Currently obsessing (aka working) on this sweet couple..
When I see images like this it reminds me just how important and valuable a moment like this is, especially, years down the road. Whether it's an engagement, senior session, or a portrait session for you or your family... words cannot describe how priceless a moment like this can be for you and your loved ones. And there's something about taking the extra step to cherish a portrait and seeing it daily in your home as a piece of your own life art. I know for myself personally, I've vowed to create and capture moments like this for me and my loved ones.
It's funny.. I hadn't planned on writing about 'life art' but when I saw this image that is truly how
I felt and hope everyone can feel the same passion for their very own moments :)
What can I say, they are simply sweethearts. Jie & Hyon have a love that is so whole that even in a moment of silence it's as if they are communicating.. loudly. And if you have ever met these two you know that is exactly how these two live! I love how they laugh with each other, tease each other, and at the same time there is this underlying connection these two have.
But most of all, I absolutely adore how they love each other... unabashedly.
Isla was so precious and loved even before she was born... like many (if not all) parents feel.
And that is exactly the kind of love I love to see. I've seen the way Irene & Michael talk about their
little girl - their eyes light up and I can hear the slight twinge of anticipation at the thought of their
little girl growing up each and every day.
Irene is a planner, which is why when I received an email from her asking me to document Isla's
room (yes, this was before Isla was even born!) and then Isla's first year birthday party, I was
touched. For someone who plans and is very detailed oriented it was an honor for me to
document such an important milestone in Irene & Michael's first newborn's life!
Here's a glimpse into the love, laughter, and joy this family has. Isla is so loved and to see the
same love reflected back to her parents is a beautiful thing.
I had the honor of documenting this wonderful, traditional Korean wedding between a kiwi and a
native Korean ;) Penny's parents flew in from New Zealand for the Korean traditional wedding
ceremony and it was such a blessing to see these two surrounded by their loved ones from all
over the world. More coming soon...
Traditionally the throwing of the chestnuts is for the Groom's parents, but it's such a fun tradition
Penny had her parents partake as well. I think they had some fun ;)
(This is an original blog post from the official Blog! Join me there for the latest)
*Edit: While this particular vendor is from San Francisco, I thought I'd share this post here
because of the insight Julianne provides regarding make-up in general ;) It takes practice and
sometimes a little professional help but make-up is so essential to photos and can help you to
become camera ready just as you put emphasis on clothes and hair.. Read on for more details!
I had the wonderful honor of witnessing (and documenting!) my dear friend's wedding ceremony
in San Francisco last month. Friends flew in from all over the world (NY, Hong Kong, Portland,
NJ, etc.) and it was such an intimate setting where only the most closest family and friends
were invited to see these two vow to love each other forever ♥ Aside from the silly and teary moments that can only come from these two (really..), I had the most fabulous time getting to know local San Francisco wedding vendors! These people were
like friends and we talked as if we just had lunch yesterday. One vendor I had a chance to
interview is Julianne from Pretty by Julianne.
Before I go on and on about how much we talked about loving make-up... here's an {in-depth}
interview of Julianne herself:
Q. What is your favorite breakfast food?
A. Eggs and bacon. Ok anything with eggs. I love egg yolk!
Q. Your go to morning drink?
A.Peppermint tea. Harney & Sons has the best peppermint tea on the planet.
Q. First word that comes to your mind?
A. I'm hungry. (not an uncommon state in my world)
Q. Ok, on to the real questions! What do you love about weddings?
A. The OPTIONS that makeup gives. I mean, why do so many women get excited about
makeup (like me)?? It's the chance to look different, to enhance, to improve, to create
beauty. To be the best they can be. That's what I love about makeup. :-)
Q. If you had only 30 seconds to speak with a bride, what would you tell them?
A. Practice. Makeup is all about technique and if you don't practice what you learn from a
makeup artist or on YouTube, you'll never be able to do it "right" if you don't practice. Also,
beauty is individualized. You can see a great look on YouTube or a magazine but you need
to own it and understand it to make it work for your face.
Q. What do YOU specialize in?
A.I specialize in making women feel beautiful with what they have. Enhancing their
natural beauty. Sounds so simple right? As I mentioned earlier, beauty is individualized.
Just like how every brow has it's own shape and must match the owner.
Q. What inspires you?
A. Eyes inspire me. Whether it be almond eyes with mono-lids or bright colored eyes... I
think about how I can enhance with different eyeshadows and eyeliner! I also get inspired
by moments. A happy smile that I see from a bride or a cute little baby to the blue sky. If I
am part of that happy moment, I am inspired. Is this too cheesy?? (SC: umm, NOT at all.. ;))
Q. Why is makeup essential to photo shoots? A. What our eyes capture and what the camera captures is very different. Makeup can
enhance eyes to make them stand out, a carefully applied blush will bring a healthy glow
to the face, and lip color can make someone look healthy... You get the idea. Makeup can
definitely enhance, camouflage, chisel, feature and brighten so that you are photo ready.
Q. What is the Client's reaction when they first see the finished look?
A.Do you know what I love the most? After I am done with makeup, and the client sees
themselves for the first time in the mirror. They have the biggest smile! Usually because
they are really happy with the way they look. I had a makeup trial with a bride yesterday.
She looked at herself in the mirror when I was done (she was dying to see) and she smiled
so widely and nodded up and down! She was really happy with the look! She hugged me
like 9 times before she left the appointment. Stuff like that makes me feel SO good.
Thank you so much Julianne!! I don't remember how many times I told her I wish I had her make- up set for my own personal use ;)
If you've never had make-up professionally done (whether it's for a shoot or not) I'd highly
recommend it. It's fun and you will always learn something a little fabulous! ♥
For the wandering heart who loves adventure, travel, and most of all.. love. I discovered this
amazing video and had to share it. I love you in 100 languages in 2 minutes ;)
Have a fabulous weekend with all of your loved ones.
Whenever I see pictures like this it reminds me of those small, quiet moments and why the
wedding day actually exists. It is to fall deeper in love with the person in front of you and seize
life's adventures...together.
Jennifer is so full of LIFE. As soon as you meet her you're going to wonder what that little grin
on her face is from and her spunky personality is just spectacular. Not to mention this girl is
straight from the 20's. Jenn loves everything vintage and it's just so evident that this is what
truly inspires her.
I'm so glad to have been able to capture a few frames of this sweet little chica. Mucho love Jenn!
Love, love, love... your grace and this amazingly gorgeous light
And a few from early morning light..
haha, love! work it girl!
So fun... Jen, hope you're having a blast in nyc! Till we meet again Cabo.. ♥
I'm always blessed and touched when good friends of mine ask to document their special day.
Esther & Victor tied the knot in San Francisco and I couldn't have been more happy to be there
when they read each other their vows. It's love like this that makes my heart believe that love is
truly powerful, raw, and real. Love you guys!
Just had a tweetersation (my version of a micro-conversation via twitter) with my dear soon to be
bride Becca! It reminded me of our adventures and I had to post a few more frames. Love these
two! They know how to have fun but most importantly they love their love in such a genuine way...
Just one more frame from this love session between Sarah & Joe during their engagement
shoot in Seoul. Such a cute couple and so blessed to have documented their one of a kind love.
(This is an original post from the official Blog. Please join me there for the absolute latest!)
I'm squinting and fumbling for my shades at the sudden intensity of the sun. You see, while I'm
adoring this beautiful sun that's greeting me as I step off the plane I'm also realizing just how little
of it we get in Seattle.. #sadday. BUT, I digress ;)
Have you ever wondered or uttered the phrase, "what if?" "What if I just take a year off?" "What
if I studied abroad in Italy for a semester?" "What if I just talked to that one person and didn't
care what s/he thought?" "What if I just go for _____ and live the amazing life I am meant for?"
We all do it. Wonder. What if. But you see, the beauty of what if is that once you overcome the
hesitancy and fear that holds you back you come to realize just how much easier it is to jump off
the cliff and just... fly.
Because isn't that what we really want to do? Live life and fly? And why shouldn't we? After all,
we were given this amazing life with only a given number of years... we might as well live it up,
right?!
I've always been a firm believer of going for what you want. Of living your best life. Of surrounding
yourself with amazing people. And this is exactly what happened in Cabo, Mexico when a group
of artists gathered for a week of bliss, awakening, re-enlightenment, and, of course, a little bit of
crazy people dancing in the moonlight. (err.. disco ball?)
There is so much I want to say about this trip that it's hard to organize this post. I thought about
what I would say on the the plane ride back only to realize my brain is MUSH (good mush) with
everything that happened in Cabo. Since I'm a big fan of bullet lists... here are my random
thoughts:
(app: vignette)
* I couldn't have been surrounded by better, more amazing, soulful, incredibly intelligent people
* The tacos really are good thanks to the driver that sped madly to give us a few minutes to grab
some before we had to be at the airport (ok, that was a side note)
* YOU are meant for something big. No matter how small you think it is, that idea/life is YOURS
for the taking... if you take it
* Keep going. No matter how hard things can get, if you really want it... the doors will open
* If you aren't living an amazing and fabulous life... umm, why not? (so duh yet so amazingly
insightful isn't it?)
* What do you care most about or find yourself thinking a lot about these days? And no matter
how small or big it is... are you doing anything about it? What's the worst that can happen?
* YOU are beautiful and unique... make sure the world hears your voice.
I could go on and on but really, the best thing you can do (speaking to any artist reading this) is
attend the next What If that is about to be announced.... soon. Space will be limited and I cannot
emphasize enough how different and unique this conference is. Go... you'll thank yourself the
moment you get there ;)
love, susan
And, just a few frames from the breathtaking place that is Cabo San Lucas...
