Bread & Butter Event 2009 Teaser

Check out the video here:
http://www.vimeo.com/7289384

Aspiring chef, Alex Kim, and his fabulous crew spent two months preparing and planning for restaurant night "Bread & Butter" hosted at his crib in Fountain Valley. This event was such a grand success! The event involved 3 main chefs, 16 dedicated assistants, and 64 satisfied guests. The set up and decor resembles a romantic, little Italy atmosphere with lights and candles illuminating the outdoor bar and dining area. Alex's backyard was partitioned into two. Around the bar, you'll find a waiting lounge where guests mingled and sipped on their apple martinis (prepared by Tu and other bartenders). In the dining area, tables were set up for parties as little as two to as large as nine.

I was honored to witness the "behind-the-scene" commotion in the kitchen. Waiters and waitresses were scurrying back and forth to take and deliver orders, bring appetizers and beverages, and attend to every guests' needs, just as you'll find at any restaurant! Despite the chaos in the kitchen, waiters and waitresses walked out from behind the curtains with such poise and smiles on their faces! Assistants had to make several runs to the market for ingredients and drinks while the rest of the kitchen was left at work.

I was very impressed by the way the crew handled themselves. They managed to operate with efficiency and resilience under such a high-stress environment. Some didn’t even have a chance to take a breather or eat. The most admirable part for me was that I could feel the passion that drove the determination behind all the hard work- whether it’d be love for the culinary arts, lending a helping hand to a friend, or making a dream come true! Did I mention the 3-course meal was deliiissshhh? I had the French onion soup with salad, braised beef with vegetables (potatoes and asparagus), and tiramisu for dessert. Okay, I had the creme brulee too. Thanks Alex!! A-MAZING JOB guys!! I look forward to your next event!

Here is a teaser until I get the chance to edit the event highlights video. ENJOY!

Hellloooooo 5dm2!!

I finally purchased the long-awaited 5dm2!! It's by far the most expensive one-time purchase I've ever made but the one that I feel least guilty for! Oh man, the photos are gonna be sick! I can't wait for Saturday's wedding to use it!! **STOKED** :D

Irene & Leshin 10.04.2009

Experimenting with vignettes, split toning, and tints. Let me know what you think!

Angie & Sean 10.03.2009

Cammy & Bobby's Wedding

I was very honored to shoot with Jay on Sunday in Corona and City of Industry. Jay is not only extremely talented and possesses a unique style but he has an awesome rapport with his clients. You can see his professionalism and humble mannerism right away. I feel like that's what contributes to the increased quality of half his work! He was able to calm the nerves and make Cammy feel natural in front of the camera. This just comes to show the importance of really knowing the couple, as a couple rather than just subjects, and being able to use that to capture their best emotions, hence bringing the x-factor into the photos! Although time and pacing didn't allow me to get technical with Jay, I picked up a few things here and there in terms of angle and lighting just from observing. I gotta say I'm happier with this set of photos than I was with the ones from the last wedding.

Here are some of the photos below. You'll notice that I didn't cover group pics or the primary shots because I was the third shooter and was only able to capture the shots from a secondary angle. I shot most of these photos with my kit lens and inside of the cathedral shots with a 50mm. My L lens coming soon!! *fingers-crossed* So look out for more & better photos! :) **happiness**

I was going for the black + white, vintage, film-esque feel in the photos below. Let me know what you think!

And introducing the extremely talented young folks I worked with:

Check out their work at (from left to right): Jay-Hsiang Studio, White Rose Productions, and Photo Kronology

Would I leave teaching to do this...

When I first started shooting, I remember my dear friend Jenn said to me over the phone, "You know, I've never heard you light up the way you do when you talk about photography!" And from that moment on, I knew my passion was for reals. Despite the lack of credit people give to photographers and others in the creative arts, Jenn has always been so supportive! She is one of the few who encourages me to pursue this field. She says I have natural talent :) Now, you know how much that means when the rest of the world seems to disagree with what you're doing. Even I, sometimes, have doubts in whether photography is a realistic and worthwhile career to pursue. Of course, social expectations play a role in this... "You went to UCLA, got your B.A. and M.A. and you have a great career in teaching... you want to leave all that to become a wedding photographer??!" Sounds crazy and a little insane? Sure, if you don't have a love for it! But... I love teaching, too. Yet, I didn't fall in love with teaching the way I did with photography. My love for teaching was a very gradual process. I came to love teaching after two years with TFA. Photography, on the other hand, I knew. How I actually picked up photography was random but after my first shooting expedition, I knew this was something I wanted to take to the next level.

Not long after, I discovered how cool wedding cinematography is! StillMotion would be the professionals I'd aspire to become! Of course, the discoveries and enlightenment never stops. On that note, researching and buying photo gear is endless as well... and a bank-breaker. sigh.

Now, you know you love something when you DREAM about it...

Work started last week. Two days before I went back into the classroom, I had a nightmare about the first day of school. I was scrambling to get materials ready for class and fighting to find a vacant copying machine. It was like the first day of teaching of my first year all over again. I woke up with tensions in my shoulders and neck. Anxiety? Yes. I guess teachers get first day of school anxiety, too! So, anyway... that's teaching. I'm not a dream-er. Usually, I don't dream or I just don't remember them. Last night, I had another dream. I dreamt that I was shooting a wedding ALL BY MYSELF... going a bit too far with this hobby? I think not. It's awesome! One day this dream will come true :)

So inspired...

I recently discovered Furious Photographers. They're a really talented group of young photographers. I love the versatility that I find in their work- from traditional, vintage, to contemporary and fashion look of their wedding photography!

Check out their blog: http://www.furiousphotographersblog.com/

I was also introduced to Jay Hsiang Photography. Their style is contemporary and very professional but less "experimental" or "edgy" than Furious Photographers.

Here is their blog: http://jay-studio.blogspot.com/

It's young but absolutely AMAZING photographers like them that inspires and motivates me to improve my craft everyday. I would love to one day be as good and original as them!