Krystal, 2014. San Jose City Hall, CA. Headshot Photo Session

I always find something so fun about outdoor photo sessions, especially because I love the endless possibilities the Bay Area has to offer. Combine that with the perfect balance of late afternoon light and it's a recipe for every photographer's dream.

I met Krystal for a late afternoon shoot and got the chance to chat with her during her make up and hair preparation by the talented Vlada Fomenko-Haggerty. I love being able to make my client's laugh and relax in front of my camera -with Krystal's friendly smile and wicked sense of humor, I immediately discovered that photographing her would be more like having fun spending the afternoon hanging out with an old friend.

Krystal is a user experience designer in the tech field as well as a talented artist. While her hair and makeup were being prepared, my eyes grazed the walls of her home and saw a beautiful collection of her work. My own painting skills never saw itself past 1st grade so to meet another artist who uses paintbrushes to create beautiful art is a real privilege.

Krystal, it was honor to meet and learn more about you, to share a sunny afternoon of laughing and photographs. Thank you for trusting me to capture your smile with my camera! I truly hope these photographs serve as a reminder to you of your own unique brand of girl-power fierceness for years to come. You rock!

Happy Tuesday!

Many thanks to the talented Vlada Fomonko-Haggerty for Krystal's beautiful hair and makeup!

Sometimes, There Are No Words

Sometimes, there are simply no words to describe God's awesomeness, vastness, greatness. And I think that's ok.

Because in the precise moment I'm left dumbfounded and utterly speechless is when I think I actually understand it the most.

Happy Thursday!

Kari, 2014. Los Gatos, CA. Headshot Photo Session

Meet the lovely Kari.

We were originally scheduled to have her photo shoot take place at a nearby park, but the beautiful surroundings of her own backyard with the afternoon sunlight peaking through the abundance of trees proved to be the far better location. As Kari's hair and make up was being prepared by the talented Vlada Fomenko-Haggerty we chatted about everything from work, to career goals (Kari is currently working towards building her own business), to outfits for the photo shoot and the fun of being a gal who loves trying new beauty products.

Kari is refreshingly down to earth, a true go-getter. The love she has for her family is palpable as you get to know her. I couldn't help but smile every time she mentioned something she loved about her husband's personality, the way he treats her, as well as how much she loved her kids.

Kari, it was truly an honor to have you in front of my camera. I look at these photos and can see in your eyes that you not only smile and shine brightly from the outside, but from the inside as well - and that is the mark of a truly beautiful woman.

Happy Tuesday!

My Little Assistant and a Fancy Schmancy Skirt

Being a creative doesn’t always come easy. Especially when you are fairly skilled at one medium of artistic expression such as photography, but are completely lacking in another creative skill that’s needed to allow your vision to become real.

This is my fancy way of saying I have been wanting to do a photo shoot that incorporated a fluffy and flowing tulle skirt but have zero skill in making fabric, needle, and thread come together and unite happily ever after.  I can’t sew a button to save my life (sorry, Mom), but the vision of a fashion-inspired, Vogue for the everyday woman kind of photo session just wouldn’t go away. Hence, you suck it up, YouTube, and try, try, try.

The best part of sewing something this fancy is that my little assistant was right by my side and cheering me on as I sweated through/threaded through/sewed my way to tulle skirt heaven. There was so much fluffy material everywhere. I’m surprised she didn’t get lost in the sea of tulle, thread, and ribbon. Ah, but despite the minor tangles and constant reminders not to eat/chew/drool on the fabric, I think someone approves of the final result.

Absolutely can’t wait to try this out for the next fabulous woman I photograph. Stay tuned!!

Happy Friday!

That Ugly Vulnerability Word

There isn't really anything that is exciting about confessing your sin to other people. Well, no, I take that back, it might be exciting for them because yes, there is a chance it serves as a juicy piece of gossip from a slice of your life that is hardly revealed to the outside world. 

I was (and honestly still sometimes am) a little apprehensive of joining/being involved/ with a small group of women I had met at church. There are lots of reasons I wanted to join this group but was scared of it all at the same time. I fight constantly against the desire to take the easy route and to pull out my nice Christian mask. I am more prone to not want to get real with people when things in life are hitting the fan and I am struggling not to spin out of control hard enough for my mask to come flying off. 

It can be pretty ugly.

Basically, I am scared of the grossness that comes from being a vulnerable and broken woman. And if I'm horrified by my own junk, you can bet that the idea of even revealing a smidgen of it to other people makes me want to run off in the opposite direction and barf.

I can't speak for the dudes out there, but I sometimes think that because us women are wired to be emotional, all the challenges of life and all our junk can weigh down on us in a way that's not easy to just "get over" because it's so strongly connected to the mushy, feely stuff and isn't just a physical wound that goes away with some Neosporin and a Band-Aid.

I find it freakin' hard and freakin' great to wrestle with God, to learn more about Jesus, to follow Him. And when I say "follow Him" I don't mean, hey, I got this walk down cold, it's easy now, ya'll wanna try it? More like, I follow Him, wrestle with Him, reject Him, come back to Him, grow, follow, wrestle, reject, come back to Him, repeat, repeat, repeat. Every time, in every season, He meets me with grace and love. It's pretty nuts because I don't have much patience for people like me, so I can't even imagine how many times He could have thrown in the towel with my ways. 

I am excited and still scared and still can be lame about this whole vulnerability thing with others, but at the same time am excited and looking forward to being challenged in this new small group. 

Hope your're encouraged to not be afraid to reveal your junk to God. He's seen me hide and barf a gazillion times and yet, His love remains the same for me even when I struggle - unwavering. 

Steady. 

Mercy-filled. 

Happy Thursday, folks. 

A Piece of Hawaiian Goodness: The Right Slice

It's been a few days now that my husband and I recently returned from a trip to Kauai, our favorite island in Hawaii. Needless to say, I am having some serious withdrawals from the warmth of the humid island weather, the blue ocean water, and the welcoming feel of aloha everywhere we turned. 

I actually contemplated putting a basin of sand beneath my desk just so I could wiggle my toes in something reminiscent of pure Hawaiian bliss. Hmmm...

It sounds a little ridiculous, the whole idea of my very own sandbox at my desk, but what's equally embarrassing is how much I miss a little bake shop in Lihue, Kauai called The Right Slice.  Even as I was trying to work off all that vacation eating at the gym last night, all I could think about was the baked-to-perfection coconut layer over chocolate ganache goodness wrapped up in a perfect gold crust that was miles and miles away from me hidden like a treasure of the Hawaiian islands.  

I. MISS. PIE. 

We stumbled upon this bakery after reading all the raves about their chocolate coconut macaroon pie. I took one bite of this slice of heaven and immediately started eyeing the slice my husband had, in case I finished mine first and he needed some help wanted a second serving. The mini-pies that were supposed to serve as a little take-home/try-save-it-so-you-can-be-kind-and-share-it treat didn't make it past our layover in Honolulu and I have the chubby-wubby belly to prove it. 

As we waited to board our flight back home, I spent some time looking at their website and all the other pie flavors as well as examining every detail of the chocolate coconut macaroon pie photograph, desperately wishing that iPhones had a scratch and sniff function. 

Not only does this place have fantastic pies, I also discovered that it is also a small business, owned and and operated by the head baker, Sandy Poehnelt. This made me smile even more, knowing that our money went to fund the efforts of a fellow female entrepreneur on our favorite island, no less!

The most important discovery?? Kauai is miles and miles away..........BUT. THEY. SHIP.

Whaaaaaaaaa??????

Fist bumps and a huge mahalo out to The Right Slice for sharing a piece of pie-heaven to this mainland girl. 

Happy Tuesday!

Fifty and Fabulous: Preview | Marie, 2014. Portraits by Heartbox Photography, Santa Clara, CA

As an artist, sometimes the new ideas can fill every crevice in my mind in crazy abundance that it almost becomes hard to pick one and run with it, grow it, try it out without being trapped to my perfectionist ways.

I'm basically saying that I can be very crazy, slightly A.D.D. when it comes to the world of creative possibilities that photography can offer. 

One of the ideas that I'd been wanting to try out for a while was portrait sessions that celebrated women who had reached that remarkable milestone of being 50 years old. Fifty and fabulous, as I once heard it phrased. 

That life stage where her beauty is timeless more now than ever because in addition to her outward beauty, she also carries internally a unique element of depth that only comes from a full life of a woman who has lived, laughed, loved, cried, triumphed, and grown.

Marie is a beautiful mother and a grandmother. A graceful dancer who invests her time teaching the art of hula to other women for them to enjoy. A woman who celebrates 50 years of life with joy, gratitude, and laughter. Lots of laughter.

There is more to come, but for now, here's a little sneak peak into Marie's Fifty and Fabulous photo session with Heartbox Photography - stay tuned!

A special thanks to the talented Vlada Fomenko-Haggerty for Marie's beautiful hair and make up!

Noel, 2014. Santa Clara, CA. Portrait Photo Session

I have known Noel since before I was old enough to drive, back when junk food was our best friend and after school homework and talking on the phone with friends was what filled our days on weekday afternoons.

It was a time of fun and innocence and though there are moments presently where waves of nostalgia overcome me, I also can't deny the even more beautiful moments where I see how life has come around full circle in ways sweeter than the long summers of our days as teenagers.

Noel is a wife and now a mother to the cutest little kid named Dominic. During the photo session, the undeniable joy that Dominic brings Noel was apparent with each giggle and mischievous smile that graced this little one's face. I half expected to Dominic to start throwing his toys at me before the shoot was over, but this kid's a champ and actually survived the entire time in front of my camera - he must get his camera charm and patience from his momma! ;)

Noel, it was honor to capture you and Dominic in these photographs. It's so sweet to see that the kind smile I knew from when were kids has only gotten more joy-filled with the presence of Dominic in your world. I am thankful that we are back in touch even after all this time and hope that in years to come, you will always be reminded of how beautiful you are as a wife, a mom but even more so, as a woman.

A special thanks to the talented Vlada Fomenko-Haggerty for Noel's beautiful hair and make up!

"People who are confident in themselves and lead their life by treating peoples as they want to be

treated are beautiful to me."

"People that treat themselves and others with respect tend to give off a certain light. That light is what makes someone beautiful."

"I surround myself with kind, good-hearted people...and they are are a reflection of me."

What are you confident or proud of now that maybe you weren't so proud or confident about when you were younger?

"Understanding what I want, finding strength to reach goals. I am more confident in expressing my emotions and have learned that I don't always HAVE to be happy."

"We need to accept the fact that every woman is different and no one woman is perfect." 

"Take care of your health, emotionally and physically - you only have one shot in life."

"Laugh often and love deep."

Lights

"Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph."

 - Matt Hardy

Beautiful light just makes my Monday.

The Peanut Booger Kid

When my youngest sister was a kid, she once thought it would be a good idea to shove a peanut up her nose. It was a really fun idea for about 2 seconds before she started crying and we all realized a trip to the doctor's office was the only way to remove the peanut booger she created. And ironically, the she's allergic to peanuts.

Go figure.

When my parents splurged and bought my siblings and me a Nintendo game system with only two controllers, guess who often got left out of the Mario and Luigi adventures? You guessed it - the youngest, peanut booger sister.

During our teenage years, whenever I was missing a cool blouse or some favorite accessory from my closet, it was almost always found in the possession of my youngest sister who loved fashion as much as I did. Oooh, and did that lead to some historical fights! And let's not forget that time we both went to the salon together to get our eyebrows waxed for the first time. I was a little scared and she was a lot scared, so of course I made her go first. In case it hurt, she could warn me, right?

Or did I ever tell you about that time my other sister thought it would be funny to stuff the younger sister into the clothes hamper and sit on the lid so she couldn't get out? Yeah, that was freakin' hilarious, too. (Calm down, folks, it was a wicker hamper with plenty of semi-breathable holes of ventilation.)


And when she got all grown up enough to get married, I made sure to record a video of her on the morning of her wedding when she soon discovered a pimple right on her nose. Purely out of big sister evil laughter love, of course. We have to treasure these memories, after all.

Throughout life's ups and downs, she's been my best shopping buddy, my don't-tell-mom-and-dad cover up.

My biggest rival to my best homie.

A huge pain and a huge pain-reliever.

I've lost count of the fights, laughs, and tears we've shared as sisters and looking back, there is absolutely nothing I would change.

Today is my sister's birthday and there's a good chance that she's stuffing her face with ice cream and prancing around in a new pair of shoes right now (because she's kind of a nerd like that). Needless to say, I love the booger kid and am thankful to call her my sister and celebrate her life today.

Peanuts, anyone?

Uphill, Downhill, Stuttering and Creatively Running with God

Let Your love be my companion

In the war gainst my pride

Long to break all vain obsession

Till you're all that I desire

-Hillsong United

When I started writing in this blog, I set out with the intention of having it be as honest as possible, sharing my work as a photographer, a woman wanting to inspire and encourage others, especially other women. While this endeavor sounds noble in itself, can I just be honest and say it hasn't always been easy to live up to and has sometimes felt like most uphill battle ever? Like, there were moments it just plain sucked.

As with many creatives and artists wanting to share their work and inspire others for the sheer joy and meaningful-ness of it, sometimes the tangled web of wanting approval traps and tragically chokes even the most innocent of our intentions, blurs our vision of what we hope the end result will be. Photographer, writer, sculptor, painter, videographer, musician, person who builds stuff out of random things you name it, I can guarantee you we have all felt this at one point or another as a creative.

For me, this trapping, cunning web stops the creative flow in my photographs, the click of my camera, causes a writing stutter as the words of my heart can't seem to find it's way to the freeing surface of a page, stops the happy tapping sound of a keyboard, can't find it's way to reach deep into the heart of a reader and encourage them the way I had hoped.

Though I can't speak for everyone else in this world, I believe that the very best of anything and everything happens when the main reason a person is doing it is to honor God, whether it it's big or small task. I believe this because even as a photographer, I recall how many of my favorite photos were a result from when my eyes were simply and freely looking for the beauty in God's creations around me (in people, things, colors, shadings of light, small and overlooked details) - not for the world's approval, not for what it could possibly yield in comments, not for any other reason than for the sheer joy of being free to creatively run. 

Simply put - I found that my best work only happens when I am free from the chains of my pride and instead am clinging on to a loving God who has not only allowed me to capture the beauty around me but also is refining my character in the process as a photographer, a writer, an artist, a woman, an entrepreneur, a human.....and most of all, as His daughter.

God can use anything and anyone to communicate how much He loves the world. Even a rambling and imperfect person like me. It's pretty fantastic.

Happy Monday!

Churro Scouting and Disney Memories

This past Labor Day weekend, my husband and some of our best friends participated in the Disney Half Marathon. I, of course, participated in scouting out the closest churro stand.

It was a fantastic experience and needless to say, the excitement of the whole event was palpable and contagious for every participant there whether you were a runner, part of the cheer squad, or churro-scouting like me.

My husband, with the help of our friends, had been training for this since January so to be there and celebrate with him after crossing the finish line was indeed memorable. Plans to roam the park after the race then followed and we all rode loony-screamed on all our favorite rides and ate expensive fried food like it was going out of style. The warm night sky soon beckoned the end to a crazy-fun day in Disneyland and we soon found ourselves exhausted but happily walking back to the hotel.

And in this weekend, I was reminded that sometimes the best inspiration for my dreams and hopes in this life come from the awesome memories you make with your loved ones and friends.

Happy Friday!

A Health Journey: Cool Books That Advise Making Your Own Junk Food

"Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food."

-Michael Pollan

Food Rules

For the past month and a half, as many of you know, I have been working with a trainer in an effort to be more intentional about getting stronger, being challenged to break away from exercises that are too easy, and overall to just be more intentional about my overall health.

Fifteen sessions later, I am thankful and happy to say I am already feeling and seeing the results. Has it been easy? No, but it's definitely been worth it. Just the fact that more weight-lifting has been incorporated into my workout routine is in and of itself a huge accomplishment as I was always the person to default to sticking with the lightest weights that required the least amount of effort. Am I all beefed up like Schwarzenegger or Popeye? No and I have no desire to be because, truthfully, I kinda like having a neck. However, there's something rewarding about taking the weights up a notch and knowing it's also a great preventative method for us women, especially when it comes to risks of osteoporosis.

Logging everything I eat (including the occasional cookie or cup of ice cream) has also been tremendously helpful as it's made me more conscious about what I am putting into my body, if I'm eating out of boredom or stress, and if I am consuming a healthy amount of water on a daily basis. There's something eye opening about writing things out and looking back at it and a food journal is no different. If anything, it's simply made me more aware.

In a recent health workshop I attending, I was given a fantastic book called "Food Rules" by Michael Pollan. Is it chock full of bland and boring recipes? No. Is it saying to eat a salad for the rest of your life. Thankfully, heck no. (Because trust me, I'm a not a huge fan of that method either. I love me my hamburgers with fries once in a while, thank you very much.)

Rather, this book outlines a ton of simple and fun tips on how to make better decisions with what you buy at the grocery store, easy ways to remember what foods to avoid and why, and best of all, it's written by a regular journalist who simply saw the need for people to have simple and understandable guidelines on how to eat healthier in a world full of fad diets and confusing health advice.

Simply put, it's good. Go get it and read it. Your health will thank you.

Happy Wednesday!

Ramya, 2014. Santa Clara, Portrait and Makeover Photo Session

She possesses a quiet nature, a sweet face that will break into a smile throughout your conversations with her.

Meet Ramya.

Throughout her photo session with me one sunny, Saturday afternoon, I learned that she was a wife and a mother and loved being a model. She was patient with my inability to tell a good joke and flowed through the entire session like an absolute pro.

Ramya, it was an honor to to get to know you, to work with you, and to capture your beautiful smile on camera. Thank you for being a part of the  Heartbox Photography movement that encourages every woman that she is not only beautiful, both inside and out, but is also worth celebrating today.

Many thanks to the talented Vlada Fomenko for her beautiful styling of Ramya's hair and make up!

Happy Monday!

Sandy, 2014. Santa Clara, Glamour Portrait Photo Session

Many of you know that I have embarked on a health and fitness journey for no other reason that to be just that...healthy and fit.

And part of what inspired this journey are women like the lovely Sandy.

I had met Sandy through Total Woman Gym + Spa, a gym and day spa dedicated to helping women achieve their health, fitness and wellness goals. Sandy's photo session too place on an afternoon that was as sunny as the bright smile she wore when she walked into the studio. Her joyous laugh and conversation flowed through the studio as she got styled and prepared for her shoot by the talented Kathleen Tinney. No doubt this was going to be a fun shoot!

In our initial correspondence, I learned that Sandy is a wife, mother, and woman who made a decision to change her habits to reflect a healthier lifestyle. For most of us, especially us women living in an image-laden world, I know it is not easy to be so honest with strangers and simply say that you made a decision to get healthy because high-blood pressure, or unintended weight gain could lead to something worse down the road. But honest is exactly what Sandy was as she detailed to me her reasons for wanting to be make her health a priority, to be fit, to be strong. (It was shortly thereafter that I began working with a trainer, too, to push and challenge me - one of the best decisions inspired by her story!)

Sandy, I am incredibly honored to have been able to participate in this celebration of you - a celebration of your life, your health, your beauty. Thank you for sharing everything you are and most of all for inspiring me to push myself to new challenges in my own health and be unafraid to work with a trainer who can help keep me accountable.

Here's to inspiring women everywhere to get healthy!

A heartfelt thanks to the talented Kathleen Tinney of A-List Makeup for Sandy's beautiful hair and make up!

"Kindness, compassion, humor, creativity, love.  I think that all shows on a person's face, and more importantly, the people in my life whom I think are beautiful are the ones that make me feel beautiful, too."

"I don't think there is just one definition of beauty. There are so many different kinds of people in the world and so many ways to be beautiful. I mean, obviously there are things that are considered aesthetically pleasing - smooth skin, symmetrical face, fit body, youthfulness - but I really feel that it's what one puts out into the world that makes one beautiful." 

"I was not confident about much when I was 18. But life teaches you so much. I'm more confident in what I believe, and what I don't believe now than when I was 18. I'm much more comfortable with who I am. It would have been difficult for me to say that I liked myself back then. 

I wanted to be someone different, someone fabulous. I do like who I am now, not to say that there isn't room for improvement, but I do like myself. I have recently rediscovered that I do have a strong body and that makes me more confident in what I can physically do. I also appreciate that, in general, I'm in good health and shouldn't take it for granted."

"If I put it in the context of giving advice to my daughters, I would say take care of yourself. Take care of your body, take care of your mind, take care of your spirit. That's where beauty is."

"I've been lucky so far and have had no major illnesses or injuries. Part of the reason for gettingin shape is that I need to stop pushing my luck! 18 year olds think they will live forever - 48 year olds know better!"

"Practice acceptance. Accept your shortcomings and imperfections and be accepting of others as well. Don't ever be afraid to ask for help. I couldn't have made the progress I've made in the last few months without the help of my fabulous trainer, Leily. I will be eternally grateful to her."

PREVIEW: Noel, 2014. Santa Clara Portrait Photo Session

There's something that radiates nothing but happiness and warmth when you see an old friend of yours from junior high grow into a lovely woman who eventually becomes a beloved wife and mother. 

I've known Noel since we were teenagers, back when pagers were considered as cool as iPhones and the only major worries centered around what to wear to our after-school dances and English homework due dates. A couple of years ago, we got reconnected and I was privileged to photograph her and her husband, Jorge in this shoot. 

Noel has recently become a mother to the cutest little boy named Dominic. Needless to say, I was more than excited to not only meet her baby boy for the first time but to also photograph them for a special mother and son shoot. 

Here is a little sneak peak into Noel's photo session - more to come, so be sure to stay tuned!

A special thanks to the talented Vlada Fomenko-Haggerty for Noel's beautiful hair and make up!

A Health Journey - That Freakin' Pull-Up

Yesterday was my first time working through an exercise routine my trainer assigned to me on the days I wasn't training with her. Today on the list was back, core, and bicep exercises. And to my horror, the routine involved pull-ups.

Excuse me? I need to fire my trainer. 

No, just kidding, my trainer is fabulous, but STILL!

I haven't seen a pull-up bar since the 8th grade. That's, like, 20 years ago. Immediately my memory flashed back to a the embarrassment of being the dorky kid who had to get boosted up to the bar because I was too short to reach it...and then was basically left holding on and hanging there like a string bean because I can't do a pull up to save my life. In front of everyone in the class. With a teacher telling me to just try and do one.

I will never make a friendship bracelet for that darn pull-up bar.

However, thankfully, the routine allowed me to use the assisted pull up machine which meant I could leverage the machine in such a way where I was boosted up from the bottom with each pull-up. Basically, the machine was made for beginners like me slowly trying to build up strength.

I can't even begin to tell you how tempting it was just to skip that exercise on the list. I'm so good at making excuses for myself, it's not even funny. Because really, no one would know, not my friends, my husband, my family, no one at the gym, not even my trainer, right?

However.....dun-dun-dun......I would know.

I would know what I skipped. I would know I let a lame excuse get in the way. I would know I actually took one step backwards from a a challenge that could grow and test me.

I would know. And if I dug down deep, truthfully, I wasn't ok with it. Didn't I take on this health challenge for a reason?

Maybe it was the "Eye of the Tiger" song running through my head. Maybe it was a split second of dork-gone-wild as I imagined myself running up those steps in Philly. Whatever it was, up on the machine I went, 3 reps of 12 as instructed....and done.

Again, not my favorite machine, but it's a health journey, so one day at a time.

Happy Tuesday!

Reckless, Happy, and Growing

Sometimes, being a photographer, an artist, and entrepreneur can be lonely. Most of the time you work solo and even face some challenges and learning experiences solo. You wonder if you're the only one with that editing question, that tax question, or that editing question. 

In the same vein, it's this very feeling of occasional loneliness that have made me truly value the relationships and connections it's pushed me to forge with others in this industry. This journey so far has connected me with a ton of individuals I am forever grateful to. I've made friends with another photographer who also happened to be an attorney by trade. Much of our conversations entailed her generous input on the way my contracts could be tweaked and exchanges of creative marketing ideas discussed over Thai food. 

In the beginning when I didn't know which way was up and what focal points were on my camera, another photographer based all the way in Tennessee took the time to extend some Southern hospitality via email with every question I sent to her. Her advice and much-needed encouragement proved tremendously valuable as a fledgling newbie looking to steady herself in a competitive field. 

I've met other women entrepreneurs who, though not in the same industry, have offered their advice, encouragement, and have even become clients to show how much they support my dreams and remind me that it is more than ok to dream big.

And this? Well, this picture was a pleasant surprise awaiting in my inbox this past Monday morning. I received this photograph from one of my stylists I often work with, the talented Vlada Fomenko-Haggerty. While she occasionally stays to assist during the shoot, I had no idea she had snapped this photo of me working. Her talent and professionalism make me thankful that we work together and this photo felt like an extra blessing and unexpected extension of encouragement for the start of my week.

It was an encouragement to see this because sometimes, as an artist and often solo entrepreneur, I need someone to hold up a mirror to me when I'm immersed in doubt and question and remind me of what I look like when I'm happily pursuing my passion - content, creative, and happily growing.

Happy Wednesday!

PREVIEW: Ramya, 2014. Bay Area, Glamour and Portrait Photo Session

The temperature gauge on my car read 80 degrees and climbing. Needless to say, it was definitely going to be a beautiful but warm/I-hope-I-don't-melt kind of day.

The bright sunshine generously poured it's light into the studio as I excitedly prepared for this weekend's shoot with the lovely Ramya, a wife and proud mother to her little girl.

Below is just a sneak peak, but as always, there's more so stay tuned!

Happy Monday!

A heartfelt thanks to the talented Vlada Fomenko for her beautiful styling of Ramya's hair and make up!

A Health Journey - No, I'm Not Showing You My Belly

Lately I've been noticing a lot of friends, family, and business acquaintances posting up various things on Facebook, their blogs, etc. about their health journey and the things they are doing to lead a healthier lifestyle.

A close friend of mine shares various photos of the meals he's eating as part of his journey to better his health after experiencing a mild-heart attack - in his 30's! A stylist I know started documenting her healthy meal preparations throughout the week as she could stick to eating right even in the midst of her busy schedule. Another friend is working hard with a trainer to help push her to accomplish new goals with her health. A client of mine is enjoying newfound physical energy and strength after committing to get healthy, work with a trainer, and get her blood pressure down.

And of course, my own dear hubby who never liked to run at all, started running in January, makes time for it in the early morning hours, and is now slated to run his first half-marathon in Disneyland next month.

After noticing just a few of these inspiring stories, I started looking at my own routines. It dawned on me that my eating habits didn't always reflect balance and health, and although I was a regular at the gym, my workout routines had long plateaued into simply "maintenance mode" exercise. I had stopped pushing myself, barely broke a sweat, and made excuses too easily when my snacking throughout the day consisted of mini-chocolate bars and potato chips. Not that potato chips or chocolate are wrong (ooooh, you will NEVER hear me say something that silly!) but when it was a Monday-Friday deal, well, something has to change.

I come from a family where high-cholesterol and blood pressure can be genetic and make life not so fun. I see many people around me who, unfortunately, really wish they could be healthy but because of illness they can't control, this is a tough goal for them to achieve. Needless to say, I don't have a good excuse for slacking.


I had recently signed up with a personal trainer and started taking hot yoga classes and, ooh, have mercy, I didn't think it was possible to sweat in buckets after only 15 minutes after either of this exercise routines. I'm finally feeling the burn, literally and figuratively, and have also started journaling my eating habits per the advise of my trainer.

Don't worry - I have no desire to go posting what my stomach looks like because, quite frankly, I'm embarrassed and don't want you to see how much chocolate and take out I've indulged in. However, in hopes that this inspires more out there to get up and get healthy, I will start journaling the next 6 months of this commitment - ALL of it. The easy days, the not so easy days, the potato chip days, the I-love/hate-my trainer, the oh-my-gosh-is-this-even-working? - days

Here's to making changes for a healthy and beautiful you.

Happy Friday!