The Four-Legged Vacuum

There's something about Christmas that makes Kona Bean turn into a pine needle vacuum. I don't even know why we bother to clean up any stray pine needles that litter the wooden floor when we know very well there's a four-legged, biscuit-colored fluff ball mischief who will happily take care of them all the while maintaining suspiciously pine-fresh breath throughout the holiday season.

Did I ever tell you about the her first Christmas present? Her very own wreath made of pure rawhide. She just couldn't contain her excitement. It's in her eyes. =)

Or did I ever mention that other time Justin bought her her very first pair of Christmas pajamas that were just a smidge too big? She gave us the paw with much attitude and a look that clearly said "Thanks for implying I gained some holiday pounds. Really...thanks a lot." There's a good chance that if Kona had thumbs and Internet access, this photo wouldn't have made it onto the Internet.

How about that first time she took a picture with Santa, aka the-vet-dressed-like-Santa?

And of course, don't forget our first family Christmas photo...

Time has flown since all she did was this...

...and every year, Justin and I are so thankful for yet another Christmas season to enjoy with our very own pine-needle vacuum named Kona Bean.

Hardware Store Adventures

The Christmas tree is up. (More importantly we got it home in one piece with only a slight trail of pine needles trailing us) The radio is filled with the tunes of the season, the smell of pine is everywhere in the stores. And... I have a strong urge to wear reindeer antlers just for the fun of it - even to the gym.

It's hard for me to believe it's the second week of December already. My little list of gifts and shopping to-do's is almost all checked off (can I get an Amen?!) and I am also excitedly preparing for a couple of photo shoots this month including the first glamour portrait session for Heartbox Photography. The preparation for me every time before a photo shoot usually consists of time spent planning out poses, studying and practicing (Kona Bean has witnessed my many "strike a pose/Vogue"moments), scoping out locations and finalizing paperwork/model release details with the clients. But since this shoot is going to be the very first that is done in studio instead of on location, it required a few errands to pick up a few props, fabric, some paint, etc. Believe me, I never thought I'd ever be geeked out/squeaky happy to pick up paint and boards from a hardware store.  Before this weekend, the mere thought of a place like The Home Depot made me go into major yawn-fests as a typical girl who yearned for color amidst the grey shades of the tool aisle. Bleh, right?

Ohhh, but not this time. I had to hold back from hugging the sales assistant when she proffered the can of paint that contained the color I had selected. Oh, did you know I'm gonna paint me a pretty backdrop for a photo shoot...wanna see????!! Do you, do you?!

As I spent the Sunday carefully painting each board, Israel Houghton playing on the iPad, the cold air swirling around me, I couldn't help but smile to myself watching each paint drop smooth over the surface of the boards. Smiling because it felt good to be heading into this new season of photography, smiling because it felt good to take active strides to working towards a dream instead of just sitting there dreaming it, and most of all, smiling because the Christmas season reminds me of the One that makes this all even possible.

Happy Monday!

Smiles and Stuff

There are some pictures that make you go "hmmmm" and others that simply put a little smile in your heart, a little bit more of a spring in your step, a little more joy in your soul. With it being the Christmas season and all, I went in search of some happy photos off the Internet and found these bits of happiness. 

I know that deep down inside, Kona would love bike rides more than car rides. 

I now know what to do with all my old Baby-Sitter Club books...

Just the other night I was telling my husband to make sure to wrap Kona up nice and warm with her blanket like an egg roll so she's warm during the winter months. But after seeing this photo, I think we should just scrap the blanket idea and carry her around in our arms all day instead. Ain't no thing like the love of a dog. Really.

Who knew that poultry could teach me a thing or two about how to care for others that are not your own...

Snoopy. Is. The. Best. 'Nuff said...

Another tear jerker...

I am not a huge fan of Star Wars, nor do I understand the story and why it's imperative to watch episodes 4, 5, and 6 before you watch episode 1, 2, or 3. BUT I am a HUGE fan of cute costumes that scream nothing but "awwwwwww".

I think I have an idea of what my husband and I should be for Halloween next year...

Cheese puffs make every day happy.

If I were a dog, this is the type of expression I'd want to have on my face. Especially when it comes time to pay taxes....

A real Valentine's Day card in the making...

I remember a time when this picture could very well be my sisters and me. Bowl haircuts and Christmas. And that thought alone made my heart smile a little wider....

Happy Wednesday!

Rambling Randoms

Everybody's got random ramblings and here are mine for the day:

Just had wheat sourdough bread for the first time. Why didn't anyone tell me about this genius fusion before?

It would be so cool if I could French braid my dog's hair. She'd be the most popular kid at the doggy park.

I never thought I'd be excited to go to the hardware store and buy materials for an upcoming photoshoot. Yipeeeee for paint!!!

Cravings for Hawaiian saimin soup has been going into overtime on my brain lately so I actually googled if it would be possible to have authentic saimin noodles overnighted from Hawaii. It costs how much for a pack of noodles??!?!

I don't ever want to know what Spam is made of.

My dog loves lettuce. Just like her momma.

I think it's funny when people laugh so hard I can see their cavity fillings.

One day, I will pass all the levels of Nintendo's SuperMario Brothers...1.

Deep tissue massages really should be covered by health insurance.

 I want to fly again because of this photo:

Happy Thursday!

Bags of Chips and Old Photographs

Every once in a while, I take the time to flip/scroll through photographs from when I first started taking photography seriously.

And it's funny because whenever I look at some of these old images, I can still remember clear as day what I was feeling and thinking at the time I made the photograph. Whether it was the thrill similar to that of a 5 year old with candy or even if it was the mounting frustration at not being able to capture the image the way my mind's eye saw it because of my limited technical knowledge - I remember it all. Though my feelings with each photo varied, the constant thread throughout was the unmistakable passion to create. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I can't take pencil to paper and draw a stick figure to save my life, can't paint anything with a paintbrush that would make Picasso a proud papa, can't craft anything together that would make Martha Stewart my BFF. Rather, my sketchpad, canvas, paintbrush, glue gun is my camera and I happily get lost in the world of creating with it every time.

I've been told over and over again that what helps keep you humble, keeps your successes and triumphs from becoming your crutch, and keeps you just going is periodically taking an intentional look at the past. Not to stay stuck in it, but to learn from it. To measure growth against that point A behind you to the Point B in front of you. And to glean from it the gold nuggets of wisdom that make future successes all the more sweet and worth the bumps, trials, errors, and effort.

To make the destination all that and a bag of chips.

Yes, some of these photos could have been composed differently. Yes, some of them could have been edited differently, exposed a little more, exposed a little less. And yes, of them are just plain "ohhh -no-she di-in't just take this photograph" status. Though not one of these images are Ansel Adams approved and endorsed (don't I wish!), I'm proud of  every single one of them and embrace it all happily and wholeheartedly, flaws and all. They will forever represent to me what effort, persistence, and a passion to create can yield for this photographer.

As many of you know, Heartbox Photography will now be specializing on women's contemporary portraiture. I have my first glamour/women's portrait shoot coming up in December and though I can feel the butterflies having a house-party in my stomach from nerves, I am incredibly excited to take the faith leap into this type of photography, trusting that the net to catch me will, as it always does, appear somehow.

Cheers to old photographs, new destinations, and of course, bags of chips.

Happy Tuesday!

Saimin vs. The Turkey

Whew.....Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas season is already upon us.  Really?!

This year, we spent the holiday in Vegas visiting family we don't always get to see. I was never a huge fan of  turkey or the desert and cigarette smoke that is Vegas, but the good news is that, in addition to fun times and laughs with family, a trip to Sin City means a stop into Aloha Specialties. Yes, I would trade turkey, pumpkin pie, all the Thanksgiving fixings for a bowl of their Hawaiian saimin. Any. Day. Even Thanksgiving.

And my wonderful husband still loves me despite this very minor quirk. Because, for real, you haven't lived until you've had a bowl of saimin.

This Thanksgiving and Christmas season is my absolute favorite time of the year and instead of rushing through it, I'm making a promise to myself to savor moment of it. Every family photo, every twinkle of a tree light, even the cold air that marks a true winter's night. Because really, to see another Christmas and grow another year older is a a blessing in itself because as it means another year of breath and life.

Christmas, here we come!

Happy Monday, everyone.

P.S. Oh and this photo? When my husband found this photo on the Internet, I could feel the insides of my heart just break into a gazillion pieces and a wave of shock make it's way through my bones.  

EPIC. FAIL. :(

Are We There Yet?

Tomorrow we set off bright and early (and half-awake) for Nevada to visit family for Thanksgiving. While I am excited to see family, hang out, and the fact that Kona gets to strap on her seat belt with us for the ride this year, I have to admit I'm not looking forward to car ride. I was never a huge fan of road trips  (I start whimpering the infamous "Are we there yet?" about 1 hour into the ride), but on the bright side at least I'm not a turkey. =)

Happy Tuesday!

Parachute Pants

I don't know of any other fancy way to word it but this weekend was just plain fun, for various reasons.

On the photography side - I had the chance to visit a potential photography studio to rent. I wasn't quite sure what to expect since I have never rented a studio before and so of course, I was a little anxious as to what I'd find. I was mainly looking for a space with a ton of daylight streaming in and enough space to drag in the various backgrounds that would be used and overall, this studio fit the bill.  I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for other studios in the local area for other studios to rent as well, but for now I absolutely can't wait to get started!

Life side -  Well, when my weekend is filled with a car packed with my parents, husband, and niece for a little Sunday shopping expedition, a bowl of hot soup on a cold day with family, a Saturday evening dinner with good friends and some time with their chunky-cheeked little baby, and a fantabulous dress that was only $10? I can't help but walk into a Monday with a cheesy grin of thankfulness for these little extra blessings.

Oh and this right here? Long story short, I was reminded about how THIS. IS. MY. JAM.

Made me wish for the days of tape players and rewind buttons.

And parachute pants. Yeaaaah, baby!

Happy Monday!

A Belated Happy Birthday

I am terrible when it comes to remembering birthdays. I write them down on scraps of papers with every good intention to get it transferred to a trusty organizer or calendar, but of course that task soon gets forgotten before I make it home to my colored pens and calendar. Eh...I can already see a New Year's resolution on the horizon.

Speaking of birthdays, this very belated birthday shout out goes to my friend, Claire. When I first started building my portfolio, I asked Claire to be one of the models for a styled shoot collaboration with Salon Ethos and she willingly obliged. The day of the  shoot was overcast, drizzling, and of course, beyond freezing but never once did she grumble or complain. Considering that we started styling her at 7 AM, this makes her a trooper in my book.

Now that Heartbox Photography will be specializing in women's contemporary portraiture come 2013, I felt that it was more than appropriate to post up a photo from one of the very first women's portrait shoot I did.

Claire, thank you for your encouragement in my photography aspirations and for your willingness to help a friend. Cheers for girl power and November birthdays!

Happy Friday!

 

It's Never Too Early for Thanksgiving

Today, as I busied myself clearing out the scraps of bubble gum wrapper, paper scraps, and even an old lip gloss tube out of the depths of my purse, I came across the tattered pages of an old e-mail print out from my sister. She sent it to my other sister and me about 2 years ago and as I re-read each word on the page, I remembered why I kept it with me these past few years.

My sister has gone through her share of good and bad times. And yes, it's made her a bit stronger, but not stronger because she depends more on herself, but rather because she depends more now on her Papa God. And as I read this excerpt from her letter to my other sister and me, I couldn't help but think that this was more than fitting for the Thanksgiving season that's upon us.

"You won't believe how much money I don't have. I am in debt to my daughter's school and piano teacher. My car is nearing the end of its life and a monthly payment for a new car is not an option. 

I can go on and on about that but you know what? God is good. Beyond good. I look at everything I have now and remember where I was several years ago. Several years ago I was on cash aid and food stamps. There was barely anything in the fridge when I first gave birth to my daughter. Somehow, the Lord provided for me during that time. You guys, Mom and Dad, some of my daughter's other relatives - they'd all come by with food. Just enough to last a day or 2. I barely had enough money to keep the lights on. My daughter and I would sleep a majority of the time by ourselves. But we weren't really by ourselves because God was there.

Today, I look at this apartment that gets really hot in the summer and freezing in the winter and praise Him. Every time I fill the fridge up with food I bought with the money I earned, I praise God. Every other Friday, I write up checks that need to be mailed out to pay for bills, I praise God that I have money to pay for those things. I have money to pay for things we need with some left over to do/buy things we want. I praise God. 

God is good. Look at EVERYTHING good in your life now and praise God. Look at all the bad stuff you got through and the bad stuff you might be going through now and praise God. God deserves a high 5 for being all that and a bag of chips. 

I love you both and am very blessed to have shared the same womb with you two."

Happy Thursday!

Team Waiting

The past few weeks have been a waiting game. A few times, I'd be in the lead, but most others times Team Waiting had the upper hand.

As part of Heartbox Photography's transitioning from "everything photography" to focusing just on glamour & women's contemporary portraiture, I have been in the crazy midst of searching for the right studio, getting acquainted with hairstylists and make up artists in the area,  re-assessing my portfolio, re-structuring my marketing plan, and all the while trying not to eat too much chocolate when I start to feel anxiety attack me like chicken pox.

Fight me for a Snicker bar. I double dare you.

And while it's been quite a ride, I can't help but also feel my excitement grow each day as I work towards finally being able to focus my photography on something I absolutely love - the everyday woman at her absolute best. Knowing that this could impact women, their view of themselves and reach into the lives of even their own girlfriends, daughters, mothers, grandmothers, makes me want to jump for joy each time I take a step forward. It's still about a month and half away from the anticipated January 2013 launch but time flies so stay tuned!

Yes, I know. This photo has nothing to do with anything in this post. But it's freakin' hilarious and it makes me wonder of Kona Bean is up for a little experiment....=)

Happy Tuesday!

He Got Skills, Too

I photograph people. That's my thing and that's what I love to focus my photography on.

But sometimes, just sometimes, even I need to step back and photograph things I normally don't photograph. Otherwise, I'll miss art of the environment around me.

This picture right here? It's just a tree. Eh....at least, that's what I thought when I stood in front of it.

But angle the camera to shoot upward into the tree and I saw that the branches seemed to reach high into the heavens with no end in sight against a bright sky. And suddenly, the bark of the tree's trunk wasn't just plain vanilla tree bark but upon closer examination with my camera, it became a wondrous texture of wood indented with years of growth, and a symbol of long-lasting  endurance - because who knows how that beautiful tree's been hanging out there waiting to have it's photo taken?

It was as if God took out his camera  and best lenses out and reminded me, with a smile, that He got them artistic skills, too.

Happy Monday!

Sometimes, I Like Homework

It has been one of those days.

An all day stomachache and on top of that a two hour class to sit through during the evening kind of days. I think my "bleh" mindset would have changed had I been allowed to lie down in the chairs like a 5 year old who ate too much junk food while listening to the teacher explain certain aspects of art and photography. Don't get me wrong...I absolutely enjoy the class and have been learning so much, but I think the ache in the tummy was making me more interested in curling up in my pajamas rather than study the beauty of black and white photography and greyscale.

But despite the tummy ache, my "bleh" yesterday, I went out and attempted my homework assignment today and actually had a ton of fun with it. Yes. I said it. I ACTUALLY LIKED THE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT.

And now, all of a sudden I really miss watching Family Matters.

Happy Thursday!

Just Vote

Tomorrow is Election Day.

And Salon Ethos said it best:

"We are now one day away from election day. If you were not an early ballot voter, then tomorrow is the day we can cast our votes and be heard. The sad thing is, too many people won’t get to vote because they either “don’t have time,” or don’t believe that their vote will make a difference.

Get this: if the past were different, say, if every one of our ancestors who fought for our right to vote had that same thought process and didn’t show up to protests…we wouldn’t have our voting privilege today!"

Check out the rest of the post on Salon Ethos' Blog . A big high five on the photo she used in her post, too. (see below) Love it. It makes me proud to be a woman with the privilege to be able to vote.

Happy Monday!

My Thanks-list

It's never too early to be thankful.

One of my long time favorite photographers, Jasmine Star, blogged today about the things she was thankful for. The post had nothing to do with photography techniques or cameras and instead had everything to do with losing count when considering your own blessings.

It got me thinking about making my own list of things I'm thankful for, the big and small blessings that could help offer a a steady reassurance through the roller coaster of every day.

Here are a few of the things I am particular thankful for today. What about you?

1. I am healthy and my body can walk, see, smell, hear, and taste.
2. My car works.
3. Choices.
4. Freedom to pursue a photography while still holding a day job.
5. Possibilities.
6. Clean water to drink.
7. Helpful photographers.
8. Successful Google searches.
9. My husband loves me.
10. A happy and loving marriage.
11. There's food in our fridge.
12. I have a fabulous dog.
13. Snail mail.
14. New face wash that smells awesome.
15. Pizza for lunch today.
16. Family and friends.
17. Weekends.
18. Sunshine.
19. Highlighters.
20. A safe home.
21. A clean home.
22. Friends and family I can pray with.
23. Leftover Halloween chocolate.
24. Oldies on the car radio during my commute.
25. It's Friday.

Happy, happy Friday!

What's In Your Beauty Bag?

I once heard a female photographer say "Women want to look younger, slimmer, gorgeous....to feel beautiful inside and out.....and world peace."

And hallelujerrrr...ain't that the truth? I've observed this in my girlfriends, sisters, female family members, colleagues...all ranging in the  ages of 20 - 60. Heck, I even wonder if Kona's real reason for her stop and go habits during her daily walk come from a dire need to briefly check herself out in the reflection of a window. She's a girl, after all, right?

It's almost hilarious to see what lengths we women will go through to accomplish these things, the money we'll spend, the home remedies we'll try out. My own husband, at many times, has survived the shock that sometimes comes with walking into a room only to discover my face smiling at him from underneath a thick layer of what appears to be guacamole experiment gone wrong.

In the midst of many skincare experiments (some that went well, others, eh, not so well), one constant has stayed the same in my life and that is Oil of Olay. How did I get started using these products? There isn't a fancy story behind it except that my own momma has used Oil of Olay products since she was in her early twenties, she's now in her late 50's, and in short, I wanna have skin like hers when I get to be that age.

One of my favorite products from Olay's line is their Night Firming Cream and seriously, at a price around $10, this product is worth it's weight in gold. Of course, every woman's skin is different (mine happens to be the combination type), so check out the various products Olay offers that fits your needs.

In the midst of all the fancy beauty skin care products out there, my high-five goes to Olay for making products that many generations swear by and help women celebrate their beauty whether they're 18 or 80.

Happy Thursday!

The Paw

My first Halloween costume was that of a Barbie Doll. Remember those boxes Toys R Us would sell that came complete with a plastic outfit and a mask? Yeah. Those. The joy of coming home after an evening of trick or treating with my siblings and parents are what I remember most about those days when dressing up. And the chocolate. Yummmm....the chocolate. As we sorted through our candy, you can bet those mini-chocolate bars had my name on it.

These days, I don't really get into Halloween all that much....BUT I will always be into genius costumes that dog-owners come up with. As I laughed my way through these photos, I can already imagine Kona giving me the paw and walking away if I ever attempted to dress her up into any of these. She knows me too well.

Happy Wednesday!  



Vy. 2012. Photo Shoot.

I love, love, love the transformation and art of makeup. If I possessed even a fraction of the talent out there among many great stylists, I think I'd have a little more pep in my step with all the different looks I could create each day as I headed out to work or heck, even as I head out to Target on a Saturday. Because, really, who said there were rules on where a woman could look and feel fabulous? 

But even more so than makeup and hair, I love being able to collaborate with other stylists and help showcase a girl at her absolute best. A few weeks ago, I had the privilege to collaborate with Trang Le of A List Makeup. Our model, Vy, (who will soon be entering her college years and conquering the world in her own way, I'm sure!) graciously spent an afternoon with us as her hair and makeup were done and later photographed in an afternoon shoot. 

As I'd mentioned before, what I love about being able to photograph women of all ages and backgrounds is that it's a chance to not only celebrate diversity, but to celebrate the beauty of a woman overall. With each photograph I take and with upcoming photo shoots you will see later on, my hope is to communicate a bold message to the world and to women everywhere that she is worth celebrating simply because of who she is today. 

Vy, as a young woman, you have the potential to do great things and change this world. Thank you for taking the time to model for this shoot. And Trang, I hope you know that you are more than a makeup and hairstylist. You are an artist with a rare talent of being able to help a woman feel her absolute best, both inside and out. 

Rock on, you two. Rock on.

Heartbox Photography

Because her beauty is timeless.

Happy Tuesday!

Google Land and Inspiration

On days when finding inspiration seems to be hiding from me, when it feels like I'm searching for a needle in the haystack for a the tiniest dose of creativity, I know I can always call on my good friend, Google.

And so off I went on a little trip to Google-land to scope out inspiring photos from many a great photographer. Below are just a few of the gems I found....

Inspiration for a Monday? Check.

Happy Monday!



Fantabulous Fridays

There's a lot to put a pep in my step today. Leftovers for lunch from my favorite Italian restaurant. Pepperidge Farm cookies for dessert. Recently completing a photography workshop that gave me fantabulous  ideas on how to use them for the growth of Heartbox Photography. (Yes. Fantabulous.) A weekend photoshoot with Gabriel Santana Salon. And time, of course, with the fantabulous husband and Kona Bean.

Happy, happy, Friday, all!