Be Well

I may as well just come out and say it - I am absolutely terrified of one day becoming  part of the statistics of folks who get that dreaded phone call from the doctor relaying news that I have a terminal illness.

Where is this coming from? Well, just yesterday, I was pulled into an impromptu meeting with a few colleagues at my day job to discuss something important. We all chatted cheerfully as we normally do before a meeting but that happy banter came to a screeching halt. We came to find out that the purpose of the meeting was to be informed that a co-worker of ours had been recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I distinctly remember the wave of chills that overcame me as everyone's chatter fell into a cold silence once their ears registered this horrible news. I think what was even more shocking was that with this recent announcement the total number of women in our building who are currently battling breast cancer or have survived it now came to a total of 4. As crazy as it sounded, my colleague blurted out "Sheesh....what's going on? Is there something in the building?"

That meeting was a harsh reality check for all of us that cancer of any sort doesn't discriminate on age, race, background, or whether you're in sunny California or in snowy Alaska. At the end of the day as I walked to my car for the commute home, I couldn't help but be reminded once again that health is so far more precious than money or things in this world.

More than ever, I am extremely grateful for the life and health I have been given. And I hope you are, too.

My Mom, The Hip Hop Hula Girl

There's definitely something very awesome about getting out there and trying something new, even though it scares you. I find that this is especially true when it comes to us women and exercise.

Just recently, my mom and I attended our first Hot Hula class together. And now I know why all the testimonies talk about how much it's a challenge and fun all at once! I've never been a graceful or coordinated dancer who knew how to stay in step with everyone around me (my childhood dreams were filled with daydreams about being a backup dancer for MC Hammer), but I am so glad I took the chance on trying this class out. It gave me a chance to step out of my little shell and hula my way to fitness, regardless of I was hula-ing to the left while everyone else hula'd to the right. =)

Once I got over the fact that my mother can dance better hip hop and hula than I can (wait, whaaaaa?), I found it refreshingly fun and a challenge especially since I have been stuck in a bit of a rut as far gym routines go. It's been told to me time and time again that sometimes your own body hits a plateau when it's used to the same routine over and over again so for sure this class is going to help me shake things up a bit. It was awesome to see that there was a variety of women attending, all ages and backgrounds. Truly, it was evident that everyone was there to have fun, break a sweat, and get your shake on!

And the music the instructor used? Too awesome and lovely. Let's just say I have a strong feeling Hawaii wants me to come and visit again.

The verdict? Definitely check out a local class in your area if you want to get fit and try something new. Lovin' Hot Hula!

I Think I Can Dance

I stared at the blinking cursor on this post thinking "Ehhhhh. What should I write about?"

And believe me, it's not because my mind is on screen saver mode. Rather, it's more of a problem because too many things are running through my mind and I want to write all of them down with enthusiasm and hope that the rest of the world will find my random thoughts just as funny and interesting as I do. One can hope, right?

Hands down (and my husband will certainly vouch for this), I am one of those weird folks who always have random things running a mile a minute in my head even though I may be doing something that has nothing to do with it. Like, doing the laundry......and thinking of how Spam Musubi makes a good breakfast for whenever I am in the mood for a sodium/salt fix. At the same time wondering how cool it would be to participate in a flash mob. Something like that.

There have been many a time where Justin and I will riding in the car, stuck in traffic and I will randomly blurt out a thought about something completely out of left field like, "I just love baked potatoes!" Or, "Baby, did you know I used to be able to rap this entire song back in high school?" (Add that talent to my awesome Running Man skills and you will discover why my husband married me.)

So hence this random post. What's running through my mind today? Well, I am super, duper, nerdy/geeked-out excited to attend my first Hot Hula class this Saturday with my mommy. I invited her to go because she loves a good cardio work out just as much as I do. What she doesn't know is that her first born child possesses the graceful dancing skills of a gorilla with a sprained ankle.

Let's hope this goes well tomorrow and that I don't end up like the last girl in this dance off.

Happy Friday, everyone!

My Grandma's Photo

My mom has this beautiful old photograph of my maternal grandmother that sits carefully encased in a green frame on a shelf in my parents' home. The sepia colors and time creases of the photo reveal that my grandmother was probably in her 20's when it was taken and that the occasion was probably a very special one as she is adorned gracefully n a terno, the traditional butterfly sleeved dress worn by Filipino women.

Her glance is off to the left side, telling me that perhaps the photographer intentionally posed her in this way to capture her carefully styled hair and the elegance of her fair and feminine profile. I never got a chance meet my grandmother as she passed away suddenly when my own mom was only two years old. Growing up, I would look through old family photos both in albums and on the shelves of my childhood home and this old photo of my grandmother always caught my eye. To me, this photograph was beautiful because it captured the great mystery of a woman from long ago who had direct influence in my life by giving life to my own mom. It's funny how a simple photograph, even from years ago of a person you barely know, can speak volumes of elegance and grace into the present and fill you with a bit of wonder.

Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday, May 12th and while the ideas for Mother's Day gifts range anywhere from flowers to candy to home decorations, why not celebrate it this year by giving her a something a little different - the gift of a professional makeover along with a photo shoot with Heartbox Photography?

Gift certificates are available for purchase and can be used for a session with just her or even as a mother/daughter shoot.

Remind her this year that her elegance and grace as a woman and mother is definitely something to celebrate - every year.

Heartbox Photography

Because her beauty is timeless.

Upcoming Outdoor Glam Photo Shoot

Last week, I witnessed for the first time, our friends' turtle, Rocky emerge from a winter season of hibernation. I know, random thought, but I found it fascinating how Rocky slowly chewed the broccoli proffered to him and adjust himself slowly to the new surroundings of faces anxiously watching his return from a winter slumber. Upon closer examination of his sleepy eyes and slower-than-molasses-movements, I have come to the conclusion that Rocky and I have a lot in common - we love broccoli and move slowly after waking up.

And now on to other non-turtle related news...

This week I am excitedly preparing for an outdoor portrait shoot with a lovely gal named Heather. It takes quite a bit of effort to map out an outdoor shoot, draft up the flow of poses, time the photos to maximize the best light of the afternoon sun, etc., but I love every minute of it as it just gives me more reason to push to a higher level of creativity and share images that capture the beauty of a woman.

Can't wait to share the results with you all, so stay tuned!

Happy Tuesday!

New Inspiration and Two Left Feet

I love being newly inspired - even by things that don't necessarily have to do with photography.
It's pretty neat how non-photography related things in this life can actually serve as a unique form of inspiration to live well and make me want to push harder and be better in a lot of stuff in my life - photography, relationships with friends and family, my relationship with God, and even my health.

A few months ago my husband and I learned of an exercise program that was gaining popularity throughout the U.S. (and some of you may have already heard about it.)  Hot Hula was started by a woman named Ana-Rita Sloss back in 2009 and I seriously don't know why I didn't try this out sooner. I love to dance and love a great ab workout but I do gravitate more towards the shy end of the spectrum where the only dancing you'll see me do is when I hop around enthusiastically with my two left feet at home to the beats of Beyonce - much to the embarrassment of my husband.

What inspired me the most was hearing howAna Rita went through the phases of not feeling too confident because of her weight but eventually started excercising and later meeting folks who not only helped her lose the weight but also gain a perspective of wanting to live healthy and well. Thus Hot Hula was born to inspire everyone of every age and background to life healthy and well, too.

High-five to this power woman for that, right?!

I've been needed a challenge in my exercise routine and upon discovering there was a local class nearby, I quickly marked it in the calendar to try it out next Saturday. My goal? Just to have fun with it, get a good work out and MAYBE move my two left feet towards the front of the class one day. I'm just so excited to try something new and face a challenge head on. And if it's the name of being healthy, sign me up!!

Hope you're finding new ways to grow, to be challenged, but mostly, to be inspired!

Happy Friday!

What Is Beauty?

What beauty is not:

1. One figure type
2. A label of clothing
3. The same hairstyle everyone has
4. Your height
5. Your weight
6. The length of your legs
7. The size of your feet
8. The size of your breasts
9. The money you flaunt
10. The amount of make up  you do or do not wear

So, then, what exactly is beauty?

Attitude.

Advice to the Teenage You

If I could turn around and talk to a teenage version of myself again (yikes!), boy would I have some advice. 

From the serious to the not so serious, I got to thinking of the advice I wish I had paid a little more attention to growing up. I always find it interesting and amusing to listen to all the variety of tips given by commencement speakers and graduations or any address given to the youth of today. I was certainly one of those girls who definitely had no idea how empowering it was to be a chic in today's world - to have the ability to use your knowledge and compassion to shape the world and all the while enjoy the fun of having more options in shoes and accessories. =)

Some things I wish I knew as a teenage girl that I now know as a grown woman:

1. Wash and moisturize your face every night before bed. Your complexion at 40 will thank you.
2. Those endless bags of chips and junk food eventually catch up to you and your thighs.
3. An educated woman = World, watch out!
4. You're actually a lot more interesting being yourself than to follow the seemingly cool fads of high school. Even if it means you love the excitement of the new books at the library dance only slightly better than a 3 year old.
5. Momma was right. Too much television really isn't all that great for your brain. Even if it was Beverly Hills 90210 night.
6. There's a reason why your parents give that boy an evil eye when he hangs out at the house.
7. Exercise can actually be fun. Guess the P.E. teacher was onto something.

Happy Tuesday!

Five Guilty Pleasures, Plus 1

1. Wikipedia - The Mother of all pointless rabbit trails. I start off Googling something about important financial information and then somehow end up reading about Kim Kardashian's childhood.

2. The Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella - Hey, ok? I have read biographies on polical leaders, historic accounts of past events of the United States, and fascinating articles about everything from the life of Lucille Ball to the history of leper colonies in Molokai, Hawaii. But nothing beats the every day adventures of Becky Bloomwood. It was like Kinsella wrote about the British version of me.

3. Facebook and looking at other people's Facebook pages - need I say more?

4. The leftover pasta dinner I have for breakfast the next day...and then later for lunch. Then a late afternoon snack.

5. Aldo Shoes - Again, need I say more? I think I need to educate my husband about the importance of good footwear at each photo shoot. Preferrably, mid-length-military-laced-flat-boots type-footwear.

6. Jersey Shore - Don't judge me.

Happy Friday!

Will The Real You Stand Up?

Our hero, our Hollywood idol, our favorite childhood character.

I think it's safe to say that many of us have tailored our interests, our actions, even our hair color at one point to imitate someone we've greatly admired as a child and even as an adult.

But after so many different identities I've tried on, nothing fits me better than just being me. "You were born an original, don't die a copy" as the saying by John Mason goes.

As a women's portrait photographer, I get to encourage women to celebrate who they are - original, fabulous, and definitely not a copy.

Happy Wednesday!

Glamour Makeover & Photo Shoot - Vanessa. 2013

Us women. We've all been there.

You know- there. At the checkout line at the grocery store or Target, letting our eyes wander over to the magazine racks as the cashier scans our paper towel, shampoo, and dog food. Wondering for a millisecond. Comparing yourself to her on the cover. And though I can't speak for every woman, I know that has been me on more than one occasion. And I like Target, so maybe it's been me on more like a zillion occasions. 

So...I get it. 

And now, I have the privilege to show women that yes, she (who stands in a grocery line with stuff to haul to the car, with kids to calm down and carry) is just as every ounce of fabulous as whomever graces the cover of Vogue or Elle magazine on the stands. It's not a look reserved exclusively for a certain type of woman, but rather a look that is achievable because she already has fabulous woven into her very soul. How? Simply because she is a woman. 

Vanessa, thank you for giving me the opportunity to capture your fabulous self on my camera. Hope your kids know how beautiful their mommy is. 

Happy Friday!

Hair and make up courtesy of Julieta Camacho

The Before and After

Life Quotes

There's something about growing pains in a relationship, any kind, that I love and hate. Hate because, well, it just hurts and I don't have a high tolerance for pain (removable tatoos are awesome inventions wannabe toughies like me), and love because in the end looking back after the storm has passed, you realize that the growth in the end may have been worth it.

I love great life quotes. Hmm. Maybe a book full of quotes is what's next on the Amazon reading list. This quote below sums up what I am being currently challenged with at the moment. And ohhh, how hard it is be less selfish, I tell ya.

How painful it is to be challenged sometimes, isn't it? But also, I marvel at how peace and joy-filled the end result can be if it means growth.

Happy Wednesday!

PREVIEW: Glamour Makeover & Photo Shoot - Vanessa. 2013

I met Vanessa and her kids a while back, being introduced to her as the girlfriend of one of my old friends. As embarrassing as it is to admit, I can easily forget people's names if I don't interact with them on a regular basis, but not Vanessa. She shares the same name as my sister as well as the same tall height. Not to mention they are both are hard-working moms, a trait that is and of it's self unforgettable.

Before her photo shoot, Vanessa told me that was a bit hesitant about participating because she was very shy and insecure when it came to trying to look good. (A feeling that I believe is shared by young girls and women all over the world - myself included.)

When I heard this, it motivated me even more to not just have her experience a great photo shoot with me, but to do everything I could to help change her perspective and replace that insecurity with a new and overwhelming sense of confidence. It was just a matter of having a mirror held up in front of her to see it for herself.

Vanessa, I hope this preview below is how you see yourself from now on - radiant and beautiful simply because you are you. You rocked this shoot and I hope you know it!

Enjoy and stay tuned for more of the final edits to come!

Happy Monday!

Hair and make up courtesy of Julieta Camacho

Target Runs and Friday Dates

It's Friday.

He took me out for my requested sushi dinner.

He treated me to a gift of new shoes that I loooooved even if it would make him look like a midget holding hands with a walking and talking beanstalk. In fabulous shoes.

In a romantic stroll through Target he even remembered to purchase a package of paper towels for the kitchen because we ran out at home. And folks, take note here. They weren't just any kind of paper towels, oh no, they were the fancy kind where you can cut out just the right size you needed. All this because he knows he married a paper-towel-rationing girl who loved to stubbornly squeeze out the last of the toothpaste before investing the money to purchase a brand new minty tube of Colgate goodness.

What can I say? The husband still knows that new shoes, kitchen paper towels, and Friday night runs to Target make the best Friday dates.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Gangnam-Style Coolness

I have this odd fantasy of being able to dance as well as Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta did in Grease. All smooth and suave complete with a killer poodle skirt and perfect hair.

Even just be part of a flash mob sensation on YouTube. You've seen those, right? How cool would that be to be the one who starts off the iconic dance moves in the middle of a mall and then have a crowd bust a move with you. Chills up my spine, I tell you, chills up my spine. Like, I could be the girl in the front of the crowd in the video and the minute the video goes viral, everyone's talking about that short Asian chic in the flash mob video who can Moonwalk with genuine Gangnam-style and coolness. I can't tell you how many times I've watched the music-video moves of everyone from MC Hammer to Jennifer Lopez and secretly wish that I was cast as an extra dancer in the background, gettin' down with my bad self for all of MTV to see.

I consider my big claim to dancing fame as the the time I was six and with fighting determination, squeezed my baby fat (yes, all of it) into a ballerina leotard and tutu and aspired to pirouette my way straight to Broadway's stages. That dream lasted about 5 minutes when I experienced the trauma of a 6 year old horrifically trapped in ballerina leotard needing to go to the bathroom, like, NOW.

Either way, I am re-living these dancing dreams. My husband and I are going to be signing up for ballroom dancing classes this spring. Whooooo-hoooo!! We're signing up for the regular waltz/salsa type of class because Justin absolutely refused to sign up for the country western dance class. (My personal preference.)

It's too bad, too, because he has no idea that his wife has amazing doe-c-doe-ing/spin your partner 'round and 'round/square dancing skills. Like, complete with Gangnam-style grace and coolness. Minus the tutu.

Happy Thursday!

Glamour Makeover & Photo Shoot - Rosemary. 2013.

January 2013 marked an important start to a new chapter with Heartbox Photography. As most of you know, I have decided to focus my photography on glamour photography for women, offering not only the whole hair and make up/makeover, but with the services of a full photos shoot as well. I love to photograph makeovers and fashion and anything girly, but was too afraid to take the leap full on because it didn't fall into the traditional categories of weddings/babies/families that many photographers are known for.

And now here I am.

It's February and I've just finished the first glamour photo shoot of 2013. Looking through these photos, I couldn't be more happy with my decision. I truly believe it was a step in the right direction for reasons that go far beyond just taking fun photographs.

Rosemary is a friend of mine, one of the godmothers of my niece, and I am honored to have been able to have her in front of my camera. She's not only a beautiful woman, but also a talented artist herself, a lover of all things art and music.

I am a firm believer that every woman is worth the time of a camera, though we don't always think so and having Rose as the very first shoot of the year has encouraged me to keep pushing this message for women EVERYWHERE. Rose has grown up with psoriasis and what she did by courageously saying yes to a makeover and photo shoot for Heartbox Photography speaks volumes, not only for others who also suffer from psoriasis, but for women in general.

Like me, like her, and yes, like you, too.

Happy Tuesday!

Hair and make up by Betty Peaches

A Wendy's Valentine

It's Valentine's/love/stuff-your-face-with-lotsa-heart-shaped-pink-candy-from-CVS-day. And though I'm not into the whole red roses being held by a fluffy, white, stuffed bear heck, I'll still celebrate if it's an excuse to eat Toblerone in the middle of the day.

Because of a little mishap in scheduling today, the hubs and I are going to Wendy's tonight for Valentine's Day dinner.

Yep. You read that right. Wendy's as in the "fast food joint run by a little red-haired girl in pigtails" Wendys.

When we were dating and wanted a quick snack, my now-husband and I would sometimes run to the local Wendy's for a baked potato or some chicken strips. It was far from anything fancy, but we both didn't mind because it gave us an excuse to hang out the way best friends do, enjoying each other's company, laughing and talking, as we carried our tray of piping hot baked potatoes and cups of ice water to our chosen table. We both sometimes joke that when we're old, we'd still like to be doing things like this on a random afternoon and I sure hope we do because nothing beats baked potato and chicken strips with your best friend.

Celebrate love everyday, folks. Happy Heart Day!

Valentine's Day Gift Special

Valentine's Day is coming up, but who says it's a day just for those who have been struck by Cupid's arrow? 

Why not make it a fun day to celebrate love not only for the wives and girlfriends  but also for the single gals who want to make it a girls' day out with their best friends? 

Or just to celebrate the love you have for your sister, your mom, your grandmother? 

Heartbox Photography is pleased to announce it's launch into glamour photography, celebrating HER in every season. 

Curious about a session? Check out what you can expect in a photo session with Heartbox Photography.

Gift certificates are now available for purchase that include a pamper session of professional makeup, hairstyling, and photo shoot. To book your session or to gift a session for your best friend, sister, mother, grandmother, or YOU, contact me at maria@heartbox-photography.com or visit www.heartbox-photography.com for further details. 

Heartbox Photography

Because her beauty is timeless.

Preview: First Glamour Photo Shoot of 2013

When I made the decision this year to focus Heartbox Photography primarily on women's glamour and makeover photography, my heart did a little flutter and my palms went a little sweaty.

Why the nervous heart flutter and sweaty palms? A variety of things, really. It's the flutter of being slightly nervous that I was now saying out loud to the world what I could offer through my photography. It's the flutter of being scared of failure and  yes, even a flutter of excitement  as I dared to  entertain the idea that this dream might just become a reality.

I am proud to introduce my friend, Rosemary. I had the honor of having her as my very first makeover and glamour photo shoot model of 2013. Little does she know that her courage to step forward and trust me as her photographer greatly influences the message of genuine beauty that I hope to communicate to every woman out there through my work.

What can I say except that Rosemary is beautiful and her courage to do this makes her even more of an awesome woman. Rose, if you're reading this, thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart.

This is just a sneak peak of Rose's photo shoot with more images to come, so stay tuned!

Happy Monday!

Hair and make up by Betty Peaches

Valentine's Day Special

Valentine's Day is coming up, but who says it's a day just for those who have been struck by Cupid's arrow? 

Why not make it a fun day to celebrate love not only for the wives and girlfriends  but also for the single gals who want to make it a girls' day out with their best friends? 

Or just to celebrate the love you have for your sister, your mom, your grandmother? 

Heartbox Photography is pleased to announce it's launch into glamour photography, celebrating HER in every season. 

Curious about a session? Check out what you can expect in a photo session with Heartbox Photography.

Gift certificates are now available for purchase that include a pamper session of professional makeup, hairstyling, and photo shoot. To book your session or to gift a session for your best friend, sister, mother, grandmother, or YOU, contact me at maria@heartbox-photography.com or visit www.heartbox-photography.com for further details. 

Heartbox Photography

Because her beauty is timeless.