Archive for April, 2010

{ Sylvia + Kenny }

On a rare lazy Sunday, Scott & I visited a little overlook I had been wanting to see to enjoy a bit of the outdoors. We brought our cameras {including our new film cameras – more on that soon!} and had fun snapping away at the amazing skyline, the gorgeous wildflowers, each other — but I couldn’t help but secretly think (okay I lied, I thought it very much out loud) how I wished I had a fabulous couple to shoot at this new Best Location In the Universe.

I actually was SO SO ANTSY that I called my sister on the drive home, told her I had found a photographer’s paradise, and asked if her & her awesome bf Kenny would be up for a photoshoot that very week. Luckily, my sister is a photographer as well, completely understood my crazy photographer needs, and agreed without a second thought. I firmly believe my little sis is way more stylish & photogenic than I am, but see any sisterly resemblance? :)

A big thank you to my sister & Kenny for agreeing to this shoot and braving the craziest of winds for these photos. I am so so excited we could work out this shoot even in the midst of wedding season.

P.S. Note to anyone having a heart attack at this moment (aka Mom) – these are just for fun & NOT engagement photos :)

{ Joyce | Maternity }

Joyce was one of my very best friends growing up. During snack breaks in high school, we used to buy Flaming Hot Cheetoes and eat them dipped in cream cheese (trust me, it’s the next best dipping combo after frosties & fries). We were tennis partners all 4 years & had a special tennis “high five” we’d do with our racquets whenever we scored. Not that we were actually very good. But that was the fun of it – because Joyce was, and always had been, about having fun and living in the moment.

I always admired that about her. That she was so carefree & laidback – that no matter how hard she worked, she never complained; that even when things were their hardest, she could always smile; that even when she was busy as could be herself, she always ALWAYS found the time to help a friend without a second thought. And because of these amazing qualities, qualities I can only wish I could so gracefully possess, I always knew she would make the absolute perfect mother. Of course her insane domestic abilities couldn’t hurt as well – her cooking, sewing, and crafting skills definitely put my I’m-just-trying-to-not-burn-the-toast self to shame.

About a year ago, when Joyce had just graduated from the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Tokyo, I asked her what her plans were next. Working in a big name restaurant? Teaching cooking classes? Focusing on opening her own patisserie? She thought for a moment, smiled, and said, “I just want to be a mom…”

It is with an extremely happy heart that I share these photos of my friend in one of her most radiant times :)

I love how the recent rains resulted in the prettiest green fields…

{ Queen of Hearts }

Our story is set in Wonderland.
The Queen is in love… her heart is full.
Together with her king-to-be, they are hosting a wedding party reception, her way.
Her elite guest list is limited to a special few.
Held at her private palace, in the gardens, it is nothing out of the ordinary for her majesty.
Just feathers and fluff. Opulent jewel tones. Rich satin and lush velvet.
Gold glitz and glam. Natural greens. Delectable dessert. Roses red.
Her way.

When Mai of Bunch Studio first emailed me regarding collaboration on a shoot, I instantly knew I wanted to be a part of it. She is after all a phenomenal & uber creative florist, a wonderful friend, and one of my September brides-to-be :) When I read on about the premise of the shoot however (part of which included the dreamy italicized narrative above), I found myself grow increasingly giddy with excitement. You see, she contacted me right around when Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland came out and a slew of wonderful Alice-inspired shoots were being concocted & carried out. There were many fabulous tea party themed shoots {including this one I had the pleasure of being a part of :) }, but it had never remotely occurred to me that a shoot could be based on an entirely different aspect of wonderland, namely the Queen of Hearts.

Though I was already so enamored with the idea Mai described, there was no way I could have prepped myself for the amazingness I found when I walked up to the shoot on the day of. She enlisted the help of two great talents, Olivia at Zoie Events & Laurie of I Believe It’s Cake (who is an absolute cake genius – before I met her in person, I had simply known of her as The Girl Who Makes Cakes in the Ridiculously Uncanny Likeness of Gucci Purses. GUCCI PURSES!)

A huge thank you to Mai for inviting me to be a part of this shoot & for sharing this wonderful piece of inspiration with me.

{ This shoot was featured on the lovely & inspirational blog Grey Likes Weddings – thank you to Summer for the feature! See the full post here. }

I completely fell in love with this amazing red dress for the “reception”. I LOVE how light & airy fabrics like tulle & chiffon looks in photos!

Florals & Design: Mai Hoang of Bunch Studio
Event Coordinator/Producer: Olivia Wu of Zoie Events
Cake Artist: Laurie Mura of I Believe It’s Cake
Stationery: Valerie Edmondson
Make-up Artist: Elena Adorno
Hair Stylist: Tiffany Suzuki
Models: Bride – Jayde DiVita/ Groom – Patrick Cronen
Bride’s attire: Shareen Vintage / Groom’s attire: Joseph Mattucci Tailors
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Linens: BBJ Linens

{ As seen on Grey Likes Weddings }