Supermom

I received a text in the middle of my workout that read "Update blog plz". I cracked up laughing. My silent readers keep me on my toes;)

Okay, so today you're going to read about some very special people, the Perez family. It's funny how I know these folks. Manny (Mr. Perez) use to be my boss back in my corporate years (before motherhood). Michelle (Supermom...you'll see why in just a few), I had the privilege of getting to know at scrapbooking events my sister has hosted in the past. Which, brings me to my supermom story. A little over a year ago, we attended a scrapbook retreat in a beautiful hotel in Sanibel Harbor, about 2 and a half hours away from Miami. The retreat was from friday noon to Sunday noon. While we were scrapbooking, I find out that sweet, dear, awesome, super close to MOTHER.TERESA.HERSELF-Michelle was going to be driving back Saturday morning in order to make it to her son's football game BACK IN MIAMI! Homegirl scrapped til late friday, woke up at an ungodly hour saturday, made it to her son's baseball game, and was back in Sanibel before dinner time. WOW! WHOA! Like, for real...WOW! I love my children with every part of my being but I can't say I have it in me to do that. I would've picked one or the other but superwoman did them both. Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too. Michelle did! She really blew me away. That said a lot about her to me. As a mom. As a person...SHE ROCKS!! And...she likes me! Life is good;)

This truly is a special family, especially to me. I was beyond excited when they called me up for a photo shoot. I'm glad Manny gave into Michelle's request (hee-hee). You guys look great and once again, thanks for the privilege;)












P.S.
Manny, I know I'm missed at work but believe me...you're better off without me:D (Or is it the other way around HAHAHA).

Party of ten please

Three beautiful toddler girls (two of which were adorable twins) and seven adults. Oh yeah, it was a busy shoot but so much fun. The weather was perfect and the company was great. Mary, the youngest of the 3 children, contacted me through facebook, wanting to set up something special for her mom and dad's anniversary. The children wanted to gift them a family portrait. I happen to know her mom and dad so I was more than happy to try and make it happen for them. Shooting a large group can be a little challenging, especially when there's little one's involved, but once it's all said and done, the end result is so rewarding. Those twin girls gave me a run for my money. They were in such a playful mood. They took me back to my kids "two's stage". One was all smiles and giggles. The other was being a little silly and would stick her tongue out in EVERY PHOTO. I thought it was soo funny, the family...not so much. lol. The coolest thing about shooting kids is being able to capture them as they are being themselves...kids. Rarely are they looking straight at the camera and saying "CHEESE". Nope, that's not the norm. It's actually hard and very frustrating for both the parents and the photographer when we expect that. Tongues sticking out, thumbs in the mouth, and family laughing watching it all happen...THAT'S A GREAT PHOTO!

Oh yeah baby, its almost a squad

Soo, the other day (and many other days) I talked about my cheerleaders in life but specifically when it comes to my photography business. Well, today, I will be talking about yet another one of my girls;)

As previously mentioned, I held a contest for a free mini session back in August between my peeps, my wonderful clients. There were 2 ladies that took the contest super serious and I love them both for it. Those two ladies were Shenny and my dear, dear friend Ady. Even though Ady did not win the contest, she did not hold it against me and still did her annual family session (because she loves me and she thinks I rock;)

Ady seriously is one of my greatest fans. She might as well just wear my "Margie Bonilla Rocks" shirt because really, she refers me that much. I love running into her because she really is good in boosting me up. She's just cool like that. I met Ms. Ady through my oldest sister (which by the way is THE CAPTAIN of my cheerleading squad). Her husband is another absolute sweetheart that I just love being around. I love shooting sweet, genuine people, and when I know and love them...it makes the session even better.

Ady, Jorge, and D...thank you for ONCE AGAIN allowing me to document your family through pictures. It's almost a tradition! I can't wait to see the scrapbook layouts. Love you all!

And the winner is...

I kid a lot with people I refer to as my "cheerleaders". At first, this group consisted of mostly family and friends, but lately I have many clients that have hopped onto the bandwagon (which is way more than okay with me;). Back in August, I finally took the advice of friends and set up a facebook fanpage. After downloading and getting it all set up, I thought I'd have a little contest among my existing clients. I asked them to suggest my fanpage to their friends and in return the winner (most referred) would get a free mini session. Well, I was pleasantly surprised with the participation but there were 2 ladies that really went out of their way to try and win this contest. Unfortunately, there was only room for one winner and that was...Miss Shenny. She might seem familiar and that's because I've worked with her in the past at her birthday celebration. Shenny and her family are very dear to me for many reasons (I've know her since I was about my daughters age, sevenish). We grew up in the same church and she and my older sisters hung out. I remember thinking as a little girl "she's soo pretty". Now that we're older, I still think the same thing along with "She's sooooo funny"! Really, there is NEVER a dull moment with Shenny. Her husband is the perfect match for her. He's so sweet and I love how they are with each other. I was able to capture some of those moments between them and I have to say I smile every time I look at those shots. Her daughter is another beauty, a little Shenny-mini-me. She's a good girl, love her;)

I'm so grateful for people like Shenny in my life. She's believed in me since the very beginning of my journey in photography. Actually, she was my first official session as "Margie Bonilla Photography". She's definitely one of my cheerleader's and keeps referring more to the bandwagon!

Cordero Family, thank you allowing me to continue to be a part of your life through these photos and for being a part of mine by believing in me. Love you all, MUAH!

A Mother's Gift

Way back in May of this year, I donated a family session to my church to gift to one of the many special mother's who attend. There were a few other gifts that were randomly gifted among the moms that were present that day, but it was decided that the session was going to gifted thru a drawing among the mother's who were leaders in the church. All the woman were so excited and hopeful that their names would be picked for any of the gifts (especially the free hour massage). Well, it came down to the last gift...the photo session. Our pastor, stuck his hand in the bag, and pulled out a name. Doris Fernandez! Woohoo! She was so happy! Even though, she REEAALLLY wanted the hour massage, she was bummed when her name wasn't called. I think she quickly got over it though;)

Having kids that are all grown up makes it a bit difficult to have them together in one place at one specific time AND even more difficult to have them agree to take pictures. She was finally able to round up her crew and redeem her gift card. Our original plan was to have an outdoor session but, due to timing issues and the fact that it rained, indoor it was. I was a little concerned but I must say that I am soo happy with the results. They all wore bright colors and I LOVE how it looks against the white.

Doris, congrats on being the lucky winner of the photo shoot even though I know your heart was set on the massage, you faked your happiness pretty well! lol. I must say that I think this session went to the perfect family. With all that you guys do in your spare time for the church and for God, you truly deserve this and much more (including the massage;) I hope these pictures add to the many great memories of your awesome family. I love you guys very much and was honored to capture and share these fun and special moments with you guys.

Without further ado...check out the Fernandez Family!























I left my favorite for last. LOVE the casual goofiness going on!

Precious Little Family

A few weeks ago I met up with a fantastic little family. Mom had called me to schedule a family shoot over the phone, and the day finally came when I met them in person. My first thought, "what a good looking bunch". Second thought "Mom rocked the outfits". I mean really, she did solids and patterns and matched them to perfection. Love it! Their girls were so cute and totally were themselves which I love. They weren't intimidated by the camera at all. Well, I am way past due on their sneak peak and I can't apologize enough for the delay but, wait no more precious little family, here you go. You guys were fabulous;)

Tiffany, thanks for choosing me to capture these special moments in your family's life. I had a wonderful time and it was an absolute pleasure to meet you guys. Oh, by the way, by all means...keep having beautiful children!

More than friends, they're family

Sometimes, well, many times, I sit back and think about the wonderful people in my life and it just brings a smile to my face and often...makes me want to cry (happy tears). We, my husband and I, have really been blessed with wonderful family and awesome friends. I've made reference to our peeps many times on this blog or on facebook as my "cheerleaders". Yeah, my cheerleaders. No, they don't dress up in colorful matching mini skirts, shorts, and shirts that say "MARGIE TOTALLY ROCKS" (at least not all of them;). They are just the type of people that motivate me when I need to be motivated. Believe in me when I sell myself short. Make me laugh when all I really want to do is cry. Laugh at my jokes when they're really not that funny (that's hardly ever by the way cause...I'm REALLY funny).

Of the many cheerleaders that I will one by one post awesome things about someday, today I share with you a few of my special peeps. Emily and Alex. My bestest friend in THE whole wide world and her hubby are so very dear to our hearts. Oh, and lets not forget my little Jacob. I mean their little Jacob (shout out to my godson...woot woot!). After many attempts of scheduling their family session we finally made it happen. Alex knew how much Emily wanted this photo shoot so he was a little sneaky and called me up behind her back and scheduled the date. He went out and bought matching outfits for everyone and made it happen, yeah...he's way cool like that. She was pleasantly surprised and we all had a great time capturing the moment.

I'm so grateful to this family for so much that they offer to my family and I. Their loving, giving, and genuine hearts are a gift in itself and I'm more than blessed to be called their friend (and actually family, Alex is my hubby's cousin;). Guys, I hope you enjoy your photos and look forward to capturing and sharing a lifetime of wonderful memories! Muah!