“imma be”

Yes folks, I will be out of the office until March 10, 2010 and will kindly respond to all messages upon my return.  I will be spending the next few days at the annual  Wedding Portraits & Photographers International (WPPI) Convention & Trade Show in Las Vegas.  I will be learning, networking, spending and hopefully making some money at the same time .  Yes, the things I must do for my job!!!!  If you are going, be sure to message me on twitter to meet up!  I will be lil’ Asian girl with braces and too many bags of things I bought from the tradeshow.

Check back to the blog next week because there are TONS of blog goodiness on the way.  Here’s a sneak peek of just SOME of the MANY things to come:

“nothin’ on you”

Miss Thang is sassy and sexy at the same time. We had a great time on our boudoir shoot and it never feels like work with you are working with such beautiful and sweet ladies.

Special thanks to Katie of the All Made Up Team for her incredible job on Miss Thang’s hair & makeup.

“carry out”

Last week I traveled to Dallas, TX and while I was there, I had the pleasure of partaking in the vintage inspired Dallas Photog Shootout with 30 other photographers. Photog Shootout was created to elevate the photography industry through building a community of wedding and portrait photographers. Photog Shootout has local groups in various cities all over the country with planned get-togethers and workshops. It was so nice to meet new photographers, learn from fellow colleagues and shoot beautiful models such as Melissa below. If you are a photographer, I especially recommend events like these – it’s a great way to network, learn and just have fun .

Thanks to everyone who made the event happen and made me feel so welcomed in Dallas . Melissa’s hair & makeup was flawlessly done by Emily Hudspeth and the shootout was held at the fabulous Ryan Manor in Dallas.

“pocketful of sunshine”

I really *heart* my clients. I shot Ann & Chris’ wedding 1.5 years ago (wow how time flies) and they have always been some of my biggest supporters. We have kept in touch throughout this time, thanks to modern technologies such as email and facebook and I am so happy to see their family grow in size and love . Thank you Ann, Chris, Kianna and now Christopher Jr. for being so wonderful and special to me.

We had to reschedule our shoot 3 times due to abnormal California rainy weather, but we finally found the perfect day for our shoot at Angels Gate Park in San Pedro.

“fireflies”

I met Chau & Kevin over coffee last year after Kevin had seen some of my work posted on a friend’s facebook page. And who said facebook is a waste of time?! I really enjoyed getting to know their fun, laid back personalities. We also found that we had more mutual friends in common and a similar love for food. Definitely my kind of people .  I know their wedding in March will be just as fun!

We started off at the Mission San Juan Capistrano and boy were they working it already.

This got a lil’ too steamy for me.

One of my favorites of the day:

I love finding streets like this.

Yep these two know how to work it.

And they know how to have fun together. Very important.

I told Kevin to dip Chau like he meant it.

“this DJ”

If you have not heard of DJ Z, you will soon. He is seriously good at what he does and I am not just saying that because he is one of my good friends. DJ Z knows how to work the crowd at every party/wedding and his beats are so sick (yes that is my ghetto talk) that I have even found myself bobbing my lil’ head along while working the weddings. They don’t call me Lil’ Kim for nothing . Anyhow, when DJ Z asked me to take some what we say in Vietnamese, “dep trai” or handsome pictures for his upcoming website, I was thrilled because I love working with other industry vendors and I love shooting creative portrait sessions like these. I told him that not only would I provide a boost to his business (not that he needs it), but also his love life (not that he needs it either) . So yes ladies be sure to holla at cha boy. And yes he is going to kill for me this, but thank me later when all of the ladies start lining up and saying “i’m with the DJ”. Ok I’ll stop my ghetto talk for now.

To listen to some of his amazing work, check out DJ Z’s facebook page and become a fan by clicking HERE.

Special thanks to the lovely Nadine Truong for assisting on the shoot. Check out her photography and film work by clicking HERE.

“love will find a way”

I just love running around with my couples. We always have the best time getting to know each other and having so much fun simply goofing off. I love Cylie Lyn & Grant for their contagious laughter and wonderful sense of humor. It was a treat just to see how much fun they have together as a couple. We had dinner after our Getty Center engagement shoot, had some more great laughs and talked about their relationship. Grant told me how he had given up on the idea of marriage and finding that certain someone…until he met Cylie Lyn unexpectedly a few years ago and everything changed. It made me smile and reminded me why I love to do what I do. I guess the best things in life are unexpected .  I can’t wait for their wedding THIS Sunday! Yes this Sunday! The first wedding of 2010 and it’s gonna be a great one!

“one sweet day”
Recently I introduced you to a new, recurring feature on my blog – “ my inspirations“, which will center around the everyday beauties that inspire my work, life, and hopefully love . This week I would like to bring to you another new, soon-to-be recurring feature: “my favorite things”. No I am not Oprah (I wish!), but I am a very passionate person and I make it a priority to enjoy all the things I am passionate about . I try to not take anything for granted, but at the same time, work hard for all the things I still want. So this new feature will share all the things that make me smile, dance and aspire for more. If that doesn’t interest you, then just check back for pictures of food. I guarantee you there will be a lot of foodie related posts.

Today is of course Valentine’s Day and what better way to celebrate than with something (or someone) sweet?! And what better sweetness to have than red velvet cupcakes from Sprinkles! I think I especially liked them because they came with cute, lil’ hearts on top .

Hoping you are spending the day with the ones you love!!!!  XOXO

“happy together”

I have been lucky to know Hayward & Natalie for several years now and I felt even luckier to capture memories for them of their new lil’ one, Eleanor. I think babies are the best thing ever (especially when you can take pictures and give them back to their parents..just kidding of course ). From the moment I met Eleanor, she had the biggest, cutest smile on her face! Yes, I tend to have that effect on babies…and others . I think she was just really mesmerized by my shiny braces. Nevertheless, I knew it was going to be a great, fun shoot, especially with all the wardrobe changes Natalie had planned for Eleanor . Thanks Hayward, Natalie and of course Eleanor for welcoming me into your home and letting me share insight into your lovely family!

Aren’t they such a cute, lil’ family?!

Look at those eyes!!!

Handband please!

Hmmm how about a new hat instead? Ok I love this pic because she looks so adorably chubby. Chubby babies are the best.

And I love this pic because she looks so adorably happy. Happy babies are the best.

Hi my name is Eleanor and I also moonlight as a hat model.

My faaavorite hat!

And when I’m not modeling, I’m gnawing on daddy’s fingers. nom, nom, nom

Doesn’t this photo just represent happiness?! I love it!

Resting in her blankie…after a hard day’s work. It’s tough being so cute.