Solomon - Anytime Funtime

When my baby brother ask me to do a shoot with him of course I said yes. I love my baby brother. He may be three times as tall as I am (and probably one of the tallest Asian guys you'll ever meet) but he's a sweetie. Just don't ask him if he plays basketball (because not ALL tall people play basketball).

We had a lot of fun on his shoot and a lot of fun chasing the sunlight. I hope you love this as much as I do Solo. Oh and don't forget to show Mom. And tell her yes I'll be printing her out some for her walls, wallet, and key chain.

Love,

Your Oldest, Shortest Sister.

Shoot/Black Out

It's been a while since I've had to chase the sunlight but it was was a lot of fun doing Solomon's shoot for his portfolio. Stay tuned for more photos. And the reason why was when we got back home there was a complete blackout! We were in the middle of uploading and doing photo back ups (and I was preheating the oven for dinner) when the power went out. Mitch went out to find dinner and he reported back that half the city was sitting in darkness. It was a bit creepy. We had all our flashlights out and hung a lantern outside our door. Of course with no electricty meant now post, no Internets, and no playing on the iPhone! So we all went to bed early haha.

Cheers!

Megs

Yo yo Yosemite!

We took Luke on his first camping trip to Yosemite last weekend and he loved it!

During the mornings he'd wake up in our tent and smile and stare at the blue ceiling of our very very old tent that Mitch inherited from his Dad who got it from some guy in Nantucket years ago. It's pretty old.

Because the nights were cold he'd snuggled between the both of us and slept in peace knowing that if a bear attacked his parents would be eaten first.

He did some hiking with Dad and some of his friends. This involved him falling asleep and being carried by Dad most of the time.

He even dipped his toes in Mirror lake but cried because the water was too cold. We dipped them twice just to be sure.

Between hikes he spent time laying at our Upper Pine's campsite staring at the trees that towered above him in amazement and daydreamed (probably about climbing them).

The only thing he didn't do was enjoy the campfires. He would fall asleep before it ever got dark enough to start one. He missed out on some really good s'mores. It's okay. I ate his share.

Over all it was a great camping trip and we can't wait to do it again next year! He should be walking by then so he can carry his own backpack ;) That is if we can get him to keep his shoes on and not eat them first.






Hiking with and on Dad to Mirror Lake.


Cheers!

Megs

Photo montage!

Mitch and Luke's photo montage!


Training for Yosemite!


Watching the Ferris Wheel at the Marin County Fair but not tall enough to ride.





Sometimes I can't tell which one of these two is the cute one :)

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.

Jay +Jennie: Engagement Pier 39 San Francisco

Jay and Jennie are two amazing people. Put them together and it's just an explosion of amazingess, fun, intelligence, and love. I'm so very lucky to have both of them be my dear bestest friends. How often does one get to be friends with a math genius and a computer wiz and have them make it look cool? (That is very rare, trust me.)

I was so thrilled to be able to shoot their engagement for them. I knew it was going to be full of laughter and fun. We chose the iconic Pier 39 in San Francisco and we could not have asked for better weather (a bit windy but not too foggy or cold).

Congratulations again Jay and Jennie. Both of you are beautiful inside and out and I can't wait to be a part of your Big Day!



















(We ended the day by getting the best donut holes I've EVER eaten. Sorry clam chowder you are no longer top on my list at Pier 39 any more!)


Luvs,

Megs

Luke Week: Green is Good!

I won't say that Luke is the greenest baby out there but he is very green conscious. He doesn't mind that most of his toys are used/hand-me-downs or his equipment (bouncer, jumper, activity center). I won't risk his safety by letting him have a used crib, car seat, or stroller though.

One the things I haven't let him wear yet are shoes. Never saw the need to when he was born since he wasn't going to be wearing down any rubber soles any time soon. Much to my mom's nagging (something about foot binding) I still haven't put shoes on him. This of course will be changing sooner than later since he's now almost mobile (I consider lurking and some attempt at doing the Worm dance mobile).

Until then I'll let him roam shoes free and as long as he avoids the poo he can feel the grass with his feet all he wants.

(insert music " These are the moments..." by Edwin McCain.) ( I seriously could not ask for more...)

Cheers!

Meg

Luke Week!

I've decided to make this week Luke week! Kind of like Shark Week but much cuter (and less blood)! He's been a busy baby for the last couple of weeks, flying from San Diego all the way to the other side of the country to sunny Florida. He actually has a tan now and it's only May.


Luke's first time with this toes in the ocean. This was the Atlantic one at Flagler Beach, FL so it was a warmer experience than what it would have been back at home in Marin/San Francisco.

Happy 1/2 birthday Luke!

Six months ago a tiny person came into our lives and brought us joy, smiles, and love all at once. Ten pounds later he still brings us all of these things and so much more.

We love how you yell at the sun in your activity center, bounce hysterically in your Jumperoo, spit up on us ( now in color since you're eating solids now), and how your entire face turns bright red when you're making us 'a gift'.

Happy 1/2 birthday Luke! Mommy and Daddy loves you soo much!

Smile for the the camera!