Mother's Day and Instruction Manuals

My mom isn't perfect. And growing up with her wasn't easy. Then again, I'm sure growing up with me wasn't easy, either. 

I am her first kid and I'm sure I burped up at the most inconvenient times for her, was crying for food at moments she was just about to crash for the night, and more than once went potty at places other than over the toilet. (whoo-hoo!) She probably wondered at many times if she forgot the instruction manual for me at the hospital and where the heck was the button that would stop me from burping up for the umpteenth time on her favorite dress?!

Yes, there were times I wished my mom were this way or that way, but I know that though not perfect, she was chosen to be my mom for a reason. As I got older, I began to realize that it is because of my mom that I know how to be neat and clean. It is because of my mom that I know how to say please and thank you. It is because of my mom that I spend carefully with each paycheck I have. It is because of my mom that I bother to eat vegetables, drink water not soda, and care about my health and what I eat. And because my mom bothered to read to me at an early age, I love to read now and appreciate books. What? You don't get excited when you see an old Encyclopedia Brittanica lying around?

Celebrating Mother's Day isn't about sitting there wondering why my mom wasn't perfect as I was growing up or lamenting on ways she could have been better. It's about celebrating the fact that she did the best she knew how - the way I'm sure every new mom does with their first kid. 

Eat your vegetables and have a great Mother's Day celebration this weekend!

Days Like This

Some days, after hearing about the bad stuff that goes on in the world, I wonder about what could possibly be left in it that even looks remotely beautiful.

Then, I see things like this.

That even amongst the dead of things, a sprout of life and hope can still be found if you look closely enough. Kinda like God said "Surprise!" and smiled a reassuring smile.

Happy Thursday!

Robert Ajlouny. 2012. - PREVIEW

My camera has allowed my husband and I to reconnect with old acquaintances, spend more time with close friends, and even meet new people along the way.  I can't emphasize enough how fun it is to be able to say that a camera has been an awesome tool to help connect with people. 

One sunny afternoon a few weeks ago was no different. My husband and I sat on the steps of a local museum waiting for a guy named Robert Ajlouny to show up. Robert is an aspiring actor and model and we'd agreed to meet up to do a photoshoot. I wasn't quite sure what to expect as I'd never worked with an actor/model. I just sat there nervously tapping my foot on the cement steps of the museum, hoping he wouldn't ask me why I didn't have studio lights set up or why I wasn't best homies with the crew at GQ or Vogue. 

And when Robert showed up, it was nothing like that. Robert was the coolest to work with. My husband, Robert, and I spent an afternoon chatting up a storm. So much so, I almost forgot I had to take pictures as we were chatting! It turns out we all share the same faith (yep, Robert loved him some Jesus, too!) and he was happily sharing parts of his life story with us. Needless to say, we had a great time getting to know Robert and at the end of the session, felt thankful to be able to play a small part in helping another individual in their quest to accomplish their own dreams. 

Below are a few preview shots from Robert's photoshoot....as always, stay tuned for more to come!

Pick Me! Pick Me!

Were you that kid in class who waved your arm frantically the air gasping "ooooh, oooh, pick me, PICK ME!" 

Gosh, if so, I envy you. For realz. You were definitely the cool kid I wanted to be. 

I was the exact opposite. I was the shy kid who sat there blinking at the teacher looking around at the classroom. But, trust me, behind that deer in the headlights look and deep in my soul, I was waving my arm around with just as much "ooooh, ooooh, pick me!" enthusiasm as you. I, too, got excited that I knew that brontosaurus dinosaurs ate it's vegetables for dinner.  

Whenever I come across new photographers, it's awesome because I love sharing in the same excitement they have whether it's learning a new function on the their camera or learning a new way to see light's beautiful effect on a photo. It's kinda funny, too, because I'm even meeting folks who were a bit like me in school when it came to asking questions, but were a tad too shy to ask - but their excitement for photography is finally bringing them out of their shell.

Gracias, merci, mahalo, salamat - Thank you to the photographers who have been generous with their time to teach me, patient with my list of questions (wait ISO means whaaat?), and understanding of what it was like to be that kid too shy to also wave their hand around gasping "PICK ME! PICK ME!"

P.S. Oh, and if you're a photographer reading this, I highly recommend "Understanding Exposure"by Bryan Peterson. It was recommended to me a while back and is packed with a ton of great information. Happy reading!

She Unpacks the Extra Socks

Palm trees? Love it.

Sunshine and blue oceans? Heck to the yes!

Vacations are fun, no doubt about it. Vacation on anything resembling an island? HOLLA!

What I hate about it though? The fact that as I run around packing sunscreen, clothes, and toiletries into bags there is a little, fluffy, four-legged creature sitting next to the luggage unpacking the extra socks I just packed away, staring up at me with her big button eyes saying "Mommy...you hate me, don't you?"

It's reassuring to know that my parents baby-sit our baby (yes, she's a dog to the world, but to us she's always be a baby) whenever we leave for a few days knowing she's in good hands. But even as I enjoy blue waters and sunshine, I can't help but miss the simple pleasures of throwing around a tennis ball for a little lady-girl named Kona Bean who will unpack our suitcase whenever we try to leave because she loves us.

Sarah. 2012 - Maternity Photoshoot

Eeeeks! My first maternity photoshoot.

The last time I was this close to a preggy belly was when my sister was pregnant with my niece - and that was almost 10 years ago. I had forgotten how cool, freaky, and at the same time awesome it is to know that there is another life inside moving around a woman's tummy, preparing to make their grand entrance into this world. 

Meet Sarah and her husband, Daniel. Their soon-to-be-daughter, I'm sure, is also waving hello to the world through her mama's tummy and smiling at the camera. The weather was beautiful, warm, and full of abundant sunshine as my husband and I accompanied our friends through the vineyards and downtown of Livermore for this maternity photoshoot. 

You know those television shows or movies that shows a woman going into labor and the only one there to help her is the person who hiccup-cries from panic? Yeah, I was a little worried I might be that person and forever go down in history books as the photographer who made Sarah go into early labor - but thankfully, that didn't happen. 

Being that this was my first maternity shoot, I found myself being extra careful whenever I asked Sarah to walk around, sit down, stand up. She did great, and we spend an afternoon photographing this moment in both her and Daniel's life as they prepare to welcome their first baby.  

Daniel and Sarah, thanks for letting my camera and me be a part of this new and exciting season in your lives. We can't wait to celebrate with you both. Oh, and Justin is a pro at changing diapers, so we should let him do that when ya'll come over again. =)

He's a Yes God

It's always tough to say no.

No to  things like negative peer pressure, no to following the latest fads that you know aren't good for you, (helloooo, 80's!). No to that extra helping of pasta that you know you'll later regret as you roll away from the dinner table overly stuffed and wanting to take a nap on the floor. (I'm not the only one who struggles with this, right?)

I started thinking about this whole concept of saying no lately, especially because I'm slowly working my way towards building my own brand in photography. In speaking with other very helpful photographers in the industry and learning all that I can, I realize that the word no is what will help build my photography business on solid foundation. I love the beach, but not the idea of building my photography business on sandy foundation. "No" to certain things that don't fit my brand will mean a whole ton of "Yes" for things that will. 

No to being caught up with the latest fads on camera gear will mean a yes for investing in my voice and brand - investing in the long term things that matter.

No to unecessary fear will allow for saying yes to opportunities to overcome those fears. No to comparing my work to others too much will allow for a yes towards making my own style of photography come to life and share with the world. No to giving up because I said so, to instead a yes towards not giving up and seeing what God can do through me if I believe Him. You get the picture.

There's this weird idea that I used to buy into that God is this negative God full of no's. No this, no that, no to also this and no to also that. And no to that, too. Needless to say, I've had many times in my life where I've thrown up my hands and said "Dang, for real, God?!? Can't you just let me have any fun?"


It wasn't until I got older and actually had a real relationship with God that it dawned on me He is in fact a God of abundant yes'. He be packin' a ton of those "yes" gifts the way I used to pack loads of chocolate into my bag going trick-or-treating around the neighborhood - with abundance and joy. He just used those "no's" in my own life first because He wanted to give me much bigger yes' gifts later on. Yes to freedom, change, growth, courage, forgiveness, and yes, even the chance to grow as person in photography.

He's a cool God and I'm thankful He's teaching me that "no" can leave room for an awesome "yes" down the road...maybe even with an extra piece of chocolate to go with it. =)

Happy Wednesday!

The Eye of the Tiger

"Yo, Adrian!"

Who could forget that famous line? Yeah, I know. No one.

That line was uttered from the mouth of a true underdog, a fighter both in the literal and figurative sense of the word. For the latter part of the 70's, a good chunk of the 80's, a little in the 90's and even today, the movie Rocky has remained a good enough reason to run up a flight of steps in Philly and dance with your fists raised up in victory. The movie has remained a great inspiration to a lot of folks who've watched it, boxing fanatics or not, myself included.

And heck, if I'm being honest, hearing the first few beats of Eye of the Tiger makes me speed up my slow-as-molasses pace on the treadmill at the gym. I will run a whole 1 mile dang it, I will!

I looove all the Rocky movies mostly because in the midst of all the jokes made about each one produced, the message of it all packs some serious punch. (I'm so witty, aint I? I can already see my husband rolling his eyes at his AWESOME wife!)

And though I look more like Steve Urkel than Rocky when I take my swings at challenges that come my way, just put some Eye of the Tiger in my earphones, and I'm good go. Here's to challenges and facing them with all you got.

Happy Tuesday!

Monday Marriage Advice

It's Monday. 

Whoo-hooooo! (sometimes you just gotta act excited to get you through the Mondays, right?!)

I had a few ideas on what to write about today, but that all got thrown out the window once my husband showed me this clip. 

This right here? It's why I look forward to getting older with my husband. I can't wait to be the grandparents who are known to be cool because we know what's up with technology. Even when we're a 100 years old.

Hope you had a fantastic Monday!

 

Running Shoes & First Maternity Sessions

It's Friday.

And I'm sitting here thinking about all the things I did this week, big step or tiny step, that moved me forward in the direction towards realizing my dreams in photography. Listing them one by one and asking myself, was it enough effort this week? What else is there room for? What can I tweak or change? What can I try different? Where can I challenge myself more? What fear do can I face next week? It's a long list and I'm excited about it because it means being more creative, willing to experiment, willing to discover.

But more importantly, willing to grow.

I once read a photographer's blog that encouraged her readers to chase down your dreams without looking back, to run until you get to the point where your nose is frozen from running and breathing that cold air as you beat the pavement with each of your strides, staggers, and steps forward.  And I laughed because though I'm no runner, I agree with everything she said. And truth be told, the only times I grew as a person in different areas of life was when I bothered to put on those proverbial running shoes, get out there, and let my nose get a little frozen with each step forward.

This week I had the opportunity to photograph my very first maternity session with our friends, Daniel and Sarah, who are expecting their first baby (whaaaa?? I still remember them when they were dating!) this summer. And for me as a photographer, as scary as it is trying something new, nothing beats the satisfaction from knowing you chose to be willing to try it and willing to learn.

Dang. After saying that I feel all Karate Kid-like. Oh, Mr. Miyagi, has anyone told you you're the bestest?! Hiiii-yaaaaww!!

Below is a sneak peak into few photos from my first maternity session and as usual, there are more to come so stay tuned!



A Papa's Girl and San Diego Adventures

Living in California, there's always lots of places to see and discover and I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I've never been to San Diego, neither has my husband, and neither has our furry-monster, Kona Bean. We kept hearing about how San Diego is the dog friendliest city in California and only in Cali would you have pet-friendly shops and restaraunts so away we went.

We packed the car up with the essentials  (i.e. dog seat belt for Kona, coffee for husband, and barf bags for me) and drove down to have us some San Diego adventures.

Thought it rained a little more than we anticipated (I actually wore my jacket the entire time we were there) and you all know that roadtrips and me are frenemies, it was still worth the drive and few days away to be able to write another chapter in our adventure book together - the husband, our Kona Bean, my barf bags and me.

Happy Thursday!

 It was an overcast day, but full of the soft light that is a photographer's dream. Kona insisted I take the photo from her good side.

I. LOVE. THIS. BENCH.

Yes. She's a papa's girl.

These samosas right here? I wanted to walk away with the entire tray. Too good.

Roadtrips & Barf Bags

It's no secret in my family that I'm the one who hates roadtrips. My dad enjoys the drive, my mom enjoys the scenery, my siblings love the adventure.  

Me? I love the barf bags and Dramamine. They are my homies during the long hours of a roadtrip and we bond quite nicely.
Don't get me wrong - I love travelling and even did a bit of it after college. Only, I chose the trips that required an airplane. Maybe it's because I felt like a cool kid getting a stamp in my passport. Maybe it's because I wantd to prove to the world that even fun-sized (a.k.a. short) people really can lug their own luggage off the conveyer belt at baggage claim ALL BY THEMSELVES.

Who am I kidding? It's mostly because I'm impatient and want to arrive at the destination sooner rather than later. And as I get older, I find that I'm having to keep this impatience in check espcially with regards to my dreams to becoming a full-time photographer. After all, the road may be bumpy and may seem a little long, but with a destination is always worth it, right? Right.

Shout out goes to the barf bags and Dramamine who've accompanied me on many a roadtrip. I couldn't have made it without you guys.

Happy Wednesday!

Benito, Izek, and Naiya. 2012.

Matching outfits, running around the park until your matching outfits were grass-stained and tanbark soiled and pushing around siblings because they were the best playmates...remember that?

Those were the best days. 

And hanging with Mitch and Alia's kids reminded me, with a smile, how awesome it was to be a kid excited for monkey bars, how cool it was to have the freedom to run around without worrying about your shoes, and most of all how sweet it was to be a kid again.

Happy Tuesday!

Jorge & Noel. PREVIEW.

Before we had cell phones, we had pagers. Bright green, white, neon colored, it didn't matter, we wore those things proudly on our hip pockets.  You know. So our mommas could page us to come home before it got too late.

And, oooh, whatcha know about pager code? 

Before we had Facebook, we had Slambook.

(Those of you who know what a Slambook was, just smiled... I know you did.)

I spent my Saturday with a serious blast from the past. A good friend of mine from the Slambook and pager days agreed to to pose for an afternoon photoshoot with her husband. It was an awesome opportunity to reunite and catch up.

If there was one thing that I recall so vividly about Noel when we were kids, it was how easily she smiled and laughed. At everythang! Like, her laugh was seriously contagious and the moment you heard it, you had no choice but to laugh along at whatever it was that made her laugh.

Noel is quite tall and I have a feeling that what made her laugh during a majority of the photoshoot was watching her little shrimp friend hustle around with a camera without the help of a ladder.

Here's a little sneak preview into Jorge and Noel's photoshoot this weekend...stay tuned for more!

Happy Monday!

Balky's Dance of Joy & My Bag of Skittles

If I had to work on my photography in a cube, I'd cover that cube with wall paper (cube paper?) that had Skittles on it. Not because I have this weird dream to live inside a candy machine (Willy Wonka was a freakin' genius), but because it would mean I'd be surrounded by a world of color, all day, everyday.

It's this running joke with my husband that the worst thing you could do to me is leave me stranded on an island where the only colors that existed were burrito brown and gloomy grays. And there was no such thing as vegetables or salads. (gasp!)

I've loved color of all sorts for as long as I could remember. If I had conrol over my wardrobe as a child, I think I would have chosen to dress up as Rainbow Brite everyday, complete with yellow hair and a cheesed out grin on my face. I'd proudly be the kid in kindergarten who showed the world what it'd look like if Bruce Lee ever got into a fight with a bag of Skittles. And WON.

Color just makes me as happy as Steve Urkel was doing the Urkel dance, as Balky was doing the dance of joy - so you can imagine my glee and yipees when the husband suprised me with MAC eyeshadow palettes once for Christmas. Oooooh, my boo knows me!

Hope you enjoy a sunny weekend full of life, color, and  a Costco-sized bag of Skittles.

Happy Friday! 



The Spinach Monster, Kona Bean

I used to think dog owners were a little weird. How could someone love their pet so much they'd dress them up in pumpkin costumes for Halloween, talk WHOLE conversations with them, or sneak a French fry to them when no one was looking?

Then....it happened.

When I started talking about my day at work to our own little furry monster, started wondering how she'd look dressed up as a stick of gum for Halloween (oooh, THAT would be cool!), and started sneaking spinach leaves (yes, spinach leaves!) to her more often that I probably should, it became clear to me that I became a proud member of the Weird Dog Owner Club. Yo, where my dogs at?!

Kona Bean recently had her yearly physical  at the vet and everything checked out well except for the fact that she was 2 pounds overweight (whaaaa?). She's got a bit of junk in her trunk and so we've had to lessen how much we feed her every day, which is fine.

But....the vet didn't say anything about spinach....=)

Happy Thursday!

A Day in the Life of Nona Tai

A few years ago, in the midst of planning my own wedding, I had the privilege of meeting and working with Nona Tai of Floral Design Studios. My husband and I were immediately drawn to her friendly personality and ability to quickly sketch out several ideas of how the floral decorations should look on our big day. I love me some color and what she designed far exceeded our expectations.

Now that I'm a photographer, it's an honor to have this opportunity to write about Nona as an artist and person.
On my quest to learn about Nona and all the hard work she puts into running her business, I accepted her invitation to accompany her on a trip to the San Francisco Wholesale Flower Mart, a place where floral vendors come together to purchase what their businesses need. I had to be there are 5:30 a.m. (eeek!), but nonetheless I was still excited for this rare opportunity to go behind the scenes.

Nona had been preparing for an annual event called Bouquet to Arts, an event held at the deYoung Museum in San Francisco. Floral designers display their work in ways to interpret the artwork in the exhibits.  I can barely keep a cactus alive so to see floral designers get together to design these spectacular floral arrangements (even making them look like cupcakes!) is pretty amazing.

Have you ever had those moments where, while you're listening to someone talk, you realize that the things they're saying are amazingly tied into profound truths? That's a bit of what I experienced while Nona and I chatted away and she skillfully worked on her craft back at her warehouse. She smiled and told me that to understand and work with each flower is very much like working and  understanding a human being....one wouldn't force another one into ways that are not naturally them as a person and the same goes for a flower. To figure out the room temperature, the special care required for each flower, required paying close attention and heeding to it's "language"...again, very much like a person. That if you wanted to get the best out of a flower you had to know it well first and respond accordingly.

Pretty cool, huh? I sat there and nodded away feeling very Karate Kid/ Mr. Miyagi-like...but surrounded with vases, flowers, and scissors instead of sparring mats and hi-yawwww type of boards.

Nona understands full well she's helping brides create irreplaceable memories with each unique design she crafts together. She helped make my own wedding day a memorable one and it's awesome see that she continues to do the same for so many others.

Here are a few snapshots that show a day in the life of the Flower Diva herself, Ms. Nona Tai. Be sure to check out her Floral Design Studios on Facebook.

Her little fur baby accompanied us to the Flower Market...

 

Below is a part of the dragon Nona created for the Bouquet to Arts event at the DeYoung Museum.

I know. She. Got. SKILLZ.

I still can't believe how awesome this dragon turned out. And crafted from plants and flowers?! Whaaaaa?

Rodriguez Kids

Remember those days when it was ok to make a cray cray face (the crossed eyes, sticking your tongue out mixed in with a little bit of cartoon-character-type giggles) at a passing stranger and they actually thought it was the cutest thing they'd ever seen?

Or the days when just because a kid in your class ate Elmer's paste, it didn't necessarily mean you were among the loonies of the world but simply hangin' with your best homies in class? 

Or how about those days when you felt like were big pimpin' because you were sportin' the latest in Big Bird or Sesame Street wear with a super side ponytail to match?

Here's to the days of bein' a kid again along with a sneak preview of the latest photoshoot with the Rodriguez kids.....Benito, Izek, and Naiya.

More to come to stay tuned....and while you're waiting, feel free to go on and rock that Big Bird sweater like it's nobody's business!

The Bruce Lee & Rainbow Brite Days

I always find it easier to be an artist in my photography when I feel that deep in my mind, gut, and soul  each image I share to the world is a reflection of my own way of creating. Not his or hers or theirs, but mine. As much as possible, I try to put a little bit of me in each image "painted" by my camera. 

My sister shared this photo with me and I had to smile. It reminded me that long before my love for photography existed, before Heartbox Photography was born out of that love for creating with a camera, there was my dad's Pentax 35 mm camera and two sisters who rocked the Rainbow Brite and Bruce Lee-ish bowlcuts with a smile. A huge smile.

Happy Monday!

Battle of Caterpillar Brows - WWF Style

As I'd mentioned in my last post, networking is always a tough thing for me. Not because I don't think it's great or beneficial, but more like because walking into a room full of strangers feel makes me feel like it's my first day of kindergarten all over again. (Minus the Big Bird pink sweater and slightly crooked bangs that swept oh-so-stylishly over my caterpillar eyebrows at 5 years old. Oh, yes...straight caterpillars. Freida Kahlo's eyebrows and mine could have faced off WWF-style and mine would have won because they were like the Hulk Hogan of hair. See? Stylish, right?)

Anyway, I kinda view networking as exercise. It's hard to get going on, but once you do it, you never regret it and really, it can only be beneficial in the end. The networking event I had recently attended featured Jessica Quintal of Shine Photography and the topic of the night, posing for high fashion shoots, was one that I hold near and dear to my heart as it's the type of photographic style that I aim for in my own photos. The minute she started her presentation, I hung on to every word and tip she gave the crowd. I even won a drawing for a free mentoring session with Jessica, which I am super stoked about simply because it has been difficult for me to find a photographer that shares the same passion for fashion forward/editorial style photography who was willing to be helpful and share advice/tips, etc.

I am the queen of all things shy and timid. Meaning, yes, I've pretended to be super busy on my cell phone (let's read my old text messages over and over again shall we?) instead of approaching people at conferences, get over myself, and just say hello. BUT.... when I got a chance to speak to Jessica at the end of the night, that shyness was nowhere to be found as I rambled on about my enthusiasm and excitement about her work (and how grateful I was to win the mentoring session) in such a way that I resembled a Beatles fan/Star Wars fan/Justin Bieber fan all rolled into one crazy mess. I am thankful for opportunities like this because it's another learning experience, another contact made in the photography industry, and another chance to push myself as an artist and grow.

And because every post is so much more fun with a photo, here it is. Why this photo? Simply because I love my husband and also because I miss the days when our little Kona Bean really was this tiny.

 Happy Thursday!