In Defense of Self-Portraits or, "Dah-ling, you look mah-velous!"

Ok, so we all hate photos of ourselves. I don't like getting my picture taken because I never like the way I look when I see the photo. I compare myself to the way I looked ten years ago. I was thinner; my hair had less gray in it; I had fewer wrinkles. What I usually find myself saying is, "Don't aim that camera at me -- I look terrible!" And the last thing I thought I'd ever do is . . . take a photo of myself deliberately!

Ok, so no one looks as "good" as they did ten years ago - why would we expect to? Isn't that just silly? Ten years of living is going to leave its mark on us, especially if we are living life to the fullest. Every gray hair has its story, every wrinkle, too, and would we honestly give up a single wonderful meal shared with family and/or friends in order to carry just one or two fewer pounds?

So let me put in just a few words in defense of self-portraits, in favor of jumping into (instead of out of) group photos, and of allowing others to point their cameras our way because we do want to be captured in all our glory and with all our imperfections because . . . ten years from now . . . we aren't going to look as good as we do today, right now!

That's right - ten years from now we will look back at the pictures and say "whoa, baby, I looked good!"

My advice? Get out that camera, hold it at arm's length, point it at your face and take a photo because, dah-ling, you look simply mah-velous!

Rodrigo and Dianna's Wedding - June 14, 2008

Here are just a few snapshots from Rodrigo and Dianna's wedding, taken by myself, Michael, and Rodrigo. Dianna, on the steps of Santa Clara Church in Oxnard, California, simply gorgeous in her exquisite gown, veil, and bouquet. Isn't she breathtaking?!?After the ceremony, the bride and groom with their parents. From left to right: Terry Oliver, John Oliver, Dianna, Rodrigo, me, Rodrigo DeZubiria (Sr.). [Although Rodrigo (Sr.) and I are divorced and we have both remarried, we are all good friends, which makes it possible for us all to attend the wedding, participate in the ceremony, and have photos taken together.]Rodrigo and Dianna, Maya DeZubiria, their flowergirl, and Adam Parker, their ringbearer. Maya and Adam both performed like pros, walking up the aisle together, making their little bows at the alter, then turning and quietly walking to their seats. No one could have done a better job!Dianna and her bridesmaids, and her matron-of-honor, Jeanette (to Dianna's left). I don't know all the names of the bridesmaids but I will find out since I'll need that info for when I create the wedding album. They all looked simply stunning.
Those feet sticking out from the circle of ladies belong to Jeff Fassett of Fassett Photography. I can't wait to see the results of this particular maneuver! Jeff specializes in digital wedding photography, and he produces awesome pictures. Rodrigo, Dianna, and I met Jeff at a Wedding Expo in Camarillo and immediately liked his style, both creative and personal. He even created a slideshow to present at the reception that included baby and childhood photos of Dianna and Rodrigo AND photos from their wedding ceremony which had taken place just a few hours prevous. That was a huge hit among the guests!Rodrigo and his groomsmen, including his Best Man (his brother, Michael), and his ringbearer. I know the names of most of these guys, but a few I am not sure of so I will wait and list them all in a future post. Aren't they a handsome group?? My parents, Mike and Jeri Hansen, with Dianna and Rodrigo. We are very happy to have Dianna join our family, as well as her parents, Terry and John, her brothers, John Paul and Frankie, and her extended family, too. We met many of our new family members at the wedding and reception and are going to enjoy getting to know them all. Dianna even has an orange tabby cat. I knew I liked that girl!
Rodrigo and his dad, brother, and sisters Emma and Maya. Emma was a junior bridesmaid and also had the honor of performing one of the readings during the wedding ceremony. She did a great job, every word clear as a bell, and she didn't seem nervous at all. She has grown up so much in the last year - quite the young lady now!

There are lots more photos to come, and better ones than these, since they will have been taken by Jeff. I am anxious to see the ones taken during the ceremony, inside that beautiful church. So keep an eye out for more updates SOON.

I do apologize for making everyone wait so long for these first photos. Since our return home (very late) Sunday evening, Michael and I have spent most of our time sleeping! I was totally exhausted from a trip to China and then the wedding, and Michael, as most of you know, just arrived from China on the 11th, and was still suffering from jetlag when he was plunged headlong into last-minute wedding preparations. It's only today, Wed'day, that we are feeling rested. Poor Mike had to go straight back to work on Monday. Can't figure out how he managed to do that - I sure couldn't have.

Now Rodrigo and Dianna are on their honeymoon -- two weeks in Costa Rica. Congratulations, and have a wonderful time!

Only 2 more days....

.....until this pair is WED!

This digital scrapbook layout is from August of 2007. On this day, at our Hansen Family Reunion, Rodrigo and Dianna announced their engagement.

In just two days, June 14, 2008, they will become husband and wife.

The very next day they leave for a two-week honeymoon in Puerto Rico, and to start their new lives together.

Congratulations Rodrigo and Dianna! Our Love and Best Wishes Always!!!