I'm not one to announce big news to the world - mostly because I don't like the attention but I do think this is such incredible news!

I was not sure if I ever wanted to have a baby.  It sounded like a good dream but then you get married and the pressure starts to set in with everyone asking "when are you going to have a baby?!" couple that with my age (30), pressure is an understatement.  So, my husband and I discussed it and we felt that leaving it up to God was just the right thing to do.  Plus, it took all the pressure off of actually having to make the decision.  Three months later, we were surprised with the news that it was really happening.  

We'll be a family of 4 now :)

As my belly continues to grow, I get more and more excited that there is a life inside of me.  That it is growing and taking shape.  I don't feel much of anything yet, I'm only three months in, but it's really incredible.  Pregnancy isn't easy though, I do have to admit.  There's the nausea, morning sickness, the weird way old smells get worse, and the never ending hungry streak... but I know it's not forever and I am excited to see how it goes from here on out.  

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So that's the big news guys.  Just wanted to write it out here :). 

Just as fyi, I won't be able to photograph anything from August until November.  I plan on taking that time off to enjoy the last bit of this process, this journey.  I'll keep you updated as time goes on :).  

haha my husband was set on sending out this announcement... mine was more frilly.  but i can't help how funny it is!

Have any good advice for this new mama-to-be?? Tell me in the comments! I need all the advice I can get ;)

One of the perks of having your husband work in a school is Spring Break! He gets the two weeks off and since I work from home, I do too!  It's great for planning trips or having people visit or just lounging around and binging on Netflix.  

After we had some friends come and go, we were left wanting to explore some place new.  So we got in the car and headed down the highway towards Guadalajara, which is only a few hours from us here in Nayarit.  We stopped in Tequila, Jalisco.  Yep, that shot of Jose Cuervo that you get at a bar for a whopping $10 bucks, or whatever the going rate is now, is made right here in Tequila.  All official tequilas are made here and if it isn't made here, then you're not drinking real tequila.  So make sure you check your labels and know what you're buying.

This beautiful Pueblo Magico (magical town or historical town), is absolutely breathtaking.  With it's cobble stone streets and lively mood, this is definitely a place we plan on visiting and staying a few nights in.  In town you can tour the various tequila factories like Jose Cuervo and see how they make their tequila from the farm to the bottle.  It's actually really fun! And they let you taste the tequila, which is a plus in my book.

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We got a little lost on the way and ended up at Tres Mujeres Tequila and stuck around for the tour of the agave fields and how they make their tequila.  It takes about 15 years for one agave plant to go from seed to tequila.  There are barrels and barrels of tequila that are waiting until the perfect moment to be bottled.  Never knew that it took so long and that the process was so intricate to make tequila.  

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We really enjoyed the whole road trip, even the getting lost and look forward to staying there in the future!  

Oh, on the way from Nayarit to Tequila, there is a volcano! A real live volcano that erupted and now you see all of the lava / obsidian rock flanking each side of the road.  Pitch black.  Of course we stopped to take a few photos! It was amazing.

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San Blas, Riviera Nayarit

I don't know about you but today was officially my first day of 2016!  I can't believe that it's 2016, I still remember the whole fiasco of the year 2000 when everyone freaked out because it was a new millinium.  Oh, those were good times!

Along with starting a whole new year, I had the unfortunate  accident of losing my phone for the first time since I can remember.  And because of that, I've had to change numbers.   If you've seen my posts on FB and in your email, here I am again, reminding you to add this number to your contact list under Jackie - best photographer in the world! Haha, too much? Okay, well just put it under my name and delete whatever other number you have for me.  And while you're at it, send me a message, I'd love to chat with you!

+52 311 187 7292

If you have my USA phone number, then you're safe, that one will never change ;).

Thank you and have an amazing week!! I'll be back soon with some great photos of two sessions I had the most fun photographing!

xoxo,
Jackie

Happy Holidays from me to you!  
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to photograph you!
Enjoy this time with loved ones and cherish each fleeting moment.

Can't wait to see you in 2017!

xoxo,
Jackie Lamas

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P.S. Feel free to share, pin, and save the photo above ;).

I'm so grateful for this year! More than most because it has been full of lots of amazing-ness.  So to go out with a bang this 2015, I will be away from my desk from

December 13, 2015 until January 7, 2016.  

So if you send me an email during that time, I might get back to you a little later than usual.

I would love for you to follow along with all of the holiday merriment on Instagram!  We will be having both sides of the family here and there will be lots of happiness, laughter, food, and all that good stuff!  

Have an amazing holiday where ever you are and see you in 2016!

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I have seriously been so grateful for all of the work that I have been honored to have.  No, for real.  I can't believe that all of my clients are so beautiful inside and out and have allowed me a glimpse into their world as a family, as a couple, as a person.  More than anything, I am grateful that I was able to go to Chihuahua and to California to visit those that I haven't seen in more than 6 months.  

You know, it's weird sometimes because I forget that I live in an entirely new place.  Sometimes, the streets are familiar to me and I completely lose the notion that I am not from here... Could be that Tepic is just a friendly place and so it makes me feel like I've found my home.  My husband and I talked about this a while ago and all the places we've lived and how Nayarit just feels right. 

We feel like it's just right for us.  Perfect weather, great people, cheap drinks (haha), and lots of things to see and do.  I don't think I've found a downside yet... maybe the rain? It rains almost every day here.  Since July, we have probably seen 3 weeks without rain.  But I can't really say that's a downside, the rain is refreshing and since it's never really cold, it's perfect.

Everyone should move here haha! I know I sound like an advertisement, yet I suppose that when you truly fit in somewhere, you feel that way about the place.  If I could sum up this place with one word, I believe the only word that would do it justice would be Ambition.  I feel like Nayarit is full of ambition that overflows this small state.  

A little update on what/where I have been this past few months:

• Got to see family in Chihuahua
• Photographed an intimate and beautiful wedding while in Chihuahua
• Photographed a very important engagement session :).
• Took a bus ride to California
• Went on a camping moto-ride with my sister to Joshua Tree and made new friends!
• Celebrated my mom's birthday
• Got to photograph 9 beautiful families! Yay!
• Flew back to Nayarit to be with my hubby and pup (whoo hoo!)
• Flew out to Cancun to photograph another beautiful wedding (coming soon!)

I felt like I was on a world tour, haha.  I am super grateful for all that God has allowed me to do for my clients and for those who are dear to me.  There is nothing more gratifying than that! 

No black friday shopping for me, thank goodness! However, I will be working on a wonderful wedding and a few other things today and sip on some good coffee all while listening to the rain outside, pup at my side.

Happy Thanksgiving/Holidays!

Where do I begin?

The whole day before and the day of the conference was the worst.  I felt nervous, frustrated, not sure what I would say.  At one point I found myself staring at a blank screen for two hours with "Hi, I'm Jackie."  But I suppose it could have been worse, at least I had three words ha ha.

A friend had invited me to be a part of Festival.Com which was a festival created and organized by the students of the communications college at the UAN (the state university.)  The goal of the festival was to create workshops, masterclasses, conferences, and various media competitions for students.  Being that I majored in Communications, and when I was a student, there was so much to learn from people who were actually living the dream.  Real people doing great things in the media.  Journalists, photographers, cinematographers, social media mavens, and public relations specialists.  So I jumped on board and offered to give a conference.  

It was the worst best experience in my life so far.  

Let me explain, it was the worst because I was so nervous because I had never done anything like this before.  I am not a public speaker and I really don't like having everyone's eyeballs on me.  Ever.  I like to be the fly on the wall that no one notices and gets to observe everything.  The whole time I was unaware of what was coming out of my mouth and I felt that I had said the same thing over and over and over.  

It was also the best experience because I think it was amazing that I was able to share what I am most passionate about with others who are also passionate about photography.  Perhaps they don't do the same type of photography that I do, or maybe they're barely getting into the medium; either way, it was great to be able to share my experiences with them.  The Q&A portion was my favorite part.  Mostly because I was able to answer questions that they really wanted to know.  

Would I ever do it again? Hell yes. 

Even though I know I will be nervous and my voice will tremble.  Even though I will be stressed out and frustrated and stare at a blank screen for two hours (or six).  But if I can teach someone one thing they didn't know before, or inspired at least one person, then I have contributed to our industry and photography as a whole.  Because in the end, that's what its all about anyway.  Sharing, growing, and becoming a community of passionate artists.  And that makes it totally worth it.

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Life has been pretty amazing since we've arrived.  The long 15 hour drive was over as quickly as it had began - mostly I believe because we had hope in our eyes and confidence that we were living our dream.   It was close to nine o'clock when we ascended the jungle filled winding road when a light drizzle of rain began to fall.  We rolled the windows down and allowed the new air to flow through our hair.  Seeing lightening bugs, we caught a glimpse of the sign that read "20KM Tepic"  and our hearts fluttered.  We had stopped listening to music at this point and felt the wear of the 15 hours begin to veil over us.  We were almost there.  

The next day we began searching for the right apartment.  After seeing a few not so great, we had the energy for one last one.  One, my husband said, had a balcony.  He loves balconies. As soon as we walked in, we felt that our hopes and dreams had found a home.  A home with not one, but two balconies.  And so we started to settle in.  

And we're still settling in.  We brought all of what we could in our car and so we are slowly furnishing and decorating as we go.  I'm in no rush.  I know that it will eventually be a place that represents who we are now.  In this place.  At this time.

What I love most about this city is the way it feels bigger than it is. As if proving that it can give more to it's people.  I love that vibe of ambition.  I love that we can go swim in a natural crater lake lined with trees or go to the beach with it's warm waters.  I love the luscious green jungles that make up the parks and line the streets.  We have much to see and do still and we're eager to do it all!

We've also adopted a pup and it's been such a great addition to our little family.  I like to have family hugs and it makes all of us warm inside.  If you have a pet then you know what I'm talking about.  If you don't well, don't think I'm a crazy lady, ok? 

Let's just say that I don't want the adventures to stop and I think that I have finally found a place I can call home.  

Have an amazing Sunday!

Sasha the rescue pup

Santa Maria Del Oro Laguna

a natural crater lake in Nayarit.

Rincon de Guayabitos

beach in the Riviera Nayarit

Old Textile Ruins

this factory once was a textile mill and now, only it's ruins tell the stories of the past.

Indigenous Roots

It's easy to find authentic indigenous food here made with blue tortillas.  delicious!

Downtown

Downtown fountain just in front of the cathedral.

Rain

one minute it can be sunny and the next rainy and cloudy.

Fog

Fog looking out of one balcony.  

Sasha the rescue pup

Santa Maria del Oro

Crater lake

I was going to write this whole "Thirty things that I've learned in thirty years" but to be honest, I'm still learning the ropes of being a live and doing good.  I can neither confirm or deny that I've actually learned anything... so rather than making it all boring and long i'm just going for the YAY in BIRTHYAY!!

I turn 30 today and that is awesome.  Just for the simple fact that I'm alive and breathing and healthy! I'm going to indulge in a good ol' cheeseburger, some Netflix marathon-ness, and hugging my Husband and the pup.  I may or may not have a beer to top it all off.  Here's to another kick ass year!!! 

Whoo!!! 

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Since arriving, we have been busy trying to get the apartment in order and painted.  Man, painting is a lot of work!  Mostly though, we have been busy exploring!  Cue in the whole "Adventure is out there!" scene from UP.  There is sooo much to see here and so many beautiful beaches.  However, we didn't want to drive the hour+ to the beach and we were told of a laguna here named Santa Maria del Oro.

Legend has it, that the towns princess fell in love with the son of her father's greatest enemy.  Very much the Romeo and Juliet story with a twist.  Rather than the young love struck couple killing themselves for love, they were punished by both their fathers.  The tears that they shed in captivity are the same tears that filled up the laguna.  So they say... (True story is that it was a crater that hit the area and with time, rain water began to fill the laguna.  But I like the other version much more!)

The lake is about a 35 minute drive down the highway through luscious trees and lots of fields filled with agave, sugar cane, and corn.  Everything is just so green here, tropical, jungle.  Armed with our bathing suits we went.  Man, I've never seen such a beautiful lake before.  Not even Big Bear comes close to how beautiful this lake is.  Hardly anyone there and a few boats passing by but other than that, it was like finding a lake in the middle of a jungle.  

The photos were taken on my trusty Canon Powershot A495.  I bought this camera eons ago and it has always chucked on.  It doesn't have the settings that my big camera does but to be honest, I'm out having a good time with the possibility that the camera might get wet or damaged... so I'd rather it be this little camera than the bigger one.  

Anyway! Check out the lake... What do you think? 

Happy Monday!