Category Archives: Cup of Bunn

I am a photographer and openly share many aspects of my business, but I also share the personal side of Bunn that has made me who I am today. I have been fortunate to have worked with many wonderful professionals in the wedding and boudoir industry, many of whom I am blessed to call friends. When I am not being a photographer, I am at home being a wife to my amazing husband; together, he and I help take care of his ailing mother, sharing our experience through an on-going series of personal and raw photographs I call “The Lola Diaries.” We lost our beautiful fur baby, Maile, a few years ago and I dedicated a very emotional post to her in April 2012, sharing the day she was put to sleep after losing her battle with cancer. (It was truly one of the hardest things I ever had to share and it still breaks my heart whenever I read it.) We now have a real-life ewok, Koda, who keeps us busy with his knotted hair and is frequently featured in my iPhone photographs on Instagram.

Liz Marek - filming bear cake in Pretty Ponies episode

Let Me Tell You What Really Happened During Filming

I cried a lot… everything seemed fine; Romie and I were beyond excited to have been chosen to get to appear on a huge network television show, like the Food Network Ridiculous Cakes, although I wasn’t sure what we had done to deserve it.

We arrived for pre-event filming at Sugar Geek Show with butterflies in our stomachs because we didn’t know what to expect as we’ve never filmed for a TV show before. We sat down at the table with Liz Marek, the amazingly talented baker and very successful owner of Sugar Geek Show, as the producer prepped us for everything… Then the cameras started rolling.

Liz asked questions about what kind of cake we’d like to have for Oliver’s first birthday party, what were meaningful items and colors to include, etc., and I answered— because Romie didn’t want to talk!? I felt like I did well, no stuttering or making up words like how I usually would do when I get really nervous. Yeah, it was going well. Then she asked me about Oliver and our story… that is when I started to cry and couldn’t stop.

I recounted all the years that we had prayed to have a child of our own then Oliver arrived when we least expected, after the loss of Romie’s mom whom we adoringly refer to as Lola in reference to the online journal that I kept of her via Instagram called The Lola Diaries. To realize that being on the show and all the blessings that have come forth since were all because of Lola (and our many angels in Heaven who have watched over us as we prayed and cried for 15 years). How did we get so lucky?!

The final footage that aired did not include a second of my tears, or any parts about our adoption journey. It wasn’t about us, per se. Which wasn’t a total surprise since the show was about the ridiculously amazing cake that Liz created just for Oliver. But, what I wouldn’t give to see footage of all those raw moments because I’m the one who is usually behind the camera capturing the emotions of others. Sadly, it also omitted the emotional moment when Liz surprised Romie with a special song that played on the bear’s suitcase to the tune of “You Are My Sunshine” which was his mom’s most favorite nursery rhyme that she sang to all her grandchildren and their children.

You can watch the episode titled “Pretty Ponies” that includes two other cake stories along with our three-foot tall bear cake that appears towards the end. Unfortunately, you will need to sign in with your TV provider that has Food Network access.

Fun Fact: My sister, owner of White Elephant Asian Fusion food cart, and I have both made an appearance on the Food Network, but on different shows.

(Images by ANIKO Photography)

interracial adoptive family white baby boy

//HELLO! I’M BACK.

When my son was born, I decided that I needed to step away from the photography business that required for me to be physically away to shoot. And when I was home, or when we were traveling, I was still physically “away” from him because I was always on my laptop to edit photos… and he’d have to play by himself. I just couldn’t keep doing that anymore and miss out on his growing years. I mean, I waited 15 years to have these moments and I didn’t want to be too busy to experience them.

So, I retired my 10-year photography business at the end of 2017 (nine months after I became a mom).

In the few years since, I focused on growing another business that allowed me to be at home with Oliver and work whenever I wanted to; I became a stay-at-home mom. Although things were moving along, I was feeling like I was slowly losing a part of myself… but, I couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was. I just felt lost, very lost.

I announced to the entire world that I was “retired” and my Yelp account was reported as closed, but I was still secretly shooting weddings and portraits here and there. Those times are when I felt alive. I tried to deny it, but I realized that I just missed being a photographer and I wanted to return to the world that I loved so much.

But, there was a problem. How do I come back from retirement? Is it ethical?!

I remember when Michael Jordan (Jay-Z too!) announced his retirement from the NBA. It didn’t make any sense because basketball was Michael Jordan, that’s what we loved seeing him do and he did it so well! Basketball wasn’t the same without him, but we all moved along without him. Then he came back. Huh? I thought he retired. That was confusing. (I’m not comparing myself to the greatest basketball of all time though! It’s his retirement and return that I kinda relate to.)

That’s how I feel about the idea of me returning to photography. Is it confusing? Has everyone already moved along without me in those few years since my “retirement”? What if my time has already passed? Does it really make much sense for me to return now, or ever?

I suppose there’s really no right or wrong answer, it’s just a feeling that I have deep down that I’m ready to start my photography business over again. Okay, maybe not start all over but more refine and showcase only the kind of art that makes me proud to create. The kind of art that will attract the right clients who want to work with me.

I’m going to end this post here so it’s not a longer novel than it already is. Basically, I’m saying that I’m back in business! Thanks for welcoming me home. ❤️

Bunn Salarzon - boudoir photography books

My #1 Popular Product: Boudoir Photography Books

Hands down, my top selling product will have to be the “Little Black Book” (5×5 album). These photo albums are flush mount and printed in quality archival thick pages. No fingerprints left behind! You start with your favorite images and can add more as you desire; albums come in 5×5 and 8×8, or larger in 10×10 and 12×12 (BIG!). Cover options come in various colors and in leather or linen (white linen cover is shown in image); custom text optional.

P.S. Album automatically includes printable digital file copy of the edited images used in design.

Awesome Costumes Ideas for Halloween?

(What to Do in Oregon?)

Actually, these are random photos that I captured from Kumoricon 2013; an annual anime convention held at Hilton Vancouver Washington for their truest followers … Every year on Labor Day weekend, these talented individuals in very impressive costumes roam Esther Short Park, nearby where I live, and it’s always a treat to see what they come up with each year. Next time, come join us and bring your kids because they’ll love all the creative costumes— don’t forget your camera!

Bunn Salarzon - scary yellow and black alien girlBunn Salarzon - the legend of zelda costumeBunn Salarzon - fair elf playing piano in the parkBunn Salarzon - mad hatter girl at the parkBunn Salarzon - awesome costumes at kumoricon 2013Bunn Salarzon - awesome costumes at kumoricon 2013Bunn Salarzon - green monster girl with hornsBunn Salarzon - blue wizard costume ideas

Tale of the Fishermen & Family at Lingayen Beach

These are my travel photos taken in the Philippines on an overcast day at the beach where I got to witness fishermen catching fish by way of traditional methods that their ancestors had done before them. It was a rare opportunity to see per the locals who have lived in this area for many years, and I was very lucky to have been at the right place at the right time. I don’t know much about them and have been unsuccessful with my Internet search (help, Google!), but this is what my auntie told me…

Bunn Salarzon - young boys playing on the beach in the philippines

They are Pangasinenses from a town in Pangasinan, Philippines. Pangalatok is their dialect that is very different from my husband’s family dialect: Tagalog, which is one of the twelve major languages in the Philippines. Fish is their main source of income to support and feed their family; each family consists of many children due to lack of education and resources that are mainly found in the city. Their catch of the day can be as high as 500 kilos of fish or as low as 200 kilos which makes it difficult when split by so many men also needing to support and feed their own families, too.

My husband, his siblings, cousins, and I quietly introduced ourselves then quickly lent a hand at reeling in the ginormous green net that spanned at least 20 men. It took maybe an hour to pull in the entire thing as they were using only their bare hands (and bare feet, too!); at one point something broke so they had to make up for the loss. As I continued to take as many photos as they allowed me, I was in awe the whole time that I nearly cried behind the lens … I just couldn’t believe that I was a part of this beautifully rare moment that even my aunt has yet to see— and she’s lived in the area for many years. When they sorted through their total catch (I think about 500 kilos), we purchased more than we needed as a way to thank them for welcoming us on the catch, still they included much more in our batch than what we paid for. Tears.

I hope to share more of their story as I learn it— help, Google!! There are so many images that I want to share: see Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 for more amazing images. (Mamiya 645AF + Portra 400 + Richard Photo Lab)

Bunn Salarzon - fishermen at sea in the philippinesBunn Salarzon - fishermen in the philippinesBunn Salarzon - barefoot fishermen at seaBunn Salarzon - footprints in the sandBunn Salarzon - fishermen splitting catch of the dayBunn Salarzon - fishermen at sea in black and whiteBunn Salarzon - men pulling green fishing netBunn Salarzon - black and white image of fishermen in the waterBunn Salarzon - fishermen working at the beachBunn Salarzon - men reeling in fishing netBunn Salarzon - old woman selling live fish on the beach