WILL & SANDY PORTRAITS | LOS ANGELES PHOTOGRAPHER

As I promised in my last post, photos of this pretty portrait session are now here! It was such a wacky day of weather with the sun fading in and out of the clouds. We could also see an impending storm drifting toward us in the distance. Even though I'm now spoiled by always perfect SoCal weather, I'll never forget growing up in the land of four seasons (north carolina) where hurricanes never stopped anyone from driving to the grocery store, or going out to walk their dog. So, when the rain was fast approaching and possibly about to ruin our photo session, I did not panic. I simply made sure we maximized our time while the weather was still great, albeit overcast and temperamental. In fact, our photos turned out rather beautifully thanks to a beautiful couple and an amazing sky. We were so blessed that the rain came much later! It was a perfect day photographing the rare cherry blossoms in the San Fernando Valley. 

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! 

Part I: Carmel-by-the-Sea & Point Lobos Travel

 I am not originally from California and know quite little about it, even after moving to Los Angeles. Of course I had been to the other big CA cities, such as SF or San Diego, but all that laid in between was a complete mystery to me. What's the Central Valley? Is that where Silicon Valley is? Isn't the entire State of California just a bunch of desert, gold mines, and dead grass? Thankfully my husband is a California native, born and bred, and would eventually correct my ignorance and impart to me his vast knowledge of the Golden State.

He had casually mentioned Carmel-by-the-Sea sometime before. At the sound of the name my interest was already piqued. So it was such a pleasant surprise when he told me on the eve of my birthday, "Honey, pack your bags in the weekender tote I just bought you, 'cause we're heading to Carmel!" 

This is actually just part I of our trip...some of other rolls of film are still pending in the lab. I wanted to go ahead and share a few snippets from our excursion to Point Lobos, so in case you were expecting Carmel photos, uhh I apologize. But now I've built up your anticipation...so check back later for more! :) 

Point Lobos is easier to explain in photos. I think it's pretty self-explanatory how breathtaking it is. My favorite shot was of the deer prancing in the golden meadow, though by no means a perfect image, it was fun pretending to be a national geographic photographer for a second...hehe. 

Here's Carol-by-the-Sea: