flutter at the fact that I even dared to stand there. Wow.)

Here’s a shot of Richard (my old roomie) and I at the top. Can you see the excitement in our faces?!

Before I decided to try out wedding photography, I originally wanted to be a travel photographer. I love traveling, but I love photography too. Why not put them together? I really love travel photography. From the intricacies of the architecture in buildings to the people from different cultures who have their own stories to share. The colorful exotic foods and historical relics. And the beauty of nature itself never ceases to amaze me. I don’t think anyone can truly doubt that God is a beautiful Creator when you are surrounded by nature.

Well, I entered this photo into a Travel Photography Contest. Starting today (May 1st) until May 11th, this photo is being displayed online in a Travel Photography Contest at Jay Reilly’s blog. My photo is Entry #18. If you get a chance, I would love a minute of your time to help me win this travel photography contest.

All you need to do is click on Entry #18 on the very first page and choose that photo to vote. You will need to enter your email address and you can only vote once. I would sincerely appreciate your help. If you feel compelled to spread the word, that’d be awesome too.

There are lots of great photos up on the contest, but with your help I’m hoping I could win the first prize of the Dream Package from Into the Darkroom , worth $750.

I hope that you will take a quick moment to vote for me! Thanks so much for your help!

With cinnamon scents filling the walkways, kids screams trailing off into the skies, costumed characters with their endless smiles, roller coasters swooshing by, and the magic goodness that just oozes out of every corner… Disneyland truly is the Happiest Place on Earth.

Even though I am slowly creeping closer and closer to 30 years in age (yikes!), I still wholeheartedly LOVE going to Disneyland. Where else can one go and feel like a kid all over again? Nowhere. Adam and I celebrated our 7 year dating anniversary during our Spring Break at Disneyland and California Adventure and we loved every minute of it.

Growing up as Southern California girl, I’ve spent many a day at Disneyland. I think I was there almost a dozen times the year they celebrated their 50th anniversary. Not only was I a frequent visitor, I am and always have been (and always will be) a huge fan of Disney. I grew up singing their songs and even on long road trips, the Disney playlist is always on repeat if I’m driving. Who doesn’t like singing songs that you know all the lyrics too? So now are you interested in driving to Seattle with me this summer?

Adam and I have been to Disneyland together several times and each time, we make a big deal out of getting a Disneyland churro, because Disneyland churros taste better than normal everyday churros. Everyone knows that.

Under the wise tutelage of Chris a couple of years ago, who was often a frequent high-scoring space ranger on the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters ride himself, we spent quite a bit of time space ranger-ing ourselves. Still not quite in the millions like Chris, but getting closer and closer.

Loved how they revamped Small World and thought it was super cute to see Disney characters dispersed throughout the whole ride. And whoever hates on Small World needs to remember that it’s a long air-conditioned ride where one can escape the SoCal heat.

Adam had heard much hype about the humungous turkey legs that they sell at Disneyland. (Mostly from me, but who’s pointing fingers?) We kept walking past carts with them, but when we finally decided to split one… we couldn’t find any because they were sold out. Luckily, we lingered long enough at that sold-out cart so we were first in line when they replenished their turkey leg stash. Did I also mention that one does not need to hold back any carnivorous tendencies while at Disneyland either? Aw yeah… eating like a caveman. Fun indeed.

Oh and Space Mountain? Hands down, the BEST. RIDE. EVER.

We spent the next day at California Adventure. We love when it’s 2fer time each year. Before we went, my mom (who holds an annual passport each year) told us that we had to go on the Toy Story ride and that it was better than Buzz Lightyear. Better?! Heresy! Oh boy, we were hooked the first time we got on it. We must have gone back like 5 times that day. We would stretch our arms right before getting on the ride so that we would be ready for high-scoring fun. Of course the stretching would happen amidst intense strategizing. Man, I love my husband.

And just when I thought life couldn’t be any sweeter, we ventured off to the Animation area. I always wanted to be animator. In college, I worked towards being an animator for Disney or Pixar when I was a Computer Arts major. I ended up choosing teaching instead, but being at the drawing class reached down into my soul and touched a hidden part deeply buried beneath layers upon layers of dust.

I loved the layout of the darwing room. The cluttered artsy-ness was so similar to how I operate on my own desk. I think it’s called, “organized chaos.” We made sure we came back when they were teaching Winnie the Pooh and I couldn’t be any more happier than I was in that very moment - drawing Pooh Bear. I left that room with my smile from ear to ear and just gushing with excitement that I couldn’t contain. I’m having so much fun! Oh, I could spend all day here. Can we go back there again? Did you see how they had books and movies on the shelves? Can we go to the gift shop and look at the animation books? *SMILE* Being the great husband that he is, in that moment, Adam just smiled and let me be.

I also wanted to note that the materials that they used in that class is from the same person that trained me in animation and also the maker of the same materials I use when I teach my animation class. (Check out Lightfoot Ltd.)

At the end of that day, I stood with my eyes wide open (and mouth probably too) in the middle of the animation auditorium surrounded by numerous screens blinking with scenes from the Disney movies I grew up loving while playing the songs that I grew up singing along with. For two whole days, I was overflowing from the inside out with joy. Thanks, Disney.

Polaroids made with Poladroid.