Great time with this family...they are so game, so cool and I just had a wonderful time with them! I have to say I was greeted by their big German Shepard, and I thought, oh sheezz..how am I going to do this? But let me tell you, I have never been so close to a german shepard before and by the time I left, I had thoughts of getting one for myself and my kids. The HU are an amazing family...As you can see from their photos, they are spontaneous, loving and beautiful...I hope they like their photos and their time making them :)

The beauty of taking Father Mike's photograph was like visiting one of God's best friends and having a one on one time with him. I went to see Pastor Fr. Michael Healy at St. Bartholomew Church in San Mateo. We walked inside the big beautiful church with its stained glass murals surrounding the walls of St. Bartholomew and took some pictures. From there, we walked to the side garden where we began our conversation. By the time we wrapped up our photo session, I had already shared a big part of my life. No, I don't spill my life's 411 every time I do a shoot...he was just one of those very few gifted people, who when you talk to, gives you 100% of his undivided attention and listens without fear of being judged. With his steady and caring tone, he bids me adieu with words of wisdom and comfort. I leave his presence with a secure feeling that it will all work out and everything will be fine...and most importantly, that I just had a one on one time with somebody really special...oh what an unforgettable experience!

I just love this picture...how awesome is it to get three generations in one image...in their own environment, watching them interact with so much love. Grandma, son and his two boys --laughing and sharing a moment together...

I miss my grandma.



This picture was taken in front of city hall -- to represent the city they love and work for....She, a commissioner and the son, a fireman for the city of San Francisco.

Here's tita Linda and her daughter at their "Versace" home in San Francisco. I still cannot get over the fact that their house looks like a page from the Architectural Digest magazine:) It was late in the day when we got over to their house and even though the day was over, my clients still looked fresh and picture perfect ready.

I met tita Nimfa a couple of weeks ago. We chatted a little bit before we did the photo shoot for the Filipina Women's Network magazine and for the short amount of time I talked to her, I saw why she is a special person. She is a soft spoken woman, sweet, calm and very, very nice. But behind her sweet disposition, I also see in her strength and tenacity as a mother, (once) an immigrant, and now a CEO of a very successful home care business. To hear her story from when she first came here to the United States with practically nothing, to how she became one of the most successful Filipina business women here in the US is remarkable and inspiring.

As a Filipina woman, now on my own...she really inspires me to continue to persevere and dream big.

Thanks tita Nimfa for being an inspiration and a role model to me and all the Filipina women out there.

*To read her success story, you will just need to get yourself a copy of FWN magazine (or you can ask from me too when it gets published in April).

I hope Nanette and Rodolfo like Audrey's pictures --because I do -- not because I took them but Audrey is soooo stinkin cute -- and nobody can deny that! She was (and still is) such an angel when we did her shoot...makes me want to have a girl -haha!!

Anyway, I'm just glad to post these today and see her beautiful smiles and expressive eyes...I had a bad day today when I picked up my parents from the airport...my wallet was stolen --and it hurts.. :( Oh well, life must go on as they say...

Presenting Audrey...

Talk about an energetic girl...Meet Karina...fun and playful....This are shots taken during our conversation....love it!

A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Pre-school Faire that was sponsored by the FUN Moms Club The task of choosing what the right school --ok the best school for your little one was quite daunting. As a mother, we'd always like the best for our kids. We want them to be in the best school, to get the best education, to be in the best environment...and as much as I did this for my first son years ago (well, that was a long time ago), there is still that fear: Will his dad and I make the right decision - will we put him in the school that is best for him? And yet, accompanying that 'natural fear" is a mixed sense of anticipation and nostalgia....

I am eager to see Troy go through the next phase of his life and yet, I cannot feel a little melancholy that he is growing up too soon. But I guess, that's just a natural stage for every parent out there....

For moms, dads and everybody in between, a poem I read from one of the literatures I took home:

A child who lives with gentleness
will touch with gentle hands,
A child who is understood
becomes someone who understands
A child who lives with patience
learns a way to wait for things,
A child who is taught to smile at life
is one who laughs and sings

when children find acceptance,
thats another trait to learn,
And children who are loved a lot
will give love in return.

Finally some sun today. The past few weeks, the continuous gray skies, incessant rain and biting cold has slowly, at first meandered outside my windows and as days went by, crept inside the walls and little by little inside of me...Its a good thing I had my boys this past weekend and they kept me pre-occupied and "anchored". With their laughter, silliness, and playful selves -- they served as my internal sunshine that got me through the horrible, horrible somber gray days. Oh what would I do without them!

So today, I want to celebrate them -- my kids who not only provide me with sunshine and love, but colors ---different colors of life. They make everything so much more...I am treating myself and my walls to some of their warm smiles and colorful, soulful presence....

Off to my lab this goes....

FYI: These are both 20x16 storyboards...backed with foam core.

For Paul, Peggy and their 3 wonderful kids with their 3 Siberian Huskies. My very first time to take photos of dogs and I love it! We did not shoot right away as I wanted to get cozy a little bit with the dogs and by the end of the session, I wanted to go home with them....

Well, instead of me posting some individual photos, I'd just pose these...one is a 10x20 storyboard, ready to be framed and the other one is a collection of different frames and how they can look like in the wall.

A while back I posted one photo of Sean and his Myanmar protest project. Here are a couple more pics from that session. Sean is an art student (and former tae-kwon-do champion) from CalPoly. Although the poses here are not his own ---his interpretation was more subdued and somber, I asked him if he could do this for me.

Hey Sean - how did your project turned out?

If you want to learn more about what is going on in the military ruled Myanmar...here are a few links:
http://www.mizzima.com/www.burmanet.org/
www.world-newspapers.com/myanmar.html
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/01/30/myanmar.suu.kyi/

Here are some photos of Lavina and her two cute girls. It was late afternoon, the rain was pouring intermittently - it was cloudy, gray and dark. And yet, these two girls did not seem affected by the gloominess of the day. Hmm..that's why I really love to take pictures of kids....they seem to always be in some protected forever summer capsule...I especially love the eyes of these girls, bright, expressive and always full of wonder.

Some pics...

There's more photos of Shital: mom, wife, entrepreneur, doctor and friend extraordinaire....but for now, here's one for the road. Isn't she sassy?

January 28th update - Added two more photos from the shoot...Great time with this lady - she's a sweetheart!!!

Eric's Bar Mitzvah was the first Bar Mitzvah I have ever attended. Although my understanding of the readings and the different parts of the ceremony was limited, the fact that I witnessed one of the most important passages in Eric's life was a great priviledge. The ceremony was very solemn, and the speeches given by his parents were heartfelt, beautiful and memorable.

Eric, I wish you all the best in life. I applaud you for your wholeness of heart and for your genuine concern for the world and the people around you. Congratulations on a wonderful celebration, the food was great and the party was so much fun...