But one just stuck out at me.

So with much happiness and love, I’d love to announce the winner of the “Love never fails…” photo contest.

Bryan Hamilton!

And this is his entry:

I guess the best place to start anything is from the beginning, so that’s where I’ll start our story. Angie and I were introduced by a mutual friend. Our friend had been trying to introduce us for a while but never actually told us she wanted us to meet. We ended up meeting at a birthday party and I knew immediately I had my work cut out for me if I wanted any attention from her. You see, in my eyes Angie is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I still remember not being able to stop staring at her smile that night. I explained to our friend that I had to see Angie again and I needed her to set it up because I was too busy staring at her to really talk to her that night. Not long after that the three of us met for happy hour and after a short time there, our friend suddenly had to get home to her child which left just Angie and I to talk and for me to finally get her number. After a couple dates Angie and I became almost inseparable (maybe she wanted to have a little more time alone but I was loving every minute of her company J ).

To list everything I love about Angie is simple, everything. It really does seem like I fall in love with her more and more every day. She takes the time out for the little things that show me how much she cares and make me love her more. She can have had a rough day but she always takes the time to kiss me after coming home from work and makes sure to tell me “I love you” before she drifts off to sleep every night.

All relationships that last seem to have a few things in common. The first thing is consideration. Both people have to be considerate of the other. Angie is an amazing example of this. It seems as though everything Angie does has me in mind. The second thing a relationship needs is surprises. It’s the little things that mean the most. Surprises don’t need to be gifts or anything big but they just go to show your better half you’re thinking of them. It can be a simple text saying “thinking of you” or “love ya”. It could be one of my favorite things to do, flowers for no reason. It could even be as easy as just telling your spouse you appreciate them. The third thing a relationship needs to last is time. To take time to appreciate your spouse and let them know what they mean to you. Take the time out from a busy day to go for a walk together just to hold hands and talk. Take the time to make your spouse smile. Take the time to make things easier for your spouse. The last thing is the easiest, love. If you do all the other little things for your relationship love will be the easiest thing you do all day.

To tell you what I would like from a photo session is easy. I want a chance to show my wife how much she means to me and to have proof when I tell her how beautiful I think she is! Angie and I are about to start a new journey in our lives together as we are expecting and due in July. When Angie and I got engaged I asked her by creating a slide show of photos we had taken throughout the time we had been dating. I put them to music and the last slide said “you make me laugh louder and smile bigger” and asked her to marry me. I would love these photos to start our new journey and show this new baby how much we love it from even before he or she is born.

Thank you for taking the time to create this contest and if we don’t win, at least I got another opportunity to realize how much I love my wife!

Sincerely,

Bryan Hamilton

Congratulations Bryan and Angie!  I can’t wait to plan out our photo session together!

For the other 16 that entered the contest, don’t you fret.  I have a gift for you too!  Be expecting it in your email by the end of this week.

Much love to you all!

P.S. I just found out that Bryan and Angie know if they’re having a little boy or little girl at their 20 week ultrasound today.  How exciting is that!!?!

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, I would love to show my appreciation to my clients and my growing fan base on Facebook by giving away a complimentary couples photo session to one lucky couple in love.

How does this work? It’s actually pretty simple…

First, you have to like my Facebook page. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably done that already. If not, what are you waiting for?!?!

Second, you’ll need to send me an e-mail or Facebook message telling me a little about yourselves. How you met, what you love about each other, what you think makes a relationship last… I would also love to know what you’d like from your photo session.  A theme?  Something you saw on pinterest that speaks to you?  It’s that easy!

Third, include a cute photo!

This contest is open to all couples, married or not, engaged or not, young and old, new client or previous client.  If you’re a couple in love with an interesting story or photo session idea, you have a chance at winning.

Entries must be received by 11:59pm PST (midnight) on Tuesday, February 14th.The winner will receive a custom themed photo session with maricar lianne photography to be held at the location of your choice and a disc of 20 mid-resolution images (a value of $325).

The lucky couple will be announced on my Facebook page and on my blog at 12:00pm PST (noon) on Wednesday, February 15th and the photo session will take place on a weekday late afternoon, early evening in the Spring.

Show me your love!!

These two lovebirds met at a popular Halloween party. The Sportsman’s Pub & Grub annual Hooker’s Ball in Pacific City, OR. I know. I giggled when I heard this too. Even cuter is that Miss Rachel dressed up as Swiss Miss. No wonder Mr. Simon was smitten!

What does Simon love about Rachel? “I like Rachel’s sexy self, the way Rachel smiles when she see me, and the way she takes care of me.” I’m in love with Rachel’s smile myself. I loved every picture she was smiling or laughing in!

These two are country. And I think it’s awesomesauce. They rock the cowboy boots and Simon is a champion in lineman rodeo where speed & agility are a must!

These two young’uns are Simon’s little guys and will be the best men in the wedding. They helped me get the happy couple to smile and even gathered little bouquets for Rachel!

The horses on the ranch were amazing. Although they did look at me a few times and wondered what in the world I was doing there and why in the world didn’t I have any snacks with me.

I really enjoyed touring the horse ranch and was even more impressed that Rachel and Simon were willing to sit on the ground right next to horse outings to get beautiful images like these.

The weather was absolutely amazing and Mr. Sun was so cooperative.

As we were walking the umpteen acres of ranch, we happened upon this broken down cute truck that belonged to the family. Pretty rad huh?

What does Rachel love about Simon? “There is no way I can pick just one thing that I love about Simon because I really love everything. He loves me and his family so much. He is a hard worker, smart, outgoing, and hot as hell. He is my best friend and we have so much fun together.”

I just had to include the cute bouquets of flowers from the boys in the session. Adorable!

Right next to the ranch was Simon’s uncle’s property. Pretty landscaping and an adorable mural.

There was also a pretty pond but I hardly noticed it because the two lovebirds overshadowed it.

Seriously, how cute are they?!?!!

Thank you again Rachel and Simon! I hope you love your blog entry as much as I loved photographing you both! I can’t wait to see you guys again! And before I head off, here’s that blog challenge I talked about. If you can get 25 friends/family to comment on this entry, I will gift you an 11×14 mounted print for your new home! And wait there’s more! If you can get 50 to comment, I will upgrade that gift to a custom guest book featuring photos from your engagement session for your wedding day! Have fun! xoxox

It feels like springtime in winter
It feels like Christmas in June
It feels like heaven has opened up
its gates for me and you

And every time I close my eyes
I thank the Lord that I’ve got you
And you’ve got me too

And every time I think of it
I pinch myself ’cause I don’t believe it’s true
That someone like you loves me too

I think that you’re truly something
Yes, you are, and you’re every bit of a dream come true
With you baby, it never rains and it’s no wonder
The sun always shines when I’m near you
It’s just a blessing that I have found somebody like you

Happy Anniversary to my Jerry.  In the words of our 3 year old, Jenna, “I love you more than yesterday.  I love you more than chocolate chip pancakes.”

Thank you to most lovely, amazing and good gracious gorgeous Jenny O’Donnell for taking these wonderful photos of me and my love.  For those couples that haven’t had their photos done in FOREVER, what are you waiting for?  Take those photos now.  Those moments are fleeting.  Don’t wait until you lose a few more pounds, until you have enough money, until the weather gets better.  Document your LOVE now.

Now, here’s a sprinkling of sugar from my sessions there.  First up is Ayami, a senior from Waimea High School.  Such a cute smile and giggly spirit.

Another Waimea High School, Arlene.  A sweet quiet little thing but so friendly!

Next up, yup yup, another senior from Waimea High School, Chaslene!  This little lady was funny and hyper.  We couldn’t stop laughing the whole session!

Dayton was the first gentleman senior from Waimea High School I took photos of, he was super shy but eventually became much more relaxed when we walked onto the pier he often goes fishing at.

And one last one for this post.  This time it’s a sweet couple.  Maile & Terrence.  I took Terrence’s high school senior photos last year.  This year, it was Maile’s turn to do hers!  And we did have a little bit of a sweetheart session this time as well.  They shared with me Maile’s new promise ring.  Oh to be young and in love again!

Part two and three of the kauai sessions are coming up soon!

I also took pictures of his best girl.  Oh what a sweetheart she is!  I hope my daughters grow up to be a teen just like her.  She is SO sweet. She was a baby born through adversity. Her mom had lupus when she was born and she only weighed 3lbs at birth. Adorable inside and out.

And here’s a cute shot of the two of them together.  Oh to be young and in love again!

Thank you Terence and Maile!  I was a pleasure to meet you both.  And Estra, you raised an awesome girl!   And here a special treat for you two, have 15 people comment on your personal post here and you’ll receive a free 8×10!  Aloha!

They had an awesome wedding photographer so I made sure I didn’t step on too many toes to grab a few pictures.

The beautiful, yummy cake!

The gorgeous couple!

Ring the bell so the bride & groom could smooch!!

My two munchkins were flower girls and they loved dancing on the spiffy dance floor.  Hehe.

The cake was cute and delicious at the same time.

There was a special performance by family members!  So fun!

The party favors were handmade and so adorable.  Little stitched picture frames!  And that’s the picture I took of the happy couple too. 

The excited soon to be husband and wife!  Just a couple more weeks guys!

Thanks so much Neena & Clinton!  It was so much fun!  I can’t wait until your big wedding day!

Here are a few pictures from the session:

They are SO tall and graceful. It was really hard to get eye to eye pictures of them but I tried my best.

Aren’t they sweet!!??!

Having an adorable conversation.

Thank you Jaime and Ben for allowing me to take gorgeous pictures of you guys! It was a blast!

Here’s one of them by the water. Look at the sparkling water and smiles!

A sweet one of them sneaking a kiss with a focus on the engagement ring.

And lastly, the dip and kiss shot.