Dany & Nicole's Cambodian Wedding

Here's one of the most colorful wedding I've ever shot! This was my very first Cambodian wedding ceremony.  

Dany is a long time friend of mine. We've known each other since high school. So I was thrilled when he asked if I would photograph his & Nicole's Cambodian wedding ceremony. 

The vivacious Nicole was a ball of fun on the day of the wedding. Nicole, normally does not wear any makeup whatsoever, so imagine my surprise when I saw that she was going for 4 different outfits & 4 totally different looks! 

The vibrant outfits & beautiful jewels put both my camera & I in heaven. I loved every aspect of this wedding! 

Keep in mind that a traditional Cambodian wedding normally takes 3 days & 3 nights with 10 different outfit changes. Dany & Nicole were able to squeeze it all into 1 day with only 4 change of outfits! 

Hai Goan Gomloh - Gifts of food & snack offerings from the Groom to the Bride's family

Nicole you looked radiant, like a tiny Apsara Dancer! 

Gaat Sah (Hair cutting ceremony) - where elder members of the family helped primp & bless the bride & groom by teasing them & wishing them well on their new lives together. This symbolize a new & fresh start for the newlyweds. 

Pretty in royal blue.

Nicole as beautiful as ever. 

Bongvul Pbopul -This is when the bride & groom are blessed by the married couples attending the wedding. A lit candle was passed amongst the married guests & everyone comes up to tie red strings to the bride & groom's wrists to symbolize the binding of their new union. OH yea, there's a sword & a gold crown involved to. 

Boramy, the grooms' beautiful sister.

This was the secret ceremony that happened in the bride's room where only close friends & family were privy to. Nicole's crown was lethal, it almost took out Dany's eye. 

The beautiful bride & groom with their wedding party.

DaNicole, I wish you both lots of love, joy & happiness for years & years to come!

My Favorite Muse

I'm sure by now you've all met my favorite kid to photograph. Conner has the sweetest demeanor & is every photographer's dream come true. He's very easy going & just happy to be hanging out with his parents. Our family session was super easy because Conner's Mom came prepared with outfits that we figured out ahead of time. We had some treats on hand in case things got rowdy, but all in all Conner worked his magic & we ended up with these beautiful images. 

Hey, what are you doing back there? Are you sure that's my good side?

Conner's got everything under control with Chris & Ron by his side. 

Happy boy!

Swing me higher!

Here, blow on this for good luck! 

A Life with Purpose

Meet Cracker Jack...

A dog whose life has been filled with purpose since the day he was born. 

In his puppy days CJ's first job was a lab test dog for a pharmaceutical company. A few years later he was adopted by a very patient owner who spent 2 years trying to rehabilitate & help him adjust to life outside of the lab. Unfortunately this owner got very sick and passed away from cancer. 

That's when Jenny, a fellow photographer, adopted him & they've been together until his last day. 

When I first met Cracker Jack, I thought he was so sweet & docile. He looked & moved just like a baby  lamb who was learning how to walk. 

On Halloween, I remember Jenny jokingly asked if I would take some photos of him with her before he gets to old & pass away. Of course I agreed, but I had no idea that he would literally pass just minutes after our session.

Since then, I've had a few days to digest all that has happened and it brings me back to "A Life with Purpose." 

Cracker Jack, you have certainly lived a very full life filled with purpose until the very end. 

I think you knew that your days were numbered & yet you stuck around to get in this last mini photo session with me, because it's what Jenny wanted. I questioned why you wanted me to witness your passing & this is what I came up with. You didn't want Jenny to be alone when you passed. May you rest in peace in doggy heaven, and know that your purpose has been fulfilled.

Double Trouble

Here's a family who's near & dear to my heart. I've known these two little rascals since they were born and YES as cute as they look, they really are a handful. Whenever one does something the other will follow suit and try to outdo his brother. When singing Old McDonald Had a Farm, they must sing louder than the other. You can bet that there's never a dull moment with Lucas & Aiden around. 

They're both goofy with a lot of LOVE. 

I brought a few prop hats for them to use & Lucas 

thought it'll be hilarious to be a builder, a pirate & a cowboy 

all at the same time. 

Double the Trouble, Double the LOVE

Here's Lucas pretending to be shy. 

Aiden is the mathematician of the family, only 4 years old & he already knows his multiplication table. Way to live up to the stereotype kiddo! During our session, Aiden insisted that I quizzed him on his multiplication. By the end of the photo session he taught me how to count from 1-10 in Mandarin Chinese. Now I just need to learn my multiplication... 

Nick + Lindsay = Simply Beautiful

Any betrothed couple will be the first to tell you hands down that wedding planning is really not that fun! It's stressful, time consuming & chaotic. Some of the things that you may consider are, live music vs. DJ, food - appetizers, entrees, wedding gown, tuxedo, groomsmen, bridesmaids, wardrobe for the wedding party & your parents, guest list, cake and the list goes on & on...

Now on top of all this, everyone - friend or not, married or not, will have great advice to give you in preperation for the big day.

By the time the wedding comes around your emotions are probably all over the place & you're questioning your sanity or maybe wishing you'd kept it sweet & simple, like Nick & Lindsay.

This beautiful couple planned their wedding all the way from Madison, Wisconsin, over 2,000 miles away from the little town of Lockeford, CA.

Can you believe that the day of the wedding was the first time that they saw their wedding site? Luckily it all worked out perfectly.

For Lindsay it started with a beautiful gown, that her mom convinced her to buy. 

She did her own hair & makeup for the big day.

With a little help from mom she's ready to walk down the aisle. 

The sweet wedding ceremony ended with a kiss. 

The newlyweds took a moment to themselves

Sweet

Simple

 & Beautiful 

Lindsay personally handmade these wine glass charms for each & every one of 

their guests. See? There's even one with my name on it. Thanks Lindsay! 

 This delightful cupcake table sat underneath the Oak tree where the reception took place. 

Imagine that, a wedding that's simply beautiful. 

The Cute Construction Guy

My husband was out of town this weekend, so I decided to take matters into my own hands & start that BIG CONSTRUCTION project that we've been wanting to do on our house. I asked around & someone suggested that I call this guy... 

Conner looked trustworthy enough

He was handy with the tools

The big machines didn't scare him one bit

Sure, he took a few breaks here & there...

In the end, I'm not sure he knew what he was doing, but he sure looked CUTE doing it!

It's my very 1st Birthday Party!!!

It's Anjolie's first birthday party with all of her closest friends! The guest of honor started out a bit intimidated by all of the people at the party, but she slowly warmed up to the crowd and even started chatting away.

Mango, Red Velvet & Dulce de Leche cupcakes were a hit with all the guests young & old.

Connor approves of all the yummy treats as the birthday girl smiles on with her grandpa!

Happy birthday little one, may you have many many more birthdays filled with love, joy & happiness with your closest friends.