google me.

this is my jam. i wanted to post it forever ago but there wasn't a video yet. so go ahead, google me baby.

*this post is dedicated to rachel and chloe, and sour patch kids...can't wait till march 2009, woop woop!*

<33annajoy

nicole + jonathan {atascadero, ca}

*sneak peek*


what a wonderful couple- these two had a perfect day full of family, friends, and fun. more pictures to come sooooon!

p.s. my favorite part of the weekend was on sunday when gracie was taking goofy pictures of me and accidentally punched me in the face with my fisheye lens... i've always wanted two black eyes anyway

p.p.s. me and my face punching camera wielding best friend



this one is my extra favorite:




p.p.s.s. coming soon, the unveiling of my new office manager. aren't you just dying in suspense??!

<33annajoy

summer time

calls for some classic jams. these songs are especially making my day right now...









don't laugh, you know you know all the words too ; )

<33annajoy

willing

"love is not blind- it sees more, not less. but because its sees more, it is willing to see less."

-rabbi julius gordon

p.s.
i was looking up briertone videos on youtube (because they are super good and you should go to their myspace and listen to may it be a sweet sound) and i found a video that ben from cana vp (one of my favorite videographers) made for his church last easter. yeah yeah i know it is very much not easter time right now, but the video is cool and has music from briertone and has ben's magic video touch. so as usual if you have time (which is why you are here at my blog in the first place) you should watch it :D



*vbs number 1 of the summer starts tonight, i'm so excited!!!!!!!!!! happppppppppppy monday everyone!

<33annajoy

neil + aileen {santa ynez, ca}

*sneak peek*




beautifully amazingly gorgeous and perfect wedding. there are so many favorite photos i want to share with you all, but patience is a virute, and you'll just have to wait ;)

p.s. aren't we just adorable?



p.p.s. i'm not sure if any of you have noticed, but i've had alot of sneak peeking posts lately and there never ends up being more peeking after that. and it is sad because my favorite shoots end up only getting a one photo display on this here blog because i am overwhelmed by how many photos to blog. so i have found a solution, and it is in the works. after much prayer and consideration, in the near future i will be bringing an office manager to the annajoyphoto team (yay!!). this will equal much more time and efficiency in all areas of ajp and much more blogging for your viewing enjoyment ;) hope everyone is having a fantastic summer, i am so excited for what is ahead.

p.p.s.s. in some more extremely exciting news.......................reality VENTURA is coming soon! i am so stinking antsy to see all the amazing things God is going to do through this new church branch. yahoooo!! also coming soon, reality san francisco and reality london! (reality carpinteria, stockton and LA have already been in service for a few years, so check one out if its nearby, you'll be suuuuper blessed!)

<33annajoy

success (?)

i'm not usually into cheesy poems about the meaning of life, or romance or basically cheesy poems about anything. and most often i don't like poems at all. ok scratch that, i flat out hate poems. BUT as I got to hang out with some family the last couple days, i read a poem on a magnet on my sister's refrigerator that i've read probably every time i've gone to her house as i blankly stare into the light looking for food. but this time i took closer notice. and hey i might be on the slow train and you all probably heard this poem thing in like 7th grade when you studied ralph waldo emerson but I LIKE THIS CHEESY POEM ABOUT SUCCESS so there.


to laugh often and love much:
to win respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
to earn the approbation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to give one's self;
to leave the world a little better,
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch,
or redeemed social condition;
to have played and laughed with enthusiasm
and sung with exultation;
to know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived...
this is to have succeeded.

-ralph

p.s. even though this wasn't written in bible times like most books i consider legitimate, i still think it is a honest and realistic approach to success. my views of success in life have drastically changed since the beginning of this year. now i have one goal, and it blankets all my smaller goals. this goal is what i bank on, and surrender my life's yearnings to. it is attainable and it keeps me striving while satisfying my needs all at once. to me success is intimacy with Jesus. i can reach my goal daily while still running after it for the rest of my life. and i think this here poem, this cheesy but beautiful glimpse of success, fits under the largeness of my aforementioned goal. so cheers to the mercies of God that are new every morning (lamentations 3:22-23), and how you can start over and rearrange your life goals any old time of year, even if its june 19th, and not january 1st.

* commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. [proverbs 16:3]
* intimacy: marked by a warm friendship developing through long association; belonging to one's deepest nature

p.p.s

loveovoelvoelvoelvoe jr and lolovelovelovelolove this song



p.p.s.s (yes thats allowed)



mccafe just totally messed up my delicious coffee drink order so they gave me a GIGANTIC ONE once they got it right. everyone who's anyone knows the way to my heart is through my stomach! way to make my night mcdonalds :D


<33annajoy

kathe + moshe

these two are so cool! we had a ton of fun shooting together, they have such a sweet connection with each other. moshe is from Israel so we talked about that a lot because of my fascination with the place. we met up after for dinner at this eclectic, funky (yes i said funky, and that is the one time in my life i'll ever say that word so enjoy it everyone) restaurant in downtown ventura called my florist. while we were there they gave me this present that melted my little heart. it was a jar full of sand from the dead see in Israel, from their recent trip there. i almost died- its so special to me, and sits right here on my desk, reminding me that i want to go there and see the holy land for myself someday! anyways- onto the pictures, hope you like :D
































































































<33annajoy

true

You have turned my mourning into dancing, my sorrow into joy {psalm 30:11}




Your blood speaks a better word, than all the empty claims i've heard upon this earth, speaks righteousness for me, stands in my defense, Jesus it's your blood

<33annajoy

sarah + david {san luis, ca}

*sneak peek*





ohhhhhhhh yeah.

<33annajoy

raise me up

forgot how much i like matisyahu until tonight... this song is sooo goooood. in other ajp news- big weekend starting tomorrow, sarah & david's wedding is going to be awesome, especially with the help of meagan and stephanie, woop woop! plusssssss two awesome shoots next week as well. think you all can keep up with me?? watch me go!!

much love!

<33annajoy

words of wisdom #302

"Life is a grindstone. But whether it grinds us down or polishes us up depends on what we are made of "

p.s.

44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."

- matthew 13:44-45

you are God's TREASURE. he gave everything he had so that he could have YOU; buying you out of captivity with his blood. don't ever forget that!

p.p.s.

i just heard this song on my new blog friend's blog and its really adorable and i love it.



<33annajoy

rest.

"our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee, O Lord"
- st. augustine

yesterday's message at church was about rest- resting in Jesus for eternal security, as well as practically walking in his rest day to day... in the huge things and the little things that come up. sounds simple, but it shook my heart in a profound way and changed my perspective. britt talked about how the israelites had hardened their hearts by saying no to God (in exodus) so many times before they got to the promise land that when they got there, at the pivotal moment where they needed to trust him to enter in to the land, they said no. they said it would have been better had they died in slavery in egypt! we are learning at church (through the word and by the Spirit) that we need to cultivate hearts that say YES to God, because he is the epitome of goodness. his plan for our lives is better than our own plans, because his wisdom is infinite, and we are finite. we read how the israelites (who's character is the same as ours today, were all human and stubborn) believed, but belief without trust does not produce faith. and this transcends to believers today; you can believe in Jesus, but do you trust him with your heart? with your life? with all that you are? i'm constantly reminded that God's past record of faithfulness is my future assurance. he's been faithful to his children since the beginning of time and he's not going to blow his reputation on me. so when things don't make sense, when i can't see what lay ahead, when trials and storms come, when everything screams 'how are you going to save yourself?! how are you going to get through this?!' i will follow mary's example (luke 10:28-41) and sit at the feet of Jesus, resting there, content on just hearing his voice, and trusting him. i know some of you reading this may not agree with my views, but i have seen heaping mounds of evidence in my life and in the lives of many others about how the character of God is just how he says it is in his word. he is reliable. he is faithful, he is patient, he is compassionate, ABOUNDING in grace and mercy. he is holy, he is JUST, he is righteous, and he loves ME (and you, lol!). and that is enough for me to rest in...... enough rest in fact to ease my weary heart for the rest of my days. in Jesus there is an unending storehouse of peace (philipians 4:7) for those who believe and trust in his name. "so as for me, i will trust in the LORD." (psalm 55:23)

<33annajoy