Archive for August, 2008

heidi & warren: wedding

August 27, 2008

“what a wonderful world”

First I would like to thank Wendi & Dustin for referring such an amazing couple to me! Heidi & Warren are easy-going, genuine and madly in love =). Their wedding at the lovely home of Warren’s parents in beautiful Newport Beach was intimate, inspiring and fun. They had a sea-side theme complete with starfishes, gorgeous red & blue tones, but more importantly they included all of their loved ones in this momentous occasion. I was so happy to be a part of it and so happy to see the day had finally come for this great couple.

Heidi & Warren – I can’t thank you enough for being so wonderful. Thank you for inviting me into your wonderful home and blessed lives. I hope to be there for many more cherished moments. And remember to “hold it”! =) xoxo, Kim Le

I just love getting ready shots! Here we start off with Heidi getting all dolled up!

heidi & warren wedding

heidi & warren wedding

heidi & warren wedding

I just love this shot of Heidi and the flower girls looking over the balcony to see if guests were arriving yet.

heidi & warren wedding

One of my favorite shots of the day:

heidi & warren wedding

Another shot I love – the flower girls eagerly waiting for the bride to come down the aisle!

heidi & warren wedding

And here she comes!

heidi & warren wedding

A beautiful ceremony:

heidi & warren wedding

These two are a great match! ;)

heidi & warren wedding

Their shoes are great too!

heidi & warren wedding

I caught the flower girl as she was borrowing Heidi’s veil. Isn’t she soooo adorable?!!

heidi & warren wedding

Some lovely details, including the bridesmaids’ fabulous and colorful shoes!

heidi & warren wedding

heidi & warren wedding

What a breathtaking setup!

heidi & warren wedding

And now for some dancing and Heidi & Warren sharing great moments with their parents:

heidi & warren wedding

heidi & warren wedding

heidi & warren wedding

The dancing and fun continued into the night. Check out JB and his son doing the sprinkler in the second pic! I love it! =)

heidi & warren wedding

Simply gorgeous even at night!

heidi & warren wedding

To see Heidi & Warren’s spectacular slideshow, click HERE!!!

Vendor Details:
Cake: Rockwell Creative Cakes
Videographer: Cool Guy Productions
Catering: East Side Mario’s
DJ: Extreme DJ
Rentals: Signature Party Rentals

boooooooooooo…

August 27, 2008

“better days”

I have the flu!!! =( Who has the flu in August??! Apparently I do =(. Nevertheless, I am trying to still edit and respond to emails in the meantime. Please excuse the delay =(. I hope I feel better by the weekend!

paula & eriq: wedding

August 25, 2008

“pocketful of sunshine”

I had the pleasure of second shooting again for the super talented and funny Christine Farah. I really enjoy working with other amazing photographers as well as meeting fun new people! Paula & Eriq were no exception!!! Their smiles never left their faces throughout the day and their energy is purely contagious. Paula & Eriq have a great playfulness about them and there’s no doubt that there are many fun filled years ahead for these two newlyweds!!! Paula & Eriq’s wedding was held at the beautiful oasis of Rancho Capistrano – the perfect backdrop for their Hawaiian-themed wedding.

Here we start off with some “getting ready” photos – Paula’s fun personality just shines on camera!

paula and eric wedding

paula and eric wedding

paula and eric wedding

Introducing the happy couple:

paula and eric wedding

paula and eric wedding

Isn’t she adorable?!

paula and eric wedding

Some ceremony shots:

paula and eric wedding

paula and eric wedding

paula and eric wedding

Off for some fun bridal party and couple shots. I just loved the light we had here!

paula and eric wedding

paula and eric wedding

My favorite set of the day:

paula and eric wedding

paula and eric wedding

Beautiful bouquets:

paula and eric wedding

The newlyweds making their grand entrance and sporting their shutter shades. If I knew, I would have brought mine! ;)

paula and eric wedding

Time for the first dance:

paula and eric wedding

paula and eric wedding

Let the good times roll:

paula and eric wedding

paula and eric wedding

galina & steve: engagement

August 21, 2008

“endless love”

Galina is a close friend of mine and one of those people I feel so fortunate to have in my life. Galina is beautiful, smart, sophisticated and super sweet and I am so thankful that Galina has found someone that makes her so happy and in love. I couldn’t have asked for a better match for my friend than Steve – who is just as sweet and very suave =). Galina & Steve are getting married on September 6, 2008 and I can’t wait!!! I hear there’s going to be a bottle of Vodka at every table =). We ventured to the beautiful city of Pasadena for their e-session where we found interesting walls and the models hidden inside of Galina & Steve =).

We started off at the amazing location of the Pasadena City Hall:

galina & steve engagement

galina & steve engagement

galina & steve engagement

galina & steve engagement

I just love Galina’s smile…oh and her beautiful ring =):

galina & steve engagement

galina & steve engagement

This is not a posed shot! Galina actually rubbed her new cute shoes against the pole and scratched it =(. She was a very good sport about it and this turned out to be a great pic!

galina & steve engagement

We just loved this wall!

galina & steve engagement

galina & steve engagement

And this doorway!

galina & steve engagement

Models in the making:

galina & steve engagement

galina & steve engagement

As the shoot was winding down, the light created this amber glow – it was so gorgeous!

galina & steve engagement

I LOVE the wind perfectly blew Galina’s hair in this pic!

galina & steve engagement

galina & steve engagement

galina & steve engagement

The many beautiful faces of gorgeous Gayla! =)

galina & steve engagement

galina & steve engagement

See Galina & Steve’s super duper SLIDESHOW HERE!!!

kim le’s korner #7

August 14, 2008

“better in time”

  • I know I’ve been really bad with my korner talk lately. I’ve been so busy with wedding season in full force and all of my travels. I’m actually leaving today for another trip – heading to the East Coast for a phamily wedding & reunion! It’s gonna be fun and chaotic – typically phamily fun! =) So once again I will be away and will have to return all my lovely emails when I get back next Wednesday.

  • Quick reality recap: I knew Joshua was gonna win SYTYCD! I can’t believe Fanny Pak got booted off and SoReal Cru is still around. I don’t know why but I’m watching that “Date My Ex” show on Bravo with Jo & Slade – it’s so fake, but nevertheless it’s on my Tivo. My new addiction is “Flipping Out” on Bravo – very interesting to see them flip homes and the guy is so OCD! Whew!! And that doesn’t even cover the Olympics! A lot to say there, but all I have to say is that the Chinese gymnasts are not 16! They look too young! GO PHELPS! Ok, I’m done with TV talk – was that quick enough??? =)

  • Here’s also a quick recap on my wonderful trip to CABO with the bf. We spent4 relaxing days (*sigh*) at the magnificent Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Holistic Retreat & Spa in gorgeous Cabo San Lucas. The resort was just amazing – it was like being a giant spa – everything smelled, sounded and looked great. The service was impeccable and the amenities were endless. Oh and you have to be 16 and up to stay there. I love kids and all but not really on my Cabo vacation! The resort was away from Downtown Cabo so it was very secluded and quiet. I loved it! We even napped on this daybed right on the sand and fell asleep to the ocean waves…*sigh* again. And then we had a couples massage under a hut right on the beach….*sigh*. I know, I have a hard life =P. So we had all these activities planned and guess what? I got food poisoning!!! Yup, I ate these really fresh yummy fish tacos at the marina and next thing I know I was going back and forth between the bed and the bathroom. So we ended up just relaxing around the resort for the most part – which was definitely not a bad thing! We did manage to squeeze in some parasailing before I got sick. I was scared – being afraid of heights and unable to swim is a bad combo for parasailing don’t cha think? But when I got up there, it was very peaceful and I kinda just took it all in. I feel fortunate to have such wonderful trips like these with such a wonderful certain someone that all the bad things that could or did happen didn’t seem so big at all. Anyhoo, with my sickness and the hot, hot weather and humidity, I got tired of carrying the SLR around so I didn’t come home with as many shots as I had liked. The bf got quite a few on his point and shoot but I have to filter those first and show ya later =). So here’s some snapshots! Here’s the entrance to our hideaway…yes another *sigh*…I can still hear the water flowing…
  • cabo

    The gorgeous view from our hotel room:

    cabo

    The bf parasailing – he reminds me of a monkey here =). Bye hun! See ya later!!

    cabo

    The infamous Arch near Lover’s Beach. Isn’t the color of the water amazing?!

    cabo

    And finally the bf snuck the SLR and caught this shot of me as I was meditating on Lover’s Beach. Ok I wasn’t really meditating – I sensed I was being watched by the paparazzi and decided to strike a pose =).

    cabo

  • I have oodles and oodles of bloggin to do when I get back – 3 weddings, a wedding rehearsal, an engagement session and oh yeah details of my East Coast trip, so please stay tuned! =)

caroline & stephen: wedding

August 14, 2008

“can’t help falling in love”

Caroline & Stephen were happily married on July 26, 2008 at the lovely Historic Cottage at San Clemente State Beach. The cottage is truly a hidden gem tucked away in San Clemente State Park with gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean and just a short walk to the sand. Caroline & Stephen’s wedding was colorful & intimate, much like their unique love and wonderful personalities.

I had the opportunity of working again with the fabulous Amanda and her crew of In The Now Weddings and Events, who ensured that every colorful detail was carefully in place and every event ran smoothly.

Caroline & Stephen – Your wedding was sooo vibrant and beautiful. Thank you for being so easy to work with and making my job that more enjoyable. I know there will be many more colorful moments ahead for the new Mr. & Mrs. Madrid! =) xoxo, Kim Le

Lets start off by checking out a piece of the gorgeous setup. Look at these colors!!!

caroline & stephen wedding

Ok I think this has got to be the cutest cake I ever seen in my life. It was sooo cute!!! And they had this cool Dia de Los Muertos figurines next to it:

caroline & stephen wedding

On the other side of the cake was more representative figurines of Caroline & Stephen, personally equipped with their cat and dog =). I decided to use these cute cake decorators for my ring shot:

caroline & stephen wedding

Now here comes the beautiful bride:

caroline & stephen wedding

caroline & stephen wedding

What a great setting!

caroline & stephen wedding

I love these next few:

caroline & stephen wedding

caroline & stephen wedding

caroline & stephen wedding

I love it when couples honor their moms during the ceremony.

caroline & stephen wedding

Sealed with a kiss!!!

caroline & stephen wedding

Some of Caroline’s lovely accessories:

caroline & stephen wedding

And now we have a few moments to ourselves for some couple pics down near the beach and railroad tracks. It was nice to get away and just have them enjoy each other, even if it was a lil’ hike back uphill! =)

caroline & stephen wedding

We found such great spots!

caroline & stephen wedding

caroline & stephen wedding

caroline & stephen wedding

caroline & stephen wedding

I love Caroline’s model-esque face in this picture. So fierce! =)

caroline & stephen wedding

caroline & stephen wedding

Now back to the reception and the guests. Here’s a peek at some more of the colorful and amazing details:

caroline & stephen wedding

The first dance – these two are so cute!

caroline & stephen wedding

Followed by the father-daughter dance and mother-son dance. I love these moments!

caroline & stephen wedding

The bridesmaids were so pretty in peach!

caroline & stephen wedding

And how about these cutey pies??? =)

caroline & stephen wedding

The night continued on with more dancing…including a new twist on the money dance! And yes Stephen is a twin!!! =)

caroline & stephen wedding

That’s all folks!

caroline & stephen wedding

Actually to see more, just click HERE for Caroline & Stephen’s Slideshow!!!

Vendor Details:
Coordinator: In The Now Weddings and Events
Florist: Floral Event Outlet
Catering: Country Garden Caterers
DJ: After Dark Entertainment

“i kissed a girl”

To be continued…

virginia and brian engagement

On a side note, I have some good news and some bad news. Bad news first – you will have to wait another week for my korner talk! I know, I’m sure you are really gonna miss me go on and on for another week =).

But wait for it…. here’s the good news, (well for me and the bf at least =))!!! I will be out of the office for the rest of the week – the bf and I are leaving today for a vacation in beautiful CABO!!! One of my dear brides had to reschedule her wedding because of family conflicts and I seized the opportunity to turn my availability into some free time for myself. Work-life balance people! Anyhoo, I promise to return your emails upon my return =).

Have a great week everyone! I know I will!!! =P

the ngo-yen family

August 6, 2008

“a family affair”

Family is very important to me so I always feel so honored when I am asked to do family portraits for others. Families may come in all shapes and sizes but it’s the the essence of the family that makes a family truly special and that is exactly what I bring to life in my photographs. I like to showcase the unique cast of characters that make up such a lovable clan. So here I am introducing 3 generations of the Ngo-Yen family. Aren’t they just a lovable bunch?! I actually went to middle school and high school with Anh, so I felt really lucky to capture these memories for her and her family! It’s amazing to see how her family has grown!

ngo family

Clockwise from top left: The Dad, lil’ Megan, lil’ Madisen, the Mom, John, Anh, Tee and Steve!

Haha, I just love these “jumping” shots of them!

ngo family

ngo family

ngo family

One of my favorite shots of Anh & her mom holding hands:

ngo family

There are some seriously good genes in this family!

ngo family

Here’s more proof:

ngo family

And more…beautiful sisters:

ngo family

I just love this shot of lil’ Megan – isn’t she adorable?!

ngo family

“bye bye”

So my birthday is officially over now… I got to share a wonderful evening with the bf and some close friends. The bf brought over lbs of one of my favorite foods: yummy crawfish from The Boiling Crab and a delicious chocolate birthday cake. My roomie Katie also baked me some super cute and fabulous birthday cupcakes. Couldn’t have asked for a better time with great friends and great food.

Check out our crawfish flower – I know we are strange. I love the crawfish – it’s sooo garlicky and spicy!

my bday

I’m lucky to have such great roomies! Katie is quite the baker!

trish and matt wedding

My favorite part of bdays?! Just like weddings – the cake! Props to the bf for picking out such a super cake! YUM!

trish and matt wedding

Thanks to everyone else for all the lovely birthday wishes!!!