Congratulations Vicky and David!

Today at 4:30pm Vicky and David are getting married. I am so excited for these two beautiful people! I met David while I was studying photography and he is known as technogeek in our little circle called "the f-stops" David is an excellent commercial photographer and a dear friend of mine. I still remember the first time David told me about Vicky. We were going to lunch in Manhattan beach. I hadn't seem him for a while so I asked him if he was seeing someone. (Well, I am like a big sister to him so I am allowed to ask these questions) David was already thinking about proposing to Vicky so I knew he had found a woman of his life. Over our short lunch David showed me Vicky's picture on his phone and talked about what a great person she was. So when we met Vicky for the first time at the f-stop get together, it was like meeting an old friend. When Vicky and David asked me to shoot their engagement photo. I was pretty nervous. It's not easy to shoot for a friend to begin with and it's definitely nerve-racking to shoot for another photographer. Vicky requested these photos to be unrevealed until the wedding day. I'll put up a slide show for them after the wedding. While it was impossible to keep these two goofballs to be serious at times but then again I always perfer capturing their charater. Our shoot was blast! Thank you for allowing me to document your special day! Here are few teaser shots.



Perhaps it's too hard to pose for a friend LOL but i love their expression on this shot.

Granvile Island Vancouver Mini-Portrait Session

It was a beautiful day in Vancouver, BC. When the warm afternoon light illuminated relaxing Granville Island, I had a wonderful opportunity to photograph this cute girl named Violet and her handsome father. (Violet's gorgeous mother was jogging around the island) After our mini-portrait session, Violet's father told me that they do this almost every weekend.
What a sweet moment I captured. I hope you treasure these images for years to come Violet!
Can't wait to photograph your family again in LA.
I just love what Violet was wearing... so cute....

Just look at her face!!!


Keep on going...

Seattle, Friends, Food and Wine

After spending a week in San Juan Island attending Rod Dresser workshop, I met Andy in Seattle. Our dear friend Jen & Barry kindly invited us in to their beautiful home in Bellevue. (*please check out Barry's blog if you enjoy reading about marketing and advertising.)This was a wonderful treat after spending a week at the UW Friday Harbor cabin.
Jen & Barry are both foodie just like us so Jen made several reservations at their favorite restaurants. Friday night we went to the Wild Ginger in Seattle for Tyler's birthday! Sleek and modern atmosphere. Delicious Asian Fusion food and nice service. Then Saturday Morning we went to Salty's at the Alki beach for the brunch. Loved Fresh Oyster bar the most but you gotta try their waffle station. If you sit by the window you can enjoy breathtaking view of Seattle downtown. Sunday night, four of us went out to dinner at the Cafe Juanita in Kirkland for nice and cozy adult only dinner. Jen and Barry shared their Aubert 2006 Chardonnay with us. Very fruity and smooth Chardonnay. I prefer little fruity over dry Chardonnays. I had the halibut dish so it was perfect. For the appetizer, we had "Seared Foie Gras with Bing Cherries, Candied Ginger and Cocoa nibs" was delicious! You have to try this one if it's on the menu when you go there. Cafe Juanita offers five Star service and the quality. And of course house made desserts are to die for. Please make sure to reserve your table in advance. Okay, There was more than just food & Wine during this vacation. We went out to see the Tropic Thunder (not my kind of movie but I had a good laugh), shopped and of course did little sightseeing. I couldn't have asked for better vacation. Great food, wine and the wonderful friends to share the table.
With Jen at the Cafe Juanita

Mike is a very good entertainer!
watching them wasn't enough of course I tried to photograph!
To me outdoor market represents "Life"
You must line up for "Daily Dozen" and don't forget to tip :)
Jen took this shot of us.
Andy's new girlfriend, Kiley
My favorite family at the Salty's.

Back from the Friday Harbor

I am back from my two weeks journey. Refreshed and encouraged. For next few days. I am going to try to tell you little more about my trip but I need to catch up on my life here in LA. For now, I am going to have these photos to tell you the story.
This is the last image that I captured in workshop before I left the island.
Friday Harbor is the kind of place that you would like to just sit and soak up on the beauty of life.
Wonderful people I met through this workshop - It was great meeting you all.

This shot of Rachel I love so much, I wanted to leave it in color.
We saw the Orcas! Many Many of them!-I need to get myself a one of those big white lense someday.
Friday Harbor right before the rain in the late afternoon.

Above: Paul kindly took us out on his awesome boat that was named by his son. "Just Because" Below: Rock formation from the Sucia Island University of Washington Friday Harbor Lab

Ferry Landing
Few postcard photos...
I wish we had those clouds in So. Cal
another postcard image
I did not want to do anything with this image because this is exactly how I remember it.

Out of Town until 9/6/2008

I still have few more things squeeze into my carry-on bag and I will be leaving in few hours. There always is so much to pack when you take your camera gear. Not to mention trying to take 20 rolls of film in your carry-on. I've been running around like a mad woman last week just to get few things done before I go out of town for two weeks. It's little scary to leave everything behind for 2 weeks but I know everything will be okay. Okay, I have been to Passport agency and my passport disaster has been resolved. I can finally leave. Because I recently took Andy's last name and I did that before I change name on my passport, Agency has suspended processing name change on my passport. They are now asking for additional documents. I shipped them over night but when I tried to confrim with them on the phone they told me that I won't be able to get my passport back for another 2 weeks! So I rushed in to get an appointment with the Passport agency in Los Angeles. I was lucky to be able to get an appoint in such a short notice. Last friday morning in 405 traffic, I drove down to agency. A nice supervisor lady at the window #12 said "NO" at first but she took pity on me when I told her I really really really needed to take care of this before I leave so my husband can bring passport with him next week. ( They won't give your passport on the spot unless you are leaving the country on that same day!!! ) She said maybe she can get around the rules and see if she can get my information transfered by next Tuesday. I can finally take our anniversary trip with Andy to Canada after Rod Dresser workshop. Here is my advice to future brides, if you are going to take your husband's last name, do that first on your passport then change everything else. It will make your life so much easier. So I am off for two weeks, please bear with me if I cannot get back to you right away. My dear clients, you know where to reach me for your photo emergency! I won't be able to post things here until I come back so please bear with me.

Happy 7th!

I ran to upstairs panting, looked under our California king size bed where he told me to look. At first, I didn't find anything. The mattress was heavy and I began thinking that he probably took it with him. I gave up searching initially then I went back searching after few hours. There it was in between the mattress, carefully chosen for the occasion and filled with his sweet words. Andy called me this morning from UK and told me that he left me a card under the mattress that he was sorry he couldn't be with me on our anniversary. Andy's been writing cards on every occasion for past 14 years that I have known him. There were very few times that he didn't and I would demand that he should write me a card. Andy would just smile. I don't' mind not getting presents, but it feels weird not to receive a card from him on these occasions. They are always filled with his small and neat writing. I would tease Andy saying that he is not the most romantic guy but how men do really write a lengthy cards to their wives? Well- my husband does.
Andy, here is my card for this year over the world wide web. It has been wonderful being your wife for 7years. Your easy going personality and growing love transformed me to be more like you and life with you has been easy sail with the cool ocean breeze. I am proud to be your wife. You are a honorable man and you will always be my genius.
I miss you a lot and can't wait to see you on Friday!
Not only you are my best friend, but you are my hero that enables me to do things that I couldn't even imagine. I know that your job has been tough on you lately, but I do really believe you when you tell me that you are working "SO HARD" for me. So cheer up baby! Thank you for your unchanging love and trust.
Can't wait to go on our anniversary trip in few weeks!
With Love, from your wife who's been forgetting our anniversary since 5th

For those of you haven't met my sweet husband. Here is us at the Boston Harbor, MA

Burbank Wedding, Amy + Byron 08.02.2008

Congratulations Amy and Byron! Thank you for letting me be a part of the cool gang(?) for the day. You guys were so awesome! When I heard the word "Bowling Alley" + "wedding", I was not sure what to expect but the day turned out to be filled with many surprises and I always enjoy shooting with my dear friend Matt. It was a hot and humid day in Los Angeles but everyone made our job so easy. Byron is serving our country as a US Marin and Amy is a one beautiful woman inside and out. Amy smiled through out the day regardless of uncomfortable weather and Bryon stayed by his gorgeous bride's side through out the day. These two were inseparable. Latin American weddings are always filled with so much family love, music and the dance. I am a softy inside so I cry often while I am shooting, this time it was watching Amy dancing with her father. Byron's dance with his mother was equally beautiful. I absolutely feel fortunate to be a photographer in LA that we get to shoot many different religious and cultural weddings. Thank you Matt, it was fun shooting with you! Here are some of my favorites of the day.

My favorite image of Amy!

Gotta love red!
This is the only way to start our photoshoot!
Byron and his groomsmen had some different ideas on how we should start our photoshoot. Love this shot of Byron bowling.
Thanks guys for fun times!
Picwick Gardens is a gem!

Amy had few shots she really wanted to get and this was the one, Vail + Backlit = so romantic

Their moments alone.


I love Mariachi Band

Here we go
Amy dad is so handsome and generous.
father and daughter dance ; love & respect
another favorite of the day!
They were just so adorable.
mother and son dance, Guatemalan style