Kristine Atienza Photography's blog » l "Celebrating Moments of Love" l Orange County Children's Photography

On my 26th birthday, I hung this ceramic plaque over my computer desk.

And I thought to myself, I’d travel to places as long as my means allowed it… I’d do the things I’ve always wanted to do… And I’d continually find things on my bucket list that needed to be crossed off.

Because Ron’s school load placed a heavy demand on him, I did alot of this by myself. I made a couple of trips on my own, one of which, included a nursing delegation to China. It was during that trip where I learned that a village in Guilin was suffering from a water shortage and that the Chinese military was rationing out clean water for the community. From then on, I made a conscious effort to recycle and be more green when it came to resources, especially water. I began to read up on newspapers like the Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times because my dad always told me that I had to be aware of what went on around me. I followed up on important policies and bills. I refined, rebranded, and refocused the direction of my photography. I achieved a Master’s degree from a school that I never thought I’d be good enough to ever attend. And most importantly after the passing of my Lola Nene, I gave out *i love yous*, *hugs* and made visits more frequently to those around me.

As i laid in bed this morning thanking the Lord for blessing me with another year, I thought about what I could change to make my 27th year different. I didn’t have to think hard because I knew that come November, me and Ron’s lives would be forever changed once we welcomed our baby girl into the world. And for that, I thought I’d take my 27th year adventures a little bit slower, although I’m sure parenthood is an adventure in it’s own right. This year however, I’m going to stop readjusting the bar that I’m continually trying to climb, and I’m going to refocus my energy on being content with knowing that for now, everything is the way it’s supposed to be.

These next 2 images were taken a few days ago in Chicago… Enjoying the view from the 103rd floor Sky Deck of Willis Tower (formally known as Sears Tower).

Enough Already

If you always wish for more, you will never know the peace and satisfaction of having enough. Realizing that you already have enough is one of the most profoundly empowering thoughts you can think.

Fully enjoying the first piece of cake does not prevent you from having a second. Yet obsessing over whether or not you’ll get another piece will always prevent you from the position of power that comes with having enough.

It’s great to be ambitious and to create new value. Yet that is best done from the position of power that comes with having enough.

Being satisfied does not mean you must be complacent. Being satisfied enables you to draw strenght from your desires instead of letting them enslave you.

Discipline, integrity, commitment and effectiveness flow naturally from a strong sense of having enough. When you’re truly accepting of where you are, your eyes are fully open to the best possibilities.

Understand that you already have enough. And you’ll tap into the power of peaceful purpose.

– Ralph Marston

It’s here! It’s here!! And I feel like a kid on Christmas day! My website has finally been updated at www.kristineatienza.com! I was getting nervous to my stomach because I hated having my new logo up on my blog with the older logo on my website. But now I’m relieved that everything’s finally matching

I’ve been itching to re-brand since January now when I attended Chenin Boutwell & the wedding chicks’ StyleLab and Kimberly Wylie and Laura Novak’s workshop. Not only did I get the opportunity to meet some amazing photographers in the industry, but I also got to get their honest insight and input on how my images really spoke to them. And for that, I thank you all for the help in contributing to my new branding

I also wanted to thank the talented Marie of Daisies and Damask for utilizing the feedback (in my ah-ha! book!) from myself and others, and bringing the entire concept to life. She does beautiful work with branding that fits your budget! She knew I wanted a cleaner look that was softer, more subtle, but not without a hint of fun to compliment my images.

So why the dandelion? Well since the bulk of my work is with children, newborns, and maternity (oh and the newly added NICU sessions), it just seemed befitting for that population. Dandelions represent a multitude of things… wishes, happiness, innocence, etc. And with that an array of images come to mind… wishing for a baby, playing in the summer sun, feeling the softness of a infant’s skin or the tenderness of a child’s embrace.  I then had Marie throw in a single pink heart to represent the obvious: love. Cause just like that one Beatles song preaches, all you need is love.

I originally was also going to change to Kristine Cruz Photography (my maiden name) for business purpose and simplicity reasons. And some of you may remember me polling you about it. But after contemplating long and hard about it, I recognized that my husband had alot to do my business. Not only is Ron the manager per say (lol), but he really encouraged (and continues to encourage!) me to bring this business into reality.  I know he has my back, and that he truly is, my biggest fan. And he’s always excited to see my next blog post (because I know I can be bad about posting =X) and give me feedback. So I left the Atienza for him, even if I have to spell it out and pronounce it to clients all the time.

So check out my new website and let me know what you think. It’s definitely alot cleaner and simpler than my previous, and I couldn’t be more happier about that! And of course, if you know anybody in need of a maternity, newborn, childrens, or NICU session…. please send them my way and let me know you sent them

Last week brought on many things to celebrate! First off, as you may have noticed, my photography business is undergoing brand re-development and I couldn’t be more excited for a fresh new look that totally compliments my style! Originally, I had planned to launch both blog and website at the same time, but since my blog can’t really take a break to be placed *under construction*, i thought I’d go ahead and launch my blog first!

Secondly, I’ve finally reached 20 weeks gestation which means, I’m half done with pregnancy!!! My second trimester has definitely been more pleasant than my first. For one, I’m no longer feeling, or looking green, and I’m always on a constant high… to the point where i feel like singing and dancing all day long like nobody’s business. On that note, I’ve also been extreeeeeemely exhausted. So I’ve been having to nap more frequently than usual. I’m also starting to finally feel my little bambina kick, which has been both amazing and weird at the same time! As for cravings (because that’s been a frequently asked question), I’d have to say, Chocolate please!!!

To capture this moment in my life, I had my husband Ron snap a few photos of me over the weekend. To be honest, I was actually embarrassed and shy about being on the other side of the camera. But when I looked back on all of this year’s pictures that had me in it, I realized there really weren’t that many due to the fact that I’m always on the other side of the camera. As for Ron, he was extremely nervous because well, let’s face it, photography is definitely not his thing. Being in the field of anesthesia, he thinks more with the left side of his brain… constantly analyzing the logical and sequential aspects behind every bit and piece of information. Yep, he literally holds people’s lives in his hands every day on the operating table, yet he stresses out when it comes to using my dslr! hehe! This past Saturday, I challenged him to utilize the right side of his brain for 20 minutes.  Here’s what he produced (with a little bit of metering direction from me of course!) …. Should I be worried?! lol!

I know I have a small bump, and I’ve managed to avoid maternity pants so far…  but she’s in there somewhere… and actually, based on our last ultrasound, her weight put her at a few days ahead of schedule!
Here’s my handsome hubby,I was using him to meter and input my settings in this photo. Funny thing is, he suddenly mustered the confidence to consider a Ron Atienza Photography! lol!

Happy Monday!!!

Just an update on the pregnancy journey…

As I drove home from work this past Monday afternoon, my mind did what did best…. it dazed off into thought. I had a big ultrasound later that evening and it had been nearly 10 weeks since I had last seen what my little bambino looked like. It was also an important day because we’d be able to find out whether our bambino was a girl or boy. As I imagined how different life would be during Thanksgiving and Christmas time, Train’s Soul Sister song came on the radio and interrupted my thoughts. And with that …  my intuition of having a boy changed. Oh yes, I am a firm believer of signs…

My thoughts then shifted to my brother, when him and his friend Archie gave a friendly table toast to “big sisters” at a friend’s wedding this past May. I guess it won’t be so bad having a girl first.

This ultrasound was actually a nerve racking experience. I wish they would’ve prepared me for how long it was going to take. Nearly 45 minutes!! And the whole time Ron waited outside while the tech did her thing. I tried to focus on the Disney stickers on the ceiling above… but the cheerful smiles of Tinker Bell and Mickey Mouse were not helping one bit. Why was it taking so long?? I started to think the worst, so I closed my eyes to say a prayer… and instantly I saw my Lola Nene… sitting across a wooden table with a black and white top, and her famous red lipstick. She didn’t say anything, all she did was smile, and that was comforting enough.

Shortly thereafter, the tech said she was finished and called Ron in. She said everything was “okay” and that the baby “looked normal” but working in the medical field, I knew better… The final report would come from the radiologist, who would then report off to my midwife. It didn’t matter though, because her words and ultrasound pictures at the moment were reassurance enough. Oh and she did confirm (but gave a 20% disclaimer) that our bambino was actually a bambina!!

The very next day, my midwife called me to give me a detailed, final report. Everything was in fact, okay with the baby, but I did have a low-lying placenta that was just about knocking on the door of my cervix.  They would be monitoring for this in the upcoming weeks (usually as the uterus gets bigger, the placenta migrates upward away from the cervix). So for now, I was given particular instructions on what to monitor for, but most importantly, I was told to “take it easy“, which meant, stop dancing in my living room!

Happy Wednesday!

Everyone has their own cute little names for their little developing fetus, “peanut,” “gummy bear,” “monkey,” etc! Being that Ron and I are domesticated as well, we decided to dub ours, “bambino,” which was actually given to us by my Tito (uncle) Ed, although I’m sure he doesn’t remember .

It’s been, what seems like, a loooong 13 weeks, and I’ve been been experiencing my right of passage into the baby factory gig. I’m still waiting for that day when I feel like a new woman again, but for now, Zofran PRN (as needed) is holding me down, err well holding my stomach contents down atleast

The hardest juggle however, has been the grad-school aspect of it all. Photography alone has been on the back burner, but not to worry because in two weeks, it will be nothing but pomp-and-circumstance blaring in this home of ours. Ironically, just like my fellow photogs have expressed that “wedding season” has begun, so too has “baby season.” So be on the look out for upcoming maternity sessions and newborns to grace this blog
For now,  I leave you with this. Loved ones have been bugging me to post some pictures, so here they are.

Our “Bambino” at 8 weeks and 3 days

My mom said my uterine cavity is shaped like a heart! <3 ha!

12 weeks and 2 days – Taken by Ron’s iPhone in Oahu, Hawaii

Baby Bump? Or a whole lotta banana macadamia nut pancakes?