Big news, big life change...

I just realized, that I haven't posted on my blog in a really long time. 3 months.. I guess, I was distracted and busy with my personal life and was trying to catch up with my family and friends back in Czech.
Fist of all, my husband and I found out in November, that we will welcome a new addition to our family in July. What an exciting and trilling news. And little scary and unexpected. Not that I didn't know that I could get pregnant, but even when you are open to that possibility and it doesn't happen for a while, you are trying to zone out and concentrate on everything else and not to give yourself false hopes.
So when I saw the test, showing positive, I still couldn't believe it, even though, I was filled with so much joy, that I thought my heart will come out of my chest. What a blessing and a miracle.

Perfect timing.. My husband and I were planning our trip to Czech Republic, to visit my family and friends after 2years. I knew, that it will be perfect time to celebrate such news on holidays.
We shared that great news with my husband's family in very untraditional way and it was so much fun, comic and joyful time on the Thanksgiving. What a perfect day to share your thanks and gratitude.
I couldn't wait to share such news with my family and friends and so I didn't want to wait until the Christmas. My husband learned the line in Czech, so he could be the one announcing our news. It was so cute and emotional.
Everyone was happy and our joy just multiplied with every person that we shared our news with.
Unfortunately, the cold climate, traveling, visits and more traveling plus the pregnancy took its toll on my health and I got cold and it wasn't getting better, just worst over the XMas time, until our arrival back to San Diego. All together, I was sick for almost 6weeks and it wasn't fun. Luckily, I didn't suffer any morning sickness, although, I had to be prepared for the meal on the airplane and bring mine instead of what they offer, because I couldn't eat it (how much is your appetite changed..).

Only few days after our arrival home, I had scheduled my first doctor's appointment and that was the first time, when my husband and I saw our baby on ultrasounds. All of a sudden it just became so real. Not that I wouldn't feel the difference before, but somehow, but the visual oriented society in me wanted visual proof. And there it was. The baby was trying to escape and hide from it and because I don't like hospitals myself, I've decided with my husbands support, that we will hire a midwife and will start this journey with someone that we will build relationship and trust with before the time will come to meet the baby. And we don't need to see the baby on ultrasound again.

I'm super excited, that we just hired our midwife last week and am really excited for this journey and birth.
I'm still working though and will work when the baby will be born. I'll try to work little less, so I can be with the baby as much as possible, but at the same time, I know that I'll be still passionate about my photography work and even more passionate about pregnancy and birth. Hope to expand my business more towards pregnancy and birth pictures as well, since it's a beautiful part of people's lives.

 This is a first picture of our baby. We will find out if it's a boy or girl on the day of the baby's birth.

Green Gables Wedding Estate - Katie and Duncan's wedding

In this modern time, Duncan and Katie found each other on FB and from just liking each others pictures, they've started to love each other and their love brought us all to Green Gables Wedding Estate on June 13th, 2015 to celebrate their love.
Katie's bridesmaids were wonderful, cheerful, funny and supportive and Duncan's groomsmen so funny and witty. We had so much fun taking pictures. Just be careful, please, with the pocket knives that you got from Duncan. (He cut himself several times on an accident during the day).
On their wedding day, just like the hundreds of days before it, they knew they could face anything as long as they remained connected at the heart... and it was only made better when the inclusion of their friends, family, and great DJ's to dance the night away.  (They really had a wonderful party and their guests dance to the last minute before the place closed down).

Katie and Duncan, thank you for the honor of documenting your love. Your friends and families made me feel lucky to get to know you on a deeper level and I feel privileged to have seen you through their eyes. I wish you the best as you navigate life together. Love and Appreciation.. Bara H.

PS: Didn't believe me about the party?... Here is a proof that the crowd was enjoying each second on the dance floor...

Becky & Mark's elope wedding

It's been a while, since I've wrote my last blog post. So I'll try to post more often now. Because of my trip to Seattle and another trip to Sequoia following right after, I haven't had electricity and internet connection. So it really felt like the movie Into the Wild (very interesting movie and one of my favorite movie soundtrack).
I would like to share few more pictures from the elope wedding from August, this time.
Mark and Becky met through couchsurfing. Back in 2009, the couchsurfing.org organization was pretty new network for travelers and San Diego had very active members. Becky came from Seattle to stay in San Diego for few days to see, if she'd like it there. Mark lived in San Diego at the time and since he had free room for visitors, he hosted from time to time some couchsurfers. And Becky ended up staying with him for few days while her visit in San Diego. Soon enough they've realized that there is more than just friendship between them. Becky ended up moving down to San Diego, because she fell in love, with Mark and the city. And they lived and traveled together ever since.

Few months ago, Mark went down on his knew and proposed to Becky, she said yes. Both of them came to the same decision, that their wedding will take place on the Del Mar cliffs, witnessed just by the nature and a photographer (I had the honor of being that photographer, who met them and did their couple pictures back in 2009, which were their only professional pictures taken).
The ceremony took place at 8am @Del Mar cliffs, was officiated by their mutual friend and it was beautiful, touching and very intimate ceremony.
Followed by couple hours of taking pictures. Some of the cliffs, some on the rail trucks and also at the beach. We were lucky that the ceremony started so early, because it was getting hotter and hotter every half hour.
Here are some pictures that we've taken together.

I'm super excited for Becky and Mark and wish them happy travels and joy in their marriage!!

Visiting Mt Lamp community in Washington state...

My husband and I weren't on a vacation for pretty long time.. And while back (probably about 6weeks ago or so), we were looking for a weekend get away place, just to be together and enjoy some quality time.
His best friend lives up in Washington near Deming at a Retreat community center and since we haven't seen him in a long time and he lives surrounded by a beautiful nature, we've decided to visit him and the beautiful place that he calls his home for now.
We flew to Seattle and spend the night there with my very good friend that I've met back in Czech about 11years ago (nice reunion with her and her husband).
And the next day went for a walk and took few pictures by some nice lake (I don't even know the name). After lunch, Zuzika drove us to the exit 202, where David picked us up and took us to the Mount Lamp.

Thinking of my dear baby brother, when I saw this rainbow flag...

Our friend David enjoying his tea...

 What a spectacular sunset...

 Beautiful garden with a wonderful view...

Meditation hall...

 We are staying here since Thursday night and really enjoying it. On Saturday was a big storm that disconnected electricity, so we were able to enjoy complete darkness and really enjoying our time in nature, without any electronics.. What a peaceful place...Good times...

 That's where Nick and I are sleeping...

 Enchanted forest...

Trees are alive here and with faces.. :-)

 Enjoying the candle light while cooking at night.

And eating while having a good time and talk...

 We just stopped in a city for short time, because David had to finish some work, which gave me an opportunity to work a little bit on some wedding pictures and post these...
Hope everyone is having a great weekend.
♥♥♥