"leaving (for) las vegas"
Hi ya'll!!! I'm leaving town for a few days to celebrate the new year in sin city! Wish me luck!!! I will be checking my emails periodically and will return on January 2, 2008. Take care and be safe everyone!
HAPPY 2008!!!
"it's the most wonderful time of the year"
Just wanted to take the time in the midst of all the festivities to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!! More holiday news to follow! Back to the celebrating!!!
We all know how important the day of the wedding is, but we cannot forget about all those fun and crazy events leading up to the momentous occasion. It has become increasingly common for couples to have photography coverage at wedding rehearsals, rehearsal dinners and bridal showers to document the wedding frenzy you endure with family, friends & loved ones. After all, we know the “big day” isn’t really just about that day. If you are married, I think you will agree that you spend way more time planning a wedding than actually participating in it! With family in town and excitement built up, I believe there are some amazing moments waiting to be captured at these events. So for all you couples, this might be something you want to keep in mind when doing your wedding planning. Who knows – you might get that shot of Mom crying because she finally saw Aunt Sue after 5 years. Or you might get that shot of Uncle Ted getting a lil’ too tipsy thanks to the open bar. Whatever the case, these are moments worth looking back on and worth the extra planning for.
Here are examples of a wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner I shot in August 2007. Thanks to Dustin & Wendi and their families for such a great time! As you can tell from the pics, they had a blast as well! Click here to see photographs from their beachfront August wedding!
Last week, I attended the Efficient Lighting Company Holiday Party which was held at the skydeck of the luxurious 1100 Wilshire in downtown LA. I was amazed by the breathtaking views of downtown. I have lived in LA for 9 years now (wow that's a long time) and have yet to take in the LA skyline from this vantage point. I know the City has been trying to revitalize downtown LA and turn it into a thriving urban hub. I must say I am impressed by the new developments, but also still turned off by the traffic and smog that surrounds the area. I drove by the newly constructed Nokia Theatre across from the Staples Center, which to me has the feel of the incredible Times Square in NYC. They are also building Ritz Carlton residences in the same block. I think I'll pass and stick to my modest apartment in West LA =).
Anyway, I just wanted to say congrats to Efficient Lighting Company on a successful year - thanks for a fun night! And I would recommend checking out the new downtown if you can - just don't drive from 7-10am or 4-8pm - there's just waaaay too much traffic. You gotta love LA! =)
I couldn't help but take some shots of the amazing views. It's so much prettier at night isn't it? 
Today I sat down and while humming "Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la" in my head, I wrote this note to Santa regarding my Christmas wish this year:
Dearest Santa,
I have been a very good girl this year and would love to have a brand new handbag this year for Christmas. Preferably a creamy leather handbag by Marc Jacobs with shiny gold accents. Thank you Santa and please enjoy the Sprinkles cupcakes I have left for you by my pseudo-fireplace.
Forever good,
Kim Le
But, soon after I wrote the note, I realized that I didn’t need to write the letter because I had already bought the handbag for myself! Whoops - my bad! =)
Here she is – isn’t she soooo looooovely??? =) *Sigh*
**Merry Christmas to me!!! Merry Christmas to me!!!**
Soooo I decided to write this new letter instead:
Dearest Santa family & friends,
I have been a very good girl this year and would love decided to have treat myself to a brand new handbag this year for Christmas. Preferably It is a creamy leather handbag by Marc Jacobs with shiny gold accents. Unfortunately because Mr. Jacobs has insane markups on his handbags, I’m sorry but I have no money left for Christmas gifts this year. Thank you Santa for being a special part of my life and please enjoy the Sprinkles cupcakes I have left for you by my pseudo-fireplace as a token of my love and please wash your hands before touching my new handbag.
Love Fforever good,
Kim Le
First of all, thank you Heidi & Warren for referring such an amazing couple to me! I’m telling you I have the best clients! Matt, Trish & the absolutely adorable Raymond met me in Laguna Beach, CA on Sunday for a fun engagement/family portrait session. I knew right away it was going to be great session when I got big welcome hugs from Trish & Raymond upon first meeting (don’t worry Matt - I won’t hold the missing hug against you! =)). Matt, Trish & Raymond are the cutest family ever. First of all, they are blessed with incredible good looks and secondly, they are blessed with genuine kindness and complete love. I kept thinking to myself, “how much cuter can than this lil’ family get?!” And then I noticed the cute lil’ stars Trish had drawn on all of their jeans and the cute matching black Converses they were all wearing and I was like “man, I need to get me a cute lil’ family like this!”
Thank you Matt, Trish & Raymond for being so considerably sweet and wonderfully cute. I can’t wait for your wedding in 2009, which I’m sure will be as cute as you are! Ok, enough of the cuteness and on with the pics! =)
Without further a due, introducing the cutest-family-ever: Matt, Trish & Raymond:
*Sigh* total cuteness:
*Sigh* more cuteness:
Raymond was such a good boy throughout the shoot. He struck a pose when I asked him to and played quietly with his Transformers when I was shooting Matt & Trish. Except for this shot when I told him to chase the seagulls and he ended up chasing me!
Um they don’t seem to notice the seagulls =):
Ok, enough with the seagulls, time for the playground!
Matt & Trish still kissing… =)
…but, Raymond doesn’t seem to mind – he’s having a blast!
Break it up you two!
Raymond likes to kiss too! =)
Check out Matt & Raymond’s matching Volcom shirts!
Check out Trish’s radiant smile!
Ok back to kissing…my fave shots of the day:
Shot to end the day:
I had the hardest time narrowing down the pics – there were so many cute ones! For more images of the cutest-family-ever, check out Matt, Trish & Raymond’s SLIDESHOW!
Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite holidays of the year. I mean who doesnt love a holiday where all you do is eat and hang out with loved ones?! =). Every year for Thanksgiving, my sister turns into Martha Stewart and whips us this extravagant turkey day feast for our phamily. I eat until Im as stuffed as the turkey, watch some football and then eat some more. Then I try to sleep as early as I can (which usually doesnt work) so I can wake up early for Black Friday, which is another favorite holiday of mine. In honor of 2007, here are just 7 things Iam incredibly thankful for this year (in random order):
I’ve been tagged by Ms. Coconut Cream Pie so here are some tid-bits about lil ol’ me:
4 of my favorite things-to-do:
1. Travel
2. Laugh
3. Eat
4. Photograph
4 things you probably don’t know about me (but I know you would like to! =)):
1. I’m scared of ketchup, yes, ketchup. Don’t come near me with it.
2. I’m the youngest of 10 children, yes, I’m the babeeeeeeee!
3. I was born in New Orleans and can probably eat more crawfish than you =P.
4. I have a semi-mean poker game but a not-so-mean poker face.
4 of my favorite foods (yummy!):
1. Sushi
2. Crab
3. Chocolate soufflé
4. Mom’s beef pho
4 of my favorite songs of all time (I’m a sucker for sappy love songs):
1. “By Your Side” by Sade
2. “With Or Without U” by U2 (even better live)
3. “Lets Stay Together” by Al Green (must play at weddings)
4. “End of the Road” by Boyz II Men (you know you liked in Boomerang)
4 of my guiltiest pleasures (Only list 4?! I have waaaay too many):
1. Drinking Coke
2. Watching Reality TV (The Hills, Top Model, Big Brother, you name it!)
3. Coffee Bean Vanilla Iced Blended
4. Shopping
4 of my favorite places I’ve traveled to (*sigh*):
1. Santorini, Greece
2. Paris, France
3. Nassau, Bahamas
4. Florence, Italy
4 favorite things I own (and I don’t like to share either =)):
1. My handbags – I love them all!
2. My jeans – I love them all too!
3. Greeting cards people have given to me - I love them and save them all.
4. My C.G.
4 blogs I am tagging:
1. Vu
2. Kani, Rubin & Ella!
3. Simply Modern Weddings
4. In The Now Weddings and Events
I had the pleasure of shooting Faisal & Heela’s wedding reception on November 9, 2007 at the Royal Palace in Glendale, CA. I was taken aback by the beautiful customs and grand festivities of an Afghan wedding. The wedding had such a colorful energy to it. It was all about getting together with family & friends and just having an infinite good time. There was non-stop food (which was soooo delicious) and non-stop dancing. Everyone and I mean everyone couldn’t stop dancing! The custom behind this is to have a grand celebration to launch the couple into their new life. Sounds to me like a good time in any culture! And you know it must be a good party when people don’t want to leave – even at 2 am! The music and dancing were so infectious that I couldn’t help but move a lil' to the beat as I was snapping away. I’m just glad my assistant shooter Patrick didn’t sneak any pics of me in the act! It’s weddings like these that make me think in my head “wow, I get paid to do this?!” and "wow, I really need to learn some new dance moves."
Thank you Faisal & Heela for letting me capture your special evening. You and your family & friends are amazing and vibrant. Your energy and dance moves are contagious and inspirational!
And special thanks to Patrick for shooting alongside me! He handled the Canon 70-200mm like a pro!
Here are some reminders of all the fun:
Faisal & Heela were so busy having a good time that they didn't want to be bogged down taking posed portraits. I must admit I don't blame them - it was some party! I managed to tie them down and get in a few shots. Introducing the newly-married-gorgeous-couple:
Pre-celebration blessings:
The amazing ambiance:
The bride & groom's decorative seats for the evening:
One of the many traditional gifts given to the bride & groom from family members:
Another wonderful tradition - henna is applied to the palm for good luck and happiness - on the bride:
...and all guests:
Congratulatory hug from the father-of-the bride:
Some more lovely details:
Now it's time for the fun to really begin!
The first of many dances between Faisal & Heela:
Heela looking radiant as always:
The rest of the gorgeous guests join in on the fun. All the ladies wore such beautiful dresses:
There goes Heela looking good again:
Faisal looking just as good and showing he’s got some moves himself:
The night winds down, but the love never ends!
To see more of images a slideshow from the wedding click on the link here: Faisal & Heela SLIDESHOW!
I have wanted to do this for a while and since I am officially 1000 days from my 30th birthday, I decided to start this countdown today. I know what you are thinking – “30 is nothing”, “30 is the new 20”, “you still look 16”, etc… Those may all be true, but for me turning the Big 3-0 serves as a marker in my life – recognizing that I’ve already lived 27 years and although I have very many cherished memories and am extremely grateful for all the things I have, there is so much I still have yet and would like to experience and accomplish.
So I put up this handy countdown to serve as a helpful reminder to never lose sight of my goals and follow through - to do all those things that I say “I’ve always wanted to do” or “I’ve been meaning to do” but never or haven’t recently taken the time to do:
This past weekend the bf joined me in the Windy City and we had the best time enjoying all of Chicago’s amazing architecture and delectable eats. It wasn’t my first time here, but it was my first time with him which made it all that more enjoyable. Some of my faves of the weekend were eating delicious deep-dish pizza from the original Pizzeria Uno, learning the history behind Chicago’s fine architecture via Wendella's River and Lake tour, catching an incredible skyline view from the top of Big John, playing around with the big Bean at Millennium Park and eating melt-in-your-mouth pancakes at the legendary Lou Mitchell’s. I just looooove Chicago – the city and the people here have so much character. I am always amazed how the city stays so beautiful and clean. Being here in the fall/winter is an added bonus with the leaves changing color (you don’t get that in SoCal) and everyone in their fabulous winter gear all bundled up!
The bf likes taking pics just as much as I do, here are some images from his point-and-shoot:
Me and the bf trying to stay warm on the boat tour:
Me and the colorful leaves in the park:
Me and the Bean:
Me and his Airness:
