matt, trish & raymond: engagement & family portrait

"love like this"

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!

gobble gobble

"giving thanks"

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):

1. My phamily - they drive me crazy and I love them just the way they are.
2. My photography - the business is running along and I've met such great people along the way. I am honored to be able to capture such treasured memories for my clients.
3. My roommate - good roommates are so hard to find and I'm fortunate that I've found someone as fun and compatible as her.
4. The bf - good boyfriends are even harder to find. The bf has a way of making me smile and brightening up my day everyday and any day.
5. My friends - its so true but the older you get the smaller your circle of friends become. My friends are an extension of my family and they have stuck by me in good times and bad.
6. My health - for those of you who know me well, I'm not the best about taking care of my health needs and like to indulge in not-so-healthy-eats. Luckily, I've remain pretty healthy this year and been able to continue doing all the things I love to do.
7. Justin Timberlake - he brought sexy back need I say more?

tagged

"pieces of me"

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

faisal & heela: wedding

"dancing the night away"

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!

1000 to go!

"it’s my life"

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:

shi-kah-go

"she’s like the wind"

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:

2000 & counting...

"gimme more"

Thanks to all my visitors!!! I am thrilled today, not only because the Patriots won but also because my blog just reached 2000 hits!!! And no, most of them are not by me! Hahaha. I am so, so happy and grateful to be doing something I truly love. So please keep visiting my blog and taking the time to leave me a comment or two. It really makes my day to know people are enjoying my images and thoughts. So to quote the infamous Ms. Britney Spears please "gimme more" =).

happy birthday kobe!!!

"always be my baby"

I still remember the day I brought him home almost 2 years ago. He was so tiny and was crying softly because he had been separated from his mom a few days earlier. I knew then that he needed me as much as I needed him. He was my lil' pup and got me through some difficult times back then. We shared a lot of great times together like eating and sleeping =). At 2 years of age, he has now become a strapping young lad (he even has a gf!), but in my heart, he will always be my baby. Happy 2nd birthday Kobes!!! (And to the other Kobe, you better stay with the Lakers!!!)

See how lil' and precious he was?!? And FYI - the scared look on his face was due to the flash on the camera, not because of me!

Now...all grown up! But still so cute! =)