@White Kebaya Girl
Location: Bali [Indonesia Lifestyle Photographer]
CANON 5D + 100mm f/2.8 MACRO = MY WINDOW TO ANOTHER WORLD
One lens. That’s all it took. I was without a telephoto lens so zooming was not an easy option. Instead, I got closer to my subjects — as close as they would allow me (the stranger), of course. But, I kept cautious, asking for permission, respectfully, because I never wanted to be disrespectful to anyone in their own home. Yes, I look a little like them, however, I couldn’t understand their language and they couldn’t understand mine, but through smiles we understood each other. Through this experience, I am a better person. Through my lens, I saw Bali.
In an earlier post, I introduced the Red Kebaya Girl; today, I am introducing the White Kebaya Girl. To be honest, the original plan was to shoot both sessions on the same day, but as the heavens had it we were forced to try another day on the count of rain. I’m glad nothing went as planned … Because I am able to share with you two variations of the Kebaya girl. In red, a beauty with poise. In white, she stands uncovered, without an umbrella, surrounded by warmth and laughter.
Behind the scenes…
Off the beaten path, in the outskirts of Ubud, a single narrow road led us to a small village filled with children who observed us with such quiet curiosity. Little boys sat on their bikes and watched. Little girls — all in matching tee-shirts — giggled as we approached them with a request to dance with the White Kebeya Girl (in the middle of the road). But, they were all hesitant. Moments later, we were following them inside their gated community where we discovered a dance school. Theirs. They held our hands and invited us inside their world, eagerly. (I’m glad nothing went as planned.)
P.S. Stay tuned for my third and last shoot in Bali.
NOTE: I had a near-fall in the video footage. Evident that I’m a klutz!
@Red Kebaya Girl
Location: Bali [Indonesia Lifestyle Photographer]
LITTLE BITTY STINGIN’ RAIN AND BIG OL’ FAT RAIN … RAIN THAT FLEW IN SIDEWAYS.
And sometimes rain even seemed to come straight up from underneath. Per Forrest, Forrest Gump, that totally depicted the kind of weather I encountered on my very first shoot in Bali. Yes, B-A-L-I. Not Oregon. It just goes to show that whenever I chase the sun it runs from me — like, completely. Like, to the other side of the world! Geesh, I get no lovin’ from ‘em sun gods. None. Zip. Lame.
But, what’s a girl to do who flew thousands of miles to such a magical island with her big camera? That’s right, SHOOT. Then, shoot some more!
I tried MF and AF mode, but either way I was dealing with a lot all at once. Focusing was a nightmare with ‘em fat rain pouncing on my back and my camera lens, mocking me endlessly. Thanks, eh? I usually shy away from rain, but it was the point of no return. The show must go on! Confession: I don’t think well on my feet when it comes to poses. I had all these ideas in mental preparation beforehand, but come nonstop rain I was at a loss. A part of me wanted to keep it safe and call it quit … The other part of me wanted to try. Like, just do it. And, I’m so glad I did.
I often time avoid shooting with colored umbrellas because of the color cast, but that was the only way to keep my subject from total downpour. She got all dolled up first thing in the morning just for this shoot. Poor gal. But, what a beauty in red she is. She caught even more attention in her traditional Indonesian attire (Kebaya) when we rode through a small village and was in the midst (yes, pun intended!) of a ceremony. Everyone wore white, except for my red Kebaya girl. We didn’t think it would be that noticeable, but we were proven wrong. The women on the sideline were giving her glares and, though, I couldn’t make out their native language I felt their stinging words. Ouch. However, it was a totally different feeling when we went to Tanah Lot (“Land in the Sea”) …
I was shooting her closeups and other details when I turned around and finally noticed the crowd that had gathered behind me. Little children lined up to be photographed with the Red Kebaya Girl.
NOTE: I’m still in Manila; travel plans have extended to Feb. 17 return date.
P.S. Stay tuned for the “White Kebaya Girl.”
1:1 w/Whitney
Location: Long Beach [California Portraits Photographer]
BEING THANKFUL IS MORE THAN ONCE A YEAR. BE THANKFUL ALWAYS.
I had a busy day this Thanksgiving with my in-laws, then on to my sister’s house filled with her own in-laws. EAT! EAT! FOOD COMA!!! I’m sure glad that I wore pants with an elastic waistband! Being around family can really put things into perspective. We’re all growing up so fast, too fast. Which means time is scarce … We should spend more time with the people we love. Now.
(So, this past weekend I did just that.)
I convinced my little sister, Jen, to help me kick off my Tour Dates and travel with me to LA. There, she would assist me on a few portrait sessions as PR while I tried my best to not bore her. Per tradition, we stayed at our auntie’s LA home which is the spot we pretty much grew up in. But, the last time we had been there was over 10 years ago, even longer for Jen (Auntie reminded her!). However, nothing’s changed. Auntie still treats us like her little teen-nieces and fed us constantly — as if we have problems in that area or something. Nope, no problem there! *blush*
A part of my LA tour was a mentoring session. My first mentoring session ever! Whitney is a young stylist based in LA whose work experience was formerly on the set of Warner Bros. Moved by the story of me quitting my day job last November, she sent me an email with inquisitive questions of how I got started in the photography business, then eventually quit her day job, too. Whoa! Although, I would never advise anyone to do anything too drastic, I am glad that I inspired something in her to follow her passion. Whatever questions she had for me, I had answers for her. Okay, I had some very long answers for her … Future Mentees: You’ve been warned. muwahahaaa!
In order to share knowledge, I have to show it in the form of an actual photo shoot. So, Whitney brought Nick, whom she has known since the sixth grade and dated since high school, to help us out. He’s been recently promoted from the title of “boyfriend” to guinea pi— err, model. haha! But, I don’t feel too bad for Nick. I know that as Whitney continues to practice her craft, getting better and better, then pretty soon he’ll not know what to do with all those awesome photos.
“If you have a dream, don’t give it up. You may be just one day away from making it come true.”
(At the end of my six-day trip, I am even more thankful for the life I live. I’m thankful to be living.)
NOTE: See MENTORING page for more details.
Anytime w/Maalaea Gustafson
Location: Pacific City [Oregon Portraits Photographer]
REINTRODUCING…
Being friends with photographers not only mean fun times and shared knowledge, but awesome photo shoots, too! What do photographers do on their days off? Well, we dress up one of our own in a wedding gown and hit the beach! Rain or shine, we were set to make some beautiful images. (And, I believe we achieved that.)
Maalaea Gustafson, the “M” in IandM Photography, first came into my life when she sent me an email inquiring about photography. We met for coffee, and I must’ve talked her ears off because I could see her eyes glaze from information overload. Yeah, I’m pretty good at that. You’ll lose me at “hello.” But, I guess I didn’t scare her too badly because she’s been a friend of mine ever since. She’s assisted me with a few weddings, I assisted her with a senior session. We often meet for sushi or coffee, but never both — at least not anymore. We learned the combo isn’t always great.
NOTE: You’ll be seeing even more images of the beautiful Maalaea by the other Click Chicks when they post on their Facebook pages and/or blogs. Gosh, how can you blame us? She’s gorgeous! Oh, what’s a Click Chicks? Well, if you don’t already know it then you’ll have to find out later. :)
P.S. I just celebrated the one-year mark from the day I finally quit my day job. Life’s been good!!!
Anytime w/Kelly Goode
Location: Pacific City [Oregon Portraits Photographer]
INTRODUCING…
This delightful creature showed up with three pairs of boots and a beautiful white dress so that we could do a bridal session — at the beach! Oh, and not to mention in the cold days of November! Luckily, it didn’t rain on us and we were blessed with overcast skies. It was perfect!
Kelly Goode, of Capture Photography, played up her outfit and amazing red hair so wonderfully. She rocked the hair, the dress, and the boots. Including, the flower in her hair which happen to be made from paper towel! No, I’m totally not kidding. (Thanks again, Mel! You’re so creative!)
Kelly does a great job at faking laughter for the camera, as she was told to do it over and over. Seriously, this isn’t an easy task. But, she made it look so good, huh?! Sadly, when I’m really laughing in front of the camera it actually looks fake. It’s just my gift to take terrible self portraits. I’ve been doing it for 33 years so I surely cannot stop now. haha!
P.S. Because Kelly is also a photographer, she needed very little directions on how to pose. Though, it’s not true for all of us photographers (definitely not me!), but she got it on lock! I would ask her to do something and she’d do it, but added her own style to it which worked out even better. She makes me want to get in front of the camera and strut my stuff, too. Okay, maybe not so much that I’d actually do it any time soon. haha! Again, photogenic is just not me. *sigh*
NOTE: Red. I love this color. Therefore, there is no need for B&W. Hooray for awesome redheads!
Engaged: Erica & Charlie
Location: Troutdale [Oregon Engagement Photographer]
“CHARLIE HATES HAVING HIS PICTURE TAKEN, BUT EVEN HE HAD A GOOD TIME.”
It seems the norm that most grooms-to-be will go along with anything and everything their brides-to-be ask of them. One of those unbearable tasks is engagement pictures. Do we have to? Yes, because I said so. Well, that was the norm in my household during the planning of my own wedding. Hey, we’re still married seven years later so it’s all good! haha!
Luckily for me, my groom-to-be loves the camera, always at camera-ready. Um, no, not shy at all. But, we didn’t have our engagement photos taken. At the time, I justified it as another unnecessary cost. I would spend that money on other things, like flowers and a four-tier cake. Seven years later, I no longer have the flowers and cake. And, I don’t have engagement photos to look back on. This is why I offer engagement sessions to my clients. I hope to capture them how they are so they can look back on their photos seven years later with smiles and no regrets.
Guest Photographer: Derrick Bautista
P.S. When you hire two photographers, you get more than just total coverage. You get your very own walking coat- and handbag-rack. Derrick is also available to watch your tyke on the set, too. And, he has. haha! (Derrick is photographed below in the first photo. Not the pear.)
Engaged: Erica & Shaun
Location: Forest Grove [Oregon Engagement Photographer]
“WARNING: WE DO NOT PHOTOGRAPH WELL.”
I love it when my clients tell me that they are not photogenic. Huh? What does that even mean anyway? To me, I think everyone is beautiful when they aren’t trying. It’s when they are just being themselves and having fun, enjoying life. Just be you. That is beautiful. You know, when you laugh at yourself we laugh with you. No, not at you — well, unless you trip! haha!
Guest Photographer: Derrick Bautista
Erica & Shaun: I cannot wait for your wedding this weekend! Let’s par-tay!!!
Anytime w/Mr&Mrs K
Location: Berlin [Germany Wedding Photographer]
YES, YOU CAN WEAR YOUR FAVORITE OLD CHUCKS FOR THE SHOOT.
My first-ever destination wedding B&G, Arounothay & Carsten, opted to not do their portraits on their wedding day, but instead on an “After Shots” session which we scheduled after their honeymoon. I loved this idea! There was no pressure to have it all done during the wedding which is usually a very stressful time for everyone, especially the B&G. And, what’s also great is that they were refreshed and worry-free for their portraits as Husband & Wife. Ironically, we chose Park Sanssouci in Potsdam as the background for their session, in which, the word “Sanssouci” means: without worry. Did we plan or did we P.L.A.N.??? Word.
Carsten played along as the gentleman that he is to Arounothay for the first half of the two-hour session. But, once I gave him the green light to switch from his formal footwear to his most-favored Converse Chucks he went bonkers! I am telling you no lies when I say that he pretty much did his thang and worked it for the camera! These first few shots were all his ideas: (1.) hiding under Arounothay’s gown, to shelter himself from the rain, and (2.) recreating a 1993 pose from Janet Jackson’s album cover Janet? But, guess what … I had the time of my life on this shoot! How fun to have this twist in our original plan??? Oh, another thing that we did not plan was the crowd that circulated around us. At one point, a mother and her children went up to Arounothay for permission to photograph with her because the little girls thought she was a real-life princess! And, just like a princess, Arounothay lost a slipper as she was making her way up the staircase. But, her prince was close behind to reclaim it for her, of course! What does this remind you of?
Make-Up: Donnie Phanivong
P.S. Seriously, the little girl on the left (with the hair berets) has the best expression ever. Classic!
Engaged: Julie & Thanh
Location: Portland [Oregon Engagement Photographer]
YES, I’M STILL IN GERMANY BUT I JUST HADDDDDD TO POST THESE. THAT’S SIX Ds FOR YA!
Julie thought it was just another getaway with her sweetie; something that happens quite often as the pair love to travel. But, her sweetie, Thanh, had something else in mind when he took her to Vegas for her birthday. Although she didn’t know it — when the rest of her family did (sneaky!) — Thanh planned to propose to her, a moment that would change her life. Obviously, she said YES!!!
Julie & Thanh: Congratulations, and happy wedding planning!
P.S. Julie has some killer legs, would you not agree?! My own scarred and big legs are jealous!
Engaged: Liza & Lou
Location: Portland [Oregon Engagement Photographer]
I am so sorry for all the bug bites! Ouch.
They agreed to come along to this way cool open field out in Timbuktu because they trusted me. We were on a mission to find amazing light and a rusty, old red barn … somewhere. But, we never found that barn. We found bugs. Lots of them. And, then some more. Ouch! Oh, the violinist was pure luck! He was already sitting on the bench when we arrived at the park. SCORE!!! Seriously, I couldn’t have planned it better myself. Yay for beautiful surprises!
Liza & Lou: Thank you both so much for being such troopers and allowing me to take you out to the middle of nowhere — and, I’m sorry for all the bug bites!!! I promise they’ll heal in time — before your big wedding day! Let’s have some itchin’ fun! Okay, bad joke. haha!
In the meantime, enjoy the fruits of your labor!
@Play (Fashion Shoot?)
Location: Portland [Oregon Fashion Photographer]
THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING…
You know, I have the funniest, creative, and most caring folks on my crew. We have so much fun that we barely get anything done. But, we do manage to always, always eat?! haha! Sometimes, I have to put my camera down to hold myself from convulsions of laughter. Hm, that would explain all those blurry images in the cutting room. I just can’t express how much I love these guys!!! Thanks, you guys rock!
Guest Photographer: Derrick Bautista
Crew: iKham, MUA by MySa, JENuine Creations!
Models: Denise & Keoni
Engaged: Arlene & Derek
Location: Seattle [Washington Engagement Photographer]
DUDE, IT ONLY TOOK YOU 10 YEARS!
Arlene and Derek are finally going all the way after 10 years of courtship and a surprise proposal on New Year’s Eve. Yay! We got together to do their engagement session since I’ll be in Chicago the weekend of their wedding in May. *pout* They were so cool and totally down for whatever; for one of our night shots, it was taken when we all snuck down a gated stairway because we liked the tunnel so much, a loud voice boomed over the intercom at us, “Please do not go down the stairway.” Oops! But, check out that last shot: We found a lively artist playing his acoustic guitar on the street and, to our surprise, he played Elvis Presley’s “Only Fools Rush In” just for them!!!
NOTE: All travel within a two-hour radius is included in an Anytime session.
Guest Photographer: Derrick Bautista
Winner: ‘08 Romance Me
Location: Portland [Oregon Lifestyle Photographer]
SO, I HAVE A LITTLE CONFESSION…
How did I pick the contest winner? I put all 17 entries into a bowl and pulled out just one winner. Yep, that’s right!
2008 Romance Me Contest winner(s): Cecilia & Daniel
They were not too fond of each other when they first met, but now you can’t pry them apart. She calls him a snake charmer and he calls her a penguin? haha! Whatever it is, they are just too cute. At first, they played me like a paparazzi and didn’t want their pictures taken, but as soon as they got used to me they went stir-crazy! Check out that dirty and wet couch we found on the side of the road. Really. Um, wet or not we had to use it! BTW, I love it when my clients thinks that I’m “changing lens” or “testing the light,” or whatever else I say, because that’s when they’re at their most natural. Now that you know my secret just pretend that you never read this when we shoot! haha!
READ: “2008 Romance Me Contest” (originally posted on 12/17/07)
Engaged: Nadine & Mohsen
Location: Portland [Oregon Engagement Photographer]
SHE KNEW THE MOMENT THEY MET THAT SHE WOULD MARRY HIM.
On Saturday, March 29, 2008, Nadine will marry her “love at first sight” fiancé, Mohsen. But, this won’t be just any wedding … They will marry in Cairo, Egypt! How cool is that??? I was so excited to hear their plans for this destination wedding, especially about Egypt; I just love the whole pyramid and beauty of this country. When I get to finally travel the world, Egypt will be one of my many stops, for sure. One day, I know it’ll finally happen for me.
So, as you can just imagine, I about fainted when they asked me to take a week off and join them in Cairo, Egypt — as their destination wedding photographer! OMG. WHAT!!! Wait. Um, did I just die, or am I only dreaming??? If so, then DON’T wake me!!!
It took every ounce of strength in my body to refrain from screaming “YES!” for fear of scaring the beautiful couple. I remained cool and collective on the outside, but on the inside my entire body just wanted to do somersaults and all sorts of moves that I don’t even know! So, a hundred times, a thousand times, a million times — YES, YES, YES!!! Um, did I say “yes”? YES!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. I’m always down for a Destination Wedding, no matter how far or near! HOLLA!!!
Contest: ‘08 Romance Me
I am doing a contest to acknowledge all the romantics out there. So, come out wherever you are!
[WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ENTER?]
—Any couple over the age of 18 is eligible; couples outside of Oregon are welcome to enter, too!
—The winning couple must meet me in Portland, Ore., for the photo shoot.
—NOTE: Entries cannot be a former client.
[WHAT YOU GIVE.]
—Tell all your friends, relatives, co-workers, neighbors, and even the mailman (haha!) about me.
—Post images from your photo shoot with me on your Myspace and Facebook page (etcetera!).
[WHAT YOU GET.]
—1 Free “PORTRAITS” Session avec moi ($300+ value)
—Free Photo Album (4X6 prints of all images)
[YOU READY TO ENTER?]
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED …
UPDATE (02/02/08): Meet the winner of my 2008 Romance Me Contest.
Guest Photographer(s): Derrick Bautista
Image(s): Liselle & Andrew
Anytime w/Liselle & Andrew
Location: Portland [Oregon Lifestyle Photographer]
NO, NOT AN ENGAGEMENT SESSION, BUT IT WAS JUST AS SWEET!!!
When Liselle asked me to photograph an Anytime session with her boyfriend, Andrew, I was stoked. However, it gets pretty tricky to schedule an outdoor shoot when you live in the Pacific Northwest … That’s right, R.A.I.N. The start of the day was just a total downpour. I contemplated to reschedule because I couldn’t risk my gears getting soaked. Somehow, we all managed to run an hour late, but what a blessing in disguise. The rain disappeared!
But, we didn’t want to get too comfortable so we shot as quickly as possible — and, ironically, started out at the very club where the couple had first met. Wow, I’m good! It started to rain again, but only for a few minutes. Basically, we danced through the session in the rain. It was awesome!
[VIEW MORE PHOTOS]
Guest Photographer(s): Derrick Bautista
@My First Trash the Dress!
Location: Portland [Oregon Wedding Photographer]
YOU WANT ME TO GET IN THE WATER … IN MY WEDDING GOWN?
Trash The Dress! is a style of photo shoot that involves putting back on your wedding dress and just have fun with it. Like, no guilt! Seriously, when are you ever going to wear it or even see it outside of the box again???
NOTE: This dress is cleaner now than before Jen put it on. Hm, must’ve been all that salt water!
P.S. Jen’s 6yo son, nicknamed “Phatty Pants,” also joined in — yes, he’s really 6yo! Poor kid, he felt left out so asked to be in a few shots. Which is why he is now known as “Pouty Pants.” Aww … haha!
