A Look Back on 2014 | What’s in Store for 2015?

2014, 52 week photo challenge, Happy New Year, Lori Sandoval Photography, new beginnings

Y’all… I cannot grasp the concept that 2014 has come to an end. I also cannot deal with the fact that that means my 52 week project has also come to an end. I really had no idea what I was getting myself into when I first started this. There were nights where I was up for hours editing a photo and there were days where I scrambled around last minute trying to figure out what I was going to post. In the beginning, it was just a project I wanted to do so that I wouldn’t stop taking pictures. As it got closer to the end, I started to realize how many people actually cared about what I would post and ramble about. So many of my friends told me that they looked forward to each Friday to see what I had come up with or that they were proud of me for keeping up with it. Those kind words from everyone really filled my heart and made me feel so happy. As this year comes to a close, I just wanted to thank everyone who had kind words to say about my photos and everyone who helped make them possible. I do plan on continuing some sort of project to keep up my blog but as of right now, I’m not sure what that is. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what 2015 has in store for me! Thank you all so much again & I hope you have a happy New year!


Week 52; Happy Birthday Steven!

52 week photo challenge, 52 week photo project

Well guys, it’s here. The day has finally come, it’s my last blogpost for my 52 week photo project. It’s such a weird feeling thinking about how this time last year, I was merely thinking about attempting a project, and before I knew it, the ball was rolling. Then, I blinked again, and it’s over. BUT! Let’s not make this a sad post. It’s actually a happy post for celebrating! Today’s my brother’s birthday! I told him I wanted to do a portrait of him for this week but he’s not one to like being photographed. I had to think outside the box with him haha. Right now, he has a crazy beard growing and says he isn’t going to cut it until May. My mom and grandma aren’t too happy about that (lol) but it’s funny to me. So, I decided to do something creative involving his beard, like turning it into a Christmas tree! I hung the lights over his ears and bobby pinned them to stay. Then, we hung ornaments from the string of lights and I added some fake snow flakes for that more Christmasy effect. It’s a little difficult to see the snow but that’s okay, I know it’s there 🙂 haha. Anyway, I just wanted to do something fun and different, per usual, and I’m super happy my brother was willing to help. If you know him, be sure to tell him happy birthday! 🙂 Thanks for checking out my blog & let me know what you think!

Week 51; Santa Clause is Coming to Town!

52 week photo challenge, 52 week photo project

CHRISTMAS IS 6 DAYS AWAY! I REPEAT 6 DAYS! I hope everyone is ready for Santa because he’s gonna be here real soon. Also, be sure to leave him his cookies & milk. And of course a carrot for the reindeer because you can’t forget them! But really, in case you haven’t noticed how close Christmas is, consider this your warning. Get your shopping done before.. nah, actually it’s already pretty late (YA PROCRASTINATORS!) 🙂 Merry Christmas, y’all!

Week 50; Happy Birthday, Aiden!

52 week photo challenge, 52 week photo project

Hey guys, only two more posts until this whole thing is over! How do y’all feel about that? Let’s focus on this week first though. Today is my nephew’s birthday! He’s 9 now but still a cute little nugget. I wanted to feature him because it’s been all year and he hasn’t made his debut haha. I figured his birthday was a great time to do it. I said in my last post that I wanted to try and keep these next few sort of Christmas related because tis the season right? I didn’t want it too birthday themed or to be just a classic portrait. I always like to put a little spin on things so I decided to throw in some blue string lights to illuminate him. It took a few tries to get it right and this image was as close to perfect as I could get. It was almost exactly what I imagined when I started planning for this week. So, I hope you enjoy and prepare yourselves for these next few weeks!

Annual Cheesy Christmas Photos

Christmas, Christmas portraits, Lori Sandoval Photography, portrait photography, self portraits

Happy Sunday, y’all! Today, I wanted to share with you me & Lyle’s annual Christmas photos. What started as a random photoshoot playing with Christmas lights has turned into doing this every year. It’s hard to think of new ideas or even fall through with them. We attempted playing with fake snow last year and for some reason, it just didn’t work out. I decided to revisit that idea this year and it was honestly still difficult to do. Especially since it was just us two by ourselves doing these (mostly me haha). We picked a spot in Landa Park in New Braunfels that seemed “wintery” and just went to town with the fake snow I picked up at Hobby Lobby. We really just ended up making a mess with these flakes everywhere but we still had so much fun so I hope you enjoy! And it’s not too late to book a shoot with me for your Christmas photos! Let me know if you’re interested: lorisandovalphotos@gmail.com 🙂

Week 49; The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

52 week photo challenge, 52 week photo project

Hey guys! For this week’s photo, I had something planned but before I knew it, I had lost track of time. I have a few conceptual photos planned out for next year though so it’s okay. But that’s another story! So anyway, after that happened I was lost at what to do. Luckily, my best friend Maria was kind enough to help me brainstorm. She came up with the idea of doing something Christmas themed. From there, I decided that the next three out of four photos will be Christmas themed. I mean, it only makes sense right!? Anyway, enjoy and get excited for Christmas! I already know at least half of you have been ready and listening to Christmas music since November 1st, don’t lie. 🙂

Enchanted Rock x Lost Maples

adventure, adventures, Enchanted Rock, explore Texas, Lori Sandoval Photography, Lost Maples, Texas, Texas Hill Country, travel

If you haven’t been able to tell by now, I love adventures and exploring. After coming home from Big Bend in May, I immediately wanted to go somewhere new again. So, I started thinking about trips for the rest of the year. You can’t forget that we’re in Texas and it’s upwards of 100 degrees until September, so my trips had to wait until the fall. I decided to combine the two trips because they were just quick day trips. I hope you enjoy reading about my adventures with Lyle, as well as the photos & video! 🙂

ENCHANTED ROCK
The second the weather was tolerable, we headed out to Enchanted Rock. We drove through Fredericksburg to find Oktoberfest was in full swing. There were so many people walking the streets and so much traffic to get through such a small town. But, we finally made it through and went on to Enchanted Rock. I had heard it was a moderate hike to the top but wasn’t sure exactly what to expect. When we got there, it definitely looks like it would be a piece of cake climb. I’m not saying it was the worst hike, but it was definitely a workout. The climb was so worth it though because the view was absolutely amazing. You could see the Texas Hill Country for miles. We went through the caves and then just sat for a good while and took in all the view around us. It was definitely a peaceful and humbling experience. When we finally trekked back down to the bottom, we rewarded ourselves with a delicious raspa from a food truck. I was happy to have finally checked this place off my bucket list for a visit, but I definitely plan on going back for other photo ops I missed.

LOST MAPLES
We experienced a drastic change in weather during our trip to Lost Maples. Granted, it was over a month later but still, this is Texas. I know I wasn’t expecting cold weather but what could ya do about it. We woke up, grabbed some breakfast tacos & headed out to Vanderpool. The entire drive was absolutely beautiful; nothing but open fields, trees, rolling hills, and can’t forget all the deer and cows! We finally arrived and started out on the trail. While it was still a beautiful day, most of the trails and hiking was spent under all the trees so it was still pretty cold. Once we got out in the sun it felt much better. We hiked up to the top and found yet another spectacular view. We spent a while taking it all in and began the descent back down. We raced the setting sun heading back down and the hike down was a little intimidating. I would definitely go back again and I hope to soon!

 

//player.vimeo.com/video/112677495

Week 48; Happy Thanksgiving!

52 week photo challenge, 52 week photo project

Hello again! So, I really feel weird posting on Friday about an event that happened during the week. It feels like I’m late to the game or something. I mean, Thanksgiving was only yesterday so it’s not so bad. It’s one of my favorite holidays because love all the food (don’t lie, you get excited about the food too) and being with family. There’s always so much happening in everyday life and it’s nice to kinda slow down and think about the things you’re thankful for. You can do this any and every day of course! It’s just, when there’s a holiday specifically for it, how could you NOT think about these things. Now, I could probably make a list of a hundred things that I’m thankful for, but I don’t want to bore you and have you read it all. Instead, I’ll sum it up and say that I’m thankful for my family, all my friends, Lyle, my pups, my health, and the life I have been given. Here are a few snapshots I got of my favorite memories of Thanksgiving Day. I hope you enjoy! 🙂


Week 47; A Little Lost Maples

52 week photo challenge, 52 week photo project

Hey guys! I really cannot get over how close to the end of the year we are! I only have 5 more posts until it’s done. It’s such a weird feeling haha. Anyway, let’s focus on this week! Monday, I went to Lost Maples in Vanderpool, Texas with Lyle. It was quite a drive but so, so pretty! I am absolutely in love with the Texas Hill Country. I’m constantly wanting to be out there wandering and exploring. Actually, I’m wanting to explore everywhere. Texas is just a start ;). So, my photo for the week is the collection of instant photos I took while walking the trails (also included close ups of each). I wish I had taken more and had actually planned to take more but I was too enamored with the beauty that surrounded me. I do have an entire blog post of photos & a video coming up from our combined trips to Lost Maples and Enchanted Rock last month so be on the lookout for that soon! I hope you enjoy! 🙂

Week 46; Quadruple Morgyns

52 week photo challenge, 52 week photo project

Yep. You read that title right. As much as I love my baby monkey, I don’t think any of us could handle four of her! But, I thought it would be interesting to see what four of her would look like. I read about this little trick online one day (forgot which website, oops!) and thought I would try it out. It took a few tries to get it just right but we finally got a winner! She’s so fun when she’s willing to help and doesn’t get tired of me telling her “Wait Morgy, one more picture!” Anyway, this photo was taken on my iPhone 5 using only the panoramic feature! It was not photoshopped! As always, let me know what you think. Just a heads up, there are only 6 WEEKS left in the year for my project! SIX?! I can not believe it. Anyway, I have the last six planned out and hopefully they go as planned. But until next time, enjoy!