As we ring in the new year, as we hope and aspire to new and better things, I can’t seem to let go of some the accomplishments from this year. I’m eternally grateful for the experiences, the new friends and hard lessons learned. We’re now gifted with a brand-spanking-new year all tied up with a glittery bow and I’m feeling a bit hesitant to open it up. Alas, there’s no running from it, but I’m so happy to share some of the moments I’ve had this year when I had a camera, or two, in hand. I know that God-willing, there’s a whole other set of memories to-be-made in the new year, a whole lot of wins and losses to get through as well as beautiful people to meet. Whether you believe in goal-making or detoxes, I’m set out to do me this year. That’s what I’m best at and that’s what I aspire to do. This 2014 year was amazing, so cheers!

I officially set up studio in January, although there are many pending items, I can officially say that the Serafin Love studio resides in San Rafael. I’ve been spending due diligent time with furnishing, organizing and designing my space, but I can say that its come a long way since January.

I was able to preview a gorgeous Hawaiian performance and capture some of the lovely gestures right before jumping on a plane and heading to Guatemala for the first time. Victor was able to return to Guatemala for the first time in 10 years. I joined him and was head over heels in love with the beautiful people, food, textiles, imagery and the ‘Chapin’ accent.

After falling in love with the craftsmanship and artistry of the many independent and talented artisans, Victor and I decided to set up shop. We currently partner with over a dozen organizations and individuals to bring their products to the U. S. (the site is currently under construction). Working on El Mercado Central, has been a huge business endeavor but one that’s instantly rewarding.

One of the greatest things, I’ve been privileged this year is being able to meet people and new clients who are so loving and beautiful. Mario and Cynthia have become friends and are such great mentors when it comes to all things business, food but most specially marriage and friendship.

Mama turned 55 this year and she is more groovy, diva and and beautiful than ever. She lost her mom when she was only 50 to cancer, so for me to able to give her a little cake (her favorite from Whole Foods) at 55 is more than a blessing.

I was able to go back to Guatemala with Victor, but this time for business rather than pleasure. We had a few El Mercado Central meetings as well as to photograph my first international wedding in a villa in Xela, Guatemala.

Since the first time I went Guatemala, one piece of artistry that struck me the most was the ceramic craftsmanship, but not just any ceramic craftsmanship, the San Antonio Palopo kind. We were able to meet with Ken Edwards, the pioneer in the Mayan-Ke ceramics. He taught the craftsmanship of ceramics leading a whole town to learn the art and to maintain a sustainable income.

Meeting my Guatemalan family, the Rodriguezs and Vasquezs, was a beautiful honor. I can’t believe that I get to be part of this stunning family.

Evelin and I have been friends since freshman year of high school. Getting to meet and photograph her little baby prince made me stand in awe of her newfound beauty. She wears ‘mommy’ so well.

It was kind magical to photograph fireworks.

My film babies. I was able to go back to my roots this year and strip down to the bare beauty of it all: film. Film photography is such an art and I love my little collection of cameras I acquired this year. I have to thank my lovely colleague Taralynn Lawton for reminding me how gorgeous film imagery is.

Sometimes all you need are sunny days to take a stroll downtown and spending more time with your loved ones. I’m grateful that 2014 gave me more of these kinds of moments.

I was bestowed with the enormous privilege to photograph a Parisian themed wedding in the Falkrik Mansion, a place that has captured my heart ever since I laid my 4-year old eyes on it. Its quaint and charm fused well with the couple’s detail and decor.

Ever since our church has been under construction with permits pending and limited funding, my dad got really creative with our meeting places to worship. My favorite part was to be able to sing under the trees with friends and family. I also specially loved that dad had to keep it short for sermons.

This summer I gave a little one-on-one to a talented young photographer. She and I had been talking for ages to meet up to help her master her camera. I captured this one on my film camera without a light meter. I look at this place with such a biased perspective since I married the love of my life here. Nevertheless, you don’t really have to do much to this place to keep it mesmerizing.

A city that has my heart is NYC. I flew there for Mercedes-Benz fashion week and was granted some time to do some touristy things like climbing up (or more like elevatoring up) to the 86th floor of the Empire State Building to take a grand view of the Big Apple. (Wish I were up there for when the ball drops tonight).

I traded in bouquets and veils for a bit of street style and runways that amazing weekend in early September.

Maui! Need I say more?? Even though we were in town to photograph an amazing couple’s wedding, burying my feet under the sand and feeling the warm soothing wave was heaven. Victor fell so madly in love with Maui that he wants make it  an annual thing.

Airplanes plus styled wedding decor made my heart beat faster than the Road Runner outsmarting the Coyote. I’ve always wanted to capture a ‘Pearl-Harbor esque’ wedding. More pictures coming soon! Please stay tuned!

Getting these 9 munchkin-cousins and siblings of mine all in one place and smiling (or semi-smiling) was a miracle in of itself. So let’s just say that this moment was beyond memorable. I’m so thankful because we are able to gift our  grandma something so special for Christmas due to everyone’s effort and presence. They’re so cute aren’t they?

I’m so thankful, grateful, appreciative and blessed to have this man reigning by my side officially this year. He went over hurdles and obstacles to be able to partner with me on this big passion of mine. My favorite moment was getting our bio pictures captured by Kari Humphrey. We are always behind the camera we hardly get any together…

So here’s to 2015! A year full of beauty, happiness, peace and prosperity. May everything we set out to do will get accomplished and completed in its entirety, that the lessons that are in store for the new year will be simply mere content for the many unwritten books to come, that miracles will happen and dreams will be chased down to many unridden and crossed roads. **Throws Confetti**

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