Archive for the ‘personal’ Category

i see london.

August 31, 2010

“been around the world”

This is my last post for my summer Euro trip (sad). I ended the trip in the lovely city of London. It was my first visit to London and it was extra special because I got to spend time with my friend Sam who recently moved there. Ok before we begin, here’s a brief background. Almost exactly 4 years ago (sad), I went on a month long backpacking trip to Italy, Greece and France with my friend Lauren. (And yes I backpacked – the backpack weighed more than I did). We had the most amazing time and ended up meeting the most amazing group of ladies on our Greek Contiki tour. From that day on, we have kept in touch and met up in various cities around the world. I feel so fortunate to have made such good friends through my travels and it just reminds you how unexpected and wonderful life can be :) .

Here we are all around the world in the last few years, although I realized that you can’t tell where we are from these pics lol. (Left to counter clockwise: Athens – the first night we all met, Sydney, the Hamptons and San Francisco).

london by kim le photography

So fast forward 4 years and one of the girls who I met, Gaetane moved from NYC to Paris, which is the main reason I visited Paris before going to London. Another one of the girls, Sam packed up a few suitcases and moved from Sydney to London with her boyfriend Matty this past summer. It’s amazing how much life can change in just a few years! I was sad Lauren and Jane couldn’t join us in Europe this time, but we are already discussing another reunion :) .

I had the best time in London wandering around the city with good friends. We ate fish n’ chips, drank afternoon tea, watched Les Miserables, ate Indian food and I tried practicing my British accent the whole time but somehow I always ended up sounding more Australian. London has that big city feel which I love. And anything is better when you experience it with wonderful people around you :) . I convinced Sam + Matty to let me capture them in their new city while we wandered around. Let me just say these two are this cute even when the camera isn’t in front of them. They are so in love and perfect for each other. I can’t wait to see as their new life in London evolves! Here are some photos of Sam + Matty and London from my eye:

Ok whenever I saw this recognizable bridge (which is really called the Tower Bridge but everyone thinks it’s the London Bridge), I kept on singing that Fergie song in my head. You know the one that goes “my London, London bridge, wanna go down like”…um yeah…
london by kim le photography

london by kim le photography

london by kim le photography
I just love them!
london by kim le photography
You can’t go to London without going to a pub:
london by kim le photography
Or taking a photo with a red telephone booth:
london by kim le photography
london by kim le photography

london by kim le photography
I have always wanted to go to Notting Hill after watching the movie!
london by kim le photography
london by kim le photography
london by kim le photography

london by kim le photography

london by kim le photography
london by kim le photography
If you ever plan on having afternoon tea in London, you absolutely have to go to a place called Sketch. It is such a unique venue and has the most charming tea room.
london by kim le photography

london by kim le photography

london by kim le photography
london by kim le photography
london by kim le photography

london by kim le photography
AND I have another big trip on the way. Can’t wait to share this news and the photos of course!

czeching in from Prague.

August 27, 2010

“check on it”

After Paris, we decided to spend a few days in the beautiful city of Prague. Prague has always been on the top of my must visit list and I am so happy we went. The city has such a charm about it. Everything was so picturesque and pretty. I feel so lucky to be able to cross another destination off my list! Now I definitely want to go visit other places in Eastern Europe. Who’s with me?!

prague travel by kim le photography

prague travel by kim le photography

Thanks to Nancy for this shot of me!

prague travel by kim le photography

Yes I found a Lakers one :) .

prague travel by kim le photography

prague travel by kim le photography

prague travel by kim le photography

prague travel by kim le photography

prague travel by kim le photography

prague travel by kim le photography

prague travel by kim le photography

prague travel by kim le photography

prague travel by kim le photography

Yup creepy dolls pretty much scare me.

prague travel by kim le photography

prague travel by kim le photography

prague travel by kim le photography

prague travel by kim le photography

“magic”

Last month I traveled with my friend Nancy to one of my favorite cities in the world: PARIS. We were there to visit my other friend and immerse ourselves in everything Parisian, which basically means a whole lotta eating and shopping :) . At the last minute (literally), Nancy’s boyfriend (key word here is boyfriend – these are not engagement photos :) ), Kevin decided to hop on a not so short flight from Los Angeles to Paris so that I could take some nice photos of him and his sweetie in Paris. When Nancy told me at the airport, I immediately turned her and said “he’s a keeper” :) . So Kevin traveled a total of 30 hours to get to spend 36 hours in Paris with Nancy….and ME (I know what a lucky guy :) ). But, I didn’t mind being a third wheel as I find that I usually am on photo shoots. I was especially excited because although this was my second time in such an amazing city, it was my first time getting to do a photo shoot. We ventured around this breathtaking city and managed to get in some lovely pictures despite Kevin being jet lagged (poor guy) and me on an endless search for my pink Louie (that’s another story folks). We actually stayed up all night just to catch sunrise photos of the Eiffel Tower before Kevin had to leave for his flight. I could spend days, prolly even months shooting in Paris – everything is just so romantic there sigh. If you haven’t visited Paris yet, I HIGHLY suggest you go and take me with you of course :) .

paris engagement wedding by kim le photography

paris engagement wedding by kim le photography

paris engagement wedding by kim le photography

paris engagement wedding by kim le photography

paris engagement wedding by kim le photography

paris engagement wedding by kim le photography

paris engagement wedding by kim le photography

paris engagement wedding by kim le photography

More travel pics on the way! :)

friday i’m in love.

August 6, 2010

“just the way you are”

Yes I am so in love with my latest couple – so much that I had to put up some sneak peeks of their wedding from last weekend.

rancho las lomas wedding by kim le photography

rancho las lomas wedding by kim le photography

rancho las lomas by kim le photography

I know it’s not fair but that’s all the loving you get for now! Stay tuned for more!

P.S. I am going out of the office AGAIN! This time for a birthday bash in Vegas followed by a wedding in Cabo, Mexico. Um..yes..life.is.pretty.good.

30 going on 13!

August 4, 2010

“it’s the most wonderful time of the year”

Yup I can’t believe it myself! Today is my big 3-0 and it’s hard to believe I am entering a new decade. I must admit for a long time (prolly ever since I turned 20), I have been dreading the day I turned 30. But, I have to say that it’s not so bad :) . Partly because I still look young (I think I look the same as I did when I was 13), but mainly because I still feel really young. I feel like I have grown so much in the last few years (and I’m not referring to height) and I am at a very happy place in my life. I feel so blessed to share my life with so many wonderful people, travel to so many new and exciting places and all in all, enjoy life to the fullest. Not just every year, but everyday feels like a new opportunity for me to grow and enjoy life experiences. So today I am embracing being 30! But, ask me tomorrow how I feel lol.

So yesterday, as an early birthday surprise, I got the opportunity to learn how to trapeze. Now if you know me, you know I am the biggest chicken you will ever meet. I am scared of many things including heights and of course ketchup. So this was definitely not my idea, but I felt the pressure of “now or never”. It also helped that I was thinking of that episode of Sex and the City where Carrie trapezed. And with a lot of encouragement and extra shove from the instructor, I took that leap of faith and swung my lil’ heart out. Ok not really. I just held onto the bars as hard and long as I could. It was actually pretty fun when I wasn’t screaming my head off or thinking about how I hope to make it to my 30th birthday tomorrow. I was proud that I tried something I never would have done and I was happy to share these scary/exciting times with great people. I guess this is a lil’ symbolic of how my life has been. And I can’t wait to take many more leaps!!!

Here I am in action. And as cool as this photo looks, I was actually screaming and holding on for dear life. Thanks to Jason Huang for the photo and the extra encouragement! :)

boudoir by kim le photography

a very special proposal!

August 2, 2010

“truly madly deeply”

Happy Monday everyone! I wanted to start the week off with a very sweet story of my two very good friends. Linda + Vu recently got engaged and their proposal video is something I just had to share. Vu went all out in surprising Linda (and everyone else) with the grandest of proposals. Before you watch the video, here’s a little background on the amazing story! Vu picked up videography as a hobby earlier this year so he managed to capture it all on video without Linda being suspicious at all! Since he was young (or could remember), Vu wanted to propose to his future wife on top of a mountain. Finally after 9 years together (what were you waiting for Vu?!), he decided to propose on the day of the summer solstice this year a.k.a. the longest day of the year as a representation of the long life they have ahead together. So he told Linda that they were taking a trip to Yosemite with his family for fun. He had his wonderful family help document the whole thing and since he has been making videos lately, Linda had no idea what was going on until the big moment actually happened. This video will make you want to fall in love and hire a videographer or a very good photographer..*ahem, ahem* :) for your proposal. I didn’t admit this to them, but the video actually made me shed a tear or two. I have known these two for nearly 10 years now and I am so very happy to be a part of this special time for them. And I can’t wait to shoot their engagement session later this year! Here’s just a lil’ peek into their happy times. More happiness to follow!

engagement photography by kim le photography

Be sure to watch the whole video – it’s totally worth it!
Engagement weekend at Yosemite and Napa from Ponderosa Productions on Vimeo.

“bulletproof”

Hi everyone!!!! I am taking a moment to breathe and blog. I can’t believe almost half the year has already passed and what a year it has been! (On another note, I also can’t believe I am turning 3-0 in 40 days!!! AHHHH!!!!) I am soooo grateful to be soooo busy! Kim Le Photography has grown tremendously in the past year and I must admit, it is quite an art to find the right balance between work and life itself. In fact, I feel like work has become my life and although I really enjoy every minute of it, I know I can’t spend all day in front of my computer and/or behind the camera or can I?! So as Kim Le Photography continues to grow, please be patient with some of the growing pains along the way. I am working on changes to better my business and provide me with the resources to take care of my clients and myself. New and improved things are coming soon and I can’t wait to share all of the news and photos. Thanks for your continuing patience and support!!!!

And did I mention how great of a year it has been?!!! I am so blessed and honored to have my work featured on various web publications. I really LOVE what I do and it makes me happy to share my work with so many people! Here are various Kim Le Photography features in the past few months. Be sure to click on the photos below to view the full blog post. Thank you to all of the amazing blogs and my incredible clients!
style me pretty kim le photography

ever ours blog kim le photography

style me pretty kim le photography
style me pretty kim le photography

style me pretty kim le photography
style me pretty kim le photography
southern weddings magazine kim le photography

southern weddings magazine kim le photography

Brenda's Wedding Blog kim le photography

“we be jammin’”
My mother is the strongest and most unselfish person I know. She is my hero and the constant inspiration behind my life and work. But one of the things I love most about her is that she is as silly as she is strong. She inspires me to smile and enjoy everyday of my life with her. I love you mommy! Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful moms out there!!!!
mother's day by kim le photography

Can you see the resemblance?! I think it’s the hair.

“like a star”

I have to be honest – I have been sick, tired and feeling a lil’ overwhelmed lately. Both my mother and my body have been telling me to slow down. But, it is so hard do so when I feel like there is still so much I want to do. Sometimes I think my mind and heart move faster than life itself. While wallowing in my sickness today, I received the sweetness gift from one of my sweetness couples and it reminded me exactly why I don’t intend to slow down. (I might just take more Vitamin C and use more sanitary hand wipes). Please don’t get me wrong – it’s not the gift that inspires me, but the act of thoughtfulness that truly touched me. It is wonderful to think that my clients enjoyed their photos so much that they took time out of their day to show their appreciation. I am truly grateful for the endless opportunities to touch people’s lives and having happy clients inspires me to continue to do so. As they say in the NBA, “this is why I play the game“! I thought it was so appropriate that the earrings were stars – I always feel like the sky is the limit and the stars are within reach. Thank you Jenny + Andrian – your thoughtfulness and love continues to inspires me!!! I can’t wait for their “i do’s” in April! And for those of you that are curious, gifts like these do not result in me giving you six-pack abs in your photos. I put forth 110% to all of my clients’ photos regardless. This was a gift after the photos were delivered! :)

inspiration by kim le photography

inspiration by kim le photography