Our new blog!!!!

Yay!! Our new blog is up and running! We are still working hard on completing our branding... with our website, promo video, and paper materials, but our blog has moved over to www.thefrenzelsblog.com. This blog has served us well as a transition from Sarah Frenzel Photography to Frenzel Photographers, but now we are ready to unveil a bit of Frenzel Photographers official "look", so head on over to the new blog for your first peek! Please subscribe to our feed at our new address, and leave a comment or 2 and let us know what you think of the new look!

6 years with Mrs. Frenzel

I used to have a lot of knick-knacks when Sarah and I first started dating. Maybe it was because I was a poor college student who lived out on my own. Maybe it was left over habits from my childhood, where I collected cars, action figures, baseball cards, etc. Maybe it was because no one ever said “what is this crap; you need to throw it away!”... until I met her. Over the past several years, there have been several “purgings”, where I think I eventually came to recognize the fine balance between sentimentality and hoarding. And now I’m usually the one saying, “Throw this junk away! I don’t want to have to move it again.”

But there are two things that I have hung onto that I might just run back into a fiery house to retrieve- that is, after the wife, kids, hard drives, and my guitar are safe: A little picture frame that Sarah gave me for Valentines Day in 2002 and another picture frame with Beatles lyrics in it that she gave me for my birthday the same year.

Over the years, this guy has been through a lot:

It’s been crunched by a hairdryer a few time, dropped by the kids, and waterlogged from being on our sink counter in the bathroom. The picture was taken from a trip to Mammoth when Sarah and I first started dating- one of our first fond memories. When she gave it to me for Valentine’s Day, for some inexplicable reason, I immediately bonded with it. I think in subtle ways, it has come to represent so much about us. Over the years it has been broken a few times, like us. But I will keep gluing it back together even if its just dust and pebbles. The words “be mine” are so simple and cute- a quality of Sarah’s that I love and find invaluable to our relationship. The picture she put in it represents exactly how I feel about her; I love to nuzzle my wife and know that we are only each other’s. The frame is humble; it’s not showy, yet it always catches my eye- much like Sarah’s gentle and quiet spirit. And lastly, her expression is how I hope to make her feel for the rest of her life.

And then there’s this frame:

At the time, Sarah had an appreciation for The Beatles, but wasn’t really a “fan” per se. Yet she found a song that I have always loved and personalized it. I know what you’re saying, it’s kind of sappy. But at the time, we had only been dating for a few months, and it showed me that she took an interest in my interests. It made me feel paid attention to- I guess, special. She didn’t just get me a cool shirt, she took something that already had meaning to me and gave it more meaning. That’s who she is. That’s the woman I fell and still fall in love with- devoted, caring, sentimental, and thoughtful. Again, it has a simple message: “you are easy to love”- well, I am not easy to love. I am overly sensitive and can be pretty complicated- especially to a person who craves simplicity. And yet somehow, she still puts up with me... So there you have it- two simple gifts that remind me every day of why I married the woman I not only wanted, but more importantly, needed.

Sarah, it was March 4th, 2002 when we sat on those awesome white couches at your parents’ house, and with a pounding heart on the verge of exploding, I first uttered the words “I Love You” to the woman who would become my last girlfriend and future wife. And today, on our 6th wedding anniversary, I am a better man because of you. My heart is full. I love you, my wife.

6 and counting...

Derek,

Even though 6 years isn't that long; I think that the amount of hills and valleys we have walked together in that time could make up about 15 years! But despite AND because of so many things we have been through, you have become, and have remained so many amazing things to me.

You...

-are my bestest friend.

-are the one I love to dream with.

-are my favorite person to travel and explore with.

-make me laugh.

-can make me snap out of my funks.

-are willing to do things you hate for me... ie: cooking and folding laundry.

-are my favorite person to be myself with.

-are as hot as you were the day we got married!

-are my shoulder to cry on, and man I've had to use that shoulder a lot these past few years.

-take me shopping and actually enjoy it!

-have SO much strength that I rely on all the time.

-were the best labor coach I could have asked for... twice!!

-love me even when I am cranky.

-are my tv watching buddy.

-believe in my dreams... as crazy as they may be!

-are incredibly committed to our family.

-know that getting me a mocha can always brighten my day

-are a servant through and through, not only to me but to my family, your friends and pretty much anyone who has a need.

-make me smile anytime I see or hear you playing with our kids. You are a GREAT dad!

-are a man of integrity no matter the situation.

-let me be a ham. :)

-make tough choices with resolve

-are teaching Jackson how to be a man of honor even at age 3.

-challenge me to grow in areas that I need to.

-keep our bed warm and cozy at night.

-learn from your mistakes

-are a leader for our household that I am happy to defer to.

-and I are walking this journey of faith together, and I thank God everyday that I have a husband that fears the Lord!

Thank you for 6 incredible years so far! And particularly in these past 3 years that have been the most difficult AND exciting of our lives, thank you for never giving up. I love you.

I wanted to post a wedding pic, but I couldn't seem to find a good one (I've got like 8 cds of images that aren't really in order), so here is one I love from our honeymoon. Do we look younger?

Happy Anniversary my love!

My random mind

While I was making chocolate chip cookies tonight I stopped mid thought and said to myself, "How did I even start thinking about Foamspring.com when I started out thinking about my friend in Tennessee?"

Now I am a person who is VERY prone to random and spiderweb-ish thought patterns, so I decided to go back and retrace my trail of randomness to see how I got from point A to point Q, so here it is...

-I hope this new recipe is good. Renee (my friend who lives in Tennessee) sent it to me after trying it, so it probably will rock.

-I wonder what Charlotte looks like now? (her new baby girl)

-I hope she is getting use out of the warm outfit/matching beanie I got her.

-I wonder if it's snowing or super cold in Tenn right now?

-I want to go snowboarding so bad.

-Oh wait, I can't because I don't have health insurance.

-Soon that may be illegal not to have health insurance, how lame is that?

-Then Haiti popped in my mind here :( so I paused and prayed for a few minutes.

-After amen... did I just put in 2 or 3 cups of flour?

-ok, 3. done.

-I wonder why Raylee is screeching right now.

-It's hard not to laugh when Raylee is screaming, even though she is being naughty and I shouldn't laugh, but it's hard not to because her contorted little face, and clenched fists are so funny when she is exerting here little will.

-I want to video tape her having a fit sometime, but if I did that would she think it was ok?

-I need to learn how to use the video feature on my MarkII better.

-Did I reply to that email from ____ about her E shoot?

-I love my cowboy boots, and I'm kinda bummed it's been so warm during the days because I haven't gotten to wear sweaters and boots enough this winter. (That seemed like a random jump between thoughts, but not so much if you know that my client I mentioned is getting married and having a rustic/cowboy boot wearing wedding)

anywho.... back to the trail...

-It's funny how funny Derek thinks it is that I sleep with one foot out of the covers at night.

-I am finally getting used to our new crazy puffy "side sleeper support" pillows.

-What should I buy with that Bed, Bath and Beyond credit I have?

-Here I had a quick subconscience thought about memory foam mattresses, which lead to...

-What is this foamspring.com thing I keep hearing people mention? I need to look into that so I am not out of the loop.

And there you have it... a glimpse into my random mind. Are you an orderly thinker or a random one like me?

And because posts are better with images, here is a recent one I took of Raylee.

Tara & Greg- Spread the News!- Orange County Engagement Photographer

Gorgeous day+ amazing location+ tons of laughter+ super sweet couple= happy photographers and great images!

Did I mention good looking couple?

Side note... Tara and I have known each other since 4th grade. We went to the same schools through high school, and lost touch through college, but have recently reconnected and I am SO honored and excited to be capturing such an important day in her life!

Now back to the pics...

Tara & Greg, you were SO cute together!
Some Tilt/Shift goodness by Derek.

One of my favs of the day!
We were blessed with some a-mazing lighting!Tara lookin hot!I love this series of laughter...I don't know who said what, or if we were laughing because they had sticks poking their butts to get in that spot, but capturing my clients laughing together is one of my favorite things to do!! It just warms me to see these images after the shoot or wedding is over.

Derek and I had a great time hanging out with you and we are so excited for your big day this spring!!

Happy Monday all!

Our Holidays

I know most of you are done with the Christmas thing, and are full steam ahead into New Years plans, goals, and resolutions, but will you indulge me for a minute? I am a little behind, but I still want to share some of the fun and sweet moments we had with our little kiddos this year.

First... Jackson's pre-school concert. Oh my... it was the cutest, funniest, sweetest thing ever!!

comments on images clockwise from top left...

1. Jackson is all lined up and ready to go here... and yes he towers over most kids in his class, and he's the youngest. Go Derek's genes!

2. As they filed in he passed right by us, so this is him sneaking a peek our way, while playing it cool.

3. Do you see any 2 kids in this picture doing the same motion? It was so funny to watch them all. Jackson just stood there and looked around most of the time, but here he's actually doing the motions.

4. I like how you can see his teacher in the foreground of this one, and J just standing there all cute.

The kids on Christmas morning, and as usual, we get only shots of Jackson choking out Raylee.
We got Raylee her first stroller and dolly, and she loves it! I know, I know, she looks SO excited in this picture... well as I explained HERE she went into Christmas day on about 1 hour of sleep, so you'll see a theme through all the pics w/ Raylee in them... she looks almost comatose.

Jackson got lots of "Cars" toys which he of course was thrilled about!
And we also surprised the kids with scooters! Check out Ray's reaction...Oh, I love these kids!Then it was over to my Brother and Sister-in-law's house for some more fun! Here are all the cousins. I don't know what we asked them to say or do, but isn't this great?
Some more present opening fun...

Jackson and Raylee in their Christmas outfits.

And one more fun set from our BIG Wandrey family gathering a few days later!

Hope you all enjoyed as much wonder and awe as we did this year!! Now onward to 2010!

New Years Family Shoot- Orange County Lifestyle Photographer

On New Years Eve day I met up with this sweet family. They were so cute and fun to photograph.

Especially little Payton... she was quite the camera diva, which I loved!

Marnie wanted to attempt some "newborn" type shots of Quinn, who is 7 weeks old. Now I typically only do these with babies less than 2 weeks old, but I think she did pretty well in that little crate!

Brent (the dad) was someone I knew way back in high school, and through the grapevine of friends his wife got connected to me. So it was fun to see him, and his parents and his brother's family even came by at the end for some big family shots.

This next one was too great not too post. Here are Grandma and Grandpa with the grand kids.The whole famAnd one of my favs to end on.

Brent and Marnie- You have an adorable family and it was so fun to capture this time in your lives, Enjoy!