Arlene and I first met in ballet class in the 80s. With my short-lived aspiration to be a ballerina (& a princess), we lost touch. Fast-forward twenty-some years, and we meet again! She's the same sweet girl with that pretty smile and now she's getting married!!! We talked about dresses, flowers, invitations and all things wedding.
I think it's really cool that I get to photograph a wedding of someone I knew when I could still count my age on one hand! I still could, but it would just take longer ;) Arlene & Rommel share a passion for learning & a zest for life. My kinda people... Can't wait to shoot their wedding!
Wednesday night, I was at a Brides Magazine Party at the Museum of Latin American Art. It's always great to see familiar faces and meet new ones. Although I need to do better job at documenting such (seems like I only take pictures when I get there & when I'm about to leave). so I end up stealing this from Roberto's blog... With Roberto Valenzuela, Art Suwansong & John Leon from Wedding 64. Thanks to Sandy for sending some of these... with Roberto Valenzuela, with Tammie Kimura & Marissa Lopez, with Marie Bunke, with Sandra P. with Vic Sizemore And in most events, you'll be sure to find me hovering by the dessert tables. The cupcakes were delish!
Wildflower Linen has helped redefine wedding linens as we know them today. "Couture" for tables & chairs as they say. With their cutting edge and fashion-forward style, they are continually setting trends for the industry. Youngsong Martin and her amazing staff recently hosted a fun event for Orange County florists. The minute I walked in their showroom, I instantly felt the warmth from the smiles that greeted me. You can almost feel that fun, family environment they have at the workplace.
After my guided tour (thanks Mei!), it was a fiesta for me to shoot the details, as well as all the smiles that came in through that door. They shared small bites & big ideas... discussed 2008 trends, new designs, green & sustainable products, among other things.
Young's background in fashion design helped pave the way for her success and constantly growing business. In my opinion, it's her passion, enthusiasm and zest that brings it. Wildflower Linen has a big chunk of the Southern Cali market and recently opened showrooms in New York and San Francisco too.
Details galore! Colors, shapes & textures, always great sources of inspiration... I would totally wear these linens too ;) Here are some images shot with my favorite lens, the 50mm f1.2
Young, the woman behind it all.the ladies, Desiree, Mei, Young, Agnes and Kelly
I am solar-powered. I feel like I function best when it's bright & sunny out. Late afternoon sun is SO beautiful and truly excites me like a kid in a chocolate factory. As I was soaking up what was left of today's sunshine, I could not resist taking this for my iPhone-tography collection. I send such images to friends in the east coast. They hate me ;)
With the whole digital photography revolution, many sometimes seem to forget to "photograph." Manufacturing the images after the fact instead of getting all the ingredients right while taking it. Nothing makes up for great light, good composition, and a well thought out idea. Skills we had to keep sharp when we shot film. This is one of the reasons Jose Villa is a rockstar in my book.
I was in Solvang for his workshop, a fun learning experience. I say this all the time but it's always great to meet other photogs. We start to talk shop, and maybe because of the similar experiences we share, connect almost instantly.
The amazing light, the location, the company... what great burst of inspiration! Got me excited to pick up my film camera again :)
Over a dozen cameras sparsely situated aiming at the same subject somehow looked like wildlife preying. Here are a few that I caught...
