Sharing and Contributing

Early on this endeavor to build a women's portrait photography business, it was strongly impressed upon me how the best photographers seem to be the ones who gave back. Not necessarily in finances, though many have done that, but the generosity contributing their talents and time to help grow and sharpen the community of aspiring professionals like myself.

I used to think that connecting and sharing with other photographers was a sure fire way of contributing to my young business' demise (what with all the competition so prevalent in our industry). Yes, because I foolishly thought that giving away that secret function on my camera would absolutely ruin my chances of any success.

Key words to highlight from that paragrapph? I foolishly thought.

But now, after learning so much from other professionals who have generously given to me, after being encouraged and guided by photographers far more experienced in this industry than me, I can see that, truly, it is far better to give than to receive, to help exchange knowledge than to withhold it out of fear. And, if anything, I believe that any healthy competition keeps me on my toes artistically and serves as a much needed fuel to keep complacency and laziness with my business and my craft at bay.

Tonight, I had the privilege of receiving input from another photographer who also happens to be an attorney by trade. I connected with her through a mutual network group and she has been nothing short of generous with her legal expertise and business input. Connections like this? Priceless.

One day, I hope to make a huge impact on the lives of other photographers the way that others have done for me.

Happy Tuesday!

Happy Birthday, Bubbers!

I love my husband for many, many reasons. It makes a difference in my life to be able to enjoy each day with your best friend - the one who LOVES my karaoke signing, loves me even if my cooking skills don't really extend past boiling pasta, the one I get to pray with and for, to argue and grow together with, to laugh together with as we peruse YouTube for the latest comedy clips because we don't have cable.

Today is his birthday and I count myself blessed to be able to celebrate another year of my best friend's life.

Oh, and this photo? It just goes to show that Miami Vice ain't got nothing on my husband's style.

I love you forever, Bubby!

Happy Friday, ya'll!

Karaoke Dreams

You remember when you were a kid and used to dream up all of the things you wanted to be when you grew up before you made a decision? Everyone's list was different but besides photographer  my list of dream occupations included:

1. A secret agent. With great hair and slick ninja moves. 
2. Wonder Woman
3. Rainbow Brite
3. A lawyer
4. A writer
5. Something that involved colorful paint and Disneyland all day
6. A dancer

And yes...even a super star singer. Mom's turkey baster made a great microphone to my many enthusiastic renditions of Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" growing up.

But for now, I'll settle for karaoke any day. And to do it for a tank of gas? I'm so there.











When I am Frustrated...and The Joys of Ice Cream

I laugh to myself sometimes when I see the reaction I get from new acquaintances after I confess to them that I can become pretty unglued at times. Nine times out of ten they always react in abrupt surprise and tell me that it's hard for them to picture me wigging out and losing it. "Oh, trust me, I've wept over many bowls of ice cream in my life and it ain't pretty!" 

 As with most people in this world, I want to be able to be comfortable with being the real me to everyone I meet, even if it means a continuous practice of taking off the mask. It hasn't been easy sharing with others how unglued but who ever said it was easy to be yourself and openly tell folks that yes, you don't have it all together, that yes, you eat too much ice cream when life throws you a curveball?

When I feel frustrated:

I let my emotions fall.
I eat too much chocolate.
I eat too much ice cream.
Heck, I just eat too much of everything that is opposite of a salad.
I go to the gym.
I journal.
I pray.
I dwell on the issue.
I cry. With hiccups.
Did I mention I cry? 
I talk to my sisters, my friends, my husband...and then repeat.
I spend too much time on Facebook looking for distractions.
I organize or clean something. (Control issues much? Nah.)
I pretend everything is ok.

And then after it's all said and done and I just can't eat any more ice cream, I get back up, try again and hope again.

That right there? Definitely the most important thing from the list.

 Happy Tuesday!







She's Always Right

I have a tendency really want to think things thoroughly before acting upon them. Which, I guess isn't a bad thing in and of itself especially when it has to do with creativity, exploring possibilities, etc. But the downside is that overthinking things just drive me into the ground, weighing pros and cons to the point that the scale is breaking with my tipping back and forth with each idea. I have so many dreams and aspirations with photography that if I'm not careful, it can drive me a little bonkers.

And then, right when I'm a mess of anxiety, I see this face. You can almost see the little conversation bubble:

"Just keep it simple, Mommy. Like in my world."

And I love when she's right.

Happy Friday!

Birthday Wishes & A Grateful Mindset. Glamour Photo Session, Bay Area, 2011.

My parents instilled in us early on the importance of having manners. "Please" and "thank you" were very much a part of our every day vocabulary from as early as I can remember. Often at times, even during our birthday parties in which our eyes met disappointment at a gift we were given that wasn't exactly the Barbie doll we were hoping for, you can still bet that Mom would be close by to nudge us into saying "thank you" nonetheless to the giver of the gift. Simply because it was the right thing to do. 

As I grew older, saying "please" and "thank you" became more than just the "right" thing to do - it became more like the very least I can say for what has been given so generously to me. Especially being an entrepreneur, every little bit of help, advice, encouragement, and time that has been given  to help grow my business by various individuals along the way has reminded me of all that I have to be abundantly grateful for.

A few years ago, I was in the midst of building up my portfolio. Needless to say, I solicited the time and untapped modeling skills of various acquaintances and friends to grace the front of my camera. It's amazing the inner-Vogue skills some folks have if you just venture out and ask!

One of my models, Ariane is featured in the photograph below and in one of the earlier promotional videos here. Today is her birthday (I am slowly becoming a little better about remembering birthdays with the help of, ahem, Mr. Facebook!) and in addition to wishing her a very happy and blessed birthday, I'd like to also like to express a huge thank you for not only allowing me to photograph her but for also being one of the many faces of women photographed by Heartbox Photography. As many of you know, my photography primarily focuses on photography and makeovers for all women and Ariane was one of the early models when I decided to shift the business focus entirely on this genre. 

Thank you again, Ariane, and happy, happy birthday!






Happy Thursday!

My Dad - The Snoring Bear

I have yet to meet another dad that's as weird and quirky as mine. Yes, I've seen television shows about the embarrassing things dads do, the mistakes they make, the hilarious ways they try to show their kids how cool they are, and yet still, I have yet to see anyone that comes anywhere near as weird as mine.


As Father's Day approaches, I find myself reflecting on all the random things that make my dad funny, the memories I have with him growing up, and the reasons why I am thankful he's my pops.

1. It was all girls in our family growing up. Which means that my dad taught my sisters and me how to check the oil in our own car, fix a broken toilet, and instead of whining, roll our sleeves up and exercise some MacGyver skills whenever anything ever broke around the house. And then if that didn't work, call Dad.

2. One time my dad thought it would be funny to pick me up and swing me around playfully as if I were 5 years old again. The only problem with that was that I was 14, in junior high school, and it was in front of the boy I had a crush on.

3. When I was little, my dad would sometimes be tasked with putting my sister and me down for our afternoon nap. This was awesome for us kids because my dad would always end up falling asleep, while my sister and I would hop out of our beds to run off and continue playing with our toys. I remember thinking that my dad reminded me of a snoring bear.

4. Dad loves ice cream. Which is fine except when you're enjoying a bowl of it yourself and he comes wandering over to ask for a little bite of yours. Consider half the bowl gone, people.

5. On the flip side of that whole ice cream deal, Dad always let us kids pick off his plate to share in whatever he was eating, too. Always.

6. No matter how much we were in trouble with Dad coming home, he never failed to ask "Are you hungry? Go and eat your dinner."

7. Dad came to the U.S. when he was in his early/mid-twenties. His first job? Washing dishes and making a life here in the States. Most guys I know at that age barely knew how to stand on their own two feet.

8.It's hard for Dad to ask for anything for himself. Simply because he wants your choice to come first.

Happy early Father's Day to my dad and all the other dad's out there!


My Yummy Sammich: Sanguchon Peruvian Food, San Francisco

Be forewarned.

This post has nothing to do with photography. Or my loveable dog. Or colorful jar-lid sized earrings or my husband's affinity for Star Wars vintage lunch boxes. Rather, this post chats about a love for a subject that makes my heart smile and makes me BFFs with my local gym.

That subject? None other than food. Like, for real good food. The kind that is so yummy it sends you into a middle of the afternoon coma and makes you wonder who decided to invent that nonsense word "diet?!" The kind of food that makes you not care if it was grilled, fried, or contained sticks of melted cheese so long as you got it with a side of juice. And a receipt.

 This afternoon's sunshine and warm weather was perfect for a little outdoor lunch adventure and hence my colleagues and I found ourselves in front of the Sanguchon Peruvian Food Truck.

Everything on the menu looked and smelled too delicious. After debating if I should just put in offer to buy the entire truck, alas I ended up ordering their Lomo Saltado, a stir fried (ooooh, friiiied!!) New York steak with tomato, onion, cilantro soy sauce and fries that came in the sandwich.

People, I repeat.

 There. Were. Fries. In. My. Sammich!

 It took about, oh, five seconds or so for me to wolf down that goodness and now I am ready for a nap.

If you are ever in the mood for a Peruvian experience that come with fries in your sandwich, a trip to a Sanguchon Peruvian Food Truck or any of their sister restaurants in San Francisco, Mochica Peruvian, La Costanera, Piqueos Contemporary Peruvian is something I would highly recommend.

Fries in my sandwich and a beautiful afternoon of sunshine during lunch?

 I gotta say, today was a good day.

 Happy Wednesday! 




Heather. 2013. Garin Park, Hayward, Glamour Photo Session

If there was one thing I used to wish for when I was little was an older sibling. Like someone I can tag along with, follow, annoy, be a copycat to - you know, the usual.

Don't get me wrong, being an older sibling had it's lovely perks (though I am currently five feet and some change, I used to tower over my sisters as kids - tower, I tell you!)

I'd be lying if I said that I didn't obtain joy from convincing my sisters to play the the Misfits while I played Jem, swiping the last piece of chocolate candy, or "accidentally/just for fun" pushing my sister in the mud in the backyard. 

It was my duty to help teach my sisters great survival skills for life. It's a tough world and someone's gotta help shape the youth right? 'Nuff said.

Thirty years later, I am thankful that though I never got to have an older sibling I'd wish for, I nevertheless enjoyed a childhood and now adulthood of having younger sisters that laugh at the memories of sibling fights and the race to snag the last bits of chocolate desserts. And the push-in-the-incident? Forgive and forget, people, forgive and forget.

If there is one person who will more than understand the fun of the "older child" club, it's Heather. 

Heather's younger sister and I have been friends every since junior high and the stories they both shared with me about them growing up as sisters had me not only crying from laughter but convinced me that I went a little too easy on my own siblings. Through many wrestling matches and lots of love, Heather is an example of a great sister who not only knew how to boss around her little sister with the best of them, but how also to protect and love her, and to be a sister who is present to make life just a little more interesting and a lot more fun.

Heather, thank you not only for your sharing the hilarious and candid stories of being a fellow older sister, but also for allowing my camera and I spend some time with you. You are truly beautiful inside and out - and I hope you never forget that!

Happy Monday!












A Friday Food Pyramid

I love my salads and vegetables. I love aiming towards a healthy lifestyle. And the gym? I try to make it my second home...minus the gym sock smell.

But...

There are days that I am so glad that it's Friday and the gourmet menu for tonight's dinner involves melted cheese and carbs galore! Hollerrr!!


Happy Friday hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Stubborn Moms and A Stubborn God

My mother is stubborn. And the stubbornness used to be rooted in all the wrong reasons. No, really. Just ask her and she'll tell you herself.

A little background to this post about  my stubborn mom - I am a Christian and so is my family. It wasn't always the case, though, and believe me, being Christian doesn't exclude you from having problems, experiencing loss, hurt, anger, etc. both as an individual and within your family. Our family was no exception. Thankfully, years and years of a faithful and loving God has changed a lot in my family, and even in my mom. My stubborn ol' mom.

However, this past weekend, I found myself thankful that my mom's stubbornness is still very much present, but this time, for all the right reasons. I was set to pick up a few things from my parent's house before heading to a photo shoot and it turns out my mom was home getting ready to head out to lunch with some friends. The day up to that point was a hard one for me, as I was battling a heavy sense of sadness and anger over some things going on in my life that I was not sure how to handle. It weighed so badly on me that it de-railed my thinking and caused me to just start crying in defeat when my mom asked me what was wrong.



I mumbled an answer of struggling with depression and defeat and my stubborn ol' mom simply rubbed my back and reminded me of a God who loves me and the authority I have to still fight off any feelings of defeat or sadness because of what Jesus did for me on the cross. As I sniffled and sobbed like a baby, she stubbornly reminded me that I am a child of a loving and merciful God and that he wants me to live freely, joyfully, and abundantly in His grace - not weighed down by past regrets or chained by any lies hell tries to make me believe. She prayed for me at that moment and told me that I will be just fine. And you know what? I believe my stubborn ol' momma because her words of encouragement were really coming from my loving Heavenly Papa who is just as stubborn about His love for me and will not let go.

I understand completely that many in this world will either find this post rubbish and some will find it encouraging. I certainly hope and pray it's more of the latter. And if you need convincing and a prayer for whatever it is you are struggling with, my stubborn ol' momma and I would be happy to help.

Happy Wednesday!


PREVIEW: Dee, 2013. Bay Area, Glamour Photo Session

New random fact: I really like looooove the show Duck Dynasty. I barely watch television, but believe me, I love this show because it makes me laugh, is super inspiring and want to end every sentence in ya'll!! Minus the ZZ Top beard of course. (Watch the show. You'll see what I mean.)

I had recently finished reading Happy, Happy, Happy: My Life and Legacy As the Duck Commander  by Phil Robertson, one of the main characters on Duck Dynasty and author of this book. I told my husband I'm now inspired to buy a duck call. Why? I just think it would really be cool to be able to summon the ducks around me at the local lake and form a group called (drum roll, please)

....wait for it....

 The Quack Pack. 

 I am not a nerd. And even if I was, I'd be the nerd with a freakin' awesome duck call! Amen.

Onto other news - I'm very excited to be working on the latest photo shoot and can't wait to share it with you all! Below is just a sneak peak into the latest photo session so be sure to stay tuned for more!

Ya'll have a happy Monday!

Special thanks to Tammy Do for fabulous hair and make up!







Molar Bears and My Dork Humor

I love talking to my sisters on the phone. For the love of family and all that, yes, but truth be told, it's reassuring to know that you are of the same bloodline that appreciates the dork streak of corny humor from time to time. Complete with a snort laugh and all.

Mom never let us have soda growing up...I'm almost tempted to show her this to prove we may have missed a few things...



Molar bear!!



 I don't know why this made me crave stuffed mushrooms....mmm, stuffed mushrooms with mozzerella cheese!! Yum.


My kinda sport.



I couldn't believe how accurately this describes a car being driven either by me or one of my sisters. No wonder Dad hardly let us take over the wheel...

Happy Thursday!

A Bib, Helmet, and Hope

Whenever I am happily surprised by something, it's really, really hard to contain my excitement. No, really, I'm not even joking - it's actually a little embarrassing especially since I'm supposed to be an, ahem, grown-up.

I've squealed like a pig during a photo session that's going well, almost tripped on my own two feet when trying on a pair of awesome shoes found in the sale section and just when you think I'm really cool, I'll even clap and occasionally spit will fly out of my mouth when telling someone some exciting news or a great story.

Wish list for Christmas: a bib and a helmet

As recently as today, I am reminded about how awesome it is to be excited about hearing great news. Like, actually Googling news that doesn't remind us yet again, of all the bad in the world, but  of some actual glimpses of good and hope.

About a month ago, I met up with a friend for ice cream and a catch up, not knowing this conversation would have a significant impact a month later. In the midst of chatting, we started talking about our faith, the challenges of keeping it strong on a daily basis, and the importance of prayer. She proposed that we commit to pray for the troubles we were seeing in the world, even the stuff that seemed so far out of touch for our own personal lives. One of the things that made it onto the prayer list was the issue of human trafficking both in the United States and around the world. What???

Talk about being super stretched in faith - I have to admit that I was pretty doubtful of how praying for such a huge problem would be effective at all. You see, I like the safe, coffee-house conversations about faith, but to be asked to participate in a challenge and test what I believe, well, that's like a whole new ball game. Like, varsity level, Michael Jordan status.

Thankfully, despite my doubts, my friend reminded me that prayer changes things, that it ushers the power of God to do things we simply can not do on our own. She even encouraged me to check out how the news headlines will change because of faithful and interceding prayer. Well, uh, ok....I guess it can't hurt, I remembered replying. And so began the 30 days.

Yesterday, filled with some hope as well as some hesitation, I Googled "Human Trafficking News" and this is what I found:

Fifth-graders join fight against human trafficking

Chicago Tribune-4 hours ago
Human trafficking is a cause she is passionate about, and when her students learned that children sometimes are forced into such situations, ...

Bordello owner jailed for human trafficking

The Local.ch-3 hours ago
The Turk was arrested in 2007 after a total of 200 police officers took part in an operation to counterhuman trafficking in Nidau and in Tuggen in ...

Maritime agency thwarts human trafficking in Kota Tinggi

New Straits Times-11 hours ago
JOHOR BARU: The Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) thwarted an attempt by a human trafficker to smuggle 14 illegal ...

Bill would reform human trafficking laws

Legislative Gazette-May 28, 2013
Lawmakers are hoping to reduce the number of human trafficking victims in New York state by passing a new bill that would improve the state's ...

Vallejo rapper sentenced for human trafficking in Contra Costa ...

San Jose Mercury News-May 24, 2013
MARTINEZ -- A 38-year-old Vallejo rapper was sentenced Friday to five years and eight months in state prison for the sex trafficking of women ...

And the good news headlines go on. 

Needless to say, I was beyond amazed, with a renewed sense of hope and pig squealing happiness. Ohhhh, so this is what she was talking about! It was so encouraging to read the headlines of change, of justice being served, of legislation addressing this problem. And it's pretty amazing to see what the encouragement of a friend, a tiny seed of hope, and a little prayer can do. 

 Happy Wednesday!












Laura, 2013. Cannery Row, Monterey, Glamour Photo Session

One of the things I love the most about being a photographer is that I have the rare opportunity to get to know new faces. And being a photographer of women means that the conversation with my clients and models are always interesting and can be sprinkled with topics that vary from the challenges of being a mom, a career driven woman, why our hair just won't always behave itself in the morning as we rush out the door or yes, even the confessions of the time our eye lash curler attacked us. 

As I'd mentioned in her preview post, Laura had contacted me for a makeover and photo shoot to take place in the beautiful coastal area of Monterey. As the sun gently lit up the late afternoon, the talented Emily Nguyen of A List Make Up set to work on Laura's hair and make up for the photo session. 

After a quick outfit change (because ladies, we all know that awesome hair and make up is never complete without an awesome outfit to match, amen!) Laura and I took a stroll through the beautiful Cannery Row of Monterey to capture the afternoon light for her photos. We chatted about everything - from her being a mother, an aspiring law student, to the trials of walking around in a fabulous pair high heels. 

Laura, thank you. It was an honor to be able to not only photograph you, but to also learn more about you as a person. You rocked the shoot and I hope these photos remind you every single day of your beauty and your fabulousness - simply because you are you. 

Here are a few of my favorites. To see more, feel free to check out the video here or at the bottom of this post.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Hair and Make Up by:
Emily Nguyen of A List Make Up

And boom. Model status.



Go on with your gorgeous self, Laura! Absolutely loving this Monterey light...

Laura and I share a similarity in that we both freeze when it's below 75 degrees. Even though the ocean breeze left Laura almost frozen, I'm happy to say she summoned her inner model and bravely pushed through, resulting in these beautiful shots.






One of my absolute favorite shots...


Hiccups and Great Stories

As a kid, I loved everything aligned, neatly done, just right.

This is just a fancy schmancy way of saying I am a perfectionist and have been since the day I became best friends with Big Bird and Sesame Street. Every coloring book had to have all the colors within the lines, school supplies had to be arranged neatly in my desk, pencils on the right, paper on the left. 

I had cool written all over my Big Bird sweater. 

While other kids were happily enjoying Elmer's glue all over their hands and Costco-sample-tasting bits of paste during art time in kindergarten, I was the kid cautiously wiping away the excess of glue on my project. Because, you know, God forbid this artistic masterpiece of mine be ruined by excess glue along the carefully arranged purple construction paper! *gasp*

Now as a photographer, artist, and entrepreneur, it is no secret that perfectionism creeps up pretty often in the things that I do, whether it means answering an email perfectly to a potential client, to editing a client's image just right with the perfect touch of light. Even more so, I think a lot of the time I also get hung up on making sure that the journey as a photographer and entrepreneur is a smooth and seamless one - just perfect. 

But of course, reality comes along (more times than I can count) and reminds me that instead, it's the seemingly imperfect hiccups and bumps and surprises in the journey that make it worthwhile, enjoyable, and enriching - a story worth telling today.

Happy Wednesday! 


Eat Your Vegetables and Call Your Mother

I remember the days when I was young and eagerly anticipated the day when I could say that I didn't need my mom.

As a grown-up (kinda!), I've stopped anticipating that day and now instead cherish the fact that I still have moments that I need my mom and still have her around to ask her a question about a recipe that she always got right and I was still working on making edible, what good grocery sales are currently going on at Safeway or Lucky's, or even to receive her once-in-a-while-but-more-like-everyday voicemails on the benefits of drinking enough water, eating vegetables and oh, have I talked to my sisters lately/tell them to call their mother.

Moms are funny - especially my mom. With all the ups and downs, I'm thankful for all that she's taught me and still continues to teach me. And the occasional eat your veggies/call your mother/where are your sisters voicemails? Well, let's just say that I can't wait to pass some things on to my kids one day. =)

Happy Monday!









Party Rockers In the House

Time flies when you're having fun.

This week marks 4 years into the grand adventure of life with my husband. Words can't express how thankful I am to share life with my best friend. The man who fully understands that a couple of bottles of milk on ice with a surprise dish of chocolate chip cookies is waaaay cooler than a bottle of champagne and some strawberries.

Yes - he definitely knows how to party and I love him for it.

Happy Friday!

Preview: Heather. 2013. Garin Park, Hayward

The weather is a bit warmer, the sun is out longer in the evening, and all that mixed in with the right amount of open shade yields the perfect recipe for a glamour photo shoot - outdoors!

The lovely Heather and I met over at Garin Park in Hayward for her afternoon session. I'm an accessory and color girl at heart when it comes to outfits and make-up, so when Heather showed up in a beautifully printed blue dress complete with bows for her long dark hair, I was beyond stoked to capture it all on camera. The afternoon sunlight peeked through the trees with just the perfect amount of gold and with that light set against a forest-type of background, well, you can bet my little photographer heart just smiled. 

Heather no doubt rocked the entire shoot as you can see. Below is just a sneak peak into Heather's glamour photo shoot with Heartbox Photography, so stay tuned for more!

Happy Wednesday!