Erin and Paxton came over today and brought me tea from Starbucks and chatted to help relieve some wedding day anxiousness. Here are a few shots from the two and half minutes I had my camera in my hands. Of course Pax fell asleep when the fun began.

I just bought this studio set up…let me tell you…I just opened a door of endless opportunities. Just wait and see what I have up my sleeve the next few months with these new toys This is just the beginning. I think you’ll be excited!

I know I haven’t posted much about my wedding and all the little details because I’ve been so busy, so here’s a few pictures from what’s been going on these past months.

I made these cards for all my bridesmaids asking them to be in my wedding. I must say…they are so cute.

Just a little note for the following pictures: DON’T JUDGE THE POINT AND SHOOT CAMERA. I was just so exited to go to San Diego and not have to lug my camera around with my for work. So the point and shoot it was!

This was from my bridal shower in San Diego. My lovely friend Lori hosted it and it was BEAUTIFUL! She was my counselor at SIBS Camp back in the day, and I’ve babysat her kids tons. It was so fun to be with all my friends at the same time.

Little miss Livy Sue (Lori’s daughter). She is one of my four flower girls. I show up to her house in the morning and she has this super cute hairdo, right? Well she totally had the poof thing going on in the back. I took a closer look and shouted, “Is that a BUMP-IT in your hair?” She of course said “Yep! I did it myself.” Really?…an 8 year old can put a bump it in her hair all on her own and make it look good? I was so proud.

LOOK! You can see Liv’s BUMP-IT hairdo on the right! She’s awesome!

Toilet paper dress contest…Britt totally won…she always does…she had rings made out of toilet paper and a personal flower girls tossing toilet paper petals and carrying her train as she walked around.

AND…on the left sitting on the couch is Alicia, my brothers sweet girlfriend. I love her to pieces. Everyone asks if she’s my sister. It’s kind of funny. I went to the college group at church with them when I was in town and 4 people within an hour and a half either mistook me for Alicia (by running up and slapping my butt thinking I was her) or asking if she was my sister or how we were related. Too funny!

THEN…My mom, sister, and Brittani took a road trip to San Jose for my bridal showers up here a week ago. We went to Santana Row and got coffee at Starbucks, french fries from The Counter, and cupcakes from Kara’s. Good combo? Justin doesn’t think so.

This was the church shower that Justin’s moms friends threw. It was so cute. I loved it! Here’s 5 out of the 7 of my bridesmaids.

Yeah…we’re awesome!

AND of course…wedding preparation…it’s what I’ve been doing every day for the past what feels like 5 years…okay..so maybe 4 months.

And for those of you who know me well enough…I am ALWAYS freezing. ALWAYS. Justin and I went for a walk the other day…we made it half a block and my toes were already numb and I couldn’t feel them. No joke. And I had two sweatshirts on with both hoods on my head, a long sleeve shirt, a scarf, leggings, and pants over them. Justin has a light jacket and was fine. There has to be something wrong with me.

Sparkling cider in our fun new glasses from our first dinner at our new home…well my home until we get married.

I’ll try and post some more pictures of all the little detials of the wedding..but I don’t want to give away too much before the big day…10 days…and some hours till I marry my best friend and become “Mrs. Keary Dee Cheney”

So at the beginning of 2009 I made a list of goals that I wanted to achieve not only as a photographer but as a woman, friend, daughter, sister, etc. It’s amazing to look back and see where the Lord has taken me in a year. I remember being afraid of setting goals that would be “too far to reach” and then later being dissapointed if I didn’t reach them. Well I decided to take a huge step and God has faithfully provided for me in more ways than I could have imagined. And so many of my goals I set a year ago have totally changed direction and I never thought I’d be where I am today. I feel so blessed and thankful Here are some of the things I’ve accomplished the last year:

1. Spent more time with family…this is the best feeling in the world

2. Designed and printed new business cards!

3. Created a brand new blog

4. I had a goal of booking 10 weddings for 2009 and guess what…? I BOOKED 10 WEDDINGS!

5. Shot a wedding out of town (went to Long Beach)

6. Shot my FIRST OUT-OF-STATE wedding (Texas)…which also happened to be the first wedding I shot on my own

7. My goal was to shoot 25 portrait sessions…I shot a WHOPPIN’ 75+ SESSIONS!

8. Got a huge monitor to edit on…can’t live without this thing

9. Finally developed my own style

10. Became more confident in myself, my relationships with others, my relationship with Justin, my work, and my decisions

11. Learned to stop procrastinating. I am now caught up and turn around times for a session are under a week!

12. Vacationed somewhere new (Tahoe and Palm Dessert)

13. Took a road trip with my girlfriends (drove to San Jose to surprise Justin, went to the Steinbeck museum, and the Birch Aquarium)

14. I FELL IN LOVE! With the most amazing man. He is so perfect for me in every way. I can’t imagine anyone more perfect.

15. Became more involved in church. I started working in the Nursery on Thursdays, Kids Zone on Sundays, and Kid’s Club (an after school Christian club) on Tuesday’s

16. I’ve been good about exercising especially with the wedding coming up, as long as I’m not sick or out of town.

17. Took our first family vacation since my sister’s Make-A-Wish trip (9 years ago) and went to Seattle this last July. It was so amazing to have everyone together. That is something people definitely take for granted. It was so wonderful to have my dad be able to go with us. His back is making progress! Praise God!

18. Learned to be patient. I’m not saying I’m GREAT at it…but I’m learning and the rewards are so beautiful.

19. Supported Justin as he went through the Sheriff Academy. It was rough be we did it and it feels SO good to be done.

20. Visited Justin as least twice a month while we did the long-distance dating

21. I WON THE FARMING GAME! (Jan 17th) And yes Justin was playing. It was just the two of us. But I won. That’s what counts. He has won every single time after that. But that’s okay because I have my one win and that’s all I need

22. I was the photographer at Camp Reach For The Sky. It’s always my favorite week of the year. Seeing the kids come back every year, stronger, and their hair growing back is such a beautiful thing. Every one of those kids melt my heart. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CR4TS POST.

23. Printed a sample album to show clients

24. Started shooting maternity sessions

25. I was asked to be a Sleeping Beauty for a Make-A-Wish event. It was the purely amazing! The girls were just in love when we would play with them, sign autographs, and danced the night away with them. What a gift. Check out my post and pictures about it HERE.

26. I had set a goal to become a “full-time photographer” in the next 5 years. Well 6 months after setting all my goals for the year, I got my dream job! I was 4 1/2 years ahead of the game. I couldn’t be happier. I love my job, I love what I do, and I love to capture love. I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.

27. I also set a goal to get married in the next 5 years…well I’m ONLY 24 DAYS away from MY VERY OWN WEDDING! How amazing is that?!? I never would have thought I would have fallen in love so fast and be getting ready to settle down with my best friend. It was something I’ve ALWAYS wanted but I never knew when it would happen. I couldn’t be more excited and I can’t wait for my day to come. I can’t wait to start my life with Justin. He is everything I’ve ever wanted in a man. And he is ALMOST my husband. CLICK HERE to read the story of the engagement and count down to the wedding.

28. I’ve always dreamed of having my own office and studio in my house. Well, it all comes true in a week and a half. Next week I move into a GORGEOUS apartment and Justin will move in after the wedding. And I finally get an entire office to myself. Never again will I have to work out of my bedroom with my little desk. I’ll have clients come over to discuss weddings and sessions, place orders, or just have a cup of coffee. I already have some big ideas dreamed up of what I want it to look like. It’s going to be the raddest office around! I can’t wait!

29. How could I forget?!? I moved to San Jose in June to be closer to Justin. The 8 hour difference was pretty tough especially when I was taking ALL online classes and nannying two days a week, I had a lot of time on my hands, so I though about him a lot. He was in the academy and I wanted more than anything to be here and support him. So I’ve been living with his amazing and hilarious grandparents a mile and a half away. It’s been a good time here. I will miss their funny shenanigans when I get married.

Well, these are just some of the things I’ve done in the last year. I can’t thank God enough for where I’m at and all the blessings I have.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me move forward and be where I am now. And thank you to my family who is ALWAYS there for me through everything. And thank you Justin Cheney for loving me, and supporting me though everything, and for asking me to marry you. I can’t wait! 24 more days babe!

Be sure and check back because my goals for 2010 will soon be up!

And because every post needs a picture…this is my new favorite

So my FABULOUS wedding photographer Kelly Moore has designed a photographer’s bag that is unreal! I am so anxious to get my hands on one. But…with my wedding coming up, I really have to save my pennies…So I’m hoping to WIN one!

I entered Kelly’s New Year’s Goals contest so GO VOTE FOR ME! I’m #296. You can vote AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WANT!

Click HERE to go vote!

Just playing around with some new textures! yay or nay?

So I can’t seem to stay off my computer. I don’t have any sessions booked till after I get my from my honeymoon, and I’m all caught up on editing (not that I have all this free time now…I still have to finish the wedding plans..but it’s clear that I love editing because I can’t seem to take a break) So I had to edit some pictures that my lovely friend Julie took for our engagement session. I’m playing around with some new textures. I’m so in love with them. I can’t wait to use them on my next session.

This is my fiance Justin. I get to marry him in 32 days! I CANNOT wait! He is so amazing. Everything about him makes me smile.

My BEAUTIFUL ring

and this is my sweet horse Pepper. She’s my second love next to Justin. She’s like a dog in so many ways…and i LOVE it! She comes running when you call her name from across the mountain, her ears perk up, she nuzzles her face all over you, she waits by my car in the mornings before I leave for work waiting for me to come out of the house and give her a snack. And when I pull into my driveway she stands in front of my car so I can’t pull forward, then walks over to my window and sticks her head inside my car. It’s hilarious. She’s seriously the best horse ever!

Talk about a big group. They were so fun to work with and all the kids are just beautiful! I LOVE my job!

They drove all the way from Temecula to San Diego, and it was poring the whole time during their shoot. My hands were frozen and numb. My super sweet fiance held umbrellas over everyone while I shot. He’s so awesome!