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Taking a Picture of Yourself in Front of a Mirror of You Taking a Picture of Yourself in Front of a Mirror

7 • 1 • 11

As vain as it may seem, to say that I’ve been looking at myself long and hard in the mirror the last few weeks would be a huge understatement. I’ve been struggling and the only way out of the dark spot I let myself get clouded under, is to face the friggin’ mirror, and stare sincerely and wide open.

It’s been an anxious and negative couple of months inside this head. Inside this heart. And I’ve been at it alone. I can complain, sure. And I have. And I have a beautiful support system for such trying times. But with some shaken foundations and a dismantled direction, I haven’t been able to keep focus. I haven’t been able to see through the cracks, to the Light. To the Good. A person is what he does. And I’ve been a negative person.

This is not me. Anyone who knows me, knows I’m positive, happy, light. So this self reflection has been quite an interesting task. It’s been like taking a picture of yourself in front of a mirror of you taking a picture of yourself in front of a mirror.

We are all flawed. We all make mistakes. We all can get ugly. We all can also focus on the beauty and in turn, be beautiful ourselves. It’s all about how you chose to focus.

And I’ve been skewed on my focus. I’ve let negative situations weigh me down. I’ve let communication get cut off. Let my sharpness get dull. And I’ve become a different Jackie Lovato. And I’m here to publicly apologize for such a shift. I have not been all the me I can be, and I’m sorry.

And I’m also here to publicly submit that no one’s perfect. It’s okay to be low…for a little while. Subject yourself to your experiences and feel them. Love them. Because the bad experiences make us beautiful. The conflict creates in us different people than if we’d showed up at the end an easier way. And to be totally cliche, every ending is a new beginning. Learn to appreciate the ending of one chapter, and then happily start the next. That’s how we can roll with the change. That’s how we grow.

So I’m totally busy growing right now, peeps. Professionally. Photographically. Personally. Perpetually. And the focus on the Goodness is coming back. I’m busy cleaning my mirrors and busy getting a pair of glasses to focus better. And I think you should get busy too.

orange photographer www.lovatoimages.com PINME

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July 1, 2011 - 8:34 am

Garrett - Reflective by A. R. Ammons

I found a
weed
that had a
mirror in it
and that
mirror
looked in at
a mirror
in
me that
had a
weed in it
July 1, 2011 - 11:55 am

JasoninYLCA - You are definitely not alone! Godspeed! 🙂
July 5, 2011 - 11:49 am

J - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydxJDje1Oak
July 5, 2011 - 2:38 pm

Robb Davidson - Wow. Not only is this a great post to reflect on to challenge ourselves to be better in any point of our lives, but killer shot as well! Thank you for being open and vulnerable to share! This is huge, and I’m proud of you to take the initiative on that. Huge.
July 13, 2011 - 4:22 pm

Raul - Jackie- Life seems to find our focus as we create our own paths. Its all about Life and living with a clear image or not-You are in focus !

“Life is the childhood of my immortality”- Dr. Ozzie

High School Senior Portraits | Kelly

6 • 30 • 11

I’m obsessed with high school senior portraits. I’m extra obsessed with high school senior portraits in the Orange Circle. I’m beyond obsessed with these Orange senior portraits of Kelly. I mean, just look at her!

Kelly’s mom hit me up last year to do a shoot with Kelly for her high school graduation portraits. Finally a year later, we made it happen and I was blown away at how great this girl is. She’s not only drop dead gorgeous, but an exceptional soccer player (CIF champs, what!) and a stellar student. She’s outgoing and happy and motivated. She’s a good kid with a sweet smile and honest eyes that will knock your socks off. So don’t mess. ‘Cause this girl is going somewhere.

Kelly’s headed up to Humboldt State this fall to dominate some soccer fields up there. And probably some hearts.

Thanks for an awesome shoot, Kelly and Linda. Loved working with you both.

orange portraits high school senior www.lovatoimages.com PINME

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June 30, 2011 - 9:33 am

Robb Davidson - WOW!!!!! These are incredible!! I love the one where she is looking up with that cool looking wall behind. She’s got great eyes that you’ve really shown well! Love it.

A Narrow Focus to See | Corona del Mar Engagement Portraits

6 • 29 • 11

Hannah and Dave were quiet at first. They held hands across the arm rest in my back seat and mostly listened while my friend (and assistant that day!) conversed casually. I was focused on five million other things. So I didn’t catch too much of their story at first, unfortunately too focused on my own.

We chatted a bit and I learned little details like Hannah’s recent graduation from uni and parts of Dave’s professional football career. But when I really started listening was when we started shooting. I narrowed my focus through that viewfinder and then I was able to take a look at Hannah and Dave and who they are.

And I saw that Hannah is loyal to a T. She believes in honesty with Dave, and believes in all their open doors. Dave adores Hannah and loves her exactly as she is. He doesn’t expect change of her, but knows it’s coming anyway. Hannah is sweet and fun. Dave is confident and cute. They let one another be. They both motivate one another to be more.

They are young. They have dreams. They have drive. And sometimes you see a young couple and you just know. Know that they’re going somewhere, together. And together, they’ll be better. Because they’re in this thing together. They’re committed and courageous and moving forward together, enjoying all the fun stuff between.

See…?!

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June 29, 2011 - 10:14 am

Sheila - GORGEOUS!!! Wow. These turned out amazing! Love this couple…
June 29, 2011 - 2:02 pm

KellsBells - B E A U T I F U L.

A Taste of Greece | Orange County Event Photography

6 • 24 • 11

St. Paul’s Greek Festival. Every year we look forward to it. Every year we prepare and anxiously anticipate it’s return. Every year we have so much fun and every year is somehow, better than the year before.

There’s live music, dancing, FOOD, pastries, donuts, drinks, boutiques, art, games, prizes, FOOD, fun and tons of really cool people. All of it is Greek, of course. And all of the parishioners at my church (St. Paul’s) work so hard to make this event awesome. It’s awesome people working awesomely hard to create this awesome event. And it’s all Greek to me!

So. The food is fabulous. The music is movin. The people are pure and proud…of their amazing church and their amazing culture that wraps around it. It’s an event for the whole family. An event that will make you wanna come back again next year and the year after. And really, all the Greek stuff is authentic and fun to experience, but as is the case with most events that are truly awesome, it’s the people that make it truly great.

Come see me. Come see my family at St. Paul’s 33rd Annual ‘Taste of Greece‘ Greek Festival this weekend in Irvine. It’s a guaranteed good time. Let’s eat, Greek, and be merry!

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June 25, 2011 - 10:24 am

kelly the great - Great pics, we had so much fun, thanks a billion!
July 17, 2011 - 7:06 pm

Orange County - what a lovely photos! I guess every year as you do this event, every year makes more and more enjoyable and memorable. Behind those smiles surely they are happy.. I love the different activities. I wish we had also this in our place.

Anaheim Hills Family Portraits | Warm and Free

6 • 23 • 11

I met Lauren and Grace near the end of a very long day. To say I was exhausted would be an understatement and knowing I still had two more portrait sessions to do before I could put my feet up made the next two hours seem a little daunting.

Then Lauren and Grace walked up. They were quiet at first but warmed up right away…Or maybe they were warm to begin with but it took a moment for me to open to it.

Their matching giggles. Their excitement for their father. These two girls lit me up that afternoon as they skipped along, golden strands dancing in the wind.

I forgot about my long day. I forgot about my tired feet. I just bounced around with them. Like two little girls. Warm. And free.

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