flowers

You are Loved

You are loved. You are loved. I repeat You are loved. If you think no one cares for you, no one loves you or that you are unworthy, say this over and over again: You are loved. This really hits close to home for me. Oftentimes, I deal with a lot of insecurities. Isn't it common nowadays? Feeling of unworthiness creeps in. It's poisonous. It tears your soul apart. It cripples you. You lose your confidence. You question yourself. 

This statement could never be far from the Truth. This is a good daily reminder to not be too hard on yourself. It's okay to love yourself. I think, you must love yourself (not in that I'm-better than-anyone-else kind of way, you know what I mean). Your confidence should not come from the outside, from other people or what the world says but it should come from within. 

"I have loved you with an everlasting love." Jeremiah 31:3 There is that Ultimate Someone who loves you more than you'll ever know. You just have to know that kind of Love. Love like no other. Because it's fierce, it penetrates you, it makes you whole.  The kind of Love that money or materials things can't give. The kind of Love that can never taken from you. The ONLY Love who satisfies. 

You were created. You are loved.

Model: Allyson Sandoval

Location: Ampersand 


Portraits with Riva: Elana

I went to Utah for 6 days for work a couple of weeks ago. I'm so grateful to visit this beautiful state again.  Even more thankful that I got to meet this lovely woman. I've known Elana through Instagram (I know, I love how this free app connects us to people, don't you?) and asked her if she was up to meeting up with me. We met over coffee, talked about our passion, photography, life, Utah, San Francisco etc. Even if it was just a short period of time, she already made an impact on my life. Crazy how people can touch our lives no matter how long you've known them. Not only she is beautiful on the outside (I mean, that's obvious. Look! even dressed in tee and jeans) and she is even more stunning in person. She has inspired me to keep doing what I love and to love what I do. Elana, you're a beautiful soul. SO blessed to have met you. Looking forward to seeing you again, hopefully here in San Francisco!

Here's my 32nd portrait, Elana