“I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today.”

This post is a bit belated, but it didn’t feel right to go on blogging without putting this one up first. Because I need to say this – to say from the bottom of my heart to everyone reading this,

thank you.

January is the start of the new year. It also happens to be my birthday month. And for the past 3 years, it has been the anniversary of when I first decided to pick up a camera and jump into the world of weddings. So there are always a couple extra elements of reflection added into every new year, and every January I find myself overcome with love, with excitement, with gratitude.

But for some reason this year, I feel extra thankful. Because 2010 was blessed beyond my wildest dreams. I am not lying when I say that personally, it was perhaps one of the most trying & difficult years I’ve had in awhile. But ironically, I’ve found that in some of my darkest hours, I’ve discovered myself crying not out of sadness, but out of gratitude, completely overwhelmed by the amazing people I have in my life. Parents who are unconditionally proud of me every step of the way, friends who show up at my front door {with sandwiches!} when I needed them most (my friends, not the sandwiches – although I do always always need sandwiches), wedding “colleagues” who make me laugh until I can barely breathe, and who I’ve suddenly found I can share my deepest thoughts with. And clients, my clients! Who find it in their hearts to treat me not as a vendor, but as a friend. Who have sent patience, love, and kindness to me in ways that mean more than they know, this year especially. Their trust in me and my work is absolutely priceless to me.

And I know this post is unbearably mushy & sentimental, but isn’t that what the holidays are all about? Because I literally can’t go into this new year without saying thank you, and letting you know that each of you has warmed my heart and carried me vibrantly through 2010. It has meant the world to me. I seriously do wake up every morning wondering how I ever wound up being so lucky.

I wish 2011 to be utterly and breathtakingly amazing for each of you, to the point where 2010 pales in comparison. Happy new year!

All my love,

Adrienne

It starts with a scenic drive up the 101. You see a sign for “Ojai” and turn onto a narrower road, accompanied by sunny fields, tall trees, and the big open sky. You pass through the town, which gives way to farmland, endless orange groves, and an explosion of fall colors. And then, you arrive at the Thacher School.

Dana & Brandon recently moved onto the Thacher campus after living for years in NYC. The change from loud streets & busy sidewalks to a quiet home on campus was quite the drastic change, but they love their new life at Thacher. I was so excited to meet them in this quiet nook outside of Ojai and explore the lovely quaint campus with them. We shot just across the street from their house where Dana walks over daily to pick grapefruits & oranges off the trees, we visited their favorite pepper tree-lined road, we drove up to the tippy top of campus that houses the observatory. I always love love shooting in and around the homes of couples – there is always something so relaxed & intimate about these kinds of sessions!

Just a quick announcement that I will be out of the office from today until Friday 12/31 for a quick end-of-the-year-vacation… a cruise with some friends! It will be my first time ever setting foot on a cruise ship and I am fully prepared with my suitcase overflowing with cute outfits & Dramamine. I could not be more excited!

…Or could I?

To add to the excitement, I am so happy to announce my first boudoir marathon! Connie and I will be teaming up and heading to San Francisco next month for a shoot on Sunday, January 16th. This is a call for all lovely bay area ladies who are interested in a sweet Valentine’s or wedding day gift for their beau, or just some sexy photos of themselves! See below for more info & please email adrienne@adriennegunde.com if interested! Space is limited so book early! xo