ES-Sense Photography – Wedding Photographer – Ako'y Iglesia Ni Cristo! Based in Southern California, City of Long Beach » Thoughts of a Wedding Photographer

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My name is Joan Solitario and I'm a photographer :)

I did not find photography and photography did not find me. Instead, I believe it was a gift from God. He gave me the opportunity to learn photography so that I can help people capture their memories. Most of all, I can use this gift for His glory.

Photography has given me the opportunity to meet and get to know so many wonderful people! It has also given me the opportunity to photograph events that has helped in strengthening my faith. These events have also given me inspiration and memories that will truly last a lifetime! Hopefully, I can inspire someone by sharing these memories through my posts.

I believe that everything that has happened in my life; everything that I have experienced; and every single person that I have met in my life were all part of God's plan for me. So, unto Him, I return all praise, honor, and glory.

Ako'y Iglesia Ni Cristo! (I am a member of the Church of Christ!)

Sierra Madre, CA Wedding : Jonathan & Johanna (Sneak Peak)

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Being away for five weeks is no excuse for not getting back into the reality of life and our busy schedule! When we arrived two weeks ago, Ryan and I forced ourselves to sleep at 12AM and to wake up by 7AM because we had to go back to work the next day. It’s harder than it sounds because we actually kept waking up in the middle of the night because of jet lag. So we kept forcing ourselves to get back to sleep until it was actually time to get ready for work.

Two weeks have passed and I think we are getting back into the motion of things… However, I find myself sleeping really early and waking up really early. I’m not complaining. I actually like this schedule a lot better and I hope I can keep it up for good. Time can only tell…

This past Saturday we had a wedding to cover. What better way of getting back to the routine then having a wedding to do a week after returning? I’m still working on the photos, but I thought I could post up at least one photo from Saturday’s wedding of Jonathan and Johanna! They are one of the sweetest couples we have been fortunate to work with and their family and friends were all so wonderful as well!! More to come. I promise!

1 comment

Alicia Candelora - Adorable! Can’t wait to see the rest!

Personal : Like A Dream

Friday, August 27, 2010

It’s funny how one minute I’m in one place and then the next minute, I’m in another…

I can’t believe it’s already been a week since we’ve returned to the US. Everything that happened within the past 5 weeks just seems like a dream… A dream that I wish I didn’t have to wake up from… It has been one of the most inspirational things that I was able to experience in my lifetime and to God I’m forever grateful!

Happy Friday and I hope everyone has a great weekend! Here are some photos taken last Saturday at the Manila Bay in the Philippines.

My cousin Gerard. :D

I saw a rainbow!! :D

Manila Bay :D

Posted In iglesia ni cristo | inspirational | personal | thank you

4 comments

Joan - frank you’re too nice :D

frank - awesome pics! my walls are bare. can i buy prints from you?

Janice - We haven’t even had the time to sit and talk about your trip… So busy you guys are.
Nice pictures!

Tasha - yeah, I still have to hear your stories! one day soon!!!

Personal : Buying Perfume at the Duty Free Store

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Here’s a picture of the perfume I got at the Duty Free Store (DFS) when we left for our trip last month! It is the very first time I’ve ever bought anything from the DFS, so it’s worth blogging about. :) It was an interesting experience because after I had paid for the item, the cashier told me that I could pick it up at the gate. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t just get it from them right then and there.. but when I picked it up at the gate, it was sealed in this plastic container bag that says do not open bag until I got to my destination or it would be confiscated.. :P I guess it was for security reasons.

So yes, that was an interesting experience and the no taxes part makes me want to go on another trip just so I can get some other things at the DFS!

Posted In personal | photography

no comments

Poem : We Are Brothers and Sisters

Sunday, August 15, 2010

I just want to say again and again and again, THANK YOU to all my brothers and sisters who have been so kind to us during our short visits to your local congregations po. You have all been so kind and no words can express how much appreciation we have for all of you. You are all so wonderful po and you all have been an instrument of inspiration to us all. We really hope we can see you all again one day… for now, please keep in touch! Here is my email address :D joan.solitario@es-sense.com.

Here is a poem I’ve been thinking about during our travels and meeting our fellow brethren. I love the brotherhood in the INC! With God’s help I’ve been able to complete it before we leave Dubai tomorrow heading to the Philippines for 5 days. :D. I hope you enjoy it po!

We Are Brothers and Sisters

Though we may be far apart from one another
Separated by miles and miles of land and distant waters
With God’s love we are united as one
Being members of the church of God’s beloved Son.

We are the chosen ones, my sisters and my brothers.
We are the witnesses of God’s glory and His power.
And so it is our faith we must always defend
For this is our true wealth from now, until the end.

Always remember we are never on our own.
We have a Savior who will take us to our heavenly home.
And if in this world, we no longer see one another,
We have faith that in heaven we will again, be together.

We are brothers and sisters
Under the grace of our Father’s hand
Though we may speak in different languages
Though we may live in different lands
The Church of Christ continues to spread
From kingdom to kingdom and from nation to nation.
Together we will attain God’s promise,
Of the everlasting life,
On the day of our salvation.

Dubai, UAE
8/16/10 8:36PM
by: jesolitario

Here’s a picture of me and Ryan. Behind us is the TALLEST BUILDING IN THE WORLD (TO DATE) known as the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE! :D

Yup! That is pretty awesome!!

Posted In iglesia ni cristo | my poems | personal | thank you

2 comments

ate inky - yay!!
and oh, i love he poem!
thanks for the wonderful time cousins!
:)

ate inky - yay!!
..and love the poem too :)

Personal : Thankful

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

All I can say, think, and type right now is, “THANK YOU GOD!” I thank Him for giving us the opportunity to meet our fellow brothers and sisters in the faith in this part of the world. We never imagined we would ever have the opportunity to visit historical places like the ones we’ve been to, but again this is just proof that our prayers are answered in God’s time.

I am really enjoying meeting brethren all over the world (which was one of the prayers I had when I was just a teenager)… and although the internet was a way of making that happen, being able to see some of them in person is just an extra blessing altogether! I am going to do my very best to remember the names of those I’ve met and will meet in the days to come! You are all such an inspiration to me!

To all my brothers and sisters who have been so kind and helpful during our stay in their locale, Thank You! Danke schön! Tusen takk! Grazie! Muchas Gracias! Maraming Salamat Po! I am so happy to know you po and I know we will see one another again.. if not on earth.. definitely in our true home :) For those who I will soon meet, I will make the most of our time getting to know you po! And as I look out the window from our room, I just want to say again, I am so very thankful :D

Posted In iglesia ni cristo | inspirational | personal | photographers | photography

3 comments

Ate Inky - I feel so lucky and blessed too being one of your cousins.
You take care always, enjoy and May Our Dear Lord bless you more and more and more… ?

Nana - Awesome!
Where are you guys jetting off to next? =)

Janice - Wow! I can’t wait to hear the stories!

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