Weddings can be so inspiring.

“Love at First Loss – When we first met, I went to Heather’s house for poker night. After losing everything to her, I realized this card-dealing girl was for me. And here we are, 3 years later, engaged with a son, Mason.” By Josh Jordan

So Josh Jordan and Heather Gray win a free engagement shoot! I look forward to working with you guys. Congratulations! Their photos will be on this blog, soon. Since there were so many great stories I felt compelled to mention at least a few others… The Honorable Mentions:

“He’s the one! There was no doubt in my heart that day I found Jim on life support following a sudden cardiac arrest. Often it’s the reminder of our mortality that gives us clarity.” Jessica Seibel

“The first time we kissed I saw our lives flash before my eyes, like when you almost die but it was the begining. Thats how I knew Jake was the one!” By Brittany Lund

“Gerald and I fell in love… I was his dispatcher and (he is a cop) I told him where to go and he liked it, he liked it so much he asked me out on a date and the rest is history” By Liz Carlin

People are so different. Our passions are so diverse. I get to photograph feelings, stories, tenderness. At 40 years old (!) I can write with certainty: It’s an amazing job. One of my favorite photographs of last year:

Any visibility helps me get closer to my goals of course, but it’s also just an all out flattering experience to see your image on a cover.

The Bridal Expo: Please stop by this Sunday at the Coconut Grove.

I picked up a few copies of the program of course… See image below:
The amazing couple in the photo is Austin and Sarah.

When I get stressed out, I run, I go to the gym, lately I spin (seriously), I work out, etc. It helps me detox, it clears my mind and it gives me a jolt of energy right when I need it most.

Part of my job is to help couples feel good throughout the planning process, so I decided to talk to Cecile and Christophe Bellito. They own the best gym in town: Toadal Fitness. Cecile and Christophe are wonderful suckers for love and family, and consequently their gym is a stubborn alternative to the big impersonal health club. They both offered help:

Book your wedding photography with me in 2010 and enroll at the best gym in town for free!
Toadal Fitness is waiving its regular $99 enrollment fee. You’ll even get a welcome tour from Cecile herself. She’ll tell you how everything works.

And while we’re on the topic of family and de-stressing through activity… Below is a photo Laura took of me de-stressing with my beautiful daughter and the most stubborn, loving dog ever: Tsepo.

I had the pleasure of shooting 35 weddings in 2009. To celebrate that I am giving away a free Santa Cruz-based engagement session in 2010.

To be considered email me at joop@jooprubens.com and describe in not more than 35 words that particular moment when you knew your partner was the person you wanted to spend the rest of your life with. The most intriguing submission, wins a free 1,5 hour engagement shoot with me in Santa Cruz County. No strings attached. Your winning 35-word story will go up on my blog http://jooprubens.wordpress.com/ on my 40th Birthday February 28.

Submission deadline is February 15, 2010

The reason for taking up this habit people call “photography” was to collect my thoughts. Take with me moments, people, feelings to reflect on later. Try to figure out such diverging feelings as love or desperation. And somehow be supportive or build a course of action.

I’ve done it for years now. It’s an extension of who I am. The photos are my thoughts in prints – or “files” rather, nowadays.
They are part of me.

One of these images is below.
She has no parents, she leads a household and is one of the children forced to give up youth to help her siblings survive. Health, war, and poverty has stolen the childhood of so many Africans. (To help: Firelight Foundation)

To be considered email me at joop@jooprubens.com and describe in not more than 35 words that particular moment when you knew your partner was the person you wanted to spend the rest of your life with. The most intriguing submission, wins a free 1,5 hour engagement shoot with me in Santa Cruz County. No strings attached. Your winning 35-word story will go up on my blog http://jooprubens.wordpress.com/ on my 40th Birthday February 28.

Submission deadline is February 15, 2010

I live and breathe preparing for it right now and it’s all coming together nicely which is pretty exciting.
If you’re in Santa Cruz on January 31, please stop by the Coconut Grove and come say hi.

There is lots more info coming on the Expo, so stay tuned. But today I am sharing a sneak peak of a “bridal-expo-prep-piece”.
I admit my bias, but that logo looks in.cre.di.ble (of course, so do Austin and Sarah in the photo…)