How awesome it is to be featured in one of the coolest wedding blogs like Rock 'n Roll Bride?!  Kat is just a lot of fun and awesomely cool.  I notice I am usually closer to people that are lively and happy; perhaps because I can be a little quiet and shy sometimes.

Check out the feature.  I love what Kat wrote.

And Kat, thanks for being soooo patient (has it really been three weeks already??!).  You're the best!

This was supposed to be an angegement session, but Alana wanted to wear her bridal gown.  My reaction was... "YES!"  We picked a beautiful setting filled with wild flowers, along with Alana's beautiful lace gown the images came out so romantic!

Alana and Anthony, thanks again for braving the cold for this session! I can't wait to see both of you at the wedding!

"Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have." - Anon

Today is one of those days when I feel like thanking every single person that I've crossed path with in my life.  Beside my dearest family and friends, I've been extremely fortunate to have met some of the most amazing photographer friends whom have been so encouraging and supportive.  This one's for all of you...

This is the last post for this amazing and super fun engagement session.  I've received quite a few emails asking how I got Jennifer and Dan so natural and at ease in front of the camera.  The most important things are 1) two people that are deeply in love and 2) find a place that is meaningful.  In this case, we went to UCLA, where they first met.  The black and white one is my favorite, with the word "LOVE" written by Jennifer herself.  :)

Love these elevator shots, they know how to work it! *thanks to Jenny for holding onto the "open" button!*

The light pointed straight down here, which created some harsh shadow, but that's why I like it because it echos to the dramatic record covers on the wall.

Jennifer and Dan, thank you SO much for a great time!  I can't wait to photograph your beautiful day in Malibu!

Continue with Jennifer and Dan's engagement session.  During sunset we met up again at UCLA, where they first met.  I love listening to their little stories about their past.  :)

I am loving these two portraits.

Using my favorite Samsung MP3 player (I have it in my camera bag at all times) to play up some jazz for them to dance to.

More to come!

Here's a sneak preview of an engagement/bridal session I had today with Alana and Anthony. We went to this gorgeous place filled with wild flowers and with Alana's wedding gown in lace it was perfect!

*Thanks Alana and Anthony for braving the cold!*

Stay tuned for the set and more from Jennifer and Dan's engagement session!

When I first met Jennifer over coffee and iced tea I asked her how she and Dan started dating.  The two of them first met at UCLA, but they remained friends until Jennifer decided to take up surfing.  At first they would surf with a group of friends and slowly it became just the two of them.  I still remember when I heard Jennifer spoke of their love story I was so drawn into it.  It's such a cute story that you can't help but go, "aw...!" 

One funny thing during the conversation was when Jennifer mentioned the word "surfing".  I believe my eyes went wide opened because if you get to hear Jennifer speaks it's almost like listening to lullaby, so I couldn't imagine her surfing with a big board and the huge waves. :D

Now let's see some photos taken from the beautiful Leo Carillo State Beach during sunrise.  6AM at the beach was crazily cold, but witnessing that sunrise was well woth it.

Soon to be Mr. and Mrs.

If you are wondering how good is a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8, here it is.

Here comes the surfing photos.  Don't they look so cool in those suits??

Again, from the Sigma lens, shot wide open.

Stay tuned for part 2.

I am into coffee more and more now.  I love that bittersweetness, which mirrors to life.  And one of the best things in life is when you can sit down, relax, have a good conversation with family and friends, and a cup of hot coffee in hands.

"In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, for in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed." - Kahlil Gibran

One of my most amazing couples is featured today at Elizabeth Anne Design blog! I've always been a fan to their blog and it's surreal to be featured.  See a teaser of the engagement session.

Other recent blog love:

Lou et Tom

artista how to

maemae paperie

.: Second shot for the talented Jason Q Tran :.

Last post for this wedding and I certainly am saving the best for last.  The reception was held at the beautiful Summit House Restaurant in Fullerton.  I fell in love with this place after this wedding.  It is so romantic and most importantly food was soooo good!

Image on the left is actually the church.  The one on the right is when guests were arriving to the reception.

Mirror reflection is starting to become one of my favorite things to photograph in the wedding now.

Beautiful bouquet with some cute borders added.

Details, detials, details!

Karean is Korean, so during the reception traditional Korean rice cakes were being passed out.  I wish I could try one of them.  One of the guests told me there were green tea, pumpkin and some other flavors.  :D

Wedding cake is another thing I LOVE photographing during a wedding. I like how simple and elegant the design of this cake is.

Love this candid shot, looks like an ad, doesn't it?  :D

The bride will always be the center of attention; especially with a beautiful bride like Karean!

Dancing time!  The couple had such a great idea for the guests by having two professional salsa dancers to teach guests some simple steps.  It was so much fun!

I am now on Switchcities (!!!) along with some of the most amazing photographers on earth - Angelica Glass, Benj Haisch, Jay Eads, Jonas Peterson, Kristel Wyman, Paul Octavious, Robert Glasnovic, and Scotty Perry.  Be sure to stay tune for my latest post!

Of all the lovey-dovey posts, this one is personal.  I really want to thank Ken for always being there for me.  I love this photo.  Here he is, up early in the morning to accompany me to shoot Jennifer and Dan's engagement session. He is the best!!

.: Second shot for the talented Jason Q Tran :.

Karean was waiting for Jason's instruction and everyone else happened to be in a conversation. I hurried and captured the moment. I love how she's like an angel standing there in the middle. I also added a border for fun, what do you think? :D

I love how Karean stares at David.  :)

Happily ever after!

More to come...

.: Second shot for the talented Jason Q Tran :.

After some "serious" photos, the guys decided to shoot some hoops.  FUN!

Interrupting my post of the wedding I shot with Jason Q Tran and bring you a little teaser of yesterday's engagement session (I just couldn't wait!).  Meet Jennifer and Dan - one cuteness overload couple! 

Jennifer and Dan met each other through college (UCLA alumni!) and surfing, so we wanted to incorporate that into their engagement session.  We first met up at Leo Carrillo State Beach 6am in the morning to shoot some beach/surfing scenes.  Call me a nerd, but I feel so cool now that I can say I personally know some surfers!  It was such a treat to watch them in the water!  Later, we met up again at UCLA during sunset for more cute shots (Thanks, Jenny, for joining me!).

Stay tuned for the whole set...

.: Second shot for the talented Jason Q Tran :.

Karean is one of the cutest brides I've seen.  When I assist another photog, I like to find alternative angle, so the married couple can see different perspectives.  I love how romantic the background is.

This one is a bit out of focus, but I love it anyway. It reminds me of an old photo from an antique store.  A lot of times, blurry photo is created through accident and I usually would convert it into b/w, which gives it a whole new feeling.

Love!  She's so pretty!  The light was perfect to me.

More to come, stay tuned.