Michelle + Elvin (San Francisco)

Laughing Old World ....

I love photos that are very natural. Real laughter, real emotions.  You can just tell if the photo was staged or it was real emotion being shown.  For this shot I had do something really stupid (dont ask what I did) to make my fiance laugh. 

This is for the Old world portrait...so that's one down and a lot more to shoot for our assignements.

Hoping I dont get the dreaded marker on this one. Yikes!!

Graveyard of planes....

I love flying...but i could not afford a plane. Luckily one of my relatives owns an ultra-lite.  You know those hang glider types with a jet ski type engine. Every time we fly i make sure bring my SLR..you never know what you might see from up there.

Architecture

Milestones....

Milestones are temporary stops we have as we journey through lifes highway.  But these are very importants stops. It helps build our character, gives us more wisdom and more importantly it encourages us to strive more.

Doors.....

Life is a series of obstacles, trials and doorways...

Some doorways can be modern and some can be very old.  Some can be big some can be very narrow...

But they all serve one purpose...it's an entrace to something that can be exciting, a door to adventure, a story untold. 

No matter what kind of door we go through...We learn to accept the challenges what these doors present to us. These are doorways to new chapter in our lives, for our endless search for our purpose on why He put us here. 

Don's stop when a door is locked...find the key and be open to new chapters that your door presents you.

Cherrie + Nicco (Cancun, Mexico) - Engagement

I would have never in in my wildest dreams thought that I'd go to Cancun for wedding job.  It was the highlight wedding job for the year..maybe even for the next coming years.

I dont know if this could be topped by any weddings that I will do in OC.  But you will never know...when the Guy up there blessess you...you better be ready.

SF portrait

Been wanting to post this pic of ever since.

I just love the way the sun casted it's shadows on my future father in law=).  This was their first time in  the US of A. And we took them everywhere.

I never get tired of going to SF.  If i had a choice i would live there...the place has so much character. It's a place where you can bring your camera everywhere and for sure you will go home with great pictures.

Old.....

I've always been fascinated with old dilapidated houses.  When you get to see one, you just can't help and imagine what ever happened to this house, and who were the people who lived here.  There is that mystery that goes with old houses...

Companions for this weekend

While my fiance is away, these two will be accompanying  me the whole weekend=).  I was so excited when I picked up Hassy from her home, i could not even wait to open up the pelican case that was keeping her safe.  I think this is the closest i would ever get to owning a hassy (just for the weekend).  Maybe when im a famous photographer and I'm being sought out by the top agencies...maybe then i could afford to get one for myself.(hey i can's stop daydreaming right?)

Excited!! can't wait what this baby can do!

(by the way thats Yogi the bear meeting his new friend)

Crazy Week

It's been one crazy week so far...and its still going. All the blogs of for today or yesterday was all about time, craziness, projects...and its true!!  I'm juggling a full time job, a demanding course, photo shoots and my insanity.  I take back my comment on my previous blog if they can take monday off...now i want more days in a week just to keep up with all these stuff thats  going on!!

As our art director would say, "time management"...hmmm maybe i should ask her to give a lecture on that!!  no!!!  she might then ask us to do a project on that too!!! enough already!!!  ok ok be calm...everything's going to A-ok!!  FOCCCCUUUUUUSSSS is all i need!!! I say - BRING IT ON!!

Alicia + Carlos

She thought nothing of his plans to spend the weekend at the beautiful Ritz Carlton in Dana Point. It was her birthday after all. "Surely he is just being his sweet self making big plans for my birthday", she thought. They started out with a romantic dinner and some wine. They proceeded to stroll around the hotel grounds enjoying the spectacular view of the pacific. As they headed back to the hotel, they chanced upon a piano in the hotel's lobby. Carlos sat down and started playing to the tune of "Growing Old with You". Though smitten by this romantic gesture, she thought to herself: "he should just play this when he proposes to me..". They then went back to their room but as she opened the door, she saw scattered petals leading up to the table with a small box on top. He opened the box and knelt down. Before he could even say a word, tears started running down her face. Almost a year ago, on Alicia's birthday, Carlos professed his love for Alicia and asked her to marry him. The response of course, was a resounding YES!!!

This is our first wedding shoot at the Wayfarer's Chapel. We were thrilled when we found out the venue of the ceremony. We've always wanted to shoot a wedding here. Designed by Lloyd Wright, son of the prominent architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the Chapel's unique design has also made it a must-see in Southern California.

Like These two have got to be the goofiest couple we've shot so far - making for some cool and relaxed photos. Thank you both for allowing us to be a part of your wedding. Your families have also been more than accommodating. The best of luck to you both.

Manille Bakery's Beverly Hills Launch

A few months ago I shot the launching of a bakery that was featured in TLC.  They have decided to open a store in Beverly Hills.  If you have the sweet tooth, you would love their desserts.  i'm not much of a dessert but when i tasted the food for the gods...it made me realize what I've been missing hahaha. I used to love sweets but somehow along my life...i kinda shut it out of my life to be more healthy (yeah right!!  replaced it with beer instead hahahaha).  I know some friends who would rather eat dessert then eat the main course...i dont get them!!! Not until i tasted the heavenly made food for the gods!!!

check out their website. http://manillebakery.com/

Athletes in a league of their own...

I've been shooting the Long Beach Marathon for 3 years now, and every time i ask myself....


Why do people do it? Is it for fitness, crazyness or is it a goal before we hit our 40's. I've seen runners do it every year and never fail to finish it.

What does it take to finish a full marathon? A lot of training, sweat, discipline and the perseverance to go through all the pain that you feel on race day. Seeing these athletes do the marathon throughout the years, and through all the obstacles that life brings them...humbles me.

Congratulations to all the finishers!!! Hats off to you.