Just Keep Shooting

Sometimes I think I want this blog to be like all the other photographer's blog. Lots and lots of nice and amazing pictures but so far it's been about who I am, Luke, and more Luke.

I will have to admit it's been a struggle to get back into shooting more. I just love being a Mom.

These past six months have gone by so quickly but filled with life changing events and milestones. I am so grateful and blessed to have the opportunity to be a full time mommy. I love the rewards of it. I have a happy and healthy baby. One who is quiet, smiles with his eyes, and loves everyone he meets.

As equally as important is Mitch. He is an amazing husband and an amazing father. One who gets up at 3 am (even though he has to get up a few hours later to head into the office) just to give me a break or come home after a day of work and cook dinner when I've had a bad day. He is always there to support me and to also push me (when I need it) to challenge myself. He is the most amazing man ever. (Sorry ladies he's taken!)

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A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending the Showit Freedom Tour in San Francisco with my friend and fellow photographer Jihan to see Jasmine Star our favorite Wedding Photographer. It was a small gathering of 70 photographers (some local and some far). Last time I tried to see her both Jihan and I were pregnant (I more than her) and I had to cancel since it was too far (Sacramento) and too close to my due date. Being able to final see her was a quest fulfilled (ok so that sounds dorky I know).

It was great to meet and talk to fellow photographers (ha I used 'fellow' when most of them were very talented and well known as opposed to little old me). Everyone was very nice and excited to be there.

I've attended meetings (most via satellite/online) before but to actually be sitting there and listening to Jasmine and Jessica Claire speak about important aspects of our businesses it was very inspirational. I wish I had taken my nice camera. Over half of the people who showed up had their SLRs while I tried to get decent photos on my point and shoot. (Low lighting + no flash = no bueno.)

At the end of the night I had a fuzzy iPhone photo of Jasmine and myself making funny faces and I had a small collection of business cards.

Now I didn't collect cards just so I could network and go have coffee with everyone (although that would be nice) but instead I collected them as momentos. I don't expect anyone to remember me but I remembered everyone. To me they all had a face and a story. The funny Tom Vo from San Jose (who sat next to me and got elbow jabbed every time I moved), the quiet teacher from Modesto (talk about a long drive), and Henry Sun who was warm and polite and took amazing photos from that night. I wanted to have slips of them to be remembered by.

I learned a lot that night and I learned a lot about myself. I love doing what I love. I love being a part of someone's history; an active a part of it. I may not be super famous or have hundreds of facebook and twitter fans but as long as I'm happy doing what I love and making others happy that's all I really want.


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From Luke's 7 month shoot. He's working on being a champion sitter and hat model!

Weddings, Birthdays, Graduations oh my!

It has been a very busy couple of weeks. That shall be my excuse for not blogging.

There's been Weddings, birthdays, Graduations, and Father's day (more on that later) with limited amount of web access. ( I should really consider taking my laptop everywhere I go. That way I can blog on the spot! )

Anyways I just wanted to give a quick holler so people know I'm still alive and that I haven't been trapped some where in my house under a pile of diapers and toys.

Oh and I wanted to post a photo of the awesome wedding cake at Jay and Jennie's Wedding! The cake told their love story through little framed photos. I LOVED IT! (And it was yummy! I had two pieces ... I sort of dropped the first one).

I wanted to say congratulations again you two! Such a beautiful wedding!

Cheers!

Megs




(The middle photo was one I took right after Jay had proposed to her. I love seeing things come full circle.)

Art , Wind, and History

One day many years ago Mitch and I decided to go to the San Ramon Art and Wind Festival. This was way before we were even dating. It was a festival that celebrated art and wind (kite flying). They had booths of arts and crafts and there was a kite flying competition.

I had a huge crush on Mitch back then and walking among the hordes of family and kids I wondered if one day we would ever be one of "those people" (also known as a "family") (hey I was in my late 20's and time was a'tickin).

I remember sneaking looks at him and thinking he would make a great dad someday. During the kite flying competition we sat on this grassy hill overlooking dozens of kites on the ground and the kite flying area. I don't remember much of that afternoon but I do remember watching a group called Too Much Fun, a husband and wife team do a routine to the song "From This Moment" by Shania Twain. I can still close my eyes and picture it.

Two quad line kites standing up on the grass next to each other. The music starts and one flies slowly in to the air. Then the second slowly rises to join the other and they embrace. Throughout the song they encircle each other, embracing, touching, and following. At the end the kites slowly fall landing on each other and leaning on each other for support.

That routine just moved me so much that I ended up crying afterwards. I turned to look at Mitch and his eyes were as wet as mine. That was when I knew he was the one for me. A few years later at our wedding we danced our first dance to this song. Even to this day whenever this song is played we look at each other and smile.

(After writing this I ran to the internet to see if I can find any video of them doing this routine and I actually found one on their website! See here! I just busted out crying because I remembered it just like it was yesterday and had to show Mitch who got teary eyed too).

Last weekend, exactly six years after we had first went, we were once again back at the San Ramon Art and Wind festival. This time with Luke. We had become 'those people'.

Pushing Luke in his BOB stroller we made our way through the hordes of family and kids to the kite flying area.

And on his Dad's lap Luke watched in amazement as the kites took to the skies, sitting on the very same grassy hill that Mitch and I once sat on so many years ago.

Carrie and Kermit's Sonora Wedding

We had the honor of capturing Carrie and Kermit's wedding at the beautiful Knopf Estate located in the Sierra Foothills. The weather was gorgeous and the wedding itself was so sweet and original. Both Carrie and Kermit had planned this wedding from across the continent. Paper cranes were hand folded, favors hand selected, even the groom's tie was special made for this day. Their vows were equally as unique. Both coming from the heart and also included zombies.

Thank you both so very much for letting Mitch and I be a part of your day. Congratulations to the both of you and may love always conquer everything. Even zombies.