Secret Garden Wedding Inspiration | Style Me Pretty Feature

Well I'm just over the moon now...Style Me Pretty, one of my favorite wedding blogs of all time, featured my images on their front page again! I worked with an amazing number of vendors, including these gorgeous actors from my friend's feature film, Love Arcadia, and of course Ellamah for the floral design, BHLDN for the gorgeous gown, Fantasy Frostings in Pasadena for the pretty rustic cake, Modern Elements for the exquisite calligraphy, Theresa Huang's team for the fabulous hair and makeup, Anthony & Michelle for the modeling talent, Found Vintage Rentals for the delightful vintage furniture, Vintage Table Co. for the beautiful table setting decor, Veiled Beauty for the most amazing wedding veil, and finally our lovely venue, Sunny Gable Estates. 

Check out Style Me Pretty for more of this gorgeous Secret Garden affair! 

Portraits | Theresa Huang & Company

“It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are.”  -Paul Caponigro

I had the best time photographing the talented artists of Theresa Huang's Makeup & Hair Design team. They truly are beautiful inside and out. I love Theresa's work and have always been an admirer, so it was an honor to be asked to photograph her company portraits. One of Theresa's artists actually did the hair and makeup for my own wedding last June. Thanks for making me look so beautiful, Tina! :) 

One of my favorite things in the whole world is taking portraits. The art of taking portraits involves not only the photographer, but also the subject. The person whom you're aiming the camera at is very much a part of the creative process. During this time I get to know the person I'm photographing on a more intimate level, and I take a few moments to just observe them before composing the final shot. Best of all, I am tasked with communicating everything I want to say about a person in one single portrait - equivalent to a thousand words. Not much more to be said here right?

The first few photos are of the ever-talented and ever-lovely Theresa Huang. 

Melody & Chung | Engagement

I love photographing toward sunset because of the way the sun is lower in the sky, while it bounces off the earth, reflecting back into a softly diffused, warm light. Engagement sessions are such a unique time between the photographer and their couple, too. We get to know each other a little better, and it also helps my clients ease into being in front of the camera. Even when my couples are very outgoing and extroverted, sometimes they freeze up when it comes to getting their picture taken, because it's probably their first experience with professional photography. So from the engagement session, I guide them through a process where I help them relax in front of the camera, and give them an idea of how I will be shooting on their wedding day. That way, my couples know exactly what to expect and by the time wedding day rolls around, they'll be entirely comfortable smiling and kissing for me! 

Chung and I go way back, back to the days when I first moved to LA and attended Evergreen Church in San Gabriel. He has always been supportive of my photography endeavors, so it was so special when he asked if I would do his engagement session. Of course! It was a pleasure meeting his fiancee (and now wife - congrats guys!), Melody, whom I adore because she's not only sweet and funny, but also an architect! My dream job! Haha. Thanks for letting me document this lovely time in your life! 

More Baby and Family Portraits | Los Angeles

Let me tell you that photographing babies and families is not an easy task! Sometimes it may look so effortless, (because my clients are awesome), but you have no idea how much work is behind all the great images. Being patient is tough for me. Getting the kids to laugh and smile is also difficult. And sometimes these are just split-second captures that happen in an instant, and you either get it or you don't.  But I also love it when parents let me do my "thing" and give me the freedom to be creative. It's so much fun when families let loose, and be themselves, because that's when the sincerest moments arise.  Children are truly God's blessing, and I hope my photos will one day remind the kids that no matter what happens, their parent's love for them is unconditional. Love this family. 

The light toward sunset kept getting better and better...can't beat California light!

Beverly Hills | Greystone Mansion Photographer

Jen, my good friend and college roomie, came to visit me in Los Angeles just a few weeks ago. It had been nearly a year since I last saw her - my wedding - and to say it was good seeing her again is an understatement. If only she would move to LA! Our time spent together is always full of eating and laughing. You would not believe how many restaurants we tried to cram into one single day...it was ridiculous. Well, there's never a dull (or hungry) moment when it comes to hanging out with Jen. 

I took her to Greystone because it's one of the very very few places in Los Angeles where you don't have to pay to see something beautiful. It still blows my mind that it's a public park and anyone can get married here at an affordable rate. This was also the place where my now-husband hinted how he could see himself getting married here (with me, I think...). We didn't end up having our wedding here, due their crazy 1.5 year waiting list, but for all you engaged couples out there, this would be a gorgeous & romantic venue to celebrate your nuptials. 

Let's cut to the chase, though. Doesn't Jen look beautiful? 

Maternity Session | Los Angeles Maternity Photographer

This photo session was very dear to me as I helped a friend document her time being pregnant and what it felt like. Her son was born only one month after this shoot. I knew she was going to be a great mother. We shot this in my home, it was very intimate, minimalistic, but with a lot of heart poured into it. I hope one day Owen can look at these photos and know that he was fully loved even before he was born.